Phyllis Beveridge Nissila
Co-Saints,
I live in earthquake country. Other people live in floodquake country, so to speak. Still others live in hurricanequake, tornadoquake, and/or “warquake” countries (with a few despots thrown in for bad measure).
In short, it behoves us all to prepare because besides the normal mayhem, some of the stuff we need to be prepared for is/will be of Biblical proportions.
Literally.
And, prophecy watchers warn, the really bad stuff is coming down soon.
A body should be afraid. Very afraid.
However, good news: the Internet is flooded with helpful ads for grub, guns, gold, and getaways by which to stock up and/or sit it out.
But, bad news: that’s nice for those who have the means, but what about the rest of us who can only wish for enough resources to weather what comes?
For example, as illustrated, perhaps, by the situations of friends and relatives discussing this subject at a recent gathering in my house:
–One person wondered if his meds (to keep him ticking post heart valve replacement surgery) would last more than a month as insurance regs limit his supply.
–Another, a single mom, wondered how much extra water, beans, and rice she can afford while also juggling the cost of raising a teenager and feeding the teen’s college fund (should the Lord tarry).
–Several young people discussed their own limited “prepper” resources challenged as they are just now with student loans and/or early career expenses.
–Another, retired military, admits he does posses certain survival skills but his particular “special ops” involved–weather forecasting.
–And I wonder about my neighbors in this 55 and older park who are in their upper ages, some on fixed incomes, many in fragile health…
We represent most people, I think, who are simply not able to run right out, resource-up, and bug out in the recommended manner before the quakes commence…
However, when one looks at how God resources His preppers, so to speak, guess what? He has quite a stash.
Although the circumstances of the “preppers” and survivors in Bible accounts whose stories illustrate this point were a lot more like most of ours than like the circumstances of the fortunate few with all the Gs, God’s people did not go without.
A believer should be encouraged. Very encouraged.
ABOUT THE KID, THE WIDOW, AND THE TAX
By the title for this part of the letter, I am, of course, referencing just three of many Bible stories where God, Himself, either provided resources or miraculously multiplied the few existing.
Remember the one about the boy who gave his basket containing only five loaves and two fish to Jesus’ disciples when they were hunting up food to feed five thousand? And Jesus took it, blessed it, then not only had enough to feed everybody but also leftovers, too? (Luke 9:16). That’s one story.
Remember the one about the widow who had only a handful of flour and a little olive oil in a jar but she agreed to feed the prophet Elijah? And then how God miraculously made sure her flour and oil never ran out until the rains returned? (1 Kings 17:10-16). That’s another story.
Remember the one about when the disciples had to pay the temple tax but they were broke and Jesus told them to go fishing? And then to look inside the mouth of the fish they caught for the coin to pay the tax? (Matthew 17:24-27). That’s the third story.
And what does that have to do with us, today, in real time, we might ask, as the headlines seem to scream “Run to the hills! And don’t forget your stuff!”
For the needy today, it’s the same God (“yesterday, today, and forever” Hebrews 13:8), the same promise (“God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:19), and the same method (“seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you” Matthew 6:33).
In short, by doing what we can, but more importantly, placing our trust in the Lord, we have nothing to lose, everything to gain, and likely, enough to share, too.
Meanwhile, we can stand on yet another promise:
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
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Letters to The Remnant, 6: God’s “Prepper Store”
Phyllis Beveridge Nissila
Co-Saints,
I live in earthquake country. Other people live in floodquake country, so to speak. Still others live in hurricanequake, tornadoquake, and/or “warquake” countries (with a few despots thrown in for bad measure).
In short, it behoves us all to prepare because besides the normal mayhem, some of the stuff we need to be prepared for is/will be of Biblical proportions.
Literally.
And, prophecy watchers warn, the really bad stuff is coming down soon.
A body should be afraid. Very afraid.
However, good news: the Internet is flooded with helpful ads for grub, guns, gold, and getaways by which to stock up and/or sit it out.
But, bad news: that’s nice for those who have the means, but what about the rest of us who can only wish for enough resources to weather what comes?
For example, as illustrated, perhaps, by the situations of friends and relatives discussing this subject at a recent gathering in my house:
–One person wondered if his meds (to keep him ticking post heart valve replacement surgery) would last more than a month as insurance regs limit his supply.
–Another, a single mom, wondered how much extra water, beans, and rice she can afford while also juggling the cost of raising a teenager and feeding the teen’s college fund (should the Lord tarry).
–Several young people discussed their own limited “prepper” resources challenged as they are just now with student loans and/or early career expenses.
–Another, retired military, admits he does posses certain survival skills but his particular “special ops” involved–weather forecasting.
–And I wonder about my neighbors in this 55 and older park who are in their upper ages, some on fixed incomes, many in fragile health…
We represent most people, I think, who are simply not able to run right out, resource-up, and bug out in the recommended manner before the quakes commence…
However, when one looks at how God resources His preppers, so to speak, guess what? He has quite a stash.
Although the circumstances of the “preppers” and survivors in Bible accounts whose stories illustrate this point were a lot more like most of ours than like the circumstances of the fortunate few with all the Gs, God’s people did not go without.
A believer should be encouraged. Very encouraged.
ABOUT THE KID, THE WIDOW, AND THE TAX
By the title for this part of the letter, I am, of course, referencing just three of many Bible stories where God, Himself, either provided resources or miraculously multiplied the few existing.
Remember the one about the boy who gave his basket containing only five loaves and two fish to Jesus’ disciples when they were hunting up food to feed five thousand? And Jesus took it, blessed it, then not only had enough to feed everybody but also leftovers, too? (Luke 9:16). That’s one story.
Remember the one about the widow who had only a handful of flour and a little olive oil in a jar but she agreed to feed the prophet Elijah? And then how God miraculously made sure her flour and oil never ran out until the rains returned? (1 Kings 17:10-16). That’s another story.
Remember the one about when the disciples had to pay the temple tax but they were broke and Jesus told them to go fishing? And then to look inside the mouth of the fish they caught for the coin to pay the tax? (Matthew 17:24-27). That’s the third story.
And what does that have to do with us, today, in real time, we might ask, as the headlines seem to scream “Run to the hills! And don’t forget your stuff!”
For the needy today, it’s the same God (“yesterday, today, and forever” Hebrews 13:8), the same promise (“God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:19), and the same method (“seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you” Matthew 6:33).
In short, by doing what we can, but more importantly, placing our trust in the Lord, we have nothing to lose, everything to gain, and likely, enough to share, too.
Meanwhile, we can stand on yet another promise:
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
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