<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?><!-- generator=Zoho Sites --><rss version="2.0" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"><channel><atom:link href="https://www.christian.education/blogs/tag/watchful/feed" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><title>Christian Education Europe - Weekly Blog #watchful</title><description>Christian Education Europe - Weekly Blog #watchful</description><link>https://www.christian.education/blogs/tag/watchful</link><lastBuildDate>Fri, 17 Apr 2026 11:41:23 +0200</lastBuildDate><generator>http://zoho.com/sites/</generator><item><title><![CDATA[Eyes on Jesus]]></title><link>https://www.christian.education/blogs/post/eyes-on-jesus</link><description><![CDATA[<img align="left" hspace="5" src="https://www.christian.education/4. Observant2.jpg"/>The characteristics of Christ are indicators of godliness. We need to learn about them, get accustomed to them, OBSERVE them.]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="zpcontent-container blogpost-container "><div data-element-id="elm_9hTEctg6TEWKTgiwTwbzdw" data-element-type="section" class="zpsection "><style type="text/css"></style><div class="zpcontainer-fluid zpcontainer"><div data-element-id="elm_8Ude-sW4SUa0_NdU5cuSMg" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items- zpjustify-content- " data-equal-column=""><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_OpI_I7sZQse-C95gb1mhaQ" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_O3t_7lMmRyGhoJVEPJHSIg" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style> [data-element-id="elm_O3t_7lMmRyGhoJVEPJHSIg"].zpelem-text { border-radius:1px; } </style><div class="zptext zptext-align-center " data-editor="true"><div style="font-size:12px;"><p></p><div style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:11pt;">We can be observant in many ways. We can observe when people have a need, we can self-reflect and observe ways in which we can improve ourselves, we can observe and appreciate beautiful things, and we can look back and use hindsight to observe moments in the past.</span><span style="font-size:11pt;">&nbsp;</span></div>
<span style="font-size:11pt;"><div style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:11pt;">&nbsp;</span></div>
<div style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:11pt;">To be observant or watchful is a wonderful characteristic to develop,&nbsp;and it can help&nbsp;us&nbsp;excel&nbsp;in&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size:11pt;">many&nbsp;of&nbsp;areas of life.</span><span style="font-size:11pt;">&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:11pt;"><br></span></div></span><p></p></div>
<div style="font-size:12px;"><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:11pt;">It is&nbsp;a truth&nbsp;that we become what we consume. The things we read, the things we watch, the conversations we have – they all influence us.&nbsp;</span></p></div>
<div style="font-size:12px;"><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:11pt;">We have been given a measure of control over what we allow to influence us. It is important that with this freedom we make sure that Jesus is at the top of our list of influencers.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:11pt;"><br></span></p></div>
<div style="font-size:12px;"><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:11pt;">This world is a deceptive and manipulative place;&nbsp;there are many wolves in&nbsp;sheep’s&nbsp;clothing. How can we discern the paths that are Godly and those that&nbsp;aren’t?&nbsp;</span></p></div>
<div style="font-size:12px;"><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:11pt;">The answer is:&nbsp;‘Keep Watch’,&nbsp;‘Be observant’,&nbsp;‘Look out’.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:11pt;"><br></span></p></div>
<div style="font-size:12px;"><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:11pt;">In the past we have discussed the characteristics of Christ. This year alone we have talked about a few</span><span style="font-size:10pt;">—</span><span style="font-size:11pt;">Confidence, Commitment, Peacefulness, and Obedience, and there are SO many more.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:11pt;"><br></span></p></div>
<div style="font-size:12px;"><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:11pt;">These characteristics are indicators of&nbsp;godliness. We need to learn about them, get accustomed to them, OBSERVE them.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:11pt;"><br></span></p></div>
<div style="font-size:12px;"><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:11pt;">By knowing the ways of&nbsp;Christ,<span>&nbsp;we&nbsp;are able to&nbsp;be drawn to&nbsp;</span>godliness in our own lives. We begin to recognise these characteristics as if we were recognising an old friend.&nbsp;On the other&nbsp;hand, we&nbsp;will be&nbsp;acutely aware when there is a lack of Christ’s character,&nbsp;and because of this,&nbsp;we’ll&nbsp;see all the red flags which in turn&nbsp;will&nbsp;help us to know when&nbsp;it’s time&nbsp;to&nbsp;find a new&nbsp;direction.&nbsp;Really useful for those of us who find it hard to make decisions!</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:11pt;"><br></span></p></div>
<div style="font-size:12px;"><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:11pt;">With this in mind,&nbsp;let’s&nbsp;make it a goal to keep our eyes on Christ, observe His character and be watchful for His presence in our lives.&nbsp;</span></p></div>
<div style="font-size:12px;"><p></p><div style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:11pt;"><br></span></div>
<div style="text-align:left;"><div><span style="font-size:11pt;font-style:italic;">Hear&nbsp;instruction&nbsp;and be wise,&nbsp;</span></div>
<span style="font-size:11pt;"><div><span style="font-style:italic;"><span style="font-size:11pt;">and do not neglect it.</span><span style="font-size:11pt;">&nbsp;</span></span></div>
<div><span style="font-style:italic;"><span style="font-size:11pt;">Blessed is the one who listens to me,</span><span style="font-size:11pt;">&nbsp;</span></span></div>
<div><span style="font-style:italic;"><span style="font-size:11pt;">watching daily at my gates,</span><span style="font-size:11pt;">&nbsp;</span></span></div>
<div><span style="font-size:11pt;font-style:italic;">waiting beside my&nbsp;doors.&nbsp;</span></div>
<div><span style="font-size:11pt;">&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-size:11pt;font-weight:700;">Proverbs 8:33-34</span></div></span></div></div>
</div></div><div data-element-id="elm_B72R8fuJRxGjBVKFNRF8Cw" data-element-type="button" class="zpelement zpelem-button " data-animation-name="bounceIn"><style> [data-element-id="elm_B72R8fuJRxGjBVKFNRF8Cw"].zpelem-button{ border-radius:1px; } </style><div class="zpbutton-container zpbutton-align-center "><style type="text/css"></style><a class="zpbutton-wrapper zpbutton zpbutton-type-primary zpbutton-size-md zpbutton-style-none zpbutton-full-width " href="/Character%20traits.pdf" download><span class="zpbutton-content">If you need a reminder about what some of the characteristics of Christ are, you can download our 90 Character Traits page here</span></a></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_1MoLAmZpUx8hVzKnPoCdbA" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style> [data-element-id="elm_1MoLAmZpUx8hVzKnPoCdbA"].zpelem-text { border-radius:1px; } </style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left " data-editor="true"><p><span style="color:inherit;"><span style="font-size:7pt;">The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by </span><a href="https://www.crossway.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span style="font-size:7pt;">Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.</span></a><span style="font-size:11pt;"> &nbsp;</span></span><br></p></div>
</div></div></div></div></div></div> ]]></content:encoded><pubDate>Thu, 13 May 2021 00:30:00 +0000</pubDate></item></channel></rss>