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Next...Study the Word everyday.
When we study and meditate upon the Word of God (the Bible likens this to feeding our souls) our faith is increased and we
have a clearer understanding of who Jesus is and His plan. We also find the necessary peace and strength from God which we
need each day and for the days to come.
In the Old Testament book of Daniel, the prophet Daniel was allowed by God to see events that will take place immediately
before the return of Jesus Christ. These visions were so overwhelming that they sapped Daniel's physical strength and left
him unable to speak.
Daniel chapter 10 verses 14 through 19
14 Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many
days.
15 And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb.
16 And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said
unto him that stood before me, O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength.
17 For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? For as for me, straightway there remained no strength
in me, neither is there breath left in me.
18 Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me,
19 And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee; be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto
me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.
Daniel needed peace for his heart and soul after seeing the vision of the events that will take place in the latter days.
Daniel also needed strength after beholding these things. God provided the peace and strength Daniel needed by speaking to
him.
You and I need peace and strength from God every day. God gives us all that we need for life in this world, including
that which we need for our spirit and soul. Life can be hard, even tough at times, and like Daniel, sometimes we are overwhelmed.
The God who has created us knows this. One great token of His love for us is that He has provided an inexhaustible supply
of peace and strength for us in His Word. Just as God spoke to Daniel to give him peace and strength, God speaks to us. God
speaks to us through His Word, the Bible. God's Word is powerful (see Hebrews chapter 4 verse 12) and, like God Himself, it
is spirit and life.
John chapter 6 verse 63
63 It is the spirit that quickened; the flesh profitith nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and
they are life.
Join and become active in a local Bible believing Church.
While we are not saved by the works that we do, each one of us is given opportunities to serve in the Kingdom of God. If
we prepare ourselves spiritually, studying the Word, applying it to our hearts and the way that we live, joining a local Bible
believing Church, and being baptized following our Lord's example, then we can make the most of opportunities to serve Jesus.
One command that our Lord has given us that is essential for our spiritual growth and happiness is found in Hebrews chapter
10, verses 24 and 25;
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works:
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is: but exhorting one another: and so much
more, as ye see the day approaching.
The spiritual growth of many Christians has been stunted, and even stopped altogether, because they have failed to faithfully
keep this particular command of God.
As a pastor I have heard many say,"I don't believe that you have to go to Church to go to Heaven". Can a soldier
fight the war by himself? O Christian, do you not know that your happiness is directly proportional to your trust in our Lord
and obedience to His Word? How can you receive the manifold blessings of God that are bestowed through the gifts of the Spirit,
if you do not meet and fellowship with those upon whom these gifts are bestowed? How can you use the gifts of the Spirit,
which God has given you for the edification and blessing of His Church, if you do not meet with your brothers and sisters
in Christ?
We need to carefully consider the effect of our words and deeds upon our brothers and sisters in Christ. We must ensure
that we use every opportunity that our Lord Jesus Christ gives us to provoke one another unto love and good works. We must
meet with others who are part of the body of Christ. It is absolutely necessary that we exhort and encourage one another.
As we look at world events in the light of God's Word, we see that the return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is
getting closer every day. This reminds us that the Word says, "so much more as ye see the day approaching". This
means that we ought to be increasing in love and good works, assembling ourselves together, and exhorting one another.
The Lord Jesus Christ is 100% faithful and will do everything He has said. As we read the Word, we will find that our
fears are diminished, and our confidence in our Lord increases. When we put into practice the teachings of our Lord, we become
more than hearers of the Word, we become doers also. It is then that we experience an exponential increase of understanding
and opportunities to serve our Lord.
The most important and immediate need that you and every other person has is to be saved. Once we have believed on Jesus
Christ, being born again, we need to grow spiritually. The spiritual preparations for life today and the days that lie ahead
are the most important preparations we must make. Spiritual growth can only take place if we study God's Word, apply His teachings
to our hearts, and then put into practice the things He has taught us.
Preparation for Physical Survival
Jesus promises that if we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (which is found in Jesus) that He will provide
our physical and material needs.
Matthew chapter 6, verses 31 through 34;
31 Therefore take no thought, saying,
What shall we eat? or, Wherewithal
shall we be clothed?
32 (For after all these things do the
Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father
knoweth that ye have need of all these
things.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God,
and His righteousness; and all these things
shall be added unto you.
34 Take no thought therefore for the morrow:
for the morrow shall take thought for the
things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is
the evil thereof.
Every Christian's physical and financial situation is different. Our Lord knows this. Therefore the only recommendation
I make to all believers is that we get completely out of debt. Beyond that, we must look to the Lord for guidance in our own
particular situation.
The verses above speak to us of our need to seek our Lord Jesus Christ and His righteousness. When we by faith do these
things we receive from God wisdom and the spirit of discernment. It will take wisdom from God and the spirit of discernment
to know what, if any, preparations we are to make for our physical survival.
Perhaps the Lord will lead you to begin to put aside food and other items for your use in the days that are coming. This
is what He led Joseph to do before the great famine. See Genesis chapter 41.
On the other hand, God might lead you to depend upon Him to miraculously provide for you as He did for Elijah. See I Kings
chapter 17.
I cannot tell you specifically what manner of preparations you need to make for physical survival, but I do say that if
you do not prepare spiritually, anything else you do will be in vain.
Remember, if you walk with Jesus everyday, you won't have to run to catch up tomorrow.
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