Prep Prep Prep and Prep some more

[FireHeart]

I personally do not prep for the upcoming troubling times ahead of us but I also do not judge anyone who does and if and when the apocalypse or say sudden destruction all over happens assuming that the stuff horded is not completely destroyed they will be the ones giving food and supplies to everyone. But there is a more important preperation that we should be prepping for, yes even more than food than supplies than medicine.

Above all else we must prepare our hearts. If our love and relationship with God isn't right then none of us will stand. When say the tribulation happens whether or not the rapture comes first only those with the holy spirit will be strong enough to be able to withstand it and love is going to be nearly non existent.

 

[Fireinfolding]

Yes I believe you can prepare your heart even while you prepare for a long winter.

I dont believe anyone would protest preparing both their own hearts and for their households.

I really dont percieve much genuine love out there now, it is hard to imagine how much colder it can get.

 

[FireHeart]

Yes I believe you can prepare your heart even while you prepare for a long winter.

I dont believe anyone would protest preparing both their own hearts and for their households.

I really dont percieve much genuine love out there now, it is hard to imagine how much colder it can get.

The love is out there trust me. When a firefighter risks his life going into a blazing house to save ppl he doesn't even know that is love, when a parent quits smoking because they are worried it might affect their kids that is love, when a mom is so busy and so worn out from cleaning and doing errands shopping and taking care of the kids yet still has the time and strength to read her kids to sleep that is love, when a person gives change to a homeless person even though that person could be pretending that is love, when a marine officer is willing to give his life for his platoon for his family for his country that is love.

Love is all around us and is expressed and shown in millions of ways but ppl often over look it and don't see it for what it is

 

[Fireinfolding]

To me the love of many has grown colder (you might believe otherwise) and simply because you feel it will grow even colder. However, I am not disagreeing that things will grow worse.

I didnt say love does not exist, I said that I didnt perceive much of the genuine out there now. More a superficial idea of love.

I certainly dont wish to debate anyones idea of love on this particular forum. I will just say this, I cannot fully agree with the examples you have provided for the most part. Lets take a firefighter, given there are pyromaniac firefighters that set the fires they go out and fight. So just because someone puts out fires doesnt mean (by default) that they genuinely love you. Sometimes they can be in love with fire, or even the idea of being a firefighter (or being hailed a hero) or whatever. I just wouldnt use that as an example of some sort of genuine love. Afterall there have been parents who have murdered their children who seem to have loved them dearly, and who have at many times stopped to read them a book after a busy day.

Fires and a book reading mom wouldnt take anything home for me.


That is not saying that none of them have not performed acts of love from time to time. And I do believe there is a difference between falling on bombs to protect a squad and strapping a bomb on for your brothers cause. Both believe they are saving the other from something (or other). And Paul does seem to speak of giving your body to be burned but doing the same without charity as well.

 

[Goodbook]

i think that preparation means different things to different people but if you look in the Bible go to the parable of the 10 virgins. That talks about spiritual preparation for the coming celebration - the wedding supper.

So for me, as a christian it's a GOOD thing.
I guess some people will always have 'the end is nigh' doomsday predictions. But perfect love casts out fear. And of course this kind of preparation is always practical.

I mean, every year we do it for Christmas. And that takes a lot of preparation. I think even if an earthquake or volcano happened on that day there would still be love where christians are.

 

[Fireinfolding]

Depends on what you are prepping for, "not that" it always means something different to people

If you are prepping for a christmas dinner you would prepare differently then you would prepare for another person's birthday (if you happen to celebrate those days).

Likewise would both of those preparations be different from preparing for an economic collapse.

The wedding doesnt = the U.S's economic collapse

In respects to the Lords word you can have faith and still move with fear Noah is commended in that

Heb 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

Like in Exodus after being warned of God ( or hearing the word of the Lord)

It says,

Exodus 9:20 He that feared the word of the LORD among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his cattle flee into the houses:

Perfect love casting out fear thrown into it (being used in the context of a judgment coming) would look more like this

Exodus 9:21 And he that regarded not the word of the LORD left his servants and his cattle in the field.

No fear there (dont worry be happy) God is love (which he is)

And yet one was taken and the other left to suffer for it

Exodus 9:22 And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch forth thine hand toward heaven, that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt, upon man, and upon beast, and upon every herb of the field, throughout the land of Egypt.

Then of Hebrews

Heb 12:26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.

Heb 12:27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.

Heb 12:28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

Just because people buy extra grain, corn and rice to eat before something hyperinflation (as history shows) makes these things too expensive to buy after verses buying other crap (as if nothing is coming) doesnt automatically make someone believe its Gods doomsday thing, there are many other types of doomsdays. A United States financial collapse can be viewed as a doomsday and bracing for it (to some) might be considered foolish but that is their perogative not to prepare for it.

I just wrote about my family in respects to this, what I didnt include was that I told everyone of them and they did nothing, but then again we are taking care of them.

Maybe folks are right, now that I think about it, we must be foolish huh?

 

[FireHeart]

To me the love of many has grown colder (you might believe otherwise) and simply because you feel it will grow even colder. However, I am not disagreeing that things will grow worse.

