Here on Earth, there are seasons when crops are harvested and seasons for celebrating different holidays; but there is no one season for harvesting souls. The harvest of lost souls is ripe and ready at all times.

The Bible tells us of a time when Jesus was so tired that He sat by Jacob’s well to take a rest; but when a lost soul came His way, He put His own feelings aside and delivered the truth to that woman. After winning her soul, Jesus said to the disciples, Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest (John 4:35). Jesus was explaining to them that there is no break in bringing in the harvest for souls.

It is soul-saving time all the time, so you can’t fluctuate between being ready and not being ready when God wants to use you. You cannot think, “I will get ready when the need arises,” or, “I’ll get ready when it is convenient for me.” The Lord wants you to stay ready all the time in this last hour.

You cannot limit what God wants to use you for or do through you by just trying to make an opening in your schedule, and you cannot pick and choose the season in which you want to be of service to God. There is no clock-out time in the work of God.

We always have to seek His thoughts on situations because His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my [God’s] ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:9). The Bible also tells us to think deep. O LORD, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep (Psalm 92:5). The deeper we think in Him, the higher we will go.

Move When God Tells You To

Paul told Timothy, Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season (II Timothy 4:2). That means you must be ready at all times, even if it is an unexpected or inconvenient time for you. You have to give your hands, your eyes, your ears, your feet and your mind over to the Lord. Then the Lord can use you in any way He wants to.

Let’s break down that verse. To be “instant” means you have what you need and are ready to move immediately with the love, power and authority of God. The more power you allow the Lord to flow to you, the easier it will be to live for Him; and you will be able to carry a greater burden for lost souls.

Do you stay plugged into Heaven all the time, or has your line to Heaven become tangled in the cares of this life and caused there to be static between you and the Lord? Even the least bit of static can hinder you.

To be “in season” means you are ready to perform duties at a common or expected time, a time when things are going good and there is no opposition or persecution coming against you. For instance, there is an expected time for you to go to church. You know when to go and what time to be there, and you know what duties you have to perform while you are there.

“Out of season” means you have to move even when something is unexpected, not on your schedule, not popular with others or goes against the grain. God sees what you cannot see, and He knows when a soul needs your help. He may want you to do things at unpleasant or inconvenient times; but if you are always instant to obey, you will be able to accomplish so much for God and His work.

When the Holy Spirit calls and directs you to do something, you must move immediately. For the sake of souls, there are times when you will have to move away from the comforts of self to reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine (II Timothy 4:2). That word “longsuffering” means you must have patience to be able to do God’s will. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise [of God] (Hebrews 10:36). You have to use the authority and power of God to deliver the truth to souls.

Peter and Noah Obeyed God

As you study the Old and New Testaments, you will see that most of God’s prophets, disciples and followers had to be instant not just in season but also out of season. They sacrificed much, and some even gave their lives.

After Pentecost, Peter was ready to do God’s will and to protect the Lord’s work at any time. In one instance, he had to rebuke a man who thought God’s Holy Ghost power could be bought with money. There was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries (Acts 8:9-11). Simon had bewitched those people because he did not have the power of God but the power of the devil.

When Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity (Acts 8:18-23).

Peter said that in front of many people, and those looking on may have thought he was too hard on Simon; but Peter was instant to go beyond what people thought so that those in Samaria would not be deceived.

Noah was definitely out of season when he and his family built an ark on dry land in a place where there was very little rain. People looked on Noah as being a man without good reasoning, but Noah was instant to obey God; and that saved him and his family.

By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith (Hebrews 11:7). It doesn’t matter how ridiculous you may look to the world as long as you look good to God and let Him be in control.

Follow Jesus

The work of the Lord has to be constant and ongoing. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord (I Corinthians 15:58). You must always be growing in the Lord and moving higher in His work. When you abound, it means you are successful; and you will reap souls.

Because your work is never in vain in the Lord, it is your reasonable service to be a living and continual sacrifice to Him. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service (Romans 12:1).

You have to be so steadfast and unmovable in the Lord that neither the devil nor people can move you. The devil will try to move you by making you think that God doesn’t love or appreciate you, but Satan is a liar. Jesus said, He [the devil] was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it (John 8:44).

You have to keep your mind stayed on the Lord. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee (Isaiah 26:3). This world is in chaos and getting worse by the minute, but you can have peace through the Lord, Jesus Christ.

The Lord is furnishing you all the love, peace, faith, compassion, self-control and patience you need and can use; but you cannot have those things by catering to self, and you cannot serve others something you don’t have.

