John 1:29, “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”  Very often we find ourselves talking to a friend who is going through a difficult time in their life and can only say one thing.  “Well just trust the Lord.”  Sometimes there is nothing else you can say.  Even though we know from the Word of God that every trial has purpose which is to bring us more into the image of God’s Son, we still don’t have answers that can bring comfort.

In Mark chapter 9 Jesus said to the father of a demon possessed boy, “If thou wilt believe, all things are possible.”  The father said to Christ, “I believe, help thou mine unbelief.”  The man was saying, “I have faith, but my faith is weak.”  How many can relate to this time in our lives?  How many times have we all felt this way?  How often does are faith weaken in a situation that last for a long period of time?  The bottom line to this thought is that it is possible to believe and doubt at the same time.

Consider for a moment the man John the Baptist.  The courage of this man is recorded in the Bible in many different ways.  In Matthew 3:2 we hear the message of John ring out with passion and conviction saying, “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”  This was the message that was to prepare the way for the coming of the Lord.

In Matthew 3:7 it is recorded who this message is going out too.  “But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?”  We find John calling the religious leaders of that day a generation of snakes.  Later in Matthew’s account of the life of John the Baptist we find John calling out the sins of the political leader of that day.  John had declared that Herod the governor was in adultery with his brother Phillips wife.  This kind of bold courageous preaching is what we need in our day today.
In John 1:29 we have John’s confession of who Jesus was.  By his confession John is embracing his calling and purpose in ministry.  John was sent to prepare the way.  John was to bear witness of the light, he was not the light.  In John’s confession he declares 3 things;

• Who Jesus was- He said, “Behold the lamb of God.”  John gave understanding beyond what he even knew.  He signifies that this Jesus was the God’s lamb of sacrifice.

• What he came to do- He said, “Which taketh away the sin.”  John was looking forward to the ultimate aim of God which was to remove man from his sin.

• Who it would involve-  He said, “Behold the lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.”  John is inferring that Jesus was the Savior not just of the Jews, but also to the world.  This philosophy was not even heard of at that time, however John was speaking it forth.  Johns commitment to Jesus was seen when his crowds were going away and following Jesus.  John responded to this by saying, “He must increase but I must decrease.” 

This leads us to consider the account of John’s prison time.  In Matthew 11:2-3 it says, “Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, and said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another.”  Here we see this courageous preacher who declared who Jesus was, what He came to do, preached to the political and religious leaders of their own sin is now struggling with doubt because of the situation he finds himself in.  Most of us begin to analyze our own beliefs when we find ourselves in a situation not convenient to our belief structure.  What principles does this teach us?  And how can we find faith building lessons from this truth

1.     EVEN THE STRONG ARE NOT STRONG ENOUGH.

It doesn’t matter how strong you are or how committed you are there will be times when your faith will weaken.  Learn that your strength is not good enough.  John when feeling his faith growing weak, did what we are suppose to do.  He sent after word from Jesus.  If in our weakest times we would simply go to Jesus we would find an increase of faith.

2.     Circumstance often dictates our level of faith.

I have heard people say, “I don’t know how you handle what you’re dealing with.”  I have heard, “there is no way I could do what you do.”  The truth is you never know how you will respond or react until you’re in that situation.  Faith grows according to the word of God growing in us.  When faced with a situation that looks beyond what we can control, the proper response is to get in the Word of God to build your faith to meet your circumstance.

3.     Reassurance comes only from the word of his works.

Matthew 11:4-5 “Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.”  Anytime you hear how God has worked your faith begins to rise.  When God works a work of His grace in your life it is important to declare it to as many as will hear it.  This builds our faith.

Conclusion: Faith is the essence of Christianity and must be built daily.  Four times the scripture declares that the Just shall live by faith.  The testimony of faith pleases the Father and to this end we must remain strong.  Lord, we believe, help our unbelief.

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Understanding that Elijah’s life was marked by miracles, there are certain principles drawn that we can apply to our lives today.

