Be Prepared
1. “Prepare To Meet Thy God”
2. The People Were Warned
3. Every Knee Shall Bow
4. Be Prepared For The Storms
5. Preparing For Appointments
6. Preparing For A Trip
7. Prepare For Battles
8. Preparation In Knowledge And Wisdom
9. Sunday School Helps Prepare Our Children
10. Prepared All The Way Around
11. Can We Be Prepared To Die?
12. Jesus Came Prepared To Die
13. John Prepared The Way For Jesus
14. More Ways To Prepare
15. What God Prepared In The Book Of Jonah
16. How To Be Prepared For The Unexpected
17. Jesus Is Preparing A Place For Us
18. The Lord Hath Prepared His Throne
19. God Prepared For A Baby
20. Prepared To Start School
21. God Prepares Rain For The Earth
22. Prepared With An Answer For Our Hope
1. “Prepare To Meet Thy God”
I was reading in the book of Amos and I came to a phrase that is very sobering. I looked up synonyms of “sobering” to find a better word, and I saw that each word gives us a description and deeper meaning of the phrase. Included among the words that I found were; dangerous, difficult, grievous, important, major, meaningful, severe, significant, tough and urgent. So, what is this little phrase of big importance? In Amos 4:12 God was speaking to Israel, but He could just as well have been speaking to us, when He said, “… prepare to meet thy God…” I want to look at this scripture and several ways that we need to “Be Prepared.”
2. The People Were Warned
God had warned His people through the prophets. Before saying, "... be prepared to meet thy God...” we see many ways that God tried to warn Israel. Look at the judgments God sent, and the continual reaction we see. Five times God says, “yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.” With all of the troubles we are seeing across the world, it is time that we see the severity of the matter and return to the Lord, and be prepared to meet God.
“6 And I also have given you cleanness of teeth in all your cities, and want of bread in all your places: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.
7 And also I have withholden the rain from you, when there were yet three months to the harvest: and I caused it to rain upon one city, and caused it not to rain upon another city: one piece was rained upon, and the piece whereupon it rained not withered.
8 So two or three cities wandered unto one city, to drink water; but they were not satisfied: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.
9 I have smitten you with blasting and mildew: when your gardens and your vineyards and your fig trees and your olive trees increased, the palmerworm devoured them: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.
10 I have sent among you the pestilence after the manner of Egypt: your young men have I slain with the sword, and have taken away your horses; and I have made the stink of your camps to come up unto your nostrils: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.
11 I have overthrown some of you, as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and ye were as a firebrand plucked out of the burning: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.
12 Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel.
13 For, lo, he that formeth the mountains, and createth the wind, and declareth unto man what is his thought, that maketh the morning darkness, and treadeth upon the high places of the earth, The LORD, The God of hosts, is his name.” (Amos 4:6-13)
3. Every Knee Shall Bow
There are three verses in the Bible that tell us every knee shall bow to God, our Creator. While we live, we have the opportunity to confess our sin to God and ask Jesus to save us. When people think that they are good enough on their own merit to go to heaven, they are lifting themselves up in their own eyes to be equal with God. There is only one God, and bowing our hearts and pride before Jesus and believing on Him is the only way to be saved. “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.” (Isaiah 45:22-23) In the writing of Paul we see that we are not to judge one another, but we shall all be judged by God. If we choose not to bow to God while we are living, we shall bow to Him at the judgment seat of Christ. The first thing we can do to be prepared to meet God is to accept Jesus as our Savior.
“8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.
9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.
10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” (Romans 14:8-12)
“5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:5-11)
4. Be Prepared For The Storms
I saw a weather report that said Hurricane Erin went from a Category 1 storm on Friday to a Category 5 storm on Saturday. As I type this devotional I am sure there are people preparing for the storm. Damage from storms over the last year has been catastrophic, with floods destroying everything in the path. Weather reporters are trying to track Erin and help people prepare for the storm, and in some cases evacuate. Guidelines are given to help people prepare for storms. We can see this storm coming, but many times storms come into our lives quickly and unexpectedly. Storms can affect our lives, and our homes, and we can lose everything we have really quickly. Sickness and diseases can take away our health and strength. How can we be prepared for storms? When I think about being prepared for storms, I remember the story in Mark 4. Jesus said, “Let us pass over unto the other side.” When we are where Jesus wants us to be, we can be sure that He is with us. Jesus has power to calm the storm, and He has power to calm us in the midst of the storm. The best way we can be prepared for the storms of life is to follow Jesus and do what He wants us to do, and go where He wants us to go. He can say, “Peace, be still”, to the storms, and He can give us peace in the midst of the storms. Keep your trust in Jesus and He will be with you through the storms. “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” (Isaiah 41:10)
“35 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.
