Prepare...

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JESUS' MINISTRY IN JERUSALEM

Mark 13:32-37

No One Knows the Day or Hour

32 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. 34 It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. 35 Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning— 36 lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. 37 And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!”


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When Jesus said that even He did not know the time of the end, He was affirming His humanity.  When Jesus became a man, He voluntarily gave up the unlimited use of His divine attributes.  The emphasis of this verses, has been a common thread this month; THIS IS THE TIME TO PREPARE.  Our lives are ground for preparation.  No one on this earth knows when that Day is coming but the Father.  No one can predict by Scripture or science the exact day of Jesus' return.  Jesus is teaching us, that PREPARATION, not calculation, is needed from us.
Months of planning go into a wedding, the birth of a baby, a speaking engagement, buying a house, celebrating a birthday sometimes...

Do you place the same importance on preparing for Christ's return, the most important event in your life?

Its results will last for eternity.  This information isn't here to scare you, but to help you put things into a godly perspective.  We have to realize that God's perspective doesn't come naturally to anyone.  We have to seek it, and strive to live from that perspective; which will be different from what we have learned from the world in ALL ways.  Do not postpone your preparations because you do not know when His return will occur.  The time we have on this earth is meant for exactly this; we are the "servants" in the verses above.  God, our Master, has given us each authority to do the work He has assigned us to do.  Some of us live as if the Master isn't coming back.  The Truth is He is, but what will He find?

The way to prepare is to study God's Word.  This includes going to church service  (for many reasons, but concerning only what we're talking about today) to learn when we're able to go; as much as it includes studying it on our own and in fellowship with others outside of the church walls.  Now, if you're not learning anything at the service you attend - you're either not listening OR you need to find another place of worship.  Simple as that.  It doesn't mean to give up on attending altogether.  We are called to be planted in a house of God, but not just for the sake of being planted.  We should be learning and equipping ourselves to bring the Word into every area of our lives and the people in them.

The way to prepare is to live by its instructions each day.

If we commit to doing this, not just when we feel like it, and not just when we're at "ground zero" - but EACH and EVERY SECOND of our EVERY DAY;  Well, then we will be ready.  Even though we will not know the day and time, we will have made the commitment to live and prepare ourselves.  Jesus will not catch us off guard!



PRAYER:  WE GIVE THANKS TO YOU, LORD, AND CALL ON YOUR NAME; THE LORD ALMIGHTY.  WE CALL ON YOUR NAME TO PREPARE US LORD.  TO PLANT, RESTORE, EMPOWER EACH AS THEY NEED, THE WILL TO SEEK YOUR WORD.  TO LEARN YOUR WORD.  NOT JUST TO QUOTE CHAPTERS AND VERSES; BUT TO ACTUALLY APPLY IT TO OUR LIVES.  TO LIVE IT AND KNOW IT'S POWER.  WE REBUKE ALL ATTEMPTS TO MISUSE YOUR WORD.  LET THE REDEEMED OF THE LORD SAY SO!  MAY YOUR SPIRIT CONTINUE TO HAVE HIS WAY IN DIRECTING US TO THE RIGHT TEACHERS.  LET YOUR SPIRIT HAVE HIS WAY IN REVELATION AT THE RIGHT TIMES.  LET YOUR SPIRIT HAVE HIS WAY LORD.  LET US NOT SEEK WHAT WE'RE NOT CALLED TO KNOW; BUT SEE CLEARLY THE PERSPECTIVE OF OUR MIGHTY GOD, AND NOT THAT OF THIS WORLD.  IN THE NAME OF JESUS, MAY EACH PERSON SPEAKING THIS PRAYER INTO THEIR LIFE TODAY BE FOREVER CHANGED.  THE SIZE OF THE CHANGE DOESN'T MATTER, BUT MAY IT IMPACT OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU IN ALL WAYS THAT PREPARES THEM FOR YOUR COMING DAY.  AMEN