Watchfulness

Main Scriptures: Mark 13:36-37

More Scriptures: Am.6:1, Is.21:8, 2Cor.11:27

“Maintain a continual watchfulness so that nothing of which you would be ashamed arises in your life”. Oswald Chambers

Watch ye therefore, for ye know not when the master of the house cometh at even or at midnight or at the cockcrowing or in the morning. Lest coming suddenly he finds you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say to unto all, watch (Mk.13:35-37)

I have come to discover that it is very easy for the shepherd to fall into error. I also observed that the call into the husbandman demands consistent watchfulness. That is why the man of God, Oswald Chambers, one of the hero’s of faith, said that continual watchfulness is what enables you and I to overcome the trap of satan. As the head of the family, you cannot afford to be careless with the words that come from your mouth to your wife and children. You cannot also be careless with just any thought that comes to your mind. In all things, you must exercise watchfulness.

But how do I maintain watchfulness? The first step is to watch the information that you receive. This includes the books you read, the films you watch and the messages you listen to. What determines how you react to your wife’s misbehavior or your children’s rebellious attitude is influenced by what quality of information is in your heart. You cannot be greater than what you know and you cannot act better than what you know and have believed. The second step is for you to constantly engage the ministry of the Holy Ghost so that you may know the right words to say when your wife or children offend you. The Person of the Holy Spirit will also teach you whether to utter a word or to be silent (Jn.14:26). This is what the Word of God calls the power of self control. The Holy Spirit also reveals to you why your wife or children behave so badly. Sometimes, your sheep may be doing what they are doing just to pick up a quarrel with you. But if you have the Spirit of Jesus in you, you would discern the motive and be guided on how to handle the situation. However, you must recognize that you need to have a quality relationship with the Person of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. You must be born again (please see the inside of the back cover of this devotional). The Spirit of Christ, which is the power of God that empowers any husband to function profitably as a man, husband and father, dwells only in a regenerated life. If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things have passed away and behold all things are become new (2Cor.5:17).

SPIRITUAL EXERCISE

·         Father, in the Name of Jesus, deliver me from spiritual complacency.

·         Father, in the Name of Jesus, lead me away from ungodly influences and associations.

·         Father, in the Name of Jesus, make me a profitable watchman over my life and flock.

FAITH CONFESSION

I maintain continued watchfulness over what I read, hear and listen to so that the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart will be gainful to my wife and children in Jesus Name. Amen.

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