The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Psalm 32:8
When my boys were little, they loved to play in the front yard. The problem with the front yard was we lived on the top of a hill, and on a cul-de-sac. We had a half-acre of land and all of it was in the front yard. There was a big avocado tree by the driveway that was a hill of its own with a circular landing at the top. In order to watch the boys, the rule was one could play in the front yard as long as one didn’t go past the avocado tree. It was a crisp clear day, I came home from work to find my husband talking to the babysitter, I asked where Dale, my four-year-old, they both said, “in the front yard.” So, I went back outside and looked for him, I walked down the street to the side street and by then my worst fear’s realized. Dale’s missing. I ran back to the house and in tears calling 911, I’m trying to report my child missing and I didn’t even know what he was wearing because the babysitter had gone home while I was looking for Dale.
Beloved, characteristic twenty-nine of a believer is one is watchful. Watchful’s defined as watching or observing someone or something close. Synonyms are alert and vigilant. observant, alert, vigilant, circumspect, attentive, awake, and heedful. In Act 20 we read about Paul saying goodbye to the church at Ephesus, he was trying to go to Jerusalem before Passover, he loves this church. He has called the elders of this church to come and say goodbye. It is with sadness he does this because he realizes he most likely will not see them again.
From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. When they arrived, he said to them: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents. You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.” Acts 20: 17-21
Paul declares Jesus is God’s son, Jesus is the way, the truth, the life, and the only way to God. In the verses that follow he says that he considers his life nothing that his purpose is to tell of God’s grace through Jesus Christ.
However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” Acts 20: 24
Then Paul gives them a warning about evil and to be watchful and how to be on guard.
Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.bI know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.” Act 20: 28-31
Paul speaks in terms they understood as many were shepherds. For me, his love for this church was like a parent. Sound advice was given, pray, read and know your enemies.
“Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. Acts 20:32
Beloved, the twenty-ninth characteristic of a born-again believer is watchful?
While I was on the phone with 911, the neighbor came to the house, he drove Doug to where Dale was at, Dale had walked down our street, turned right and went up the road at least 1/2 mile and sat down by a light pole. My neighbor saw him and tried to get him in the car, but Dale said he did not ride with strangers, so our sweet neighbor came to us and my son is now forty-years-old. The story could have been so much different.
Is there someone who you need to be watchful and pray so they get the inheritance among those that are sanctified? Beloved, pray and when you are finished praying, pray again. Today is the day of salvation. Be ready to tell your testimony of hope to anyone who will listen. Do you know the scriptures to lead someone to Christ? If not look up Roman Roadway. Suzie Eller in her devotion Come with Me is doing a 21-day invitation at https://tsuzanneeller.com/blog/
Father God, thank you for Mr. Edwards who saved Dale that day, thank you for watchful neighbors. Lord help me be a good neighbor, one that shares Jesus. Let me be like Paul and say my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. Lord, I pray for the woman that is struggling believing that she is loved, that she is sanctified. In Jesus’ name. Amen
What do you need to add the twenty-ninth characteristic to your life?
Come With Me Devotional- a devotional written from the book of Luke. Suzanne Eller walked as the 13th disciple in her book Come With Me for over a year. She then spent another year in the book of Luke writing the devotional. This book is true teachings blessed by our Lord Jesus Christ. She writes about the tax collector, the thief at the cross, and much more.
In honor of Suzi Eller, I am giving away her devotional today. Please leave a comment of how Jesus is working in your life.
This post is part of a 31 day series on the Characteristics of a Believer. I am so glad that you are here. To read all of the posts in this series, click here.
