Articles
Being Prepared
I recently read an article telling how to be better prepared for an emergency. Such as flood, fire, earthquake, etc. The process included three distinct parts -- THE THREE P'S -- PLAN, PREPARE, PRACTICE. By following this procedure it helps make folks much better prepared when something unexpectedly occurs. I think it was written with the recent wild fires in mind, but also the hurricanes and floods caused by that a few months ago. Natural disasters can come on quickly, and preparation can make a great difference in the outcome. We often see a lack of doing so and how that causes injury and loss of life.
So, I thought about applying this process to our SPIRITUAL READINESS! : PLAN PREPARE AND PRACTICE. The end result of this is to be ready when we leave this earth, and make our home in heaven with the Father and Son. Time will end, and Jesus WILL COME AGAIN!!
First the PLAN: God has already given us the PLAN -- THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST. His plan has been put in place by our Savior, His Son, by sacrificing Himself and tasting death for us all. When we hear HIs Word all we have to do is listen, and obey. By obedience to His Plan we are able to look forward to the next step. (Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 1:18,24;) God's message of Truth, the Gospel, has His power to save all who will obey. (Ephesians 1:13,14)
Second we PREPARE: Once we have obeyed the plan, our preparation then consists of living a faithful life following Jesus' example, and applying His teachings to our lives, day by day. (Matthew 28:19,20; 2 Peter 1:2,3; 2 Peter 3:18; Ephesians 2:10) When we become God's people, part of His church, through the Gospel, we are now ready to continue our growth by constant learning and applying His teachings to our lives.
"For even thought I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ, As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, SO WALK IN HIM, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. " (Colossians 2:5-7)
Finally , PRACTICE: Having started, and worked at preparation, we must "finish the course" as the Apostle Paul tells us: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me BUT ALSO TO ALL WHO HAVE LOVED HIS APPREARING." (2 Timothy 4:7,8)
"Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, and regard the patience of four Lord to be salvation, just as also our belove brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, ..." (2 Peter 3:14,15)
We can share that wonderful HOPE of eternal life with Him after this life. (Revelation 2:10)
Using God's plan, and our faith, we can look forward to the same home in heaven Paul and the Apostles talked about. It only takes proper PREPARATIION AND PRACTICE (KEEPING ON) on our part. God has done His part. His love for us proves how much He cares. (John 3:16,17) The love of His Son also demonstrates the value God places on our souls. Where are you in regard to the THREE P'S of the spiritual PLAN our Lord gave us? Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life".....only in Him can we have the hope of our greatest reward--eternal life in heaven.
Ross
