Author Archives: Morris Hull

Missing Something?

A fellow stopped at a rural gas station to fill his tank and buy a soft drink. After pumping gas, he leaned against his car to drink his soda and watch a couple of men working along the roadside. One man would dig a hole two or three feet deep, walk about 25 feet, and begin digging again. The other man came along behind and filled the hole, carefully smoothing it out and leaving a slight ridge around the circumference. “Excuse me,” the fellow said. “What are you doing?” “We’re working,” replied the second man. “But one of you is digging a hole and the other is filling it in. What are you accomplishing?”   “You don’t understand, mister,” said the first man as he leaned on his shovel and wiped his brow. “Normally there’s three of us: me, Joe, and Mike here. I dig the hole, Joe sticks in the tree, and Mike puts the dirt back.” “Yea,” said Mike. “Just because Joe is sick, doesn’t mean we can’t work, does it?” Alertness recognizes how our work fits into the process and contributes to the overall goal. We waste a lot of quality effort when we become too wrapped up in the details of a particular job and miss the larger picture. 

CharacterFirst!

Alert to Temptation

I.  The War We Fight

We are in a war—a war against our flesh.  The struggle to resist sin can be unbearable at times.  Paul himself exclaims, “For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.” (Ro 7.15).  How can we overcome habitual sin in our life?  First and foremost, our power only comes through Jesus Christ.  Within that power though, we must learn to be alert.

II.  God’s Divine Escape Route

Alertness is often the first prevention against sin in a believer’s life.  In I Corinthians 10.13, Paul states, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”  When temptation comes to lure us into sin, God has promised to provide an escape.  However, if we are not alert and ready for proper response, the temptation drags us away into sin.

III.  Knowing God: The First Key to Remaining Alert

So how do we do this?  How do we be alert to God’s divine escape route?  First, know God.  The more we know God intimately, the more sensitive we are to his Spirit and can discern when he is warning us from a certain path.  We will never know what to be alert to if we do not know God.  His Word must be poured over and pondered, meditated upon incessantly.  Psalm 119.11 states, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”  And in Psalm 1 the man meditates on God’s law instead of joining with sinners: “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.”  The more we study and meditate on God’s Word, the more we will know Him intimately.  This intimate relationship with God helps us to be more sensitive to his Spirit—thus recognizing temptation when it arrives.

IV. Knowing Yourself: The Second Key to Remaining Alert

A correct understanding of God’s Word will lead us to a more intimate relationship with him.  While cultivating this relationship, we must also remain alert to ourselves.  Think about sin in your own life.  What time of the day are they most often occurring?  What habits contextualize the specific sin you struggle with each day?  Be alert to yourself and your surroundings.  Alertness requires that you are aware of situations that could lead to sin.  But being aware is not enough—alertness goes the extra step and quickly responds to the situation by changing directions.  Furthermore, knowing yourself requires that you admit and acknowledge your inability to flee sin.  Being alert means you are aware of your own inability—forcing yourself to rely wholly upon the only one who has the power to sustain you in times of great temptation.  Ask God to grant you grace that you may be more aware and alert of yourself and give you the initiative you need to change directions when temptation lurks around the corner.

Michael C. Lyons, Editor of Faith Outreach, Character Council, Cincinnati, Ohio

Spiritual Alertness

“Being aware of what is taking place around me so I can have the right responses”

I. INTRODUCTION

 An undisciplined, sluggish soldier with dull senses in battle will soon be sent home…in a body bag.  Combat requires an awareness of what is taking place around you.  A good soldier is an alert soldier. In 2 Timothy 2:3, Paul exhorts his disciple, Timothy, to discipline himself like a “good soldier.” In fact, the Bible often portrays the Christian life with wartime imagery. Why? Because a spiritual war is being waged for the hearts and souls of men. As God uses his people to draw others to Himself, Satan wars against Him in an attempt to stop the progress of the gospel. Christians, as God’s “soldiers” in this war, are commissioned to spread the message of salvation that comes by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ (c.f. Ephesians 2:8-9). Spiritual alertness is key to this endeavor.  If we are going to be “good soldiers” for the cause of Christ, we must maintain keen awareness of what is taking place around us in the spiritual realm, so that we can have the right responses.  