1. In order to appreciate the flood of the Spirit we must go through many dry times.  We can all agree that there have been some dry times for the church.  However, we need to understand that God can sustain us even when we are alone.  Though a corporate move of God may not be happening where you are, we can enjoy the flood of the Holy Spirit in our own life.   How often has all of us heard the call of the Spirit to come away from among the crowds and simply be alone with Him, that we may be refreshed in the things of God.  During the drought Elijah was kept by the brook Cherith where water was in abundance.  Indeed God can prepare a table before us in the presence of our enemies.
2. To be sustained it takes more than human ability – it takes supernatural intervention.  Nothing in the experience of Elijah could be understood as coming from his own power.  Supernatural intervention comes when all natural sources are exhausted.  It is not a question of IF we will face things we have no answers for, it is WHEN we face things we have no answer for that we are perfectly set up for an intervention on a supernatural and divine level.  Elijah did not know how God would provide, he had to walk by faith facing situation that only God could deal with.
3. God will operate and provide through people you never thought he would use. Could Elijah have known that a little widow would be used of God to provide for him the food he would need?  The reason we miss so much in our spiritual journey, is because we have so devalued one another that we cannot receive but from certain ones that fits the image of what we think God will use.
4. God will provide miracles along a dry road to keep you chasing after Him. There is no doubt very few who haven’t experienced a miracle at some time in your life.  In our mind it is normally too late,  but God’s time-table is different than ours.  Walking along a dry road is the perfect time for a miracle.  I believe that God gives us the mercy drops to keep us running after Him.
5. God will give us Victory over our enemies. Elijah proved this at Mt. Carmel, and the ultimate destruction of Jezebel.  A Jezebel can never win as long as you don’t run.  God has promised and is faithful to deliver and strengthen His people when we face the enemy.  The prophets of baal stood strong, but their strength withered away.  Jezebel stood strong and powerful, but she was destroyed.  God will give us Victory!
6. we will hear the sound of the abundance of rain. I do believe in a coming move of the Spirit.  There have been different names to try to describe what is ahead for the Church.  There is really only one way to describe it.  The church will experience to the fullest, Christ in us the Hope of Glory.

Through these principles our strength is renewed.  I’ve seen others try to walk in their own power.  I myself have felt the sting of defeat when I begin to walk in my own strength.  The strong can only survive, if they draw their strength from the Lord.

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Today, “preparation” is a very common discussion – and there is actually a whole movement of people called – “preppers”. I’m finding out that preppers consider themselves different from survivalist – kindof a survivalist lite.

Many people are now saying they received a “call” to prepare. I felt that same call many years ago, and actually was one of the first to coin the term “Preparation Call” – as I believed that God was preparing some people for an important time. There are now tens of millions of references to the term “Preparation Call” on the web.

Today, there a millions of people who assume preparation is all about “storing up food, buying a grain mill, and getting a cow”. While those things are important, unfortunately, most people still COMPLETELY miss the point.

There are people who assume they are getting prepared because they put a closet together provisions in anticipation of a chaotic event in the future. Certainly, it is VERY important to get provisions in place, but that is only the surface – and most people are still falling dangerously short of what is really needed.

What I see many people doing right now is almost as dangerous than if they didn’t do anything. They operate with an “Intellectual Faith”, and call it preparation. Their provisions have in some ways become their security and have given them some measure of comfort for their fears – as they ready themselves for the coming storm. Again, I contend they are missing the point.

In my humble view, if I carry preparation too far and assume that my efforts will somehow control an outcome, then I am likely putting my faith in my works. I am personally trying bring keep the boat stable in the storm, rather than rely on the only One who can truly calm the storm.

Bottom line is – preparation is not at all what most people think. People are on-edge, fearful, and are wound pretty tight as they anticipate a coming calamity.

Consider this…

When the quake hit Japan and then the subsequent concern about nuclear fallout, within a few days – the shelves in NC were completely depleted of Potassium Iodide. I live some 6,700 miles away from the catastrophe, but people in my town rushed to protect themselves from the fallout. Do you think people are a little bit on edge?

