Get Ready

Preparation changes everything.

Whether it’s preparing for a storm, a new season of life, or an unexpected opportunity, the outcome is often determined long before the moment arrives. The same is true spiritually. Throughout Scripture, God consistently calls His people to prepare—not because He wants them to live in fear, but because He desires them to be ready for both the challenges they will face and the incredible work He wants to accomplish through them.

In his message, “Prepárate” (“Get Ready”), missionary Joseph Landaw challenged North Cities Church with a simple but powerful question: Are you ready? It wasn’t merely a question about eternity, although that matters deeply. It was a challenge to examine whether we’re preparing ourselves every day to stand firm in difficult seasons and to participate in the revival God is bringing to our world.

For believers across Garland, Murphy, Plano, Richardson, Rowlett, Wylie, Dallas County, Collin County, and Rockwall County, this message is a timely reminder that preparation isn’t something we do once. It’s a lifestyle of continually drawing closer to God.

Preparation Is Never Wasted

Drawing from his experiences serving as a missionary in Puerto Rico and Trinidad & Tobago, Joseph shared how hurricanes taught him the importance of preparation. After living through Hurricane Maria, he understood firsthand what it meant to be ready. Generators were fueled, water was stored, supplies were organized, and everything necessary was in place before the next storm arrived.

But preparation can fade. Years later, another storm approached, and he realized many of those supplies had disappeared, equipment no longer worked, and what once brought confidence had slowly been neglected.

The spiritual lesson was unmistakable.

Preparation isn’t a one-time event. It requires continual attention.

The same principle applies to our walk with God. Receiving the Holy Ghost, being baptized in Jesus’ name, or having a powerful altar experience is never meant to be the finish line. Those moments are foundational, but our relationship with Christ must continue to grow through prayer, worship, repentance, Scripture, and daily dependence upon Him. Yesterday’s preparation cannot sustain today’s challenges.

Small Decisions Prepare Us for Big Moments

One of the recurring themes throughout Scripture is that God often prepares His people through seemingly ordinary acts of obedience.

Joseph pointed to Daniel and his friends in Babylon. Before they ever stood before a fiery furnace or faced a lions’ den, they first made quiet decisions that many people might have overlooked. They chose to honor God in their daily lives, even when those choices seemed small or inconvenient.

Those small decisions shaped who they became.

When the moment of testing arrived, they didn’t need to debate whether they would compromise. Their convictions had already been established.

The same remains true today. Faithfulness isn’t built in moments of crisis; it’s built through consistent obedience long before the crisis arrives. Every time we choose prayer over distraction, holiness over compromise, generosity over selfishness, or worship over comfort, we’re preparing ourselves for whatever God allows to come next.

God Is Preparing You—and He’s Preparing Something for You

While much of the message focused on our responsibility to prepare, Joseph also reminded us of an encouraging truth: God is preparing as well.

Psalm 23 declares that God prepares a table before us in the presence of our enemies. Jesus told His disciples that He was preparing a place for those who belong to Him. Even before the foundation of the world, God had already prepared the plan of redemption through Jesus Christ.

Our preparation never happens alone because God is already working ahead of us.

That perspective changes everything.

Instead of preparing out of fear, we prepare with expectation. Instead of wondering whether God will show up, we recognize He has already gone before us. He is arranging circumstances, opening doors, strengthening His people, and accomplishing His purposes even when we cannot yet see the outcome.

Preparation becomes an act of faith because we trust the One who is preparing the future.

Be Ready to Share the Hope You Have

Preparation is not only about surviving life’s storms. It is also about being available when God gives us opportunities to influence someone else’s life.

Near the end of his message, Joseph turned to the Apostle Paul’s words in Ephesians 6. After describing the armor of God, Paul immediately asked believers to pray that he would receive boldness to proclaim the gospel.

If Paul recognized his need for God’s help in sharing his faith, how much more should we?

Many believers hesitate because they feel inadequate. They wonder whether they’ll know what to say or whether they’ll have the courage to speak when the opportunity comes.

Joseph’s encouragement was simple: ask God to prepare you.

The Lord delights in equipping ordinary people for extraordinary moments. He doesn’t simply call us to be ready—He provides the wisdom, courage, and strength we need when we depend upon Him. As we pray, study His Word, and stay filled with His Spirit, we become people who are ready to give an answer for the hope that lives within us.

God Has a Calling for Every Believer

Throughout the evening, Joseph shared stories about God’s unexpected direction in his own life. Although he originally expected to serve somewhere else, God redirected his family to Puerto Rico, where He has opened incredible doors for ministry and revival.

That testimony carried an important reminder.

Every believer has a place in God’s mission.

Not everyone is called to another nation, but everyone is called to participate in the work of God’s Kingdom. For some, that calling begins in their home. For others, it unfolds in the workplace, at school, in the neighborhood, or through serving faithfully in the local church.

God has prepared unique opportunities for every one of His children.

The question isn’t whether God has a purpose for you.

The question is whether you’re preparing yourself to fulfill it.

Are You Ready?

The message concluded with the same question it began with.

Are you ready?

Are you ready if trials come?

Are you ready if God opens a door you’ve been praying for?

Are you ready to tell someone about the hope you’ve found in Jesus?

Are you ready for the revival God wants to bring to your family, your community, and your world?

Preparation is never glamorous. It often happens quietly through daily obedience that no one else notices. But throughout Scripture, God consistently uses prepared people to accomplish extraordinary things.

Today is another opportunity to prepare.

Pray.

Study His Word.

Stay full of the Holy Ghost.

Serve faithfully.

Share your faith.

Because God isn’t only preparing you for difficult days.

He’s preparing you for the incredible things He is about to do.