Preparation for Destiny
Last Sunday we agreed that no pregnant mother will wait for the baby without necessary clothes; no farmer will wait to harvest without first preparing the ground, planting and nurturing the crops; no international traveller will dare go to the airport for a flight without a passport a visa and other necessary papers and no student awaits to excel in exams without adequate preparation.
Indeed, there is no businessman, waits for profit if he or she has not invested any capital, business plan and time. In the same way, a bachelor cannot wait until the last minute when the wedding day has arrived to start worrying about how to go about the wedding.
In the same way, we have to get ready as children of God knowing that God has already done His part. Jesus finished His part when He breathed His last and said "it is finished" (John 19:30). As Christians, we have to do our part as we enjoy and celebrate the finished work of the cross.
We have to prepare for the year of Jubilee for Kenya. As children of God, we should also prepare to receive that which was promised by God. When you know the truth during this season, the devil cannot hinder you.
Jesus has completed the work, you just have to know the right buttons to push to release your miracle. The key has already been given; you just have to know which key opens where, and which door you need to access, at the correct timing.
Matthew 25:1-10
“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.
6 “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ 7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.
This is a parable Jesus gave to help us realise the need to always be prepared especially for His return. The preparations we will take while on earth will determine where we will spend our eternity. Everyone is responsible for their spiritual preparation and conditions.
The unpreparedness by the 5 virgins did not stop the wedding from going on. It does not matter how many will choose not to be ready, Jesus will still come back. Our unpreparedness will not hinder Jesus from coming back again. Jesus will not lower His standards of holiness for anyone who decides to ignore such great salvation. He cannot compromise His word just because people have chosen the way of destruction.
Note that Jesus is the bridegroom who is soon coming for the bride, the church. It is my and your responsibility to keep the garments spotless clean by living a pure life. Forget how many others are priding in sin because God has also kept many more who are still walking right with Him. Did Elijah think He was the only prophet left in 1Kings 19 :18, yet God had spared 7000 Israelites who had not knelt before idols? Hold on to the faith and pursue righteousness saying no no no no no no to all wickedness -- God knows His own.
You may not know who else is holy, but still you must choose to stay holy as the one who called us is holy (1 Peter 1:15-16). Whoever is hindering you from walking in righteousness must be cut off. We have to get ready. Spiritual preparation cannot be borrowed or bought at the last minute like the foolish virgins thought.
It is time to stand for what is right according to the word of God, no matter how fashionable or pleasurable sin may seem to be. God judges according to the standards of His word, not according to the standards of men, so let’s be warned of how we live. There are blessings of living in righteousness and holiness. The moment we live right, we get to enjoy fullness of His goodness. Be prepared to please the King of Kings. Whatever a man sows, he shall surely reap and wages of sin is death. Let’s know that whatever is not Godly is evil. Evil will never be righteousness, good can never be bad.
There are some Christians who copy the wicked ways and think it does not matter because there are many others who seem to be progressing yet they are living in wicked ways. Brother and sister, it matters how you live because each one will give an account before the maker. Stand to be counted like Noah and Enoch who walked with God at a time when the world was under severe wickedness. God will be pleased with your determination to please Him and you will be rewarded here on earth and in ages to come.
Let us continue with the message on preparation
Joshua 5:1-12
So it was, when all the kings of the Amorites who were on the west side of the Jordan, and all the kings of the Canaanites who were by the sea, heard that the Lord had dried up the waters of the Jordan from before the children of Israel until we had crossed over, that their heart melted; and there was no spirit in them any longer because of the children of Israel.
2 At that time the Lord said to Joshua, “Make flint knives for yourself, and circumcise the sons of Israel again the second time.” 3 So Joshua made flint knives for himself, and circumcised the sons of Israel at the hill of the foreskins. 4 And this is the reason why Joshua circumcised them: All the people who came out of Egypt who were males, all the men of war, had died in the wilderness on the way, after they had come out of Egypt. 5 For all the people who came out had been circumcised, but all the people born in the wilderness, on the way as they came out of Egypt, had not been circumcised. 6 For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, till all the people who were men of war, who came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they did not obey the voice of the Lord—to whom the Lord swore that He would not show them the land which the Lord had sworn to their fathers that He would give us, “a land flowing with milk and honey.” 7 Then Joshua circumcised their sons whom He raised up in their place; for they were uncircumcised, because they had not been circumcised on the way.
