Being Ready
We have to be ready for battle, we are in a war, remember that Jesus tells us that
the thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10a) and in (II Corinthians
10:3-6) it says “for though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh. For
the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling
down of strong holds. Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts
itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the
obedience of Christ. And having in a readiness to punish all disobedience, when
your obedience is fulfilled”.
I Peter 5:6-9 says “humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God,
that He may exalt you in due time. Casting all your care upon Him; for He cares for
you. Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion,
walks about, seeking whom he may devour. Whom resist steadfast in the faith,
knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in our brethren that are in the
world”.
Many may ask how to get ready? Paul gives good advice in Ephesians 6:10-18
which says “finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His
might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the
wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against
principalities, against powers, against rulers of the darkness of this world, against
spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take to you the whole armor of
God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to
stand. Stand therefore, having your lions girt about with truth, and having on the
breastplate of righteousness. And your feet shod with the preparation of the
gospel of peace. Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith you shall be able
to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation and
the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Praying always with all prayer
and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereto with all perseverance and
supplication for all saints”. Many people are trying to be strong in their flesh, but
we are told to be strong in the Lord.
We are to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:14-20) “wherefore He says,
awake you that sleep, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light.
See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise. Redeeming the
time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be you not unwise, but understanding
what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess, but be
filled with the Spirit. Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual
songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. Giving thanks always
for all things to God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”.
Remember that “greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world”.
The psalmist said in Psalms 45:1 “my heart is overflows with a good matter; I speak
of the things which I have made touching the king; my tongue is the pen of a ready
writer”. We have been told that there is death and life in the power of the tongue,
and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof (Proverbs 18:21). Jesus tells us in
Matthews 12:37 “for by your words you shall be justified; and by your words you
shall be condemned”. And then in I Peter 3:8-16 it says “finally, be you all of one
mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be humble, be
courteous. Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing, but contrariwise
blessing; knowing that you are thereunto called, that you should inherit a blessing.
For he that love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and
his lips that they speak no guile. Let him run from evil, and do good, let him seek
peace, and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His
ears are open to their prayers, but the face of the Lord is against them that do
evil. And who is he that will harm you, if you be followers of that which is good?
But and if you suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are you and be not afraid of
their terror, neither be troubled. But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and be
ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope
that is in you with meekness and reverence. Having a good conscience; that,
whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely
accuse your good conversation in Christ”.
We are complete in Him (Colossians 2:10), so we have to believe that we are
ready as long as we remain in Him.
Jesus teaches us to be ready by the parables He taught, in Matthew 22:1-8 “and
Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables, and said. The kingdom of
heaven is like to a certain king, which made a marriage for his son. And sent forth
his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding; and they would not
come. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, tell them which are bidden,
behold, I have prepared my diner, my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things
are ready, come to the marriage. But they made light of it, and went their ways,
one to his farm, another to his merchandise. And the remnant took his servants
and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. But when the king heard thereof, he
was angry and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and
burned up their city. Then says he to his servants, the wedding is ready, but they
which were bidden were not worthy”.
In Matthews 24:42-44 Jesus tells us “watch therefore; for you know not what hour
your lord does come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known
in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched and would not have
allowed his house to be broken up. Therefore be you also ready, for in such a
hour as you think not the Son of man comes”.
Also in the parable of the ten virgins (Matthews 25:1-13) “then shall the kingdom of
heaven be likened to ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the
bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were
foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them. But the wise took oil in their
vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and
slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, behold the bridegroom comes; go
you out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And
the foolish said to the wise, give us of your oil, for our lamps are gone out. But the
wise answered, saying, Not so, less there be not enough for us and you, but go
you rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy,
the bridegroom came, and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage;
and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, lord, lord,
open to us. But he answered and said, verily, I say to you, I know you not. Watch
therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of Man
comes”.
The bride of Christ gets ready (Revelation 19:7-8) “let us be glad and rejoice, and
give honor to Him for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife has made
herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen,
clean and white; for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints”.
The Bereans were ready; Paul says about them (Acts 17:11) “these were more
noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness
of mind, and searched the scriptures daily whether those things were so”. They
didn’t just hear the word, they verified it through the scriptures.
Paul encourages Timothy to be ready (II Timothy 4:1-5) “I charge you therefore
before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ; who shall judge the quick and the dead at
His appearing and His kingdom. Preach the word; be ready in season, out of
season; approve, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time
will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall
they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears. And they shall turn away
their ears from the truth, and shall be turned to fables. But watch you in all things,
endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of your ministry”.
Paul tells Titus “looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the
great God, and our Savior Jesus Christ. Who gave Himself for us, that He might
redeem us from all iniquity and purify to Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good
works. These things speak, and exhort and rebuke with all authority, let no man
despise you. Put them in mind to be subject to rulers, and authority, to obey
magistrates, to be ready to every good work. To speak evil of no man, to be no
brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness to all men” (Titus 2:13-3:2).
Let us be like Paul who when he was told that the Jews of Jerusalem would bind
him and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles, he said “then Paul answered,
what mean you to weep and to break mine heart? For I am ready not to be bound
only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 21:13).
We have to contend for the faith (Jude 1:3) “beloved, when I gave all diligence to
write to you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write to you, and
exhort you that you should earnestly contend for the faith which was once
delivered to the saints”.
Good news is that as we walk in the Spirit, the word of God, we can be ready.
