October 30, 2023

It seems like I’ve preached so many messages about waking up, but it’s because the cry of Holy Spirit continues to go out. He urgently and continually cries out, “Awaken, O sleeper!” Like a watchman in a bell tower, I have to keep ringing and hoping that the community will shake off sleepy fog and rise to action. Watch the full message from Saturday by clicking on the image above.

Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation.

In Matthew 26, Jesus called His disciples to keep watch and pray so that they would be able to resist temptation. This watching and praying was important in bringing their flesh into submission with their spirits, but the weakness of their flesh was greater than the strength of their spirit. As the disciples slept, the opportune moment of betrayal came. The devil does not have to change his tactics because they’ve continually worked throughout time.

Know your enemy.

What does it mean to be wise as a serpent? Do not be ignorant of your enemy’s plans and his ways of operating and thinking. We don’t think like him, but we don’t disregard the way he thinks. Be alert and aware. Be innocent but not naive, pure but not ignorant. Ladies, don’t open the door to a strange man. Not because you’re afraid but because you know how the enemy works. Men, don’t watch that sexually explicit TV show. Why? Because your eyes are the entry to your heart. Men and women, don’t share intimate conversations with the opposite gender other than your spouse. It’s a trap, creating soul ties that initiate adultery. And of course, lust, envy, and offense are massive traps. Don’t step into them. Know your enemy, and be wise as serpents. You will be aware of the serpent’s traps if you are wise to his ways.

Stay mixture-free and Spirit-led.

In Matthew 10:16, Jesus tells us to be “innocent as doves”. The word innocent in the Greek literally means “unmixed”, no mixture. What does it mean to have no mixture in your life? And what does the dove symbolize in the Bible? Holy Spirit. Remain mixture-free and Spirit-led.

Wake up, watch, pray, shine, and expose.

We are to be like the watchmen in the towers with the bright spotlights, exposing where the enemy is attempting to sneak into the city. The days we are in are evil, and only the watchmen keep the darkness at bay. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. It is very important that we press into the Spirit and get His perspective so that we pray His will and His light into current events.

Watch and Pray!
Matt