36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.
37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?
39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” (Mark 4:35-41)
5. Preparing For Appointments
I had an appointment yesterday to check my hearing aids. Before I go to any type of appointment I like to make a list of questions I want to ask the doctor. If I don’t, then I may forget something that seemed important enough to talk about. As I was thinking about the questions on my list, I thought about how it could help us to ask the Lord about things we want to talk about. God knows all things. God knows more about us than anyone else. I tried to find some questions in the Bible that we could ask God in prayer. Meditate on your questions in life and be prepared for what you want to ask the Lord in prayer.
“… what must I do to be saved? … Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…” (Acts 16:30-31)
“Is any thing too hard for the LORD?” (Genesis 18:14)
“Oh my Lord, if the LORD be with us, why then is all this befallen us?” (Judges 6:13)
“Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 6:5-6)
“Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?” (Psalm 85:6)
6. Preparing For A Trip
I have a vacation verse. “And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. And they departed into a desert place by ship privately.” (Mark 6:31-32) Sometimes we need to come apart, before we come apart, as in “coming apart at the seams”. When I’m planning to go on vacation, I like to make lists. I’m old enough that I forget things, and a list helps me get things done little by little so I’m not stressed trying to get everything done at the last minute. I like coming home to a clean house, so I make a list of things I hope to get done before I leave. The last time I separated it into days and we got the yard mowed, the trash taken off, and most of the house cleaned with plenty of time to pack. I also make a list of things to take. There have been many times when I forgot something. It’s much easier to go to a store when we get there than it was forty or fifty years ago so I don’t stress about it as much as I used to when some places didn’t have stores or restaurants close by. Sometimes for fun we make a list of things we would like to do along the way, or when we get there. When the kids were young I planned things for them to do in the car. I enjoy preparing for a trip! In thinking of how this works on a spiritual scale, I thought about the words of Jesus to His disciples before He ascended up to heaven in Acts 1:8. “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” We can be witnesses for our Lord at home and the surrounding places, and also when we go away on vacation. This includes how we dress and how we act. Next, I think we should do all that we do for the glory of the Lord. Paul told the early church, “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” (Colossians 3:1) My last thought is to take the Lord with you. I know that He is with us always, but we should acknowledge and remember that He is with us. After the Children of Israel sinned in worship of the golden calf, Moses wanted the presence of the Lord to go with them. He told the Lord, “If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.” Take Jesus with you wherever you go!
“13 Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people.
14 And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.
15 And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.
16 For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth.
17 And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.” (Exodus 33:13-17)
7. Prepare For Battles
Peter gives us warning in I Peter 5:8, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” Just as a soldier would not go into battle unprepared, we need to be prepared for battle. When David tried on the armor of King Saul it was too big for him and he had not proved it. He chose five smooth stones from the brook because he knew he could use a sling. But, in the next chapter we read… “And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle.” (I Samuel 18:4) David prepared for battle. So, how can we be prepared for battle? We can look to Paul for the answer.
“10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” (Ephesians 6:10-18)
8. Preparation In Knowledge And Wisdom
It’s time for children to go back to school. Whether it’s a public school, a Christian school, or home school, many are preparing for another year of learning. I remember the shopping… buying school supplies and paying fees for certain courses, and many times our children grew from one season to another and we had to buy new clothes and shoes. It was expensive going back to school. Another way we tried to prepare was getting back on a good sleep schedule. We let the kids stay up later and sleep in through the summer and we tried to get back into a good routine before the first week of school. Just as we tried to prepare our minds in wisdom, we are also to prepare in Spiritual wisdom. Paul told young Timothy, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (II Timothy 2:15) We need to read, and study, and learn the truths found in God’s Word. And it is our responsibility to teach God’s Word to our children.
“5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” (Deuteronomy 6:5-6)
We read in Proverbs 9:10, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” James also gives us good advice, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” (James 1:5) God has given us His Holy Word and He gives us wisdom. When kids at school don’t do their homework, they try to have a good excuse. What excuse can we give the Lord for not reading His Word and praying to Him?