Even as the government said there are no health risks for people in the US, droves of individuals ignored those hollow statement and ran to get protection. You think people anticipate our government as being too untrustworthy?

Now, I submit to you… those who have been in preparation were the main people who ran to get the Potassium Iodide. Oops… they must have forgotten to get that one on the list of items they were supposed to have as part of their prepping.

So, what if a major radiation leak happened at one of the facilities in your area? (Please don’t call me an alarmist or assume that I am suggesting that is coming – it is a hypothetical question). Do you think all of the preparations and food storage would be safe from such an event?

Preparation is FAR more than just storing food and provisions. If you store a closet full of food, and a disaster wipes out your home – what do you have now to be prepared with?

“Martha, Martha, you worry and fret about so many things and yet few are needed, indeed only one. It is Mary who has chosen the better part and it shall not be taken from her.” (Luke 10:41-42)

I believe Yah wants us to be preparing so that we might be better able to share with others. For me, the first step in preparation is to strengthen my Faith in HE who is able to calm the storm. Right now, it is vital that we strengthen our relationship with Him as well as bonding stronger with those we love and serve every day.

The post Preparing the wrong way appeared first on Joseph Report.

Many people never thought that the world and domestic events would push things to the point of where we now find ourselves.  It is an amazing time to be alive!  Prepare to meet thy God!

World events are changing very quickly with daily reports of wars and upheaval all over the globe.  Everything is becoming more intense and will continue to intensify as we draw ever closer to the end of the age.

As I look over the events of the day, there are some amazing things that are happening – yet, most people do not seem to take notice (or perhaps prefer to ignore them).

Economies all over the world are failing (especially in the West) and people are taking to the streets in protest.  Countries are selling their assets just to stay afloat and perhaps survive a few more months.  Are we so ignorant to believe that a few changes will suddenly and effectively change the ultimate outcome?  I am not an economist, but I just believe it is folly to assume we can continue “economy kiting” with more bailouts.

The more I see that is happening, the more I am convinced that people must expedite preparations.  The world economy is in peril, and many leaders believe the best way to stimulate the economy is for war to emerge.  When you look at the events all over the globe, it’s not a stretch to see that the US and other Countries are positioning and preparing for war.

Within the next six months it will likely not shock many people to see the US expanding operations and engaged in Syria, Libya, Yemen, Sudan, or Pakistan.  In addition, it seems highly likely that Israel will be pressed on its borders, with significant new rocket terror from all fronts.

The point is… we will see increasing wars and rumors of wars.  As we move into an election year in the US, it is very likely that a “war distraction” is on the horizon.  With the prospect of economic collapse all over the world, the rush to war will increase.  The landscape is being carefully prepared for the final conflict and, of course, the return of the Messiah.  What a wonderful time is ahead for those who are prepared.

We make no predictions of when the Messiah may appear in the Eastern sky, but we do know it is very soon.  To all… Prepare to meet thy God!

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It’s hard to talk about preparation without talking about provision.  Where our faith resides will determine where our provision will come from.  As well, our fear will define what we lean toward for our provision.

Part of proper preparation is to move from fear to faith.  We need understanding from a responsible perspective on the times we are living in and then the proper perspective on where our provision comes from.

A casual observation of the things that are happening in our world should lead all of us to the same conclusions.  We need to prepare.  However, if we inundate ourselves with the information that comes to us from the news outlets through all the various media then we can end up in great fear.  Although fear is a motivator to get us to action, fear can also corrupt our spirit.  Proper preparation should take fear away not add to our fears.

We understand that from the beginning of recorded time fear has played a major factor in the affairs of man.  The first response to sin when Adam rebelled against God was fear.  He said, “I hid myself because I was afraid.”  Therefore fear finds its source in wondering away from God’s prescribed order.

