Simple Salvation Church of God

DAILY-E-VOTIONAL

BLESSINGS FROM THE HEART

Pastor Cecil A. Thompson

December 24, 2012

BE PREPARED!

Luke 2:25-26

And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

When I hear the admonition to be prepared, my mind flies back across the years of time when I was in the Boy Scouts. The Boy Scout motto is – BE PREPARED! – It means that you consider what you are going to need in any given situation and be prepared with the necessary equipment or techniques to meet any type of unexpected event.

God had spoken through His prophets across the ages that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem, and to a virgin. It seemed to be an impossible occurrence and there were far more skeptics than believers. Most of the religious leaders of that day were more interested in their own position than they were in listening to God. They were not prepared when God sent His Son in accordance with prophecy.

There were two exceptions - Simeon and Anna. Both expectantly spent their time in the Temple waiting for the promised Messiah. When Joseph and Mary appeared on the eighth day to have Jesus circumcised and named, they were prepared and found joy that their preparation was not in vain.

It was tragic that others in Israel were so filled with themselves that they could not have an open heart to welcome the Savior of the world. It is time to evaluate our own life to be able to determine if we are prepared to welcome the Lord. He came once and He is coming again. It is time to be prepared!

Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing to others!

- - - Pastor Cecil

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