Prep Yourself...Wise or Foolish!?

While reading through Mark 13 I found that the Savior gives us counsel/warnings. What is suprising to me is the fact that many people ignore these warnings. in this chapter alone He offers 3 specific warnings for us, as His followers, to heed before He comes again. Warning #1: Dont be deceived. We had a big discussion about this in my New Testament Group this week, about the ways that you can avoid being deceived. One of those ways is to have a solid, sure fire, know-without-a-doubt testimonies, that shakes the people around you when you share it. So dont be deceived! Warning #2: Watch. The word 'watch' is stated many times throughout this chapter, and again I think that the Savior is trying to reiterate something to us that we havent quite gotten yet. He is coming wether we like it or not, and He is coming on His timetable, not on ours. WE need to be as the 5 wise virgins were and have our oil lamps ready and extra oil on hand for when the Bridegroom comes, I have a feeling in the very depth of my soul that it is going to be sooner than later that we all meet Him again! So...take heed and WATCH! Warning #3: Pray. There is only one way to stay close to friends and family and that is by spending time with them, by talking with them on a daily basis and coming up to speed in everything that going on in both your lives. WEll that is the same with our relationship with our Father in Heaven. WE must have a daily, honest, non-repetitive, sincere commune with Him, otherwise we lose track of who we are and where we are going. WE need that constant companion and knowledge in our lives that we are not alone. Prayer is the one way that we can keep that love alive. WE have a direct channel to God! LEts not waste it! PRAY!!

Throughout the scriptures we are encouraged and exhorted to prepare ourselves for the Second Coming of the SAvior. D&C 87:8 States that we need to 'Stand in Holy Places, and be not moved, until the day of the Lord comes.' Joseph Smith-Matthew states that in order to not be deceived we need to 'treasure up His word' and again we are exhorted to WATCH, for we do not know when the day of the Lord will come. WE need to be ready, for when that day is here, the days of preparation will be over! D&C 33:17 also states that we be ready and have our lamps trimmed and filled for the day of the Lord. That we pray always, and be faithful in all things! Preparation is the key to success, without it we will be lost at the Great and Terrible day of the Lord!!!