Sunday 23 September 2012

The beginning of the third (and final) week!  You’re doing great.  Press in to God this week.  Make it your best.  He has more for you!

Mark 13:35-37 “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’ »

As we enter this final week of the Daniel Fast we turn our attention to the next 11 months of the year.  They will be filled with exciting blessings as well as difficult challenges.  Our confidence is found in the truth that God has already seen all of these things which we will live through.  And He has already apportioned to each of us the grace, wisdom and strength that we will need to get through each moment, and to live it for the glory of God.

Jesus tells this story in Mark chapter 13 while looking into the future and seeing the challenges waiting for His disciples.  He knew that they would face some of the most difficult moments of their lives.  And the way in which each disciple embraced these challenges would determine the outcome of their destiny.

The word translated here as “watch” literally means – stay awake!  Don’t dose off; don’t get sleepy; don’t fall into a stupor.  Keep your eyes open; be vigilant; be sober.  Don’t fall asleep, for you do not know the exact time at which the owner of the house will return.  He might come back in the evening, at midnight or at the dawn.  No matter the hour at which he returns, don’t let him find you sleeping.

I remember as a little kid trying to learn how to play baseball.  At the time I was not much bigger than the bat I was holding.  But I can still hear my dad saying to me, “Son, keep your eye on the ball.  Don’t take your eye off the ball.”

It was hard!  There were so many other, more interesting, things to look at: the birds, the other kids across the street, my dog.  Sure, I wanted to hit the ball.  But I had such a hard time keeping my attention on it, especially when it was moving in my direction.

But I learned a very important lesson.  If you are going to be in the game, you MUST learn to keep your eye on the ball.  Friend, God is moving across the face of the earth.  Those who are hungry for His presence and keep their eye on the Holy Spirit, will be those who stay in the game.

The Holy Spirit has been awakening our hearts over these past two weeks.  And we are convinced that God will mightily visit our house during the course of this New Year.  But when?  Will it be in October, December or April?  Frankly, I’m glad that I don’t know.  Because, if He told me when He would come I would probably sleep until the night before He came!

So, friend, He is not going to tell us exactly when He is going to visit us.  I pray with all my heart that the visitation will begin this week! But I can’t be sure of it.  That is why He is awakening our hearts now. And it is up to us to prepare the house now for His coming.  And though I am not certain of WHEN He will come; I do know that He will come.  Of that, I am sure.

I believe that where ever you live, and what ever church you go to, God is preparing to visit you mightily during the course of this year.  I really don’t think He is going to give you the date, however.  But He is giving you this week to prepare your heart.  So use this week wisely.  And go for God with all your heart!