March 13, 2014: Wilderness Challenge / Be On Guard! Stay Alert! Watch! Pray!

Mark 13:21-37

Amplified Bible (AMP)

21 And then if anyone says to you, See, here is the Christ (the Messiah)! or, Look, there He is! do not believe it.

22 False Christs (Messiahs) and false prophets will arise and show signs and [work] miracles to deceive and lead astray, if possible, even the elect (those God has chosen out for Himself).

23 But look to yourselves and be on your guard; I have told you everything beforehand.

24 But in those days, after [the affliction and oppression and distress of] that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light;

25 And the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.

26 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great (kingly) power and glory (majesty and splendor).

27 And then He will send out the angels and will gather together His elect (those He has picked out for Himself) from the four winds, from the farthest bounds of the earth to the farthest bounds of heaven.

28 Now learn a lesson from the fig tree: as soon as its branch becomes tender and it puts forth its leaves, you recognize and know that summer is near.

29 So also, when you see these things happening, you may recognize and know that He is near, at [the very] door.

30 Surely I say to you, this generation (the whole multitude of people living at that one time) positively will not perish or pass away before all these things take place.

31 Heaven and earth will perish and pass away, but My words will not perish or pass away.

32 But of that day or that hour not a [single] person knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

33 Be on your guard [constantly alert], and watch and pray; for you do not know when the time will come.

34 It is like a man [already] going on a journey; when he leaves home, he puts his servants in charge, each with his particular task, and he gives orders to the doorkeeper to be constantly alert and on the watch.

35 Therefore watch (give strict attention, be cautious and alert), for you do not know when the Master of the house is coming—in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrowing, or in the morning—

36 [Watch, I say] lest He come suddenly and unexpectedly and find you asleep.

37 And what I say to you I say to everybody: Watch (give strict attention, be cautious, active, and alert)!

As I read these scriptures this morning, I was reminded of my childhood pastor, G.A. Mangun. He constantly preached about the second coming of Christ. Watch and pray were words he used ALL the time.
We can't relax for even a moment! We must constantly be cleaning out our hearts and 
chasing after God.
For years I lazily followed God. My heart would be stirred by a song, sermon, or emotionally charged life event. I said I loved God. But many times I was led by my emotions. If my heart was stirred and I felt like praying, I prayed. If I felt a little down for whatever reason, I escaped into a novel. If my life was not going well, I fell on my face and cried out to God. When things got bearable, I slacked.
At the beginning of 2008, I was literally at my lowest point. I wanted to die. I tried to read the Bible and I couldn't even focus. I tried to pray and all I could do is cry. I got tired of crying, so I became an emotionless shell. I was numb. Until the amazing Saturday morning when my friend, Peggy Moran, urged me to rebuke satan in the name of Jesus and worship Jesus with a loud voice. I did it and it worked! I was totally delivered! And then I realized I had to watch! Be on Guard! Stay Alert! Praying always! And my healing journey began! 
And now my life just keeps getting better and better. I have deep joy now and also a deep relationship with Jesus. We talk constantly all day long. The amazing thing is ANYONE can have this type of friendship with Him! I'm just an ordinary human who is IN LOVE with Jesus.  And here's the bonus: I'm not constantly finding my way back to God anymore!  He's right here by my side.
"Jesus, I have told my testimony many times in many different ways. I never get tired of sharing what You have done in my life. My desire is that one more person will read this today and, as a result, be healed completely! Thank You, Jesus, for loving me! Thank You for waiting for me all those years! AMEN"