Ready:
"Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." —1 Peter 5:8
Set:
A two-minute drill is a game strategy of running a specific play or sets of plays, in the last two minutes of the game to score and win the game. The idea is to move the ball quickly and decisively, running specific plays that only work in the last two minutes of the game. This strategy is practiced over and over. Everyone knows their responsibility and role because it has been practiced repeatedly. This enables the team to execute the two-minute drill with precision.
It’s no wonder why the Bible tells us to do the very same kind of practicing and preparing so that we will have a clear strategy, a two-minute drill type response, when we are facing evil and temptation. When the temptations come or evil presents itself, we will know exactly what to do. Peter tells us to be sober-minded, to be watchful, to keep watch on yourself. These directions don’t happen normally nor naturally. You need to get ready, know the play to run, have the correct mindset and be alert. You need to be able to run the two-minute drill at any given moment.
You can only be alert, having a watchful eye, if you’ve prepared, practiced and embracing God’s way (His designed plays). Some of the best preparation comes from memorizing Scripture. Try a verse like Psalm 119:9-11, “How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping your word. I have sought you with all my heart; don’t let me wander from your commands. I have treasured your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you.” Another is Psalm 19:14, "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.”
A second key strategy is prayer. By practicing daily prayer you are preparing yourself to be ready to pray when temptation comes. Each day pray and ask God for strength, courage, wisdom and peace. Honor Him and bless His name. In the moment of temptation, we are ready to run the play – we pray just like we practiced.
Get ready. Be prepared. The two-minute drill will be needed even today but with prayer and Scripture you will be ready.
Go:
What strategy might work best for you when facing temptation or you are feeling defeated in your faith?
In what ways might the Lord be leading your to build a "two-minute drill" for your faith?
Workout:
Overtime:
“Lord God, thank You for Your ways and Your power, to help me be prepared and ready for the moments of temptation, evil and discouragement. Keep teaching me and building the right things in me so that when the moment comes, I can stand firm because of You. In Your holy name I pray, amen.”