I didnt say love does not exist, I said that I didnt perceive much of the genuine out there now. More a superficial idea of love.

I certainly dont wish to debate anyones idea of love on this particular forum. I will just say this, I cannot fully agree with the examples you have provided for the most part. Lets take a firefighter, given there are pyromaniac firefighters that set the fires they go out and fight. So just because someone puts out fires doesnt mean (by default) that they genuinely love you. Sometimes they can be in love with fire, or even the idea of being a firefighter (or being hailed a hero) or whatever. I just wouldnt use that as an example of some sort of genuine love. Afterall there have been parents who have murdered their children who seem to have loved them dearly, and who have at many times stopped to read them a book after a busy day.

Fires and a book reading mom wouldnt take anything home for me.


That is not saying that none of them have not performed acts of love from time to time. And I do believe there is a difference between falling on bombs to protect a squad and strapping a bomb on for your brothers cause. Both believe they are saving the other from something (or other). And Paul does seem to speak of giving your body to be burned but doing the same without charity as well.

It really depends on the eyes you see through. Me personally giving how horrible and gruesome my life has been how I have seen every kind of evil and blood lust from the human heart and how I have been mistreated judged mocked and told all my life I am nothing that I can't do anything that I am incapable of doing even the simplest of things I could very easily say that love is almost non existent, I don't know your reason for saying this but I can assure you I have a very good reason to say it but I chose from the beginning of my life even in all the pain and all the evil and blood lust to see with a different pair of eyes.

Love is often times shown in the smallest things, if a firefighter knows he could easily die but goes into a burning house to save ppl then if that is not love then why do the scriptures say there is no greater love than that of one who is willing to lay down his life for a brother? only when you know what love is can you see it and recognize it.

 

[Fireinfolding]

It really depends on the eyes you see through. Me personally giving how horrible and gruesome my life has been how I have seen every kind of evil and blood lust from the human heart and how I have been mistreated judged mocked and told all my life I am nothing that I can't do anything that I am incapable of doing even the simplest of things I could very easily say that love is almost non existent, I don't know your reason for saying this but I can assure you I have a very good reason to say it but I chose from the beginning of my life even in all the pain and all the evil and blood lust to see with a different pair of eyes.

Love is often times shown in the smallest things, if a firefighter knows he could easily die but goes into a burning house to save ppl then if that is not love then why do the scriptures say there is no greater love than that of one who is willing to lay down his life for a brother? only when you know what love is can you see it and recognize it.

Well sure if you were hung by your feet and beaten with hog fencing every night for many years it might appear someone else has unfiegned love for you for simply acting "less inhumane" towards you. You might also perceive that public servants have this unfiegned love for you (even if blaspheme Christ on their off time).

Here are verses on laying ones life down in a couple of places

John 13:7 Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.

Its not that we loved him first (they all scattered at that time)

John 13:38 Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse] shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.

This is how we perceive the love of God

1John 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

And do likewise, following verse....

1 John 3:17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

Greater love,

John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

And so we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren (1 John 3:16b) which is also tied into the following verse (1 John 3:17 above) even as John 15:13 (above) goes before John 15:14

John 15:14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

Which ties back into 1 John (if following thru)

1 John 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

And hereby we know the following

1 John 3:19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.

Which follows on thru goes into keeping God's commandment by believing in His Son and loving one another even as he has given us the commandment. Which is the verse that preceeds "the greater love" hath no man than this, even as Jesus speaks of in John 15:13 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. (See again 1 John 3:16)

I might not be sold on how you appear to be showing it. I also dont believe people need to see things through your eyes (or your perception) to know what love is. Many "tongue it" (which accounts for "my present perception") which I dont try to make yours, because I try not to make my standard of sight the measuring rod for everyone else around me. I was simply agreeing with the scripture that evil men would grow worse and worse and the love of many would grow cold, some people believe the love in this world is so hot you can toast marshmallows over the open flame of it. I dont.

We see things differently and I am okay with not seeing things the same as you.

 

[SavedByGrace3]

You know the Word says that it is good to have faith, but show me evidence of your faith by your actions.

I think this goes hand in hand with love. It is good to have love... but show me evidence of your love by your actions.
When I look in the eyes of my wife, children, baby grandchildren, and loved ones - my heart says "I am not going to let anything hurt you. You are going to be cared for and protected for as long as I have breath."
It is easy to walk around saying you have love and faith. But if all that love and faith you have causes you to do nothing for the ones you "love", I have to question whether what you are experiencing is love.
If and when bad things come down the road and the life of your loved ones are threatened... what has your love done to protect and care for them? I have several tons of food, prepping supplies and backup plans. What has your "love" done?

 

[Fireinfolding]

Loving your own is not a hard thing, that is why if a believer "takes not" care of his own house (being blood related) and in that case a widow they are to be considered "worse then" an infidel (unbeliever).

Loving your own has never really been a problem so much.

Luke 6:32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.

Luke 6:33 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.

