Define ready...

[george]

Just the other day @ work I was talking with one of the deputy sherriffs @ work and we were talking about all this stuff going on in the world, and I mention how close apart that these events were taking place, anything to strike a conversation to open up a chance to share the gosple.

anyway he said that- their are a lot of people who are not ready, then mention that he did not really know what it meant to be ready. except to try to do the best you can...then I told him that you just have to put your trust in God alone from anything else and not depend on yourself. he was working in court that day. so I didn't get to go into alot of details.

But it got me to thinking,I've heard ppl say on various ocassion especially after a death or some tragic event...ppl will often say...you just got to be ready. my question is...do you hear this alot? and what is your response when you hear ppl say? how would you answer this question if you are ask?

 

[paulnoel]

Hi George, My answer would be "Yes you have to be ready, but there are a lot of people who just don't know what lays beyond deaths door, but I as a Christian beleive that there is a better life after death than I could ever imagine"

I would then invite them to look in to what it means to be a Christian and how to become a Christian. And if the timeing was not right I would wait a couple of weeks or so then take them some light reading IE small booklet on the Gospel.

We must however remember God use's us all in differant ways to reach the lost and at the end of the day if you pray about it, God will give you the wisdom to use the right methods.

God bless you George.
Paul.

 

[formykidsiwill]

ppl will often say...you just got to be ready. my question is...do you hear this alot? and what is your response when you hear ppl say? how would you answer this question if you are ask?

Yes, I hear that a lot. My response to that makes me think is there anything I would do if I knew today was my last day on earth. One, I would make sure I 've told everyone I love that I love them. One thing I've learned in my life is family is what matters. I've wasted a lot of time on other things, or searching for some kind of answer to "lifes great question" and that's what I've found matters. I do believe I've lived my life the best I could, although ofcourse I'd change things if I could go back, but I am ready to meet God, as ready as I'll ever be, I guess. I am not pleased totally with myself, but as I said, I do the best I can for the moment. However, I do know this nothing in this world matters more then love and family.

Blessings,

 

[wayfaring man]

Greetings george , and all ,

The way to confirm what being " ready " really means is to consult Scripture , by doing a " word search " , or even by recalling passages strictly from memory .

Here's a sample -

And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;
And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.
Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.
And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.
And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.
Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.
Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all?
And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?
Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.
But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;
The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.
And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. <-----> Luke 12:29-48

From this Passage we can see that being " ready " involves -

1. Having our priorities ordered aright .

" But rather seek ye the kingdom of God "

2. Having our fear overcome by being " rooted and grounded in Christ Love " ( See Ephesians 3:17 & 1st John 4:18 )

" Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom "

3. Being free from worldly covetous , and strong in Charity .

" Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth "

4. Having our body's under subjection , with a good conscience towards God .

" Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning "

5. Patiently hoping / waiting on The Promises of God ; specifically regarding Christ's Glorious Return ; being always attentive to the hearing of His Voice / His Appeal , for us to accomodate His Word / His Will / His Presence .

" And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately "

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If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. <-----> 1st Timothy 4:6

He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.
And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation. <-----> Isaiah 25:8+9

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. <-----> Isaiah 26:3

And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. <-----> Isaiah 35:10

He who is ready to endure , is also he who is ready to rejoice !

Praise God ! Thankyou Jesus !

wm

 

[JPPT1974]

It means to be prepared
No matter where life
Takes you!