While responsibility would teach us to do our due diligence to prepare in the manner that many our teaching concerning the ability to sustain through the chaos that is certainly ahead, we must not forget how to prepare our spirit.  You can have all the necessities laid in store but if your spirit is broken then hope is gone and there is no life.  This is not God’s plan for his people, Jesus said, “I have come that you might have life and have it more abundantly.”  We must move from fear to faith in order to have life that is joyful and victorious in times of trouble.

Fear seems to touch believers and unbelievers alike.  I have never seen fear and concern in the hearts of people more than today.  Unbelievers that have their faith in government, money, security of jobs or relationships, now understand that all of these are crumpling and they no longer can find strength in any of their sources of faith.  Believers alike have exhibited faith in every source that unbelievers do because most have just a mere profession of faith in Christ instead of a genuine relationship with Christ which brings about real faith in him.

For years I have preached that God has already given us the provision before the need arrives.  I’m reminded of what Jesus told the woman at the well.  She was caught in the forms and cultures of her society.  She cited the feelings that Jews had toward the Samaritans and wondered why Jesus would have anything to do with her.  Jesus said, “drink of the water that I give you and you will never thirst again.”  The provision that comes through faith in Christ can prepare you not only for eternity but also for life today.  If we understood His power and the release of His power through the His Spirit in us I believe we could move from fear to faith and be able to bring order to a chaos that most can’t even imagine.

Amos the prophet of old said, “Prepare to meet thy God.”  Jesus said “I go to prepare you a place.”  The prepared place is for a prepared people therefore get plugged into His provision and your preparation can be complete in him.

Rev. Jeff Rowland offers more insights on Last Days Preparation on his website at:  www.jeffrowlandministry.com

The post Preparation Through Provision appeared first on Joseph Report.

However, many of us have become complacent when it comes to being ready for emergencies. We see so many warnings and scary scenarios on the news and social media that we start to tune them out. We might even start to believe in conspiracy theories that make us feel like preparing is pointless. This kind of thinking is dangerous and can leave us vulnerable when a real crisis hits.

The Importance of Wisdom and Discernment

The Bible tells us in Proverbs 4:6-7, “Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.”

As Christians, we need to approach preparedness with wisdom and discernment. We can’t just believe everything we hear or read, especially when it comes to rumors or theories that seem too good (or too scary) to be true. Instead, we need to seek out reliable information from trusted sources and experts.

This means looking to our church leaders, government agencies, and reputable organizations for guidance on how to prepare for different kinds of emergencies. It also means being critical thinkers and asking questions when something doesn’t seem right.

Learning from the Past: The Parable of the Ten Virgins

Jesus tells a parable in Matthew 25:1-13 about ten virgins who were waiting for a bridegroom to arrive. Five of them were foolish and didn’t bring enough oil for their lamps, while the other five were wise and prepared.

When the bridegroom was delayed, the foolish virgins ran out of oil and had to go buy more. While they were gone, the bridegroom arrived, and the wise virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast. The foolish ones were left outside.

This story teaches us that we need to be ready at all times because we don’t know when Jesus will return or when a crisis will happen. If we’re not prepared, we might miss out on important opportunities or even put ourselves and others in danger.

Practical Steps for Christian Preparedness

So what can we do to be prepared without falling into complacency or conspiracy theories? Here are some practical steps:

1. Pray for wisdom and guidance from God (James 1:5).
2. Study the Bible and learn from examples of readiness and preparedness (like Noah building the ark or Joseph storing up food in Egypt).
3. Make a plan with your family for different types of emergencies (fires, floods, power outages, etc.).
4. Put together an emergency kit with essential supplies like water, non-perishable food, first aid, flashlights, and batteries.
5. Stay informed about potential risks and hazards in your area, but be discerning about the sources you trust.
6. Get involved in your church and community to build relationships and support networks before a crisis happens.

Remember, being prepared isn’t about living in fear or hoarding resources for ourselves. It’s about being wise stewards of what God has given us and being ready to help others in need.

Trusting in God’s Protection and Provision

Ultimately, our hope and security come from God, not from our own efforts or stockpiles. We can trust in His promise to provide for us and protect us, even in the darkest of times.

