Mature Manhood Pt. 2: WATCHFUL

Pastor Al Velez • August 7, 2024

“The Men of EMIC must remain in a state of spiritual readiness!”     

 – Pastor George Pearsons

 

A Man of GOD is watchful

Many of the enemy’s devices are subtle and hidden and many also hidden in plain sight. We must be fully built up and be skilled in our most holy faith to be able to discern and understand signs, seasons and everything going on around us. 

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.”

An essential attribute of a man of God is that he is watchful. The Greek word used here for watchful is gregoreo: to give strict attention to, be cautious and have active-awareness. That is what was celebrated of the Sons of Issachar who were men who understood the times able to discern what to do for a whole nation.

1 Chronicles 12:32 “of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times to what Israel ought to do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their command;”

They knew the time or also said as they knew the season they were in. Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us that in EVERYTHING there is a season, a time and a purpose. 

Do you know what season you are in? What season the world, your family, your church and your nation is in? Knowing the season is discerned by being spirit-led and by knowing the signs that we are to be watchful for. Being watchful for signs and seasons is a command from Jesus Himself we read in Matthew 24. Then in Matthew 25:13 He says this:

 Matthew 25:13 “”Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.

That is why deception is such an end-time strategy of the enemy. He wants to deceive you so that you won’t know what is happening around you so you won’t know how to pray, what to do or where/when to exercise your authority. Being in the Word, active in prayer and obedience will allow the Spirit of Truth to guide you into all truth.

Jesus also said that we must be watchful over ourselves.

Matthew 26:41 “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak.””

“If you are watching and not praying then you’re just looking.” – Ps. Al

Being watchful and discerning begins with consecration or setting yourself aside for God and being in right-standing with Him. What are you putting before your eyes? What are you listening to? How are you cultivating your relationship with God by prayer and obedience? Having the mind of Christ includes having His eyes to see and ears to hear. That will keep you fully aware!

Finally, surround yourself with others that are also watchful. God wants watchful and aware men that He can trust to carry out His assignments for seasons we are in. See Judges 7:4-7 below to understand what God instructed Gideon to do to choose the right men for His battle.

 Judges 7:4-7 But the Lord said to Gideon, “The people are still too many; bring them down to the water, and I will test them for you there. Then it will be, that of whom I say to you, ‘This one shall go with you,’ the same shall go with you; and of whomever I say to you, ‘This one shall not go with you,’ the same shall not go.” So he brought the people down to the water. And the Lord said to Gideon, “Everyone who laps from the water with his tongue, as a dog laps, you shall set apart by himself; likewise everyone who gets down on his knees to drink.” And the number of those who lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, was three hundred men; but all the rest of the people got down on their knees to drink water. Then the Lord said to Gideon, “By the three hundred men who lapped I will save you, and deliver the Midianites into your hand. Let all the other people go, every man to his [a]place.” 

As you can see the Lord greatly narrowed down the number of men Gideon had assembled choosing the ones that were watchful over the ones that were not. God is saying that He rather have a remnant of 300 men that are watchful fighting for Him than 32,000 men with their heads down vulnerable to attacks.

We are in a battle! Do you surround yourself with others who you trust to be your rear guard? Are those you keep closest in the Word, men of prayer and men who are aware of what is happening around them?

1 Peter 5:8-9 gives us the “Rules for being Watchful”:

1 Peter 5:8-9 Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [[a]in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour.

Withstand him; be firm in faith [against his onset—rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined], knowing that the same ([b]identical) sufferings are appointed to your brotherhood (the whole body of Christians) throughout the world.

 

Please see the links below for copies of my July notes and the July Men’s Breakfast video on Mature Manhood Part 2.

 

Men, lets continue to join our faith, together by the glory of God believing for the 7 rewards of the fast:

Confession over the 7 Rewards of the Fast

 Father, we ask for a mighty and sustained manifestation of Your wonderful glory in this current season; manifesting Your majestic presence, Your awesome power, Your extravagant goodness that brings: 

1. An awakening to You in the body of Christ; waking us out of our apathy, complacency and lethargy! 

 2. An awakening to You in Israel – the apple of Your eye! 

 3. An awakening to You in the United States and the nations! As we agree with our founding fathers that we are one nation under the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and George Washington with Jesus as our Lord and Savior. 

 4. Godly results in all elections in 2024; that they be free of all fraud, deceit and immoral manipulation; and that righteous candidates will win the hearts of the voters 

 5. Breakthroughs of growth, prosperity, influence and favor for KCM, EMIC, KCBC and the Victory Channel 

 6. Personal breakthroughs (answers, direction and clarity) for every member and partner of this ministry 

 7. And complete preparation in spirit, soul and body for all that is coming.

 – To God be the all the glory, amen!

 

Men, we have fellowship, mentoring groups and mentoring opportunities here at EMIC. Contact Pastor Al at 817-252-2964 or email at avelez@kcm.org

 

Unified faith is the incubator for revival!

Let’s continue to join our faith in prayer for the Key Prayer Points below that will continue throughout the month:

  • That the men of EMIC and the church at large will believe for More, More, More and More in 2024!
  • Psalm 91 protection over our church, leaders and partners for wholeness and prosperity.
  • That Pastor George and Pastor Terri and Brother and Sister Copeland are renewed as Eagles in youthfulness, health and utterance in the Holy Spirit.
  • Complete healing for our church family members that are overcoming.
  • Breakthroughs for our confession over the 7 rewards of the fast.

Men, there are active opportunities to be involved in affecting each one of these areas here at EMIC, our community, schools and patriotic involvement and through effective faith-filled prayers.

To find out how you can be more involved contact Pastor Al Velez at avelez@kcm.org or call 817-252-2964 

Our Men’s Ministry is designed to equip you with biblical weapons of warfare and disciple you and one another in the Word of God and in meaningful relationships so that we join our faith together for victory!

Come and be a part of our Men’s Movement!

Don’t miss our next Built to Last Men’s Breakfast! Go online to emic.org/events to register now!

 

Can’t wait to see you all!

Until then stay strong and courageous – AS ONE!

Love and blessings! Pastor Al 


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