Wake Up And Pay Attention
There are several passages in the Bible encouraging us to wake up. There are things going on around us which we might be aware of, but do not really seem to care much about. Well it is very important that we can learn to pay attention. The following is an article by Greg Gwin and is worth considering:

Facing the Challenges
In times of crisis individuals can accomplish incredible things - things that ordinarily would be beyond their ability to achieve. We've all heard examples of nearly superhuman feats that were performed under extreme circumstances. For instance, men have been known to lift the weight of an automobile in order to free a person trapped underneath. Normally this would be beyond their ability, but in an emergency situation they succeed. Or, we're told of soldiers who do amazing and spectacular things in the heat of battle when their comrades are in danger.
There's a spiritual lesson to be learned here. Too often we go about our spiritual service to God without a good recognition of the crisis situation that exists around us. We are under attack - from both within and without the body of Christ. The forces of Satan are advancing against us and we hardly seem to notice. And, since we are basically unaware of the danger, we never accomplish anything terribly significant for the cause of Christ. We need to wake up. Have a good look at the crisis situation that surrounds us. It is a time for courage and resolve. "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." (Ephesians 6: 12).
Christian; Sense the danger! Realize the crisis! Recognize the battle facing us! Alone we would be helpless, but with God's help we can do amazing things in His service - but we have to be aware of the awesome challenges. He has promised, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." (Hebrews 13:5). Let's get busy!
- by Greg Gwin

We have to be aware that Satan is not going to give up in trying to keep each of us out of heaven. No matter how strong we may become in our spiritual strength and lives, Satan is still going to try to find your weakness and cause you to fail. As long as we are aware that this could happen, we will keep our guard and continue to resist Satan and his devices. But the moment we give up and think that we have it made, guess who will be there to influence us? Yep, you guessed it. The Devil himself will never give up. Usually, when we forget this fact, we get complacent and fall asleep. That is when our soul is most likely to fall away from the Living God.
What can we do? There are many things we can do to keep Satan away from us.
We must learn everything we can about Satan and his weapons that take up warfare upon our souls. That should cause us to take inventory and check out whatever protections we have. We read about the armor of God in Ephesians 6. Verse 11 reads: "Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil". Verse 13 reads: "Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day and having done everything, to stand firm". In verse 18, we read: "With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints".
Not only do we need to pray for ourselves, but we need to pray for all Christians in their various battle zones. We need to pray for them because many of them are not concerned about this great battle we are involved in. Many of them consider that if they go to church and stay a relatively good moral person that such would be good enough for God. Well, my friends, God is not looking for "good enough", God wants the best you can give. Remember the Thessalonians were commended by Paul several times, but Paul encouraged them to excel still more. Good enough is not good enough for God.
We need to learn as much as we can about God and His will. God has provided a means of salvation through His Son, if we will only obey what He has commanded us. And if we live the way God wants us to live, we will be aware of Satan and the battle he is waging against our souls. So studying God's word is very important, because God has plans for each of us and if we are going to be useful in His service, we must do what He commands.
Spending as much time with the saints is the best thing you can do for your soul. First, when around the saints, you pretty much maintain a good behavior. This is so that you can show a good example, but you also do not want to disappoint your brethren. We share fellowship with our brethren, and we are always encouraging each other to remain strong in the faith, and keep our behavior excellent when in the presence of non-Christians.
Fighting Satan offers its own challenges. We have enough of those in the world we live in. So let us do what we can to insure our salvation and the salvation of our brethren.
By Carey Scott

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