Disaster Training

Disaster Training

Revelation 9: ⁷ The locusts looked like horses ready for battle; on their heads they had what seemed to be crowns of gold, and their faces were like human faces. ⁸ Their hair was like women's hair, their teeth were like lions' teeth. ⁹ Their chests were covered with what looked like iron breastplates, and the sound made by their wings was like the noise of many horse-drawn chariots rushing into battle. ¹⁰ They have tails and stings like those of a scorpion, and it is with their tails that they have the power to hurt people for five months. ¹¹ They have a king ruling over them, who is the angel in charge of the abyss. His name in Hebrew is Abaddon; in Greek the name is Apollyon (meaning “The Destroyer”).

 

¹² The first horror is over; after this there are still two more horrors to come.

 

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Working in a building with several floors came with its challenges. One challenge was addressing “What would happen if a storm hit the building?” We were given instructions to follow by the disaster leaders.

 

• We had to understand what to do and where to go during a disaster.
• Somehow, the disaster leaders needed to recognize when a disaster hit and know what to do.
• Knowing how long the disaster drill would take, helped me plan the rest of my day.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, continued his description of the horror that would take place after the fifth angel blew his trumpet. He went into detail, describing the locusts as best he could because he had never seen anything like it. He also was given the duration that the locusts would be able to cause pain.

 

My Observations:

• It seems like GOD is preparing the people HE gave a seal on their foreheads, to recognize a supernatural disaster and to also know how long it will last.
• It also seems like those who are sealed by GOD will have an important role during the supernatural disaster.
• As with all disasters, this supernatural disaster could not be averted, rather prepared for.

 

Preparation helps. I mean, when I can prepare for difficult times, it makes it easier for me to go through the unpleasant situation. GOD seems to love preparing you and me for what HE is going to do. The problem is believing HE will do what HE says.

 

GOD has told us HE loves faith. JESUS got excited when faith was shown, even in its smallest way. HE also said “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” HE means these words to those who believe in JESUS as the Savior from the judgement HE “will” do on Satan’s kingdom. Those who believe can find comfort, knowing they will not have to experience GOD’s wrath.

 

Challenge

• Does the writer seem overwhelmed by what was shown?
• Have you ever been in a disaster drill?
• Have you ever been in a situation that was devastating and were not prepared for it?
• Will you read what GOD has revealed so you can be prepared for the remainder of your life by surrendering your life to JESUS today?

More Prepared Than You Think

 

More Prepared Than You Think

1 Timothy 4: ¹¹ Give them these instructions and these teachings. ¹² Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but be an example for the believers in your speech, your conduct, your love, faith, and purity. ¹³ Until I come, give your time and effort to the public reading of the Scriptures and to preaching and teaching. ¹⁴ Do not neglect the spiritual gift that is in you, which was given to you when the prophets spoke and the elders laid their hands on you. ¹⁵ Practice these things and devote yourself to them, in order that your progress may be seen by all. ¹⁶ Watch yourself and watch your teaching. Keep on doing these things, because if you do, you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

 

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Worried about my young age and lack of experience, I stayed awake at night preparing for the class I had to teach. I was going to be in front of experienced people and I only had training. The person who was training me must have seen the look of dread on my face. “Just be yourself” were the words used to help me calm down.

 

• I was nervous about what I would say.
• I didn’t want to mess up.
• I felt that everyone was “above” me and I was inexperienced.

 

Paul gives Timothy words of encouragement. Timothy may have felt nervous about his age or experience teaching. He was about to teach a very controversial subject and had a right to be nervous. Paul gives him advice to keep him focused on the primary goal, salvation.

 

My Observations

• I may get nervous when GOD calls me to do something new that I do not have experience in.
• I may get tempted to talk myself out of doing what GOD wants me to do even when HE has gifted me in doing so,
• I must stay focused on the ultimate goal, namely salvation because my life and others depend on it.