If you are not willing to step out of your convenient season to do God’s will, you will never make it. Jesus said, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me (Mark 8:34). Those are the three steps for salvation: deny self, take up your cross and follow Jesus.

The disciples were willing to do that when Jesus called to them saying, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him (Mark 1:17,18). Jesus did make them fishers of men, and He wants to do that for us, too.

We all must carry a great burden for lost humanity. It is awful for anyone to go to hell; and thankfully, all those who really want to can go to Heaven just by following Jesus. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new (II Corinthians 5:17). Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).

Jesus Put God’s Will First

Jesus came to Earth and took on a human body. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth (John 1:14). And Jesus became our perfect example. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps (I Peter 2:21). God wants us to be just like Jesus.

Jesus was in season with God’s timing to become the Savior of the world, but He was looked upon as an outcast by the very people He came to save. Because of that, Jesus had to be instant out of season during most of His life here on Earth. His teachings, miracles and casting out of devils were not popular, but He still remained steadfast in doing God’s will.

His Father was foremost on Jesus’ mind. He said, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God (Hebrews 10:7). He also said, I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work (John 9:4). It is now daytime for people on Earth, but the Lord’s night is coming when we won’t be able to win another soul. Then the Lord will roll that great burden for the lost off of our shoulders.

I went to the edge of the grave when I was just twenty-three, and it looked like I was going to die for sure; but Jesus came one night and healed me all over. Later, I realized that I had to go through that so I could have the same compassion that Jesus had when He walked the shores of Galilee and the streets of Jerusalem healing the people, the same compassion that took Him all the way to Calvary to be nailed to a tree for us.

Jesus, the Great Soul Winner

The Bible includes many examples of Jesus going beyond the weariness and weakness of His human body to help others. He was longsuffering and never failed to deny His own human comfort to help a soul. One day, Jesus was so weary from His journey that He sat at Jacob’s well to rest. Then cometh he [Jesus] to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour (John 4:5,6).

Jesus was so tired, yet He instantly rose to the occasion of winning a degraded soul who so desperately needed a Savior. There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink. (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.) Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water (John 4:7-10).

Notice that Jesus did not say, “I would like to talk to you, but I am too tired right now. Can you come back tomorrow when it is a better time for me?” Jesus never said things like that, and we can’t either.

The Bible goes on to say, The woman saith unto him [Jesus], Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water? Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle? Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life (John 4:11-14). Jesus was always instant in season and out of season; and when He talked to the woman at the well, it started a revival throughout the whole city.

Jesus Showed Us How to Work

Jesus was instant out of season when He went to Jairus’ house after the man’s daughter had died. And when he [Jesus] was come in, he saith unto them [the mourners who had gathered], Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying (Mark 5:39,40). Jesus instantly put the people out of the home who were not going to help a miracle take place. They were dishonesthearted doubters, and the Lord can’t do anything with those kind of people.

And he [Jesus] took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise. And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment (Mark 5:41,42). No doubt, that miracle brought souls into the Kingdom.

Like Jesus, we must be totally obedient to the Father and know that nothing else matters but doing His will. Jesus saith unto them [the disciples], My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work (John 4:34).

Jesus later went back to Heaven; but before He did, He sent the twelve apostles forth to do His same works saying, Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give (Matthew 10:8). We too are called to finish the work Jesus started. We must bring in the final harvest in this last hour.

Philip Obeyed the Spirit

The Lord called Philip to win a soul at an unexpected time. Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. And Philip ran thither to him (Acts 8:29,30). Philip was full of God and on duty twenty-four hours around the clock.

In that chariot was an important man from another nation who was on his way out of Jerusalem. Philip knew he had just one chance with that soul, so he jumped up and ran. I’m sure Philip had never before been told to run after a chariot and had never heard of anyone doing it. He could have thought it was fanatical, but God will never tell you to do something that is fanatical.

When Philip got to the chariot, he heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah; and he asked him, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus (Acts 8:30,31,35). When God calls on you to do something, He will be with you all the way.

As the two men talked, Philip continued to yield to whatever God wanted of him. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest (Acts 8:36,37). Philip jumped at that opportunity. He didn’t tell the man he would have to wait until another time.

And he [the eunuch] answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him (Acts 8:37,38). Philip baptized the eunuch, and he rose up in the newness of life.

Philip could have run down to the water, scooped up a handful and run back to sprinkle the eunuch; but that is not what God wanted. They both went down to the water and were immersed because that is what water baptism is all about. Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4).

