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Get Ready!
1 Peter 1:13 'Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.' (NIV)
 'Fortune,' said Louis Pasteur, 'favours the prepared mind.' Pasteur is known for having 'accidentally' stumbled upon the secret of sterilisation. Actually, he didn't so much stumble as trip over his own careful preparation. You see, other people may have observed what Pasteur saw in his laboratory, but they would not have been in a position to interpret it ought to recognise it is true significance. He did because he had prepared himself so well beforehand. He had been experimenting, observing and developing his understanding of the subject long before he made his final sudden discovery. Faith also favours the prepared mind. Often, God speaks into people's lives and they don't hear what he has to say, simply because they have not learned to recognise his voice or how to act when he speaks. Every day, as we read the word of God and spend time in thankful prayer, we are preparing our minds and hearts for the moment of sudden discovery, when that special revelation word from God breaks into our situation and makes a path clear before us. At that moment, were able to make sense of so much that had been a mystery to us before. No, we don't suddenly understand all the mysteries of life; but we do see more clearly what we need to do in our immediate situation. When people say, 'God suddenly spoke to me.' What they really mean, if they are being totally honest, is this: 'God's word came to me over a period of time, as he built layer upon layout of understanding into my heart.' There may have been a moment of illumination for them at the end of the process, but they needed everything that went before so that they could make sense of that moment when it arrived. Don't despair if it seems to you that God is taking his time speaking into your situation. Actually, the very process of earnestly reaching out to him, through prayer and study of his word, is setting you up for a new discovery.
Prayer: 'father, help me not to grow tired in seeking you. Sometimes, it seems to me that you are slow in responding to my cries for help. But I know that faith favours the prepared mind. I want to be ready when you act and speak into my situation.'
© 2003-2004 Mal Fletcher
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The strength of EDGES is that it explains it's argument in logical steps without the usual emotive language. If all the logical steps are present and correct, it is difficult to disagree with the point being made whether you are a Christian or not. You give a balanced argument.
Ben, United Kingdom
Rocknations went to another level this year: it was rocking. The bands were awesome, the messages were life-changing, challenging me to live God loud. It's amazing when God shows up at a place.
PHUMZILE, United Kingdom
Great to hear those 80s songs (that blessed so many back then). 'To share God's love in music and word' is a great calling. I guess there's no time for a new album?!
Ann, Australia
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