"Stay woke" pt.2

"And He comes and finds them sleeping, and said unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? could not you watch one hour? Watch ye and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The Spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.

Mark 14:37&38

"watch and pray"

As I shared in the last post, Jesus imperatively instructs Peter, to watch and pray. He also warns that in not doing so, they would enter into temptation. This is a portrayal of the struggle between flesh and spirit. The struggle being, to depend on our own personal strength, ability and will power ,or , to depend on the Holy Spirit's Power,and Anointing. In the Old Testament , the Prophet Zechariah encourages the returning exiled nation of Israel, to turn to the Lord, and continue rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem. He encourages them with his visions, that show God's control over everything. He prophesies to Zerubbabel, who was anointed to finish the temple restoration. He tells him, and in doing so, reminds us, that it's 'not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of Hosts." In our day and age ,when we, rely on our own plans and methods, will fail in our attempts to right the wrongs of our world. When we, don't stay in God's Word, and are vigilant, and fervent in prayer, Christians also will be tempted to "react" in the flesh, instead of "responding"in the Spirit, about these social issues. We may even fall prey to the deceptions, and false narratives, and believe some of the "partial truths"(it's still a lie).The Apostle Paul makes imperative instructions to us, telling us, as the Lord also commanded His disciples, to wake up. Paul also tells us to "walk circumspectly,not as fools,...because the days are evil.(Ephesians 5:14-16) We need to understand the power and authority, we have in Him, through the Holy Spirit. We need to understand that we don't struggle with ,or fight against people or governments, but against the influencing forces that enable them. (Ephesians 6:12) Our power cord is prayer. In our day, Jesus' command to "watch and pray" is ever so relevant to the Church. Let us be The Church, to a lost and dying world, that would stand in the gap on their behalf. Have Faith for them,and with them. The only way to see change in our world, is to pray and see lives changed by the Gospel. Will you"watch and pray"? Will you"Stay Woke"