Are You Ready for 2006?

Are You Ready for 2006?

Prov 24:3 - Any enterprise is built by wise planning, becomes strong through common sense, and profits wonderfully by keeping abreast of the facts. TLB

One of the things that we “Americans” always seem to do is to wait to the last minute for most everything. Some of us learned in High School that we could postpone studying until right before the final exam and then “cram for the exam.” Most manage to graduate – some even with good grades. (But you can’t remember a year later what you studied.) In life, the grade is not what you end up with on a “paper” final exam. It is how you respond to life. Are you really prepared for what 2006 holds?

That very statement will make you think that I am prophesying disaster in 2006. Actually I am not. I have found that God cannot really bless most people because they have not prepared themselves for that either! We are unprepared for blessing or challenge. The sad part is that leaves us in a spiritual “limbo” that causes continual discontentment. You can’t buy enough things of this world to cover up the discontent you feel in your heart. The only way to stop it is to prepare spiritually. Here are some ways:

1. Systematic Study of God’s Word

If you are called to ministry then deep, systematic study is NOT something you endure while you are trying to get a degree. You need to learn the habits of study just as much as you need to learn what are in the books and lectures! After you graduate, your need for study will actually increase. When you are in ministry, people will need for you to be informed. They will need for you to have a deep knowledge of the Word of God that can only be developed by years of study – far beyond just getting a degree.

I have found that I study more now than I ever did in college or seminary. While working 12 hour days in administrating the school plus teaching a local discipleship class (as well as having time with my family and wonderful grandchildren), I create the time to read several books a month, listen to about a dozen sermons and several audio books. Notice I said “create” the time. I have learned to become creative in redeeming my time. If I am exercising, I listen to sermons or audio books. If I have a few spare minutes waiting for something, I break out the current book I am reading. I am constantly feeding myself spiritually and intellectually because my family, my disciples and my students need me to. In fact, I need me to as well. Paul reminds us in 2 Timothy 2:15:

“Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth.” AMP

This was written to Timothy, not while he was in Paul’s School of Theology, but after he had been trained and released into ministry. Paul knew for Timothy to be successful in life and ministry that a continued lifestyle of study was required.

In fact, within our Hebraic heritage, the Rabbis believed that the highest form of worship was study. Why? They knew it was not enough to just worship God by lifting their hands to Him and telling Him how much they loved Him. For them, the greatest love was expressed when they studied to find out how He wanted them to live and then to live life that way. I must say, I agree with the Rabbis of old!

2. A Systematic Prayer Life

I use the word “systematic” because I believe that we need to systematically build prayer into our lifestyle. How much do we spend time seeking the face of the Lord? Notice I said “face” in contrast to “hands.” It is through relationship that we draw spiritual strength from Him. Not in the time we are just asking Him for things. Like Brother Lawrence, we need to learn to practice the presence of God. This includes time alone with Him and purposely building a lifestyle of continual conversations with Him. There needs to be a running dialogue that becomes natural through systematic, purposeful development.

Bringing It All Together

1. If you are already a student with BLCS – pick back up your lessons, roll up your sleeves and get back to work. You need those studies deep down in your spirit. Your family needs for you to have them deep down in your spirit. Anyone that you will ever minister to needs for you to have them deep down into your spirit. That is also why we use audio lectures so much. It helps you get those truths deep down into your spirit. (Do you notice a theme here?) You can listen to them over and over again. Every year I get letters from graduates that went back to our tapes and listened to them again in times of challenge. They brought strength, encouragement and revelation for the situation.

I commission you, in Jesus name, to make study and prayer a lifestyle. May the Holy Spirit aid you in making it a high priority. Whether 2006 holds new challenges, blessings or both – you need to be ready to face them or receive them!

2. If you are looking at enrollment with BLCS – don’t believe the Devil’s lie to put it off till tomorrow. He will see to it that you will always be too busy! He wants you to believe that you do not have time to study and pray as you should. I have the anointing of God upon me right now to tell you that you don’t have time NOT to study and pray. God wants to take you to the next level. That transition is not going to just fall on you out the blue! God wants to build it into your life. God wants to work with you to make it happen. But He can’t do it if you just sit there on your hands hoping that one day it will come.

Now, I am going to tell you something that no other Seminary Presidents will ever tell you. Are you ready? If God has called you to complete your education for ministry – get the catalogs, pray through until you hear from God which school you are to study with and then ENROLL. Don’t look for a spiritual Wal-Mart that will give you the best deal or quickest way to a degree. (Schools that make the studies easy or give quick ways to get that degree on your wall are cheating you and everyone you will ever minister to!) Find the school that God wants you to study with and then do every course they will let you do! Get so deep in the Word that the Devil can’t find you any more! It’s the education and discipline that you learn while going through the process that will enable you for ministry and life. The Devil really doesn’t care what degree you have hanging on your wall, if the knowledge and discipline are not in your heart and life. Get out of the Valley of Indecision and get in the Mountain of Dedication and Commitment! It will change you and empower you for an overcoming life and ministry – in Jesus name!