Now What?

Ephesians 6:18 (ESV): 18 Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

Matthew 26:41 (ESV): 41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

1 Peter 5:8 (ESV): 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

10 Ways to Be More Attentive

Issue # 1: The Word

• Bring a physical Bible to church.
• Take notes longhand.

Issue # 2:  Worship

• Take worship seriously

Issue # 3: Spiritual Gifts

• Desire and practice the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
• 1 Corinthians 14:1 (ESV): 1 Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.
• 1 Corinthians 14:27–29 (ESV): 27 If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. 28 But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God. 29 Let two or three prophets speak and let the others weigh what is said.
• 1 Corinthians 13:9–10 (ESV): 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.

Issue # 4: Time

• Allow for more time in service.

Issue # 5: Doing

• Take action.
• James 1:22 (ESV): 22 

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

• James 1:25 (ESV): 25 

But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. 

Issue # 6: Adaptation

• Be flexible for the greater good.

Issue # 7: Values

• Be open to new ideas

Issue # 8: Coaching

• Everyone is a coach
• 2 Timothy 2:2 (ESV): 2 

and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. 

Issue # 9: Presence

• Presence over place
• Exodus 33:15–18 (ESV): 15 And he said to him, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here. 16 For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?” 17 And the Lord said to Moses, “This very thing that you have spoken I will do, for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name.” 18 Moses said, “Please show me your glory.”

Issue # 10: Inside Out 

• We must be internally motivated rather than externally motivated.
• 2 Corinthians 4:16–18 (ESV): 16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.