Pastor Dave 09/04/01
Are You Prepared?
Tonight’s topic, Are You Prepared is going to cover two areas in our life.
1. Being prepared for day-to-day living (physically)
2. Being prepared for Jesus Christ’s Return (Spiritually)
To begin lets look at the steps taken by most of us to prepare for work each day.
What is done to prepare for work on a daily basis?
Duties of preparing for work usually consists of:
Preparing clean clothes
Shower/hygiene
Preparing breakfast
Prepare lunch (planning for hunger ahead of time)
Fuel car (HOPEFULLY) to avoid stress and worry later.
Listen to news to prepare for weather and road conditions.
Preparing our Homes:
Vacuum
Prepare meals
Clean the laundry
Clean dishes
Pick up the house
Clean the Yard,
Prepare the Children for school and activities
Bathing, Food, Homework etc…
Before work, whether it is leaving the house or running the house, husbands and wives prepare their homes, their Children, themselves and vehicles for the next day. By being prepared, removes fear from tomorrow’s worries. When we know that we are ready for the next day, we rest more completely and are more tolerant to surprise situations.
2 Timothy 4
1 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge:
2 Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction.
Why do we prepare for tomorrow?
To avoid the confrontations, to avoid worry, to avoid embarrassment, to avoid being fired, to have peace of mind, probably all of the above plus a few!
Financial Preparation:
Do you plan ahead financially?
Do you work enough hours to cover your debt and or bills?
Do we tithe to our Lord’s work first and foremost?
Do you put some extra money away now and then for tomorrow or for a vacation?
If you don’t plan for something to happen (ask, hope, believe and pray), it won’t happen! You have not, because you ask not!
James 4
2You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous for what others have, and you can’t possess it, so you fight and quarrel to take it away from them. And yet the reason you don’t have what you want is that "You don’t ask God for it".
Do you keep track of your bills? Do you know what is due, and when?
All these questions surround one word- “ORDER”.
When we are prepared, our life is in order! God’s Grace covers a life in order.
When we are not preparing ourselves for tomorrow’s responsibilities, and live by the seat of our pants, moment-to-moment, day-to-day, we are opening ourselves up for the enemy to move in and catch us unprepared in one of his snares.
We know that being prepared for day to day living is very important to our Lord. (2Timothy 4:2)
The world as we know it is growing more and more impatient. The world says we need everything now, now, now!
Our world is caught up in debt, starting with our Nation’s Government, on down.
We need to start preparing for not only our retirement and future, but also our family’s future. It’s time to start freeing our self from the bondage of financial debt. Start off slow and bold. Take one debt at a time, pray over it, repent of the debt, ask for forgiveness (our Lord Jesus), and then make it a family goal to work toward paying that first debt off. Once it is paid off, then start on the next, always with prayer, repentance and direction of the Holy Spirit as the starting point.
Romans 13
7 Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.
Are you prepared for an Earthquake?
This question is proposed to you because the way of the world is prepare after it’s too late.
As through experience in the State of California, the local and state emergency departments (fire/police) have predicted that they are not able to respond to individual homes until after (72hrs) usually depending upon size and magnitude of the earthquake. You should have at least 3 days worth of the following supplies for your entire family.
Here are some suggestions in regard to earthquake preparation:
1. Purchase a plastic/resin 33/39 gallon trash barrel and lid (put contents into barrel).
2. Insert 2 Flashlights/Extra Batteries inside a 1-gallon zip lock baggie.
3. Insert a 12roll pack of toilet paper/2 large towels/4 hand towels (average family)
4. Insert a first aid kit, extra bandages, band-aids, Tylenol and aspirin.
5. Insert a couple of emergency blankets, diapers (if child at home).
6. Insert a case of canned food, can opener, pack of plastic cups.
7. Insert a 24 case of sport bottled water.
8. Insert a sharp pocketknife and battery operated transistor radio (spare batteries).
9. Insert a Crescent wrench/to shut of water and gas.
10. Insert a dozen 6” candles/cigarette lighter not matches (moisture destroys).
These are only suggestions. Many other valuable additions can be made to the inventory list. Look into your family’s personal needs and add necessities making sure all of the goods can be stored for quite a while. You should inspect the condition of your barrel and its contents at least once a year.
Are you prepared for winter?
The next time your home and have a few minutes, turn off the T.V., and begin checking your home in preparation for the winter. Are your rain gutters clean, do your windshield wipers work or need replacing? Do you have an umbrella in the cars, does that jacket still fit?
Prepare for your family’s needs ahead of time. Life will be much more enjoyable and filled with more joy and less frustration and anger when the challenges of winter arise.
We are to be prepared!
Are you protecting your assets?
As we know the devil comes to STEAL, KILL and DESTROY! If a thief should make it into your home and take your belongings, are you prepared to have them replaced through insurance?
