Hebrews 5 - Praying God's Word

Please read Hebrews 5.

Meditate on verse 12.

For though by this time you ought to be teachers,

you have need again for someone to teach you

 the elementary principles of the Oracles of God,

 and you have come to need milk and not solid food.

Hebrews is a meaty book. It contains many doctrines (truths) of God. Hebrews was originally written to Jewish Christians to teach that they no longer needed an earthly priest to offer sacrifices for their sins. Jesus fulfilled the Old Covenant laws; He became to everyone who obeys Him the source of eternal salvation (Hebrews 5:9).

The writer of Hebrews wanted to explain to his readers many deep things about the Oracles of God, but they could not stomach such rich teaching. They were not accustomed to the Word of Righteousness (Hebrews 5:12-13).

Are you accustomed to the Word of God? Because of use, are you familiar with the Bible? Or is God addressing you when He says, “You ought to be teaching My Word by now, but instead, you need someone teaching you My elementary principles. You have come to need the milk of My Word”?

Pray Hebrews 5:13-14 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

 “LORD, help ________ and me stop being infants,

partaking only of the milk of Your Word.


May we become accustomed to Your Word of Righteousness.

Make us mature in You, so we can eat solid food.

Help us practice eating the solid food of Your Word.

 Train our senses to discern good and evil.


In Your name, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL ~ Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Hebrews 4 - Praying God's Word

Please read Hebrews 4.

Meditate on verses 15-16.

For we do not have a high priest

who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses,

 but One who has been tempted
 in all things as we are,

yet without sin.

Therefore let us draw near with confidence

 to the throne of grace,

 so that we may receive mercy

 and find grace to help in time of need.

Are you tired and worn out? Do the struggles of life have you feeling exhausted? God mentioned rest fourteen times in Hebrews 3 and 4. God wants you to enter His rest. Hearing the Word of God and by faith, believing the Good News, results in God’s rest for your life. Doing good works will not bring God’s rest. Works make you tired. There is nothing good enough to get you to God except Jesus Christ.

Reread Hebrews 3 and 4. Ask God to give you insight with understanding into His Word. The LORD wants you to be able to experience His rest here on earth as well as in heaven. Jesus gives you favor with God. Jesus is the High Priest who gives you mercy and grace. Draw near with confidence to God, today. You will find rest for your weary soul.

Pray Hebrews 4:6-7 and 12-13 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

 “LORD, do not let ________ and me fail to enter Your rest because of disobedience.

 Let us hear Your voice and not harden our hearts.

Your Word is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword.

Let it pierce our soul and spirit and divide our joints and marrow.

Judge the thoughts and intentions of our hearts.

Let us hold fast our confession of You, Jesus, the Son of God, our Great High Priest.


In whose name I pray~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL ~ Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Hebrews 3 - Praying God's Word

Please read Hebrews 3.

Meditate on verse 1.

Therefore, holy brethren,

 partakers of a heavenly calling,

consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession.

Consider Jesus! Fix your mind on Him. Observe Him carefully in the book of Hebrews. He is superior to Moses. He is the builder of all things. He is the living God. You are a partaker of Jesus if you hold fast to Him and are not hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. Christ builds you up as you hold fast your confidence in Him. People who are disobedient and do not believe in Jesus do not dwell with Him.

There are warnings for you in Hebrews 3. “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts. Take care that none of you has an evil, unbelieving heart that forsakes the living God” (vs. 7-8, 12).

Examine yourself. What do you believe about Jesus? Do you allow Him to build your life? Do you hold fast to Him? Do not harden your heart towards your LORD.

Pray Hebrews 3:12-14 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

 “Living God, do not let ________ and me
have an evil,

unbelieving heart that falls away from You.

Help us encourage one another day after day,


so we will not be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

May we be partakers of You, Christ,


and let us hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end.


In Your name, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL ~ Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Hebrews 2 - Praying God's Word

Please read Hebrews 2.

Meditate on verse 1.

For this reason we must pay

 much closer attention to what we have heard,

so that we do not drift away from it.

In these last days God has spoken to you in His son (Hebrews 1:2); therefore, you must pay much closer attention to what you have heard (Hebrews 2:1).

Pick up your Bible. You are holding in your hand the very Words of Jesus Christ! The Bible is the way God chose to reveal Himself to you and communicate with you. Do you pay attention to it?

Hebrews 2 tells you truth about Jesus you must pay attention to:

* Your “so great a salvation” was spoken through the LORD; do not neglect it (vs. 2-3).

* Jesus rendered the devil powerless who had the power of death; therefore, you are free from the fear of death (v.15).

* Jesus had to become a human like you, so He would be your merciful and faithful high priest and your sacrifice to appease the wrath of God against your sin (v.17).

* When Jesus became a human, He was tempted like you are; therefore, He is able to come to your aid when you are tempted (v.18).

What a relief to know these truths about God! Pay close attention to what you have learned and pray Hebrews 2:1 and 3 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, help ________ and me to pay much closer attention

 to what we have heard from You,


so we do not drift away from it.

Do not let us neglect our so great a salvation.

