PREP

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

Let’s “prep” together this morning.

What do I mean?

Many of you know I dabble a little in catering. My grandmothers Winnie and Clara were so gracious to let me hang out at their knee when I was little and gain some great “stove-top” wisdom.

And I learned before you can bring together “grandma worthy grub” you need to “prep”.

Get the veggies cut and ready.

Organize your ingredients on the counter. “Mise-en-place” in place?

Eggs at room temperature?

Meat tenderized? Got that chicken-fried steak station ready? Oven preheated?

Water on to boil?

You get my drift?

Good prep will equate to greater meal success. That is just a fact.

And simply put, the same applies to our “spiritual” preparation?

It does.

The better we spiritually prepare for this “day” ahead the more successful our day will be. Trust me on that.

That is not to say the day won’t deliver a dropped pan or a spilled sauce or two, rather good preparation allows you to deal with it more effectively.

And nothing prepares us for the day ahead like prayer.

So, let me ask you, have you prayed yet this morning? Have you at least "prepped” that station?

I was just with a friend yesterday who is dedicating herself to three VERY SPECIFIC morning prayers to prep.  A prayer of trust, a prayer of “indifference” (which I know sounds a little weird, but think about in terms of “Lord if I am trusting you, then I must maintain peace with whatever comes my way” – make sense?), and a prayer of dedication to the will of GOD.

That is good good prep.

So, for the rest of us, let me "play grandma" for a second and offer a little additional prep-help. After prayer:

Let’s acknowledge GOD and bring Him into our recipe for the day!

Lord, you are great and powerful. You have glory, victory, and honor. Everything in heaven and on earth belongs to you. The kingdom belongs to you, Lord; you are the ruler over everything.

1 Chronicles 29:11 (NCV)

Including this day ahead! So, we TRUST You with it!

Now let’s prep a little protection; our "temptation station" if you will.

…lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil - Matthew 6:31(ESV)

And we need at least of DASH of direction. -

Lord direct (our) hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.

2 Thessalonians 3:5 (NCV)

Now let’s bless this preparation!

God, bless you (me) and keep you (me). God smile on you (me) and gift you (me). Numbers 6:24-25 (MSG)

Feel a little better prepared for the day ahead now?

I hope so.

You remember that old “grandmotherly” saying don’t you…

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

― Benjamin Franklin

It's true! 

Have a blessed day!

I love you all!

OPPORTUNITIES for HOPE