So you must be ready...

Resources

1-My Cancer Testimony
This is a video of me sharing my cancer testimony. It was filmed at what is now my home church, Firewheel Church.
2-Jacob's Journey, A Sister's Perspective
In first grade, our son Jacob was basically non-functional. Today, well, you'll have to listen to our daughter Amber tell her perspective on Jacob's Journey.
3-Jacob's Journey, A Parent's Perspective
Video of my husband Frank sharing our son Jacob's health struggles in his early years. Scroll down on the page for "Jacob's Journey Part 1" and "Jacob's Journey Part 2" to hear God's awesome work in Jacob's life!
4-Engage Hope Tanzania videos
See first hand the work God is doing through our church in Bukabwa, Tanzania..or read about it on this blog by clicking on the "Engage Hope Tanzania" button!
5-Firewheel Church
My Home Church - Firewheel Church, Garland, Texas
6-Grow in your Faith!
Systematically grow your faith, one step at a time!
7-MaxPoint Ministries
MaxPoint exists to help churches, ministries, and individuals realize their full potential in Christ by focusing on discipleship and leadership development.
8-Maxpoint: Your Journey to Maximum Significance by Frank Banfill
My husband's book.
9-Frank's Bible Blog
Chapter summaries and practical personal applications of each chapter in the New Testament and much of the Old Testament.
10-Raptim International Travel
I am the Manager of Missionary and Church Travel at Raptim. We are the world's largest provider of travel for churches, missionaries, humanitarian and non-profit organizations. Feel free to contact me for a quote!
11-And That's What Christmas is All About!
Our daughter Amber shares from memory Luke 2:1-20.

So you must be ready...

Matthew 24:44 "So you also must be ready..."

This morning in my quiet time, I came across the verse in Matthew where Jesus is telling the disciples that they must be ready for His return. I had to stop and ponder Jesus' command. I couldn't help but think, "What else does Jesus expect me to be ready for?" Certainly, Scripture gives some clear guidelines. II Timothy 4:2 says we should be ready in season and out of season to preach the word. I Peter 3:15 says we should be always ready to give an answer to any man who asks us about the Hope in us.

So you must be ready...
On Christmas Eve, the Lord opened up an incredible opportunity for my daughter, Amber. About five hours before the first of three Christmas services, my pastor texted me and asked if Amber would be willing to quote the Christmas story, Luke 2:1-20, at all three Christmas services.

Two Christmases ago, I worked with both of my children to memorize the Christmas story passage, Luke 2:1-20. It was something my brothers and I had all memorized as children, and it was part of my legacy that I wanted to pass on to my kids. But when I got the text from my pastor, my heart dropped. I wasn't sure if Amber could still do it, at least good enough for such an important service...and she had definitely never done it in public before.

I went upstairs to talk to Amber about it, and I could see the a bit of fear in her eyes. Then I said, "Amber, Maybe God had you learn that passage for such a time as this." She agreed to do it, and she immediately started reciting it, to be sure she had it down. I asked her a little later, "Are you sure you're ok with this? You don't have to do it." Amber's answer was simple, "Mom, it would be wrong of me to not use the talents that God has given me for Him."

"So you must be ready."
What do I need to be doing now to be ready for the next step that God is going to ask me to do? Am I spending enough time in His word to be able to have answers for people who ask about God? Am I memorizing enough of Scripture so that I will be ready to encourage a friend at the right time? God places opportunities in our path to prepare us for the next step of service to Him. The question is, will I have keen enough spiritual eyes to take advantage of the opportunity so that I will be ready for the next step He has for me? Jesus says, "I must be ready." I agree. I must be ready.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Glu0YyejEog

---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com