“Keeping Alert”

Mark 14:38
“Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation.
The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.” (NKJV)

Our Lord, Jesus, has just awoken His apostles, Peter, John and James, (who were asleep in the garden of Gethsemane while Jesus was alone in prayer) encouraging them to always remain alert and to discern when they were under spiritual attack (1 Peter 5:8). Jesus is telling them and us not to let our pride or self-confidence lull us into a spiritual sleep allowing the Enemy to sneak in. Although our spirit may well be willing enough, our unredeemed flesh still remains attached and we cannot always refrain from doing what we know is wrong. In other words, as long as we live under the curse of sin we will always fall prey to Satan and our sinful natures. And in order for people to fight the good fight of being all that God calls us to be, we need His redeeming Power along with His unconditional mercy and grace (Colossians 1:13-14). The incredibly strong unseen forces that are relentless in their quest to drag us away from the Truth and the goodness of God are much too powerful for our human strength alone. We must, dear friends, remain alert at all times and realize that our flesh is weak and the only way to win the battles of sin is through the power of our Almighty Redeemer, Jesus Christ. It is also important to know that no matter who we think we are or how confident we may feel, everyone will always fall short and loose some of the battles in our fight against ungodliness. But the great news is; the only Living God, our Savior, will always be there to pick you up in forgiveness and give you the strength and confidence to continue on with your battles, for He, the Lord Jesus, has defeated sin and death once and for all time (Romans 6:10). So stay alert, my friends, and clothe yourselves with Christ, because only with His holy and saving covering will you be victorious!

A Whisper of Hope

Remain in Me, dear child…And I will remain in you. Do not let the Enemy lull you into believing you can live without God, and that you can do anything you want. Stay alert and aware of his deception, for he takes pleasure in destroying anything that is attached to God’s goodness. The creator of lies is out to destroy as much of creation as he can. The Devil’s power is too much for mere humans. But as long as you depend on Me, the most powerful force in existence, I will give you all that is needed to defeat the enemy of your soul. Take heed, My child, you cannot stand alone.

1 Peter 5:8
Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil,
prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (NASB)

Colossians 1:13-14
He has delivered us from the power of darkness and translated
us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption
through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. (NKJV)

Romans 6:10
For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all;
but the life that He lives, He lives to God. (NASB)