The last few years have been some of the toughest of my life. After my second surgery, I wondered what was the Lord's purpose in removing me from the life I had known. Unbeknownst to me, His plan was that I would become an intercessor while 'shut in'. Naturally, I did not understand what He was doing. It started in about June of 2009. I began to stockpile a list of names and situations to pray for. The Holy Spirit then called my attention to a map I had gotten at Missionsfest a few years ago. The map outlined the 10/40 window, where 97 percent of the world's 3 billion unreached live.
Last night, as I lay on the living room floor crying out in prayer, the Holy Spirit revealed to me that I had been praying for the nations that are currently experiencing turmoil today-the North African nations, the Middle East, Asia and yes, Japan! What was odd is that New Zealand, which is outside of the 10/40 window, as well as the Indonesian islands, were included in my prayer. GOD IS SOVEREIGN and HE KNOWS THE END FROM THE BEGINNING. God loves people, and He desires that ALL should be saved.
We are now living in the season of BIRTH PAINS.
“Tell us,” they said, 'when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?'
Jesus answered: 'Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumours of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.'” Matthew 24:3-8
I have heard many prophesy about the end of the world, however, no one knows the exact date.
“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.'” Matthew 24:36-42
Let us offer ourselves as His vessel, to pray, go and love in the name of Jesus Christ. Let us lift up the people in Japan who have experienced epic devastation. Let us pray for our friends, neighbours and those who the Holy Spirit would put on our hearts. And remember, John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
