But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 1 Peter 3:15-16 Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. Matthew 24:43-44 How many of us, if we're honest, are ready for disaster to strike? Consider for a moment the things that can happen: floods, earthquakes, high winds, fallen trees, sickness, war, violent protests and so many other things besides. What do we do for such unforseen circumstances? Many of us have insurance plans against this. We pay companies to "watch our backs" as it were, that should an emergency arise, the insurance we buy is takes care of loss of property, harm to the body and even loss of life. It's called being prepared while living life as normally as possible day to day. Let's take this to a different level. If Jesus were to come back today, or if today was your last day on earth, how would he find you? Would you be unprepared, trying to make a defense for your actions, or would you be found as a servant awaiting the Master's return? We prepare for so many emergencies, but are we daily seeking Him out? Are we looking for the new mercies every day, are we seeking to be refilled, renewed, and refreshed daily, or do we only practice our righteousness when the situation calls for it? It is time for the church to dive in to God's word. It is not impossible to know God's will if you're in His word daily. We MUST get back to our roots, and see what the Lord is doing and has done. Let us recognize that we must be ready, be prepared, and be vigilant.
And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said,“In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” And the Lord said,“Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”- Luke 18:1-8
