PREPARATION
BY STACY BOOK

Preparation- it’s something we all do through life. We prepare for so many different things. We prepare for weddings, birthdays, birth of a child, parties, anniversaries, college, reunions, vacations, meals- the list goes on. Right now as I am writing, we’re getting ready to prepare for Christmas.

Preparation is important for any event. We need to be prepared when that special day comes. It was also important to God. He speaks about it all through the Bible.

God used years of silence between the old and new testament to prepare the perfect time and place for Jesus’ arrival. On an ordinary night, in the town of Bethlehem, Jesus was born. That’s the reason we should prepare for Christmas, to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

About 30 years later, God sent a prophet, John the Baptist, to prepare the way for Jesus. John’s purpose was to prepare everyone to repent of their sins and accept Jesus as God’s Son. If you do that, Jesus gives us a promise in John 14:2. It says, In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.

It is important for believers to share the Good News about Jesus. 2 Timothy 4:2 says, Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage- with great patience and careful instruction.

We should be motivated to live for him. 1 Peter 1:13 says, Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.

We should be prepared to tell people what God has done for us and the hope we have in Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 3:15 says, Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.

We cannot imagine what God has in store for us in this life and in eternity. 1 Corinthians 2:9 says, No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.

In Matthew 25: 31-46 Jesus tells us about the final judgment. God will separate his followers from the unbelievers. He will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. He will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

God prepared people all throughout the Bible to accomplish his purpose. It’s exciting to read these stories and to see how God worked in each life.

My prayer for you, as I write this, is that you are prepared to meet Jesus in heaven one day. Also, next time you prepare for any event, ask God to guide you through each step of your preparation. You’ll be amazed at what He will do and when it’s all done, you’ll know it was Him that helped you through and you will thank Him and will realize how awesome God is.

Preparation is important for any event. We need to be prepared when that special day comes. It was also important to God. He speaks about it all through the Bible.

God used years of silence between the old and new testament to prepare the perfect time and place for Jesus’ arrival. On an ordinary night, in the town of Bethlehem, Jesus was born. That’s the reason we should prepare for Christmas, to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

About 30 years later, God sent a prophet, John the Baptist, to prepare the way for Jesus. John’s purpose was to prepare everyone to repent of their sins and accept Jesus as God’s Son. If you do that, Jesus gives us a promise in John 14:2. It says, In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.

It is important for believers to share the Good News about Jesus. 2 Timothy 4:2 says, Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage- with great patience and careful instruction.

We should be motivated to live for him. 1 Peter 1:13 says, Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.

We should be prepared to tell people what God has done for us and the hope we have in Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 3:15 says, Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.

We cannot imagine what God has in store for us in this life and in eternity. 1 Corinthians 2:9 says, No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.

In Matthew 25: 31-46 Jesus tells us about the final judgment. God will separate his followers from the unbelievers. He will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. He will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

God prepared people all throughout the Bible to accomplish his purpose. It’s exciting to read these stories and to see how God worked in each life.

My prayer for you, as I write this, is that you are prepared to meet Jesus in heaven one day. Also, next time you prepare for any event, ask God to guide you through each step of your preparation. You’ll be amazed at what He will do and when it’s all done, you’ll know it was Him that helped you through and you will thank Him and will realize how awesome God is.