After the eunuch was baptized, the Spirit of God picked up Philip and immediately carried him fifteen miles away. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. But Philip was found at Azotus (Acts 8:39,40).

The Spirit is the one who picked up Philip and carried him away, and He is the one who will carry God’s children away on Rapture Day. What God has done in the past, He will do again; you just have to believe.

Paul Was Ready for Anything

Paul had to be instant out of season many times to win souls, and he sacrificed so much. When warning the Corinthians about false prophets and deceitful workers, Paul said, Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness [not enough clothes to keep him warm]. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches [Paul felt responsible for all the churches he had organized.] (II Corinthians 11:23-28).

Reading all of that should make you ashamed to mention your troubles. Paul could have thought God had forsaken him, but he knew He never did. Before Paul was put to death, he warned Timothy of what was to come. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables (II Timothy 4:3,4).

That time is now. For most people, it is out of season to do the works of Jesus; but we must be instant in continuing His work for souls. God will give us the power we need to do that; but if we are not ready to use that power, it will be wasted on us.

When we do use God’s power as He wants us to, it will have the same effect as it did when Jesus used it. That is the strength of the power that works within us. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us (Ephesians 3:20).

Souls Are a Priority

God gave His only Son so we could freely have what we need to be instant in season and out of season. He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things (Romans 8:32)? All we have to do is stay ready to be used, and we will have what it takes to serve everybody we can who wants Jesus.

You can’t be bound by people’s thoughts and opinions or by your own schedule when it comes to doing God’s work, and you cannot organize your own moves. You always have to be sensitive to the Spirit and move instantly when the Spirit moves on you for any reason whether it is convenient or not. If He leads you to join yourself to a chariot, talk to a woman at the well or pray for someone’s daughter, you must be instant.

Jesus took advantage of every opportunity to touch souls who came His way, and you must do that, too. When God says move, do it; and when God doesn’t want you to move, then wait on Him. But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint (Isaiah 40:31).

Many times, you will have to go out of your way to win souls. Then when you are dealing with them, ask the Lord to give you discerning of each one. Jesus knew when to speak, what to say and when to be quiet; and we must know that, too. It may not be time for you to deal with a certain person on a certain day because they may not be ready to yield at that time; but tomorrow, they may be ready.

When conviction seizes a soul, that is the time to say, “Would you like to say the sinner’s prayer?” But you also have to know when it is not time and when to stop talking. You can talk conviction on a person and then talk it right back off. That is why you must ask the Lord for wisdom. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him (James 1:5). When you ask the Lord for wisdom, He will give you all you need.

The Holy Spirit is the one who will let you know when to speak and when to shut up. You and the Holy Spirit are to be partners working together to bring souls into the Kingdom; but if you don’t do your part, the Holy Ghost will not be able to do His part.

Faith will help you to do your best for God at all times. Then as long as you are completely obedient to God, you will always be in season with Him and be happy doing His will.

Fire from On High

To be instant in season and out of season, you have to give all to the Lord and always put Him first. Serve God in all sincerity and truth and know that nothing really matters but giving everything to the Lord and letting Him use you in any way He wants to. Think about how it must please the heart of God when His children come under His yoke, surrender all and let Him work.

You must let the coal of fire from the altar of God make you willing to do whatever He wants whenever He wants just like Isaiah did. When the Lord allowed him to see the throne of God, he said, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged. Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me (Isaiah 6:5-8). That coal of fire for us today is the fire of the Holy Ghost.

John the Baptist knew about the Holy Ghost who was to come; and he said, I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire (Matthew 3:11). When you have that Holy Ghost fire burning in your soul, the Spirit can take over your tongue and speak in another language. It is all made possible by the hand of God.

Receive the Holy Ghost

Jesus received the Holy Ghost when He was on Earth; so if the very Son of God felt the need of the Holy Ghost, we should, too. Jesus told the disciples, But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth (Acts 1:8).

The disciples took heed to the Master’s words, and they received Holy Ghost fire on the Day of Pentecost. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance (Acts 2:3,4).

Once you are saved, you too must go to the Upper Room and receive power from On High because you can never remain spotless without receiving the Holy Ghost. The Lord has told me three different times down through the years that those who are alive when Jesus comes will have to have the Holy Ghost to be changed in a moment and be on the one flight out.