There are several Back To School ideas on our Activities page at https://devotions.homestead.com/Activities.html
9. Sunday School Helps Prepare Our Children
I was reading in the book of Isaiah one time and I saw a verse that I liked so well I printed it and Michael put it on the teen Sunday School class door. “For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:” (Isaiah 28:10) We learn from God’s Word, little by little. Our children have a trusting faith and believe the Bible stories that we teach them. They learn through these stories the love and greatness of our God. These Bible lessons build a foundation that will help them to learn more about God and His Word. Today is the Lord’s Day. It’s a wonderful day to take your children to Sunday School!
10. Prepared All The Way Around
We were riding in the car with Micah and Maggie, two of our grandchildren. I talked to them about this devotional series on being prepared and asked them to tell me something that they prepared for. They began by telling me how they prepared for sports. This didn’t surprise me because they are both really good in sports; playing, and being good teammates, and showing great sportsmanship. Micah’s first suggestions were to eat well and hydrate. He is looking at the healthy side of sports. They talked about having the clothes and shoes they needed. And to be good at any sport takes practice. This is an example of how we can be well prepared and well rounded in different areas of a common interest. I thought about scriptures in the Bible that show us how to be well inclusive in areas of our Christian life. We could find several examples, but I first thought of the verses Paul wrote to the church at Thessalonica. If we can work on these things, it will surely help us be a well rounded Christian and be prepared for our walk with the Lord.
“16 Rejoice evermore.
17 Pray without ceasing.
18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
19 Quench not the Spirit.
20 Despise not prophesyings.
21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.” (I Thessalonians 5:16-24)
11. Can We Be Prepared To Die?
We began with Amos 4:12, “… prepare to meet thy God…” We are all going to die, if the Lord does not call us home before then. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) Ecclesiastes 8:8 has a unique way of describing our death… “There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.” “… there is no discharge in that war…” Can we be prepared to die? Today I want to look at three people in the Bible who knew it was their time to die.
Moses struck the Rock when the Lord told him to speak to the Rock and he knew he was going to die and not be allowed to enter the Promised Land. “And the LORD said unto Moses, Behold, thy days approach that thou must die: call Joshua, and present yourselves in the tabernacle of the congregation, that I may give him a charge. And Moses and Joshua went, and presented themselves in the tabernacle of the congregation.” (Deuteronomy 31:14) He praised God and blessed the people. “Because I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God. He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.” (Deuteronomy 32:3-4)
Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and cried out to God and He gave him 15 more years to live.
“1 In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live.
2 Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the LORD,
3 And said, Remember now, O LORD, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.
4 Then came the word of the LORD to Isaiah, saying,
5 Go, and say to Hezekiah, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen years.” (Isaiah 38:1-5)
Elijah was carried to heaven by a whirlwind in a chariot of fire and horses of fire.
“9 And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.
10 And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so.
11 And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.” (II Kings 2:9-11)
12. Jesus Came, Prepared To Die
Yesterday we saw the stories of three men in the Bible who knew they were about to die, Moses, Hezekiah, and Elijah (I mistakenly said it was Elisha yesterday.) All of these are amazing accounts, but the most amazing of all is the death of Jesus Christ. He left heaven to become a man and die to take the punishment for our sin, so that we could have everlasting life. Jesus knew the cruel death He was facing and yet He laid down His life for you and me. Jesus loved us unto the end. And He prayed for me. “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;” (John 17:20) If you want to be prepared to die, you must put your trust in Jesus while you live. When we carry Jesus with us while we live, He will carry us into everlasting life. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4)
“1 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.
2 And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him;
3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;
4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.” (John 13:1-5)
Jesus took time before He was to die to teach His followers to serve others. The best way we can prepare to die is to live for God. One way we can serve the Lord is to serve others.
13. John Prepared The Way For Jesus
Before Jesus came, God sent a messenger to prepare the way. We read in Malachi 3:1, “Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.” We also read in Isaiah’s prophecy…
“3 The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
4 Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:
5 And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.” (Isaiah 40:3-5)
John the Baptist fulfilled this prophecy. “In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.” (Matthew 3:1-3) Mark and Luke also tell us that John the Baptist prepared the way for the coming of the Lord. The Lord is coming back! We can be a voice for the Lord and tell others that Jesus is coming again. We can live a life so that they can see Jesus in us. We can be faithful and have compassion for others. And we can take a stand for what is good and righteous.
