Being Prepared

By Bill Brandstatter       After the recent winter weather, we were reminded again of the need to be prepared. People flocked to the store to prepare to be stuck at home because of ice and snow. The Bible is a book that says a lot about preparation. God prepared earth for man to inhabit. Then he prepared a helper for the man. Since that early beginning, God has been preparing. The Psalmist declares: “You prepare a table before me.” (Psa. 23:5) Jesus stated he was going to prepare a place for the faithful to inhabit in John 14:2, 3. God wants us to be prepared as well. Heaven is a prepared place for people who are prepared.     There are a couple of different words used in the New Testament that are translated “prepare.” One word means to be thoroughly ready. One use of this word is found in Mark 1:2-“Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.”’ This is a direct reference to John the Baptist.     The other word that is used means to get ready beforehand. This word is found in Rom. 9:23. There Paul declares, “And that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory.” We need to be thoroughly ready for all that life has to offer and for eternity. We need to be ready since Christ could come back anytime. Jesus said, “Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.” (Matt. 24:42.) Obviously, this statement indicates a need to be ready beforehand. Jesus told of the five foolish and five wise virgins. Five were foolish because they waited too late to trim their lamps. They waited and prepared too late. (Matt. 25:10-12).     Are we prepared? Being prepared for bad weather is important; but being prepared for eternity is even more important. Jesus said, “He that believes and is baptized shall be saved.” (Mark 16:16)

- Bill Brandstatter preaches for the Marion Church of Christ in Marion, IL. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://marionchurchofchrist.com/