In a world that is going crazy. In a world that is going out of control. In a world where you don’t know from one moment to the next what is going to happen, I have a question for you, “Are you prepared?”
I know that there are many who are probably thinking, “Pastor, I have my mask, I have my gun, I have security cameras, I have ADT installed, I’m as prepared as I think I can be.” My response is, “That’s good, I guess.” But that’s not what I’m talking about. I mean, I have a mask as well. I social distance, when possible. I do all I can to be safe. I also have the privilege to pray for the County Sheriff from time to time. But when I ask if you’re prepared, I’m talking about your soul. Are you prepared?
You see, the Bible says that we don’t know what is going to happen in the next moment. Recently my son and his family took a vacation to Florida. My grandson decided to go “Longboarding.” Well, it didn’t turn out quite like he planned. Actually, it didn’t turn out at all like any of them planned. He fell and they all ended up making a trip to the ER. Long story short, his arm is now in a cast. A few years ago, when Dawn and I were in the process of purchasing our home, the bank would not give us the loan until we had secured insurance. One of the issues was a hole in the roof of the shed. We had the option of tearing the shed down or replacing the roof. We wanted the shed so, replacing the roof was in the cards.
Andrew and I took on the task of tearing the old one off, which was pretty easy because all the wood was rotten and it ALL came off pretty easy. As we were putting the new plywood down, I had not planned on sliding down the plywood and off the roof. However, as I was screwing down a board (to keep me from falling off the roof), I started sliding off the roof and there was nothing stopping me. I actually waved at Andrew on my way down. I fell and broke my leg. Nothing I planned to do.
8 years ago I was walking through the Sanctuary of the church right after lunch and felt like I was having a heart attack. I was short of breath, had a tremendous headache, and thought I was going to pass out. I went to the hospital and had a complete work up. After dealing with symptoms that no one could figure out for 8 years, I was diagnosed with MS. Not anything I had planned, but it happened.
What’s my point? You aren’t guaranteed that you’ll be healthy tomorrow. You aren’t guaranteed that you’ll even be alive in the next few minutes. Here’s what you can be sure of, a relationship with your Heavenly Father. You see, God sent His Son Jesus to die on a cross for you. You can be sure that your sins are forgiven. You can be sure that He loves you so much that He’s willing to take your sin away and place on you the robe of Righteousness. That way when God looks at you He sees Christ’s righteousness. He doesn’t see your sin. That’s what makes you white as snow.
Now, in case you don’t know, there is coming a day when you will meet God face to face. Will you be prepared? There are many who say, “I hope so.” Well, I want you to know that you can KNOW so. If you have a relationship with Jesus, you will be prepared. It all starts by accepting the Gift of Salvation. In 1 John 1:9 it’s written that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us and cleanse us from all sin. In Revelation 3:21 Jesus says that He stands at the door and knocks and anyone who opens the door, He’ll come in. So, here’s my question, “Have you opened the door?” You see, that’s how you become prepared. That’s how you know that you’re ready to meet the Lord. That’s how you know that you have a Hope that built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness.
That doesn’t mean that there won’t be struggles. That doesn’t mean that there won’t be problems. That doesn’t mean that there won’t be trials. It’s does mean that we have One who will go through those with us. As we go through them, He will help us through. He will help us with His strength. He walks with us, He talks with us, He guides us through. When we come through on the other side…we are made more complete and whole lacking nothing. Made more into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ.
Let me leave you with this, “Are you prepared?” If not, get prepared. You never know what your next breath holds.
Be safe, Pastor Rob
