July 17th, 2023
by Gerald Hawk
by Gerald Hawk
We must take inventory of our lives because it is important to gauge what has been spent and what we need to stock up on for the future. It is vital to have some reserves before we come up empty at some future crisis-point. It is too late when the hurricane is upon us to gather buy the generator, water for consumption, or batteries for the flashlights.
Likewise, where are we becoming depleted in our resources spiritually? Is there a lack in our desire for the water of the Word, and the consumption of it in reading, studying and memorizing it? Jesus met a crisis when tempted by the Devil with an overflow of the Word of God. Three times he met Satan's attacks with "it is written" or "it is said" (interestingly, Jesus could state, “it is said" because He was present when it was spoken and heard it firsthand). In other words, our Lord was intimately acquainted with the Scriptures, and they were absorbed into every fiber of His life (Matthew 4:3-11; Luke 4:12).
Have we recharged our batteries in prayer lately, or are we dangerously low on sufficient battery life if our adversary sent a flood to try to overwhelm us? It is necessary for us to plug into an inexhaustible source of power, the Great and Mighty God, by casting ALL our cares upon Him, for He careth for [us]“ (1 Peter 5:7, 8). Preparation is key. Thus, the preparedness kit of God includes - "Pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
Jesus was always well-equipped to handle the most pressing times because He stayed connected to His Heavenly Father in prayer, and so said, "Men ought always to pray and not to faint" (Luke 18:1).
How is our zeal for God as demonstrated in our desire to “throw out the lifeline” to those lost in sin so that they may be rescued from an impending demise? We, as a part of the Church, need to act as an agent of light in a dark world. Readiness to shed the light of Christ and His gospel where evil is inundating us is so necessary. There is an urgency to "sanctify the Lord God in [our] hearts; and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh [us] a reason of the hope that is in [us] with meekness and fear" (1 Peter 3:15).
Now is the time to follow God's preparedness plan so that we are not caught off guard, and without suitable resources to maintain or sustain spiritual vitality!
Likewise, where are we becoming depleted in our resources spiritually? Is there a lack in our desire for the water of the Word, and the consumption of it in reading, studying and memorizing it? Jesus met a crisis when tempted by the Devil with an overflow of the Word of God. Three times he met Satan's attacks with "it is written" or "it is said" (interestingly, Jesus could state, “it is said" because He was present when it was spoken and heard it firsthand). In other words, our Lord was intimately acquainted with the Scriptures, and they were absorbed into every fiber of His life (Matthew 4:3-11; Luke 4:12).
Have we recharged our batteries in prayer lately, or are we dangerously low on sufficient battery life if our adversary sent a flood to try to overwhelm us? It is necessary for us to plug into an inexhaustible source of power, the Great and Mighty God, by casting ALL our cares upon Him, for He careth for [us]“ (1 Peter 5:7, 8). Preparation is key. Thus, the preparedness kit of God includes - "Pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
Jesus was always well-equipped to handle the most pressing times because He stayed connected to His Heavenly Father in prayer, and so said, "Men ought always to pray and not to faint" (Luke 18:1).
How is our zeal for God as demonstrated in our desire to “throw out the lifeline” to those lost in sin so that they may be rescued from an impending demise? We, as a part of the Church, need to act as an agent of light in a dark world. Readiness to shed the light of Christ and His gospel where evil is inundating us is so necessary. There is an urgency to "sanctify the Lord God in [our] hearts; and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh [us] a reason of the hope that is in [us] with meekness and fear" (1 Peter 3:15).
Now is the time to follow God's preparedness plan so that we are not caught off guard, and without suitable resources to maintain or sustain spiritual vitality!
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