II. BE ALERT TO THE ENEMY (1 Peter 5:8) “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”  

Discussion / Thought Questions: What implications does this verse have for the Christian life? Have you ever felt “attacked” by the devil? When? How? Satan hates effective Christians who point others to Jesus Christ by reflecting his character and sharing their faith. He seethes in anger when God is glorified through the spread of the gospel. The devil would rather keep people in the dark regarding what Jesus did for them through his death on the cross. The only way to do this is to make “God’s soldiers” impotent in their mission. So when people put their faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation and receive the free gift of eternal life, the devil is reminded of his ultimate defeat and goes on the prowl. Satan loves nothing more than rendering a Christian ineffective through sin, discouragement, or complacency.  We have an enemy that wants to destroy our lives and derail our mission to spread the gospel … be alert!

III. BE ALERT IN THE BATTLE (Ephesians 6:10-20)

The apostle Paul also exhorts believers to be alert: “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.” (Ephesians 6:18b) With what in mind? In the preceding context, Paul states: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:10-12)

Discussion / Thought Question: How can we, as “God’s soldiers,” be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power? Communication is key in any battle.  If the enemy can knock out our means of communication with headquarters, the battle will soon be lost.  Christian “soldiers” are given two means of communication that will keep them alert in battle: The Bible (God speaking to us) and prayer (us speaking to God).

A. With God’s Word

In Ephesians 6, we are exhorted to put on the armor of God. A necessary component to this “armor” is the “sword of the Spirit” which is the Word of God, the Bible.  When Satan tempted Jesus three times in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11), how did Jesus fend off the attacks?  You guessed it!  Each time, he quoted Scripture.  Knowledge of God’s Word is essential to our spiritual alertness.

B. With Prayer

In Let the Nations Be Glad, John Piper provides an excellent description of prayer.  He states that prayer is primarily a wartime walkie-talkie for advancing the gospel in the world (see Paul’s instructions in Ephesians 6:19-20).  Prayer malfunctions when we attempt to turn it solely into a domestic intercom to call upstairs for more comforts in the living room! A spiritually alert Christian will be using prayer like a wartime walkie-talkie, praying God would use him or her in the great adventure of bringing others to Himself.

IV.  CONCLUSION

Review silently or in a small group, applications of the following “I will” statements:

  • I will be alert to the fact that I am in a spiritual battle with a spiritual enemy.
  • I will be faithful to my God-given mission to tell others about Jesus Christ.
  • I will memorize God’s Word so that I can fend off Satan’s attacks.
  • I will consistently support my fellow believers in prayer.
  • I will pray for those in my sphere of influence who don’t know Jesus Christ as Savior.

Mark Irving, Director of Discipleship Ministries at Cedarville University, Cedarville, OH

Philip’s Alertness to Evangelism

Philip was a man known to be alert to the Holy Spirit and wise in his actions.  As a result, the apostles chose him in Acts 6, along with six others to care for people—allowing the apostles to devote themselves to God’s word and prayer.  But after Stephen was killed for his faith, Philip, along with others, headed in different regions to proclaim the Gospel.

It was during this time that the Scriptures give an example of Philip being alert to an opportunity for evangelism.  In Acts 8, he was traveling along the road from Jerusalem to Gaza, as directed by an angel.  During his travel, Philip saw a chariot and because of his alertness to the Spirit of God, he went up beside it. Drawing near, Philip heard an Ethiopian official reading Isaiah 53.  Sensitive to the key moment, Philip asked the leading question, “Do you understand what you are reading?” (8.30).  This opened an opportunity for Philip to join the man in the chariot and teach him about the Gospel.  The Ethiopian official trusted in Jesus Christ that day and then Philip baptized him.  Philip’s alertness to the opportunity to share Jesus Christ brought eternal hope to an Ethiopian man.

Michael C. Lyons, Editor of Faith Outreach, Character Council, Cincinnati, OH

Joseph: Alert to Immorality

Genesis 39 provides an example of a man exemplifying alertness.  Joseph, son of Jacob, found his life at a crossroads where alertness saved him from falling prey to sexual immorality. He lived in the house of an Egyptian official, Potiphar.  Because of Joseph’s intellect and charm, Potiphar placed him in charge of the entire household. 

In the midst of rising success and favor from his master, Joseph did not forget to be alert.  He was on his guard against things that could destroy him.  After working for Potiphar, Potiphar’s wife took notice of Joseph.  Daily, she tried to  lure Joseph [into immorality].  However, Joseph steadfastly refused—he was alert to the temptation. The climax came when they were alone in the house one day and Potiphar’s wife grabbed Joseph’s cloak. However, because Joseph was a man of character, he was alert to the fact this was sexual immorality and could destroy him—so he fled.  In the face of temptation, Joseph chose to respond by fleeing the temptation.  He only could do this because he was aware of his surroundings and knew his only chance to escape the temptation was fleeing.  Joseph practiced alertness.

