Are We Prepared Spiritually?
Good Morning Friends,
Today we explore the process of preparing a Passover Feast turned into a Wedding Banquet. Today we explore the power of being in the Spirit while still thinking before we act. There are a lot of things the Christian is to prepare for: death, temptation, success and the return of Christ to name a few. We learn that we need to prepare our mind, body and heart to enter the experience. We usually think about preparing for the holidays like Easter and Christmas or a special events like anniversaries or weddings. But are we in a state of mind ready to do our duty? Do we have the right recipe? Are We Prepared Spiritually?
Scripture: And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.
Matthew 25:10 (NRSV)
We are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.
Ephesians 2:10 (NRSV)
Paul wrote, “Think of us in this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of God’s mysteries.”
1 Corinthians 4:1 (NRSV)
Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’
Luke 22:19 (NRSV)
Message: We are baked by trial and tribulation and seasoned and prepared by revelation. Along the way we discover the hidden ingredients of a glaze of the mind of Christ and a marinade in the Holy Spirit. It is the special recipe that God has designed for our sanctification. Here we discover that for those of us who have received some of the mysteries of God, we have a responsibility in truth and with love to share the recipe but also to help prepare others. Henry Ford said, “Before everything else, getting ready is the secret to success.” John F. Kennedy said, “The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining.” Abraham Lincoln said, “If I had six hours to chop down a tree, I’d spend the first hour sharpening the ax.” So maybe we do not have to stay awake nights to succeed. Maybe it is better to stay awake days and seek the Lord. That is the right way and the best way to prepare for anything in life. You see, the Christian walk is designed to prepare us for what is to come.
And there is no substitute for this spiritual preparation. Spiritual preparation equips us for unforeseen crises or opportunities. However, if you are unprepared you will be vulnerable in life’s unexpected events. Here as Christian leaders we are more like managers of behavior and emotions. Now, some of us will not be excited about what I am going to tell you now but I believe it is true that as believers the more we have of the mind of the Lord the less we have and perhaps even want of the things of the world. Still it takes the revelation of faith and grace that gets us an invitation to the Wedding Banquet. I hope you see how, in our preparation, the Holy Spirit is bringing us to spiritual maturity. Here the Holy Spirit is empowering us to share our testimony. Here the Holy Spirit is empowering us to exercise our faith. Here by revelation we are prepared. But the most important thing the Holy Spirit is doing is bringing us the opportunity to receive salvation with the purpose of serving both Christ and others as part of the recipe. The secret ingredient here is helping us gain the mind of Christ. Through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, the mind of Christ is the secret wisdom. The mind of Christ is the hidden wisdom of accountability, preparedness and commitment needed for the secret recipe. So, if you are spiritually prepared when a crisis comes, you will not have to try to develop instantly the quality of relationship with Christ that can sustain you. If you suddenly have an opportunity to share your faith with an unbeliever, you will be equipped to do so. If you enter a time of worship spiritually prepared, you will not miss an encounter with God. If you are spiritually filled when you meet a person in sorrow, you will have much to offer. If you have established safeguards in your life in advance, you will not give in to temptation. Friends, devote yourself to the habit of time with God in the Word. Be prepared spiritually.
Pray our thinking is right so that our doing will be right. Pray that we not resist the Spirit of God. Pray we not ridicule the Holy Spirit that has been placed in us as a down payment for our redemption. Pray we understand that the Holy Spirit is God. Pray that God reveal to us by His Spirit spiritual truths. Pray we resolve to cooperate with the Holy Spirit. Pray we realize we have been freed from the penalty of sin but that we will be judged by our works nevertheless. Pray we realize that our reward is based on what we can accomplish in this life in and through the work of the Holy Spirit. Pray we share the mysteries of love.
Pray
we recognize and adapt to the unique God given characteristics of others so we might help, with the Holy Spirit, to bring to maturity those who are being prepared for just this time. Pray we realize that God has already foreseen and prepared for everything. Pray we never forget to include the secret ingredient of love.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 