“So now, little children, remain in Him, so that when He appears we may have boldness and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.” ‭‭1 John‬ ‭2:28‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

B-SHOC’s songs “6:11 armor,” says it this way “if you stay ready, you ain’t gotta get ready,” B-SHOC is a hip hop artist that is a favorite among our kid's ministry. “6:11 Armor” is one of my favorites.  

Jesus says it this way: “Remain in Me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without Me. If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown aside like a branch and he withers. They gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be My disciples.”

‭‭John‬ ‭15:4-8‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

https://www.bible.com/72/jhn.15.4-8.hcsb

We do not know when Jesus will return. He is compared to a thief in the night — 1 Thessalonians 5:2. He is the groom that has to travel all day to get to His bride at night — Matthew 25:6.  So it would be better if we start following God now before it is too late. And then continue to live for God every day, every hour, every minute for the rest of the time we have here on this planet. 

How do we start?

Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior —Romans 6:23. Begin reading your Bible in one of the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John) to see how Jesus lived. Get plugged into a church that is preaching and living Jesus. Find someone to help you navigate this life with Jesus. 

How do we stay ready?

Decide to wake up every day to live for Jesus. Read your Bible every day. Engross your soul with the Word of God through listening, reading, studying, memorizing, and meditation. Tell others about Jesus while living a life that reflects Jesus — Romans 6:20-22. Be the positive example your older brother Jesus would be proud to have — Matthew 12:50. Help someone else to live for Jesus.

“For when you were slaves of sin, you were free from allegiance to righteousness. So what fruit was produced then from the things you are now ashamed of? For the end of those things is death. But now, since you have been liberated from sin and have become enslaved to God, you have your fruit, which results in sanctification — and the end is eternal life! For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭6:20-23‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

https://www.bible.com/72/rom.6.20-23.hcsb

“But He replied to the one who told Him, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers? ” And stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven, that person is My brother and sister and mother.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭12:48-50‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

https://www.bible.com/72/mat.12.48-50.hcsb