"Prepared" Requires a Right Spirit too!
Well, as I read Michael's first post this morning, of Andrew Wommack's devotional "Like a Thief in the Night", addressing the need to "be ready for Christ's return," and to "be watchful so that we are prepared," I couldn't help but to focus on what I thought were the primary words that I needed to research more, and how this "preparedness" might relate or apply to everyday circumstances.
Now, I know that you all don't yet know me, so I'll clue you in to a bit about "me." My mind goes a thousand miles a minute and I'm always thinking in lots of directions. I take everything, for the most part, to the infinite in my researching...so...hang on cause this is what I do.
The first word that popped out at me at the end of the devotional, was "prepared." When I thought about whether or not I, or any other born again Christian would be prepared, the answer was a resounding "yes." How could we not be prepared as confessing Jesus Christ as one's personal Lord and Savior, who died for us and then rose again, sitting at the right hand of the Father, is all that we needed to be prepared in this temporal, finite world. Right?
But then, after driving down the road a while, I arrived at work, and remembered how a brother in the Lord told me about an article he'd read (or a news brief) just the other day, evaluating "jobs," and on the top of the list, among the least prestigious job (my paraphrase), was "waitress." He said he found himself asking himself how with all my degrees, knowledge and skills, I could not find work in those fields, but had to settle for a position as a waitress.
As I got to thinking about that query, it occurred to me that he wasn't alone in having thoughts like that, as many talk down to those in the food industry as less valuable, or less intelligent, or of a lower class, and equate them with being uneducated.
Then it occurred to me, that many, even within the Christian camp, will speak down, or "lord over" those in "servant's" positions, as if they are better then them. Wow. Can you imagine...to really embrace this demented way of thinking, and the ill behaviors associated?
Jesus Christ Himself...servant of ALL...! Wow, what an HONORED position. Who among us will humble ourselves to be as "the least of these"?
Ring any bells...?
So, with "servant-hood" in mind, I brainstormed on what it would take to truly be prepared...as aside from acceptance of Christ, what else could there be?
Then, as the Lord would have it, He clarified the very obvious point to me..."a right Spirit."
We all need a right Spirit before God, to truly be prepared for His return, or our imminent death.
So I went to God's Word, using the Strong's Concordance, and my John MacArthur Study Bible, NKJV, to see what the Lord had to say about being prepared (much like the brides without oil for their lamps...the Bridegroom coming, their NOT being prepared), and how a "right Spirit" is paramount to being "prepared." As I read the study notes for Luke 1:17, it mentioned "the spirit and power of Elijah," and that "make ready," may be an allusion to Isaiah 40:3-5, and to also see Matt. 3:3.
1:17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
The Strong's listed this form of "prepared" as #2680, and equated it to an "external" preparedness, unlike the "internal" preparedness of #2090.
Meanwhile, an interesting note was listed that grabbed me:
"Throughout the rest of Scripture, the kingdom is called "the kingdom of God." Both expressions refer to the sphere of God's dominion over those who belong to Him. The kingdom is now manifest in heaven's spiritual rule over the hearts of believers (Luke 17:21)..."
So what about the hearts of man or should I say, Christians, that adopt or adhere to those bogus thoughts that "waitresses aka servers" are second class citizens? They don't seem to realize that God is in control in His orchestration, and that whatever job He calls anybody to do, in His name, is a very good job. That we are to occupy until He returns, and that if they adhere to this "caste" mentality, then surely, they are NOT prepared for the return of the Lord.
Plain and simple.
Matthew 25:34-36 addresses a servant's heart that is prepared for the Lord's return:
25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 25:35For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 25:36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
Strong's describes this "prepare" as an internal one that makes ready. MacArthur expounds on these verses: " This terminology underscores that their salvation is a gracious gift of God, not something merited by the deeds described in vv. 35,36. Before "the foundations of the world," they were chosen by God and ordained to be holy (Eph.1:4)--predestined to be conformed to Christ's image (Rom. 8:29). So the good deeds commended in vv. 35,36 are the fruit, not the root of their salvation. The deeds are not the basis for their entrance into the kingdom, but merely manifestations of God's grace in their lives. They are the objective criteria for judgment, because they are the evidence of saving faith (cf. James 2:14-26)."
So here we see that our internal preparedness is not by deeds but by grace through election....humm...but what about God's Old Testament admonition (#3559) to Israel to prepare herself and be ready for Messiah's return and kingdom (Zech. 14)?
38:7 Be thou prepared, and prepare for thyself, thou, and all thy company that are assembled unto thee, and be thou a guard unto them.
64:1- Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence, 64:2 - As [when] the melting fire burneth, the fire causeth the waters to boil, to make thy name known to thine adversaries, [that] the nations may tremble at thy presence! 64:3 - When thou didst terrible things [which] we looked not for, thou camest down, the mountains flowed down at thy presence. 64:4 - For since the beginning of the world [men] have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, [what] he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.
In verse 4, Strong's renders this "prepared" as #6213, which requires a totally involved, doing spirit, that is not lazy, but really applies oneself daily! MacArthur mentions in verse 5 about our God's anger at our sinfulness, but reminds us that "direct exposure to the awesome character of God's judgment brings a realization of a sinners' need of salvation" (cf. Acts 16:26-30).
As I pondered on our needs, our afflictions, our adversities and our sinfulness, the Lord brought me back to the conclusion. What does it take to be prepared??? It takes a "right Spirit." 51:10 - Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 51:11 - Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 51:12 - Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me [with thy] free spirit. 51:13 - [Then] will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. 51:14 - Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: [and] my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. 51:15 - O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. 51:16 - For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. 51:17 - The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wild not despise.
Wow! MacArthur lists this "Spirit," #7307, as a reference to the special Holy Spirit anointing on theocratic mediators. Coming out of law...mediators spoke to my heart as well. How many of us, God's workmen, ambassadors of Christ, really mediate in our preparation for His return? How many really stand in the gap as intercessors if it means that it will costs us something aside from time, fasting, sweat and tears in prayer? What if it were a financial need, or required much physical labor? Do we have a right spirit? Do we have broken and contrite hearts...hearts without guile or deceit. The trials and tribulations in life, the adversities and bumps in the road make one dependent on God...they make us trust Him.
But, how many of us blame our lack of energy on age, or vitamin deficiencies, or perhaps hormone changes when in fact, our failure to thrive may well be contingent on God sapping our strength due to our transgressions, sins and iniquities, thereby rendering us unprepared after-all?
Humm...something to go to bed and pray upon huh?
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