by Joseph | Feb 25, 2026 | Preparation, Sharing
Okay, so we know we need to prepare. I still have people asking me… “prepare for what?”. Years ago, I felt that God issued a “Preparation Call”. Now, there are more-and-more people are hearing that call, and are now taking action.
Every day, I see bizarre things that confirm to me there is a major need to be prepared. I just believe there are major changes. Things are not right in our world – and I am convinced we are heading toward some major upheavals.
Do you ever wonder what our Governments know, and are keeping from us? My trust is in the Lord, not in this earthly government. I believe a government will deceive citizens if it suits their agenda.
Interesting news today… The US Government is now beginning to prepare us for a catastrophic event. It makes me wonder exactly what the Government may know. Why is it important to understand how to deal with an earthquake now? Seems to me this is a bit strange.
Read the article Government Preparing for Earthquake.
So, what does it mean?
It means, prepare. Prepare by drawing close to the God who loves you just as you are – without conditions. Prepare by loving your family and helping them to prepare. Draw near to those you love, and especially draw near to the One who brings Peace and Joy and Life.
by Joseph | Feb 25, 2026 | Preparation, Sharing
My family has been in preparation for many years. In fact, I started preparing before it was cool to be a prepper! That means absolutely nothing except, I’ve been watching, listening, and preparing for a long time :).
Years ago, I heard a preparation call and started on a journey that I assumed was all about survival and a self-sustaining lifestyle. I was looking forward to preparing by learning about gardening, food storage, and emergency preparedness. I never imagined that preparation would be so intense – but then again, when we began this journey most people didn’t even fathom a need for preparation.
Today, things are much different. People all over the world are beginning to see the need to prepare, and are asking “Am I too late to get prepared”? They aren’t quite sure what to prepare for, but they sense that something is happening in the world – and they better get ready for it.
My simple answer to the question of whether it is too late to get prepared is… absolutely not!. But that comes with a disclaimer that there is a limit of time, and once that time runs out – there will no longer be the option for preparation. I believe their is an increasing intensity of events, and the preparation window is beginning to shut. Time is running out.
According to the Gospel of Matthew 25:1-13 the five virgins who are prepared for the bridegroom’s arrival are rewarded and the five who are not prepared are excluded. Hear the Word…
1. Then the Kingdom of Heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
2. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
3. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them,
4. but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5. But while the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
6. And at midnight there was a cry made “Behold the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!”
7. Then all the virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.
8. And the foolish said to the wise, Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.”
9. But the wise answered, saying, NO, lest there not be enought for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.
10. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.
11. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, “Lord, Lord, open to us!”
12. But he answered and said, Assuredly I say to you, I do not know you.”
— Matthew 25:1-13
In the days ahead, I will share some of the steps we took to begin our journey toward preparation. For now, the most important first-step is to ask God to change your heart – so that you are prepared to greet the Bridegroom when He arrives.
by Joseph | Feb 25, 2026 | Preparation, Sharing
Are there difficult days ahead? Will there be food shortages, drought, and famine across the land? What can I do to be prepared?
These are some of the questions I hear regularly from people as I am out-and-about.
Understandably, people all over are very concerned about what is going on in the world and are looking for ways to be prepare their families for the future. Even the very wealthy are preparing for an uncertain future, as they are constructing elaborate “bug-out” facilities to provide safety for themselves and their families.
Obviously, I believe Preparedness is important. In fact, throughout scripture we see how God offers preparedness planning. Whether it was a flood or famine, God gave instruction to prepare. Those who heeded the Call and instruction, were saved.
Regardless of what is ahead, I have great hope for the future. That hope if firmly planted in our Returning Messiah.
20 We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. 21 In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. 22 May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you.
PSALM 33: 20-22
As we consider what may be coming in our future, there are prudent things we can (and should) do to prepare. One of those things is to consider food storage. Here are some seven suggestions for storing fresh food longer:
Experts say the average family throws out nearly 15 percent of all fresh foods they purchase each year. Depending upon where you live and the time of year, which could add up to quite a bit of money. It is important to find ways to store fresh food for longer. Here are seven ways to accomplish this.
- Homemakers of years past had a root cellar to place root vegetables like potatoes, onions and carrots. They may have also used the root cellar to store home canned goods. Perhaps you do not have a root cellar, but you can use the same basic idea. The goal is to keep these vegetables in a cool, dry place that is out of direct sunlight. Storing them in the refrigerator will actually make them spoil quicker. An alternative is to store root vegetables in paper bags stored in the cabinet. Be sure to keep onions and potatoes separate or they will spoil.
- Cheese is another food that spoils if not used quickly. Wrap cheese in wax paper before storing it in the refrigerator. This will allow the cheese to breathe but will not allow excess moisture to reach it. Be sure to keep each type of cheese separate from the others to stop flavors from mixing.
