KEEP YOUR GUARD UP, DON’T BE CAUGHT NAPPING

Bible Texts: 1Peter 5:8-9, Jn.10:10, Lk.18:1, Ezk.34:15, Zech.13:7, Mk.6:34, Eph.5:10-15, Matt.5:14-16, Gen.1:26-28, Rev.12:11, Matt.26:41

Yesterday, by the help of the Person of the Holy Spirit, you and I understood that we are shepherds and we have the covenant responsibilities to keep our sheep and sheepfold in perfect peace because it is the perfect will of God for the good and godly husbandman.

Today, as the husbandman, you must know why you must keep vigilant over your life and the lives of your sheep.

Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The devil is poised to pounce and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up (1 Pet.5:8) MSG

The Message Bible translation tells us that the devil and the forces of sin and the world are determined to take advantage of our carelessness as shepherds to access our sheep and sheepfold to do damage. And so, you and I as good and godly husbandman must to keep our guard up.

Your life as the good and godly shepherd is and will continue to be a threat to satan, sin and the world. The devil is the one who is looking for ways to make you slip into drunkenness, adultery, bitterness, unforgiveness, hatred, malice, and all forms of spiritual complacency, ungodliness and immorality. It is not because you are poor or rich that you are living a life of unrighteousness. The attitude of your wife or your children is not also the reason for your fall into adultery and unwholesome living that has not brought glory to God. It is spiritual carelessness on your part that has led you to do those things that displease God. You must awake and be alert (Mk.6:34, Zech.13:7, Jn.10:10, Eph.5:14).

But how do I stay on guard and not allow a slip as I lead my life, sheep and oversee my sheepfold?

Whom ye resist steadfast in faith (2Pet.5:9a)

As the good and godly husbandman, you must resist satan, sin the world steadfastly in watchfulness and prayers. Jesus Christ, the perfect example of the good and godly shepherd says, “watch and pray that ye fall not into temptation (Matt.26:41)”. You must watch over the type of relationships you keep, the places you visit, the books you read and what you listen to. You must also continue to plead the blood of Jesus Christ over your life because the blood of Jesus Christ overcomes (Rev.12:11). You must engage the Person and power of the Holy Spirit to help you discern the going on in the realm of the spirit to enable act and respond righteously (Jn.14:26).

Keep your guard up! Don’t all satan, sin and the world to catch you napping.

SPIRITUAL EXERCISE

• Father, in the Name of Jesus, open the eyes of my spirit man to see beyond every offer and suggestion.
• Father, in the Name of Jesus, empower me with the spirit of discernment.
• Father, in the Name of Jesus, empower me with the spirit of faith to stand against satan, sin and the influences of the world.

FAITH CONFESSION

I resist steadfastly satan, sin and the offers of the world on my knees through the power in the word of God and by faith because that is what empowers me to remain victorious as the good and godly husbandman in Jesus name. Amen.

The devotional IN TUNE WITH GOD© is published by The Husbandman Mission International, Headquartered in Abuja, Nigeria

70 DAYS OF FASTING WITH PRAYERS (16^th December 2023 to 23^rd February 2024)

PRAYER AND INTERCESSORY GUIDELINES 2023/2024

• PRAYER FOR THE FAMILY

Gen.2:15-18, Gen.12:1-4, Ps.1:1-5, Deut.4:9, 1Cor.16:19, Gen.45:32, Deut.14:26, Nah.2:1, Is.33:16, 2Chro.26:9, Gen.49:25, Gal.3:14, Deut.15:6, Lk.1:42, Rev.22:2, Ps.127:3, Ps.104:13, Ps.92:14, Gen.41:52

Day 23

• Father, in the Name of Jesus, bind my family in true love and friendship
• Father, in the Name of Jesus, let nothing steal the blessings of my family in the year 2024
• Father, in the Name of Jesus, compel every robber of my family inheritances to release our inheritances speedily to us in the year 2024

Please, visit www.thehusbandman.com search for the title FORCE OF CHANGE 2023 and download the PRAYER & INTERCESSORY PRAYER GUIDE as well as other important information.

Jesus Christ is Lord over all.

Bro. Ebenezer O. Igure

Head of Mission

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