by Joseph | Jul 17, 2026 | Preparation, Sharing
I have been focused on preparation for a long time, so any discussion on the topic comes very natural to me. I am finding, however; even as the topic of preparation is becoming more widespread – there are still quite a few people who do not fully understand what is meant by preparation.
I’ve stated before, like with everything people have varying levels of preparation – and certainly different motivations for preparation. Let me share some general insights on preparation, specifically as it relates to an emergency “change” in lifestyle.
The first question that I’d ask someone to gauge their preparation status is: “If there were to be an emergency of any kind, are you adequately prepared?” It may be a tornado, flood or even a hurricane. It could even be a catastrophic event such as a pandemic illness that sweeps through the world. How prepared are you in case of just such an event?
Unfortunately, the answer for most people is that they are not prepared at all. Emergency preparation takes forethought and careful planning. It is not about paranoia or that the world is coming to an end soon (although, you should be prepared for that as well). If you look, you can definitely find many crackpot (some legitimate) websites that are dedicated to driving paranoia and government conspiracies. Our intent is not to fuel fear – rather, to impress upon the need to prepare in the event of an emergency or disaster. This article is designed to help you understand what you can do to be prepared.
How do people prepare for emergencies?
Emergency preparation all starts with a list. You need to really stop and think about the possible emergencies that could happen in your region of the world. If you live near a river, lake or the ocean then you have to worry about flooding. If you live in a tornado prone area, you need to prepare for that. Winter storms can do a terrible amount of damage. Step one is thinking about what you use on a daily basis. Water is the number one resource that must be conserved and kept in case of an emergency. People can survive weeks without food but only a few days without water. And in the case of an emergency you cannot trust the water coming out of your faucet.
The second step is examining your shelter. Should your home be damaged you need to have an alternate place for shelter set up. It may be at a friend, family member or coworker’s home.
The third most important step is making an emergency plan. This plan should detail where all members of the family will meet in case they are separated at the time of the emergency. There are many books that you can purchase to help you learn basic survival skills in case of a disaster. You should consider picking one up and reviewing it just to see how well you would fare. (more…)
by Joseph | Jul 17, 2026 | Preparation, Sharing
The Shaking
Whose voice then shook the earth
Shared by Jeff Rowland.
The power of the voice of God is unmatched by anything the earth has ever seen or come in contact with. One word from the lips of God can destroy with more devastation than any bomb ever created. One word from the lips of God can breathe life into anything or anyone.
(1Ki 19:12) And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.
Even though our God’s voice is so powerful, He can speak with such still softness as to gently urge the hearts of all who will listen. Could it be that the gentleness of our God is often why we so disregard and refuse Him that speaks? Could it be that our God is speaking louder so as to get our attention to the times we are living in now?
I believe that we are now living in the middle of Hebrews 12:25-29. I also believe that God is speaking to the earth and its time that we begin to pay attention. There is always purpose and reason to the voice of God being released.
Verse 26 says, “Whose voice then shook the earth.” We need to consider the events that are taking place now at such a rapid rate of speed. The earthquakes that are ravaging the earth all over must be given heed to. Jesus foretold of things to come as a sign of the end of the age in Matthew 24.
(Mat 24:7) For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
This was the response of Jesus after being asked the question what is the sign of thy coming and of the end of the world? We are now seeing these signs. Even a casual student of the Word of God can see these things are upon us.
(more…)
by Joseph | Jul 17, 2026 | Preparation, Sharing
Part of emergency preparedness involves having money available during the situation, and having a backup of all your financial data for when the crisis has passed. Think about how terrible it would be to survive a particularly bad situation, and then find out that all your financial information was lost. There are different steps that you can take to minimize a financial emergency when things go wrong, and to plan for your future.
Now, while there are certainly potential scenarios and risks of banking collapse and global financial meltdown, this writing will not address that level of preparedness. This post will make an assumption that current banking and legal tender remains somewhat solvent and available. We will share more on the potential of massive financial collapse in future posts.
Money is an important part of good emergency preparedness, since banks may not be open and access to funds electronically may not be available. So this means that cash may be the only form of payment accepted at stores or in other situations. If that should be the case, then you will need to have a supply of emergency cash that you can access if there is a large-scale problem. This money should include coins for pay phones and it should be hidden in a safe place in your home.
After the situation has been resolved, then the next step is fixing the problems and confusion that occurred. Your emergency preparation should have involved making backup copies of all relevant data related to your finances. On an external drive, you should regularly backup any recent transactions made online, and your credit card information. The idea here is that even if there is a massive power surge that fries your computer, followed by a power failure, once things have been restored to normal you should be able to hook your external drive to an unaffected computer and recover all your data.