Michael C. Lyons, Editor of Faith Outreach, Character Council, Cincinnati, Ohio

David: An Example of Failure to be Alert

King David was a great man.  His stories found in First and Second Samuel are inspiring and teach us a lot about the character of God.  However, David’s fall from success came from one decisive moment in which he chose not to be alert.

When the Israelite army was in battle against the Ammonites, David chose to stay home.  One night he walked around the roof of his palace and saw a woman bathing on a house nearby.  He was not alert to the dangers of the lust that tempted his soul.  Instead of fleeing from the temptation (as Joseph did in Genesis 39), David pursued the temptation and brought the woman to him.   His inability to be alert to temptation brought severe consequences.  First, she became pregnant.  Secondly, David tried to cover up his sin and committed more sins by murdering the woman’s husband.  Thirdly, God brought judgment on David and the child died.  After that, David’s kingdom slowly spiraled out of control—rapes, murders, and treason characterizing his kingdom.  He experienced all this pain because of one moment of David’s inability to be alert to the sexual temptation in his life. (2 Samuel 11)

Michael C. Lyons, Editor of Faith Outreach, Character Council, Cincinnati, Ohio

Biblical Warnings Given to Christians

While recognizing the eternal security of every believer who has put his faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ for salvation, Scripture gives many warnings to Christians. These warnings have nothing to do with losing our salvation, (because our salvation is based entirely upon our faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ); rather, they are concerned with the believer’s gain or loss. It is commonly believed that the Lord will welcome every believer into Heaven with a “Well done, good and faithful servant” regardless of how they have lived their Christian lives. The following verses, listed without comment, are stark warnings to believers that how we live our lives here and now, will have eternal ramifications.

  • Mt 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
  • Mt 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach [them], the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
  • Mt 18:35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
  • Joh 15:2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every [branch] that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
  • 1Co 3:15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
  • 1Jo 2:28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
  • Re 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward [is] with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

 

Be Alert to Signs of Anger

“Be ye angry, and sin not…” (Eph 4:26)

Many people have used Ephesians 4:26 to justify their anger; however, our anger is never justified. James 1:20 says, “For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” Our anger is always carnal and it will never accomplish anything good. The following Scriptures reveal God’s perspective on anger:

  • Psalm 37:8 says, “cease from anger and forsake wrath.”
  • Proverbs 19:19 says, “a man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again.”
  • Proverbs 27: 4 says, “wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous.”
  • Ecclesiastes 7:9 says, “anger resteth in the bosom of fools.”
  • Galatians 5: 19-20 says,  “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, etc.”
  • Ephesians 4: 31 says, “let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger… be put away from you.”
  • Colossians 3: 8 says, “but now ye put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication ….”
  • Titus 1:7 gives one of the qualifications for a church leader: “not soon angry.”  That means “not prone to anger.”
  • James 1:20 says, “for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.”

The initial emotion of anger and its accompanying physiological signs are not wrong. They are “red flags” that God uses to alert us that we are about to do or say something that will have devastating consequences. Some physical signs of anger include:

  • clenching your jaws or grinding your teeth
  • stomach ache
  • increased and rapid heart rate
  • sweating, especially your palms
  • feeling hot in the neck/face
  • shaking or trembling
  • dizziness

Emotionally you may feel:

  • like you want to get away from the situation
  • irritated
  • sad or depressed
  • guilty
  • resentful
  • anxious
  • like striking out verbally or physically

