That dark night before Jesus was betrayed and arrested, He led His closest companions into the Garden of Gethsemane to watch with Him as He prayed. In the Son of God's time of great need, Jesus found Peter, James and John sleeping."And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter,"So, you men could not keep watch with Me for 1 HOUR? Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak."
(Matthew 26:40-41)
Paul commissioned young Timothy in 2 Tim. 4 to preach the Word; to be ready in season and out because the time would come when people would not endure sound doctrine, but want to have their ears tickled. Man would turn away from truth and turn toward myths. Therefore, God's messenger must be alert in all things, willing to endure hardship, to do the work of evangelism and fulfill God ordained ministry. "…Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for the harvest...the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few!" (John 4:35, Matt. 9:37)
Dynamic praise music stirred my heart as I prayed fervently for the women of my city from a comfortable, cushioned chair in the air conditioned auditorium of my church. When my own voice finally hushed in my mind, these gentle, sweet words flooded my thoughts, "Go to inner and outer city communities offering women an opportunity to spend 1 HOUR with Jesus, in Bible study, prayer, love and encouragement."
"Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light! So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don't act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do!" (Eph. 5:14-17 NLT)
Fall is harvest time! Are you sleeping? "…it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer than when we believed. The night is almost gone, and the day is near!..." (Rom. 13:11-12)
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