A God Encounter

by Joseph | Apr 26, 2026 | Preparation, Sharing

Shared By: Jeff Rowland

John’s writing in the book of the Revelation is an amazing look at the revelation of Jesus Christ and gives us a great look at a God encounter.  I believe that we desperately need a God encounter each and every day in order to stay focused in our life on the things of the Spirit.

The definition of an encounter is described as; a meeting, particularly a sudden or accidental meeting of two or more persons or bodies.  I have watched through the years people who suddenly have a God encounter.  I have also seen those who accidentally walked into the presence of the Holy Spirit and were transformed and changed in an amazing way.  I believe the church of today needs a fresh encounter with the person of Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit.
There are four dimensions I want us to consider in this article concerning John’s encounter with Christ recorded in Revelation 1.
1.     THE CAUSE OF THE ENCOUNTER. (VS 10)
John says, “I was in the Spirit on the Lords day.”  What does it mean to be in the Spirit on the Lords day?  I have seen many in the 21 years that I was a pastor come into the church in the spirit.  However, some wasn’t in the Holy Spirit, but some other spirit.  To be in the Spirit means that you are under the control of the Spirit.  This can only happen when you lay down your agenda and perspective of what things are suppose to look like when people are under the control of the Holy Spirit.  God does what He does simply because He can and chooses to do so.

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The Greatest Need for Preparation

by Joseph | Apr 26, 2026 | Preparation, Sharing

There is no greater entertainment on the planet, than sitting in an airport.  I travel quite a bit, so I actually get entertained quite frequently.  I love watching people rushing about trying to get to their destinations.  It never fails that there is always drama with people missing flights or haveing their flight delayed. 

I watch the different ways people handle the stress, and how they interact with people around them – or with the flight crew.  I can’t help but form an opinion on what must be happening in their lives by how they handle the difficulty.  I’ve actually seen several instances where police have been called to intervene with the unruly and frustrated individual. 

As I look at faces I encounter at the airport, I’m reminded of the tremendous hurt that seems to be spreading across the world.  The difficulties of a global economy that seems to be in ruin, terrorism, wars and rumors of wars, and of course, natural disasters all over the world.  Many of the faces I see are people without hope and are afraid of an uncertain future.

The Bible teaches that the difficulties we see today will increase as the time of our Kings return grows closer.  As John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus, many are now called to be in preparation for His soon return.  Everywhere I go I seem to have divine appointements with people who have felt a “Preparation Call”.  Many aren’t quite sure what they are to do, but they want to connect with others who are in preparation. 

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Prepare by Transitioning Your Treasures

by Joseph | Apr 26, 2026 | Preparation, Sharing

I have felt impressed to begin getting a bit more “intense” with my preparation efforts.  I’ve been on the journey toward this transition for quite a while, so getting to this place actually feels like I’ve arrived home.

My preparation journey has been a transition from a 1.3 million dollar mansion in California, to a much more remote area in a very small home that is on land that has been in my family for several generations.  I have shifted from a lifestyle of riding in limos and eating at fancy restaurants, to enjoying a peaceful morning harmony of chirping birds, wind whispering through the trees, and farm animals cheerfully welcoming the sunrise.  The stream on the property keeps this morning orchestra in perfect cadence as the restful water tumbles over the smooth rocks – flowing gently toward the river below.

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to visit a local shop owner in our town.  He had been a merchant for many years, and was lamenting about the fall of his business.  He had been extremely successful, but the last three years had been brutal for him – and he was bitter.

The business this merchant had successfully built over the years was beginning to reflect “the shift” in what people value as a treasure.  His wares were once considered a collectible investment that brought comfort and pleasure to the possessor.  Now, as people are impacted with a changing environment – his trinkets are becoming worthless.

I believe a similar “transition of treasure” will be required of most people during the preparation process.  For some, it will be a difficult transition simply because their heart remains with treasures that have defined our comforts.  In my journey, the Lord began to shift what I have valued as a “treasure”.   I firmly believe that one of the most difficult (yet required) elements of preparation is embracing the changes in what we truly place value in.  We can either embrace the transition of treasure, or we can wage a feeble struggle that will ultimately take us down a path of defeat and bitterness.  Either way, the change will happen – whether we want it or not.

“Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  (Luke 12:35).

As I continue to prepare, I believe we all need to continually take personal inventory of the things that truly reflect value to us.  I reflect on how changes (perhaps drastic changes) might impact the items that have been labeled as a “treasure.”

Every day I am more convinced… Our real treasures can not be acquired by a purchase.

Prepare by Resting

by Joseph | Apr 26, 2026 | Preparation, Sharing

As God pours out in these Last Days, it becomes incredibly important that we draw closer to Him.  We need to listen carefully to what He is saying to us during this hour, and certainly immediately act upon His words.  He is now shouting from the Heavens.

I firmly believe we are entering a time of increasing intensity.  Events all over the world will seem magnified to a much higher degree and masses of people will be fearful and confused.  They will seek answers and many will be led astray by the “experts” who will attempt to explain the events as a physical phenomenon.

Even personal emotions will become increasingly intense.  As the foundations of the earth are shaken, so too will the foundations of our person be shaken.  We are being prepared.  I believe that which is at our core – fears, anger, frustrations-  will begin to see increasing intensity.  We will even see intensity in our relationships.