Be Alert to the Following Ways Parents Can Provoke Their Children to Anger

“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4) –

  • By modeling anger. Proverbs 22:24-25
  • By not having marital harmony. Hebrews 12:15
  • By consistently disciplining in anger. Psalm 6:1; 38:1
  • By being inconsistent with discipline. Ecclesiastes 8:11
  • By having double standards. Matthew 23:1-4; Philippians 4:9
  • By not admitting when wrong. Matthew 5:23-26; Job 32:2; James 5:16
  • By constantly finding fault. Job 32:2-3
  • By reversing God-given roles. Ephesians 5:22-24; Genesis 3:16
  • By not listening to the child’s opinion or the child’s side of the story. Proverbs 18:13,17
  • By comparing them to others. 2 Corinthians 10:12
  • By not having time to talk with them. Ephesians 5:18
  • By not praising the child. 2 Corinthians 2:6-8; Revelation 2,3
  • By failing to keep promises. Matthew 5:37; Colossians 3:9; Psalm 15:4
  • By scolding him/her in front of others. Matthew 18:15; John 21:15-17
  • By giving too much freedom. Proverbs 29:15; Galatians 4:1-2
  • By being too strict. James 3:17
  • By making fun of the child. Job 17:1-2
  • By abusing them physically. 1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7; Numbers 22
  • By calling them names. Ephesians 4:29
  • By having unrealistic expectations. 1 Corinthians 13:11

 

How to Pray for Your Children…

Pray for their relationship with God:

  • That they may know “how wide and long and high and deep this love of Christ is, and know this love surpasses knowledge.” (Eph.3:18,19)
  • That at an early age they may accept Christ as their Saviour. (ll Tim. 3:15)
  • That they will allow God to work in their lives to accomplish His purpose for them. (Philippians 2:13)
  • That they will earnestly seek God and love to go to church. (Psa. 63:1 & 122:1)
  • That they will be caught when guilty. (Psa. 119:71)

Pray for Godly attributes:

  • That they will be protected from attitudes of inferiority or superiority. (Gen.1:27. Phil. 2:3)
  • That they will respect authority. (l Sam. 15:23)
  • That they will hate sin. (Psa. 97:10)
  • That they will deal with anger. (Eph. 4:26)
  • That they will exhibit the fruit of the Spirit in their lives. (Gal. 5:22,23)

Pray for family relationships:

  • That they will obey their parents in the Lord. (Pro. 1:8,9 , Col. 3:20)
  • That they will accept discipline and profit from it. (Pro. 3:11,12 & 23:13)
  • That they will love their siblings and not allow rivalry to hinder lifelong positive relationships. (Matt. 5:22)
  • That we as parents may so live before them as to entice them to the banqueting table, not drive them away. (Matt. 5:16)

Pray for relationships with friends:

  • That they will choose Godly friends, who will build them up in the Lord (Pro. 27:9, Eccl. 4:10), and be kept from harmful friendships that will lead them astray. (Pro. 1:10)
  • That they will be firm in their convictions to withstand peer pressure. (Eph. 4:14)
  • That they will be a friend to the lonely, the discouraged, the lost. (Matt. 25:40, Phil. 2:4)

Pray for protection:

  • From the evil one. (John 17:15)
  • From drugs, alcohol, and tobacco, ungodly music, pornography. (Pro. 20:1 & 23:31,32)
  • From wrong friends and influences (Pro. 1:10-19)
  • From pre-marital sex. (l Cor. 6:18-20)
  • From physical danger – accidents and illness. (Phil. 4:6)

Pray for their future:

  • That they will be wise in their choice of a mate – pray now for the one who will marry your son or daughter, that they will be raised in a Christian home, remain pure, and that they will bring one another great joy. (Pro. 19:14)
  • That they will be wise in their choice of a career. (Pro. 3:6)
  • That they will be wise in the use of their God-given gifts, talents, and abilities. (Matt. 25:21)

Pray for Your Husband…

The following list is designed to pray one request per day, thus enabling you to pray through it each month. Pray…

1. That he would totally submit himself to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

2. That he would love the Lord with all of his heart, soul, and strength.

3. That he would be a man of wisdom, viewing himself, me as his wife, our children, others, and circumstances the way God does.

4. That he would grow in brokenness of spirit and humility, longing for God to reveal areas of needed growth.

5. That his heart would hunger and thirst for a closer, intimate relationship with God.

6. That he would understand that though he is a husband and father, he is a man under authority, respecting his authorities, as he desires his family to honor him.

7. That he would give first priority to spending time with the Lord every day in Bible reading, mediation, and prayer, and that it would be a source of encouragement and strength to him.

8. That he would realize his position of victory and power in Jesus Christ, casting down imaginations, and bringing every thought into captivity.

9. That he would experience God’s perfect sacrificial love for him and because of that knowledge, love and cherish me, his wife, so that our marriage would clearly typify Christ’s love for the Church.

10. That he would be committed to and experience moral freedom, making a covenant to not look upon strange women to lust after them, and setting nothing immoral before his eyes.

11. That he would fully accept the way God has made him and me, understanding our differences as male and female, and enabling us to reach out to each other unselfishly.

