Ready or Not by Brother Duke Hansen

         Our scripture reading is from the letter 1 Thessalonians chapter 15. We will be looking at the first 15 verses.

        1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.

        2 For Yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

        3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

        4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

        5 Ye are children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

        6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

        7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken be drunken in the night.

        8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet the hope of salvation.

        9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

        10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

        11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

        12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;

        13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

        14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

        15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

        There are differences between carnal seasons and spiritual seasons. Whatever occurs in the spirit will bleed into the carnal. Paul is writing this concluding chapter about the end times. The church Paul was writing to was spiritually aware.

        Look at Revelation chapter 21, verses 6 and 7. 6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. You are not overcoming anything without the water, the Holy Spirit, and the blood. God is looking for those thirsty for his truth. Fear is counterproductive to your faith, and often times you don't even know it is happening. Fear will slowly chip away your faith through anxiety, failure, the uncertainty of tomorrow. 

        There are many churches and people who never lived in the spirit of truth, but have lived in the spirit of fear and ignorance. There are many disputes and arguments in churches today. Many of these same issues today were present in the early church and said issues and problems were solved within these very scriptures that the apostles delivered. Who is afraid to lose their life? Those who are not prepared for life beyond life. You need to be prepared to enter in a place which has been prepared for you. Fear is a sin if we allow it.

        You aren't prepared to lose anyone, let alone yourself. The statement watch and pray does not mean to stand back off to the side. You need to be working. Expectations- God has one for his church as well as his people. The first battle you will have on this walk isn't with Satan or a demon, it is going to be with yourself.

        God is all about preparation. You need to be prepared for what is ahead. If you are not prepared mentally nor spiritually, you are going to falter and fail in your faith. There are those who are blind because of darkness. Your eyes were made for daylight. When you take your knowledge and mix it with the Holy Spirit, that changes you into a new creature. Faith opens your eyes to understanding in your life. If you can recognize fear you can overcome it.

        We want to apply verse 12 as a gauge to who we think we are good and bad. 12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; That's the wrong way! It's those who work among you. It's people you need to know who you can trust. We can destroy strongholds, even personal strongholds if it is shown in a personal circle.

        Study the words diligence and admission. The definition of diligence is careful and persistent work or effort. The definition of admission is a statement acknowledging the truth of something. They were together hand in hand and are serious. There are things we need to confront and learn about ourself in the changing process. Be sober and pray, ever watchful in your waking moments.