A Time of Warning and Preparation

"And so find favor and high esteem

In the sight of God and man.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

And lean not on your own understanding;

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He shall direct your paths." - Proverbs 3:4-6

I think this is a passage that we all not only need to be familiar with, but take to heart.

The Bible tells us that tough times will come for all.

" He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name." Revelation 13:16-17

I think what America is experiencing right now with its current recession is only a glimpse of what is to come. This isn't me prophesying anything, but just saying what the Bible says. The worst is yet to come.

Already there is a lot of panic and worry with the poor economic state our country is in. Unfortunately for our country, money is our top priority. Almost everything revolves around money and we can never get enough of it. Now, we are paying for our greed and many people are suffering for the bad choices our country has made.

What I get the sense now is that people just want things back to "normal." Where people's jobs were secure, and we don't have to lower our standards of living. I have to ask, 'At what cost' do we want our economy to return to where it was "secure?" How far will America go to return to the economic super power that everyone is so used to?

For those who have lost their jobs, homes, bonds, savings, IRA's or other monetary investments and securities, when it seems like there is nowhere else to turn, now is the time to put your trust in the Lord.

Though easier said than done, I believe right now is a time of warning and preparation. Throughout the Bible, God warned His people before some catastrophic event took place. -Before the flood, God warned Noah and told him to prepare by building an arc.

Before God judged Egypt for their wickedness, God warned the Israelites and told them to prepare by painting lamb's blood over the door way.

Before judging the perverse Sodom and Gomorra, God warned Lot and his family and told them to prepare by fleeing to the mountains.

There are many more examples of God's warnings and instructions to prepare.

God has already warned of a global economic collapse that will occur before His final judgement (read Revelation 18:11-13). We are already seeing the signs of it. We all know what is happening now and cannot deny it.

According to the Bible, the world will be moving towards a global economy and government (Revelation 17). We see the signs with the devaluing of the American dollar. Europe has already succumbed to the European Union and the emergence of the Euro. It is not inconceivable that a new currency will replace the American dollar to "save America."

All the signs are now being put in place for world-wide control and also a collapse; and a leader to 'save' the world. As quoted above, the anti-Christ will require a mark to be imprinted in order to buy or sell. Some of you have already heard rumors about using micro-chips to scan at atm's and other banking kiosks. This is not a new concept and I suspect that this will be common in the near future.

I believe this time of economic fear that we're in is a warning to God's people to brace themselves for God's judgement and the coming trials and tribulations. While economically things may improve, I know our country's best days are behind us. I believe God is preparing us to lean on Him and not our jobs, the stock market or politics to save us. While the world has proven to fail over and over, God will forever be reliable and our rock.

When you are feeling down about your job or economic status, count your blessings and know that God is trying your heart and preparing you for the future. Can you imagine a person who has all their hope in their job, stocks, or other investments? What are they going to do when it all falls apart. It will be 1929 revisited. The more tied into this world you get, the more you will lose.

Although things may get tougher, know that God is faithful to those who love Him.

"Without Faith it's impossible to please God." Hebrews 11:6

I cannot think of a more encouraging quote than this:

'Fear not, for I am with you;

Be not dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you,

Yes, I will help you,

I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'

Hebrews 41:10

Putting to death the flesh.

Lately I've had this strong urge to go to the East coast. I think it started this past weekend. I noticed that I've racked up enough credit card miles to earn myself a free trip in the U.S/Canada. Funny to say that I "earned" my trip. I guess it's the American way to spend.

There are a number of reasons why I'd love to go out East. First, I've been wanting to check out this church in Times Square... Times Square Church. I've heard that God's spirit is really there and I've really been longing to be in a place where God is moving. 

I also have some family out there. My cousin is from Connecticut and I'd love to go see her and the rest of the family. She did an awesome job photographing my wedding and I've enjoyed getting to know her better. I'd really love to spend some time with them. 

I've never been to NYC. I've been to Boston, but not NYC. I want to see all the sights. The Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Times Square, New Yankee Stadium, etc. etc. etc. I've been to a lot of places, but NYC is one place I really desire to go to.

However, right now it just feels like it's not a good time. For as many reasons I can think of to go, I can think of more not to go at this time. With my wife's and my job in jeopardy, we really don't know what to expect for next school year. Many people we know are struggling financially and it just seems awkward to be taking off across the country. We'd still be spending some significant cash.

I actually fasted for the first time in my life on Monday. I had no sub job for the day, so I had some time on my hands. No real burning reason to, other than to just devote some time to the Lord and trying it. I made it through the day and had a good time in prayer, reading the word and worshipping. I never get to devote an entire day to God.

Anyhow, while there were no spiritual revelations or direct words from the Lord, I actually did feel some peace about going out east. I didn't feel anything alarming me to stop. But after giving it some more time and thought, I began to think about why am I doing this. Other than visiting family, the other reasons were mainly selfish. Going back to last year, I went to Hawaii for my Honeymoon; Ottawa, Canada for a hockey trip, and the east coast would be my 3rd trip in the year. 

Still, I found reasons to convince myself that it would be ok; I deserve it after a long school year. The traveling will be relatively inexpensive; with the way things are going, who knows when I'll be able to take a trip to the east again? For the last 2 days, I've had a battle within me whether to go or not.

Then tonight, I actually began to think about why I fasted on Monday. What purpose? To appease God? To bribe Him into doing whatever I ask? 

I realized that the purpose of fasting is to deny one's fleshly desires and rely on God for strength. To be in union with God's spirit. I realized that fasting doesn't just mean not eating. It means sacrificing what your flesh craves for the sake of strengthening the spirit. 

I believe God left the decision to go to the east totally up to me. It would be so easy if God said, "No, do not go." or "Yes, I support you in going." What I do believe is that by fasting on a trip to the east coast would be denying my strong fleshly desire. 

I had no previous calling from God to go, so my reasons for going would be strictly fleshly. While it would not be sinful to go on this trip, it would be training my spirit and putting my fleshly desires to death; to ultimately experience union with God's spirit.

Hopefully I will someday make it out to the east coast to see my family, NYC and Times Square Church. I don't even think I have to have a wedding, funeral or other major event for me to go. But I just feel that now is not the time.