Be Ready

Preparation is so important in life. You can plan, but it’s your preparation that determines the success of any executed plan. Take something as simple as getting ready for the day. I admit that I’ve had days when I just get up and roll with the flow, but I have a more satisfactory day when I'm prepared. Like making prayer the first thing I do, having my clothes laid out, knowing what’s on my schedule.

The entire message Jesus brought to the world was about being prepared, getting ready. He not only told us how important it was to our salvation, but He told us how to get ready. Our hope is built on that preparation, and He left us specific instructions on how to do just that. Not only did He speak about it, but Paul also told us what to do so we are not caught off guard.

Being prepared calls for coordination between us and Jesus. It’s not just left up to Him. We have a role to play and a responsibility too. We must hide His Word in our hearts and then act on that Word. He moves when we move. There are four ways we need to be ready.

Be ready for the times the enemy will tempt you. Satan’s only goal is to bring us down. He will use every trick and every lie to tempt, deceive, or even kill us. Paul gave us super hope! He told us to be strong in the Lord and in His power. Put on the full armor of God every day “so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” (Ephesians 6:10-17) Leave no armor on the floor and use the Word.

To be ready, stay prayed up. Power is in your prayers. Coordinating with Jesus through prayer opens the windows of hope wide. Again, Paul tells us how. “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” (Ephesians 6:18)

Be ready to stand firm when trials happen. We will have trials in life, but that doesn’t mean we need to lose hope. Jesus is the hope of the world. The pandemic is a worldwide trial. Should we lose hope because we have no answers? Absolutely not! Why? We do have THE answer, Jesus. Listen to what He says: “I have told you these things, so that in Me you will have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) We have the victory!

Be ready for Christ’s return. Each day we should be prepared for the return of Jesus. We should live as though we know Christ is coming back today. Don’t put off this preparation because you and I don’t know when He will return. We do know that if we are prepared, there is a glorious eternal life awaiting us where we will be with Jesus forever. Listen to His words:

“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him. (Matthew 24:42-44)

Prayer

Lord,

I commit to You whatever I do, for You are the only one that will establish my plans. I confess that many are the plans in my heart, but it is Your purpose that prevails. You have plans for me, plans to prosper me and not to harm me, plans to give me hope and a future. But I must do my part and prepare. I will sow with a view to righteousness, reap in accordance with kindness; break up my fallow ground, for it is time to seek You until You come to rain righteousness on me. I will be on the alert, stand firm in the faith and will be strong. I will devote myself to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Every morning I will put on Your armor and stand firm on You, the Rock of my salvation. I will stand on Your Word, which promises that if I resist the devil, he must flee! As I stand in Your armor, I will raise a hallelujah and lift up Your name—Jesus—Your praise is on lips. Sound the alarm Lord, for I am ready! Amen!


Photo by Andrew Neel on Unsplash

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