Having spent many years working in law enforcement as a Deputy, I can tell you from experience, that those who have written down serial numbers, manufacturer, description and taken photos of their valuables in their home come out the best in a bad situation.
You see, today the majority of insurance companies will not accept your word as being acceptable form of proof in regards to items stolen having actually had been purchased and owned.
You need to have receipts, photos, or serial numbers in order for the insurance company to replace your valuables.
Take a video camera, and video your home. Make sure someone goes with you and turns around stereo equipment and televisions in order to see serial numbers. Take the video and keep it at a relative’s home or some other place than your own.
Have you taken photos of your personal property in your home. Have listed the make, model and serial #’s of these items. It’s your word against the insurance company, be prepared, it will save you and your family money and heartache in the end.
By being prepared, you will find that the FEAR, ANGER and PRESSURE will not be come against you and your family. When you are prepared, you help to prevent panic.
When the earthquake comes, and it will, you don’t have to worry if the lights go out, the waters stops. Because you have plenty of batteries, flashlights, candles and water to be safe.
We are to be prepared!
Being prepared for Jesus
What does the bible say about being prepared for Jesus?
Matthew 25
1 "At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise.
3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them.
4 The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.
5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
6 "At midnight the cry rang out: `here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’
7 "Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps.
8 The foolish ones said to the wise, `Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’
9 "`No,’ they replied, `there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’
10 "But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.
11 "Later the others also came. `Sir! Sir!’ they said. `Open the door for us!’
12 "But he replied, `I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.’
13 "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
The message here is be prepared!
1 Thessalonians 5: 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
3 While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.
2 Timothy 4: 2 Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction.
Prepare yourself and your family for the coming of the Lord. Make sure you are living your life obediently to the will of our Lord. Make sure that you have asked Jesus Christ to be the Lord and Savior of your life, and to dwell within your heart.
Be prepared in season and out of season: Be ready for winter, even in the summer.
Be prepared for financial difficulty, even when things are good!
Be prepared for car trouble even when it’s running good!
Prepare yourselves Daily! You’ll be much happier, healthier and stronger when trials come and you are prepared!
Matthew 7
21 "Not everyone who says to me, `Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me on that day, `Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’
23 Then I will tell them plainly, `I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
False Security!
How many people do you know that claim to be making great Godly achievements in their life’s, but you know by what your eyes and ears show you that they couldn’t save themselves from drowning let alone someone else.
People today claim, I’m a Christian; I’m involved in my church, but are living their life just the opposite. They talk about order, but their lives resemble a shotgun pattern on a target. People and things in their life are scattered all over, doing whatever they want too.
They talk about faith, but run out to a psychic or medium (EXTEME DANGER, read sermon on Unveiling Satan’s Schemes).
Titus 2
11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.
12 It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,
Hebrews 9
28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
Revelation 16
15 "Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed."
He who is prepared will be taken blessedly and proudly.
Do you anticipate His return or do other things here distract you?
If you knew that tomorrow was your last day on Earth, how would you live it differently?
Would you confess hidden sins that you thought you could get away with or that you thought you would deal with some day later?
Would you decide to follow through in accepting God’s offer of forgiveness in Jesus?
Would you be baptized into Christ?
Would you heal a relationship with someone you are angry with or someone you hurt?
Would you talk to the Lord more in prayer?
Would you finally get around to sharing your faith with that person you have been thinking about for so long?
If so, then what Jesus is saying is "do that today, right now,
Because today may be your last day."
Here is a last thought of importance. How close are we to the returning of our Lord?
Listen to this! Right now as we speak, peace talks are going on in Egypt over Jerusalem.
What if a peacemaker steps forward and provides peace for seven years? It could be, it could not be, but we are living day to day within the possible hours of Jesus Christ’s return.
Are you ready? Is your husband/wife ready? Are your children ready?
Tonight, you have some choices to make. Am I prepared is the question?
Am I prepared to face the consequences for failing to be? Prepared. It is not too late tonight, to get prepared. Prepared for Jesus first, and you and your family second!
Lets Pray, Get our lives in order; Get are eyes on you, get our eyes on you
We are to be prepared.
The Holy Spirit for several reasons pressed this message upon my heart, as I later found out. I had no idea what horrific events were heading our way that would not only test our personal preparations, but our Nation’s condition of preparation. This message was spoken in service on Saturday September 04, 2001-the week prior to the Twin Towers tragedy. Additionally, we felt and experienced an earthquake in the San Fernando Valley on Sunday September 05, 2001. The Lord does things in perfect order and explicit timing, doesn’t he?
I give Glory to our Lord Jesus for caring so much that he would even forewarn us of days ahead, to be prepared physically and spiritually for what lies unknown to us in the future.
Agree with all of us at The C.U.R.E. Ministry for a complete healing and strengthening to our Nation and Gods people. May they find peace only
in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
May God Bless All who uses this message to further the spreading of the Word of God obediently to the Nations in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!
