Dr. Anita McLaughlin -- A M Ministries, Inc.

In the activity overloaded world we live in today, how do we best utilizewhat we have?  As with anything we do it is necessary to evaluate theplan and purpose God had when he-- gave you the assignment... put youin contact with... associated you with... united you to...?

We must be  totally honest with ourselves, was this God or was it ME! 

• Am I overwhelmed because I have yet to learn organization, I don't knowhow to say no-- because "they" might not like me any more if I don't orwon't.
• Am I rebellious and will only do things my way? 
• Do I listen to instruction or am I so strong willed that I enter every endeavor like a"bull in a china closet"?
  
• Am I an explorer that must take the lead? 
• Am I a follower who only does what I see others do? 
• Am I a self-seeker,looking to benefit myself only? 

Look prayerfully and carefully--because this is something that ONLY you can answer.  Seek the face of God who will allow you to fully, honestly and unguardedly look in to the mirror or the Spirit and behold what manner of man you are. Until you make an internal investigation of why you do what you do--you can't do more, you can't move, you can't _____ you fill in the blank.

So often what seemed like a good idea is not a God idea, and we must be able to repent when it is necessary.  Remember pride goes before the fall.  Once you have determined that-- no, that was not indigestion; I did hear God and this is the way for me to go, get ready... Get Ready... GET READY!....  Bishop Jakes used this term, but it can take on a different meaning if you will allow it.

Get Ready... for real work.  There are some who will do NOTHING more than what is required on a 8 hour; pay me for showing up, (you won't get a second more from me than what I agreed to give you for the days of my life in exchange for your money)-- J-O-B!  The only way to be successful in the plan of God is to allow the chains and fetters which bind you to fall off in complete surrender of God's Plan. One of the primary principles of higher education is to teach you to get it for yourself, leave behind friendships, get up for that 7 am class, stay up all night if you have to and write that paper, get yourself prepared even if you are tired-- you still have to study for that test-- Do What You Have To Do/Make It Happen (principle)!

Get Ready... to pay the price.  If you have an assignment from God it will take more than you could have ever guessed.  Remember the rich young man, Jesus required everything from him, some things he was ready to give... others he wasn't-- "money" (representing: prestige/societal esteem, privilege, popularity, security, family position, creature comforts,self worth/identity, hopes, plans... everything). For him it was too great a sacrifice and he went away sad. There is a price that we pay for everything.

Get Ready...  to go well beyond your comfort zone.  You have to be willing to look "crazy" before your friends and family.  You must be ready for Holy Ghost wake up calls.You must move when the cloud moves-- by day, and the pillar of fire--by night. Once you hear-- be ready it is time to DO!  What difference does it make if the Spirit of God speaks to you 24/7/365 and you never get up and do the first thing He said?  Sometimes you must be prepared for a 24 HOUR WORK DAY.  Wake up at 4 am, work until 8 am, sleep until 2 pm, go back to work until 7 pm, eat (probably crackers, or something that will allow you not to starve), and keep on working, then sleep again until 1 am, get up at 6 am, work until 12 pm,.... until you give birth to the plan and purpose of God, until you get it (that thing you so dearly want) DONE! You have to be willing to abandon everything and have an ear to "hear what the spirit would say... He who has a ear to hear, let him hear!

Get Ready... to fight the enemy "the enemy in me".  How do you do that-- it is simple-- it is in the principle of repentance.  To repent = turn and go the other way.  If you would go right, repent and go left.  If you have always done something one way, it's time to do things differently. When everything inside is screaming NO-- I CAN NOT DO THIS!  THIS IS TOO HARD! Then and only then will you know that you have done the right thing and are now headed in the right direction. When nothing around you seems familiar you have hit the "new path" and that is the place to be, to achieve-- you are in the place of faith not in you... but in HIM.  It is impossible to please God without faith... Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  Because the things which are seen were made by the things which do not appear, for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Get Ready... to Grow UP! If you have been unorganized in the past-- no problem because you have repented and have turned the other way, you made a 180 and organization is no problem.  Know that clutter is a symptom of spiritual oppression,remove the clutter and you also remove the demon of "I can't... find it... do it... be it" and see how much more you have, when you can forget those things which are behind. Once you become an adult you must put away childish ways.  It is only a child who can't pick up after themselves. It is only a child who thinks it is too much trouble  to take care of their surroundings because they want to go "play" (which is representative of anything that is not what you know you could or should be doing). To him who know to do good and does not, to him it (what ever it is) is sin...  It is time for real work... inside and out.

Get Ready ... to leave behind the Flesh!  Temper tantrums are over...overspending and selfishness has ended... my way or the highway is a thing of the past... leadership through intimidation has been driven far from you... in its place-- the love of God... by this shall men know that we are his disciples, for we have love one for the other and through His peace.

The peace which passes understand, will keep your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.... And the Rest... for there remains a rest to the people of God. You will never know if you are on the faith path until you enter into his peace and his rest through love.

Get Ready ... to Get UP! How much more could you do with an early morning start. It's o.k. to take a break now and then sleep late, really relax, sometimes God requires it.  When you have been diligently working on your assignment, he will call a "Sabbath day" but "remember the ant you sluggard".  Utilize everything including your time...  we must work while it is day, because the night comes when no man can work...

Get Ready... for Naysayer?s, player haters, false friends, envious people,covetous and jealous associates, and treacherous voyeurs-- it comes with the territory. For the devil as a roaring lion roams about seeking whom he may devour. If you don't have any lions roaming, it's because you have no"spiritual meat" to devour. The devil isn't looking for "tofu"(processed soy protein which some substitute for MEAT). When you set out to do anything for God, there are those who will smile in your face while wanting and waiting for you to fail (sometimes its your closest friend or family)-- they are acting/speaking/hoping out of fear.  Jealousy/envy/covetousness  is fear motivated-- it thinks "if God givesthat to you, or does that for you, there won't be anything left for me". There are billions of people on the earth, I know he has someone that wants to hear that word from you... if you have a word.  God said he will cause it to rain on the just and the unjust. He gives as he sees fit.  Standing against someone God is using,doesn't hurt them, it hurts YOU!  Even Jesus had a Judas! Yes, he got the 30 pieces of silver-- but he also had to die and forever he will be know as Judas Iscariot which also betrayed him!  

Get Ready... You will find people who want to be able to use you in whatever way they can.  They are not willing to do what must be done to have a "original thought" they are there to use the witty invention or gift, talent and anointing on you for themselves.  How will you know who they are... you will know them by their fruit.  Don't worry, no one, and I mean NO ONE will be able to take advantage of  you.  Who you are, what you are called to do, is uniquely yours. For the gifts and anointing of God is without repentance. The world didn't give it and the world can't take it away. Remember Jesus said, he laid down his life, if he wanted he could have called 12 legions of angels (72,000).  It is all under control for Jehovah Nissi goes before you (to battle).  If you don't know anything else know this... "God's got you!" He said "No weapon formed against you would prosper"... he didn't say THE WEAPON  wouldn't be formed.  That is why we need to remember at all times that you can "Be confident in this very thing, that he which begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."  If he hasn't come, he is yet performing that thing in you.

Get Ready... There is more to come... 

Wisdom comes with mentors? Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace where in we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience, and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in your hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.) It?s time to add to your experience-- hope.. We are here to help you.