Exodus 1 - Praying God's Word

Please read Exodus 1.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/exo/1/1/s_51001

Meditate on verse 17.

But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt

 had commanded them, but let the boys live.

Genesis ends with the death of Joseph (Genesis 50:26). Exodus begins by remembering Joseph’s death and fast-forwarding 400 years to the continuation of Israel’s story, one of enslavement to the Egyptians. Despite affliction and abuse, the Israelites multiplied, and the Egyptians dreaded them. In order to stop their population increase, the king of Egypt ordered Hebrew baby boys be put to death as they were being born. These horrific orders were given to two midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, who feared God more than they feared Pharaoh—they refused to kill the babies.

With whom do you identify from this chapter? Are you like the Egyptians in opposition to God’s work, or are you a Godly and courageous Shiphrah and Puah, willing to defy orders that are contrary to God’s Word?

As you desire to see God establish your family this year in His righteousness and holiness, be willing to obey His Word and walk in His ways.

Pray Exodus 1:17 and 20-21 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, help __________ and me to fear only You

and not the commands of men who oppose You.

Help us do things that help others live!
Be good to us, God;

multiply us and make us mighty. Establish our family because we fear You.


In Your name, Jesus~”

The Watchman on the Wall, Volume 2 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Ephesians 6 - Praying God's Word

Please read Ephesians 6.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/eph/6/1/s_1103001

Meditate on verses 1-4.

Children, obey your parents in the LORD, for this is right.

Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise),

so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth.

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up

 in the discipline and instruction of the LORD.

This passage is full of vital information for families, starting with children obeying and honoring (valuing) their parents.  When a child is obedient, they do their parents’ will and understand the world does not revolve around them.  They learn to submit to proper authorities, preparing them for relationships with authorities at school, work, church, and most importantly with God, which require unselfishness and obedience to be successful.  Constant, Godly parenting develops these characteristics, so children are good citizens of their family and community. 

Fathers are singled out in this passage to build character and behaviors that emulate God, so their children have as accurate a picture of God from their earthly fathers as possible. Father, be a Godly example by leading a consistent, stable home, where love and rules do not vacillate, and your children have a foundation to become successful in their walk with Christ.  Strive for these goals so when they graduate high school, they have a relationship with God that is real and the desire and ability to discern His will for their lives.

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

“LORD, help ________ obey their parents, for this is right.

Help _________ and me honor our father and mother.

Fulfill Your promise, LORD, that it may be well with us,

and that we may live long on the earth.

Help ________ be a good father, to not provoke his children to anger,

but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of You, LORD.

In Your name, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 3 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Ephesians 5 - Praying God's Word

Please read Ephesians 5.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/eph/5/1/s_1102001

Meditate on verses 22, 25, and 33.

Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the LORD. 

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church

and gave Himself up for her.

Each individual among you also is to love his own wife, even as himself,

and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband.

In Ephesians 5:25 and 32, you see how the church, as the Bride of Christ, and the relationship of marriage between a man and a woman are divinely related. The purpose of marriage is to emulate the relationship of the church to the LORD. 

Therefore, there is great responsibility for husbands to offer themselves unselfishly for their wives to care for and protect them.  They are to give their wife all she needs to be the best Christian she can be, just like Christ gave everything for people to be followers of Him.  Husband, put your wife’s needs above your own and help her grow in the faith.

Wives are to honor their husband and his responsibility for leading the home.  Wives are to respect and follow their husband just like the church should respect and follow Christ.  Wife, respect your husband and let him lead your family.

Ask the LORD to make you a Godly completer for your spouse to bring oneness to your marriage and for you both to be more like Jesus.

Pray Ephesians 5:22, 25, and 33 over marriages you guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, help wives be subject to their own husband, as to You, LORD.

Help husbands love their wife, just as You, Christ,

also loved the church and gave Yourself up for her. 

Let each individual love his own wife even as himself,

and let the wife see to it that she respects her husband.

In Your name, Jesus ~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 3 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Ephesians 4 - Praying God's Word

Please read Ephesians 4.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/eph/4/1/s_1101001

Meditate on verse 1.

Therefore I, the prisoner of the LORD, implore you to

walk in a manner worthy of the calling with

which you have been called.

The word calling is a very important part of Christian life.  Calling is used to describe those going into full-time ministry or missions.  For example, “He received a calling to preach.”  