Philippians 4:19 says, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” This doesn’t mean we won’t face challenges or hardships, but it does mean that God will give us the strength and resources we need to persevere.

As we navigate these uncertain times, let’s remember to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). Let’s be wise and prepared, but let’s also trust in God’s love and grace to carry us through whatever storms may come.

By staying anchored in God’s Word, connected to our brothers and sisters in Christ, and committed to practical preparedness, we can overcome the dangers of complacency and be ready to shine God’s light in a world that desperately needs it. May we be found faithful and wise servants, always ready for our Master’s return (Luke 12:35-40).

The post Overcoming Preparedness Complacency: A Christian Calling on Readiness in Uncertain Times appeared first on Joseph Report.

The story of Joseph in the Bible offers one of the most profound lessons in the importance of preparedness, obedience to God’s guidance, and the discernment of the times. Through his faithfulness and foresight, Joseph not only saved Egypt from devastating famine but also revealed how God calls His people to wisdom and action long before calamity strikes. In our world today, this message resonates as a reminder of the spiritual and practical significance of preparedness.

Called to Prepare in Times of Abundance

In Genesis 41:29-30, Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s dream, warning, “Seven years of great abundance are coming throughout the land of Egypt, but seven years of famine will follow them.” Here, Joseph’s obedience and humility before God led him to act on divine wisdom. Though the years of plenty tempted many to revel in prosperity, Joseph understood that abundance itself was a gift from God, meant to sustain them through the lean years.

Preparedness, as Joseph’s example shows, is not a lack of faith but an act of obedience. God sometimes calls us to take deliberate steps to prepare for the future, not out of fear but from a place of trust in His provision and foresight. Joseph was not just saving grain; he was stewarding God’s blessing, ensuring that it would meet the needs of people beyond the good times.

Discerning the Times Around Us

Jesus also taught the importance of discernment, urging His followers to be aware of the times. In Matthew 16:3, He rebukes those who can interpret the appearance of the sky but fail to discern the “signs of the times.” Joseph was sensitive to God’s timing, recognizing the call to prepare while others saw no reason to worry. He understood that times of peace and prosperity are not always permanent; they can be a season of preparation for what lies ahead.

As believers, we are called to seek God’s guidance in understanding the signs around us. Just as Joseph recognized the impending famine, we too can pray for wisdom to prepare ourselves, our families, and our communities in ways that honor God. Proverbs 22:3 reminds us, “The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.” In discerning the times, God equips us to act wisely, turning insight into preparation.

Obedience in Faith, Not in Fear

Preparedness is a testament to faith, not a reaction to fear. Joseph’s actions show us that responding to God’s call to prepare is a form of worship, aligning our hearts with His purposes. Hebrews 11:7 speaks to Noah’s obedience in preparing the ark, saying, “By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family.” Like Joseph and Noah, we are sometimes called to obey God’s prompting before any visible sign of crisis appears.

Our actions today—whether setting aside resources, learning new skills, or nurturing our spiritual lives—can become the very means God uses to bless and sustain us and those around us during difficult times. Joseph’s obedience not only saved Egypt but also offered sustenance to neighboring lands, a ripple effect of God’s provision through one man’s faithfulness.

Preparedness as a Form of Stewardship

In storing grain during times of abundance, Joseph exemplified biblical stewardship. Rather than indulging in the blessings of the moment, he recognized the resources as God’s provision for a future need. Jesus said in Luke 14:28, “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?” Planning and setting aside resources is an act of wisdom, acknowledging that everything we have is from God and meant to be used for His purposes.

When we embrace preparedness with a heart of stewardship, we affirm that we are caretakers of what God has entrusted to us. Preparedness enables us to offer help, meet needs, and reflect God’s faithfulness in times of difficulty. In times of crisis, the church and God’s people are often called upon to be a source of hope and help, demonstrating God’s provision in practical ways.