 

Feeling unprepared and unworthy seem to go with the territory of speaking about JESUS. I mean, if I were to compare myself to experienced people who speak, teach and preach about JESUS, I would shy away from doing so. BUT GOD wants me to reach specific people with my style.

 

Practice makes perfect so I need to get out and “be an example”, sometimes making mistakes. Careful attention needs to be had with GOD’s word so I must watch myself and align my thinking to GOD’s Word. I am glad HE stretches me and overlooks my mistakes as I grow.

 

Challenge

• How do you think Timothy felt?
• Do you think the writer was trying to encourage him to keep going?
• Have you ever felt unprepared or unworthy to speak about JESUS?
• Will you be yourself and use the gifts GOD has given you to express the love of CHRIST today?

Internal Bootcamp

Internal Bootcamp

1 Timothy 3: ⁸ Church helpers must also have a good character and be sincere; they must not drink too much wine or be greedy for money; ⁹ they should hold to the revealed truth of the faith with a clear conscience. ¹⁰ They should be tested first, and then, if they pass the test, they are to serve. ¹¹ Their wives (or Women helpers) also must be of good character and must not gossip; they must be sober and honest in everything. ¹² A church helper must have only one wife,(or married once) and be able to manage his children and family well. ¹³ Those helpers who do their work well win for themselves a good standing and are able to speak boldly about their faith in Christ Jesus.

 

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Seeing the issues management faced, I thought of things that could have been done better.  I voiced my suggestions, only to have them be met with “maybe later.” But then I was put into management and as the fires raced at me, someone had a suggestion that had nothing to do with my current blaze. “Maybe later” was my response.

 

• I was not prepared for the problems.
• I was not prepared for the responsibility.
• I was not prepared for the issues that would suddenly arise while maintaining the day to day.

 

Paul gives Timothy a list to help people get prepared versus being judged or graded. Since no one was perfect and many people would fail the list, it was easier to point people towards areas to work on internally. If people were willing to do this, they would “do their work well.”

 

My Observations

• GOD doesn’t need me to be perfect before I give my life to HIM.
• I have to recognize that I am not perfect and I need to prepare for larger responsibilities.
• Being prepared may take sincerity, good character, a sober mind, lack of greed, no gossip, honesty, family management and holding to the revealed truth of JESUS with faith.

 

Is this a long list? Yes! But I believe it is not a list for one to observe and judge a person on the worthiness of servanthood, rather “get ready!” Get ready for the things that the enemy will throw at you when you say “Yes” to GOD’s calling. The Devil will throw temptation after temptation after temptation and will not relent. Test yourselves in areas you can easily fall to be ready. I am glad GOD prepares you and me.

 

Challenge

• Are you prepared for the next level of service?
• Have you faced the same temptations, issues or problems over and over?
• Will you accept GOD’s calling to serve and become prepared so you can help others become prepared today?

Know It’s Coming

Ephesians 6: ¹⁰ Finally, build up your strength in union with the Lord and by means of his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on all the armor that God gives you, so that you will be able to stand up against the Devil's evil tricks. ¹² For we are not fighting against human beings but against the wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly world, the rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers of this dark age. ¹³ So put on God's armor now! Then when the evil day comes, you will be able to resist the enemy's attacks; and after fighting to the end, you will still hold your ground.

 

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After moving in the house and getting all the furniture situated, we finally settled in. It was summer, so we planted flowers. I was given a lawnmower so I could cut the grass. But then winter hit. The snow came and I found myself without a shovel.

 

• I was unprepared for the season.
• I was focused only on one season, but ill prepared for another.
• I was caught off guard and found it difficult to react to the season.

 

“Build up your strength” is Paul’s warning to everyone. He had personally suffered for the purpose of spreading the love of CHRIST. People twisting his love and devaluing his motive led to extreme actions that stemmed from Satanic attacks. There was a remedy.