14. More Ways To Prepare
I was reading in the book of Matthew and I came to another way we are to prepare by laying up treasure in heaven. I also thought of a few more verses that help us prepare.
“19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)
We can prepare our ground for planting seed, and our hearts for God’s Word and His Work in our lives. “For thus saith the LORD to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns.” (Jeremiah 4:3) “Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.” (Hosea 10:12)
We can prepare our fresh garden harvest for winter. “The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer;” (Proverbs 30:25)
We can prepare our hearts to seek the Lord, and to teach others. “For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.” (Ezra 7:10)
15. What God Prepared In The Book Of Jonah
I believe the Bible. Not just part of it, but all of it. I believe that God created the heaven and earth in seven days, as it says in the beginning of the Bible. I believe that Jesus came and died to save me from my sin. I believe that Jonah was swallowed by a whale and lived to tell it. We have the account in the Old Testament and affirmation from Jesus. “For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” (Matthew 12:40) As we continue with our devotions on, “Be Prepared”, I want to look at some things that God prepared. There are four things prepared by the Lord in the book of Jonah. God told Jonah to go to Nineveh and when Jonah went in the opposite direction, God prepared a way to get Jonah turned around. The people of Nineveh believed God and repented. God can prepare things in our lives to lead us in the right direction. Jonah was angry that God saved his enemies. So God prepared a gourd, a worm, and a hot wind to show Jonah His great mercy.
“Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.” (Jonah 1:17)
“5 So Jonah went out of the city, and sat on the east side of the city, and there made him a booth, and sat under it in the shadow, till he might see what would become of the city.
6 And the LORD God prepared a gourd, and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shadow over his head, to deliver him from his grief. So Jonah was exceeding glad of the gourd.
7 But God prepared a worm when the morning rose the next day, and it smote the gourd that it withered.
8 And it came to pass, when the sun did arise, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said, It is better for me to die than to live.
9 And God said to Jonah, Doest thou well to be angry for the gourd? And he said, I do well to be angry, even unto death.
10 Then said the LORD, Thou hast had pity on the gourd, for the which thou hast not laboured, neither madest it grow; which came up in a night, and perished in a night:
11 And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle?” (Jonah 4:5-11)
16. How To Be Prepared For The Unexpected
I have been thinking of this title for two weeks, since we began our “Be Prepared” series, “How To Be Prepared For The Unexpected.” When I was in school I studied and tried to prepare for tests, but sometimes the teacher would give a pop quiz, that was unexpected. It is harder to be prepared for the unexpected. We can prepare for vacation, and for Christmas, and even doctor appointments, but many times situations arise and we may say, “I never dreamed that would happen.” Sudden crisis situations can knock us off our feet, literally. I could not think of the best Bible verse to use and finally I prayed and asked the Lord to show me a verse. He immediately answered my prayer and brought this thought to my mind, “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you…” (James 4:8) When we are close to the Lord, He gives us strength in our weakness, and joy in our times of sorrow. When we feel His presence He gives us peace in our times of fear. Several times in my life I almost died. These were unexpected events and there was no way that I could have prepared for them, but having my Lord close to me made all the difference in the world. Elsa was always really close to me. One day I was carrying her and I asked her, “You are a big girl. Why am I carrying you?” She answered, “Because I love you!” and she grinned her biggest grin. She was right. She didn’t say, “Because you love me”, which is true. I love all my grandchildren, but some of them didn’t want me to carry them. Elsa loved me and wanted to be close to me, and I kept her close. Jesus died to save us and He loves us all. But, I believe that He draws nigh, and is closer to the ones who love Him, and who draw closer to Him. Mark 4:36-37 tells us, “And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.” The other little ships also experienced the calm after the storm. But, only the ones in the ship with Jesus heard Him say, “Peace, be still.” I want to be so close to the Lord that I can hear Him when He speaks to me. “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.” (Psalm 46:10-11)
17. Jesus Is Preparing A Place For Us
If our family is coming to visit, we try to prepare for them. If the grandchildren are coming, especially to stay all night, we go to the store beforehand and get what we need. It usually includes ingredients to make cookies, and other special treats. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. God didn’t make man until He had everything prepared for him and his wife. Jesus is preparing a place for us in heaven.
