Be careful! Be watchful!!

We are living in the last days. The Lord Jesus’ coming is so near. All the things spoken by our Lord Jesus Christ as the signs of the end times are taking place all around us. What are we as God’s children do and get ready to meet Him.
“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of God.” Luke 21:34, 36
‘But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short’ Revelation 12:12
The devil as the roaring lion looking for someone to devour all the time and so be self controlled and alert. I Peter 5:8 How are we today in our spiritual life?
The schemes of the devil:

1. Advanced technology: The modern technology has brought evil into our hearts and homes. Let us be very careful about it. How much time do we spend with our i-phone, i-pad, FB and on and on? When a small click noise comes from our phone, with how much eagerness, we see what message and from whom. Let us ponder today, how much time we spend with our Lord we really want to have close relationship with Him. Are we listening to His still small voice and obeying Him? Paul says in I Corinthians 6:12 “Everything is permissible for me- but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible for me- but I will not be mastered by anything.”
2. Weakness in our body: Sometimes satan brings discouragement and depression so that we just dwell on it and go away from the Lord’s presence. Any bad report from the doctor and ailment in our body should not discourage us. We read about Paul that he had a thorn in his flesh and he asked the Lord to remove it thrice but the Lord said so clearly that His grace is sufficient for him. Paul lived all his life with it and received God’s grace. Paul said, “For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
3. Division in our fellowship: Our fellowship of believers should be strong. In these days satan wants to bring division among believers and fellowships. In the early church all the believers were one in heart and mind. Acts 4:32 How is our fellowship?

How to overcome the schemes of the devil:
Paul wrote to the Church of Ephesus during his imprisonment, he clearly advices them to be alert to stand against the schemes of the devil. “Finally be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the whole armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’ schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the whole armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes you may be able to stand.’ Ephesians 6:11-13 We have to take up the SHIELD  of FAITH in our left hand and the SWORD of the Spirit which is the WORD OF GOD in our right hand.

I FAITH – Our Shield:
Do we have faith to stand in the battle. ‘…for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world even our faith.’ I John 5:4  Jesus said, “When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:8 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” Luke 17:5 ‘Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.’ Hebrews 11:1  Faith is Forsaking All, I Trust Him.’
We have battles to fight and mountains to cross in our Christian lives. Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 “Have faith in God.” Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.’ Mark 11:22, 23

Three types of faith to overcome the mountains:

1. Resisting faith: In Luke 8:22-25, Jesus calms the storm by rebuking the winds and waves. Jesus asked the disciples, “Where is your faith?”  The Lord has given the same authority to us as His children. Are we using our faith to resist our problems, struggles, sickness…. so on?
2. Enduring faith: Paul on his way to Rome under went so many struggles in Acts 27.Before very long, a wind of hurricane force swept down from the Island. The ship was caught by the storm. They took such a violent battering from the storm began to throw the cargo over board. The third day they threw the ship’s tackle overboard. The storm continued raging, lost all hope of being saved. Some who could swim jumped overboard first and got to land. The rest were to get there on planks or pieces of the ship. In this way every one reached land in safety. Thus they were able to get into an Island, Malta for healing ministry. Paul had an enduring faith.
3. Hidden faith: In the life of David most of his life his faith was hidden. He was running for his life as Saul was trying to kill him, his hidden faith strengthened him. ‘Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings.’ Psalm 57:1

To grow in faith we need combined effort among the believers. We have to stand together. Paul says in Romans 1:11, 12, ‘I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong- that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.’

II    WORD OF GOD – Our shield
In Greek the Word is Rhema which means the spoken Word. God’s word is so powerful and mighty. He created the whole world by His word. He healed the sick and comforted the people by His word. ‘For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.’ Hebrews 4:12

• Love His word: In Psalms David says that he loved the Word. ‘I love you law.’ Psalm 119:113 ‘I stand awe of your laws.’ 119:120
• Give first place to His word: Early in the morning seek His face and you will find Him.
•  Memorize the word: Only then our hearts will be filled with His word. We can protect our hearts from sin and worldly lusts.

In Revelation 2 and 3 the Lord has promised so many blessings for the over comers. He wants to make us one. By submitting ourselves to Him and holding the shield of Faith in our left hand and the Word of God in our right hand, we can become the over comers.

 Sheila Bose, Chennai
7-10-2014