Are You Ready For Life & Eternity? Here's How To Prepare!

Good Morning! I love that it is a new week, a new day, a new morning & I have a whole day to impact those around me. 

Lamentations 3:22-2 (ESV)

22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
    his mercies never come to an end;
23 they are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.

 I'm going to use an illustration that hit me as I started writing, & match up the similarities as well, after. Go with me on this, as my thoughts can be all over the place! When we are going somewhere for a field trip, day trip or playdate, I start the night before, planning & preparing for the time ahead. Depending on what we are doing, I pick out outfits, pack lunches & make sure they bring a book in the car. I have our day planned in a rough sketch, but because life can be unpredictable,  I can only estimate, plan to be early & be ready. The next day, I can make sure I've done what I need to for the day ahead & help my children through their tasks necessary to move ahead to the next thing. With a loose, well laid out plan, we will have some sort of predictable flow, as I lay out their expectaions before them, so they know what needs to be done. I will be able to handle little curve balls & not panic that we will be late because I've already prepared. Okay, now, let's look at this from a spiritual perspective. Before I got up today, I was in bed; last night, with my husband. Back up even more...we were in church yesterday, learning, worshipping, growing & fellowshipping. Filling our minds & hearts with the Word, & surrounding ourselves with others in all different walks of life & areas & backgrounds all coming together for a common cause. My children were in classes being taught & trained & loved on. We left encouraged, uplifted & ready for the week ahead. Last night we went about our nightly routines to prepare for another week, another day ahead. We slipped in bed at the end of it all & held hands & he prayed, then I did, & he did again, finishing the prayers. We equipped ourselves LAST NIGHT for TODAY. I don't know what tests, temptations, what lies ahead in life, while my husband drives an hour to work & I am caring for a home & 4 children, homeschooling & nurturing them. Life is unpredictable, but when you have Christ, you have a plan, & you are prepared.   

Ephesians 6:10-1 (ASV)

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 withal taking up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 with all prayer and supplication praying at all seasons in the Spirit, and watching thereunto in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints,

We can "pack up" scripture in our hearts & minds & be praying it & speaking it, so we have what we need for whatever we will face in life. We can "lay out" the armor of God as our clothing & while we are at it, clothe ourselves in righteousness & in His brilliant light as we walk about the darkness of the world so we are ready when others are drawn to that light to give an account for our faith. We can make sure we have "snacks & lunch" by feasting on His words & giving them to our children after we have allowed them to penetrate our hearts, speak to us & we learn how to apply it all to our lives & theirs. Also by walking in His truth & listening to music that edifies & encourages us & draws us closer to His heart. There are a million ways to protect your homes & prepare for the next day. So many people are preparing for preventing theft, or death, or planning for retirement, ( these things are good to be safely ready for as much as one can be) the earthly things that can destroy, but if our hearts are always in preparation mode, we know these truths; 

Hebrews 13:1 (NLT)

14 For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.

1 Peter 2:11-12The Message (MSG)

11-12 Friends, this world is not your home, so don’t make yourselves cozy in it. Don’t indulge your ego at the expense of your soul. Live an exemplary life among the natives so that your actions will refute their prejudices. Then they’ll be won over to God’s side and be there to join in the celebration when he arrives.

Preparing for life & for eternity are both essential to a Christian's life. How did I start today? I prayed, read a chapter in a book I am reading & praying over my husband & of course, as I fired up the computer, I stood with coffee in hand & waited for what God would impress upon my heart to share, & this is it, it came pouring out & I hope it means something & blesses you <3  Please comment or write, I'd love to know you actually made it to the end of my ramblings ;) 

Much love, Diane