ABIDING IN AS OPPOSED TO DECIDING FOR STRENGTH

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Joshua [KJV] 24:14-15 Now, then, fear Jehovah, and serve Him in sincerity and truth. And put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt, and serve Jehovah. 15 And if it seems evil to you to serve Jehovah, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served Beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you live. But as for me and my house, we will serve Jehovah.

2Corinthians [KJV] 13:5 … examine yourselves, whether you are in the faith, prove your own selves. Do you not know your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you, unless you are reprobates?

  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.

  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 leaves in the wind.

  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 the list 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 health 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.

·         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 

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