Prepare

Hi everyone! Hope you are all having a wonderful summer. I know I have enjoyed this summer and I am looking forward to what is to come. We have some big things coming up at Lord of Life. Vacation Bible School is just around the corner during the last week of July. If you would like more info about VBS check it out at www.lolchurch.net/vbs. Also, the ONE service is scheduled for Labor Day weekend. On September 5 we will gather as one church with only one worship at 9:15am. So make sure to mark that date on your calendar.

As we approach the second half of the summer, my weekly emails may not be as weekly as they once were. As many of you know, Barbara and I have some twins on the way. We are busily preparing waiting for the big day to arrive. I am planning on the getting these emails out to you on a regular basis, but there may be a week or two that I miss coming up.

There is much to get ready for when these babies come. We need to make sure we have diapers, clothes, cribs, car seats, and all those other fun things that go along with having babies. We know these babies are coming. There is no doubt about that. I know my wife really hopes they come sooner rather than later.

The thing is that we would be foolish if we didn’t get ready for these babies. We make sure to get everything done in advance, because when the time comes there will not be enough time to get all the things done that will need to get done. So we are doing it now.

The Bible emphasizes preparation. In 1 Peter 3:15 “always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” Jesus tells us to always be prepared because no one know the day or hour of his return (Matthew 25:13, Mark 13:32).

A wise man once told me that failing to plan is planning to fail. If you don’t plan for success God is not going to give you success. He is not going to burden us with more than we can handle. If you don’t have the capacity to receive a miracle, God is not going to give you the miracle.

If you had a test in school that was coming up, the wise thing to do would be to study for that test. It would seem silly to ask God to give you an “A” on that test if you had not prepared for that test.

What are you asking God for these days? If God granted your request, would you be prepared to receive it? Pastors will often pray for the church to be filled on Sunday morning. But is the church adequately prepared to receive that many guests with the love and hospitality of Jesus? You might ask God to multiply your minutes in the day. But if he multiplied those minutes would you be prepared to use those extra minutes for his glory or would they be wasted away with other things.

Jesus says that to those who are faithful with little, God will provide them more. The question is one of stewardship. Are we being good stewards of what we have been given already? If not, there is no reason for God to give us anymore.

The thing is that God knows us better than we even know ourselves. He knows the breathe of our preparation. Lets pray today, God would help us make ready his coming!