Be Prepared

I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when He appears to set up His Kingdom: Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths. But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don't be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you. 2 Timothy 4:1-5

Be prepared…as Paul taught the Ephesians that in putting on the armor of Christ we have to know God’s Word, the Good News, so that we are prepared. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. Ephesians 6:15. In addition, be prepared with what you can say to others about God—about Christ and how He is working in your life.

Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don't worry or be afraid of their threats. Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. 1 Peter 3:13-16  

What will you say about God’s Word?

For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, will multiply teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear something new. 2 Timothy 4:3 HCSB.

It is important for each of us to understand Jesus’ teaching thoroughly—not just the “Jesus Loves Me” song level—but the deep “love your neighbor as yourself” and humbling ourselves before the Lord in repentance and submission doctrine. We have to be able to apply His Word to our lives. Don’t look for something new—some new teaching or bright new theology from a book other than the Bible. Jesus taught that there will be false prophets who will try to deceive us. For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform great signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God's chosen ones. Matthew 24:24.

Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world. This is how we know if they have the Spirit of God: If a person claiming to be a prophet acknowledges that Jesus Christ came in a real body, that person has the Spirit of God. But if someone claims to be a prophet and does not acknowledge the truth about Jesus, that person is not from God. Such a person has the spirit of the Antichrist, which you heard is coming into the world and indeed is already here. 1 John 4:1-3.

Be wise about what you think, say and do to honor the Lord. Who are you relying upon to teach you about the Bible? Are you reading it for yourself? Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive His approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15  

Are you prepared?

Prayer ~ Lord, give us wisdom to understand Your Word and You more deeply and to apply it to our lives. May we be prepared to tell others about You and the impact You have in our lives, daily.

Happy Birthday to Jane!

May God continue to bless you as you seek and serve Him daily

© 2016 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

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