The Spirit is the one who will help you abide in the truth and make you perfect in holiness and righteousness. And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free (John 8:32). Then you will be free to do what God has called you to do; and you will be able to say as Isaiah did, “Here am I, Lord; send me. Use me, Lord. Send me to the mission fields. I’ll do whatever you want me to do to help get the Gospel to the world before Jesus comes.”

Let God Make You

I’m sure Job’s awful trial did not come at a convenient time, but he never gave up on God. He said, But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold (Job 23:10). You have to be willing for God to refine you as silver and gold, to rid you of all impurities and blemishes and make you holy. For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried (Psalm 66:10). And he [God] shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness (Malachi 3:3).

You may not always understand God’s refining process, but you cannot let that lack of understanding cause you to draw back. Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you (I Peter 4:12).

You will have battles, but you must always move forward with the Lord. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we [God’s true children] are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul (Hebrews 10:38,39).

We all must be willing to give our lives for the Gospel in this final hour just as many of the saints of old were willing to do. So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us (I Thessalonians 2:8).

God will reward us for everything we do for Him. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land (Isaiah 1:19). We are not here to please ourselves; we are here to give all to the Lord and to be content doing so.

You Must Put Self Down

Paul did not count his life dear to himself, and neither can you. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:24).

You will never have joy on your journey if you do things for the Lord begrudgingly or only make yourself available to God on your terms. You cannot please yourself and the Lord, too. If you say, “Lord, I will do what you want me to as long as I don’t have to sacrifice any of my evenings and weekends,” then you are not really willing to work for Him; and you are counting your life dear to yourself.

God is not unreasonable; but when you lay out your own course and your own times, you will be miserable when things don’t work your way. Don’t let your own time become an idol to you; the happiest and most satisfied people on Earth are those who are instant for the Lord in season and out of season and do not count their own lives dear to themselves. Jesus said, Everyone that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life (Matthew 19:29).

When God calls, it is best to answer Him immediately just as Paul did. And straightway he [Paul] preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ (Acts 9:20-22).

Because Paul obeyed, the Lord gave him what he needed. When we give all to God, He will give all to us; but when we hold back, God is limited in what He can do for us. People who do as little as possible have leanness in their souls; and whether others see it or not, God does.

God Hates Hypocrites

God sees the insincerity of hypocrites or of those who are half-hearted. God hates it when people do religious works for self purposes, and He won’t bless pretense. He hated the Pharisees and Sadducees who would fast just so others would know about it. They wouldn’t take care of themselves like they should; and they would go around saying, “Look at me; I’m fasting.” Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward (Matthew 6:16). God does not honor that kind of fast.

They also prayed long, worthless prayers for self-glory, but God didn’t answer them. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation (Matthew 23:14).

Only when you do everything for the glory of God from a pure heart will He lift your heavy burdens and oppression. Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward. Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity (Isaiah 58:8,9).

If you are not walking as close to the Lord as you once did, you must move closer this day and be determined to give all. No person or thing can satisfy the soul like Jesus can, and you can’t trust anyone like you can trust Jesus. When someone gives their life for you, that is the one to follow and give back to. It thrills the heart of God when people give their all to Him.

Opportunity Takers

To be instant in season and out of season, you must take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way to win souls. When faced with an opportunity, you will fall into one of three classes: an opportunity taker, an opportunity maker or an opportunity breaker. Which class do you fit into?

Opportunity takers make the most of the good opportunities that come their way. In Jesus’ day, the woman with the issue of blood was an opportunity taker. She had spent all her living trying to find a cure for her disease; but after twelve long years, she was worse.

Then she heard about Jesus; and whether it was convenient for her or not, she decided that she was going to see Him. She was told she would never be able to get to Him because people were always so tightly crowded around Him; but because she was an opportunity taker, she decided to at least try to press through the crowd and touch His garment. She figured that since Jesus was such a holy man, that is all she would have to do to receive her healing.

The woman went to where Jesus was and made her way through the crowd. Then she took her opportunity and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched (Luke 8:44). She was using divine faith over and above her human faith, and she received her miracle.

Zacchaeus took advantage of an opportunity to see Jesus by climbing a tree. And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way (Luke 19:2-4).

Zacchaeus was excited to be sitting up in that tree and looking down at Jesus, but he had no idea that Jesus would notice him up there. Suddenly, Zacchaeus saw Jesus focus on him with eyes of great love like he had never seen before. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for today I must abide at thy house. And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully (Luke 19:5,6). The voice of Jesus calling his name thrilled Zacchaeus through and through, and he immediately scrambled down the tree. Then he not only got to see Jesus, but he found salvation as well.

