Welcome to this Monday Morning Blog-Inspirational Message GOD IS STILL AMAZING. Our Pathway Through Christ: John 14:5-6 “Thomas saith unto Him, LORD, we know not whither thou go; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes unto the Father, but by Me.”
To better understand Jesus’ reply to Thomas “I Am” in Greek is a very intense way of Jesus referring to Himself as “I Myself, the only I Am.” His response “I Am He" to those seeking to take Him into custody notes the soldiers/officers went backwards and felled to the ground (John 18:4-6). Ellicott’s Commentary indicates nothing suggests the LORD put forth miraculous power causing them to go backwards and fall. The incident occurred due to the Majesty of His person. The “I Am” is also Yahweh in Hebrew, the Self-Existing One.
I Am the way the only path, no other route to be saved Acts 4:12 “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. The only Truth Jesus equates Himself with the Law of God, the authoritative standard of righteousness. “Think not that I Am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I Am not come to destroy, but to fulfil” (Matthews 5:17). “The LORD is nigh (near) unto all them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in TRUTH” (Psalm 145:18).
The “Light” Jesus the true deliverance from a life of bondage to sin and death but, a life of freedom in eternity. The source of physical and spiritual life. John 10:17-18 “Therefore doth My Father love Me, because I lay down My life, that I might take it again. No man takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of My Father. Yet a little while, and the world sees Me no more; but ye see Me: because I live, ye shall live also” (John 14:19). Reference Gotquestions.org.
Despite the LORD, “I AM” is our way, the truth, and life many including myself have felt heavy weighed and concerned about life and world events. We think about its personal, present and future impact on ourselves, children, grands, other loved ones, neighbors, friends, the poor, elderly, the sick and more.
Realtime, right now distractions with the intent to overtake us-feeling powerless-like a “Ship without a sail.” Not so! The LORD our way, the truth and life has made Himself, His Word, guidance, power and strategic strategies available for all that believes in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We must continue trusting in the LORD and put our faith in action according to His Word. Subsequently all can grow more in Christ. Yet if the shoe fits, we cannot continue to live any kind of way. We all must examine ourselves working toward those heartfelt needed changes to witness and experience greater movements of God’s divine interventions.
A sincere belief that GOD IS STILL AMAZING requires a personal experience-relationship with the LORD, not just what He did for “Mama Nem.” Several faith building scriptures: Deuteronomy 10:17 “For the LORD your God is God of gods, and LORD of lords, a great God, a Mighty, and a terrible, which regards not persons, nor takes reward.” God is not a God that take bribes; First John 2:1-29 “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous (read vs. 2-29); Nehemiah 9:6 “Thou, even thou, art LORD alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preserves them all; and the host of heaven worships thee (You). John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost/Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you; Deuteronomy 32:4 He is the Rock, His work is perfect: for all His ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is He. Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.”
Distraction Focus To Christ Focus
As I read the Word and study more discovering and rediscovering the LORD’S instructions or strategic strategies to see the Mighty moves of His Hand for victory, deliverance, divine interventions, rescue and judgment for others in the MIDNIGHT HOUR to early morning prayer, praise, worship and thanksgiving. We already shared the lesson of the MIDNIGHT HOUR.
Now focusing on the four “WATCHES” which includes the Midnight Hour, as well as, more strategic strategies; like readiness and alertness upon Christ’s return. We don’t know the day, night nor hour of His return. Then the Bible speaks of WATCHES that protected the cities or camps with guards or look-out persons. Think about today’s works of neighborhood crime watch, police and military shifts in keeping our communities and nation safer, regardless of the flaws.
Can HE [The LORD] count on us to come out of our comfort zones, rearrange our schedules as needed or much as we can exercising our God given authority and power for victory and deliverance through “WATCHES?” Praying more, crying-out to the LORD more, praise, worship, seeking God, thanksgiving and fasting more for the manifestation of more miracles, breakthroughs and deliverance for our families, communities, states, government and more.
WATCHES: FIRST (Evening 6:00 p. m. to 9:00 p. m.) Lamentations 2:19, the prophet Jeremiah calls for prayer during the night watches: "Arise, cry out in the night, at the beginning of the watches; pour out your heart like water before the presence of the Lord;” SECOND (Midnight Watch 9:00 p. m. to midnight) Judges 7:19 “So Gideon, and the hundred men that were with him, came unto the outside of the camp in the beginning of the middle watch (Old Testament the 2nd WATCH); and they had but newly set the watch: and they blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers that were in their hands.” The pitchers were empty, but had torches causing confusion and terror among their enemies, the Midianites’. God showed Himself Mighty in the behalf of Israel. Read the rest in Judges 7. THIRD (Cockcrow-the rooster’s crowing midnight to 3:00 a. m.) Mark 13:35, Jesus warns His disciples to stay alert: "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know when the Master of the house will return—whether in the evening, at midnight, when the rooster crows, or in the morning;” FOURTH (Morning 3:00 a. m. to 6:00 a. m.) During this watch significant biblical events occurred, such as Jesus walking on the water. Matthew 14:25 states, "During the FOURTH watch of the night, Jesus went out to them, walking on the sea." We know the story. Peter trusted Jesus and walked out on the water. Vs. 30 But, when he (Peter) saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, LORD, save me. Vs 31 “And immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? A reminder for all of us when the “Road or our goings get rough and tough” we may feel like we are sinking about to drown. But, Jesus says to “Keep trusting Me, keep the faith.” Then LORD help us to trust You more and keep the faith by resting in You as You guide us through.
Thus the four WATCHES of the night carrys deep significance often using metaphorically to describe vigilance, the action and state of prayer and readiness. Reflects our Christian call to be watchful and prepared for the LORD’s return. Then David said, “When I remember You [LORD] on my bed, I think of You through the WATCHES of the night” (Psalm 63:6).
The practice of dividing the night into watches serves as a framework for understanding the importance of spiritual alertness and readiness. Believers are encouraged to use these times for prayer, reflection, and seeking God's presence. The watches of the night are opportunities to draw closer to God, intercede for others, and prepare one's heart for the coming of the Lord (reference Topical Encyclopedia). GOD IS STILL AMAZING! Thanks LORD for the WATCHES Frameworks Your “Strategic Strategies!” Your feedback and comments are always welcome. Continue blessings & love, Neatbooks4u.
