Are you ready???

Ever have those moments when you weren’t prepared?  I hate those moments!  Think back to those days of test taking…you know the ones you didn’t study for and you sat down to take the test and…yeah those moments.  Sometimes I am good at preparation and sometimes I am not.  I have procrastinated.  It never works for me.  Preparation is so important!  When disasters strike…when the economy crashes…when sudden pain or turmoil attacks…when…wait are we ever prepared for that kind of stuff?  Let me tell you a story.  I listened to an old WWII vet long a go tell this story; his name was Leroy Eims …listen to what he says: 

"Shortly after we hit the beach, our armored amphibious tank took two artillery shells broadside. We immediately evacuated our disabled vehicle and darted from hole to hole toward the enemy airstrip, which we were to take.

"The sergeant began to check on us to make sure that we were OK. He crawled over to me and asked, `You all right, Eims?'

"I answered, `Yeah, I'm OK, Sarge.'

"He looked at me and asked, `Eims, where is your helmet?'

"I felt the top of my head and answered, `Must be in the tank, Sarge.'

"`Where's your duty belt?' Our duty belts carried ammunition for our rifles, a canteen of water, and a bayonet.

"`Must be in the tank, Sarge.'

"`As a matter of fact, Eims, where's your rifle?' He looked at me with disgust and pity. Because of our hasty departure from the amphibious tank, I was dressed about the same way that I would be dressed for a game of volleyball. And there I was, hopping from hole to hole, from tree to tree!

You know sadly I think this story reveals the truth about us…Christians.  I understand that there is so much like catastrophes, heartache, economic trouble, and the like that happen that is hard to prepare if we can prepare for it.  But I say that to say this:  There is MUCH we can prepare for! In fact something bigger…what am I talking about?  Ephesians 6:10-18 tells us we are in a battle:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints…

We are in a battle!  Are you ready?  Why are we (Christians) not are armed, equipped and ready to wage spiritual battle.  The truth is…we are engaged in spiritual warfare. If we are to be successful in our work for the Lord Jesus, then we must be prepared for that battle and be ready to go to war.  The devil has been defeated and his time is coming but remember these words:  Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. “  (1 Peter 5:8). Ask yourself this question:  Why am I not prepared for battle?  What’s keeping you from being a warrior?  Is it:  Laziness!  Ignorance!  Sin!  In the text Paul uses the term “standing.”  This word refers to something that is firmly fixed. It speaks of people who do not waiver.  Do you waiver?  Why or why not?  Verse 10 tells us to be “strong in the Lord” and “in the strength of His might.”  How are you standing?  Whose strength do you lean on? 

Ephesians 3:20 “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us”

Remember Jesus’s words (Mark 11:22 & 9:23) “Have faith in God” and “All things are possible to him who believes.” 

God is God and He is all powerful and we will be able help us stand for Him in the day of battle!  Now having said that…are you ready?  It has been said that a soldier is no better than his equipment.  There are 3 things that come to mind immediately that make me wonder how much we tap into them:  Prayer, Scripture, and The Holy Spirit.  ALL THREE ARE IMMEDIATLEY AVAILABLE!  Do you tap into them?  I am not being clique…there is nothing clique about prayer, scripture, and the Holy Spirit.  Questions:  How much time do you devote to prayer?  How often do you seek communion with your Father?  He’s always available.  How often do you mediate on God’s word?  How do you “treasure God’s word” in your heart so you may not sin (Psalm 119)?  How often do allow God’s Spirit to lead you?  C’mon…those three help us in preparation…we are in a battle!  Be blessed my brothers and sisters…don’t be unprepared for battle.  Remember God bought you with a price…Jesus.  You belong to Him!  You are not alone…we fight it together.  Be prepared!

  

Casey Anthony and Jesus...

Well the verdict is in and she was found not guilty on murder charges or child abuse.  I have been, like so many, watching the trial and I too had my opinions and my own observations.  The truth whether one agrees or disagrees is that Casey Anthony was acquitted of murder charges based on reasonable doubt.  I, however, would like to take a different approach to this story.  Casey Anthony will be a free woman soon and I have read the media outlets saying that she will be offered a lot of money for her story and I also see that adult entertainment business has already contacted her lawyer.  The truth from where I stand is that she needs Jesus.  Casey Anthony in a lot of people’s eyes is a villain.  After the verdict came in yesterday, I read the many comments on Facebook and Twitter as well as the news outlets that allow people’s comments…they were 99% negative towards Casey Anthony.  I have a question for my brothers and sisters in Christ:  What if Casey Anthony walked into your church building on Sunday?  How would greet her?  With disgust or an embrace?  Caylee Anthony’s life was taken way too soon…but Jesus has her.  As Christians we know that no one can hide or escape from God’s eyes.  I don’t know what happened and neither do you.  But what I do know is that, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” which is from John 3:16 (which as Christians we most likely memorized as a kid).  That included Casey Anthony.  Are you willing to love her to the Lord?  We can define Jesus as love…why because God is defined as love (1 John 4:7,8).    And as Christians that also should define us…”and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.” (Ephesians 5:2).  How many of you prayed for her?  Why or why not?  Our job is not justice, that’s God’s job.  As children we are to be witnesses for Him.  Casey Anthony needs Jesus.  Are you willing to be the Light of Christ for her?  Remember, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”  (Romans 5:8).  I am not any better than her.  I know what my life was before my walk with Jesus.  I hated it.  Do you remember your life without Jesus?  I ask again:  What if Casey Anthony walked into your church building on Sunday?  How would greet her?