As we spoke across the United States these past months, it seems we were continually met with a spirit of apathy and a lack of understanding about the times in which we live. Despite all the things going on in the world today, the sense of urgency about the hour seemed lost among many.

Dr. Albert Bartlett, an expert on compounding, gave this scenario. Let’s suppose you’re sitting in a water tight baseball stadium which seats over 50,000 people, and you’re handcuffed to the top bleacher. Let’s say a single drop of water is placed in the center of the stadium and is allowed to double at a rate of 1 time per minute. In other words, 1 drop doubled, equals two drops added to the stadium. The next minute, two drops doubled equals four drops, next minute, four doubled equals eight, and so on.

How many minutes do you suppose you’d have before you’d drown? A few months? A few days? Get this — how about 49 minutes?! That’s right;  it would take only 49 minutes to drown completely! What’s even more remarkable is that at 44 minutes, the amount of water in the stadium would only be at 7%! Seriously, do the math!

You see, the real action takes place only in the last five minutes. It seems there is all the time in the world and then…perhaps this is one reason the scriptures say the Lord will come as a thief in the night!

I do not want to be sitting there in the top bleacher, oblivious and helpless — do you? Those of us who are aware of the times have a key to the handcuffs — discernment, wisdom and faith! We will begin preparing now for the times drawing nearer by the second!

Let’s get a sense of urgency about the hour in which we live. Let’s pray earnestly, invest wisely, and be about His business while there’s still time! There’s SO much work to be done!

For the past 5 days, I’ve been home alone with my two young children while my wife is ministering in Germany. For the past few days she’s been worshiping and ministering with German believers as they commemorate the 70th anniversary of ‘Kristallnacht’, the night that became prelude to the Holocaust. So as you can imagine, I’ve been a little busy with the kids! So I thought I’d take them to the zoo in Jerusalem. As we walked around, we entered the snake house to look at all those beautiful snakes.

As Elianna was looking in each snake aquarium, she was pointing out the snakes that she could find — but most of them were camouflaged extremely well. They weren’t easy to find, but once you spotted one and recognized its markings it became much easier.

So George, why are you telling me about your trip to the zoo? Interestingly, the Bible speaks of the enemy as a serpent, and he’s camouflaged very well. He’s lurking in unsuspected places waiting for an opportunity to strike! I know it would be so much easier if Satan just came out and said, “I’m here to destroy your life!” — but it’s just not going to happen. He’s coming to rob, steal and destroy — and most of the time when he does, people don’t even realize he’s doing it! We need to be aware of how he’s trying to enter into our lives, so that we can spot his markings and remove ourselves from the danger!

Don’t give the enemy an opportunity for deception by failing to spot his camouflage so he can strike! Pray to become skilled in discerning his subtle serpent wiles, remembering he comes as a “minister of righteousness” or an “angel of light” who can easily blend into the background of the world. Don’t go by feelings alone, but let God’s Word dwell richly in you and be filled with His spirit. Then you’ll be well defended, and equipped to finish the work God’s called you to! And…there’s SO much to be done!