By Chuck Reber

Most of us who have been living a preparedness lifestyle are inundated with information and ideas about the how-to’s of preparing. I’ve personally amassed hundreds of helpful articles and videos on every subject imaginable. I’m thankful for the wealth of wisdom, information and training available today.

As a Christian, however, there’s one subject that gets very little focus – spiritual preparedness. When I study the forecasts and indicators of the coming crisis in America, I realize that I’m going to need a lot more than skill sets, resources, and a network of like-minded people to get the next several years. I need a deeper walk with the Lord.

I’m reminded of the parable Jesus told to the crowd in answer to someone’s concern about splitting an inheritance (more stuff). Jesus warned,

“Take care, and be on guard against covetousness, for a one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Luke 12:15).

Then He launches into this story about a man who decided to build bigger barns to store his bumper crop that year. Jesus says the guy’s attitude was; “Now I’ll sit back because I have enough stored away for years to come. Now (I’ll) take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!” (Come to think of it, I’ve heard this attitude verbalized among several preppers.)

But what the guy didn’t know was that God was watching the attitude of his heart and that his life would end that night. Jesus said the man was a fool. Why?

“Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God” (Luke 12:21 NLT).

Sure there is wisdom in preparedness. But, it’s foolish to neglect our relationship with God while making our preparations to care for our families, neighbors and others in crisis. So how do we keep that balance? How do we keep the main thing - the main thing?

What are some practical spiritual preparedness steps we can take? Here are a few I’m focusing on. You may want to join me in the pursuit.

1. 1.  Develop a deeper relationship with the Lord
   

2. •  Get rid of distractions. Do less that you might do more.
   

3. •  Cultivate the spiritual disciplines of solitude and silence.
   

4. •  Meditate on and Memorize the Word of God. Pray the Scripture.
   

5.   •  Make Fellowship with the Holy Spirit a top priority (2 Cor 13:14)
   

6. 2.  Discover and Develop your Spiritual Gifts
   

7. •  "...Earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy" (1 Cor 14:1)
   

8. •  Develop your spiritual senses (Heb 5:11-14). We really need to tuned-in to the Lord’s guidance in the 
      days ahead. Now is the time to learn.
   

9. •  Pray especially for wisdom, understanding and discernment (1 Chr 12:32)
   

10. •  Hearing the voice of The Lord in crisis is critical (Isa 30:19-21)
    

11. 3.  Get equipped to do the ministry of Jesus (Luke 4:18-19; Isa 61:1-2)
    

12. •  Sharing the Gospel - Evangelism as a lifestyle
    

13. •  Healing the sick - Physical Healing and Healing of damaged emotions
    

14. •  Setting captives free - Ministry of deliverance
    

15. • Pastoral Care - the heart of the tender Shepherd
    

16. ✴  To the emotionally traumatized, the anxious and fearful, counsel to the dying, and caring for the    
       bereaved
    

17. •  Purchase and stockpile Bibles, NT's, new believer discipleship materials, devotional books, teaching
       and worship CD's
    

18. 4.  Keep an Up-to-date account with God and people
    

19. •  Cultivate an Unoffendable Heart (Ps 119:165; Matt 18:21-22)
    

20. •  Walk in forgiveness - stay on "praying ground" before the Lord
    

21. •  Cultivate the graces of meekness and humility (Matt 11:28-29; Zeph 2:3)
    

22. •  Learn to bless others with words and acts of kindness (1 Pet 3:9)
    

   5.  Improve your Health - Temple Maintenance

1. • Crisis make large demands on our physical bodies
   

2. •Take whatever steps you need to begin a more healthy lifestyle:
   

3. ✴  Diet, exercise, sleep, eating habits, supplements, medications
   

4. •  Make lifestyle changes not don’t follow stop-and-go fads
   

I plan to unpack these five suggestions in more detail over the next several postings. Meanwhile, set aside some time to think through this list and tailor it to fit your own life and belief system. Let’s build a deep stockpile of spiritual preparedness.

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