Ready or Not?

While practicing my Toastmasters speech in my hotel room this past week, the fire alarm blasted a warning. I shut off my laptop, grabbed my cell and room key, and stepped into the hallway—thankful my room was at the end of the hall next to the stairs. I felt the door before I opened it and descended five flights to safety outdoors.

Within minutes fire fighters arrived to assess the situation. A fireman later told the hotel guests a sprinkler on the fourth floor malfunctioned. We needed to prepare ourselves for the possibility the alarm could go off during the night because of testing the system. But, since we wouldn’t know for sure whether the alarm was a test or an actual fire, we should be ready to exit the building.

Leave my room in my pajamas? I prepared to sleep fully clothed with my shoes nearby.

We must be mindful of emergencies that may arise and prepare for them. We also need to know what Scripture teaches us about being ready.

Study God’s Word

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17). To be prepared, we must read the readiness manual—God’s Word.

Serve Others

God calls us to love others and put their interests before our own. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them (Romans 12:13a).

Share Our Eternal Hope

. . . you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it (1 Peter 3:15). We must live our lives to honor Christ and bring Him glory, share His love and hope with others, and tell how He’s changed our lives.

Suffer for Christ

Whether you are insulted for your beliefs or attacked physically, persecution is here. We need to stand firm in our faith. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News (2 Timothy 1:8b).

Expect the Lord’s Return

You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected (Matthew 24:44). We not only need to expect His return but live as though He may arrive today.

These are only a few verses which call us to be ready, prepared, and equipped. If you have others you’d like to share, please do so.

A Change of Heart

“. . . a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people” (Romans 2:29 NLT).

Have you thought or said, Look at me? I won most likely to succeed in high school. I graduated college with honors and three degrees. I received a promotion over five other people being considered. I own a successful business. 

Are these comments about ourselves wrong?

Sounds like the “I” syndrome. Who blessed or gifted us? We’ve been told we should toot our own horn and brag about ourselves. Should we? Is that what God’s Word teaches? To seek praise and admiration from others?

I’m guilty. A few months ago, I posted a photo on Facebook holding a trophy for the best impromptu speech at Toastmasters. I’ll admit. It felt good to be recognized for an accomplishment, but the verse above says I need to seek praise from God. Not people.

Why do we leave Him out? Only through God can we achieve anything. Without Him, we are nothing.

Should we instead take on the attitude, I’m not that good, or I’m no one special? God in you makes you special and good if you’re his child.

Either way, the problem lies in us. We may need a change of heart to understand every good gift is from God. James 1:17 says, “Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father . . .” (NLT). We shouldn’t brag about or condemn ourselves.

To seek God’s praise and give Him credit for any accomplishments in my life, I need a heart change to recognize He performs His giftings through me.

“For everything comes from Him and exists by His power and is intended for His glory. All glory to Him forever! Amen” (Romans 11:36 NLT).

There is one exception to bragging rights, however—grandchildren. I do have three of the best. Although, I understand they are a gift from the Lord.

Adequate or Abundant?

Are you filled with the peace of God? Overflowing with joy? Abounding in love? When we abide in Christ, He lives through us and we bear His fruit. I believe abiding in Christ is how we find the abundant life Jesus mentions in John 10:10.

The Christian life is more than adequate. Living for God brings blessings—He blesses us, and we are to bless others. When we allow Him to lead us, He will work through us. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me (Gal. 2:20a). We should strive for a deeper, personal relationship with Him.

To abide in Christ means we surrender ourselves to Him and walk in obedience. This daily walk should be one of getting to know Christ better through prayer and Bible study. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples (John 15:8). When we bear fruit, such as peace, joy, and love, we honor the Lord and gladness fills our hearts.

Peace abides in us if we know Jesus as our Savior and Lord. In John 14:27a Jesus said, Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. Jesus gave us this gift; He is our peace. Peace is a special place of knowing He is always present, along with trusting that He is working all things together for our good.

In an abundant life, joy overflows. When others see this joy in us, they long for it too. Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! (Phil. 4:4). This verse declares joyfulness. The joy of the Lord gives us strength (Neh. 8:10). Joy abounds through loving others.

In 1 John 4:11-12 we read, Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

Philippians 2:3-4 says, Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

The two verses above portray a beautiful picture of love.

An abundant life is dedicated to prayer and gaining knowledge through God’s Word. Through this walk of surrender, trust, and obedience, Christ fills us with His peace, and we experience overflowing joy and abounding love.

Are you satisfied with adequate, or are you seeking abundance?

Adapted from my blog post at www.beyondfirst.org. Used by permission.

The Battle Belongs to God

Many years ago, I taught eighth grade math. During my first year of teaching, I floated—no classroom to call my own. I traveled from room to room carrying my briefcase and books. One class of students kept me on my knees. Three older boys desired to rule the room. But the Lord led me to a story in the Bible that encouraged me and gave me strength to face them each day.

Do you remember the story of Jehoshaphat found in 2 Chronicles 20? He cried out to God for the people of Judah. Jehoshaphat heard that armies were coming to attack their city, and his people did not have the power to fight back. He prayed and looked to the Lord for help. The Lord spoke. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s (v 15).

God instructed the people to march against the enemy but not fight. Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah bowed before the Lord and worshipped Him. Others stood and offered praise to the Lord with a loud voice. The next morning they went out to face their enemies. Jehoshaphat stood and encouraged the people to have faith. He then appointed men to sing to the Lord and praise Him saying, Give thanks to the Lord, for His love endures forever (v 21).

When the people sang praises, the Lord set ambushes against their enemies causing them to kill one another. Judah did not have to fight.

Jehoshaphat’s story became my own. Every time I entered this classroom, I felt under attack and didn’t know how to handle the situation. I cried out to the Lord for help and realized the battle belonged to Him. Every day, when I climbed the stairs to this room, I repeated Jehoshaphat’s song of praise. “I thank you Lord, for Your love endures forever.” Within three weeks, the Lord delivered me.

Are you asking if the Lord set ambushes against these three boys and they killed one another? I’m thankful that didn’t happen, but I no longer stressed over the situation. The Lord moved one to another town, expelled another, and sent the third to a different school. God fought my battle, and I continue to praise Him.

What battle are you facing today? Give thanks to the Lord. His love endures forever.