THOUGHTS ON THE ETERNAL KINGDOM
ARE YOU READY?
(Understanding God’s
Judgements Part 5)
As He
walked among the multitudes He talked about what it meant to follow Him and
escape the judgements of this world.
While Jesus was sharing He spoke these words, “You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.” Luke 12:40 NLT As He was preparing for His crucifixion He told His followers, “now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one.” Luke 22:36 NLT The Message translates it this way, “This is different. Get ready for trouble. Look to what you’ll need; there are difficult times ahead. Pawn your coat and get a sword.” Luke 22:36 The Message
In our
previous messages we talked about what it meant to be spiritually ready to
survive God’s judgements. An ongoing
relationship with God The Father through Jesus The Son is the key to surviving
any catastrophe that comes our way. If
everything we have is truly surrendered to Him, we will be prepared to leave it
all on a moment’s notice, and go where Jesus tells us to go. The early church in Acts 8 had to do
that. The apostle Paul also had to do it
numerous times. God does not want us to
be unprepared to leave on a moment’s notice at the leading of His Spirit. His instructions to His disciples in Luke
22:36 make that clear. Being ready to survive disasters requires not only
spiritual, but physical and material preparation.
Each
person must seek God’s wisdom on how to prepare. His instructions to us may vary depending on
our circumstances and calling in The Lord.
Here
are some of the things we have learned about physical and material
preparation from the difficult times we have faced throughout our lives. 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. HAVING
AN EMERGENCY PACK that you carry with you all the time. This pack is designed to help you
survive an emergency for 3 days until help arrives. It should contain the
following:
Should
weigh 10lbs./4.5kg or less
Bible (Small)
Blanket (Emergency Survival)
Documents (Include Family contact list with names, addresses,
phone numbers, and Email addresses. You also need copies
of important personal documents such as; passport, driver’s license, medical
coverage, etc.)
Emergency
Poncho
Flashlight
First
Aid kit (Small)
Food (Protein and Energy bars for 3 days)
HAM
Handi Talkie or hand held CB radio
Knife (Swiss Army Type)
Medicines
& Vitamins
Money
Tissue
& Handi wipes
Toiletries
Underwear (1 set)
Water
Bottles (1 Liter
Plus Filter Straw)
Whistle (Emergency type with matches and survival supplies
inside)
B. HAVING
A SURVIVAL PACK ALSO KNOWN AS A GO PACK OR BUG OUT BAG. This pack is designed to help you get through
the first 3 days after an emergency and survive indefinitely if the
system totally breaks down. Placed where you can get to it quickly if
needed.)
Should
weigh 50lbs./22.5kg or less
Bible (Small)
Binoculars (Small)
Clothes (2 complete changes) plus Emergency Rain Gear
Documents (Including Family
contact list with names, addresses, phone numbers, and Email addresses. You also need copies of important personal
documents such as; passport, driver’s license, medical coverage, etc.)
Flashlight
and Head Lamp
First
Aid kit (Small)
Food (Protein and Energy bars, and ready to eat food for 3
days)
Gloves (Preferably Leather)
HAM
Handi Talkie or hand held CB radio
Knife (Swiss Army Type)
Lighter (Propane)
Medicines
and Vitamins
Mess
Kit
Money
(Minted silver coins are a good alternative to paper money)
Multi
Tool (Hatchet, shovel, hammer, saw combo)
Radio (Battery, Hand Cranked, and/or Solar Powered)
Sleeping
Bag (Emergency Survival) and air
mattress (small, insulated)
Tent (Small 5lbs. or less)
Tissue
& Handi wipes
Toiletries
Water
Bottles (1 Liter
Plus Filter)
Weapons (Pistol, Survival Rifle, and/or Sword or Machete)
Whistle (Emergency type with matches and survival supplies inside)
Wood
Stove (Small, Hand Held, & Portable)
YOU MAY NEED TO ADJUST THE LISTS TO
MEET YOUR PERSONAL OR CULTURAL NEEDS.
3. THINKING
ABOUT TRANSPORTATION. If you have a
vehicle DO NOT let the gas tank get below 1/2. Try to always back into
the place where you park your car. This will allow you to leave quicker if
there is an emergency. BICYCLES are usually a good alternative means
of transportation.
4. HAVING
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 the name, 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.
5. MAINTAINING
AT LEAST 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.
6. MAINTAINING
A CONTAINER OF CAMPING EQUIPMENT that you can grab and place in your vehicle
on a moment’s notice. This container should include tents, air mattresses, air
pump, sleeping bags, cooking utensils, etc.
7. KEEPING
YOUR IMPORTANT FAMILY DOCUMENTS IN
A SMALL WATERPROOF CONTAINER that you can grab on a
moment’s notice.
This container should include deeds, birth
certificates, passports,
insurance papers, Wills, Powers of Attorney, bank documents, etc.
8. HAVING SOLAR
POWER FOR CELL PHONES, LIGHTS
AND OTHER THINGS AVAILABLE. You
may want to include this
in the things you pack.
9. KEEPING
ANY MEDICATIONS YOU TAKE IN A SMALL WATERPROOF CONTAINER that you can grab on
a moment’s notice.
10. PREPARING A
PLACE TO FLEE TO AHEAD OF TIME
if God blesses and you’re able to do it. 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.
11. PRACTICING
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. Be as ready as you can and then approach each
situation with prayer.
A
prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on
and are punished.
Proverbs 22:3 &
27:12 NKJV
QUESTION: Are you ready for the end of all things as we
know it? It could come any day!
Scriptures: Luke 12:40 & 22:36, The book of Acts, and
Proverbs 22:3 & 27:12
Henry &
Rita
THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT MESSAGES
WE’VE WRITTEN.
Please share it with as many people as you
can
on Facebook, through Emails or by making
copies.
Phone: (228) 255-9251
POSTAL
ADDRESS: P.O. Box 633, Grapevine, TX 76099 USA
Copyright 2015 Brothers
& Sisters in Christ