" WE MUST BE PREPARED "

Welcome one and all, this week we will dive into the art of preparation. You see being prepared is vital to our everlasting life with the Lord Jesus Christ.

We are warned that we ought"to be ready in and out of season". That we should always be ready to serve God in any situation, whether or not it is convenient. Be sensitive to the opportunities God gives you. Christ is coming soon, and he wants to find faithful believers ready for him. It may be inconvenient to take a stand for Christ or to tell others about his love, but preaching the Word Of God is the most important responsibility the church and its members have been given.

Jesus said that his disciples, that's those of us who know him as our Lord and Savior should be less concerned with knowing the exact date and more concerned with being prepared. Living God's way consistently so that no matter when Jesus came in glory, He would claim them as His own.

Jesus' purpose in telling about his return is not to stimulate predictions and calculations about the date, but to warn us to be prepared. Will you be ready? The only safe choice is to obey him today. To put our affairs in order is to get ready before hand.

John the Baptist made ready the way for Jesus. People who do not know Jesus Christ need to be made ready to meet him. As Christians we can prepare them by explaining their need for forgiveness, demonstrating Christ's teachings by our conduct, and telling them how Christ can give their lives meaning. We can " Make his paths straight " by correcting misconceptions that might be hindering people from approaching Christ. Someone you know may be open to a relationship with Christ. What can you do to prepare the way for this person?

LAST POINT: We should take steps now to prepare the way for our children to find and fulfill God's purpose. Sooner or later our children will have to make their own decisions,but we can help by supplying them with the proper tools: Showing them how to pray and study God's word, the difference between right and wrong, and the importance of church involvement.

Until Next Time...

Jim,