Title: WE MUST BE VIGILANT / Topic: Intentionality

Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 3; Deuteronomy 4; Psalm 36; Mark 13

Scripture: Deuteronomy 4, Mark 13 (various verses)
Deuteronomy 4
1 ...the decrees and laws I am about to teach you. Follow them so that you may live and may go in and take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you. 2 Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the LORD your God that I give you.
6 Observe them carefully...
9 Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live.
15 ...watch yourselves very carefully...
23 Be careful not to forget the covenant of the LORD your God that he made with you...

Mark 13
5 Jesus said to them: "Watch out that no one deceives you...
9 "You must be on your guard...
13 ...he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
23 So be on your guard...

Observation: Watch yourselves, be careful, be on your guard, observe them carefully... All of these verses and their surrounding contexts give this message over and over: WE MUST BE VIGILANT.

Application: This is something that we must not to leave to chance. We are to be thoughtful and deliberate and intentional, that is we must plan in advance and carry out the plan faithfully, about these matters. To fail to conduct ourselves with seriousness in these matters is to sentence ourselves to failure. We must exercise great care and thought if we are to finish well the path that we have started.

Prayer: Lord, help us to pay attention to following you closely. Help us not to take our eyes off the ball.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.