Watch Therefore and Be on Guard

People hire security guards for safety reasons because there is violence, robberies, car jacking, breaks-ins, hackers, scams artist, and whatever. Growing up as a kid we would go to the parks, Maplewood or Malden square, walk home late at night and we felt secure and safe. Today is a different story though and the times have changed. Parents panic if their child is missing for more than a minute or two when shopping, or in a crowd at some event. A security guard only provides safety when they are responsible to do their job and be watchful to the surroundings they are to guard. If they fall asleep, then there is no watch guard or security in place. Jesus admonished his disciples to watch and pray. I other word, Be ready! “Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.” (Matthew 24:42).

Watching or listening to the media, the news, or talk shows can instill much fear in you, should you allow it to. I often try to listen to what is not being told or if the facts are true or not. Jesus reminded us that there would be tension in this world, nation rising up against nation, wars and rumors of wars, etc.. Jesus did make one thing clear to his disciples, that no one knows the day or the hour the Son of Man is coming back (Matt. 24:36) I know people will doubt and mock that Jesus is not coming back, or he never rose from the dead on the third day, which He did rise from the dead. When God was going to judge the earth back in Noah’s day they mocked him as it took him over 100 years to build the Ark.! Noah had warned not to fall asleep but to prepare and be ready before the flood over the whole earth. The ones who were saved were ready and inside the Ark! Well the flood came and Noah and his family were saved from the judgement of God from the floor. Noah had faith and trusted God at His word.

Jesus reminds the disciples and warns them in the Olivet Discourse Matthew chapters 24-25

1. Do not be deceived. “Take heed that no one deceives you” ” Many false prophets will rise up and deceive many” Matt. 24:4,11 Notice he did not say a few, but many. be discerning and awake. Do not buy into the nonsense that “everybody is doing it” ! That is what they said during Noah’s day too.
2. Do not Be discouraged You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. (Matt. 24:6-7).
3. Do not be defeated:  “Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. “Matt. 24 :12 The heart can easily fall asleep and we get tired of loving and serving the Lord. I have been doing this for years! You may be tired, but the Lord wants us to endure through the trials and tests that come our way. “He who endures to the end shall be saved” Matt. 24:13 Works do not get us to heaven, but our faith in Christ at the Cross does. However, when we love the Lord, we want to do good works to help be a light and spread the Gospel. The Gospel means “Good News”! Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.  For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.  So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. (James 1:2-4).
4. Do not Be Distracted. “Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.” (Matthew 24:42). We stay alert and watch to remind ourselves when the Lord may come. How do we stay sharp and watchful? Well a few things as we grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ.
   • Prayer. Spend time with God on a daily basis in a personal relationship. Examine our own hearts. This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy.  Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires. Romans 13:11-14 NLT
   • Study God’s Word-The Bible. Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. 2Timothy 2:15 NLT
   • For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.  Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable. Hebrews 4:12
   • Stay Connected to Other Believers. “All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity— all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47

My friend may we be reminded to stay alert, and not doze off becoming lazt or sleepy, but may each of us “Be Ready” at all times! Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are. (1 Peter 5:8-9)

Have A great Day and coming week my friend.