 

My Observations

• Unite with the LORD is the first thing GOD wants me to do.
• Put on GOD’s armor is a step HE wants me to take to become prepared for the “Devil’s evil tricks.”
• Resist the enemy’s attacks is the part of the battle GOD wants me to participate in.

 

Prepare yourself is a tough statement to hear. I mean, it’s easier to fight things and people we cannot see. We try to make sense out of the world through labels so we can understand. But life is messy because of one being, namely Satan. He wants to trick people who are not prepared and attacks those who have grown weary.

 

BUT GOD is there to help. HE provides peace in the middle of the storm. When the focus is on GOD, the waves of life die down because of HIS mighty power. All issues must bow to GOD’s authority. I gladly put on HIS armor now!

 

Challenge

• What is the true fight the writer is speaking of?
• Have you grown weary of all the battles you have faced in life?
• Will you stop fighting with your own strength, thinking you can come up with the answer and allow GOD to heal your situation, knowing you may be attacked, yet will emerge through the fire victoriously!?

Lessons for Readiness

Lessons for Readiness

John 16: “These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. ² They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. ³ And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me. ⁴ But these things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them.

“And these things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you.

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In the book it said to keep a few stick matches in a dry place. I remembered this when an emergency happened and the leader had to take one of us to the hospital. “Stay here and make a fire in the fire area to stay warm.” They sped off in the rain. I did not have any matches and besides, the wood was wet. I was not ready.

• There were times when I felt unprepared for life.
• There were times when I did not heed the words to get me prepared.
• There were times when I had to go through difficult circumstances in order to be prepared.

JESUS tells HIS disciples four “things” to prepare them. HE did not want HIS disciples to be unprepared for the difficulties they would face. HE does the same for me.

• JESUS wants me to follow HIS commands so I will not stumble.
• JESUS wants me to know that some church leaders will harm me, thinking they are following GOD, but really are not.
• JESUS wants me to understand the HOLY SPIRIT will bring to remembrance what JESUS taught me.
• JESUS wants me to believe that HE is with me always.

Growing up in belief of JESUS can be difficult. I mean sometimes I expect life to be easy, with no problems at all. BUT GOD warns me that problems will come from unexpected places, some that I expect to be safe. As humans try to make sense out of life, mislabeling the symptoms, GOD shines even brighter.

HE strengthens those who follows HIM and prepares us for life’s difficulties. This give me hope and dexterity that would otherwise cause me to crumble and give up. JESUS is my power and I am elated HE fights my battles.

• Do you try things on your own and find yourself in a mess?
• Have you looked at your life and see nothing but problems?
• Will you give your life to JESUS so HE can strengthen you to believe HE will handle your battles?

Being Prepared

Luke 22: ³⁵ Then Jesus asked them, ‘When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?’

‘Nothing,’ they answered.

³⁶ He said to them, ‘But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. ³⁷ It is written: “And he was numbered with the transgressors”; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfilment.’

³⁸ The disciples said, ‘See, Lord, here are two swords.’

‘That’s enough!’ he replied.

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“Who is in charge?” the person entered the room flustered. The people pointed at me and I had to handle the situation. This was my convention and I was responsible for whatever happened. Days prior to the convention, I only prepared for what would go right. I was mistaken.

• Many times I have not been prepared for problems.
• Many times I thought life would be smooth with no rough edges.
• Many times I thought everything should go my way, not the other way.

JESUS brings reality to the disciples by telling them the situation was about to change drastically. HE knew HE was about to be handed over to the church leaders and the government. JESUS would no longer be right there physically to protect them and HE implores them to be prepared.

• GOD wants me to be ready to face difficult situations.
• GOD wants me to understand that life’s situations can be difficult.
• GOD wants me to know HE is still with me through the pains and troubles of life.

Pain, torture and death was JESUS’ destiny and HE wanted HIS disciples to be prepared to take over the message HE easily spoke. HE wants me to do the same. GOD knows that I will face the difficulties of life BUT HE wants me to face them with HIM as my guide. GOD is my protection.