A Legacy of Hope and Provision

Joseph’s story leaves us with a powerful legacy. Because he discerned the times, obeyed God’s call, and prepared wisely, he not only protected Egypt but restored his own family and lineage. Genesis 50:20 reflects Joseph’s understanding of God’s purpose, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”

Preparedness, when rooted in obedience and trust, does more than sustain us; it can serve as a beacon of hope to others, showing God’s hand even in the darkest times. Let us pray for the wisdom to discern the times, for hearts that obey God’s promptings, and for faith to prepare wisely, so that we, like Joseph, may be vessels of God’s provision and love.

May we remember that when God calls us to prepare, it is not just for ourselves, but for the saving and blessing of many lives.

The post The Biblical Importance of Preparedness: Lessons from Joseph appeared first on Joseph Report.

Consider Joseph in Egypt, whose face must have been like flint indeed. Sold into slavery, falsely accused, imprisoned unjustly—yet through it all, his countenance remained fixed on the divine purpose that would eventually unfold. “But the Lord was with Joseph and extended kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the chief jailer” (Genesis 39:21). This wasn’t mere positive thinking or stubborn determination; it was a spiritual resilience forged in the furnace of adversity.

In our current age of uncertainty, where the foundations seem to shake daily, this quality of flint-faced resilience has never been more crucial. We live in times where faith is tested not just by dramatic persecutions, but by the subtle erosion of constant pressure—much like Joseph’s experience in Potiphar’s house, where day after day, he faced temptation and maintained his integrity: “How then could I do this great evil and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:9).

The concept of setting one’s face like flint implies a conscious decision, a deliberate positioning of oneself. It’s not a passive state but an active stance. When Jesus “resolutely set His face to go to Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51), He wasn’t merely traveling—He was aligning Himself with the Father’s purpose, knowing the cross lay ahead. This kind of determination doesn’t deny the reality of pain or struggle; rather, it transcends them through unwavering trust in God’s sovereign plan.

Joseph’s journey provides a masterclass in this kind of resilience. In the depths of an Egyptian prison, he didn’t just survive—he thrived. “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). Even in the darkness of confinement, his face remained set like flint toward the light of God’s faithfulness.

But here’s where many devotionals miss the mark: this flint-faced resilience isn’t about personal strength or willpower. It’s about becoming a living testimony to God’s sustaining grace. When Joseph finally stood before his brothers years later, he didn’t speak of his own resilience but of God’s sovereignty: “As for you, 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).

Consider the metallurgical properties of flint: it’s not just hard; it’s capable of producing sparks when struck. Similarly, our resilience in trials shouldn’t just be about enduring—it should ignite hope in others. Joseph’s steadfastness didn’t just preserve his own faith; it became the means through which entire nations were saved from famine.

The contemporary application is profound. We face:

• Economic uncertainties that threaten our security
• Social upheavals that challenge our values
• Global tensions that shake our peace
• Personal trials that test our faith

Yet like flint, we’re called to maintain our facing, our orientation toward God’s purposes. “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58).

This steadfastness manifests in several key ways:

1. Unmoved by Circumstantial Pressure: Just as Joseph remained faithful in Potiphar’s house despite daily temptation, we’re called to maintain our integrity even when compromise seems expedient.
2. Sustained Through Extended Trials: Joseph’s imprisonment wasn’t a brief setback but a prolonged season of testing. Yet his face remained set like flint, trusting God’s timing and purpose.
3. Focused on Divine Purpose: “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus” (Hebrews 12:1-2). Our resilience isn’t about stubborn self-will but about maintaining focus on God’s greater purpose.

What makes this particularly relevant today is the nature of our trials. We’re not just facing isolated challenges but interconnected crises that test our resilience on multiple fronts simultaneously. Like Joseph, we need a resilience that can withstand both acute crises and chronic pressures.

The beauty of the flint metaphor lies in its practical application. Flint doesn’t become harder through use—it’s inherently hard. Similarly, our resilience doesn’t come from building up our own strength but from being grounded in God’s unchanging nature. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).