In Your name, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL ~ Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Hebrews 1 - Praying God's Word

Please read Hebrews 1.

Meditate on verses 1-2.

God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets

 in many portions and in many ways,

in these last day has spoken to us in His Son,

whom He appointed heir of all things,

through whom also He made the world.

Hebrews is a masterpiece crafted by God to tell you who Jesus is. A theme of the letter is “fix your eyes on Jesus” (Hebrews 12:2). God ensures you focus only on Christ because He does not name the earthly writer. Do not waste time speculating about the scribe; Jesus Christ is the focus of this letter.

Hebrews 1 tells you God made the world through Jesus, and Jesus is the radiance of God’s glory, the exact representation of God’s nature. Christ upholds all things by the Word of His power. He is also superior to angels.

These are truths about who God is. You live in a world that denies there is a Creator of the universe and the deity of Christ. The writer of Hebrews tells you God created the world through Jesus Christ who is the expression of the glory of God.

Enjoy getting to know your Savior as you read and study this amazing letter.

Pray Hebrews 1:2-3 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

 “Jesus, in these last days You have spoken to _______ and me.

 Jesus, You made the world and are the radiance of God’s glory

 and the exact representation of God’s nature.

Please form Your nature in us and uphold us by the Word of Your power.

Thank You that You have made purification of our sins.


For the sake of Your name, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL ~ Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Philemon 1 - Praying God's Word

Please read Philemon 1.

Meditate on verse 7.

For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love,

because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.

Philemon had a decision to make. His runaway slave, Onesimus, became a Christian while he was with Paul. Paul sent Onesimus back to his master with this letter appealing to Philemon to receive Onesimus as a brother in Christ rather than punishing him as a runaway slave.

By law, Philemon could have killed Onesimus for his crime. Yet Philemon was a follower of Jesus Christ who even had a church meeting in his home. Paul had confidence in Jesus that Philemon would do what was proper.

What would you do? You have the legal right to do ____________, but because of the love and grace you have received from the LORD, will you extend that mercy to another, even if they do not deserve it?

Read Colossians 4:7-9 to find out the rest of Onesimus’ story. Philemon’s decision refreshed the heart of Paul (Philemon 1:20).

Pray Philemon 1:4-7 over someone for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

 “Thank You, God, for __________.

May I always hear of their love and faith

 toward You and all the saints.

Let the sharing
of their faith be effective

for the knowledge of every good thing

that is in us for Your sake, Christ.

 Let the hearts of the saints be refreshed through ____________.

Thank You for the joy and comfort I have in their love.

In Your name, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL ~ Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Titus 3 - Praying God's Word

Please read Titus 3.

Meditate on verses 4 -6.

But when the kindness of God our Savior


and His love for mankind appeared,


He saved us, not on the basis of deeds


which we have done in righteousness,


but according to His mercy,


by the washing of regeneration

 and renewing by the Holy Spirit,

 whom He poured out upon us richly


through Jesus Christ our Savior.

Apart from Jesus, you are a mess. Before being saved, you were foolish, disobedient, deceived, and enslaved to sin. There was not one righteous deed you could do to save yourself. But when the kindness of God your Savior and His love for you appeared, He saved you according to His mercy, by the washing and renewing of the Holy Spirit whom He poured out upon you richly through Jesus Christ your Savior (Titus 3:3-6).

Salvation is such a great news story. Why would God be so kind to you? Why would He pour out His mercy on despicable mankind? Because God loves people, and He wants to save them from their mess. Behave in a Godly way so others will be drawn to the kindness and love of your Savior.

Pray Titus 3:1-2 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

 “LORD, help ________ and me to be subject to rulers, to authorities,


to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed.

Let us malign no one;

let us be peaceable, gentle,
and show every consideration for all men.

For Your cause, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL ~ Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Titus 2 - Praying God's Word

Please read Titus 2.

Meditate on verse 10b.

Showing all good faith so that they will adorn

 the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect.

The churches on the island of Crete needed Godly leaders and Godly members. Paul gave the characteristics, the LORD’s expectations, for men and women, young and old, from all walks of life. These attributes are listed in Titus 2. When believers exhibit these characteristics, they show all good faith and adorn the doctrine of God in every respect (Titus 2:10).

Examine your life. How do you adorn the doctrine of God your Savior? Does your behavior beautifully give credence to the doctrine of God, or does it portray things of God as being ridiculous? The way you speak and act tells the world what you believe about God. Evaluate your words and actions in light of Titus 2. God said in Titus 1:16 that those who profess to know God but deny Him by their deeds are detestable, disobedient, and worthless for any good deed. What would the LORD say about you?

Pray Titus 2:1-8 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7). [I prayed these verses over my son and his wife everyday for 256 days prior to their wedding, so God would establish them in these Godly characteristics. I continue to pray them over my husband, children, and grandchildren.]

 “LORD, let _________ and me speak
things fitting for sound doctrine.


Let ____________ be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith,

 sound in love, sound in perseverance.

Let _________ be reverent in her behavior,


not a malicious gossip nor enslaved to much wine.

