Prepper Recon

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

When I read this verse, I am reminded of the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus made in order for me to be bought back from the slavery and bondage that I chose for myself. Sometimes, soldiers and first responders are also required to pay that ultimate price out of love for their fellow human beings.

Laying your life down may not always mean death. Sometimes, it might simply mean laying down your life in thirty minute increments. Or, for you, it could be laying down what you like to do for what your loved one would like to do.

If you have kids, I’m sure they have interests that don’t necessarily intrigue you. You may have to lay down your life by watching Frozen for the forty-seventh time to be with your daughter and show her you love her.

Your wife might want you to go shopping with her, or ladies, your husband might like you to go camping with him.

Now what about Jesus? Since he’s done so much for me, what can I do to lay down my life and express my love for him? My New Year’s resolution this year will be to set aside thirty minutes each morning to read the Bible. I’ve always put aside some time, but it seems life keeps creeping in and that time has grown shorter and shorter over the years. Making a set amount of time each day always seemed legalistic to me, but the reality is, without that discipline, it’s dwindled down to a few short minutes. After all, the word origin of disciple is the same as discipline.

I pray that you will take some time this New Year’s Day and think about how you can challenge yourself to grow spiritually in 2015.

If you are new to prepping or would like to learn more about how to prepare for tomorrow, please read our 7 Step Preparedness Plan. Come back every Sunday for a new Prepper Bible Study! The most important prep of all is knowing GOD. 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!

MDG

Bessy Mae, my faithful pet and companion who has been by my side for five books, nearly two hundred podcasts and an eternity of joyful memories went home to be with her Creator on Thursday morning, December 18, 2014. This old world is a more sorrowful place but heaven is ten times sweeter.

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.'”

Revelation 21:1-4

Folks, THIS is why we put all of our faith, all of our hope, all of our desires in Christ alone. Because He and He alone can deliver on the promise to take away our mourning, crying and pain. As today’s verse points out, He’ll deliver on that promise with a new heaven and a new earth where the old order of things has passed away. Our present predicament is commonly refereed to as mortality. The very meaning of the word “mortality” is “subject to death.” When we pass over, we will no longer be subjects to death, rather we will be ruled by The Life, (see John 14:5). Or, as Paul told the Church in Corinth, “For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.” 2 Corinthians 5:4

And here is the prepper takeaway. While we are on this earth, we and all of our loved ones are subject to death. The grief that accompanies the loss of those loved ones is inevitable. While you have them, love them, care for them, serve them and be nice to one another. Then, when that day comes, you’ll have the comfort of knowing you made the best of the time you had with them. The last thing you want is to have your grief compounded by guilt and regret.

Secondly, the Bible promises “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7. But, to access that peace, you must be abiding in Christ through his word, prayer and worship. If all of your time is spent abiding in work, the pursuit of wealth or even prepping, you’ll have to look to those things for your peace and you’ll probably come up empty handed.

The simple instruction is love God and love each other with all of your heart.

God bless and Merry Christmas,

MDG