Good morning!

When I was onboard the USS Mississippi years ago, we had several tests and inspections that looked at our deployment readiness posture. One of the biggest inspections was the Inspector General’s (IG). When the inspectors came aboard, they looked at every facet of the ship’s movement from stores to biological warfare. Each department had specific inspections in my department we were tested on our communications systems which included situations where we lost communications with our shore support. While these inspections were rigorous and challenging, we also learned to work together cohesively. After the inspection, we had items and procedures that we needed to fix. Once we fixed our assigned item, it was tested and evaluated by the Commanding Officer. It was from that inspection that I made a personal decision to always do the right thing, when things changed I changed with them so that I would be prepared in and out of season.

You see, we as humans tend to do the right thing only when we are being watched. The problem with this kind of work ethic is that eventually we will get caught unprepared and ill-equipped like the 10 foolish virgins who didn’t have enough oil (Matthew 25:1-13). I encourage you today that if it is you who is ill-equipped, unprepared, and/or has unforgiveness in your heart this be the day for new beginnings. For the next few days I am going to expound on this subject through the “Life of the Patriarchs” series.

I.H.S. MK

Father,

Your greatest desire for our lives is that we will always be prepared for the events that will occur over time. A few days before the fatal day at Golgatha, your son encouraged the 12 to love one another and keep together because the following three days would be the longest of their lives. Please help me each day to encourage and uplift my readers so that they too will be prepared for the challenges ahead.

In Jesus’ name Amen.