Feb.6 Devotion:Ready or Not?

READY OR NOT?

Philippians 1:21, 23 [21] For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

[23] For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

James 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

Recently the Lord helped me with a message from this text on “Longing For Home”. Now we are right back here gleaning from Brother Paul’s desire to go home. What I want us to look at today is Paul’s readiness to meet the Lord. Show me a heart that has embraced God’s purpose for living today and I’ll show you a life able to stand before God unashamed in the future. There is no stronger force upon the earth than that of the man or woman who has fully abandoned themselves at the feet of the Almighty with the unresolved intention of surrendering their will fully unto HIS. Surrender is the key that unlocks the door of power, affording the soul that enters, untold joy and purpose for living. We have assurance and peace of soul, even when the future is unclear, because we are one with the Father, not just in spirit, but in will and delight. Our heart beating in perfect sync with the Lord brings life with every breath we take and confidence at every turn.

The apostle Paul was intent on one thing: to be pleasing to the Lord in every respect, be it living for the day at hand or death at the falling of night. He knew that fruitful living would not be found apart from purposeful living. He had a resolution of mind, body, and soul to live for Christ fully, without hesitation, reservation or preservation. Paul did not make the assurance of his well-being a pre-requisite for serving or following God no matter where the journey would take him. Our life journeys here, no matter how difficult, are not our destination; they are but the venue God chooses to ensure we get there. This journey is not intended to be something we tolerate, but rather a labor of love and joy, as we experience the fullness and absolute sufficiency of God’s grace, strength and mercy with every step we take. Don’t seek to have more days in your life, seek more life in your days! Hallelujah!

Keeping our destination before us will make us ready for the journey, but if we keep the journey before us, we will not be ready for the destination. Today, if you hear HIS voice, make it the intent of your heart to be ready, either to stay and be about the Lord and HIS work, or ready to leave and stand before the throne of God able to give an account of all your deeds. My Christian friend, which one are you? Are you ready? Are you fit? Time is but a vapour and it will vanish before our eyes. It will usher us out as quickly as it ushered us in the day we were born. We all are headed to the throne of God to stand before the Almighty, the One who created us for Himself, to bring HIM honor and glory in and through our life upon the earth; some to honor and others to dishonor.

Which one will you be? How will you be found when it’s all said and done? I pray you will hear these words with your heart: the one who has fully abandoned themselves at the feet of Jesus will have no regrets when they come to the end of their course. Oh Lord, today make our feet swift and our heart’s sure to do thy will.

Bro. Lawrence Longworth Isaiah 61:1 “the opening of the prison to them that are bound;”