Preparing For What Is Next
In nature, October typically launches a significant change in weather conditions. Shorter days, cooler weather, and the changing colours of leaves all signal that we are transitioning from one major season to another. And before you know it, you will be preparing for Christmas – by filling an Operation Christmas Child shoebox (how is that for a reminder)!
Jesus used the weather in another analogy, Then Jesus turned to the crowd and said, “When you see clouds beginning to form in the west, you say, ‘Here comes a shower.’ And you are right. When the south wind blows, you say, ‘Today will be a scorcher.’ And it is. You fools! You know how to interpret the weather signs of the earth and sky, but you don’t know how to interpret the present times.
(Luke 12:54-56, NLT)
Do we know how to interpret the present times? Do we understand what season we are in, according to God’s plans and purposes as described in the Word of God? May we be wise in our understanding of the present times and how to prepare for what’s to come.
Jesus also used the analogy of weather to make a spiritual point when addressing the Pharisees and Sadducees, the religious leaders of the day. They were testing Jesus and asking for a sign from heaven to prove His authority and that He was the Messiah. He said, “... You know the saying, ‘Red sky at night means fair weather tomorrow; red sky in the morning means foul weather all day.’ You know how to interpret the weather signs in the sky, but you don’t know how to interpret the signs of the times.” (Matthew 16:2-3, NLT). Jesus makes the point that though they knew how to interpret weather signs, they seemed ignorant of the fact that the kingdom of God had come to them in the person of Himself—Jesus Christ.
Do we understand the signs of our times? Do we understand what season we are living in at this time of history? Do we perceive what is coming next and how to prepare for it?
Our prayer theme for the month of October is Preparing For What Is Coming Next. Together let’s ask God to show us the signs of the times and how to interpret the present season and prepare accordingly. Because Jesus Christ is He is calling the whosoever will, He is preparing His bride, and He is coming for His church!
Scriptures
Luke 12:54-56 (NLT)
54 Then Jesus turned to the crowd and said, “When you see clouds beginning to form in the west, you say, ‘Here comes a shower.’ And you are right. 55 When the south wind blows, you say, ‘Today will be a scorcher.’ And it is. 56 You fools! You know how to interpret the weather signs of the earth and sky, but you don’t know how to interpret the present times.
Matthew 16:2-3 (NLT)
2 He replied, “You know the saying, ‘Red sky at night means fair weather tomorrow; 3 red sky in the morning means foul weather all day.’ You know how to interpret the weather signs in the sky, but you don’t know how to interpret the signs of the times!
Malachi 3:1-4 (NLT)
1 “Look! I am sending my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. Then the Lord you are seeking will suddenly come to his Temple. The messenger of the covenant, whom you look for so eagerly, is surely coming,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. 2 “But who will be able to endure it when he comes? Who will be able to stand and face him when he appears? For he will be like a blazing fire that refines metal, or like a strong soap that bleaches clothes. 3 He will sit like a refiner of silver, burning away the dross. He will purify the Levites, refining them like gold and silver, so that they may once again offer acceptable sacrifices to the Lord. 4 Then once more the Lord will accept the offerings brought to him by the people of Judah and Jerusalem, as he did in the past.
Matthew 25:1-13 (NLT)
25 “Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids[a] who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 The five who were foolish didn’t take enough olive oil for their lamps, 4 but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil. 5 When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
6 “At midnight they were roused by the shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!’
7 “All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. 8 Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’
9 “But the others replied, ‘We don’t have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.’
10 “But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. 11 Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!’
12 “But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you!’
13 “So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.
Prayer Points
Thank God that you are alive to partake in this month’s fasting program.
1 John 1:9 - Confess any known and unknown sins.
Thank God for making it into the last quarter of the year. (praise Him fervently)
Ask God to let His favour, goodness and mercy run after you and your household for the last quarter of the year.
Luke 12:56 – God Almighty, give me the wisdom and insight to understand the current season and space in Jesus’ name. (pray this fervently)
1 Chronicles 12:32 - Father, let the spirit that was upon the tribe of Issachar rest upon the pastoral team and PPT in this season. (pray this fervently)
1 Chronicles 12:32 - Like Jacob, Lord I make demand that You release the spirit of the men of Issachar upon me in this season and beyond. (pray this seriously)
Matthew 16:2-3 - Lord, let the spirit that was upon the tribe of Issachar rest upon the body of Christ (the- church) in this season. (pray this fervently)
Matthew 25:2 – Father, grant me and my household the access to be in the company of those whom Heaven deems wise in Jesus’ name.
Matthew 25:2 – Lord, remove anything (obstacles, desires, addictions etc – mention them) from my life that will put me in the company of those whom Heaven deems as foolish.
Matthew 25:7-8 – In Jesus’ name let the fate of the foolish bridesmaids elude the church of today. (pray this fervently)
Matthew 25:7-8 - Father, let the fate of the foolish bridesmaids elude me and my household in this season.
Matthew 25:11-13 – Jehovah Elohim, let me end well this year.
Matthew 25:11-13 – Jesus, let the households of PPT end well this year.
Malachi 3:2-3 - Father wash and refine me daily to be acceptable in Your kingdom in Jesus’ name.
Malachi 3:2-3 - Lord, wash and refine the church daily in this season.
Jehovah, break the stronghold of COVID-19 in any form over communities, towns, cities and nations in Jesus’ name.
Pray for the persecuted church globally.
Declaration
(Say it aloud and repeat it three times.)
Father, I thank You that You are in control over the affairs of men and nations in this season and space. As You did with Moses and the seventy leaders, release the spirit that was upon the men of Issachar upon me in Jesus’ name. Release the same spirit upon PPT and the church in this season. I have the wisdom of God for this season. My God will give me understanding and insight into the things around me spiritually, physically and socially in Jesus’ name.
Jehovah M’kaddesh, wash me and refine me daily. In Jesus’ name going forward, I will be prepared for the kingdom of God here on earth for the kingdom of God to come. I declare that the kingdom of God will not elude me and my household. I declare that the blessings of God will not elude me. I declare that I will end well. So shall it be.
Upper Room Prayer Gathering at 8:00 pm Friday evening.
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