OK, this is not an apocalyptic post, though the title may suggest otherwise. Rather it is a reminder that we must be ready for the things we pray for (that align with God's will) as well as being ready for the things that God has promised.

Tonight, at our evening worship gathering, we had somewhere around 40 kids - all ages. Not bad for a congregation that barely doubles that, especially during the summer. Four years ago, God told us that we would have all these kids from the neighbourhood. Tonight they came in droves! Praise the Lord! It freaked us out! Our workers are few, and the harvest is great. But this is the way that God glorifies His name - it is only through His guidance and strength that we will be faithful and even able to minister where He has called us and to the kids He has given us. It's good to remember that He not only called us to these kids, He promised us these kids. Done deal. It is His work and His glory.

It's been a good reminder in my life, too, that the promises that God has made (and some of them were made years ago) are still what's coming, and it's good to be ready and to continue to be expecting them. God is ever faithful.

"Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass." (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)