Most people have heard of the Boy Scout motto, Be Prepared! Some will live up to this saying by having just about everything possible on hand. I am sure you have met that person who has the utility tool that does 100 things. They will have a tool box that will have something for every occasion or their trunk is full of different odds and ends for just encase. However, what about being prepared as God wants us to be?
2 Timothy 2:19-26 New International Version (NIV)
19 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”
20 In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. 21 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.
22 Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
1 Peter 3:15-16 New International Version (NIV)
15 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, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
Mark 13:33-37 New International Version (NIV)
33 Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. 34 It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.
35 “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. 36 If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. 37 What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’”
Luke 12:35-38 New International Version (NIV)
Watchfulness
35 “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. 37 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. 38 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak.
There are many more scriptures about being prepared, but the real question is are you? If you aren’t, why not? What is stopping you from being prepared as God wants you to be? Have you just given up? Again why?
There is a man in VA whose family did not give up, but actually relied upon the Lord. http://wsls.com/2016/05/04/virginia-man-is-a-living-miracle/ They put their faith in the Lord and I am sure they were prepared to have their son go on to meet the Lord, but the son recovered.
The Lord is not asking you to read and understand the Bible in 3 seconds, but to make it a journey where you are becoming prepared a little each day. You have to be mentally, physically, and spiritually prepared for what the Devil and his minions may throw at you.