In the vast tapestry of creation, ants stand as tiny, seemingly insignificant creatures. We can easily crush hundreds beneath the soles of our feet without a second thought. However, there's a profound lesson to be learned from these small beings, a lesson in preparation echoed in the wisdom of Proverbs 6:6-8.

Surviving through Preparation

Despite their apparent weakness, ants survive and thrive through meticulous preparation. The scriptures urge us to observe this trait, inviting us to reflect on how we, too, can prepare for the challenges that life presents (Proverbs 6:6-8).

Limited Time for Preparation

Job 14:1-2 reminds us of our finite time to make preparations. The urgency is clear—we have a limited window to ready ourselves for the uncertainties that lie ahead.

Beware of Misplaced Preparations

In our quest to prepare, it's essential to be mindful of the nature of our preparations. Luke 12:15-21 cautions against preparing for the wrong things. The parable tells of a man who neglected the most important preparation—his eternal destiny.

Missed Opportunities

The parable highlights the danger of passing up opportunities to prepare for what truly matters. It's a reminder not to be consumed by immediate needs and to look ahead (James 4:13-17).

The Unforgiving Flow of Time

Time waits for no one. Israel, too, had numerous opportunities to serve God, yet they chose a different path, serving idols. Jeremiah 8:20 poignantly illustrates how eventually, the opportunity to make amends comes to an end.

The Point of No Return

Job 16:22 speaks of the point of no return. We all face this critical juncture, emphasizing the importance of seizing opportunities to prepare while they are still available.

Jesus' Parable of Readiness

The poignant parable in Matthew 25:1-13 echoes the theme of preparedness. It underscores the necessity of being ready for the moment when preparation is no longer an option.

In conclusion, the ant, though small and easily overlooked, imparts a profound lesson on the importance of preparation. As we navigate the complexities of life, may we be vigilant, making the most of the opportunities to prepare for what truly matters.

Christians are different from everyone else in the world. They are saved and belong to the Lord. They even think differently than other people. All of their pursuits are directed by spiritual concerns.  This attitude is in marked contrast with that of worldly people because Christians have been renewed in spirit and mind (Eph. 4:23-24).

This difference in attitude must be developed and nurtured by the Christian and manifested in her conduct every day. When her life is characterized by a negative disposition and she fails to exhibit fruits of the spirit, such as those listed in Gal. 5:22-26, something is wrong and needs correcting.

A study of the Philippian letter, in particular the fourth chapter, might help us to identify some of the attributes which should characterize the Christian.

AGREEABLENESS

"Be of the same mind in the Lord" (Phil. 4:2). The two women to whom this statement is directed are known for only two things. They were Christians who could not, or would not, get along with each other. Unfortunately, this kind of negative behavior is also observed in many saints today, who find fault in everyone and everything.

Let's face it, not everyone says or does things the same way, and we cannot control others or have everything our own way. If sin is not involved, why not give way to the other person? A continual struggle to get others to do things the way we do them or think the way we think is best does not lead to peaceful co-existence or to a happy mind.  Wouldn't it be better to be even-tempered and overlook disagreements (Prov. 19:11)? Paul exhorted those brethren in Corinth who were going to law against each other, "Why do ye not rather take wrong? Why do ye not rather allow yourselves to be defrauded?”  (1 Cor. 6:1-8).

Getting along with others sometimes means putting others’ feelings before our own.  Paul urged the saints in Rome, "Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love, in honor preferring one another" (Rom. 12:10).  And Peter likewise admonished, "Be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous . . . seek peace and ensue it" (1 Pet. 3:8-11).  Courtesy is an often neglected ingredient in our relationships.  Likewise, we would go a long way toward getting along with others if we showed the kind of mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, longsuffering, and consideration we would like others to have for us – "forbearing one another and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any; even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye" (Col. 3:12-13).  A Christian who cannot get along with others creates her own unhappiness.  A happy mind is not dependent on what those around us do or don't do.  It is dependent on how we deal with what those around us do or don't do.

COOPERATIVE SPIRIT

"Help those women which labored with me..." (Phil. 4:3).  This attribute goes hand in hand with being agreeable.  Cooperation involves helping each other.  It involves "pulling together" and "carrying my share of the load" in the church. Laziness does not produce a happy mind.  As a matter of fact, it generally causes one to feel "left out" of things due to her lack of participation.  When cooperation is present, everything is done for the good of all.  Selfishness has no place in a Christian's attitude.  We are all many members, but we are one body – Christ's.  If one member suffers, we all suffer with her.  If one member is honored, we all rejoice with her. I am not needed more or less than every other saint, and therefore I should not expect to be honored more than my sister or brother in Christ (1 Cor. 12:12-27).