In a much broader sense, calling is used to describe the activity of God drawing people to become Christians.  It is the purposeful action of God who calls you to come to Him (Ephesians 1:18).  Calling is not accidental like when you dial someone without knowing it on your cell phone.  It is very intentional.

Ephesians 4 gives a great picture of being intentionally called by God to salvation, to ministry, and to living a life consistent with the reputation of being part of God’s family.

You have been recruited, called, to be on God’s team as a member of His family.  This is the highest calling a person can have. 

Pray Ephesians 4:1-6 over yourself and those you love to be faithful to the calling of God.

“LORD, help ________ and me walk in a manner worthy of the

calling with which You have called us—

with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance

 for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the

Spirit in the bond of peace.  There is one body of Christ and one Spirit;

 just as we were called in one hope of Your calling,

 there is one LORD, one faith, and one baptism.

You are one God and Father who is over all and through all and in all.

In Your name, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 3 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Ephesians 3 - Praying God's Word

Please read Ephesians 3.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/eph/3/1/s_1100001

Meditate on verses 4 and 6.

By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ,

to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body,

 and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel.

There is a popular global craze for a new kind of adventure.  It is a physical puzzle game that combines thinking, solving clues, and beating the clock to get yourself or your group out safely.  The craze is known as “Escape Rooms.”  “Escape Rooms” certainly describe Paul’s prison experiences, but they are also a good illustration of Paul’s revelation that he received from the LORD—that Gentiles are fellow heirs in Christ.

Paul, who is in prison writing this letter, says not to worry about his troubles; they are no big deal because he knows the clues to the escape room.  Paul is not asking the Christians to pray for his escape from prison.  He is only concerned about the Church of Ephesus knowing and telling others about the mystery of God, that the God of Israel wants them to be His children.  All people can escape their spiritual prison and break out into an intimate relationship with Jesus.

Pray Ephesians 3:7-10 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

 “LORD, let Your power work in ________ and me.

Give us grace to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ.

Bring to light the administration of the mystery, hidden in You who created all things.

Let these truths be made known through our church to the

 rulers and authorities in heavenly places.

In Your name, Jesus ~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 3 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Ephesians 2 - Praying God's Word

Please read Ephesians 2.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/eph/2/1/s_1099001

Meditate on verse 13.

But now in Christ Jesus, you who formerly were far off

have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

In this chapter, Paul teaches amazing things about God’s love for you and the power of Jesus’ work in your life.

Despite being dead, walking according to the world, disobedient, full of lusts in the flesh and mind, and being a child of wrath, God in His rich mercy and great love makes you alive and seated with Jesus in heaven (vs. 1-6). 

Ponder these truths applied to your life:

- Jesus saves you by grace through faith—it is God’s gift (vs. 8-9).

- You are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works (v. 10). 

- You were uncircumcised, separate from Christ, excluded from Israel, strangers to the covenants, having no hope, without God and far off (vs. 11-12).  But now, you are brought near to Him (v. 13).

- No longer strangers and aliens, now fellow citizens with the saints, of God’s household—you are part of the family of God built upon Jesus your cornerstone (vs. 19-20).

Take advantage of this treasure and treasured life.  The Creator of the universe went to all of this trouble, so you can draw near to Him and walk with Him (v. 18).

Pray Ephesians 2:1 and 13 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, ___________ is dead in their trespasses and sins;

please bring them near to You.

I was formerly far off from You;

thank You for bringing me near by the blood of Christ.

In Your name, Jesus ~”

Ephesians 1 - Praying God's Word

Please read Ephesians 1.

As you read, notice what God does because of “His will” and for “the praise of His glory.”

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/eph/1/1/s_1098001

Meditate on verses 5-6.

He predestined us to adoption as sons

through Jesus Christ to Himself,

according to the kind intention of His will, to

the praise of the glory of His grace,

which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.

The Truths of God in this chapter are like waves of the ocean on a beach—they keep miraculously coming.  Ponder these waves of glorious truth:

·      God has blessed you with every spiritual blessing (v. 3).

·      God chose you before the foundation (creation) of the world (v. 4).

·      God predestined you to adoption as His child (v. 5).

·      God gave you His redemption and forgiveness (v. 7).

·      God lavished His rich grace on you (vs. 7-8).

·      God sealed you in Jesus with the Holy Spirit (v. 13).

Wow, and those are only a handful of the waves in this incredible chapter!  Spend time today praising the LORD for all He has done and is doing in your life.  Ask Him to make you more aware of who He is and what He is doing as you walk with Him.

