"Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come." 1Timothy 4:7-8
In all the crazy running rampant in our world today, many are trying to "prepare for the end". I feel like that is wise in some regards, and worthless and pointless in others. Because if we are thinking we can plan and stock pile supplies and never run out and we will be the only one to survive the apocalypse because of our great planning and preparing. How prideful! number one. Number two, we cannot know the day or the hour at which we will die let alone can we predict what we will face tomorrow or in the next five minutes. How on earth will we meet all our own unforeseen needs, let alone care for others who are suffering. Most people who are preparing for the end are hording supplies to themselves for their own benefit. They are also trying to out smart God and His divine timeline for their lives. They want to elongate their own survival. If it comes down to it, and the supplies are running out and there is no way to get more, and they see a mother suffering and starving with an infant at her breast, how high is the probability that he will go without to help her so they can all die faster? Slim. So how should we prepare for today, or tomorrow, or next year or the apocalypse? We should be preparing to meet our Maker. Especially as Christians, we should be living every day on the manna of God. He is our daily bread, not our savings account. He provides every minute what we need. He provides every need for the full day in exact proportions for the grace needed in every situation. We must faithfully go and collect it. We must read the Word, study and meditate on the Word and seek to understand it more. We must pray, not just for our needs but to praise our holy, loving God, to thank Him and to share our hearts with him, our concerns, our worries, our celebrations and our fears and weaknesses. We cannot draw from the well of Living Water if we will not walk down to it and bring a bucket to fill our vats to the full. We cannot partake of the Bread of Life if we will not sit down to eat and expect it to fill our souls. Should we learn hand to hand combat, weapons skills, outdoor survival skills, languages, and every other possibly considered need for the end? I don't think it is humanly possible to be all those things in one person, in every person because we are all unique with different proclivities. Is it unwise? no. But is it the best source of preparation? NO. We should be preparing our own hearts to meet our Lord, and we should be spending everything we have to share the Gospel with everyone we meet and speak to. Jude says in the face of false teachers and wolves in sheep's clothing in the church, persecution, etc, "But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray int he Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life." (20-21) We should be getting to know as intimately and fully as we can in this limited vessel of flesh and corruption the Holy God to whom we owe our lives. As we draw near to Him, He will draw nearer to us (James 4:8, Jeremiah 29:12-14). We need Jesus in every moment, both good and bad. The Holy Spirit is the fullness of God within our hearts. We must know how to use the Word of God effectively, with love and grace and boldness. We must learn to wield the Sword of the Spirit. We must train our minds to dwell on those things that are only true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy (Philippians 4.8). We must learn to discern the dark from the light, the lies from the truth. We must learn to hear the voice of God and move when He tells us to move, and stay when He tells us to stay. We must train our hearts to hide the Truth in it, and to draw it up in the time of need for wisdom from God and faith for the trials and strength for the weak and hope for the desperate. "Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." 1Corinthians 15:58 We should not be fighting to save this life, but to save our souls and store up treasures in Heaven that moth and rust and thieves cannot steal or destroy (Matthew 6:19-21). The selfless deeds and hospitality and generosity we spend our life, time and money on in this life saves up for us an eternal reward in Heaven from the Father. When we be Light to the dark world by loving and forgiving and giving sacrificially, we fill our storehouses. When we are the salt that cleanses a wound and turns a man from fruitless deeds to righteous ones, we furnish our heavenly dwelling. When we spend our time with God on God's things, using all He has given us to further His kingdom and spread His Gospel to the world around us, we place our crowns at His feet and glorify Him all the brighter than He is already. Seek to Know God intimately and as deeply as you can, this day and every day. He is truly all you need. he is the balm of Gilead. He is the Light that heals and loves, empowers and humbles, and gives you strength to stand firm even in the face of death and love and pray for your enemies and forgive, because God Himself has forgiven you and delivered you up out of your sin and rebellion against Him. Train yourself to be godly, to be like our God, set apart from the world and full of goodness and love. Work hard at it, when you fall, get back up and be cleansed by the blood and try again and again, until you reach the finish line having stood firm and having fought with all you have to overcome the world and defend the faith and Christ Himself. Do not give up. Do not fear. Persevere. The Lord is with you and in you, you will not fall. You will be carried to your eternal home, no matter what man does to the body, Christ will not lose you soul and nothing can separate you from the love of Christ. So! Prepare. :) May God guide you and give you grace to follow Him and train yourself in godliness and holiness. In Jesus name, Amen.
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About MeI want to glorify God with my life and use my gifts for His Name's sake. This blog is an effort therein. Archives
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