Are You Ready?

Daily Reading: 2 Timothy 4

Scripture Focus: Be ready in season and out of season. (2 Timothy 4.2)

Devotional Thought: I have a friend who is waiting on me. I told her several months ago that I would be happy to get some help together and pressure wash her house. She has a small ranch home, and I could wash hers whenever I rent a washer to do my own. It will be a piece of cake compared to washing my 2-story home. The problem is that the season is rapidly passing and I still haven't gotten the job done - her house or my own! I just wasn't ready when the season was right! Too bad! The job still must get done. I have a feeling that I'm going to be very cold!

Paul told Timothy that he needed to "be ready in season and out of season." The job must get done! What job? For Timothy it was preaching, reproving, rebuking and exhorting. You see, Timothy was a pastor who had responsibility for the souls of his flock. I have those same responsibilities, and I, too, must be ready in season and out of season.

But being ready at all times is not limited to just pastors. All of us must be ready at all times. For what must we be ready? I can think of a few things:

• The onset of temptation

• The opportunity to witness

• Suffering reproach for the name of Christ

• The end of our lives

• The return of the Lord

Are you ready?

Prayer: Lord, help me to be ready in season and out of season so that I can bear witness to your Truth and Love. Amen.

Psalm of the Day: 57 The LORD is my portion; I promise to keep your words. 58 I entreat your favor with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise. 59 When I think on my ways, I turn my feet to your testimonies; 60 I hasten and do not delay to keep your commandments. 61 Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me, I do not forget your law. 62 At midnight I rise to praise you, because of your righteous rules. 63 I am a companion of all who fear you, of those who keep your precepts. 64 The earth, O LORD, is full of your steadfast love; teach me your statutes! (Psalms 119:57-64)