Father, another chance to come before you at a later time, but today was a good day! Funerals are not necessarily the highlight of our days, but Karen and I had the opportunity to take part in a service remembering the life of a wonderful lady from one of my congregations today. After we returned home, we spent the afternoon going through things in the office. Thank you for a very nice day together. What a blessing!
1 Peter 5:8-9 (<<click here to read the passage)
“Stay alert!” That is some of the best advice we can follow! When Massey was growing up, one of the things I pressed upon him was to be aware of the world around him. Too many people pay too little attention – in traffic, in stores, walking, you name it!
I remember one time at work. I, like many employees at Kohl’s, was moving at a pretty fast clip, and as I was going past the greeting card section, a woman, who wasn’t looking where she was going, stepped right out in front of me. I have pretty good brakes, but there simply wasn’t time to stop. So instead of bowling her over, I wrapped my arms around her. It was a little awkward, but nobody got hurt. If we had been in cars, the outcome would have been totally different! I pray that she doesn’t drive like she shops!
As Christians, Lord, we have to remain alert to the spiritual world around us! Our “great enemy, the devil…prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” And if we are not paying attention, that someone might very well be us! Truly, the only way to “stand firm” and remain “firm in [our] faith” is to keep our eyes on You.
I am so grateful that we can trust in Your word found in Isaiah 40:28,
Do you not know?
….Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
….the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
….and his understanding no one can fathom. NIV
You, Lord, are always alert! You don’t get distracted. You don’t grow weary. We are weak, but You are not. If it’s left up to us – and it’s not always intentional – but we have a great aptitude for not looking where we are going. Quite often, before we know it, we are smack dab in the middle of somewhere we never intended to be. And way too often, the devil is ready to pounce, and we are caught.
ord, help me to “stay alert” by keeping my eyes on You. I am better off all the way around when I do so! Amen!
(Feb 20th, 2017, Mon, 8:12 pm)
Nov 18th, 2025, Tues, 9:15 am