• Are you prepared to face difficulty and trouble?
• Do you easily cave in to the troubles of life?
• Will you ask GOD for strength to go through difficulty so you won’t turn away from HIM today?

Ready

Luke 12: ³⁵ “Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; ³⁶ and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately. ³⁷ Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them.³⁸ And if he should come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. ³⁹ But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. ⁴⁰ Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

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After the meeting I scheduled another meeting as a follow up to make sure I understood everything. I was being left “in charge” for the short period and I wanted to make sure I understood everything that was going on. During the follow-up meeting I was asked “Are you sure you are ready for this?” “Absolutely” I answered.

• Many times I had to prepare.
• Many times I had to sit and wait for the unknown.
• Many times I had to be confident that something may occur at a moment’s notice.

JESUS says some confusing words to HIS disciples. HE spoke in a parable like tone and told them to be ready for the master’s return. Ready for what? I mean what should I be doing?

• GOD says to me “Prepare yourself daily by speaking to ME.”
• GOD says to me “Seek the kingdom everyday and you will be prepared.”
• GOD says to me “Your life is mine so be prepared to be with ME eternally.”

More and more responsibility is what GOD wants to give me. HE understands my limits and will only give me as much as I can handle. If I as ready as a child then I may not be given much responsibility for GOD’s kingdom. But if I am growing in GOD then HE will help me prepare myself and others for what HE has in store. GOD wants me to be ready daily.

• What are you preparing for?
• Are you preparing to be accepted by humans more and more?
• Can you take some time to prepare yourself for GOD’s kingdom by seeking those HE wants you to seek today?

It’s Gonna Rain

Luke 6: ⁴⁶ “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? ⁴⁷ As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. ⁴⁸ They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. ⁴⁹ But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”

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“I think it’s going to rain” I said to my parents. “Can I please wear my new raincoat?” I begged. They said “Yes” so I ran outside and prepared for the downpour. It was a sunny hot day and I was the only one wearing a bright yellow raincoat on the schoolyard. I took embarrassingly took it off when I was teased.  

When school was over, I “forgot” the coat. The next day it rained. “Where is your coat?” my parents asked.

• There have been times when I tried to follow the rules.
• There were times when I tried to play it safe.
• There were times when I tried to be prepared but was not.

JESUS gives a lesson that sounds a bit harsh, but was actually done in love. HE talks about being prepared for difficult times by following HIS words. Those who put them into action will be able to endure tough times, but those who do not will fall to pieces when the storms of life blow.

• GOD says to me “Follow MY Son because I AM please with HIM.”
• GOD says to me “Be strong and place your faith in ME.”
• GOD says to me “Be like a tree planted by the water’s edge.”

I can question GOD’s intent for having storms, but will be met with more questions than answers. HE does, however, tell me to be prepared for the storms. HE wants me to put on prayer, peace, faith, righteousness, salvation and the SPIRIT as my protection. I may fall to sin, but I am lifted up by the ONE who forgives me.

• Are you ready for the storms of life?
• Are you being blown around by the problems life brings?
• Can you stop trying human tactics and look to GOD to strengthen you “through” the storm of life?

Fill Up and Go

Luke 1: ⁷⁶ “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest;
For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways,
⁷⁷ To give knowledge of salvation to His people
By the remission of their sins,
⁷⁸ Through the tender mercy of our God,
With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us;
⁷⁹ To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death,
To guide our feet into the way of peace.”

⁸⁰ So the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.

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“I have to go to the bathroom” I exclaimed. Not knowing if the time was convenient or not, the feeling just came over me. We had to pull over on the side of the dark unlit road. I was terrified! When we got back in the car and started going I said “I’m hungry, are we there yet?”

• There were times when I was not prepared to go down the road.
• There were times when I did not want to be on the road.
• There were times when I just wanted to be at the destination rather than going down the road.

