Repaired, Prepared, and Ready!

April 9, 2012

What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we’ve been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven—and the future starts now! 1 Peter 1:3 MSG

REPAIRED – mended, fixed, and restored.
Jesus left the splendor of heaven on a mission to save what was lost—to repair what the first Adam forfeited (Luke 19:10). The Bible says Jesus went around doing good and healing everyone who was sick and oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him (Acts 10:38). When we turn to God, our lives get repaired and restored—we’re set free!

In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: A voice of one calling in the desert, “Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.” Matthew 3:1-3 NIVUK

PREPARED – equipped in advance for a particular purpose.
Preparation precedes opportunity. Before Jesus, there was a forerunner named John the Baptist who came with great conviction and urged people to get their hearts ready for the Messiah. God convicts us so that we can remove obstacles in our lives and prepare for action.

“For I know the plans that I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11

MADE READY – immediately available; poised for action.
If you’re feeling dull or apathetic and wondering what your purpose is, call out to God. He can take a cold heart and make it white hot and give you fresh hunger for truth. None of us is cut out to be “religious.” We are called to a new life in Christ. So focus on Jesus—He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). This is the reason for our existence.

Happy Easter!
Pastor Jeff

“There are generations yet unborn whose very lives will be shifted and shaped
by the moves you make and the actions you take today.”
—Andy Andrews, Author & Speaker

Copyright © 2012 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.