Shared by Jeff Rowland.
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
