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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Doomsday Preppers. 

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