12. That he would continue to grow in the skill of intimate, honest communication, reaching out to me in sensitive understanding, allowing a greater oneness of spirit between us.

13. That he would be committed to making his marriage a priority, delighting in me as a woman, spiritually, emotionally, and physically.

14. That he would be filled with wisdom to be the loving, wise, sensitive spiritual leader of our home.

15. That he would (continue to) make it a priority to lead our family in a regular devotional time.

16. That he would be a wise protector, shielding his family from the onslaughts of Satan and the world.

17. That he would value and understand each of our children’s needs and strengths, being and doing all he can for their spiritual and emotional growth.

18. That he would know how to express his love and acceptance to each of our children, alert for opportunities to praise and affirm them, and be enabled to meaningfully communicate with them.

19. That he would make it a priority to spend quantity and quality time with our children.

20. That he would be a loving, consistent disciplinarian of our children, not provoking them to anger.

21. That he would grow in meekness, not given to anger, but when failing be given the grace to humbly ask to be forgiven.

22. That he would trust the Lord for the spacing and number of children in our family.

23. That he would make wise financial decisions, being committed to tithing our income, and remembering that God is the ultimate Provider for our family.

24. That God would protect and guard him from spiritual, emotional, and physical danger.

25. That he would be blessed with good health and strength.

26. That he would have a life purpose bigger than his occupation, keeping the vision of service and missions before his eyes.

27. That he would use his job to encourage and share his faith in a dynamic way with others.

28. That he would not compare himself with others, being concerned of God’s evaluation of him.

29. That he would view the irritations of family life, occupation, and all of life’s trials as God’s best tools to build and refine his character, and be given the grace to delight in the Lord when the stresses of life increases.

30. That he would experience purpose in life and enjoy God’s smile of approval as he lays down his life for his family and others.

The Ring-necked Pheasant

The pheasant has been called the most sly fowl a hunter and his dog ever faced. It will sit silent and unseen in the tall grass, intently listening. When it feels threatened, the pheasant can run well, staying low and weaving right and left to evade pursuers. If this escape plan does not work, the pheasant will “explode” straight into the air, often startling its pursuer enough to win precious getaway time. Because of its evasiveness, the pheasant became a favorite game bird of the ancient Greeks and Romans. As the Roman Empire spread, pheasants were transplanted into new locations, readily adapting to almost every new territory, climate, and sportsman they encountered. In the late nineteenth century, turkeys, ruffed grouse, and other North American game birds were nearing extinction. When a small number of pheasants were introduced in Oregon, their adaptability and reproductive efficiency allowed them to quickly multiply. Thus, the pheasant took some of the hunting pressure off their native feathered friends and gave hunters a new challenge. “Ring-necked Pheasant” is a collective name for a number of subspecies and their crossbreeds.

The Pheasant Radar System

During World War I, several species of birds were enlisted to assist the war effort, including homing pigeons and the parrots at the Eiffel Tower. Not as well-known—but equally as useful—pheasants served with particular distinction by giving early warning. Not only were pheasants alert with their sharp ears, but they could also detect the slightest vibrations through the ground, such as the footfall of distant armies or the pounding of artillery. On January 24, 1915, a flock of pheasants reportedly “shrieked themselves hoarse,” raising alarm over the naval battle at Dogger Bank, 216 miles away.

Pheasants Guard Their Alertness

The pheasant’s ear holes are covered with small feathers called auriculars. These auricular feathers cover the bird’s ears without obstructing the bird’s hearing. Most bird feathers have hundreds of tiny barbules on each barb. These barbules hook together much like Velcro®, bonding the separate barbs of a feather into a surface that is flexible and virtually impervious to water and air. The auriculars that cover the pheasant’s ear holes, however, do not have these barbules. Thus, they protect the ears from injury, but they do not obstruct sound waves from traveling to the ears. If the auricular feathers ever do muffle a pheasant’s hearing, the pheasant can raise the feathers over its ears to allow maximum alertness for the slightest sounds.

CharacterFirst

Alertness in the home includes:

  • Looking for and praising ways that family members have displayed good character
  • Sensing that seemingly harmless activities could lead to bad influences and wrong friends
  • Being aware that participation in certain activities and wearing certain clothing could attract the wrong friends and weaken the trust of authorities
  • Practicing preventative maintenance with household appliances and personal health.

