ABIDING IN AS OPPOSED TO DECIDING FOR STRENGTH

ABIDING IN AS OPPOSED TO DECIDING FOR STRENGTH      Joshua 24:14-15; 2Corinthians 13:5

  The Boy Scouts of America didn’t come up with the important principle of whenever possible being prepared in advance of time of need. Nor did my family prior to my joining the Scouts. Neither did their ancestors.

  The Word Everlasting did, does, continues to do so . . . hence the Everlasting.

  Unfortunately there are Christians that live unprepared. They’re not exercising in God’s Way and when stress comes they are as easily shaken as a newspaper in my right hand.

  Our prime example is Lord Jesus Christ; the Word (Jn.1:1); the Way (Jn.14:6-12). He established early on in His Incarnate ministry that He is Strength . . . asking the crowd what they expected to see, a reed trembling in a breeze? (Mt.11:7)

  I read of this strength in characters in Scripture, especially exemplified by those listed in Hebrews 11.

  I observe this strength in people I know, and have known, my beloved Ann for one.

  I well remember the day we were informed Ann had a fatal incurable disease that is so rare the pharmaceutical industry invests little or no money toward its prevention or cure. Of course I didn’t like the news, but I well remember Ann’s lifelong overarching attitude: We know we die, the difference being having advance notice, and though she loved family and friend, she had always looked forward to what she referred to as “The ultimate healing.” And so we observed her live prior to and during those months and final days.

  There is much in the Word exemplified and written to prepare us with daily and advance strength.

Though there is many more, I here mention two large, one for now and one for eventual leaving this world.

·         2Timothy [GW] 3:16-17 [Paul explained] Every Scripture passage is inspired by God. All of them are useful for teaching, pointing out errors, correcting people, and training them for a life that has God's approval. They equip God's servants so that they are completely prepared to do good things. This includes not just facing life, but also death.

·         John [GW] 14:1-2 [Jesus said]"Don't be troubled. Believe in God, and believe in me. My Father's house has many rooms. If that were not true, would I have told you that I'm going to prepare a place for you?

  Don’t wait for the gales of life or the winds of death, be prepared!  EBB4