“Be ready in season and out of season.”
2 Timothy 4:2
At the Ready is a lifestyle reminder for every Christian – don’t wait for circumstances to change, but rather always be ready to give a witness and testimony of the hope that is in you.
Prayer
Encouragement
Always Looking Up
Understanding Your Identity
If you have been born again in Jesus Christ, understanding your new identity is crucial. Identity is the foundation for approaching your Heavenly Father with confidence and understanding your belonging in the Body of Christ.
What Scripture Says About You
- You are a New Creation
(2 Corinthians 5:17; Ezekiel 36:26) - You are a child of God.
(John 1:12-13; Romans 8:14-17; Galatians 3:26-27) - You’ve been Adopted by Heavenly Father.
(Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:6-7) - You’re a Co-heir with Christ.
(Romans 8:17, Galatians 3:29) - You are Abraham’s Offspring
(Galatians 3:7-9, 29; Romans 4:16; Romans 9:6-8) - You’re a Member of the Church, Body of Christ
(Romans 12:5; 1 Corinthians 12:12)
God Reveals Who You Are As You Walk With Him
As you walk with God through Sanctification, He will reveal to you more of who you are in Him. Sometimes this can be a painful process as God breaks off the “outer man” of your flesh and reveals your new identity – the “inner man” of your born-again spirit. Your true identity is hidden in Christ, and that identity becomes clearer as you walk with God and He reveals it to you.
The trials and hardships we encounter can be difficult, but part of being God’s sons & daughters means God disciplines us. (Hebrews 12:6,10). Don’t mistaken suffering for abandonment, God disciplines those He loves and those He receives into sharing His holiness through refinement.
Understanding Your Belonging
One of the greatest attacks the enemy uses against the people of God is REJECTION. We may face rejection by man, but we are never rejected by God. Jesus took the rejection of God upon Himself on the cross so that you and I don’t have to experience the rejection of God. God’s opinion of you matters more than any opinion of man.
If you are in Christ, you don’t need to strive to build your own place of belonging – you belong because of the finished work of Jesus. You don’t need to accomplish it through achievements the way the world strives for acceptance, we are accepted by God (Ephesians 1:6). From this place of belonging, we can grow and step into our calling with assurance and faith.
God’s Purpose in Creation
You were created for a purpose. You were born for such a time as this. God knew you before you were even born, and you are fearfully and wonderfully made. God made all of us different and uses our differentiation to serve one another in the Body of Christ.
God created men and women for unique purpose which reflects His order in creation. Godly Men are created to be spiritual leaders, providers, and protectors. Godly Women are created to be helpers, comforters, and reflections of grace. God is calling both men and women to reverence for Him in worship. When our relationship with God is restored, the order of our relationships with one another becomes restored.
Scripture says all of creation groans with a longing. Those of us who are being sanctified have a hope-shaped groaning for the return of Christ. We run the race of obedience in all types of seasons that we may one day hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Your Ministry
The Church was never meant to function like members of an audience. We are all active participants in the Body of Christ. Jesus gave two commandments:
- Love God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.
- Love your neighbor as yourself.
When you love God, He will put His love in your heart and a desire to serve others. This love for others isn’t something we conjure up within ourselves, it comes from God’s love for us (1 John 4:19).
Every ministry begins with prayer. If you don’t know where to start, then prayer is your ministry – praying for God’s direction, praying for others, praying for your Church or community. Don’t just become busy with “Christian things,” pray for God to give you direction, and pray for motives that come from His heart. If you don’t know what your ministry is, start with prayer and God will lead the way.