I believe God is driving home the point of being prepared. After I finished my entry on Tuesday, I went out for a short jog. Not ten seconds into the Joyce Meyer podcast I put on did she say that she felt the Lord was impressing on her the message that God's people needed to be prepared. To say I was blown away was an understatement. The fact that God is reaching out through multiple sources with the same message says a lot to me. To think that He used this page as one of those sources is such a huge honor.
I believe being a stagnant Christian is going to become less and less of an option. Not only do we need to stay prepared to face the challenges and temptations in our own lives, but the coming days are going to grow darker and darker, spiritually speaking. People will not abide sound doctrine or truth. So our light needs to grow brighter and brighter. And that means people will try to shout us down, shut us up, and try to extinguish the light of truth. From friends who reject, family who will turn from us, and society who will ridicule (have you watched some of the stuff on tv lately?) and in some cases even by law attack....persecution is coming. For many it is already here.
Spending time with the Lord now, drawing on His strength, absorbing His love and allowing Him to change us from the inside out is imperative. And it's urgent.
It's so easy to become comfortable and complacent. I know I easily fall into those categories. I can easily be a lukewarm Christian. I don't want that!! I want to stand strong whether it's against the sin in my own life or the rejection of friends when I don't wish to join them in things the Lord doesn't like. Over the six months or so I've heard the Lord's instruction on the importance of spending time in His Presence. And I'm starting to see where it's all fitting in with being a prepared Christian. One who is ready to stand tall, to meet their Savior with gladness, and be pleasing to their King.
Lord, let us sit quietly in Your Presence. Sometimes it's so hard to be still, to let our minds and hearts rest, but that is what we need in order to let you fill us. Your Word, Your Spirit, all working together to strengthen us, to change us, to empower us to be Your light. Lord, help us to learn this discipline that we may be what You need and want when You need and want it. Set Your children on fire, give us a holy zealousness for the things of God. Prepare us for the darkness and difficulties ahead, be they personal or public. Lord, we want to be Your servants. We want to bring honor and glory to You. Thank You for Your message. Thank You for instructing us. Thank You for leading us to start preparing. Jesus, we look forward to the day You return. And we want to be found working and faithful. Come Lord Jesus! In Your mighty Name. Amen.
Lord, I also want to pray for those already facing severe persecution. Father, give them Your strength. Surround them with Your love, fill them with Your peace. Let them know their brothers and sisters around the world are praying for them. Let them know You are with them and they are not alone. Help them to shine brightly for You and give them a Holy Spirit boldness and strength that goes beyond anything they can imagine. Turn the hearts of their tormentors to You.
Take time to sit with the Lord today. Start a preparedness routine!
Psalm 119:133 Guide my steps by your word, so I will not be overcome by evil.
Galatians 5:21-25 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
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