The Living Word: A Daily Devotional with Jeff & Dale from The Jenkins Institute

Week 30: Monday, Dressed and Ready

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It has been said that “clothes make the man,” meaning that the way we

dress puts us in the proper mindset for the task ahead and can affect the

impressions others have of us. It also implies the need to make the very

best decision regarding our dress. For example: a football player wears

cleats, pads, a uniform, and a helmet; a fireman wears boots, gloves, and

protective gear for his body and head; and an astronaut wears clothing

and gear specifically designed to withstand the pressures of being in

outer space.

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Welcome to Hearing God's Stories, a daily devotional on the parables presented by the Jickens Institute.

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Week thirty, Monday, the Parable of the Watchful Servants, Luke chapter 12, verses 35 through 40 by Steve Baggett. I'm Doyle Ferris. Dressed and ready. Today's Scripture, Luke 12, verses 35 through 36. It has been said that clothes make the man, meaning that the way we dress puts us in the proper mindset for the task ahead and can affect the impressions others have of us. It also implies the need to make the very best decision regarding our dress. For example, a football player wears cleats, pads, a uniform, and a helmet. A fireman wears boots, gloves, and protective gear for his body and head. And an astronaut wears clothing and gear specifically designed to withstand the pressures of being in outer space. What about the Christian? Jesus said, Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. Luke chapter 12, verses 35 through 36. Christians are to stay dressed for action at all times. These words are found in the parable of the watchful servant in Luke chapter 12, verses 35 through 40. In the parable, these words do not refer to literal clothing. They are used to assert the need to always be prepared to serve others and for the return of Jesus. Biblical writers emphasize the need to be prepared with statements like, Because I will do this to you, prepare to meet your God, O Israel. Amos chapter 4 and verse 12. Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour, Matthew chapter 25 and verse 13. These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life, Matthew chapter 25 and verse 46. Through the years, hymn writers have emphasized the fact that Jesus will return on judgment day, and that we need to always be ready for his return with songs like Jesus is coming soon, There's a Great Day Coming, and prepare to meet thy God. Today, I will ask God to help me to love Him and others, to seek first His kingdom, and be prepared in every way to meet the Lord in the air and to always be with the Lord.

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Thank you for joining us for the Living Word. For more encouragement and ministry resources, visit the Jenkins Institute.com and may God's richest blessings be yours. It's our prayer for you.