Pastor Swindoll shared a story about working in a machine shop alongside a fellow named George. George’s job was to sweep and clean out the shavings underneath the lathes and machines. Pastor Swindoll continued to say George was born again, and he loved the teachings of Scripture on prophecy.
“I remember hearing him sing hymns as he worked, many of them had to do with the coming of Jesus such as "In the Sweet By and By" and "When the Roll is Called Up Yonder."
Late one Friday afternoon about ten minutes to quitting time when we were all weary, I looked at George and said, "George, are you ready?"
He said "Uh-huh."
But he was all dirty. He was just obviously not ready. I said, "Aren’t you ready to go home?"
He said, "Yeah, I’m ready."
I said "Look at you! Man, you’re not ready. You’ve gotta go clean up."
"No," he said, "let me show you something."
So he unzipped his coveralls and underneath were the neatest, cleanest clothes you can imagine. He had them all ready. All he did when the whistle blew was just unzip and step out of that coverall, walk up, and punch his clock and he was gone.
He said, "You see, I stay ready to keep from gettin’ ready - just like I’m ready for Jesus!"Are you ready? If you call yourself a Christian, but you live in a continuous lifestyle of sin, you’re not prepared. If you have chosen a life that is opposite of the Word, then you are not ready. George stayed ready!
A question that I ask myself periodically to ensure my life is walking in the Word. Am I ready to meet the One who died for me and made it possible to live the abundant life? Not from arrogance, 'YES', but a response graphed in John 3:16-17, 1 Peter 5:8, Ephesians 6:11, 1 Peter 1:15-16, Leviticus 11:44 and Romans 10:9-10 (NKJV) that says; "that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation". Amen!
Are you ready? Everybody must be ready for Jesus because He will come like a thief in the night.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, show areas in my life where I am not obedient to Your Word. I am preparing to meet You. I want to stay with You and a multitude of others throughout eternity in Your glorious presence. Amen.
2021 'INTENTIONAL'
"I'm ALL IN"