Skip to main content

Ready

             For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10)

Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.       (II Timothy 2:21)

Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. (II Timothy 4:2)

But in your hearts revere 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, (I Peter 3:15)

“Be Prepared” is the motto for the Boy Scouts, the Girl Scouts. While “Fear not,” and “love one another” might be Christian mottos, “Be prepared” and “be ready” also pepper the New Testament. I found myself wondering about this as I cooked four pounds of ground meat, chopped carrots, and zested and peeled two oranges. The meat is for the dog, and the carrots and oranges are for my lunchbox for the next two days of work. Since then, I’ve filled my lunch box, made bean and carrot mash sufficient for at least 2 batches of dog food, and put the rice on to cook. It’s all a bother, but my dog is healthier for it, and I don’t have the inconvenience of preparing it all with the added stress of “NOW!”

This is the same idea behind my “I’m not prepared for emergencies” anxiety (or whatever it is.) If I learn and practice now, when I need to do something, I’ll know how. This has been taught by philosophers and other wise folks for millennia. If you read through Proverbs, you’ll find hard-working ants who prepare for winter, and warnings about prudence.

In the New Testament, we’re told that God prepared good works for us to do. Preparation involves our cleansing ourselves and being holy because that’s what prepares us to do good works. We’re to be prepared all the time, not only to do good works but to give answers. Being prepared takes discipline and attention, first to God and Scripture, and secondly to ourselves and those around us. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"Especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Gal 6:10)   “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.   By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)           Joshua grinned when he saw Rex standing by the door, studying something on the ground. "Hey, man! Are we ready to do this thing?"          Rex looked up. "Josh, I can't do it. We're still best buds, but I can't stand your fiancée."           I've met "Rex" many times. I've been Rex. Joshua (Jesus) loves the Church. He's not a fool. He knows the Church is far from perfect, but she is His chosen bride. The Rexes of this world, who think themselves His friend, turn away from her. "You don't need the Church to...
Post a Comment
Read more

The List

              Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,   through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;   perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (Romans 5:1-5)           Think about it. We have been justified. At least, we could be justified if we stopped insisting that our justification be based on our merits. We have peace with God, or could have peace if we stopped throwing temper tantrums. We have gained access into grace i...
Post a Comment
Read more

Listen!

  While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” (Matthew 17:5)            Do you like roller coasters? I don't. You spend forever climbing a hill. You get to the top and have half a second, then you race down to a low point. Sometimes the racing down involves tying your insides into knots. At the bottom, you either have to be dragged up another hill or you get off the ride. Peter's life was a roller coaster from the time he met Jesus. There would be miracles, and then Jesus would teach things that didn't always make sense, and then they'd go out and perform miracles, and return to be taught. Peter was praised for giving the right answer to "Who do you say that I am?" Jesus said that said answer came from God. Peter was at the top of the hill.            ...
Post a Comment
Read more