The “I Wills” of Alertness

  • I Will Keep my eyes and ears open
  • I Will Recognize and heed warning signals
  • I Will Choose to do right before I’m tempted
  • I Will Tell others of danger
  • I Will Stay away from unsafe places

CharacterFirst

Character Definitions of Alertness

  • Exercising my physical and spiritual senses to recognize the dangers that could diminish the resources entrusted to me – The Power for True Success.
  • Being aware of what is taking place around me so that I can have the right response – Achieving True Success.

 

Bible Stories Related to Alertness

  • Joseph, alert to immorality in Genesis 39
  • Philip’s alertness to evangelism in Acts 6
  • David: an example of failure to be alert (2 Samuel 11)
  • Mordecai’s alertness saved the king’s life (Esther 2)
  • Paul’s nephew’s alertness saved Paul’s life (Acts 23)

 

Definition of Alertness

Etymology a-lert-ness n 1: the state of being watchful and prompt to meet danger or an emergency 2: being quick to perceive and act 3: being in a state of readiness. In sixteenth-century Italy, the military call, “Alla erta!” meant “To the lookout!” The French adapted this command as á l` airte, which later became its own word: allerte. It is from this form that the English word alert is derived.

Hymns and Choruses Related to Alertness

  • Rise Up, O Men of God
  • Be Careful Little Eyes What You See
  • Yield Not to Temptation
  • Work for the Night Is Coming
  • Count Your Blessings
  • Dare to Be a Daniel
  • I Am Resolved
  • Will Jesus Find Us Watching?
  • Open My Eyes That I May See

 

Quotes on Alertness

  • Beware lest you lose the substance by grasping at the shadow. Aesop
  • Beware of endeavoring to become a great man in a hurry. One such attempt in ten thousand may succeed. These are fearful odds. Benjamin Disraeli
  • Beware of little expenses. A small leak will sink a great ship. Benjamin Franklin
  • Beware the hobby that eats. Benjamin Franklin
  • Beware of no man more than of yourself; we carry our worst enemies within us. Charles Spurgeon
  • I have never found it, when I have thought the battle was over and the conquest gained, and so let down my watch, the enemy had risen up and done me the greatest injury. David Brainerd

 

Common Ways Parents Provoke Children to Anger

  • By modelling anger. Proverbs 22:24-25
  • By not having marital harmony. Genesis 2:24 (Repeated four times in the Bible); Hebrews 12:15
  • By consistently disciplining in anger. Psalm 6:1; 38:1
  • By being inconsistent with discipline. Ecclesiastes 8:11
  • By having double standards. Matthew 23:1-4; Philippians 4:9
  • By not admitting when wrong. Matthew 5:23-26; Job 32:2; James 5:16
  • By constantly finding fault. Job 32:2-3
  • By reversing God-given roles. Ephesians 5:22-24; Genesis 3:16
  • By not listening to the child’s opinion or the child’s side of the story. Proverbs 18:13,17
  • By comparing them to others. 2 Corinthians 10:12
  • By not having time to talk with them. Ephesians 5:18
  • By not praising the child. 2 Corinthians 2:6-8; Revelation 2,3
  • By failing to keep promises. Matthew 5:37; Colossians 3:9; Psalm 15:4
  • By scolding him/her in front of others. Matthew 18:15; John 21:15-17
  • By giving too much freedom. Proverbs 29:15; Galatians 4:1-2
  • By being too strict. James 3:17
  • By making fun of the child. Job 17:1-2
  • By abusing them physically. 1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7; Numbers 22
  • By calling them names. Ephesians 4:29
  • By having unrealistic expectations. 1 Corinthians 13:11

Be Like Jesus

“And they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.”  (Acts 4:13).

