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<v SPEAKER_00>Good morning.

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<v SPEAKER_00>This is Dan.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Last week I mentioned the verse 2 Timothy 4.2, which talks about being prepared in season and out of season, especially when it comes to preaching the word or sharing the gospel.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And this morning I'd like to share a similar verse on being prepared from Matthew 24 42, which says to keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.

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<v SPEAKER_00>If you were here last Sunday, you might remember Pastor Aaron reading the verse about conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ at all times, whether Paul was present or not in the Philippian congregation.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Now, to be honest, being prepared to the extent these verses talk about doesn't come easy to me.

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<v SPEAKER_00>I hope I'm not alone here.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Do any of my listeners ever have a hard time practicing some things over and over until you can almost do the things in your sleep?

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<v SPEAKER_00>A driver gets a flat tire on the way to church, uses her spare, and makes it on time.

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<v SPEAKER_00>She then forgets to fix the spare tire.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Five days later, another flat tire happens, but this time there is no spare left.

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<v SPEAKER_00>The lesson is to fix broken things right away instead of waiting until an emergency strikes.

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<v SPEAKER_00>On the other hand, Noah built a huge ark way before the flood waters came.

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<v SPEAKER_00>It wasn't raining when he started building, but his preparation saved his family because he listened to the warnings God had given him and acted early.

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<v SPEAKER_00>I mentioned how important it is to practice.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Readiness involves repetition.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Several years ago, I conducted the Starlight Symphony Orchestra for their inaugural season.

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<v SPEAKER_00>They're still active to this day and have played several concerts here at FBC Wemberley, but those first concerts didn't just come together magically.

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<v SPEAKER_00>They represented hours of group and individual rehearsals over several weeks.

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<v SPEAKER_00>The result was that I, along with the players, were confident the orchestra was ready when we stepped onto the stage.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Let's pray we can all take the time to be prepared for the important things in life, such as telling others about Jesus.

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<v SPEAKER_00>I appreciate you joining me today.