Pray Ephesians 1:17 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“God of our LORD Jesus Christ, the Father of glory,

give _______ and me a spirit of wisdom

 and of revelation in the knowledge of You.

In Your name, Jesus ~”

Ruth 4 - Praying God's Word

Please read Ruth 4.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/rth/4/1/s_236001

Meditate on verse 14.

Then the women said to Naomi, "Blessed is the LORD

 who has not left you without a redeemer today,

 and may his name become famous in Israel.”

What an amazing story of God’s redemption! Boaz’s redemption of Naomi and Ruth set into motion the lineage of Jesus Christ, whose name would indeed become famous in Bethlehem and Israel. As Naomi held her beloved baby, Obed, who was born to Boaz and Ruth in Bethlehem, she was holding the great-great-great-great…grandfather of her Redeemer Jesus Christ.

The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah…

Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab,

Boaz was the father of Obed by Ruth,

and Obed the father of Jesse.

Jesse was the father of David the king…

—Matthew 1:1, 5-6

It’s Christmas, and as you think about Jesus being born in Bethlehem, 2000 years ago, think about Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz, too. Think about these faithful ancestors of Christ, following God wherever He led them, in good times and bad. Thank God for faithful legacies, asking Him to help you give your family the gift of faithfulness this Christmas.

Pray Ruth 4:14-15 in thanksgiving to your LORD and Savior Jesus Christ.

“Blessed are You, LORD, who has not left us

without a Redeemer today.

May Your name become famous in Israel

 and in the lives of my loved ones.

 Jesus, You are the Restorer of life

 and Sustainer of us, even in our old age. 

You are better to us than anyone.

  Happy Birthday, Jesus.  I love You~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 3 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Ruth 3 - Praying God's Word

Please read Ruth 3.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/rth/3/1/s_235001

Meditate on verse 9.

He said, "Who are you?" And she answered, "I am

 Ruth your maid. So spread your covering

over your maid, for you are a close relative (redeemer)."

Redeem and redeemer (translated as “close relative” in the NASB) are the same Hebrew word, ga’al, and repeated several times in this chapter (vs. 9, 12, 13).¹ Naomi and Ruth needed a redeemer, someone to save them from their hopeless situation.

Covering is a Hebrew word that also means “wings.”² The meditation verse (v. 9) could be translated from Hebrew (the original language of the Old Testament) as:

He said, "Who are you?" And she answered,

"I am Ruth your maid. So spread your wings

over your maid, for you are a redeemer."

The psalmist made a similar plea to His Redeemer in Psalm 61:4:

“Let me dwell in Your tent forever;

let me take refuge in the shelter of Your wings.”

Jesus was born 2000 years ago for the purpose of redeeming you from your hopeless situation, covering you with His love and forgiveness. Fall at the feet of your Savior, praying Ruth 3:9.

“LORD, I am ___________, Your servant. 

Spread Your covering over me for You are my Redeemer.

Thank You, LORD Jesus~”

1. Retrieved from www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H1350&t=NASB 2.Retrieved from www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H3671&t=NASB

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 3 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Ruth 2 - Praying God's Word

Please read Ruth 2.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/rth/2/1/s_234001

Meditate on verse 1.

Now Naomi had a kinsman of her husband, a man of great

wealth, of the family of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz.

Boaz was a Godly man and a close relative of Naomi’s deceased husband, Elimelech, making him her kinsman-redeemer. A kinsman-redeemer had the right to marry his deceased relative’s widow in order to beget a child for him and redeem his land.

Boaz was from Bethlehem, and he had fields in that same region. It is possible the fields where Ruth gathered grain are the same fields that Luke wrote about saying:

In the same region there were some

shepherds staying out in the fields

and keeping watch over their flock by night.

—Luke 2:8

As you continue reading the story of Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz, notice how Boaz foreshadows the coming Messiah. Jesus Christ is your kinsman- redeemer who delivers you from hopelessness and death. He is your protector, giving you everything you need to live. He extends His favor and kindness to you.

Pray Ruth 2:12-13 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, please reward the work of __________ and me. 

May our wages be full from You, LORD, under

 whose wings we have taken refuge. 

Let us find favor in Your sight, our LORD, for

You have comforted us and indeed

 have spoken kindly to Your bond-servants.

Because You are our kinsman-redeemer, Jesus Christ~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 3 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell