Are You Y2k Compliant?

ARE YOU Y2K COMPLIANT?

We’ve heard a lot lately about computers and the year 2000. Our bank and electric company have both written to inform us that their computers are indeed Y2K compliant. But various experts are predicting everything from a minor inconvenience to a major shut down of essential services. My own mother and sister have stored enough food and water to live for

thirty days: (150 gallons of water, 30 breakfasts, 30 lunches, 30 dinners, 30 cans of dog food, a camp stove, sleeping bags good to 40 below, flashlights, batteries, etc.) They’re ready for Y2K!

But this Sunday before New Year, the question is NOT: "Is your computer Y2K compliant?"

But rather: "Are YOU Y2K compliant?" Are you ready for the new millenium? Whatever this new period of time holds, will you be able to face it and triumph over it?

Again, some philosophers are predicting a new era of peace and prosperity; others are prognosticating only "doom and gloom." But what does the Bible, God’s infallible Word say we should be ready for? Let’s ask ourselves these questions:

In John 14:3, Jesus promised His followers: "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will

come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also."

Without fear of being a false prophet, my feeling is that Jesus will come sometime in the new millenium. But since we don’t know the exact time, we must be ready always.

Mt. 24:42 "Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming."

How can we be ready?

~If you have never trusted Christ as your Savior, receive Him TODAY. Only then can you be saved from God’s coming wrath.

Rom. 5:8, 9 "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him."

~If we are already followers of Christ, we can prepare by purifying ourselves (seeking to be holy, even as HE is holy.)

1 Jn. 3:3 "And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure."

Are we ready for the Lord’s return?

The Bible teaches that in the last days there will be abounding sin and severe persecution:

2 Tim. 3:1-5, 12 "But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!....Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution."

Is it really possible to prepare for suffering? I believe there are a few concepts which will help:

A. Know what you believe - what is true, what is false; what is right and what is wrong.

1 Pt. 3:15 "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;"

B. Stand up for truth and righteousness NOW

Eph. 6:13, 14 "Therefore take up 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 girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, "

C. Entrust your future to God

1 Pt. 2:21-23 "For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an

example, that you should follow His steps: ’Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth’; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;"

Are we ready to suffer for Christ?

I believe that as the darkness increases, so will the light. True Christians will be progressing deeper and deeper into that for which we were created -

to glorify God through worship.

Col. 3:16, 17 "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."

In these last days, whole-hearted worship is what God desires most.

Ps. 29:2 "Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name; Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness."