Perilous Times #6

How do we prepare for perilous times?

Preparedness is how the wise live. We prepare to meet God, prepare for His coming, and also prepare to live a life pleasing to Him.

Jesus said not to worry about tomorrow, but several scriptures show us the importance of being ready for possible hard times physically as well as spiritually.

Providing for people living under our roof is extremely important. Paul wrote to Timothy, "If any provide not for his own, and especially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel (1 Timothy 5:7-9).

Before the perilous times during the flood, God told Noah to take every kind of food that was to be eaten and store it away in the ark" (Genesis 6:21).

One of the miracles in Joseph's life was the dream he interpreted about years of plenty followed by years of famine. The interpretation of the dream helped Egypt store up so much food for the coming famine, they had food to share, which benefitted Joseph's family.

One of the things notable about the Proverbs 31 woman is she provides food and clothing for her household.

During much of the last century, nearly every family kept two years' food supply in their cellars. These folks went through the Great Depression and didn't forget it There were long food lines, as there were in recent years in the Soviet Union when the nation collapsed and many people went hungry. Our parents and grandparents knew jobs weren't that secure in their day, and eating often depended upon good weather for crops, and good health for their chickens and other animals. So they stored as much food as they could.

Some religions, such as the Mormons, advise members to store a year's supply of food.

How should we prepare for the future in these perilous times?

Some folks are investing in gold. I'd think that's only for the wealthy, and is said to be more for insurance than investment. But we literally can save our change. I heard the other day it costs three cents to make a penny. Copper is so valuable today thieves strip houses under construction of their electric and telephone wire to get it. They're even stealing air conditioner compressors to get copper.

There's still a little silver left in other coins. Dump your change in a jar every day. Someday a penny might be more valuable than a paper dollar. If you find a wheat penny it's surely worth more than one cent.

Then, keep the pantry and freezer full. Put away 100 pounds of dry beans. They aren't very expensive and they'd fill tummies for a long time. If you never need them, you can donate them to a mission or charity. Beans will last for years if kept away from dampness. Beans estimated to be 10,000 years old buried in the tombs of Anasazi Indians were planted and grew, bringing back a variety that had been lost.

I made a list of things that would be good to store just by purchasing extra now and then when items are on sale. You can make your own list. But pray for wisdom to know what to store for your family's unique needs.

* Vegetable seeds, non-hybrid (If really hard times come, we could find a place to plant. I grow quite a bit in flower pots with the bottoms knocked out so the roots can go into the soil. My version of a "raised garden".)

* 100 pounds Pinto Beans or a variety your family likes
* Rice (At least 25 pounds)
* Other dried foods, including macaroni and cheese
* Cooking oil (This can turn rancid. Use before expiration dates.)
* Flour If you use quite a bit, aim for 50 pounds.(Put in freezer at least overnight to prevent weavils.)
* Sugar (25 pounts? It's easier to keep than flour)
* Corn meal (Freeze overnight).
* Soda, salt and baking powder
* Cereal (Watch expiration dates. Use oldest first.)
* Canned or dry milk (Great for gravy, cream soups, etc.)
* Canned fruit and vegetables (these will keep way beyond expiration dates)
* Canned meats
* Macaroni, spaghetti, spaghetti sauce with meat
* Coffee and tea.

MEDICATIONS
Don't always throw away old prescriptions or medications. A pharmacist told me some drugs just lose strength, and won't do that stored in a cool, dark place. The Drug Handbook, however, says outdated Tetracyclaline, has caused kidney damage, so it must change chemically when it gets old. If possible, just keep extra prescriptions ahead if you can and don't let yourself run out of those you use regularly. Use older prescriptions first.

Buy up extra:

Hand sanitizer
Aspirin (low dose daily might prevent heart attack. Take a whole aspirin for heart attack symptoms as you head for the hospital.)
Tylenol
Diarrhea meds, Gatorade and Pedialyte
Benadryl and other allergy medications
Antiacid
Calcium
Vitamins--multi, vitamins C,D,B-12, B-6,E, mega-3; iron (take iron only if anemic), cranberry pills for bladder and kidney health
OTC cold remedies you can take
Eye care
Hand, laundry and dishwashing soap
Clorox or other disinfectant
First-aid supplies

BATTERY-OPERATED RADIO, batteries

When you buy new supplies, put them behind the other products so the older is used first.

Some people store bottled water or water purification tablets
.

Perilous Times 5

Conservatives are hoping to overturn the health care bill by sending wise people to congress in November who will more wisely make health care affordable and accessible. They also pray our nation will cut spending, significantly reduce the national debt, restore freedoms and the ability for America to become great again.

Although I am only one person, there is power in my vote. Dick Morris says the most important thing we probably will do in 2010 is vote. The privilege of casting a ballot is the basis of "Government for the people and by the people" handed to us from our founding fathers and those who spilled their blood fighting for freedom. We can't just hope for good government, we need to cast a ballot for freedom every chance we get. The process begins with registering.

But should all of our efforts fail to get the desired result, we can love God, others, entertain strangers, share what we can and rejoice in the Lord because of the hope we have in Him.

This life isn’t all there is—and that’s why we don’t need to be afraid of the future.

The Psalmist wrote, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Psalm 118:5-7). Later, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit another writer wrote this to the Hebrews: “Let brotherly love continue. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also…. Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5-7).

Hope like this is why when the Apostle Paul wrote the book of Philippians from a jail cell, in every one of the four chapters he said, “Rejoice!” Sometimes he said it twice in one verse: “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” Philippians 4:3-5NKJ. But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy (Philippians 2:16-18).

America has been blessed as no other country in the world. You can't put a price on freedom of speech, freedom to practice our own religion, and freedom to use our talents and abilities to provide for our needs--and often more than we need.

Today, as was prophesied would happen before Jesus comes back to catch away the church, perilous times have come (1Thessalonians 4:13-18). But we can look up, for our redemption draws nigh (Acts 1:11).