Taking God seriously….!
We are just a few weeks away from Easter. The most holy of all the Christian calendar as we celebrate the death, the suffering and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Sadly many will see it just as four days of vacation, Easter eggs and the last big break before winter arrives. The AFL season commenced last week with the first game of the round but the preparations for that first game commenced back in October 2010 just under 6 months ago. I find it intriguing how we prepare for many things without any consideration of the time, effort or resources. My prayer is that we would prepare even more for our own worship of our Lord. Getting children early to bed the Saturday before Sunday school. Preparing our hearts before we gather with the body of Christ corporately in prayer or study. But many times we have children arriving still asleep and ready to lie down – not the way we would arrive to our coach ready to play football or netball. Likewise our treasured possession, our Bibles, many times forgotten. The coach would say, “no boots no game.” We are living in the last days preceding the coming of Jesus Christ to judge the world. It’s a danger time for the church as the spirit of apostasy is at its peak drawing people away from living committed and right before God. As I read the Old Testament I see great preparation by the priests in the holy worship of the Almighty God. We see too in the New Testament the preparations that Jesus went through, as they were to celebrate the Passover just hours before His death. Preparation is a key for any trade person, any surgeon, athlete, farmer, soldier going into battle. So too we are commanded to prepare our hearts before we worship God. Matthew 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with [their] lips; but their heart is far from me. 2 Cor 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, [so let him give]; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. Hebrews 10:22 let us go right into the presence of God, with true hearts fully trusting him. For our evil consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water. Parents set the example leading up to church, plan and prepare and then the Lord will bless and you will be awake to hear God and ready to serve him. 1 Thess 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as [do] others; but let us watch and be sober. Let us all prepare for Easter 2011, may you set aside time as a family and as individuals in these coming days as we draw close to this most wonderful time when we remember, give thanks and celebrate the precious gift of God’s only begotten Son Who died a cruel death on a cross to bring us the gift of eternal life. – Pastor Keith