April 30, 2012
Be Ready – Be Set – Be Prepared
I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
2 Timothy 4:1-2
Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
1 Peter 3:8-16
Quote of the Day
“Success is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” – Elmer Letterman
Today’s Thoughts and Insights:
Abraham Lincoln believed in being prepared: he once stated, “If I had eight hours to cut down a tree, I’d spend six sharpening my axe.”
Sometimes the getting ready for the task that is before us – takes more time than the actual task it’s self.
I always am amused by how many hours it takes to prepare holiday meals in relationship to the amount of time it takes to eat them.
This concept also holds true for our spiritual endeavors as well. Often we need to spend far more time in prayer and studying God’s word to get us ready for what we need to do: than the amount of time we actually spend doing that thing we are preparing for.
And, there is that need, spiritually speaking, to always be ready for the unexpected opportunities that God might bring into our lives. Often times we encounter ministry moments that are not calendared or scheduled. That is why we need to be daily in the word and given to a lifestyle of perpetuated prayerfulness and ceaseless praise and thanksgiving.
We are called to go and make disciples and often those opportunities occur unexpectedly, thus we need to always be prepared to put our hand to the plow, so to speak, and do whatever God brings us at the moment in time.
Some things we can get ready for and some things we just need to be ready for.
Are you ready and prepared for whatever God might bring your way – today?
Today’s Prayer
Father, you are eternal, perpetual and always equal to whatever task may be at hand – help me to be always ready and always willing to do whatever it is you need me to do, whenever you need me to do it.
“Today’s preparation determines tomorrow’s achievements.”
– Anonymous
“I’m forgiven, because you were forsaken;
I’m accepted, you were condemned:
I’m alive and well, your spirit is within me,
Because you died and rose again.
Amazing love, How can it be
That you my King would die for me?
Amazing love, I know it’s true:
And it’s my joy to honor you,
In all I do, let me honor you. “
- Lyrics from ‘Amazing Love’ by Billy James Foote
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