Jesus warns: “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matt. 26:41). The Apostle Paul exhorts: “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you (be brave) like men, be strong” (I Cor. 16:13). If there’s any spiritual discipline largely neglected or misunderstood today, it would be the discipline of watchfulness.
Brian G. Hedges, author of Watchfulness: RECOVERING A LOST SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE, describes watchfulness as “the constant exercise of vigilance over (our) hearts and active dependence on the Lord’s sustaining grace.” This easy-to-read book, published by Reformation Heritage Books, can be read for free online here.
Puritan writers recognized the importance of watchfulness and wrote heavily upon this discipline. Brian G. Hedges states: “The implication is clear: neglect watchfulness and you will hinder other spiritual practices. Watchfulness is the whetstone of the spiritual disciplines, the one practice that keeps the other habits sharp.”
What difference would watchfulness make in your home, your church, and your nation? Can we at least acknowledge that Christ and Paul call us to be watchful and it would behoove us to obey?
Such watchfulness and prayer must be done individually, might we “guard our heart with all diligence; it can be done corporately as well. Won’t you please join us on Thursday, May 1 at noon, as our first Decency Minute calls us to?
God calls his people to prayer. Please join with us as we gather with fellow believers on the National Day of Prayer, this Thursday, May 1st at noon, at American Decency, 203 E. Main Street, in Fremont.
Our theme will be one of Thanksgiving for God’s Amazing Grace, which He has showered upon our beleaguered America.
Yet wickedness still prevails in our government, our institutions, and in our hearts. Let’s join together in humble repentance, praying for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the American people – that, by God’s grace, we may see spiritual renewal in our nation.
Come together on this day set aside – which calls every citizen to seek God’s face and glorify His great name.
Please join us at American Decency, 203 E Main Street in Fremont, this Thursday, May 1st at noon for the National Day of Prayer.
Finally… Finally: a Decent Podcast!
We are excited to announce the launch of our new podcast, Finally: a Decent Podcast!
Finally: a Decent Podcast will be available in video and audio formats for people to watch or listen to – and as the host, I can tell you that our first five episodes will feature some inspiring interviews from some every day, decent people whom God has used to do amazing things!
You’ll hear Pastor Gene recount his experiences in the jungles of Vietnam that God used to make hm who he is today. You’ll hear how a backwoods excavating company owner drove adult entertainment out of his community. And you’ll hear how God’s relentless pursuit brought a man from alcoholism and adultery to sober faithfulness to God and family.
You can subscribe to Finally: a Decent Podcast on YouTube, Rumble, Spotify, iTunes, or on your favorite podcast service. Follow us on Facebook and X to stay up to date!
Kansas now joins North Dakota, Tennessee, and Idaho, making The Sunflower State the fourth state to require public school students to learn about prenatal human development.
Thanks to Kansas lawmakers who voted to override Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto of pro-life House Bill 2382, Kansas public school classes covering human growth, development, or sexuality must include ultrasound or animated footage that shows the development of a prenatal human.
While the governor described the bill as “convoluted” and “manipulative,” Republican Sen. Joe Claeys defended the bill saying: “What the opponents fear most about this bill is that the scientific facts might actually lead students to their own conclusion.”
As students are given opportunity to see animated human life within the womb, may they come to know what the psalmist knew about life and God: “I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works.”
I want a principle within
Of watchful, godly fear,
A sensibility of sin,
A pain to feel it near.
I want the first approach to feel
Of pride or wrong desire,
To catch the wandering of my will,
And quench the kindling fire.
From thee that I no more may stray,
No more thy goodness grieve,
Grant me the filial awe, I pray,
The tender conscience give.
Quick as the apple of an eye,
O God, my conscience make;
Awake my soul when sin is nigh,
And keep it still awake.
Almighty God of truth and love,
To me thy power impart;
The mountain from my soul remove,
The hardness from my heart.
O may the least omission pain
My reawakened soul,
And drive me to that blood again,
Which makes the wounded whole.
~ CHARLES WESLEY, 1749
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