There is a Kingdom that has always been, and will always be. It is found in the heart of Jehovah God who has no beginning or end. He lives in eternity, and rules over all that exist. Before time began, before you were born, God had an eternal purpose for your life. The only way to find and fulfill this eternal purpose is through a relationship with The Eternal King, Jesus Christ. This blog is about The Eternal King and His Kingdom. It is about how you can be part of His Kingdom by having a relationship with Him, and fulfilling His eternal purpose for you.

ARE YOU READY FOR DISASTER?



ARE YOU READY FOR DISASTER?

     As I (Henry) woke up that morning God spoke to my spirit and said, “You just need to leave.”  I had been through a number of hurricanes and knew that God could protect you from the devastation that comes from them.  Our home was 25 miles from the coast and 100 feet above sea level.  It was the place family and friends from the coast ran to when a storm approached.  But, the still small voice inside me kept saying, “You just need to leave.”  Normally we simply prayed for God’s protection from the storm, and He always answered that prayer.

     By mid-morning there was a general evacuation order for the whole county.  We took care of things the best we could, then we packed our bags and left.  Some friends felt led to come, lay hands on and pray for the huge pine trees that were all around our property.  This prayer was answered and although many of them fell no significant damage was done to our house.   God had built the house and as we closed the door to leave I told the Lord, “You gave us this house.  If it’s still here when we return Praise Your Name.  If it’s not Praise Your Name.  Your will be done.  We trust you.”  God protected our property.  Praise His name!!

     As we fled from hurricane Katrina the interstate was jammed.  Traffic was moving literally 5 miles an hour or less.  We made the decision to leave the interstate and take the back roads.  I was very familiar with the area because of my walks with the cross. The trip to my brother’s, about 300 miles east, normally took 5 or 6 hours. This time it took 11 hours.

    As we’re writing this, the news is full of possible disasters.  Drought and possible economic collapse of several countries is a present reality.  The US Department of Homeland Security tells us it’s not a matter of if disaster will strike, but when.  It could be man-made or natural, but it is coming.  The Bible tells us that there will be “perilous times” in the last days.  We need to walk in The Light and be prepared to respond when disaster comes.  The same voice that spoke to me before Katrina woke me a few days ago and told me, “Disaster is coming.  Be prepared to flee.”    How can we be prepared?  Listed below are some of the things God has taught us from our own experience of dealing with disasters, and by observing what happens during disasters from news media reports.

From our experience PRAYERFULLY PREPARING FOR DISASTER INVOLVES:

1.    GROWING TO KNOW GOD.  Learn to hear His voice.  Only He can tell you what you should do.  He will tell you whether to leave or stay.  If He tells you to leave, He’ll also tell you where to go.

2.    BEING READY FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF LEAVING IN 5 MINUTES OR LESS. Here are some things to  consider.

        A.  HAVE A DAY PACK ready that you can grab on a moment’s notice with these essential items.
            
               Copies of important personal documents. 
               Passport, driver’s license, medical coverage, etc.
             
              Cash (Minimum of $100 in bills smaller than $20.)
            
               3 day’s supply of food.  protein bars, energy bars, etc.
           
               A bottle of water, and a water bottle with a built in water filter.
           
               At least 1 change of clothes including flip flops or Crocs.
               Small pack of personal toiletries.
             
               An emergency blanket
              
               An emergency raincoat or poncho.
             
                An emergency shelter.

                A Swiss army knife and/or Leatherman.
               
                Cigarette lighter or waterproof matches.
                 
                Hand generated flashlight.
              
                 Hand generated radio.
                
                 Binoculars
                  
                First Aid Kit
      
        B.  If you have a vehicle DO NOT let the gas tank get below 1/2.  
             BICYCLES are a good alternative means of transportation.

       C.  HAVE A PREDETERMINED PLACE where you feel God wants
             you to go in case of disaster. Make sure all family members know
             how to get there.  Family members should carry a piece of paper
             with their name, and a map and address of the place they are to
             go. Also contact information, phone numbers, email addresses etc.
             of other family members.   PLAN YOUR ESCAPE ROUTE SO
             YOU WILL AVOID MAIN ROADS. They will probably be too
             congested in an emergency.

       D.  MAINTAIN A THIRTY DAY SUPPLY OF NON PERISHABLE
            FOOD AND GOODS.  Keep it in a container or trunk you can grab
            on a moment’s notice and place in your vehicle. Rotate the contents
            every 3 months.

       E.  MAINTAIN A CONTAINER OF CAMPING EQUIPMENT that
            you can grab and place in your vehicle on a moment’s notice.
           Tents, air mattresses, air pump, sleeping bags, cooking utensils etc.
            should be included.

       F.  KEEP YOUR IMPORTANT FAMILY DOCUMENTS IN A SMALL
           WATERPROOF CONTAINER that you can grab on a moment’s
            notice. Deeds, birth certificates, passports, insurance papers, Wills,
            Powers of Attorney, bank documents etc. should be included.

       G.  SOLAR POWER FOR CELL PHONES, LIGHTS AND OTHER
            THINGS IS AVAILABLE.  You may want to include this in the 
            things you pack.
       
       H.  KEEP ANY MEDICATIONS YOU TAKE IN A SMALL
            WATERPROOF CONTAINER that you can grab on a moment’s
            notice. 

3.    If God blesses and you’re able to PREPARE A PLACE TO FLEE TO
       AHEAD OF TIME, you will want to keep a 6 months’ supply of
       non-perishable items there.  Be sure to rotate these supplies as 
       much as you can.

4.    PRACTICE DISASTER PREPAREDNESS twice a year if possible.

REMEMBER OUR HOPE IS IN GOD!  He is the one we are to look to when disaster comes. Prepare as much as you can and then approach each situation with prayer. 

SCRIPTURES TO CONSIDER:
The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles.
 Psalm 34:17
The righteous person faces many troubles, but the LORD comes to the rescue each time.
 Psalm 34:19
Then call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.
 Psalm 50:15
A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished.
 Proverbs 22:3 & 27:12                           
Henry & Rita Pulsifer

As God leads share this message with someone.
Feel free to make copies.

If you would like to know more about preparing for disaster, please contact us.

Email: henry@basicministries.com or rita@basicministries.com

Phone:  (228) 255-9251

P.O. Box 633
Grapevine, TX 76099
USA

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