Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share. – 1 Timothy 6:18 NKJV. 

Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. – 2 Timothy 4:2 NKJV. 

Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work. – Titus 3:5 NKJV. 

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear. – 1 Peter 3:15 NKJV. 

What is it about brides? Brides seem to have superhuman courage, at least some of them do. Maybe there needs to be a new TV series, call it: Brides to the Rescue. Sarah Ray on her wedding day, still in her wedding dress; who is also a paramedic, headed to the scene of an accident. Georgette Clemons as she was leaving her wedding reception, still in her wedding gown, saw smoke coming from a house. Georgette sprang into action wedding dress and all, rescuing the family. 

Just this month another bride who had just said her wedding vows performed CPR on an unconscious woman without a pulse. Julie Stroyne Nixion is a trauma nurse, and as she was leaving the wedding reception she heard someone scream, “Does anybody know CPR? Is anybody a doctor?” Darlene Limpert who witnessed the bride in action said, “She didn’t hesitate for a second.” Julie’s new husband said about his bride, “It was a heroic act. I’m not surprised. I’ve known her a long time.” Thankfully, Julie was able to revive the unconscious woman. Hurray for the brides!! (Pittsburgh’s Observer-Reporter 06.13.16; Huffington Post 06.15.16) 

The one thing that all three of these brides had in common besides being brides, is that they were ready. They were ready to take on the unexpected, even risking their own lives as Georgette did. These brides were ready to sacrifice their own special moment in life celebrating on their wedding day, to render aid others needed. The immediate thoughts of these brides were not about whether their wedding dress would be ruined, or if they might break a fingernail. The thoughts of these brides were not about themselves, as they jumped into action. 

Readiness for action is a desired characteristic for the child of God. We must be ready spiritually “…for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect (Matthew 24:44).” We ought to also be ready to die for the faith, if called upon to do so, as was the apostle Paul, “For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus (Acts 21:13 – See also Revelation 12:11).” We are to be “…rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share (1 Timothy 6:18).” We are to “Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching (2 Timothy 4:2).” We should “…always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear (1 Peter 3:15).” To sum up the broad scope of the need for readiness believers should have, we are told in Titus 3:5, “…to be ready for every good work.” Are you ready?