Are You Ready?

Today’s Verse:

For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. ~2 Timothy 4:6

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Are you ready for the New Year? Most of us are in amazement of how quickly time has gone by this year. While we are thankful for accomplishments and new milestones, it feels like the year passed very quickly. Even with New Year planning that we may have been doing over the last few weeks, we might feel unprepared for the New Year. Paul told Timothy, “I am now ready.” As we prepare for the New Year, let us consider some important areas we must be ready in.

We should be ready to preach.

“So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also” (Romans 1:15). Paul determined to be always prepared and set to give a strong witness of his faith in Christ. Being ready means we look for opportunities wherever we go and whatever we are doing. Being ready means that we do not allow circumstances to interfere with or hinder us from getting the gospel to others. Establish a weekly goal of people you will try to witness to, invite to church, or give gospel tracts to.

We should be ready to make a presentation.

Paul said, “I am now ready to be offered.” The Greek word for “offered” implies a libation, the pouring of a drink offering, and a personal dedication of his life. In other words, he was all-in for the Lord. He knew that his life would end very soon at the hands of the executioner. He saw this as the most important offering that he would ever make. Are you ready to make some sacrifices for the Lord in this coming New Year? As we get older and have more responsibilities, we tend to pull back and do less for the Lord. If the Lord should call upon you, would you be willing to dedicate yourself to something great for His glory?

We should be ready to participate.

“That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate” (1 Timothy 6:18). Paul said to be ready to distribute, willing to communicate. This means have your checkbook or direct pay mechanism at your fingertips and to give abundantly. We should be ready to take up love offerings. We should be ready to take up designated church offerings. We should be ready for special offerings that will be a help to our local church.

We should be ready to part.

By this, I mean that we should be ready to leave this life when the Lord calls us home. Let us be careful of having our roots too entrenched in this world. Our parting might be at the Rapture. If so, we must abide in Him, that, when He shall appear, we may have confidence and not be ashamed at His coming. Let us be sure that our affairs are in order for the loved ones we leave behind. Let us be sure that we do not part from this life with unresolved conflicts. Let us part from this life with enthusiasm that we will be forever with our Lord. Take time now, learning to enjoy Jesus every day.

Being ready means that we are thinking ahead, planning ahead, and sending ahead. It means that we have a plan laid out and have calendared things in advance so that we can accomplish more. Don’t be caught off guard and say that you were not ready!

Have a ready God Morning!

Bible Reading Schedule: Revelation 13-16

#Giving #Ready #2Timothy #Dedication #Witnessing