Another important step to being prepared for an emergency is having financial records and important contact numbers and names of people in a safe place. In fact, this information should ideally be stored in more than one place, in the event that the first location is compromised. Safe locations could involve an external hard drive, a safety deposit box, a home safe, or some other hidden location. Once the situation has been resolved, these records can be accessed and used to make a quick transition back to normal, and they can often suffice as evidence in case the original data has been lost or damaged.
To be successful with your emergency preparedness, you need to anticipate a great deal. It is hard to predict exactly what will happen in a major crisis, but basic steps you take should involve setting aside some cash and making a backup of your financial information. So much can be lost in such a short period of time that it is well worth it to invest a bit of effort in making sure that should the worst occur, you will be more likely to walk away from it unscathed.
by Joseph | Jul 17, 2026 | Sharing
Finding Hope in God Amidst Discouragement: Lessons from Joseph’s Story
Life can bring seasons of deep discouragement that shake us to our core. Our heart is to lean and find hope in God when discouraged. In the darkest of valleys, it’s easy to lose sight of God’s goodness and plan. When we face rejection, betrayal, injustice, loss and suffering, we may wonder: “Where are you God? Do you see what I’m going through?”
Genesis 50:20 (NIV) – “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”
Joseph’s story reminds us that God is always present and working behind the scenes, even in our darkest hours. As a young man, Joseph was betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, falsely accused, and forgotten in prison. Talk about discouraging circumstances! Yet through it all, “the LORD was with Joseph” (Genesis 39:2).
God gave Joseph strength, wisdom and favor. It probably didn’t happen exactly when Joseph wanted, but he elevated Joseph to a position of influence to save many lives during a famine. What man intended for harm, God intended for good. Joseph chose to trust God’s plan and timing, even when it made no sense. He believed God would redeem and restore – and God did. I know God will show up and provide the joy in the morning.
God sees what you’re walking through. He hasn’t forgotten or abandoned you. Resist the urge to view your situation through the lens of discouragement. Choose to look through the lens of faith and focus on God’s unfailing character. Cling to His promises. Spend time in His presence and Word to combat discouragement with truth. God is preparing you, positioning you and working all things for your good and His glory.
No matter how hopeless things seem, there is reason for hope in God when discouraged. We serve an awesome, sovereign God. Like Joseph, may we keep our eyes on the Lord and trust His heart when we can’t trace His hand. Take courage – your story isn’t over yet. The same God who was with Joseph is with you. He will redeem every hurt and do exceedingly more than you can imagine.
Reflect:
- What discouragement are you currently facing? Process your raw emotions with God.
- How can Joseph’s story give you a new perspective?
- What promise from Scripture can you hold onto for hope?
Prayer: “Heavenly Father, You see the discouragement I’m battling. Please give me eyes to see my situation and future from Your perspective. Strengthen me to keep trusting Your plan even when I don’t understand. Use this trial to prepare and position me for Your purposes. Restore my joy as I place my hope fully in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
by Joseph | Jul 17, 2026 | Sharing
Scripture Reading:
“For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying arguments and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” — 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (NAS)
Understanding the Battles we are Facing
Today, we face more than just the challenges of daily life. We are living in a world saturated with demonic influences, where deception, lies, and strongholds seem to dominate the minds and hearts of many. You may feel this pressure yourself, as if an unseen force is pulling you away from the truth, sowing seeds of fear, discouragement, and division. This is not a coincidence—this is spiritual warfare, and it is intensifying.
In these last days, as we prepare for uncertain times, it’s crucial not only to stock our pantries with food and water but also to prepare our hearts and minds against the enemy’s tactics. The call to be spiritually prepared is just as urgent as any physical preparation. We must tear down the demonic strongholds that the enemy is building up in our lives and stand firm in the truth of God’s Word.
What Is a Demonic Stronghold?
A stronghold is like a fortress—a deeply rooted belief or mindset that stands in opposition to God’s truth. The enemy uses strongholds to keep us trapped in fear, sin, and lies. Strongholds can form through unforgiveness, anxiety, pride, or addiction. They can develop when we accept false beliefs about ourselves or God, giving Satan a foothold in our lives.
Imagine a castle built stone by stone. Each stone represents a lie or sinful habit, stacked higher and higher until it forms a fortress, hard to penetrate. The enemy whispers lies like: “You are not good enough,” “God can’t forgive that sin,” or “You will never change.” Over time, these lies solidify, becoming a stronghold that keeps us in bondage.