 May she teach what is good,


so she can encourage ___________ to love her husband,

to love her children, to be sensible, pure, a stayer at home,

kind, subject to her own husband
so that Your Word will not be dishonored.

Likewise let __________ be sensible.

In all things let _______ and me show ourselves

 to be an example of good deeds with purity in doctrine,

 dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach,

 so that the opponent will be put to shame


and have nothing bad to say about us.


In Your name, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL ~ Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Titus 1 - Praying God's Word

Please read Titus 1.

Meditate on verse 10.

For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers,

especially those of the circumcision.

Paul left Titus in Crete to set the churches in order and appoint elders in every city on the island (Titus 1:5). There were people in the Cretan churches who contradicted sound doctrine and taught things upsetting entire families. Strong leadership was needed to exhort in sound doctrine and refute the contradictors. Paul gave Titus a list of 18 qualifications to be a church elder or overseer. He must be:

1.     above reproach

2.     the husband of one wife

3.     have children who are believers and are not rebellious

He must have these first three qualifications because he has to be:

4.     above reproach as God’s steward (An elder cannot be a good steward of the church if his own family is not obediently following Christ.)

5.     not self-willed

6.     not quick-tempered

7.     not addicted to wine

8.     not pugnacious

9.     not fond of sordid gain

10. hospitable

11. loving what is good

12. sensible

13. just

14. devout

15. self-controlled

16. holding fast the faithful Word

17. able to exhort in sound doctrine

18. able to refute those who contradict sound doctrine

This describes a man of God, a leader who guides his family to faith and obedience in Christ and who leads those in his church as well. This is the list of Godly attributes that should describe every Christian man.

If you are an unmarried woman, this is your list for what you want in a husband. If you are a married woman, this is the list to pray every day over your husband. Men, pray this list over yourself. Mothers and fathers, pray for your sons and grandsons to be established in the LORD with these 18 attributes characterizing their lives.

Our churches desperately need men in leadership positions with ALL 18 characteristics because there are many rebellious men in our churches, empty talkers and deceivers who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families by teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain (Titus 1:10-11).

Pray Titus 1:6-9 over the men in your life as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

 “LORD, make ________ above reproach, the husband of one wife.


Let his children be believers and not accused of dissipation or rebellion.


Make _________ above reproach as Your steward.

Do not let him be self-willed, quick-tempered,

 addicted to wine, pugnacious,
or fond of sordid gain.


Let him be hospitable, loving what is good,

 sensible, just, devout, and self-controlled.


Let him hold fast the faithful Word,

 which
is in accordance with the teaching,


so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine

 and refute those who contradict.


For the sake of Your name, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL ~ Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

2 Timothy 4 - Praying God's Word

Please read 2 Timothy 4.

Meditate on verse 3.

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine;

 but wanting to have their ears tickled,

they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires.

The list of the ungodly in 2 Timothy 3:2-5 accurately describes people today. Amazingly, God had Paul write the list long, long ago. Today’s verse from 2 Timothy 4 also sounds like it was recently written, yet Paul penned it nearly 2,000 years ago. God’s Word is eternal and still remains profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16).

Does 2 Timothy 4:3 reprove you? What teachings do you surround yourself with? Do you merely want your ears tickled, or do you really want to know truth? Are you attending a church where the Bible is preached and taught as the inerrant Word of God, the supreme and final authority for faith and life? Or does your church capitulate to pop-culture and political correctness, ignoring the truth of God’s Word?

Pray 2 Timothy 4:2 and 5 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

 “LORD, in these last days, let _______ and me
preach the Word;

be ready in season and out of season;

reprove, rebuke, and exhort with great patience and instruction.

 Let us be sober in all things, endure hardship,


do the work of an evangelist, and fulfill our ministry.


In Your name, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL ~ Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

2 Timothy 3 - Praying God's Word

Please read 2 Timothy 3.

Meditate on verse 1.

But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.

The last days started after Christ’s ascension (Acts 1). Timothy and Paul were living in the last days and so are you. The last days are the days being lived as you await the return of Christ. Over 2,000 years ago, Paul wrote the description of people who do not know Christ during the last days and commands Timothy to avoid them (2 Timothy 3:2-5). In the last days people will be:

*lovers of self

                        *lovers of money

                        *boastful

                        *arrogant

                        *revilers

                        *disobedient to parents

                        *ungrateful

                        *unholy

                        *unloving

                        *irreconcilable

                        *malicious gossips

                        *without self-control

                        *brutal

                        *haters of good

                        *treacherous

                        *reckless

                        *conceited

                        *lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God

                        *holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power

People have not changed in 2,000 years and still need God and His Word to change their lives for good. Paul exhorted Timothy to continue in the things he had learned from the sacred writings (God’s Word) because Scripture gave him the wisdom leading to salvation in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 3:14-15). Unless the truth of God’s Word changes you, you are the nineteen things listed above. Pray for Scripture to impact you and those you love.


Pray 2 Timothy 3:16-17 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a

faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7). 


“All Scripture is inspired by You, God.

 Let it teach, reprove, correct, and train ________ and me in righteousness.

 
Make us Your people, adequate and equipped for every good work.

 In Your name, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL ~ Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell