END TIMES: HOW SHOULD WE PREPARE? PART 11

WHAT TO STORE UP IN PREPARING FOR END TIMES:

When we speak about preparing we do not want to give the idea nor get the mindset of being a survivalist. The believer is called to be an overcomer and not a survivalist. We are called to be a people of faith and not rely upon the flesh. However, in preparation we will be able to assist others who are not in the faith or are weak of faith.

We encourage believers to store sufficient food, clothing, and where possible fuel for at least three months. Some prepare for one year knowing that it most likely will not last a year. We have not laid down an exact formula for what should be stored. I will place some items to stock up on in a list in the next study.

We suggest that the Saints concentrate on essential foods that sustain life, such as grains, beans and peas, cooking oil, powdered milk, salt, sugar or honey, and water. Most families can achieve and maintain this basic level of preparedness. The decision to do more than this rests with the individual.

Do not think that once a crisis hits that you will have time to gather the necessary things to hold you and others over. There is only a three day supply of food and necessary items on the shelves of our stores. So start stocking now a little each month or it will be to late to get anything. 

I happen to believe that the Father is going to care for His children with bread from heaven as He did with the Hebrew children in the wilderness for 40 years. If He did it then He will do it again. However, not everyone will be able to believe God for this. The food that we store will serve to minister more to others than for the true believer walking in faith.

We encourage you to follow this counsel with the assurance that a people prepared through obedience to the commandments of God will be able to minister by assisting others during the “End Times” tribulations. Fear is not a character that a believer should have. Therefore, if fear is the motive for storing then there is a heart problem with the heavenly Father and His Word of Truth. The words of our Lord in the “Book of Matthew” do not end when the tribulation starts.

(Matthew 6:25 ESV) "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

(Matthew 6:26 ESV) Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

(Matthew 6:27 ESV) And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?

(Matthew 6:28 ESV) And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin,

(Matthew 6:29 ESV) yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

(Matthew 6:30 ESV) But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

(Matthew 6:31 ESV) Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'

(Matthew 6:32 ESV) For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.

(Matthew 6:33 ESV) But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

(Matthew 6:34 ESV) "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

If families would think in terms of storing only foods basic to human need, or if they would supplement the food storage they already have with the basics to build it up to a year’s supply, the task would be simpler than they might think. They would then be prepared for food emergencies. A year’s supply of food storage is beneficial in several ways.

However, the key is always remember to seek the Kingdom of God first and foremost, and not to walk in fear.