A Christian should be a striking likeness of Jesus Christ. You have read lives of Christ, beautifully and eloquently written, but the best life of Christ is His living biography, written out in the words and actions of His people. If we were what we profess to be, and what we should be, we should be pictures of Christ; yea, such striking likenesses of Him, that the world would not have to hold us up by the hour together, and say, “Well, it seems somewhat of a likeness;” but they would, when they once beheld us, exclaim, “He has been with Jesus; he has been taught of Him; he is like Him; he has caught the very idea of the holy Man of Nazareth, and he works it out in his life and every-day actions.” A Christian should be like Christ in his boldness. Never blush to own your religion; your profession will never disgrace you: take care you never disgrace that. Be like Jesus, very valiant for your God. Imitate Him in your loving spirit; think kindly, speak kindly, and do kindly, that men may say of you, “He has been with Jesus.” Imitate Jesus in His holiness. Was He zealous for His Master? So be you; ever go about doing good. Let not time be wasted: it is too precious. Was He self-denying, never looking to His own interest? Be the same to think of the stories of Genesis or the Father of the Christ as biological characters and real personalities. Was He devout? Be you fervent in your prayers. Had He deference to His Father’s will? So submit yourselves to Him. Was He patient? So learn to endure. And best of all, as the highest portraiture of Jesus, try to forgive your enemies, as He did; and let those sublime words of your Master, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do,” always ring in your ears. Forgive, as you hope to be forgiven. Heap coals of fire on the head of your foe by your kindness to him. Good for evil, recollect, is godlike. Be godlike, then; and in all ways and by all means, so live that all may say of you, “He has been with Jesus.”

Morning & Evening: Daily Readings

Two Probing Questions

  • Have you looked for ways of benefiting those who have hurt you in the past?
  • Do you hold any resentments for past offenses?

–Character Clues Game

Ten Steps to Conquer the Spirit of Anger

Several people have asked if there were some key steps they could follow to conquer a spirit of anger.

1 -Recognize the problem and its seriousness.

It’s time we recognized anger for the devastating curse it is. Denial destroys hope for help. I have dealt with people who honestly don’t want to admit they have a problem in this area.

I talked to a father and mother with a rebellious 16 year old daughter. After a few minutes on the telephone I asked, “Sir, do you have a problem with anger?”

He quickly replied, “No, I don’t.”

His wife meekly said, “Well, maybe just a little problem.”

He snapped back at her “No, I don’t.”

I said, “Sir, may I be very honest with you?”

“Of course.”

“Sir, you have one of the biggest problems with anger of any man I have ever spoken to!”

“How can you say that when you’ve only been talking to me for a few minutes?”

“Sir, you don’t even know me. But you’ve rebuked your wife three times in my presence in less then ten minutes. Sir, you have a huge problem with anger!”

That father had already sent his daughter away to a girl’s home for over a year. She had come home changed. But in three months she had become a rebel again. He wanted to know if he should send her away a second time. I said, “Sir, the problem is not your daughter’s, it’s your’s. Don’t create a sense of rejection in your daughter by sending her away again. It would not be “just” to send her away when this is your problem.” I told another father with a similar problem who refused to take action that he was the one who needed to be sent away, not his daughter!

Ask your wife if you have a problem with anger. If she answers, “Well maybe just a little bit.” You probably have a huge problem. She’s probably too afraid of your anger to tell you.

Remember that there is no such thing as a “little” anger.

2 -Desire victory enough to cry out to God.

The truth is, there are many who have the problem, know they have the problem, but don’t really want victory. They enjoy the fear their anger creates in others. They also enjoy the carnal power that their anger gives them to control others.

3 -Repent of the sin.

Say to God, “I want to turn from this sin.”

4 -Confess the sins of forefathers and ask God in the Name and through the power of the blood of Jesus to break any curse coming down the generations.

In Neh. 1:6 Nehemiah prayed, “both I and my father’s house have sinned.”

5 -Ask God to take back the ground Satan has taken because of anger.

Remember that Eph. 4:26 says: “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the son go down upon your wrath.” The very next verse says, “Neither give place to the devil.”

Whenever some one or some thing causes you to become angry then Satan is able at that time to take ground in your life.

6 -See the connection between anger and lust in Matt. 5:21-32.

Remember that Jesus is dealing with the letter of the law and the spirit of the law in this passage. “He that is angry with his brother without a cause” is describing a spirit of anger.

When lust prevails, so does anger. Lust creates an insensitivity in the spirit that causes a person to be more likely to respond wrongly to God and to others.

Lust and anger are like twin sins. Wherever you see one, the other is probably also somewhere around.

7 -Watch for people and things that are going to come your way to make you angry.

The meaning of Ephesians 4:26 is that you are definitely going to have things coming your way that could possibly create anger you. God is saying, “Be aware of this and don’t sin and don’t give ground to Satan. Use the impulse to get angry as a signal to yield to God and to answer softly. “A soft answer turneth away wrath; but grievous words stir up anger.” Pro 15:1

Few things have as much power to make you angry as anger in someone else.

8 -Purpose to enter the presence of family members and business associates with praise.

Psalm 100:4 gives the principle: “Enter into His presence with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise.”

You should come into the presence of those you admire and love and respect with praise.