How many times have you had the opportunity to do something special that would have answered your prayers, yet you failed to move on it or even notice it? You must become an opportunity taker to receive much from God.

Opportunity Makers

Opportunity makers are those who turn situations into opportunities. Matthew, also called Levi, used much wisdom in making an opportunity when he had a gathering at his house. He gave those who attended a chance to hear the truth when he invited Jesus to join them, and he knew his guests would feel obligated to stay and listen after he had served them such a bountiful meal. But all the scribes and Pharisees could do was criticize when they saw Jesus eating with sinners.

And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his [Matthew’s] house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him. And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners (Mark 2:15,16)?

Jesus had the perfect response for those hypocrites. When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance (Mark 2:17).

Paul was instant out of season and an opportunity maker when Felix, a Roman procurator, called for him at a time when he was imprisoned for his allegiance to Christ. When Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee (Acts 24:24,25).

Paul was ready to share the Gospel with Felix even though he was suffering in prison because he had the mantle of Jesus and was willing to use it at any time. Felix heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and he knew it was real; but it seemed he could not bear being under conviction, so he turned his back on Paul’s words. We must be like Paul and be willing to help someone find Jesus at any time.

A Rich Opportunity Breaker

Opportunity breakers are not instant in season or out of season. They do not follow through on opportunities, and the rich, young ruler was one of those. He started out to be an opportunity maker when he went to see Jesus, but he didn’t follow through on the most important opportunity ever offered to him. And when he [Jesus] was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions (Mark 10:17-22).

Jesus knew that riches were that man’s god rather than the heavenly Father. Tears rolled down the man’s cheeks, but they were not tears of repentance. He cried because he loved his money and his possessions, and he left in great sorrow. He had made a lot of money by being a worldly opportunity maker, but he missed out when it came to receiving the real gold of Heaven and eternal life for his soul.

The young ruler thought he was all right and that he had done all he needed to do, but he had not kept the Jesus love commandment. Jesus said,Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself (Matthew 22:37-39).

Unfortunately, you will find that most of the people mentioned in the Bible were opportunity breakers, beginning with Adam and Eve. They gave up the marvelous opportunities of never being sick and having eternal life, and people are doing the same thing today. Anyone can receive eternal life and live forever in Heaven by staying away from the tree of death and clinging to the tree of life, Jesus. It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him [die to ourselves and our sins], we shall also live with him (II Timothy 2:11).

How many opportunities have you missed to win a soul? How many times have you failed to meet the Lord when He called you to be alone with Him in the prayer closet? He wanted to talk with you, but it was not a convenient time for you. You had other things you considered to be more important, and you shut out the voice of the Lord.

Thus saith the Lord, the Bride must not do that in this final hour. Her ears must be open to the cry of the Holy Spirit and to the voice of Jesus day and night. She must be ready at all times to win the lost at any cost.

Judas Failed

At one time, Judas was ready to be used by God; but he did not stay that way. He did not stay focused on the things of God, and he got used to doing things that were convenient for him and for his own profit rather than God’s. That made him spiritually weak; and even when he eventually betrayed Jesus, he sought to do it in a way that was convenient for him. And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him [Jesus] unto them. And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him (Mark 14:10,11).

Many people think Judas was always of the devil, but he was not. He had walked with Jesus and, at one time, had received salvation; but the Bible tells us that Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place (Acts 1:25). Judas had to have been saved or he could not have fallen.

After Jesus had called Judas to be one of His disciples, Judas walked with Jesus day and night; and he knew Jesus was the very Son of God and the Savior of the world. The divine blood had covered Judas’ soul until he willfully sinned against God and blasphemed against the Holy Ghost. Because of his transgression, he fell from the grace of God he had once been in. Then there was no Spirit left to draw him back to the Lord, and he sold Jesus for just a few pieces of silver.

Later, Judas tried to repent by returning the money he had received for betraying Jesus and throwing it down at the feet of the chief priests, but they would not accept it. Then Judas…when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself (Matthew 27:3-5). There was no repentance for Judas because he had blasphemed and crossed the line of no return.

Like Judas, many people will cross the line of no return in this final hour. Ungodliness and wickedness will take such a strong hold on them that they will break any opportunity given them to find salvation. Opportunity may knock at their door so many times, but they won’t open. Heaven knocks on a heart’s door just so many times. Then that last knock will come, and the last opportunity will be over for that closed heart. How terrible it will be to die without God!