“1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (John 14:1-3)
God is also preparing a city. “And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” (Revelation 21:2) “But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.” (Hebrews 11:16) It will be glorious. We read in Isaiah 64:4, “For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.”
18. The Lord Hath Prepared His Throne
Jesus first came as a Baby in a manger. When He comes again He will come as Lord of lords and King of kings. “The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.” (Psalm 103:19) In the end of time there will be a great war and our Lord and Savior will be King “These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.” (Revelation 17:14) We will all stand before God in judgment, and there is a place prepared for those who believe and trust in Jesus, and there is a place prepared for those who never called on the Lord to save them.
“31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” (Verses from Matthew 25)
19. God Prepared For A Baby
I remember trying to prepare for a baby 45 years ago. Our family and church gave us baby showers so we were prepared with diapers, cloth diapers back then, clothes, and about everything we would need. I went into labor on his due date and even though I thought I was ready, I remember thinking, “I’m not ready for this.” Even though I had 9 months to prepare, when we brought our first little baby home I didn’t feel like I was prepared to take care of a baby. I wasn’t too good at folding diapers, or changing them. But, I had plenty of practice and I learned. God also prepared for a Baby. Not just any baby, but His only begotten Son. He began preparing when Adam and Eve sinned in the garden. When we start making preparations for Christmas this year, let’s focus on God’s Son. Here are only a few of the many verses that show us some ways God prepared for His Son.
“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” (Micah 5:2)
“And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.” (Luke 2:4-5)
“21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” (Matthew 1:21-23)
20. Prepared To Start School
I guess all the kids have started back to school by now. We have five children and sometimes it was a challenge as we prepared to get them all back in school in the fall. One memory that is dear to my heart is when I took Joshua to his kindergarten assessment tests. He did great on all the motor skills and following directions and even on the verbal questions and answers. When the teacher asked him what his Dad did, he told her that he works at school, but when he was asked what his Mom did, he said, "She takes naps." I was embarrassed that of all the time I spent caring for five young children, feeding them, and cleaning the house, he told the teacher that I take naps. Now that I am older and I look back on those times I believe that Joshua gave that answer because that was a special time for him. I was busy. He was the fourth boy and I had a baby girl to care for and I didn't have as much time to spend with each one of them individually. But each afternoon, I took time to read to them, and even though the older children did not have to go to sleep, it was a quiet time that I spent with them. The lunch dishes waited in the sink, the clothes that needed folding waited in the play pen, and I took time to lie down and read to my babies until the little ones drifted off to sleep, not realizing that it was the most important time of the day for my little Joshua. I am so thankful for the family God gave us. I am thankful that He helped me bring up our children in the right way to prepare them for life. “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)
21. God Prepares Rain For The Earth
I have enjoyed looking at ways we can be prepared. It has also been interesting to find things in the Bible that God prepares. We had a little rain shower yesterday. Psalm 147:8 tells us that God prepares rain for the earth. “Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.” This verse tells us that God sends rain for the earth, and vegetation that grows for man and for animals. In Job 37:10-13 we see that God also gives rain for other reasons. Sometimes, as in the days of Noah, God sends rain in judgment. As the flood came and destroyed the wicked, it also became a way of rescue for the righteous. “Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.” (I Peter 3:20) Sometimes God withholds rain for judgment. The book of Job also tells us that God sends rain for mercy. We are so blessed to serve a loving and merciful God.
“10 By the breath of God frost is given: and the breadth of the waters is straitened.
11 Also by watering he wearieth the thick cloud: he scattereth his bright cloud:
12 And it is turned round about by his counsels: that they may do whatsoever he commandeth them upon the face of the world in the earth.
13 He causeth it to come, whether for correction, or for his land, or for mercy.” (Job 37:10-13)
22. Prepared With An Answer For Our Hope
As we finish our thoughts on “Being Prepared”, we are looking at I Peter 3:15. "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:" Can the people around us see Jesus in our lives? When we are going through troubles and trials, do we walk by faith, secure in the hope we have in our Lord and Savior? Our verse encourages us to "be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you." If someone asks us today how we still have hope in this troubled world, are we prepared with an answer? Our verse tells us that first we must "sanctify the Lord" in our hearts. We need to purify and cleanse our lives and dedicate our lives to God. When we live according to God's Word, those around us will see hope in the times of trouble, peace in the midst of storms, and joy through our sorrows. That gives us a great opportunity to tell them the reason for our hope. "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." (Titus 2:13-14)