But there is good news: these strongholds can be torn down through the divine power given to us in Christ.
The Spiritual Weapons We Have
The Bible tells us that our battle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of wickedness (Ephesians 6:12). We cannot fight demonic strongholds with human strength, self-help books, or positive thinking alone. We need spiritual weapons—tools that God has given us for victory.
- The Truth of God’s Word:
- Satan’s strongholds are built on lies, so the first step to breaking them is confronting those lies with the truth. The Word of God is our sword (Ephesians 6:17), piercing through the deceptions of the enemy.
- When you find yourself believing the lie, “God doesn’t care about me,” counter it with Scripture: “Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7 NAS).
- Prayer and Fasting:
- Jesus taught that certain strongholds can only be broken through prayer and fasting (Matthew 17:21). Fasting is a powerful way to humble ourselves before God, making our prayers even more effective.
- When we fast and pray, we are declaring that our dependence is on God alone. We empty ourselves so that He can fill us with His power and truth.
- Repentance and Confession:
- Strongholds often have their roots in unconfessed sin. When we hold on to sin, we give the enemy legal ground to establish a foothold in our lives.
- 1 John 1:9 (NAS) says: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Confessing our sins is like removing a stone from the enemy’s fortress.
- Taking Thoughts Captive:
- The battlefield is in the mind. 2 Corinthians 10:5 instructs us to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. When a thought comes that does not align with God’s truth, reject it. Replace it with what God says.
- The enemy will often attack our minds with fear, doubt, and confusion. If we let these thoughts linger, they can become strongholds. Instead, declare, “I have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16).
The Call to Be Prepared
In these times, preparedness is not just about storing food and supplies—it is about fortifying our spiritual defenses. Jesus warned us about the increasing deception that would come in the last days (Matthew 24:4-5). As the days grow darker, we must be vigilant and spiritually prepared.
Physical preparation without spiritual preparation is incomplete. You may have a well-stocked pantry, but if your heart and mind are vulnerable to the enemy’s lies, your spiritual house will crumble. The story of the wise and foolish builders in Matthew 7:24-27 serves as a powerful reminder. Only the house built on the rock of God’s truth can withstand the storm.
Facing Today’s Demonic Influences
The demonic influences in today’s world are not hidden; they are in plain sight, infiltrating our media, our schools, our workplaces, and even our homes. The enemy is working overtime to sow seeds of fear, confusion, and hopelessness. We see this in the rise of anxiety, depression, addiction, and societal chaos.
As believers, we must stand firm. The enemy may try to build strongholds in our lives, but we have the power to tear them down through Christ. Just as Joseph prepared Egypt for seven years of famine (Genesis 41), we must prepare ourselves and our families spiritually for the coming trials. Joseph’s wisdom saved a nation, but it was his spiritual discernment and obedience to God that guided his actions.
Today, God is calling us to a Joseph awakening—a time of preparation, discernment, and faith. We cannot rely on the government, society, or even our own strength to save us. Our hope and trust must be anchored in Christ alone.
Breaking Free from Strongholds
You may be feeling the weight of a stronghold today. Perhaps it is an addiction, a fear that paralyzes you, or a sin that you cannot seem to break free from. Know this: the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to you right now (Romans 8:11).
Take action today:
- Identify the stronghold: What lies or patterns are holding you back? Write them down.
- Declare God’s truth: Find Scriptures that counter these lies. Speak them out loud over your life.
- Pray for deliverance: Ask God to tear down these strongholds. If necessary, seek the help of a mature believer or pastor to pray with you.
- Prepare your heart daily: Just as you might stock supplies for an emergency, fill your heart and mind with the Word of God every day.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the power and authority You have given us in Christ. We declare that no stronghold of the enemy can stand against Your truth. Help us to see the lies that have taken root in our minds and hearts. Give us the strength to confront them with Your Word and the courage to tear them down. As we prepare for the physical challenges of these times, help us also to prepare spiritually, standing firm against the enemy’s attacks. We trust in Your promise that greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world. In Jesus’ mighty name, we pray. Amen.
Reflection: What strongholds has the enemy built in your life? Take time today to seek the Lord in prayer and ask Him to reveal any lies or deceptions you’ve believed. Write them down and find Scriptures that speak truth into those areas. Prepare yourself not just physically, but spiritually, for the days ahead. God is with you, and in Him, you have the victory.