There is going to be turbulence in the world, and there is going to be increasing turbulence within the hearts of people.  The preparation process is more than gaining a simple understanding,  or perhaps following a task list.  For me, the Preparation Call is less about stocking supplies, and more about surrendering to the reality that God is our refuge and strength.

As we are faced with the difficulties, it is vital that we turn to the One who loves us in a way that goes beyond definition.  His love is deeper than our knowledge of personal comforts or intense pleasures.  His love goes beyond the temporal issues we see in time and extends into eternity.

When turmoil comes, it is important to find a restful place that is quiet and peaceful, but more than that, a place where you can experience the presence of God.  He wants a relationship with us, and wants us to rest in Him.

This is my resting place forever.” (Psalms 132:14)

According to Psalm 132:14, God has established resting places, literal places that are His resting places.  God is calling each of us to find a quiet place, a resting place where we can get alone to spend time with Him.   As you prepare, make sure to find a time to Rest in Him.

In the story of Noah, when the world was destroyed by the flood, the first thing Noah did was send a dove out to find a place to rest.

“Then he (Noah) sent forth a dove to see if the waters had decreased from the surface of the ground. But the dove found no resting place on which to roost, and she returned to him to the ark, for the waters were yet on the face of the whole land. So he put forth his hand and drew her to him into the ark” (Genesis 8:8-9).

Noah represents God, and the Ark represents the safety of the presence of God. Only when you enter into His presence will you find that place of peace and rest.

Trust Him to lead you to His resting place.

More Preparation Insight on Hyperinflation

by Joseph | Apr 26, 2026 | Preparation, Sharing

So, What is Hyperinflation?

For years, I really didn’t fully understand much about the economy and how it worked. I just got a paycheck, deposited it into my bank, and paid my bills. When prices went up, usually I got a raise at work so I really didn’t notice too much difference with how much money I had left over each month.

Of course, that was before I felt the call to prepare, and began really grasping things that were going on. We’re still learning on the journey but, certainly there is a much-better understanding of some very important difficulties – and why we must prepare.

Over the years, I’ve heard people state they have confidence that our Government leaders will ultimately make the right decisions regarding our economy. While I certainly pray for our leaders and believe most of them serve with good intentions, I simply have lost confidence in the way “politics” is now impacting the decision making process.

It has become obvious to more-and-more people that we are heading for very perilous times. I have started discussing the need to prepare for economic collapse, and especially the potential for hyperinflation.

I will love thee, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. Psalm 18:1-2

In order to really understand how to best prepare (and especially what we will discuss in the days ahead), you need to have a solid grasp on what hyperinflation is. In simple terms it is tied into inflation levels that are extremely high and out of control. They are well beyond the norms of inflation.
As a result of hyperinflation prices increase rapidly. This causes many of complex concerns. There are basic things we all need and those seem to what the price increases hit the hardest.

For example when you go to fill your car up at the gas station you may find that it has jumped by several cents per gallon. Sometimes those jumps are as much as ten cents per gallon overnight too. This can increase the budget in your household for fuel substantially.

We all have to eat and the cost of food continues to increase during hyperinflation too. When you buy food items at the grocery store it is going to be much more than before. Due to the increased costs of supplies it also means you can plan on paying more when you dine out.

One of the other significant areas of the budget where you will see increases are in utilities. Most of us have seen several spikes and increases in the costs of utilities over the past couple of years. It is tough due to the fact that we need water, heat, and cooling available to us. We also need electricity so we feel that we are at the mercy of such companies.

Due to hyperinflation it is very hard for many households to make ends meet. They find their costs for necessities goes up and so they have less disposable income. For those on a fixed income or low income who were just getting by it is now virtually impossible.

Households are cutting out extras and that is why so many businesses are having problems too. When a household can barely meet their required expenses they aren’t spending on items that they consider to be wants or luxuries any more.

The terminology that experts use for hyperinflation is… a period of time when the cycle of inflation continues to grow so rapidly that there isn’t any real balance in sight for it.

When you have an increase in costs that is very fast, there is no controlling it, and prices are continually increasing with large jumps you have more than inflation to deal with – it is hyperinflation. It is very unusual but it does happen and it is something that the US dollar could be heading towards.

In order for hyperinflation to be present without a doubt one of two things must occur:

• If the accumulated inflation rate of the past 3 year period is equal to or more than 100%

OR

• The accumulated rate of inflation is more than 50% over a one month period of time.

Even though there are historical standings of hyperinflation hundreds of years old, no one studied it and gave us solid information about it until 1956. A book by Phillip Cagan called “The Monetary Dynamics of Hyperinflation” was a huge release that showed people some of the reasons why it happens and to give them an understanding of the process.

A great deal of what is found in this book has been given credible backing by economic specialists. They have studied the foundations of the US dollar and the economy. They don’t argue with what Cagan offered in that very enlightening book.

However, that doesn’t mean our Nation now has all of the answers of how to prevent high inflation and hyperinflation from occurring. The good news though is that the government and all citizens have access to information that can help them to identify the signs that may indicate that hyperinflation is going to happen.

It can help use to take action that will change the course of history. Most people don’t think much about economics or the economy of the USA when things are going well. When they turn the other way though people are fun of panic over it and they are ready to place blame.

Taking responsibility for the economy is a role we all need to step into. Too often citizens feel that their hands are tied and they have to make do with what is going on. Yet they have decisions about buying commodities such as gold, reaching out for credit that is offered, and how they will handle their own finances in tough economic times.

Have Faith in God.  Pray for our Leaders.