PREPARE – My Notes

I’ve posted before about Ethan Pope and his ministry. I do believe in what this book is communicating. Ethan takes the first portion of the book and reiterates his primary points of his last book “America’s Financial Demise.” Below are some of notes. I consider myself a realist and I’m not making a bomb shelter, however I am planning with this in mind and as you can see from the scriptures; throughout history the wised have always made provisions for times of trouble. Find out more at www.ethanpope.com.

As Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another” Proverbs 27:17

“The wise see danger ahead and prepare; a fool ignores the facts and suffers the consequences.” Proverbs 27:12

“The sons of Issachar, men who understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do” 1 Chronicles 12:32

“Enjoy prosperity while you can, but when hard times strike, realize that both come from God.” Ecclesiastes 7:14

“The wise man saves for the future, but the foolish man spends whatever he gets.” Proverbs 21.:20

We must demonstrate to those around us what it means to trust God and prepare at the same-time.  To put Matthews 7:24-27 into practice (Building on the rock knowing hard times come to all.)

In history God has given wisdom in advance to Joseph

• Joseph Gen 48:4-8
• He had to learn his Spiritual Context before his physical context Gen 45:5-8
• Understand the Joseph Principle Gen 41:35-36 0 Save during good years, knowing famine will occur

God ordained for us to live at this time in history Psalm 139:16

• Nehemiah Nehemiah 2:17-18
• Ester  Ester 4:14
• Jeremiah Jeremiah 1:5

“Don’t just sit at Home watching movies; PREPARE!”

We Need Wisdom to

• Make Sound Financial Decisions
• Where to Live
• How to Provide
• How to Protect
• Position ourselves to witness and serve
• Encourage Others to Prepare

PREP Plan

• Prepare Spiritually
• Reallocate Resources
• Economize Lifestyle
• Pay Off Debt

Random Notes:

• China owns 8% and Japan 7% of US Debt- Page 35
• Feds have ability to create money at will and they are.
• Keep portion of emery fund in FDIC insured Money Market account and the rest in American Silver Eagle dollar coins
• Develop a skill or small business you can run for money
• Own fewer things.  Get rid of things that are not necessary. The less you have to maintain the better off you will be.

Strom Preparation in Proverbs

We are a little over 24 hours way from Hurricane Isaac making land fall somewhere along the Gulf Coast. This morning, August 27^th, my scripture reading just happened to be in Proverbs 27. In this chapter I noticed three verses that apply directly to practical storm preparation. God’s wisdom is timeless and relevant each day of our lives. I hope these verses help you in your storm preparation.

 

• Verse 1 – Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.
  

 

Only God knows how things will play out. We often look at the news and assume the experts know what will happen. The closer the storm gets to land, to less room they have for error. We should not confidently state our plans for tomorrow, it may not turn out as we think.

 

• Verse 10 – Do not forsake your friend and your father’s friend, and do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity. Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother who is far away.
  

 

This is very practical wisdom, but can easily get lost in a day where we have withdrawn from our neighbors. The one thing we discovered from Hurricane Katrina in 2005 was our neighbors. In an emergency situation we need to rely on those close by as oppose to family how may live far away. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

 

• Verse 12 – The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.
  

It’s easy to allow a previous experience to make us complacent about oncoming danger. We can wrongly assume because a previous experience didn’t harm us, that a similar experience will not as well. The prudent SEE the danger coming and make preparation, but not the simple. The simple think to themselves they will not be affected and ultimately it is their lack of vigilance that cost them.

I’m Dreaming of a…

Who said that lighting snow doesn’t strike twice in the same place! We had snow on January 21 and now 11 months later we’ve got it again. Merry Christmas!

Storms: Past, Present, and Future

Three years ago today Hurricane Katrina blew through Mississippi and while most of the country watched New Orleans flood, {because of levy failure} South Mississippi took the blunt of the force. It is difficult to describe the general feelings of our community following the storm. There was much fear, and much uncertainty, and a sense that God had visited us.

Katrina reminded us all that this life is brief and that all the material things we see with our eyes will one day vanish in an instant. This, FINAL STORM, will not be a storm of wind, but a storm of fire. It will blow across all that we have worked for and will ultimately reveal the quality of the workmanship and the foundation on which our life was built. So with Gustav spinning we’re reminded again both physically and spiritually. Prepare, Bunker down, and Pray.

11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. 14 If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 15 If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames. 1 Corinthians 3:11-15 (NIV)

Brian and FBC Gulfport

Sometime check out Brian Upshaw’s blog by clicking here. Brian is a mentor and a friend. He actually taught the final class that I took at NOBTS. He is the Senior Associate Pastor at First Baptist in Gulfport, MS. Most of you will remember this photo of the remains of FBC Gulfport that was published nationally following Hurricane Katrina. Please be in prayer for Brian and his church as they rebuild, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Help Storm Victims

Two years ago this past week my family and I experienced the wrath and aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.  How soon we  I forget.  Last week Hurrican Dean struck the Yucatan and now they are getting Felix, both Cat 5s!  This  article from Chuck Holton reporting from the area last week struck a cord in my heart.  You’ll be surprised what these people look like, I was.  There are links on how we can help.