Reflection and Preparation

Revelation 2:1-7 KJV

[1] Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;
[2] I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
[3] And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
[4] Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
[5] Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
[6] But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
[7] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

From that passage in Revelation 2, God was talking to the Ephesians. Let's put ourselves in that position today. God want us to look back and reflect on how we walked with Him in the year 2017.
God want us to prepare for what is ahead of us in this year 2018. 2018 is full of opportunities and good things from God and in order to get them, we need to be well prepared.
God was telling the people of Ephesians to prepare for his coming. Also in Luke 12 vs 42 - 50, Jesus is telling us to prepare ourselves for His coming
Luke 12:42-50 KJV

[42] And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?
[43] Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
[44] Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.
[45] But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;
[46] The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him , and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.
[47] And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself , neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes .
[48] But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes . For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.
[49] I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?
[50] But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!

In order to be better prepared, we have to first of all reflect on our relationship with God in the past. This is 2018, let us check the way we lived our life in 2017.

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What was your relationship with God in 2017?

How well did you worshipped God in 2017?

How well did you study the word of God in 2017?

How was your prayer life in 2017?

How faithful were you towards church programs?

How well did you give to God's work in 2017?

Having reflected on these, let us all make amendments and change for better where necessary in order to be prepared for what ahead of us this 2018.

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I pray that God will help us to walk with him faithfully this year.

May God bless you all as you read through in Jesus name. Amen