"Are You Prepared?"

Reflections4Life™ December 9, 2018

“Are You Prepared?”

“For you, yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.” 1 Thessalonians 5:2

Scripture Contemplations: Matthew 25; 1 Peter 5:7-9; 2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 3:3 …

©Ruthe McDonald.

How prepared are we for the coming of the Lord? Are we as prepared as we believe we are? If Christ came back for His bride—the church—without a spot or wrinkle, how many of us can say we are ready without second-guessing who we are and the actions we have portrayed over the years. How ready are we when we see in the world, those who call themselves believers, not walking in any of the statutes sanctioned by God, and behaving far removed from the character of Christ?

I decree that this week’s Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart mind and soul. I implore you to spend some quiet and quality time in the presence of God this week. It is time for a heart-check and to know and understand how prepared you are if Christ was to come back right now.

Last week, I had a conversation with my brother about how different the church is then when our mother raised us and the kind of church we were used to and the dedication and love that was present but seem to be missing now. He encountered some men that were truly hurting, just as I encountered some women. They poured out their hearts and expressed a need for someone to pray for them. To really, truly, and sincerely pray for them. My brother and I was were raised and taught to allow the Holy Spirit to lead you, and at times, He admonishes you to pray right then and there no matter where you were or the situation.

As my brother and I continued our conversation, we had concluded that the church was no longer the same. The church now just seemed to be a building where people congregated, instead of “the church”—a body of believers, the bride of Christ—who are following the principles and heart of God and attending to the needs of the sheep and lambs that God has given us charge over. We are not witnessing the love and dedication that we witnessed when our Mom raised us. That element of urgency, unconditional selfless love, that drew people not only to the house of God but also to God with the knowledge that there were healing and acceptance in His house.

How can we know we are prepared for the coming of Christ if we cannot even get through the trials of what we face today? The heaviness; the heartaches, the disappointments all taking its toll on our hearts and minds, rendering us emotionally paralyzed and mentally tired, filled with hopelessness and despair. How prepared can we be if we are not even certain where to go when our hearts are overwhelmed, and we have no leaders to guide, pray, intercede or to teach us the way of the Lord.

We ask where the Church Mothers are of Old. Where are the Intercessors? The ones that would literally shut in the church, fast and pray for everyone—from the Pastor to the visitor that only came on Friends & Fellowship Sunday's for some good food and a piece of pound cake? Where are they? Are they all gone? I want to know because there are some hurting people out here. Grown men and women breaking down in tears, feeling alone and abandoned; not knowing which way to go because the weight of the world is on their shoulders and they just cannot deal with it?

Where are you? I know you are out there somewhere! I know I am not alone! God said He has a remnant in the land. If we are to be prepared for the coming of Christ, then we must start obeying His word and being the church, He called us to be. It's time to step up, make yourself known and begin praying for one another, interceding on behalf of these hurting and despondent hearts. It's time to make the devil run from you! It's time to stand like the Prophet Elijah against Jezebel and Ahab and let God show up and shut the enemy down.

My Beloveds, may the spirit of peace and prosperity find permanent rest in your lives. I decree that every good thing that God has ordained for your life will become evident to you. No more, cave dwelling. No more, fearing the enemy. No more uncertainty. There is power in the Blood of the Lamb. Power in the Name of Jesus. Power in our prayers. It is time for the true church of God to rise up; speak to the dry bones, commanding flesh and life to come back; bringing resuscitation to the body of Christ. You are blessed. Now go … and be a blessing!

©2018. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.