Preparation.
Nearly two years ago, the city of Atlanta was facing an unprecedented water drought.
In fact, some of the largest cities throughout the Southeastern United States were at that time prepared to declare massive water emergencies.
Yet for the past two days, and what appears to be over the next five, the city of Atlanta will encounter more rainfall this week than it has over the past 5-7 years; causing many counties around the perimeter of the city to be under a flood watch.
As I was in search for my long-lost rain coat this morning, I am reminded of something I heard
Pastor Perry Noble (of NewSpring Church) say recently:
“A movement of God can never be PLANNED, but it must always be PREPARED for.”
Sometimes I wonder if we as believers spend way too much of our time praying for the plans God has for us to manifest, rather than doing what is necessary to properly prepare for them.
When it comes to relationships, many would rather pray for a spouse,
rather than prepare for one.
When it comes to areas of employment, many would rather pray for a new job,
rather than prepare for one.
Even within some of our churches, there are leaders who would rather pray for a new congregation,
rather than prepare for one.
Can you imagine how foolish Noah would have looked if he never built that ark? While many believe the rain would have never came had Noah not obeyed God and built the ark, I strongly disagree. Our lack of preparation has never caused God to stop moving (Matthew 7:24).
It saddens me how many people I know have become comfortable with drowning.
Related posts:
Category: Uncategorized
You are so right we as christians some are not prepared and some not just being comfortable will not do it. when will your book be out? Thanks
Milan you are so right on the money once again What you described is a lack of faith. We ask God for things and to do stuff in our lives but we don’t really believe He will do it so we don’t prepare for it. There is the story of the town that had the drought for several years and the towns leaders called all the people together to go to the town square and pray for rain. When they knocked on this one ladies door and expained the mission she turned to go back into the house. When asked where she was going she said “to get my umbrella” no one elso had brought an umbrella. Why pray if you do not expect an answer.
Be Blessed and thank you again for helping me this morning stay focused on the mission.
Joy
Thanks Milan, thats what I believe should be enforced, because if you look at Saul who later became Paul, in as much as he had that “light” experience on his way to Damascus (which in most cases now warrants people to be called ministers of the gospel) he had to go through a preparation phase. For every divine or supernatural experience one needs to go through preparation, for effectiveness and impact. I think we just leave too many things to being led by the Spirit instead of using our common sense of preparation. I agree with you completely.
Amen!
Hi Milan, Thanks for your thoughts. If we are preparing and giving praise and thanks and do all things in Christ, then can you please tell me about praying. This is an area I feel I may be lacking. I remeber reading about the spirtitual weapons for warfare from the streaming faith devotional a few weeks ago and Paula White wrote:
Jesus instructs us that we are to give love offerings (alms).
But WHEN thou doest alms…thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. Matthew 6:3 – 4
• Jesus instructs us that we are to pray.
And WHEN thou prayest…enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. Matthew 6:5 – 6
• Jesus instructs us that we are to fast.
Moreover WHEN ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance…and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly. Matthew 6:16 – 18
So even with these words, maybe I need to spend more time reading the word, and it will be revealed to me.
Powerful, timely and relevant. Thanks Ford!