How can we "get ready" to fulfill God's calling in our lives today? Jeremiah 1:17 Foundation “Now, get yourself ready. Stand up and tell them everything I command you. Do not be terrified by them, or I will terrify you before them.” (Jeremiah 1:17) Dress Yourself for Work - Readiness begins with deliberate preparation, just as a worker puts on appropriate clothing. - The inner life must be clothed with “the full armor of God” (Ephesians 6:10-17). - Set apart every part of life—mind, body, schedule—for God’s purposes. Rise and Take Your Stand - “Stand firm in the faith, be men of courage, be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13). - Rising implies moving out of passivity. Decide that obedience is non-negotiable and immediate. - Establish fixed times for Scripture intake so that each day starts from a place of truth. Speak the Whole Message - Jeremiah was told to “tell them everything I command you.” - Hold nothing back from the counsel of God (Acts 20:27). - Let speech line up with Scripture in clarity, compassion, and conviction (2 Timothy 4:2). Refuse Fear - Fear of people silences witness; fear of God steadies it (Proverbs 29:25). - God’s presence drives out dread: “Do not be afraid… for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9). - Meditate on God’s sovereignty until His greatness eclipses every earthly threat. Daily Practices That Ready the Heart - Immerse in the Word: aim for both breadth (regular reading) and depth (meditative study). - Pray without ceasing: praise, confession, thanksgiving, intercession, listening. - Confess sin quickly: keep spiritual armor uncracked (1 John 1:9). - Cultivate fellowship: seek accountability and mutual encouragement (Hebrews 10:24-25). - Serve where you are: faithfulness in small tasks expands capacity for greater ones (Luke 16:10). - Guard rest and Sabbath rhythms: a rested servant endures. - Remember past deliverances: write them down; review them to fuel courage. Trust the Spirit’s Empowerment - “The Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say” (Luke 12:12). - Gifts are entrusted by God; stir them up through use (2 Timothy 1:6-7). - Dependence, not self-reliance, produces lasting fruit (Zechariah 4:6). Live Ready, Stay Ready - Readiness is not a one-time event but a lifestyle of continual surrender. - Keep watch over doctrine and life alike (1 Timothy 4:16). - Endure hardship as a good soldier of Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 2:3). - Finish well by keeping eyes fixed on Jesus, “the pioneer and perfecter of faith” (Hebrews 12:2). |
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