Watch and Pray

Sunday 9 April
READ: Mk.13:32-35
MORE LESSON: Lk.21:29-36

There is a great day coming about which Jesus talked to His followers several times before He left the earth for Heaven. The day of the Lord is the day when all events on earth will come to an end and God will usher in the era of eternity; it is a day that will come unannounced (Lk. 21:35), like a thief in the night (I Thess.5:2-4). It is a day when men will be asked to account for what they used their time on earth to do, according to the instruction of God, the maker of all men (Matt.24:46-48).
God expects us to be ready for that day whenever it will be, morning; afternoon or night. Postponing the readiness for that day is very dangerous. To be ready, one must watch and pray always. What is one supposed to watch?
1) Watch to ensure one's faith in God stays unwavering till the end, But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him: Heb.11:6.
2) Watch to ensure that one is stedfast to the end, Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord: I Cor.15:58. Always remember that no labour in God is in vain, a day of rewards and crowning is coming.
3) Watch one's holiness and ensure purity to the end, Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Heb. 12:14. Jesus is coming back for a Church without wrinkle or spot, one must be watchful to ensure that state of holiness and righteousness continually; that is the reason why He paid the greatest price of all, shedding His blood for our cleansing. Even when you err, be quick to confess it to the Lord and apply the blood for cleansing under the advocacy of Jesus. Learn not to excuse sin away.
4) Watch to ensure a sustained service to God, Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown: Rev.3:11. One must watch and ensure that no satanic deception makes one to lose one’s crown through negative attitudes or emotions.
Watching must be done with the breath and plea of prayer, Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain: Psa. 127:1. Praying consistently gives one access to grace to be ready for the day of the Lord and mercy to be fit for Heaven at the coming of the Lord. May you be ready for that day.

Prayer/Action
* Keep me ready O lord, anytime You may come, keep me ready O Lord, in Jesus’ name.
* I receive the help of God to watch and pray to the end, in the mighty name of Jesus.

TODAY'S PROPHETIC PRAYER
Jesus, on the authority of Your accomplished work on the cross of calvary, I declare my destiny a barrier breaker and a line crosser, in the name of Jesus.