Oh, that people would open their eyes and see that when they seek to save their life, they will lose it. Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it (Luke 17:33). Jesus paid a great price for your soul, and you are to be a part of Him. Your life belongs to God; so when you seek to save your life instead of giving it to Him, you are robbing God. Only when you lose your life for His sake will you be all right.

Watch and Be Ready

When you are not instant in season and out of season, you are asleep in the Lord; and that sets you up for failure. The disciples went to sleep in the Garden of Gethsemane, not just physically but also spiritually. It was during Jesus’ most trying hour that He asked them, What, could ye not watch with me one hour (Matthew 26:40)?

The disciples had left Jesus all alone, and it was necessary for God to send an angel to strengthen Him. And there appeared an angel unto him [Jesus] from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground (Luke 22:43,44). The Lord will send angels to strengthen us in our times of need, too.

Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak (Matthew 26:41). The Spirit of God in you is willing; but you have to yield to that Spirit and not to the flesh, or you won’t be watching for Jesus to come. And what I [Jesus] say unto you I say unto all, Watch (Mark 13:37). You have to stay awake in the Spirit and listen to what He is saying. The Lord emphasized that seven times in the book of Revelation. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith (Revelation 2:7,11,17,29; 3:6,13,22).

You will never be watching unless you are willing to separate from the world and become a son or a daughter of God. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty (II Corinthians 6:17,18).

Jesus said, Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh (Matthew 24:44). That means you have to be ready for the Rapture all the time, so you have to follow the Holy Spirit’s lead and let Him help you get rid of every blemish. That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish (Ephesians 5:27).

Jesus Will Come

The ten virgins had been told to be ready for the Bridegroom to return, but they did not all take heed to those instructions. Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut (Matthew 25:1-10).

The Lord had warned those virgins that He would come, and we must let that be a warning to us today to be ready. Our lamps must be trimmed and filled with the oil of the Holy Spirit to keep them burning. That oil is freely given from Heaven, but you have to live close to God to receive it. The Spirit is within the reach of every person who wants Him.

Heaven Can Be Yours

All people are born in sin and iniquity and in need of a Savior. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me (Psalm 51:5). That Savior is Jesus, and the Bible definitely states that there is no other name through which you can get salvation. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12).

When Jesus gave His life for mankind, He made it possible for anyone to come to Him who wants to. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely (Revelation 22:17).

Sinner, Backslider, if you want Jesus to be instant in moving for you and making intercession for you, then you must give your heart to Him. It is up to you to choose to turn your back on Him or to realize that He really died for you and receive Him. You will have only a limited number of opportunities; so every time you turn down an opportunity, it could be your very last one. Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation (II Corinthians 6:2). Don’t be left outside Heaven’s gates; turn yourself over to the Lord today.

Oh, God, I am here to confess that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. I know that He died for me, and I am going to live for Him. I confess that I have sinned, and I am on the road to hell; but I know there is a Heaven to go to, and I want to be there. I believe the blood of Jesus washes me clean and delivers me from all sin. Come into my heart, Jesus! Come on in!

If you meant that prayer, you can say, “Hallelujah, Jesus is mine!” Now, you must pray, fast and live in the Word. If you follow those three steps consistently, they will keep you on the highway to Heaven. Then one day, Heaven will be yours.

Receive a Miracle

Now, it is time to be made whole. If you are sick and afflicted, reach out and claim God’s promises of miracles and healings. You may have AIDS, cancer, heart trouble or any other deadly disease; but the blood of Jesus will heal you of anything if you will just look to Him. God wants to make you well and healthy, but you have to come to the place where He can do that.

God also promised to renew our youth. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s (Psalm 103:2,5). Let the Lord know you want that promise to be fulfilled for you. Tell Him that you will give that renewed youth to Him first and foremost, and God will help you.

Lord, I bring the sick and afflicted to you. Lay a healing hand on them. Jesus, cure all diseases in their bodies—cancer, diabetes, heart trouble, lung trouble, paralysis or anything else they have. Heal the little, deformed children who were born with just part of a brain and give them a whole brain and the power to walk. You have done this again and again. In the holy name of the Lord, deliver them. Heal! in the all-powerful, blood name of Jesus.

Now, get well in the name of Jesus. Then serve the Lord and live for Him. The Lord healed sinners when He was here on Earth, but He told them to go, and sin no more (John 8:11).

Be determined to live holy like God Himself. Be ye holy; for I am holy (I Peter 1:16). Then be instant in season and out of season, and you can join us in winning souls wherever we go. That is our mission, and God is using us with His miracle power to set people free all over the world.