This brings us to a crucial insight: resilience isn’t about becoming impervious to pain or difficulty. Joseph wept when he saw his brothers; Jesus wept at Lazarus’s tomb. Having a face like flint doesn’t mean becoming emotionless—it means maintaining our orientation toward God’s purposes despite our emotions.

Consider how Joseph’s resilience was tested not just in adversity but in prosperity. When he rose to power in Egypt, he maintained his spiritual focus. This is crucial for us today, as trials can come in the form of success as much as failure. “For I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am” (Philippians 4:11).

The call to set our faces like flint is ultimately a call to profound trust in God’s character. It’s about maintaining an unwavering focus on His faithfulness when everything around us suggests otherwise. Like Joseph in the pit, in Potiphar’s house, in prison, and in the palace, we’re called to maintain our spiritual orientation regardless of circumstances.

As we navigate our own turbulent times, let us remember that flint-faced resilience isn’t about never falling—it’s about maintaining our facing toward God even when we do. It’s about getting up again, realigning our focus, and continuing to trust in His sovereign purpose. “Though a righteous man falls seven times, he will get up” (Proverbs 24:16).

May we, like Joseph, maintain faces like flint, not in rigid inflexibility, but in unwavering trust in the God who works all things together for good. Let our resilience be a testimony not to our own strength, but to the unfailing faithfulness of the God we serve.

The post Your Face Like Flint: Unwavering Faith in Turbulent Times appeared first on Joseph Report.

Almost daily I receive a call from people who want to talk with me about preparation.  They know that I’ve been talking (for 20+ years) about the need to prepare, so I guess it’s natural that they call me.  Problem is, I have a much different view of what Preparation really is, and most of the time my view is NOT the way others view it.

You see, during a time of crisis people come out of the woodwork talking about the need for preparation.  Because of our recent economical problems in the US, preparation discussion is now a mainstream conversation.  It’s almost comical to hear of people emerging every day who claim that they “knew a difficult day was coming” and knew that we were all supposed to be preparing.  They read all the gloom articles and conspiracy theories they can, and then spread their fear language to anyone who will join in their fear.

If you were around during the Y2K crisis, the same people were “preparing” then.  After the crisis, well, they went back to operating as if nothing was wrong.

I’m of the opinion, that many people who claim they have known we are supposed to be preparing for “something” – are in fact, nothing more than news readers and fear mongers.   They read new releases on world events, and suddenly they spring into action getting ready.  If you have ever lived through a hurricane in Florida – that’s what I picture with the people who are now “self-professed preparation experts”.

Now, I don’t claim any expertise in being prepared for some cataclysmic event that will turn the world upside down.  My belief is that one day, we will see difficulties that will cause people to panic.  Scripture makes it plain that there is such a day coming – when hearts will fail, due to fear.  I also believe, we’re very close to that day.

Yesterday, the French Prime Minister (Francois Fillon) said “the world stood on the edge of the abyss.”  When world leaders share views of concerning events, certainly people begin to have fear.

So what does it all mean?

Well, my view is… quit talking about preparation like it’s a camping trip, or a hurricane party.  Every day, I talk with people who are already frantic about how to prepare.  They are in panic mode, and are simply going through the motions of “preparation” by getting a bunch of supplies in storage.

That’s all great, but… I really wonder how many of these people will actually be able to live any type of normal life when things seem so devastated.   I mean, do people actually think they will simply sit around an eat their beans all day – and kinda “wait out” the storm?

I’ve seen families who can’t even sit together for more than 30 minutes at a time.  I guess if things get really rough, they will be able to suddenly shift and have the “gift of tolerance and conversation”.  I just don’t think so.

So… preparation is NOT about simply collecting lots of food and supplies, and then running to the hills when things get rough.  It’s not about hiding and hoarding and sitting by a fire singing kumbayah.  I’m afraid that’s the view many people have of preparation.  The spend time collecting supplies, but have yet to figure out the real difficulty will be surviving in peace and joy – while surrounded by the difficulties of existance in a world in chaos.

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