Thats not an experience of the love of God (which is higher) but the love most common to men (to love those who love them) and quite natural

 

[c1ners]

I don't see anything wrong in being prepared for a natural disaster. I live in Florida and it's imperative that we prepare for hurricane season. I don't think any where in the bible it says that just because we are Christians we are exempt from suffering. Yes, we should put our trust in God, but exactly what does that entail? Does it mean we should all sit around on our bums and let God take care of everything in our lives? I don't think he'd like that too much. He did give us free will and minds after all.

I trust and believe in God, but I also go to work everyday. I don't plant my garden because I don't trust, but because I believe that God would want me to know how to work hard know the basics on survival. If anything did happen in the world, I would have the basic skills to be able to teach the younger generation who may not be able to survive. If a hurricane came through tomorrow and knocked out our electricity, I wouldn't be so put out because I know what to do. Does that make any sense?

 

[Goodbook]

Here is a verse thst struck me on the subject

Ecclesiastes 2:26

There is a time for everything.

 

[Goodbook]

Yes its easy to love your own but much harder to love others who dont belong to your blood family.

Although since becoming a christian i find its become the other way round!!! Also remember what Jesus did. He suffered and died, but he also promises us a wedding supper. And invites everyone. Not just his blood family that were related to him and lived in his household but sheep from another field.

 

[Goodbook]

Even most unbeleivers care for their own..dont compare yourslef with others who dont even have that.

 

[Goodbook]

A wedding does = economic collapse.

Do you know how much people spend on weddings????

 

[Goodbook]

If you eliminated christmas the economy may just collapse since people arent spending it on things they just dont need lol.

 

[Fireinfolding]

Yes its easy to love your own but much harder to love others who dont belong to your blood family.

Although since becoming a christian i find its become the other way round!!! Also remember what Jesus did. He suffered and died, but he also promises us a wedding supper. And invites everyone. Not just his blood family that were related to him and lived in his household but sheep from another field.

I think that was Jesus point

What THANK have ye?

WHAT (( great thing )) have you accomplished in loving those who love you back?

Seriously, its nothing to focus on (as if extremely difficult) and that somehow doing so is THE highest example, or THE end all (of love) in the highest (in being children of the most high) in managing to do that.

But the way some people think its like the absolute pinacle of love and a testament of their faith or something, when you are really worse then an infidel (which is an unbeliever) if you dont (because even they do it).

These are they which want to school you on love too.

 

[Fireinfolding]

A wedding does = economic collapse.

Do you know how much people spend on weddings????

Nice try

I know, I didnt pay one dime for mine, we eloped, some people who cant afford stuff dont spend it (they do exist)

I did have a wedding ring (which I dont anymore). And I only needed gas money to get from NC to SC (when we moved down here) and I hocked it to get down here.

What use is it to have a pretty ring on your finger while you are stranded on the side of the road?

 

[Fireinfolding]

If you eliminated christmas the economy may just collapse since people arent spending it on things they just dont need lol.

I knew someone who went out and bought new boobs only to come crying to me about not being able to afford a root canal. I think we would have plenty of what we actually needed if we would lose out of our budgets what we dont.

And yeah, I told her to pull the stupid tooth, I do, why shouldnt she?
(oh she cried and cried over that one back tooth and being able to see a gap in the back) Its nuts. I wasnt budging for those crocodile tears.

Fast forward many years into the future (like this year).

Someones two special purchases have begun to leak, and while we are just trying to keep others afloat the tears began again. People make bad choices.

 

[FireHeart]

Well sure if you were hung by your feet and beaten with hog fencing every night for many years it might appear someone else has unfiegned love for you for simply acting "less inhumane" towards you. You might also perceive that public servants have this unfiegned love for you (even if blaspheme Christ on their off time).

Here are verses on laying ones life down in a couple of places

John 13:7 Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.

Its not that we loved him first (they all scattered at that time)

John 13:38 Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse] shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.

This is how we perceive the love of God

1John 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
Well I respect your view and will not say it's wrong but I suppose everyone has different idea and ways of seeing things, I hope I did not seem like I was trying to disrespect you or say that my way is the only way
And do likewise, following verse....

1 John 3:17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

Greater love,

John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

And so we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren (1 John 3:16b) which is also tied into the following verse (1 John 3:17 above) even as John 15:13 (above) goes before John 15:14

John 15:14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

Which ties back into 1 John (if following thru)

1 John 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

And hereby we know the following

1 John 3:19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.

Which follows on thru goes into keeping God's commandment by believing in His Son and loving one another even as he has given us the commandment. Which is the verse that preceeds "the greater love" hath no man than this, even as Jesus speaks of in John 15:13 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. (See again 1 John 3:16)

I might not be sold on how you appear to be showing it. I also dont believe people need to see things through your eyes (or your perception) to know what love is. Many "tongue it" (which accounts for "my present perception") which I dont try to make yours, because I try not to make my standard of sight the measuring rod for everyone else around me. I was simply agreeing with the scripture that evil men would grow worse and worse and the love of many would grow cold, some people believe the love in this world is so hot you can toast marshmallows over the open flame of it. I dont.

We see things differently and I am okay with not seeing things the same as you.