Preparation
This is one thing that everybody needs if they are going to be successful. In the world of sports, we learn that those who are prepared are able to overcome their opponents and win the games. Coaches teach the players the basics of the game, and then in order to prepare for the game, they sometimes look at game films. The teams may have scouts to go and view an upcoming opponent. All this is so that they can be prepared in any situation and be ready to counter the efforts of the other team.
In the business world, preparation is also important. In a world where seconds count and businesses need to be ready to respond to the needs of the customer; we see many companies fail because they were not prepared. Preparation is obtained through training. Sometimes we rely upon the experience of others. Sometimes, we have had to learn to rely upon our own experience. We will eventually be able to survive in our business the more prepared we are to handle whatever comes our way.
The Boy Scout motto is "Be Prepared". This organization has done a lot of good over the years, and the young men who were mentored and taught by good men have proven valuable to our society.
A family might make preparations in case of emergencies. If there was a natural disaster, each member of the family has instructions of who to call or where to meet just in case something goes wrong. Many measures of the home include safety precautions and might even include some drills like they have in our schools. All of this is preparation.
Another area where we need preparation is in our spiritual lives. Our souls need to be prepared to handle the entire arsenal of Satan and this world. We prepare ourselves by learning of God and eventually putting our trust in Him. We prepare when we actually do the work God has commanded us to do. The more we do this work, the more experienced we become. As time goes, we are able to use our experience to teach others how to become prepared for what this world has to offer.
There are many things we can do to prepare us to meet our maker. Believe in God and put your trust in Him. Obey His commands and demonstrate your love for Him. Learn the ways of others so that you may protect yourself and others from false doctrines and teachings.
Make every effort to improve upon your faith. Pray without ceasing also helps a lot. Remain faithful until death and you will receive the crown of life.
Jesus went to prepare a place for us when this life is over. That place is heaven. "Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people". Many have quoted this anonymous author, but it still rings true today. If we are not prepared to enter heaven, we will be lost. Jesus spoke of the five foolish virgins who were not prepared and lost out on the ceremony. So also, we can be cast away and turned away if we are not prepared to meet our maker.
We must examine ourselves constantly to see if we are prepared. If we find ourselves wanting, we have the time and ability to make things right and be prepared.
By Carey Scott

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