Thoughts for Life: Watching for the Enemy: Prayer Note #119

   Dutch Sheets tells us, “The Watchmen on the wall also looked for the enemy.

   When they saw the potential danger approaching, they sounded an alarm, either by a shout or a trumpet blast.

   Soldiers could then prepare themselves for battle and defend the city. Watchmen do this today, in a spiritual sense.

   They alert the Body of Christ to attacks of the enemy, sounding the alarm. When the watchmen are functioning properly, we need never be caught off-guard by Satan and his forces.

   As watchmen we do not live in fear of or adversary, nor do we live in
‘ignorance’ of him.

   Contrary to what some would teach, alertness and vigilance are not synonymous with preoccupation.

   I must warn you, it is a common tactic of the enemy to dissuade Christians from watching for him by accusing them of a wrong emphasis.

   Sadly enough, this message is often purported by well-meaning Christians.

   They teach that Satan is to be ignored or that little attention is to be paid him. No passage in the Bible supports this.

   Certainly we are not to become infatuated with Satan, but a good soldier is a well-informed soldier concerning his enemy.

   Be infatuated with and in awe of Jesus – be aware of the enemy. Love worship, not warfare, but when necessary, go to war.

   In their book How to Pray for Your Family and Friends, Quin Sherrer and Ruthanne tell of a friend’s pastor who had this attitude:

   ‘I don’t think you should teach on spiritual warfare,’ the pastor told Hilda one day. ‘Concentrate on Jesus and not the devil.’

   Her response showed her wisdom and experience.

   ‘Pastor, I do concentrate on Jesus and his victory.’ She answered respectfully. ‘Jesus taught that we have authority over the evil one.

   Until I began to use Christ’s authority in spiritual warfare, I had four children going to hell.

   I’ve learned to bind the enemy’s work in my family members’ lives.

   Today all my children and grandchildren serve the Lord. I’ve seen the results of spiritual warfare, and I want to help others.”

Today’s Prayer Note #119 – Watching for the Enemy, taken from Dutch Sheets’ book, Intercessory Prayer (pgs. 242, 243)

The next Prayer Note: 2/28 The Watchman Looks Ahead #120

Let’s pray: Our Daily Bread – “Allow us, Lord, to demonstrate our faith by what we do, so that the gospel can be seen by those who seek for you. – Sper Our words need actions behind them.” (2/18/13)

Our Scripture for encouragement: 1 John 2:20,21,27-28 (NLT) "But you are not like that, for the Holy One has given you his Spirit and all of you know the truth. So I am writing to you not because you don't know the truth but because you know the difference between truth and lies.

I am writing these things to warn you about those who want to lead you astray. But you have received the Holy Spirit and he lives within you so you don't need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true - it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ."

Today’s quote: Danny Thomas - "All of us are born for a reason, but all of us don't discover why. Success in life has nothing to do with what you gain in life or accomplish for yourself. It's what you do for others."

Our thought for today: Satan attempts to twist whatever you believe, to destroy you.