Zacharias declared John would fill up on the knowledge of the LORD and go to those who ignored GOD’s grace. John would have a long road to travel so his preparation had to come from GOD directly. He grew and became strong in the SPIRIT so any obstruction in the road would not deter him.

• GOD says to me “Go before the face of the LORD.”
• GOD says to me “Give knowledge of salvation to MY people.”
• GOD says to me “Give light to those who sit in darkness and guide everyone into the way of peace.”

Being unprepared for the twists and turns of life may put me in a dangerous situation, sitting on the side of a dark road cowering in fear. BUT GOD wants me to be prepared for life. HE wants me to seek HIS face and understand that I am not alone but HE is with me, guiding me to HE sends me to. HIS message is simple “MY mercy is tender and MY love endures forever.”

• Are you prepared for life?
• Do you still react to life’s difficulties with pouting like a child?
• Can you ask GOD to help you grow and to become strong in the SPIRIT?

Shut Door

Matthew 25: “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. ² Five of them were foolish and five were wise. ³ The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. ⁴ The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. ⁵ The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

⁶ “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’

⁷ “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. ⁸ The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’

⁹ “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’

¹⁰ “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

¹¹ “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’

¹² “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’

¹³ “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

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“Where did I put my keys?” I asked myself frantically. It seemed like it took forever to find them! I sped off only to hit some unanticipated traffic near the parking lot. One novice in front of me could not figure out how to simply get the ticket to enter the lot. “Come on!” I screamed in my car. I ran to the gate only to see them shut the door of the plane. My boss was on that plane.

• There have been times I was not prepared.
• There have been days when I made costly mistake with my time.
• There have been situations that I did not anticipate and found out I was left behind.

Preparing for the next day got introduced to me the hard way when I missed that plane, but what about preparing for the “next life?” JESUS tells a story that implies HIS return would take a long time and many would “fall asleep” instead of being prepared.

• GOD wants me to be prepared to tell people about HIS SON on a daily basis.
• GOD wants me to be prepared to die and see HIS face every day.
• GOD wants me to be prepared for JESUS to return so I need to serve people on a daily basis.

“I will serve GOD after I ” is a crazy thought. I will never have enough money, time or health to serve GOD, so why not do it now! GOD wants me when I am busy, distracted and worried. HE wants me to see life’s delays as opportunities to pray for those around me. I should always be prepared!

• Are you prepared to see GOD today?
• Are you prepared to answer questions about JESUS if someone asked you about your relationship with HIM?
• Are you prepared to die and live an eternal life with, or worse, without GOD?

News Ahead of Time

Matthew 24: ¹⁵ “So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand— ¹⁶ then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. ¹⁷ Let no one on the housetop go down to take anything out of the house. ¹⁸ Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak. ¹⁹ How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! ²⁰ Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. ²¹ For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again.

²² “If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. ²³ At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. ²⁴ For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. ²⁵ See, I have told you ahead of time.

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“You better make some calls” a friend told me. The company was about to go through a reorganization which is a fancy word for firing people at random. I was prepared. I made a few calls and secured a position!

• I have been blessed to have warnings I could react to in enough time.
• I have been blessed to see things coming that I could be prepared for.
• I have been blessed to hear the words of warning so I could ask for help before it was too late!

JESUS warns me about HIS imminent return but am I listening? I mean HIS description of HIS return does not sound too inviting if I were to actually read what HE is saying. False saviors, false prophets and the Anti-Christ were spoken about in JESUS’s message to the disciples and me. What should I be doing?

• GOD says to me “Have enough compassion for the world so they will not go through this horrible time.”
• GOD says to me “Prepare people for MY return on a daily basis.”
• GOD says to me “I have told you ahead of time so do the same for others.”

Instead of complaining about the leadership I need to pray for those around me to not be dullened by rhetoric of society. JESUS gives me full warning of the things that are to come. Its up to me to heed those warnings.

