Post by Gaz on Aug 18, 2020 15:06:13 GMT 10
Gaz’s Sunday sermon on Monday
29/10/19
I am sometimes asked, “Why do you need to be prepared? Don’t you trust God to take care of you?”
And they quotes Scriptures like these:
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6
Let me say that if this is your faith, I don’t have any problem with that. You do what you feel is best for you and your family.
Personally, I believe those Scriptures are dealing with something else. I believe they are dealing with someone who puts his faith in themselves and their ability and in wealth. You can have all the money in the world and be prepared better than anyone else– and still be killed
I think the Scriptures I quoted are dealing with trust and peace. We don’t have to be uptight and stressed out and worried. God knows us. He cares about us. He won’t let anything happen to us apart from His will. So the point is – spiritual preparedness is the most important preparation you can make.
The boy scouts have a motto: “Be prepared. "Be prepared for what?" someone once asked Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting, "Why, for any old thing." He said.
My cousin, Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, when he instructs military or law enforcement personal, teaches them that the best antidote to stress is preparation. So on the one hand, I do believe we need to trust God. On the other hand, I think we need to be prepared. The wisest man who ever lived said,
“The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools devour all they have.” (Proverbs 21:20)
Jesus said, “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’
“Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace.” Luke 14:28-32
Jesus is teaching us that the wise thing to do is to “count the cost”. In other words, he is teaching us we ought to think ahead, plan ahead, consider the consequences, and be prepared.
This does a couple of things. It relieves stress in our lives, and enables us to help others. If you aren’t prepared – you are scrambling to take care of your own needs in an emergency situation. But if you ARE prepared – you can help others.
As I write this out, I have peace, why because I have done what God has told me to. I may not have done all, but I have done much. We have food, water, shelter and protection and yes we could loose everything, but I was obedient to God and He will bless us for that.
I love the Bible and the accounts of mighty men of God. One guy was Benaiah.
Listen to this:
“Benaiah, a valiant fighter from Kabzeel, performed great exploits. He struck down Moab’s two mightiest warriors. He also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion. And he struck down a huge Egyptian. Although the Egyptian had a spear in his hand, Benaiah went against him with a club. He snatched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with his own spear.” 2
Samuel 23:20-21
A lot of people think Christians are sissies. Maybe some are – but don’t confuse meekness with weakness. Be prepared to defend yourself and family.
Being prepared is not the cure all. The biggest and bravest can be killed before they can use their training.
But being prepared certainly doesn’t hurt either. And that brings me to the last and most important way to be prepared.
Are you prepared spiritually?
What if things really get bad?
Are you prepared to die?
Do you know for certain where you would spend eternity?
If not, talk to your pastor, Christian brothers and Sisters.
You can be prepared in every way – but if you aren’t prepared spiritual – it’s all for nothing.
I know nearly everyone here professes to be a Born Again Christian, getting prepared for the Tribulation. There are levels of preparedness and each one is at his or her, own level…
Yes there is a, but…
The time is growing short, we need to progress to a higher level of preparedness, we must be willing to walk away from the world and worldly things and immerse ourselves in Godly things. Some of our churches and pastors have lost their way, but we need to look to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ not churches or pastors, ministers, other Christians but through the Holy Spirit and the author of our faith, Jesus Christ through who you where saved.
I have had people ask me what to do, should I sell up, should I move, should I…
These questions are fine, but it is not for me to answer them, it is between you and God our father. I can give advice, but is it wright for you. Only God knows, all I can do is give you my testimony and what I have done, then you can seek God and make up your own mind.
Satin will try and confuse you and keep you in darkness. He wants you confused or backward in your walk with Christ.
He does not want you prepared in any way. He wants you reliant on the system he has created which is opposite to Gods system.
Gods system allows us to work, live and worship in perfect harmony with Him and fellowship with each other.
Now is not the time to be worried about your job, your mortgage, you kids school or your new car, boat or 60in TV. If you can’t see that then you really need to press into God.
Don’t be like the 5 unwise virgins and be left behind, prepare to be ready when Christ comes. Prepare to meet your Saviour.
And no you are not alone, we are here to help each other, some off us have land, so you will have a place to go, but you still need to prepare!
I’ll stop here,
God bless each and every one of you in Jesus Name.
Amen and Amen…