Prepper Recon

reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering . . .

2 Timothy 4:2b

It’s rare that you’ll see me getting into the Greek or Hebrew definitions of words found in the Sunday Prepper Bible Studies, but I reserved the right to do so when I feel like it has something to add or it brings clarity and understanding to the study. We can never have too much clarity and understanding. So here’s a few of the Greek terms from today’s verse and their definitions.

Reprove- elénchō- to call to account, show one his fault, demand an explanation

Rebuke-epitimaō- to admonish or charge sharply

Long Suffering-makrothymia-patience, forbearance, longsuffering, slowness in avenging wrongs

The reason I’ve provided the definitions today is that I want you to really think about the words in this verse. Notice the contrast in the definitions.

Paul is telling Timothy to reprove and rebuke people. Those are inherently harsh actions.

But then, he tells him to use all long suffering when doing so. This idea of patience, forbearance, and slowness in avenging wrongs seems incompatible with showing someone their fault and calling them to account. But it’s not.

What many of us want to do is to hand out a scathing rebuke that really lets people know what a terrible thing they’ve done. Or, we want to just let it go and say nothing. Neither one of those line up with Paul’s instruction in this passage. We are to explain the wrong, but we are to do it with patience. We have to speak the truth in love and gentleness. Yes, sometimes that doesn’t work. Some people don’t hear gentleness and patience. But take the high road and try to reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering as you go about your business this week.

Jesus said, “what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world yet loses his own soul?” Prepper translation: “What good will it do you to survive the coming economic collapse, nuclear war, or even a zombie apocalypse if you don’t know you will go to heaven when you die.” A recent study found that 10 out of 10 people die! On that day we will meet our Maker. It only makes sense to be prepared for that day. Click here to learn more about knowing GOD.

Have a blessed day and happy prepping!

Mark

A companion of fools shall be destroyed.

Proverbs 13:20b

Last week’s post could have sounded a little harsh. After all, doesn’t the Bible tell us to help those in need and not to neglect the poor? Absolutely, it does. But, it doesn’t ask us to be suicidal in fulfilling those admonitions.

Since the subject of Islamic immigrants is such a heated topic, let’s step back from the issue for a second. Instead of Muslims, let’s use me as the example.

Suppose you and I live next door to one another. And, let’s assume I have a terrible affinity for setting things on fire. Now let’s pretend that in one of my episodes of pyromania, I’ve burnt my house down and have nowhere to live. I come over to your house and explain to you, a kind Christian who wants to help, that I need a place to crash for a while.

What would you do? Let’s say that you decide to put me up on the couch for a few nights. Very kind of you, I truly appreciate it. Unfortunately, my unreformed nature gets the better of me late one evening. My imagination begins to run wild thinking about how beautiful your curtains would look engulfed in the glowing hues of red, orange, and yellow. I can’t help myself. I pull out my lighter and . . .

The next morning, thankfully, we’ve both survived. However, neither of us have a place to live. Your inability to assist me with my needs is the very least of your problems. Now, you’re a refugee!

Have you fulfilled Proverbs 28:27 “ He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.” Sure, your heart was in it, but it hasn’t really done me much good. I’m still homeless. Not that I’m blaming you, I’m just pointing out that despite your sacrifice, I’m no better for it. And you, you’re in the same boat as me.

Perhaps a better response would have been to send me a box of food and a tent. Yes, in all likelihood, I’ll burn down my tent, but as long as you still have your home, you can continue to go to work and pay your bills. Being the generous soul that you are, I’m sure you’ll use what you have left over to keep on buying me more food and a new tent from time to time. Even though I may not know it, this remedy is actually better for me. And I’m sure you find this solution more agreeable as well.

Trust me when I tell you, I’m a really nice guy. But until we’ve addressed my love affair with fire and destruction, I won’t make a very good house guest. It may not even be my fault that I find a blazing flame so awe-inspiring. However, none of that will do you a bit of good when your house is reduced to an ash heap.

So, in the same way you can’t afford to have a pyromaniac for a house guest, America cannot afford to be a host to refugees who believe the radical ideas of Islam. In every country where the majority of the people are Muslim, women are oppressed, Bibles are illegal, and unbelievers are subject to rape, imprisonment, harassment, torture, and execution. In fact, the higher the overall percentage of a population professes Islam, the lower the level of freedom in that country. It is a direct and unfailing correlation. There is a reason that these people’s countries are in ruin.

If you feel led to help the refugees where they are, one of the best things you can do is donate to Voice of the Martyrs. They help to fund missionaries and pastors who covertly infiltrate Islamic nations in order to share the Gospel. It is only through the transforming blood of Jesus and the Holy Spirit that this culture can learn to stop burning their own house to the ground.

Jesus said, “what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world yet loses his own soul?” Prepper translation: “What good will it do you to survive the coming economic collapse, nuclear war, or even a zombie apocalypse if you don’t know you will go to heaven when you die.” A recent study found that 10 out of 10 people die! On that day we will meet our Maker. It only makes sense to be prepared for that day. Click here to learn more about knowing GOD.

Have a blessed day and happy prepping!

Mark