8 So it was, when they had finished circumcising all the people that they stayed in their places in the camp till they were healed. 9 Then the Lord said to Joshua, “This day I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.” Therefore the name of the place is called Gilgal to this day.
10 Now the children of Israel camped in Gilgal, and kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the month at twilight on the plains of Jericho. 11 And they ate of the produce of the land on the day after the Passover, unleavened bread and parched grain, on the very same day. 12 Then the manna ceased on the day after they had eaten the produce of the land; and the children of Israel no longer had manna, but they ate the food of the land of Canaan that year.
When we get prepared, we enter a season where people will hear what God has done in our lives and their hearts will melt. Get ready for the Lord to show off on your behalf.
Note its after circumcision that the children of Israel stopped depending on manna. Our hearts and lifestyles have to be circumcised so that we can inherit what Christ paid for on the cross. Circumcision is always painful, but the pain will take us to the next level of maturity. Time for dependence on manna is gone; it is time to move to spiritual maturity in preparedness for God to take us to the next level and indeed to our destiny.
Maturity demands we get ready to study His word and internalize it. God's word is able to circumcise our hearts and teach us to depend wholly on Him. The word of God will give us maturity that will build in us confidence and faith to face every situation. As you know, immature boys cannot get any inheritance and so we must be a people who will mature up through the word.
We need to be a people who will spend time with God. We need to grow up to men in the way we think and talk, as we move into maturity. Get to a point where we can praise and worship, even when we do not feel like it.
We need to prepare to get into heaven after great victory on earth and to inherit the good of the land. Even when it is gold and not godly, say no to it. You need to say no to what is not right to the Lord. This is real maturity which will enable us to bear fruits in and out of season. May the Lord circumcise the dependant mind and every complaining heart to mature and have the mind of Christ.
Lets be ready to always abide in the Lord and allow His word to abide in us. This will propel maturity and fruitfulness (John 15).
We must walk in the Spirit of God at all times (Galatians 5:16-20). Our works will be seen by what we reap (Galatians 6:7).
Gilgal's experience is a great challenge for us to grow and mature up. Mature people are careful of what they say and do. They are mindful of who they walk with.We better be ready to be counted as mature.
-- Pastor Mary Mugo.
Indeed, there is no businessman, waits for profit if he or she has not invested any capital, business plan and time. In the same way, a bachelor cannot wait until the last minute when the wedding day has arrived to start worrying about how to go about the wedding.
In the same way, we have to get ready as children of God knowing that God has already done His part. Jesus finished His part when He breathed His last and said "it is finished" (John 19:30). As Christians, we have to do our part as we enjoy and celebrate the finished work of the cross.
We have to prepare for the year of Jubilee for Kenya. As children of God, we should also prepare to receive that which was promised by God. When you know the truth during this season, the devil cannot hinder you.
Jesus has completed the work, you just have to know the right buttons to push to release your miracle. The key has already been given; you just have to know which key opens where, and which door you need to access, at the correct timing.
Matthew 25:1-10
“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.
6 “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ 7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.
This is a parable Jesus gave to help us realise the need to always be prepared especially for His return. The preparations we will take while on earth will determine where we will spend our eternity. Everyone is responsible for their spiritual preparation and conditions.
The unpreparedness by the 5 virgins did not stop the wedding from going on. It does not matter how many will choose not to be ready, Jesus will still come back. Our unpreparedness will not hinder Jesus from coming back again. Jesus will not lower His standards of holiness for anyone who decides to ignore such great salvation. He cannot compromise His word just because people have chosen the way of destruction.
Note that Jesus is the bridegroom who is soon coming for the bride, the church. It is my and your responsibility to keep the garments spotless clean by living a pure life. Forget how many others are priding in sin because God has also kept many more who are still walking right with Him. Did Elijah think He was the only prophet left in 1Kings 19 :18, yet God had spared 7000 Israelites who had not knelt before idols? Hold on to the faith and pursue righteousness saying no no no no no no to all wickedness -- God knows His own.
You may not know who else is holy, but still you must choose to stay holy as the one who called us is holy (1 Peter 1:15-16). Whoever is hindering you from walking in righteousness must be cut off. We have to get ready. Spiritual preparation cannot be borrowed or bought at the last minute like the foolish virgins thought.
