Harold Peterson was off to a monastery and his dad, Bill, was enjoying the peace and quiet around the house. Not only was he enjoying the peace and quiet, he was enjoying not worrying about what he was up to. On the other hand, what was he going to do? As Bill thought upon that thought, he heard someone start singing and around the corner came Robert “Hi! Ho! Hi! Ho! Its off to, to, to...”
“Hello Robert.” Bill said to his
father-in-law, “Where are you off to? Or are you just singing?”
“Uhm,” Robert said scratching his head, “I can't remember.”
“That sounds about right.” Bill said, “Have you heard anything
from Harold?” “Harold?” Robert said scratching his head again,
“Harold, who?
“Your Grandson!” Bill reminded
him. “Oh, that Harold.” Robert exclaimed, “No I haven’t but
I'm getting ready to go and visit him.” “So your off to the
monastery?” Bill asked. “The monastery?” Robert said a little
confused, “Is that where Harold is?” “You mean you didn't
know?” Bill asked a little surprised. “I thought space aliens got
him.” Robert said.
“If space aliens had got him,”
Bill said, “How would you have gone to visit him?” “Good
question.” Robert said “Maybe I did know he was there.” “So,”
Bill said, “When are you leaving?” “As soon as I'm ready.”
Robert replied, “By the way, what do I need to visit a monastery?”
“I would suggest bringing your Bible
for starters.” Bill told him. “To a monastery?'Robert questioned.
“Of course.” Bill answered, “They spend most of their time in
God’s word.” “Oh great!” Robert said when he heard that,
“All day sermons. I better bring a pillow and my anti snoring
device.” “I don't think so.” Bill said, “They study and
meditate on God’s word, not sit in all day sermons.” “That's a
relief.” Robert sighed.
“Do you like oatmeal?” Bill
asked. “Are you kidding?” Robert laughed, “I love oatmeal. Do
I need to bring some?” “No.” Bill replied, “But that's all
you get to eat three meals a day.” “Three meals a day?!”
Robert exclaimed, “I don’t think I like it that much.” “And
you may want some warm clothes” Bill added on, “They don’t keep
it very warm in there. The building is to big to heat.”
After some thought, Robert asked,
“Will I need a suit and tie?” “I don't think so.” Bill said,
Just a robe will do.” After doing some more thinking, Robert
finally said, “Maybe I’ll go visit my brother in Florida,
visiting Harold doesn’t sound like much fun.” “Well,” Bill
said, “I suppose getting ready for a trip to Florida would be a
little easier, but Harold is closer.”
“Yeah.” Robert said in agreement,
“And I am curios as to how he’s doing. Maybe I will go visit
him. Hi! Ho! Hi! Ho! Its off to, to, to... Uhm, Bill, Where exactly
am I going?” “To visit Harold at the monastery!” Bill said. “I
know that.” Robert responded, “Where is the monastery?” After
thinking about it for a few minutes Bill had to shrug his shoulders,
That, I do not know.”
A 150 mile bike trip is great exercise
and a lot of fun but what if your legs say “No Way, I'm not going
anywhere.” You go anyway and soon your legs cramp up and they win.
Why?
And God said to Noah, "I have
determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with
violence through them. Behold, I will destroy them with the earth.
Make yourself an ark of gopher wood. Make rooms in the ark, and cover
it inside and out with pitch. This is how you are to make it: the
length of the ark 300 cubits, its breadth 50 cubits, and its height
30 cubits. Make a roof for the ark, and finish it to a cubit above,
and set the door of the ark in its side. Make it with lower, second,
and third decks. For behold, I will bring a flood of waters upon the
earth to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life under
heaven. Everything that is on the earth shall die. But I will
establish my covenant with you, and you shall come into the ark, you,
your sons, your wife, and your sons' wives with you. And of every
living thing of all flesh, you shall bring two of every sort into the
ark to keep them alive with you. They shall be male and female. Of
the birds according to their kinds, and of the animals according to
their kinds, of every creeping thing of the ground, according to its
kind, two of every sort shall come in to you to keep them alive.
Also take with you every sort of food that is eaten, and store it up.
It shall serve as food for you and for them."
Genesis 6:13-21 (ESV)
Noah had to get ready – he had to
build a boat and fill it with animals and food
and the LORD said to Moses, "Tell
Aaron your brother not to come at any time into the Holy Place inside
the veil, before the mercy seat that is on the ark, so that he may
not die. For I will appear in the cloud over the mercy seat. But in
this way Aaron shall come into the Holy Place: with a bull from the
herd for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering. He shall put
on the holy linen coat and shall have the linen undergarment on his
body, and he shall tie the linen sash around his waist, and wear the
linen turban; these are the holy garments. He shall bathe his body in
water and then put them on. And he shall take from the congregation
of the people of Israel two male goats for a sin offering, and one
ram for a burnt offering. "Aaron shall offer the bull as a sin
offering for himself and shall make atonement for himself and for his
house.
Leviticus 16:2-6 (ESV)
God would bring forgiveness but first,
Aaron had to prepare himself to offer the sacrifice, he had to get
ready..
Before Robert could go see Harold he
needed to get ready. In Ephesians 6:15 we read of the third piece of
the Armor of God - and having shod your feet with the preparation
of the gospel of peace; (NKJV) Roman shoes had spikes to protect
and keep from slipping. We need to cover our feet with readiness /
preparation of the gospel. What is like to be prepared, to be ready,
can preparedness protect us?
- 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (ESV)
- 1 Peter 3:15 but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; (ESV)
- Titus 3:1 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, (ESV)
It will be hard for the enemy to get
us if we are ready for anything.
Here's Something To Ponder
- In what ways are you preparing yourself to meet the enemy?
- Does your preparation include God's word?
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