THE EXTRA TIME

Read John 4:34-38

MEMORISE: Do you not say, 'There are still four months and then comes the harvest'? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! (John 4:35)

EXPOSITION

The round-leather game, football, is arguably the most famous among the rest. The game has rules which have been improved upon to suit modern days. Before now, there used to be what was called "golden goal", during the extra time, after which the two playing teams had got a stalemate. Whichever team scored first during the extra time was declared the winner. There would be no opportunity for the trailing team to equalise, because the match ended at the point of scoring that golden goal! It used to be very painful to the loser, and that was why no team joked with 'extra-time' in football.

What does this portend for us? Christ's coming is definitely imminent, and all we have been having, all this while (the end-times), is the extra-time. The harvest of the world is ripe already, awaiting the harvest of souls (Jn. 4:35). It is over-time  already and the time will soon be up (Matt. 25:10). All Christians are in the race (1 Cor. 9:26). You should be a contender and not a pretender. You must be extra-watchful at this critical time. Any little moment of carelessness, indulgence, complacency and frivolities can expose you to defeat.

Any little moment of distraction is always capitalised on, by an opposing team; and if the opponent work their way through, brilliantly, they get the goal! And that is just but over. Don't allow the devil, who never means well for anyone as regards entering the Kingdom of God, to outplay and defeat you (1 Pet. 5:8). Any one defeated by him eternally doomed. The ball is right in your court. Don't misfire!

PRAYER POINTS

1. Assist me, O Lord, never to abuse the extra grace being given to me every day, in Jesus' name.

2. Help us, O Lord, to be more alive to the reality of Your second coming to harvest the world, so that we can put our mind to the path of wisdom.

3. O God, put to death, the spirit of mad rush for money and wealth amongst our youths.

EXTRA READING: Deuteronomy 29 - 31 & Acts 2

MN

Remain blessed!