STAY VIGILANT AFTER THIS

03/27/2024

"These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble" (Mark 4:16-17).

One sign that you have received something tangible from the Lord necessitating your vigilance to prevent its loss, is the onset of sudden adversity. Now, when your heart is aligned, and you receive something from the Lord during a service or prayer, it's crucial to heighten your sensitivity to what follows: often, the adversary will launch some form of attack.

But it's important to realize that this attack cannot succeed without some form of consent or participation. You might wonder, "How could I have consented to my own attack?" To answer this, let's reflect on the story of Jesus and His disciples on the lake. "Now it happened, on a certain day, that He got into a boat with His disciples. And He said to them, 'Let us cross over to the other side of the lake.' And they launched out" (Mark 8:22). Notice how the words of Jesus set their course in the spiritual realm, and then they obediently followed in the direction of Jesus' words.

Then Mark 8:23-24 says, "But as they sailed He fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water, and were in jeopardy. And they came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And they ceased, and there was a calm." 

Perhaps you received a word about your health, and as you celebrated that word, you went to the hospital to confirm it. However, on the way to the hospital, the enemy appeared with scare tactics. The reason he appears is to try to strip you of the word you have embraced and claimed as your own.

In the schematics of spiritual warfare, when you receive something tangible, your responsibility is to become vigilant. Pay attention to and pray about every dream, vision, prompting, or suggestion that contradicts God's word of direction or resolution to you. As the Bible says, "casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ."

You do not negotiate with any contrary picture, word, or thought. Instead, you refute them and declare God's word, holding fast to it with confidence. One of the secrets of the enemy is that he runs out of steam easily. The moment he barks, and you don't budge, he loses his bite, retreating until another kairos season. Luke 4:13 illustrates this: "Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time."

This is why you must remain sober, especially during kairos seasons. As 1 Peter 5:8 advises, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." The moment you receive something from God, your guard should immediately rise up, just as Jesus did during the three temptations. Use what God has said as your defense. In fact, continue to declare it, and don't stop until you see it manifest.

Praise God!

Faith-Filled Confession

God is indeed my refuge and strength, my ever-present help in times of trouble. Therefore, I will keep the word of God on my lips and in my heart, knowing that regardless of the circumstances, I am defended and advancing in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Glory be to God!

Prayer Points

• Praying against sudden or accidental death of young people and infants.

• Cancel every negative claim against your family, destiny, and interest. Refuting their illegitimate claims on your life through diverse sickness and disease.

• Pray that every God-ordained plan and mission concerning the church, pastors, partners, and residents of GHC this quarter will go forward and be accomplished without any reproach, hindrance, or interference from satanic or outside forces.

One-Year Bible Reading Plan: Joshua 21-22; Luke 6:1-26