CHEERFULNESS

"Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, rejoice" (Phil. 4:4).  Have you ever noticed that some saints appear to be the world's most miserable wretches?  Paul mentions "joy" and "rejoicing" seventeen (17) times in the book of Philippians.  Was Paul without his share of trouble?  Of course not! He was beaten three times, stoned, shipwrecked three times, in danger numerous times and nearly everywhere he went, often without food, suffering cold and exposure (2 Cor. 11:24-28), and he might even have had had a physical handicap (2 Cor. 12:7-10).  Yet he maintained a cheerful outlook.

Solomon taught in Eccl. 3:4 that there is a time to weep and a time to laugh.  There is nothing wrong with tears.  They are a release in times of disappointment, bereavement, sympathy, or separation from loved ones. Tears of penitence are also appropriate.  Realizing his own shortcoming, Peter wept bitterly at such a time (Mt. 26:75).

Sometimes self-pity invades the heart, blocking out cheerfulness, as it did with Martha (Lk. 10:38-42).  When the "oh-poor-me’s" overrun our thinking, we must drive them out, lest they take up permanent residence there.

We can cultivate joy by talking to ourselves.  David did (Ps. 42-5), and so did Solomon (Eccl. 1:16; 2:1).  We can talk ourselves into, or out of almost anything.  It is "the fool (that) hath said in his heart, there is no God" (Ps. 14:1).  The rich man talked himself out of being concerned about his soul (Lk. 12:19). And yes, when our thinking becomes skewed, it’s even okay to answer ourselves.

God does not give us commands that we are incapable of obeying.  So when He commands us to rejoice, it is within our power to do so.  How?  By planning constructive endeavors and concentrating on others (Phil. 2:3-4).  Do something for someone else – without begrudging it (Rom. 12:9; 1 Pet. 1:22; 1 Jn. 3:18).  Jesus said, "Just as you want men to treat you, treat them in the same way.  If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you?  For even sinners love those who love them.  And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you?  For even sinners do the same thing.  And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you?  Even sinners lend to sinners, in order to receive back the same amount.  But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great . . . . For whatever measure you deal out to others, it will be dealt to you in return" (Lk. 6:31-38).  

Many people reject the idea that these two words should be found in the same context.  The reason is that while we need faith to receive God’s blessings and approval, we also realize that God’s grace is what saves us instead of works.  The Bible tells us in Ephesians 2 that we are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8), and not of works that anyone should boast (Ephesians 2:9).  Anyone who studies the Bible as they should will tell you that you need both in order to be saved.

The Barna research group is primarily a religious study group. This is the group that tells us that about 84% of the population of the United States believes in God. This group also reveals that only about 52% of the population ever attend a religious service. The group says that about 44% attend regularly. That seems strange that so many people claim to have faith, but so few actually demonstrate their faith.

James 2:14-26 teaches very valuable lessons to us.

• Many people claim to have faith, but do not serve God.  Some say they are not churchgoers, but they still have their faith. James 2:14 says “What use is it my brethren, if a man says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that faith save him?”  This is a rhetorical question, because obviously the message is clear that unless he has works, his faith is dead."

• James 2:17 says that “Even so faith if it has no works, is dead being by itself”  Faith must be accompanied by works in order to be an active living faith.  A lot of people do not demonstrate any indicators that they have faith in God, even though they claim to have a “personal relationship” with Him.  That is nothing more than a cop-out.  Unless one is actively and diligently seeking to please God, they have no faith.  Read Hebrews 11:6.

• James 2:20 says that faith without works is useless.  I John also teaches that if we are claiming to be in fellowship with God, but do not practice the truth, we are liars.

• James 2:22 reads: “you see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected.”  Faith is made complete which is what the meaning of "perfect" is in the Scriptures.  In Hebrews 11 we have many examples of people of faith.  One thing in common with all of them is they were accounted faithful by what they did, not by what they believed.

• James 2:24 reads: "You see that a man is justified by works, and not by faith alone."

• James 2:26 reads in part: “… so also faith without works is dead.”

Claiming to be faithful to God is just a waste of words unless you have the works to back up that claim.  In our contemporary language, we can say “put up or shut up”.  James 2:18 reads in part: “… show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”  Many people claim to have faith in God, but their actions do not reflect a faith at all.  Titus 1:16 hopefully will strike a chord here: “They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him.”

There are many people who claim to be “Christian,” yet they do not live like a Christian should live.  The only people God will welcome into heaven are those who demonstrate their faith with works.  You know; those who walk the walk.  I John 1:7 reads, “but if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another."

Our faith is demonstrated by works.  These works are given to us to do from God.  Ephesians 2:10 “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."

The Bible gives us the works we should do. II Peter 1:5-7 teaches us what we need to add to our faith. II Peter 3:18 teaches us to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord. God gives us everything we need concerning salvation and living the Christian life (II Peter 1:3). So we encourage you to serve God by hearing the word of God and believing it.  Realize that you must repent of your old ways, and turn towards being pleasing to God in the way God teaches us through His word.  Confess the good name of Jesus before others, and be baptized for the remission of your sins.  This starts you on your spiritual journey that will take a lifetime of active, working faith to complete (Revelation 2:10).