- Fresh herbs are similar to cut flowers; they need water to stay fresh. Keep herbs like basil, cilantro and parsley on the cabinet in a glass with about an inch of water. On the other hand, non-leafy herbs like thyme, sage and rosemary keep best if stored in a moistened paper towel and then put in a reusable bag. Put the bag in the refrigerator.
- Canning fruits and vegetables is another way to store them for a longer period. Home canning really is not difficult and you know what you have added to the foods. Store-bought canned goods, however, may contain chemical preservatives to maintain freshness. Jelly, jam, sauces, fruit halves or vegetables can be stored for a year or longer if they are processed correctly.
- A vacuum sealer is also a good investment for storing food. This option may cost more than others, but vacuum-sealed foods can last for months past the normal storage time. When you vacuum seal the food and then place it in the freezer, your storage time increases even further. A quality vacuum sealer will cost between $100 and $300, but they are definitely worth the price when you consider how much food you can save.
- If you have stored as much of your food as you can and you still have fresh fruits or vegetables that are starting to look too ripe, find recipes that will use the food rather than letting it go to waste. Your family will enjoy a great meal and you will have saved money by keeping the food out of the trashcan.
- Finally, if you do find some of the food is too far gone to eat, do not simply throw it away. Start a compost pile for all non-protein leftovers or foods that have gone bad. Composting the food will at least provide nutrition for the soil in a flower or vegetable garden.
By using these seven ideas for storing fresh food longer, you can save money, keep food out of your trashcan and in the stomachs of those you love.
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by Joseph | Feb 25, 2026 | Preparation
In the deepest pits of personal hardship, when discouragement weighs heavy like chains, we often fail to recognize that we’re not just enduring—we’re being equipped. The prophet Isaiah’s words resonate with peculiar power: “The Lord God helps me, therefore, I am not disgraced; therefore, I have set my face like flint, and I know that I will not be ashamed” (Isaiah 50:7, NAS). This isn’t just about endurance; it’s about transformation through trial. Trials that are often overwhelming and excruciating.
Consider Joseph, whose journey from the pit to the palace wasn’t a straight line but a zigzag through darkness. Each setback, each disappointment, each moment of crushing loneliness was actually a divine chisel, sculpting him into the leader who would eventually save nations. “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive” (Genesis 50:20, NAS).
Here’s a truth rarely explored in conventional devotionals: discouragement isn’t just an enemy to overcome—it’s often God’s workshop where character is forged. When Joseph was thrown into the pit by his brothers, that pit became his first classroom in crisis management. When false accusations landed him in prison, that cell became his training ground in administrative skills. “The chief jailer committed to Joseph’s charge all the prisoners who were in the jail; so that whatever was done there, he was responsible for it” (Genesis 39:22, NAS).
Think about this: every skill Joseph needed to manage Egypt’s coming crisis was developed in his seasons of hardship. Prison became his Harvard, betrayal his Business School, and disappointment his Doctorate in Divine Purpose. This isn’t mere positive thinking—it’s spiritual alchemy, where God transforms our trials into training.
The command to set our face like flint takes on new meaning in this context. Flint isn’t just hard—it’s a tool used to shape other materials. Our hardships aren’t just tests of endurance; they’re instruments of transformation. When Paul wrote, “We also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character” (Romans 5:3-4, NAS), he was describing this very process.
But here’s where many miss the deeper truth: Joseph’s trials weren’t just about personal growth—they were about preparation for a purpose bigger than himself. Each disappointment was developing capacity he would need later. When his fellow prisoners forgot about him, he was learning how to handle the ingratitude of those he would later save. When managing Potiphar’s house, he was learning the administrative skills that would save Egypt.
Consider these parallel truths:
- In the pit, he learned to look up (perspective)
- In slavery, he learned to serve with excellence (character)
- In false accusation, he learned to maintain integrity (principles)
- In prison, he learned to manage with wisdom (leadership)
- In being forgotten, he learned to trust God’s timing (patience)
Each hardship was actually a hidden curriculum in God’s leadership academy. “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word” (Psalm 119:67, NAS). Our current struggles are often preparation for future assignments.
This perspective revolutionizes how we view discouragement. Instead of asking “Why is this happening to me?” we begin to ask “What is this preparing me for?” Joseph couldn’t have known that his prison experience was actually preparation for palace administration. Similarly, our current trials may be equipping us for future purposes we can’t yet imagine.
The apostle Paul understood this principle deeply: “For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison” (2 Corinthians 4:17, NAS). Notice the present continuous tense: “is producing.” The process is ongoing, purposeful, productive.
What makes this especially relevant for our times is the increasing intensity of global challenges. Like Joseph’s Egypt, we face potential famines—not just of food, but of truth, wisdom, and spiritual leadership. The hardships we endure today may be preparation for the roles we’ll need to fill tomorrow.
Consider these aspects of spiritual preparation through trial:
- Resilience Development: “And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance” (Romans 5:3, NAS). Each trial builds spiritual muscle for future challenges.
