Be Prepared

We live in a day and age that is quite turbulent to say the least. All you have to do is turn on the TV or your computer and you will hear about hardships, trials, sorrows, and tribulations. Some people are going to stop watching the news altogether because it’s too depressing. I on the other hand think that some news – in moderation can be exciting. No, I am not a masochist, but the Lord does tell us to be prepared for his return (Matthew 24:42). We may not know the exact day and hour the Lord will return, but we can know when the Kingdom of God is near (read Matthew 24, and Luke 21). I believe we are living in the last days. For those who are Christians it can be a time of preparing our hearts, our priorities, and our families. For those who do not know Christ, this is going to be a time of lost hope, despair, panic, and torment. 

Instead of panicking and worrying about what is going on and how we can change things, we need to be prepared for what is to come.

1) First and foremost, do you know the Lord as your Savior? Are you ready to meet Him when the trumpet calls? If not, you need to get this settled now.  http://www.proverbs31.org/doyouknowJesus/doYouKnowJesus.php

2) Do your family and friends know Christ? Share your testimony with them of how you came to know Christ as your Savior. Live your life out loud so that they may see Christ in you and want what you have in your life.

“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” ~ 1 Peter 3:15. (NIV)

3) Is your life in order? Is your relationship with Christ as strong as can be? Are you daily in the Word? As you may have read in the above passages, times are going to get tougher before Christ returns. Are you prepared (not panic) for the hard times ahead? Are you willing to suffer or bear hardships before His return? Are you prepared to encourage and uplift one another in prayer as we go through this together? (1 Thess. 3:18; Heb. 11, 12, 13)

“Without wavering, let us hold tightly to the hope we say we have, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds.  And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near” ~ Hebrews 10:23-25

It can be a bit frightening and overwhelming. There is great suffering and turmoil in our world right now. Our economy is shaken, there is war and rumors of war, famine, disease and the outlook for many looks bleak; but as Christians we need to hold fast to our Hope (Heb. 3:6), stand firm in our faith (Isa. 7:9; 1 Cor. 16:13; James5:8), rest assured in His promises (Psalm 145:13), and be prepared for His return (Mat. 24:42). Let us not grow weary, worry or fret because it will not change what is and what is to come (Mat. 6:34). Let us run the race God has set before us (Heb. 12:1), and finish our course with our heads held high so that when Christ does return, we will hear Him say,

“Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”(Mat. 25:23)

Dear gracious heavenly Father, I come to you and ask that you would help us to confidently run the race that you have set before us. For many of us the race is full of pot holes and detours, but You our Lord are so faithful and just, you will give us strength for what is around the bend. You oh Lord will pick us up so we can finish our course with our heads held high as we give You all the honor and glory You so rightly deserve. The race is already won! We know the final outcome! We are thankful to be on the Victor’s side! Prepare our hearts and lives for what is ahead. May we release all our worries to Your loving care. In Jesus precious name, Amen.

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