The Weekly Encourager- September 2, 2011 - Emergency Preparedness

This morning there was another humorous confluence.  Just before Dave left for work, he showed me a booklet from the Fairfax City government telling us how to assemble emergency kits for the home, car, office, etc.  Then I opened my devotional book and today's lesson was "Stay awake and be prepared, for you do not know the date or moment of my return." - Matthew 25:13  LB  After a chuckle at the Lord's sense of humor, I thought, how many people go to all this effort to be prepared for an emergency such as fire, flood, or terrorist attack, yet how few are prepared for eternity!  "Time is running out.  Wake up, for the coming of the Lord is nearer now than when we first believed.  The night is far gone, the day of his return will soon be here.  So quit the evil deeds of darkness and put on the armor of right living, as we who live in the daylight should!" - Romans 13:11-12 LB

Are you prepared for the Ultimate Emergency?  When Jesus Christ comes again on a cloud in all His power with a host of angelic warriors to airlift those who are loyal to Him, will you be gathered up to eternal bliss or hiding fearfully, wondering why you didn't prepare an emergency kit?

For several days I've been wondering if I should go on a trip this weekend to see a certain relative with whom I had a conflict the last time we met.  Part of me says, it's such a long trip to squeeze into a three day weekend, and I don't feel that comfortable with this person, and I have work to do at home and a Fellowship Meal on Sunday that I hate to miss.  The other part of me says, don't let the sun go down on your anger.  I've already forgiven in my heart.  It's up to me, as the Christian in the relationship, to seek restoration first.  This person's sins are no worse than mine!  "And such were some of you."  I don't need to wait for someone to approach me, even if I feel that I was the wronged party!  Especially if I feel I was the wronged party, I need to search my thoughts to see if anything I did may have contributed to the problem, and then apologize.  I need to do all I can to resolve the problem while I can.

I sometimes ask myself, what if I knew that I only had a month left on this earth, how would I spend my time?  Given that I am already sure of my salvation (praise Jesus!), surely the first thing on the list would be to make sure I am at peace with everyone in my life.  We don't know either the hour of Christ's return, or the hour of our death.  What if today's the day?   I don't want to have any strained or severed relationships when I die.  I want all my loved ones to know how much I care for them, and all the difficult people to know that I tried my best.  I am grateful for the redemption God has brought in my life, and I want to share that with others.  I don't feel like going on this trip, but I think I need to go on this trip.  If there is any way that my actions of love and respect toward this individual could show the light and peace of Christ, then that should be my priority.  What am I waiting for?  I will pray and trust God to help me.

This will be my prayer: "Out of the depths I have cried to Thee, O Lord.  Lord, hear my voice!...If Thou, Lord, shouldst mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?  But there is forgiveness with Thee, that Thou mayest be feared.  I wait for the Lord, my soul does wait, and in His word do I hope...Hope in the Lord, for with the Lord there is lovingkindness, and with Him is abundant redemption."  - Psalm 130:1-7 NASB

God is faithful.  See you next week!
j

Copyright 2011 Janet A. Marney