- Character Formation: “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance” (James 1:2-3, NAS). Our responses to current hardships shape our character for future responsibilities.
- Wisdom Acquisition: “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5, NAS). Trials drive us to seek divine wisdom we wouldn’t otherwise pursue.
The beauty of Joseph’s story lies in its revelation of God’s redemptive purpose in pain. Every tear, every disappointment, every moment of darkness was being woven into a tapestry of divine purpose. “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28, NAS).
This understanding transforms our approach to discouragement. Like Joseph, we can begin to see our trials not as mere obstacles to overcome but as training for territory we’ll need to take. When he interpreted dreams in prison, he was practicing the very skill that would later save nations.
The call to set our face like flint becomes not just about endurance but about maintaining focus on God’s preparatory purpose. It’s about recognizing that today’s pain may be developing tomorrow’s provision. When Joseph stood before Pharaoh, he needed every lesson learned in every dark season of his journey.
For those currently in their own pit, prison, or place of preparation, remember: God wastes nothing. Every tear, every disappointment, every moment of darkness is potentially preparation for purpose. “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6, NAS).
Your current hardship may be the very crucible where God is forging your future effectiveness. Like Joseph, your pit may be preparation for your palace. Your prison may be training for your purpose. Your discouragement may be development for your destiny.
Set your face like flint not just in determination to endure, but in confidence that God is preparing you through every trial for purposes yet unrevealed. Let each hardship hammer you into shape for service, each disappointment develop your character for leadership, each dark night train your eyes to see in the darkness others will face.
For in God’s economy, nothing is wasted—not your pain, not your tears, not your waiting. All of it is preparation for purposes that may be bigger than you can currently imagine. Just as Joseph’s pit prepared him for the palace, your present trials may be preparation for future triumphs in God’s perfect plan.
by Joseph | Feb 25, 2026 | Preparation, Sharing
Over the years, I have felt emphatically that I was to lead my family to be “in preparation”. When I first heard the call to prepare, I had an intellectual perception that I was going to flee to the mountains, and begin stockpiling food, water and other supplies.
Later, I began to realize that my call to prepare was NOT a call to hoard food, or to live in seclusion and fear. On the contrary, the preparation journey was to make a safe place for sharing – during a time of crisis when people would be prone to fear and panic.
The journey of preparation is certainly not easy. There has been great transition and purging that my family has endured. It would be foolish to assume that all we needed to do was to stockpile groceries and ammo, and then wait on some cataclysmic event to thrust us into our new lifestyle. Unfortunately, that’s what I see happening with many people who are looking at the chaotic times and are beginning to assume something difficult is on the horizon. So, they begin reacting to the most basic human instinct – survival – and fill their closets with food items to keep them alive until they can come out of hiding.
I won’t debate the need to store food items in a pantry. In fact, I strongly encourage everyone to get a 6 to 8 month supply of food and supplies. Not just to have groceries in the cupboard, but perhaps to help sustain you financially during lean months.
For me, it goes far beyond simply having food in the storehouse. The impression I get from some people I speak with is that – if things get really rough, they will simply sit around the house and eat their stock. That’s ridiculous!
Some families, right now, could not sit in the same room for more than an hour. Now, imagine if there was great turmoil, chaos, and fear all around. Do you suppose that family might be able to sit down calmly and sing hymns to pass the time? I doubt it. We’ve complicated our lives to the extent that any quiet, simple family time – is rare. Even Churches have become reckless entertainment hubs where there always has to be something going on to keep the flock active. What happened to “Be Still and Know…?”
Part of the preparation process is being able to find pleasure and joy in simple things. Cluttering our lives with constant motion or activity will make things exponentially more difficult to adjust to when there is global chaos.
Preparation is not just about hoarding food and water. Preparation is not about trying to outsmart fear, and simply plan ahead. God is our refuge and our strength – we can’t manufacture peace by simply working ahead of the looming chaos. We can, however, get ready for the coming events so we are better able to share hope, peace, and life in Christ – especially during times of great distress. There will be a great harvest in that day!
Prepare now by sharing quiet and peaceful times with family, or friends. Avoid the need to constantly be busy.
by Joseph | Feb 25, 2026 | Preparation, Sharing
All over the world, things are tough right now for a lot of people. If you have listened to the news at all, you have likely experienced discouragement with all the terrible things you may have heard or read. In fact, literally as I was typing this post I received word that a business colleague had taken his own life. Obviously, there is a lot of suffering right now all over the globe.
On a personal level, things been extremely difficult for my family over the last several years. In recent months, I have spoken to many people who are also experiencing great pain. I have come to the realization that every friend and family member I know, are dealing with some type of health issue, financial issue, or some other very difficult struggle.
Many years ago, it was laid on my heart the need for preparation. I left a great income and moved my family to North Carolina based on this call to prepare. Unfortunately, I’ve spent the majority of my last four years struggling and wondering “why” things have been so miserable. (more…)