It is time to stand for what is right according to the word of God, no matter how fashionable or pleasurable sin may seem to be. God judges according to the standards of His word, not according to the standards of men, so let’s be warned of how we live. There are blessings of living in righteousness and holiness. The moment we live right, we get to enjoy fullness of His goodness. Be prepared to please the King of Kings. Whatever a man sows, he shall surely reap and wages of sin is death. Let’s know that whatever is not Godly is evil. Evil will never be righteousness, good can never be bad.
There are some Christians who copy the wicked ways and think it does not matter because there are many others who seem to be progressing yet they are living in wicked ways. Brother and sister, it matters how you live because each one will give an account before the maker. Stand to be counted like Noah and Enoch who walked with God at a time when the world was under severe wickedness. God will be pleased with your determination to please Him and you will be rewarded here on earth and in ages to come.
Let us continue with the message on preparation
Joshua 5:1-12
So it was, when all the kings of the Amorites who were on the west side of the Jordan, and all the kings of the Canaanites who were by the sea, heard that the Lord had dried up the waters of the Jordan from before the children of Israel until we had crossed over, that their heart melted; and there was no spirit in them any longer because of the children of Israel.
2 At that time the Lord said to Joshua, “Make flint knives for yourself, and circumcise the sons of Israel again the second time.” 3 So Joshua made flint knives for himself, and circumcised the sons of Israel at the hill of the foreskins. 4 And this is the reason why Joshua circumcised them: All the people who came out of Egypt who were males, all the men of war, had died in the wilderness on the way, after they had come out of Egypt. 5 For all the people who came out had been circumcised, but all the people born in the wilderness, on the way as they came out of Egypt, had not been circumcised. 6 For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, till all the people who were men of war, who came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they did not obey the voice of the Lord—to whom the Lord swore that He would not show them the land which the Lord had sworn to their fathers that He would give us, “a land flowing with milk and honey.” 7 Then Joshua circumcised their sons whom He raised up in their place; for they were uncircumcised, because they had not been circumcised on the way.
8 So it was, when they had finished circumcising all the people that they stayed in their places in the camp till they were healed. 9 Then the Lord said to Joshua, “This day I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.” Therefore the name of the place is called Gilgal to this day.
10 Now the children of Israel camped in Gilgal, and kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the month at twilight on the plains of Jericho. 11 And they ate of the produce of the land on the day after the Passover, unleavened bread and parched grain, on the very same day. 12 Then the manna ceased on the day after they had eaten the produce of the land; and the children of Israel no longer had manna, but they ate the food of the land of Canaan that year.
When we get prepared, we enter a season where people will hear what God has done in our lives and their hearts will melt. Get ready for the Lord to show off on your behalf.
Note its after circumcision that the children of Israel stopped depending on manna. Our hearts and lifestyles have to be circumcised so that we can inherit what Christ paid for on the cross. Circumcision is always painful, but the pain will take us to the next level of maturity. Time for dependence on manna is gone; it is time to move to spiritual maturity in preparedness for God to take us to the next level and indeed to our destiny.
Maturity demands we get ready to study His word and internalize it. God's word is able to circumcise our hearts and teach us to depend wholly on Him. The word of God will give us maturity that will build in us confidence and faith to face every situation. As you know, immature boys cannot get any inheritance and so we must be a people who will mature up through the word.
We need to be a people who will spend time with God. We need to grow up to men in the way we think and talk, as we move into maturity. Get to a point where we can praise and worship, even when we do not feel like it.
We need to prepare to get into heaven after great victory on earth and to inherit the good of the land. Even when it is gold and not godly, say no to it. You need to say no to what is not right to the Lord. This is real maturity which will enable us to bear fruits in and out of season. May the Lord circumcise the dependant mind and every complaining heart to mature and have the mind of Christ.
Lets be ready to always abide in the Lord and allow His word to abide in us. This will propel maturity and fruitfulness (John 15).
We must walk in the Spirit of God at all times (Galatians 5:16-20). Our works will be seen by what we reap (Galatians 6:7).
Gilgal's experience is a great challenge for us to grow and mature up. Mature people are careful of what they say and do. They are mindful of who they walk with.We better be ready to be counted as mature.
(2/12/12 Sunday Service Sermon, Africa Transformation Mission. Pramukh Plaza, 6th Floor.)
Pastor Mary Mugo is a Pastor at Africa Transformation Mission, a ministry under Christ Harvesters Ministries.
Pastor Mary Mugo is a Pastor at Africa Transformation Mission, a ministry under Christ Harvesters Ministries.
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