* Nate Diaz was tapped to fight Connor McGregor 9 days before McGregor was set to fight Jose Aldo.

* He never stopped training, so he was ready when tapped - he pulled off an upset victory.

* If you’re always ready you rarely have to “get” ready.

* I speak a lot, so I know what this feels like - it’s called “speaking out of the overflow.”

* If it’s in you, then all you have to do is get out of the way (remove self consciousness).

* Paul is encouraging Timothy to always be ready to give a word from the Lord to everyone.

* ** God’s word is a weapon to fight with and a tool to build with.

* A soldier has to train with his weapon. A builder has to train with his tools.

* ** Being ready means studying with the thought you’re going to share what you’re learning in God’s Word to others.

* This is why it’s so valuable to have an upstream and a downstream.

* Being prepared is valuable because:

* 1) Proper preparation prevents poor performance.

* 2) It conquers fear - you have confidence when you’re prepared.

* 3) Others get the benefit.

* Paul gives four ways for Timothy to use God’s Word:

* 1) Reprove - to expose sin.

* 2) Rebuke - to forbid sin.

* 3) Teach & Train - instruct in righteousness.

* 4) Encourage (exhort) - to make courageous.