The first words to each family member each day should be words of praise. Those words then “set the stage” for the rest of the relationships that day.

Praise is a motivator. Praise is a magnet that draws hearts to you. Praise is also a defense for you against wrong words and attitudes.

9 -Ask God daily to fill you with His Spirit and to produce the fruit of the Holy Spirit in your life.

Every morning I ask God to “Produce in me the fruit of the Holy Spirit.” Then I pray to God that fruit: “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance.” As I pray, I picture that fruit in my life. I picture my countenance and actions portraying that fruit. The fruit of the Holy Spirit is the opposite of the works of the flesh, and there’s something powerful about just praying about it and meditating on it.

10 -Make yourself fully accountable.

If you realize you’ve had a really serious problem in this area, then you may want to ask your mate daily at first whether she sensed any spirit of anger in you that day. Offer no defense, but only gratefulness for correction. Be humble to ask for and accept correction from your mate, your children, and perhaps others. A Pastor may want to set up some type of accountability with some key person he trusts in his church.

I’ve been preaching the message “How to Win the Heart of a Rebel” for several years now. I’ve seen many Fathers who know they have problems with rebellious sons or daughters, but few who are willing to do what they need to do to deal with the problem. Many men and women are coming to realize they have a problem with anger whether or not they have rebellious youth. I plead with you to deal with it. It is limiting your potential and damaging your children regardless of their ages. You would not allow an X rated movie to play in your home. You would not allow an idol to stay in your home. You would not allow a witch to stay in your home. You must not allow anger to stay in your home.

-from the message “Victory over the Spirit of Anger” by Dr. S.M. Davis

Having a Clear Conscience – The Other Side of Forgiveness

Having a conscience free from guilt means clearing all offenses against others and, where possible, seeking forgiveness and making restitution. God is involved in this process, as shown below.

1. If someone you know was making a list of people who had hurt them and never asked their forgiveness, would you be on that list? Pray, asking God to reveal anyone who might feel you hurt them.

2. Make a list of all the people God brings to your mind whom you have offended and have not sought forgiveness from.

3. If possible, go over your list with a mature Christian and identity the basic offense against each person on that list. If you need to ask God’s forgiveness for these offenses, do so now. It’s always the right time to get right with God.

4. Rule out those people in whose lives your reappearance now would cause serious difficulty; for example, an old girlfriend who is now married.

5. Contact those individuals by telephone if possible, and be brief. Tell the particular person that as you have been looking back over your life, you realize that you failed him in _________ way, naming the offense. Then ask for forgiveness.

6. Make restitution where needed.

7. If certain people have benefited you but you’ve never shown appreciation, express to them gratitude for what you have gained. If you have a problem with being grateful, start sending thank-you notes to people who have benefited you, sharing how God has used them to build, strengthen, or challenge you.

8. Ask God to take back all ground given to Satan because you have purposed in your heart to contact these people and make things right.

-Reclaiming Surrendered Ground by Jim Logan

How to Remove Bitterness – One Side of Forgiveness

If you have not forgiven someone, it’s likely you harbor an unforgiving spirit and bitterness, for as time passes the resentment over an offense deepens into bitterness. You must forgive. Here’s how.

1. Ask God to reveal to your mind the people against whom you are holding feelings that are not right. Make a list of the name(s) as God reveals them. Also, check yourself to see if you are holding any bitterness toward God or yourself, and include these names on your list if that is the case.

2. Start at the bottom of the list, because these are usually the people who are easier to forgive. As you work your way up the list, tell God you forgive each person and release the hurts to Him. That’s forgiving from your heart. We are bitter for a reason, and we must get in touch with pain-that is, the reasons we are bitter.

3. If after forgiving the person for the major offense you recall a specific, hurtful incident, don’t let your feelings smolder anew. Instead, release them to God then and there. In my experience with my own father I found that after dealing with the major offenses, I would remember days or weeks later a specific incident. I would stop and pray “God, I forgive my dad for (the specific offense) also.” You only need to deal with the things God brings to your remembrance.

4. Tell God you are willing to live with the ongoing consequences of the offender’s action and share these with Him in prayer.

5. Ask God to take back the ground you have given Satan through unforgiveness, then turn around and reach for the things that are ahead.

6. If some future action of a person you have forgiven triggers painful memories and you are tempted to pick up past bitterness, release this temptation to God on the spot.

-Reclaiming Surrendered Ground by Jim Logan