Study by: Harriet Bond
Date: September 14, 2010
We have to be ready for battle, we are in a war, remember that Jesus tells us that
the thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10a) and in (II Corinthians
10:3-6) it says “for though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh. For
the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling
down of strong holds. Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts
itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the
obedience of Christ. And having in a readiness to punish all disobedience, when
your obedience is fulfilled”.
I Peter 5:6-9 says “humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God,
that He may exalt you in due time. Casting all your care upon Him; for He cares for
you. Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion,
walks about, seeking whom he may devour. Whom resist steadfast in the faith,
knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in our brethren that are in the
world”.
Many may ask how to get ready? Paul gives good advice in Ephesians 6:10-18
which says “finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His
might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the
wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against
principalities, against powers, against rulers of the darkness of this world, against
spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take to you the whole armor of
God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to
stand. Stand therefore, having your lions girt about with truth, and having on the
breastplate of righteousness. And your feet shod with the preparation of the
gospel of peace. Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith you shall be able
to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation and
the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Praying always with all prayer
and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereto with all perseverance and
supplication for all saints”. Many people are trying to be strong in their flesh, but
we are told to be strong in the Lord.
We are to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:14-20) “wherefore He says,
awake you that sleep, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light.
See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise. Redeeming the
time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be you not unwise, but understanding
what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess, but be
filled with the Spirit. Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual
songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. Giving thanks always
for all things to God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”.
Remember that “greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world”.
The psalmist said in Psalms 45:1 “my heart is overflows with a good matter; I speak
of the things which I have made touching the king; my tongue is the pen of a ready
writer”. We have been told that there is death and life in the power of the tongue,
and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof (Proverbs 18:21). Jesus tells us in
Matthews 12:37 “for by your words you shall be justified; and by your words you
shall be condemned”. And then in I Peter 3:8-16 it says “finally, be you all of one
mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be humble, be
courteous. Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing, but contrariwise
blessing; knowing that you are thereunto called, that you should inherit a blessing.
For he that love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and
his lips that they speak no guile. Let him run from evil, and do good, let him seek
peace, and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His
ears are open to their prayers, but the face of the Lord is against them that do
evil. And who is he that will harm you, if you be followers of that which is good?
But and if you suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are you and be not afraid of
their terror, neither be troubled. But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and be
ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope
that is in you with meekness and reverence. Having a good conscience; that,
whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely
accuse your good conversation in Christ”.
We are complete in Him (Colossians 2:10), so we have to believe that we are
ready as long as we remain in Him.
Jesus teaches us to be ready by the parables He taught, in Matthew 22:1-8 “and
Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables, and said. The kingdom of
heaven is like to a certain king, which made a marriage for his son. And sent forth
his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding; and they would not
come. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, tell them which are bidden,
behold, I have prepared my diner, my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things
are ready, come to the marriage. But they made light of it, and went their ways,
one to his farm, another to his merchandise. And the remnant took his servants
and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. But when the king heard thereof, he
was angry and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and
burned up their city. Then says he to his servants, the wedding is ready, but they
which were bidden were not worthy”.
In Matthews 24:42-44 Jesus tells us “watch therefore; for you know not what hour
your lord does come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known
in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched and would not have
allowed his house to be broken up. Therefore be you also ready, for in such a
hour as you think not the Son of man comes”.
Also in the parable of the ten virgins (Matthews 25:1-13) “then shall the kingdom of
heaven be likened to ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the
bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were
foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them. But the wise took oil in their
vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and
slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, behold the bridegroom comes; go
you out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And
the foolish said to the wise, give us of your oil, for our lamps are gone out. But the
wise answered, saying, Not so, less there be not enough for us and you, but go
you rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy,
the bridegroom came, and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage;
and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, lord, lord,
open to us. But he answered and said, verily, I say to you, I know you not. Watch
therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of Man
comes”.
The bride of Christ gets ready (Revelation 19:7-8) “let us be glad and rejoice, and
give honor to Him for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife has made
herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen,
clean and white; for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints”.
The Bereans were ready; Paul says about them (Acts 17:11) “these were more
noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness
of mind, and searched the scriptures daily whether those things were so”. They
didn’t just hear the word, they verified it through the scriptures.
Paul encourages Timothy to be ready (II Timothy 4:1-5) “I charge you therefore
before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ; who shall judge the quick and the dead at
His appearing and His kingdom. Preach the word; be ready in season, out of
season; approve, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time
will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall
they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears. And they shall turn away
their ears from the truth, and shall be turned to fables. But watch you in all things,
endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of your ministry”.
Paul tells Titus “looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the
great God, and our Savior Jesus Christ. Who gave Himself for us, that He might
redeem us from all iniquity and purify to Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good
works. These things speak, and exhort and rebuke with all authority, let no man
despise you. Put them in mind to be subject to rulers, and authority, to obey
magistrates, to be ready to every good work. To speak evil of no man, to be no
brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness to all men” (Titus 2:13-3:2).
Let us be like Paul who when he was told that the Jews of Jerusalem would bind
him and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles, he said “then Paul answered,
what mean you to weep and to break mine heart? For I am ready not to be bound
only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 21:13).
We have to contend for the faith (Jude 1:3) “beloved, when I gave all diligence to
write to you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write to you, and
exhort you that you should earnestly contend for the faith which was once
delivered to the saints”.
Good news is that as we walk in the Spirit, the word of God, we can be ready.
Study by: Harriet Bond
Date: September 14, 2010
