Alert and Sober

1 Peter 4:7  The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.

1 Peter 5:8-9 (excerpts)  Be alert and of sober mind. …standing firm in the faith…

            As I study scriptures, I often look up words even when I think I know the definition. I am usually rewarded by finding new insights and unique twists that deepen my understanding. Such is the case with today’s scriptures.

            To be alert is more than a cursory glance around one’s surroundings and it is more than staying awake. If one is truly alert they are keenly and vigilantly aware of all that is taking place around them and they know in an instant if something is amiss or not as it should be. With relation to the influences and teachings of the world which seep into our minds through a myriad of sources; being alert is the ability to know when the message given does not match up with Christ’s teachings. It is knowing that something is amiss and it doesn’t match up with our faith and belief in God.

            To most of us, our immediate thoughts on the word sober is the association of abstaining from alcoholic beverages but this is only one sense of the word; there is a deeper meaning. It is being clear minded without distortion or wavering. In relationship to our faith, it is clearly knowing what you believe and why you believe it.

            When I study today’s verses, I get a deeper sense of what it means to be alert and sober while living in today’s world. It causes me to make every effort to be clear minded about what I believe and why I believe it. It also causes me to be vigilantly watchful of those things which would attempt to draw me away from keeping my Heavenly Father first in my life.

 

Gracious Heavenly Father,

            We confess that we are not always as alert and sober in our faith as we should be. There are so many false teachings, concepts, and ideas seeping into our minds that promote worldly views instead of your Truth. Guide us, direct us, lead us in the way we should live. May we stand firm in our faith.

            In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, Amen.

 

The devotional Alert and Sober appeared first on Write From My Heart at  

https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

 

Euodia and Syntyche

Philippians 4:2-3  I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.

            Myriads of sermons and lessons have been written on the topic of these two women and I seriously doubt I could add anything in the way of new insights. Yet as I was preparing for a different study, I did notice a few things worth noting.

            First of all, these two ladies were Christians whose names are in the book of life. Neither one had a conflict with Paul. They both supported Paul since they have contended at my side in Paul’s ministry in the cause of the gospel. These women were the roll-up-your-sleeves-and-get-to-work kind of women. The cause of the dispute was not even worthy of notation. Who knows? Maybe one was in charge of the pie committee and one was in charge of the decorations? We will never know, and that was not the point Paul was trying to make.

            Repeatedly in nearly every letter Paul wrote to new Christians and churches, the goal was working together not competing against one another. Paul wanted believers to come together using their various talents, gifts, and abilities in a way that would draw others to Christ. That was the goal—increase the family of God, draw others to Christ.

 

Gracious Heavenly Father,

            We are thankful for the gifts, talents, and abilities you have bestowed upon each one of us. May we faithfully use what you have given us for your honor and glory. We also pray for you to fill our congregations, pews, and choir lofts…but we humbly ask you to first prepare our hearts to accept the gifts, talents, and abilities of those whom you send to fill our church. May we be willing workers side-by-side with the willing workers you send to us.

            In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, Amen.

 

The devotional Euodia and Syntyche appeared first on Write From My Heart at   

https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

God is Near

Acts 17:24-27  The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.

            Last night my husband and I drove just west of our town and found a quiet spot on a dirt road to view the comet that has been visible in the early evenings hours. Technically, the comet’s official name is  Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS)  That’s for all of you science buffs. But as I watched the skies it occurred to me that my Heavenly Father was present and watching for I truly acknowledge and believe that He is the Creator of all things, and by Him all things hold together.

            We build churches in which to worship but I wonder if we somehow think that’s the only place of true worship—a church building. If that is our subconscious thinking, then no wonder the lives we live during the week do not always match the life we live during a one-hour church service. God is not confined to a man made structure on earth, nor does the universe restrict or limit Him in any way; for He created it. He created heaven and earth. He created humans and gave them life, breath, and length of days. The history and boundaries of man marches on according to God’s will. And why would God do all this?

Acts 17:27  God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.

Isaiah 56:6  Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near.

            Perhaps when we come to the realization that God IS, and that He is always near—perhaps then we will allow our worship to go beyond the confines of a one-hour weekly church service—perhaps then we will understand that every moment we have breath of life is an opportunity to worship the Loving God who created us.

 

Gracious Heavenly Father,

            I stand in awe of the beauty of your Creation. Forgive the times I fail to honor you or forget how near you are. Thank you for your mercy and love.

            In the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, Amen.

 

The devotional God is Near appeared first on Write From My Heart at  

https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

photo provided by T.G. Willmon, October 14, 2024