Saturday, February 20, 2021

Something I Never Thought of Before Today


"Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.' "'No,' they replied, 'there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.' "But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut."   --- Matthew 25:7-10


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Remember that show? Yeah, some of the folks were extreme, a bit 'out there'. Ok. But that was the test. Could we peek past the wackiness for take-aways of practical help?

Wise, common-sense-based viewers gleaned life-saving inspiration and years later, they've ridden-out America's storms in comfort. That is, the ones who put into practice what they learned. 

Prepper Youtube videos.
Prepper blogs.
Prepper books.
Prepper news stories.

For years God warned us! Yet 'as in the days of Noah,' most people just laughed and teased and did not prepare for emergencies. And yeah, the wild events Doomsday Preppers prophesied would happen, well, haven't (on the most part). But then, Noah prepped for 120 years, so hey.

And here's the thing: I'm thinking those same folks have thrived in relative comfort over America's year of chaos. They prepared beforehand and they're not the crazies clearing-out the shelves down at the local supermarket nor sitting near-frozen in Texas ice.

So who's crazy now?

Anyway, this morning for the first time I realized this:

Since satan comes to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10), most likely he pushes hard to convince folks not to live prepared. I'm thinking he blinds them to this necessity so that--in just one more way--he's able to destroy additional people, these through unpreparedness. I'm sure he takes whatever means of destruction he can find.


It's time to stop waiting!

You know, for angels to appear at our front door with warnings or for 10 signs of confirmation before we'll obey that still, small voice. Yes, that voice within us whispering, "Times are changing! Prepare now for anything. Stop relying on others, especially the government. Take charge of your own protection, even your own health. Learn, then do." 

The stillness, the smallness of that voice? That is another test. 

Jesus said, "My sheep hear my voice," and today are we living inside that warm flock with stored-up food, water, heat, shelter and an ability to face any storm in this 2021 life of job losses, wild weather, pandemics, food shortages and more?

Just some thoughts for this Saturday as our Country remains reeling while the wise, the listening, stand strong beside their Shepherd. Prepared.







"Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest."   ---Proverbs 6:6-8

"By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith."   ---Hebrews 11:7

God knows the future and He warns us! But do we heed those warnings?



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Youtube has tons of videos about preparing for emergencies. You can do simple searches there by adding 'prepping' to any of the words below:

food
water
shelter
heating
gardening
clothing
weapons, etc.


                           (Thanks, Tracy, for sharing this at Facebook. I'd not been feeding the birds lately and this inspired me to return to it.)


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Oh and may this help you as well:

Over the years I've written often about prepping, but still? Many of you have ignored my warnings. I realize this. 

Of course that bums me out at times, but you know? Often God reminds me (as I write about all things) that He'll only hold me responsible for sharing what He asked--not for how many people did/did not heed what I wrote.

Whew.




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Please remember: My posts are ALWAYS about more than they appear to be. 

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 "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." ... Matthew 6:14,15

3 comments:

Betsy said...

We had quite a lot of food stored and gas for the generator, etc. when we sold our house last summer. We kept the canned food in the storage unit, using it weekly, until the freeze. Now it's stacked everywhere inside so it won't freeze. We really don't have room to pack it for the move to Nebraska this summer so we're using it up if we can.
I'm looking forward to being in a house again so we can begin to restock our supplies. It makes me uneasy to be using them instead of stocking up.
It's pretty much the only reason right now that I would want to move back into a house. We are so much enjoying living in our RV this year even with the cold and snow.
I hope you're doing well in your town. We're having lots of snow and cold but hopefully a bit warmer next week.
Blessings,
Betsy

Pam said...

Amen! Hopefully, this past year of Covid 19, and the difficult winter we are still living through will spur people on to be as ready as possible for the unknown.

Debra said...

Hey Betsy! I didn't know you'd be moving this summer. For some reason I thought it would be in 2022. Good for you! Yay! I'm already looking forward to hearing about your new adventures.

Pam--that's certainly what I'm hoping--that people will finally realize they need to be prepared for anything in this changing world!

Thanks so much, Ladies,for reading here and for your much-appreciated encouragement! Blessings, Debra