• What do you talk about daily?
• Do you find yourself in discussions that are about today’s leaders?
• Can you stop focusing on empty discussions and open your mouth for GOD today?

Getting Prepared

Daniel 7: ²⁵ He will speak against the Most High and oppress his holy people and try to change the set times and the laws. The holy people will be delivered into his hands for a time, times and half a time.

²⁶ “‘But the court will sit, and his power will be taken away and completely destroyed forever. ²⁷ Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be handed over to the holy people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him.’

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“Where is my phone?” I asked myself as I looked around the house frantically. When I found it I had to ask a similar question, “Where are my keys?” I retraced my steps and found my keys on top of a chest of drawers where I had laid them down to find my phone. That day did not make me feel prepared.

• Sometimes I do not feel prepared for what is coming.
• Sometimes I do not feel prepared for the many situations that will pop up in a given day.
• Sometimes I do not feel prepared for many of life’s happenings.

After losing these same items a few more times, I decided to be prepared. I would locate my keys and phone before I went to bed and put them in the same place, this way when I left for work, there they were. I wonder If GOD is the same way? I mean, do I need to get prepared for something of HIS? Yes!

• GOD says to me “Keep watch, for you do not know the day or the hour.”
• GOD says to me “No one knows the day or the hour of MY return.”
• GOD says to me “I WILL come like a thief in the night, so be prepared”

How can I be prepared for something that has been looming for thousands of years? GOD wants me to communicate with HIM on a daily basis so I will not be surprised. Each day as I read and pray, I get prepared for JESUS’s return. HIS kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, free of politics and full of HIS love and peace. I look forward to those times immensely.

• Are you looking forward to CHRIST’s return or are you too distracted?
• Will you continue to focus in on your distractions of will you start looking for CHRIST daily?
• Can you start looking for GOD’s kingdom by giving HIM your worries daily?
• Will you start getting prepared by helping your neighbor?

Feeling Unprepared

1 Samuel 13: ¹⁹ Not a blacksmith could be found in the whole land of Israel, because the Philistines had said, “Otherwise the Hebrews will make swords or spears!” ²⁰ So all Israel went down to the Philistines to have their plow points, mattocks, axes and sickles sharpened. ²¹ The price was two-thirds of a shekel for sharpening plow points and mattocks, and a third of a shekel for sharpening forks and axes and for repointing goads.

²² So on the day of the battle not a soldier with Saul and Jonathan had a sword or spear in his hand; only Saul and his son Jonathan had them.

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After filling out a mountain of paper I was now an employee. I was actually making real money! My celebration didn’t last because my boss began asking me questions that I couldn’t answer. I felt so unprepared. Everyone else around me had received proper training from some great institutions. I on the other hand barely made it out after being kicked out twice. “How will I succeed?” I thought to myself with dread.

• When I look at my tools compared to others I feel inadequate.
• When I look at my resources compared to others I feel under-dressed.
• When I look at my help compared to others I feel unsure.

Sometimes I have been in situations where I felt I was clinging to a floating tree in the middle of the ocean. Inadequate resources, pitiful tools and no help in sight made me feel like I was unprepared to face the battle. BUT GOD says something different.

• GOD says to me “Be still and know that I am GOD.”
• GOD says to me “MY yoke is easy and MY burden is light.”
• GOD says to me “I will be with you even unto the end of the world.”

GOD wants me to rely on HIS power and might. HE desires that I come to HIM when I feel inadequate, overwhelmed or plain old scared. HE understands that I will have fear, but I shouldn’t let the fear consume me. HE says “Trust in ME” and when I do, my fears go away and it ALWAYS works out the way GOD intended.

• Do you have fear?
• Are you adding fear to the situation?
• Can you stop looking at what you have and look at what GOD has?
• Won’t you begin seeking HIS kingdom instead of fretting about this one?