Category: Alert

1 Peter 5:8-9 (NIV)
8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

“Peter does not launch a full-scale attack against the devil, but rather urges his hearers to ‘resist’ the devil’s attacks by standing ‘firm in faith’ and in solidarity with fellow believers experiencing ‘the same suffering throughout the world’ (1 Pet 5:9). Faith and solidarity reinforce each other to form an effective means of resistance. Faith brings into larger focus the glory soon to come and puts in eternal perspective the temporary duration of their sufferings. Christian unity builds a stronger defense against the enemy, who is one, while they are many.” [Janette Ok.  The New Testament in Color: A Multiethnic Bible Commentary.]

We are called to be alert and of sober mind together, resisting and standing firm in the faith together as churches.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Yes and amen to your word. Yes and amen to being alert and of sober mind. Yes and amen to resisting the devil and standing firm in our faith. Yes and amen to being united together with the church. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s worship and sing to He Will Keep You (Psalm 121) by Sovereign Grace Music (click here).

-AS

Ephesians 6:10-12,18-20 (NIV)
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Let us make our stand to protect the cadence of God’s word, prayer, worship, and the church. The enemy will do what he can to diminish their importance. Let’s be alert to the devil’s schemes. Let’s make every effort to treasure our faith and grow with the church. Let’s pray that we would be bold with the gospel wherever he leads us in outreach and to the upcoming Kenya missions trip.

Prayer: Lord, we pray for our churches. May we be strong and take our stand as we fearlessly make known the gospel in our outreach efforts. May you receive the glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s worship and sing to “One And Only Jesus” by Vertical Worship (click here). 

-AS

John 16:13a (NIV)
13a But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth.

“Because we have been made in the image of God, we are called to greatness. We were called for something more, something greater. It’s not about being recognized by people or making news headlines. It’s something far more meaningful and profound than that. We have some kind of unique role in radiating the beauty, creativity, and goodness of God. The enemy sees that in us and he hates that. He lies to keep us from living it. The enemy lies to convince us that greatness is so out of reach so we should settle for less. God will say you are loved and forgiven, but the enemy will say you are not worthy. God says you have been given every spiritual blessing, but the enemy will say you have no gifts. God will say you are growing. God will say you are closer than ever before, but the enemy will say you are far away.”  [Adapted from P. Ed’s message write-up.]

Prayer: Father God, fill us with your Holy Spirit. Help us, empower us, and guide us today. We reject the lies of the enemy and say yes to all your promises in your word. We believe you’ve called us to experience even more of your wonders. By the Spirit, may we be led into all truth. May you receive the glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s worship and sing to “Who Else” by Gateway Worship feat. Abby Gamboa (click here).

-AS

Let us proclaim and read aloud:

I am (alert and sober against the enemy) (1 Peter 5:8 NIV).
8  Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Ephesians 6:17-18a (NIV)
17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.

“This dim uneasiness needs careful handling. If it gets too strong it may wake him up and spoil the whole game. Like all young tempters, you are anxious to be able to report spectacular wickedness. But do remember…the safest road to Hell is the gradual one—the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts,” [C.S. Lewis. Screwtape Letters.]

What prevents the feelings of “dim uneasiness” and half-conscious guilt we might have with our relationship with God that C.S. Lewis’s Screwtape Letters speak of? We are exhorted to take God’s word and be filled with the Holy Spirit to help us to pray. We must seek times and places where we can pray with scripture and be filled with the Spirit.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we are alert and sober by your Spirit and by your word. Fill us with your Spirit today as we bring our prayers and requests to you. May your Spirit reveal what we need to see and hear today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s worship and sing to “Worthy Of It All” by CeCe Winans (click here).

-AS

Psalm 23:4 (NRSVUE)
4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

1 John 4:4b (NLT)
…the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.

In Christ, we are alert. We know evil is real. We know that enemies of God exist. However, being alert does not mean that we have to live in fear. The truth is that Jesus has overcome this world. The victorious one lives in us through the Holy Spirit. Let us believe and confess: Greater is the one who lives in us than he who lives in this world. Even though we walk through the darkest valley, we fear no evil, for our Divine Shepherd is with us, his rod and his staff, they comfort us.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, in Christ, my eyes are opened to the truth you revealed in your word. I will not fear the darkest valley for I know you are with me and you have conquered the enemy. Strengthen and comfort me now. Rescue me and let the victory of Christ be demonstrated in my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s worship and sing to “Jesus Is Alive” by Sinach (click here).

-AS