“I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.”
Acts 20: 29-31
God places us in our relative positions to watch over the flock. That is our job. God warns us to be on our guard for trouble will come in many forms, and it will try to harm us and our “flock.” When hardship hits, God says to remain steadfast and strong. He says to lean on two things: God and the word of God. We do this by repenting and keeping the faith.
God and the word of God watch over us and serve as anchors to hold us in place during stormy weather. How can we have God and the word of God watch over and protect us? First, we must repent. Do not expect God’s help without repenting or fixing what is wrong. Next, while repenting, we must have faith that God will watch over us. These two things- repenting and faith- must move forward at the same time.
When we listen to the word of God, we must arrive at the proper understanding. For example, when we listen to sermons about Abraham and Lot, we must examine ourselves against the word. Am I like Abraham or am I like Lot? If you are like Lot, repent and change. If you are like Abraham, do not waver and remain steadfast.
Regardless of what position we are in, we have ourselves and a “flock” to protect. We can’t do it alone. We must rely on God and the word of God to watch over us when the world tries to harm us. For God to work, we must repent and keep the faith!
Prayer
Dear Lord,
Time passes.
Youth passes.
Even old age passes.
Life is death, disappearing to the other side.
We don’t know when this time is.
It could be today or many years later.
Being young or old, healthy or weak, cannot predict the time we leave.
Only God knows of our departure time.
We live in a fast-changing world.
We know only God and Truth can protect us during these turbulent times.
Please shed your grace upon us so we can repent cleanly, understand your Word, and act accordingly.
Give us the power and grace to overcome all the hardships we are enduring.
Pray in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
GOD FIRST 
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