Date: 2024-11-29

AO: 3rd-f

Q: Schnitzel

PAX: Dipstick, Chopper, Schnitzel, Nurse Jackie (F3 Florence), Forgot to grab a pic of the group! ?

FNGs: None

COUNT: 4

CONDITIONS: Brisk but crisp – great environment to be warm and indoors to study God’s word together!

WARMUP: Prayer

THE THANG:

1) what does it mean to be watchful? What about vigilant? Being on the lookout, alert, careful, on guard

We discussed the Titanic, which didn’t just sink because of an iceberg. It sank because they were distracted and not on purpose about planning, wanted to make a statement or make record time…over confident in the ship which hadn’t been fully tested, were distracted sending message for the wealthy passengers versus listening to the warning of other ships about icey waters, not paying attention in the crows nest for icebergs, pushing the engines harder than they should have, etc.

Lots of reasons which led to the eventual demise and now instead knowing about the ship because of it’s success, everyone knows about it’s collamity!

Similar to our Christian walks – it can be a slow fade where we don’t pay attention to our surroundings…we take for granted our our reliance on the Holy Spirit. We are not truly in control of much.

– Read Matthew 26:36-46 & Mark 14:38

When the Spirit is in control, it strives against human weakness.

We must consider are we taking for granted that we are “saved” or are we just not that needy for God or perhaps our desire for Him to change us is not that great! The flesh is weak but the Spirit is willing!!

– Read Psalm 51:12 – a prayer for purity, for a pure heart; a steadfast spirit of faithfulness and one of service

– Read Romans 12:1-2 – do not be conformed to the patterns of this world by by the renewing of your minds – that of which with God is His Good, Perfect, and Pleasing will.

2) what is a watchman in biblical times? Someone like those in the crowsnest on the Titanic, but who watch intently with purpose from a far over the cities to warn about approaching armies or impeding dangers.

Read Ezekiel 3:16-21 & 33:1-20

God gives Ezekiel a charge to be a watchman for the people. Sharing the word and guidance of the Lord otherwise being held accountable himself for others demise, because he has a responsibility to say something as well as share the good news!

7 years goes by between these passages , where God circles back to remind Ezekiel that God’s word is here for ALL the land and judgment is unavoidable, so go and tell!

It is also though not about saying “I gotcha! You did something wrong” but more about owning your role, in your world for God’s glory! So use it and do something with it!

We spoke about the nature of Satan and his minions and their efforts to thwart any plans of Gods! And being alert and on guard as to not stumble.

I referenced the Screwtape letters, where from a demons perspective, we hear Screwtape trying to educate his nephew Wormword (as demons) how to make life more difficult for humans by getting in God’s way.

Screwtape make some scary statements from the mind of a demon (quoting the book), as follows:

– 1) the safe road to hell – “indeed the safest road to hell is the gradual one – the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts” (it’s a slow fade)

– 2) keeping things out of – “it is funny how mortals always picture us as putting things into their minds: in reality our best work is done by keeping things out”

– 3) what will happen to me? – “there is nothing like suspense and anxiety for barricading a human’s mind against the enemy(God). He is wants men to be concerned with what they do; our business is to keep them thinking about what will happen to them”

– 4) forsaken, yet obedient – “our cause is never more in danger than when a human, no longer desiring, but still intending, to do our enemy’s (God’s) will, look round upon a universe from which every trace of Him seems to have vanished, and asks why he has been forsaken and still obeys”

– 5) emotional dryness – “if once they get through this initial dryness successfully, they become much less dependent on emotion and therefore much harder to tempt.”

Read Ephesians 2:1-3 & 1 Peter 5:8

Satan works in blind alleys and the dark corners of our lives and we have to own that Satan didn’t make us do anything but we rather have a responsibility to steward Gods charge to be watchmen for ourselves with Gods help in the word, prayer, Holy Spirit, and Gods people!

Read Romans 7:21-25 & James 1:14

There is a demand to know yourself and where you struggle, asking for accountability and checking yourself where tempted! Be alert!

Read Proverbs 27:12 – study your weaknesses and be prepared.

Read Psalm 119:9-16, Psalm 127:1, & Matthew 6:13

Fleeing from sin and running towards the Lord!!

MARY:

Prayer

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Mr Rogers & Schnitzel will be traveling a daily devotional/Bible reading for F3 in the Advent season – see Mr Roger’s post in the 3rdF channel!

Join us!

PRAYER REQUEST:

Pray for us as men to lean in to God and encourage each other toward love & good deeds! And all the more as you see the day approaching!

BOM:Schnitzel

MOLESKIN: everyday is a new day to get things right, do something new, make a change, and seek God’s will eagerly in your life! Let’s make today that day!