Guard, Remember and Persevere

Man I’ll tell ya, it is a gorgeous day here in Mooresville, N.C. I finished up work early today, came home, opened up all of the windows and doors, and had every intention of finishing up the series on Smyrna. I felt the Spirit leading in another direction though. I want to share with you a “word” the Lord has been speaking to me personally: Keep watch over your heart with all diligence for everything you do will flow from it, and remember what you have received and heard-persevere!!  (Prov. 4:23; Rev. 3:3)

It’s so easy to be distracted, become complacent, and get spiritually slack. A little rest, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands and then before you know it, you wake up and don’t recognize yourself or your surroundings any more. You find yourself thinking and doing things you wouldn’t have dreamt of a short time ago. Once you were so confident that you were following the leading of God’s Spirit, and now you begin to wonder if you really heard his voice at all. Bewildered, you ask yourself (and Jesus) what happened.

 We can never forget that our walk with Jesus is intentional as well as being totally founded upon his love, grace and mercy. So many things (even “good” things) compete for our attention and affections. Yes, there is a devil, there is true spiritual warfare, but honestly I have to say, “I have seen the enemy and it is me.” Gradually, at times, I have found myself allowing TV, working out, school, ministry, and whatever else rob me of time alone at the feet of Jesus. I forget the words of Jude: “But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,  keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.” The fire of God’s love burns in our hearts because he has given us his Spirit, but the heart must be watched over with all diligence, and the flames regularly stoked with prayer, his word, and the fellowship of the saints.

We can never forget how glorious a salvation we have received. The eternal life that was with the Father has been given to us in Jesus. We have received participation in the very life of the Triune God, and are called to be partakers of his divine nature through Jesus. NEVER FORGET!!  We must always remember the things we have heard from the Lord. Because of God’s indwelling Spirit, we have heard the voice of the Lord speak to us and we must remember the things we have heard. Our ears must not be allowed to become dull of hearing, but continuously attuned to what the Spirit is saying. Do you remember the promises he gave you? Do you recall the things he has whispered to your heart as you wept before him in times of worship?  Remember the times he opened his word to you and you heard him speak so clearly.  Don’t forget how he has spoken to you through a brother or a sister. “Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from God!” NEVER FORGET!!

Brothers and sisters be encouraged in the Lord, and stand strong! Keep watch over your hearts and remember what you have received and heard from him. Take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet, for he is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. Persevere!!