Dear Friends,

As singer songwriter Bob Dylan sang in the mid-1960’s, The Times They Are a Changin’, and in his generation, Dylan was right. We witnessed a Cultural Revolution take place in the ‘60’s and 70’s. The shift was progressive, but has affected nearly every aspect of American life.

Well, it’s early spring 2016 and we have entered into a period of time initiated by the Lord where He “changes the times and seasons” (Dan 2:21). I’m not referring to summer being just around the corner, but the change of times in the purposes of God. A spiritual shift has occurred and a new spiritual season is upon us. I am confident that the hand of the Lord will guide us through this season even as He releases the fulfillment of the words of His prophets.

What am I talking about?

For the past seven years, Linda and I have attempted to faithfully steward the prophetic words being released by mature, credible prophetic voices, which were speaking of the coming shakings. I am referring to the words released by John Paul Jackson, Terry Bennett, Bob Jones, Rick Joyner and others. These men have warned, that if things remain as they are, without repentance and turning to the Lord, our nation was about to enter into a time of “sound discipline”. The coming shakings would involve five different elements: religion, politics, economics, war, and geo-physical events. If you are following the recent headlines in the news media about the events in our nation, and across the nations of the earth, it’s clear that the prophesied shakings are upon us.

We have been very open with everyone concerning these prophetic words. We have tried to “sound the alarm” by holding meetings to share the prophecies and explain them, providing copies of the transcripts, and then laboring in prayer over them for insight and understanding. Also, during this same time period, we have attempted to keep an ear to the ground as to what I call, the ‘secular prophets,’ were saying. These represent credible voices in science, the financial markets, and social tend watchers, the political arena, geopolitics, war and terrorism. We have found that each respective arena is echoing what God has already spoken through His servants.

Believe in the LORD your God, and you will be established; believe his prophets,
and you will succeed (2 Chronicles 20:20).

I will not go into detail now concerning the specific warnings and predictions, but I do want to call your attention to the timing issue. Many believers have cast off restraint because a number of the more significant prophetic warning have not yet occurred. Let me remind you that the delay is an act of mercy from the Lord. God is giving us time to call the people of God to repentance and time to make practical preparations for the time of great shaking.

I believe that it is my pastoral responsibility to call your attention to this and to remind you of the need to walk closely with the Lord, to get rid of petty distractions that you might you’re your undistracted devotion to the Lord. Pray for wisdom and understanding and to walk in the fear of the Lord.

The Practical Side of Preparation

Our ministry began preparing for this season in mid 2008 by offering a one-day preparedness seminar followed up by monthly preparedness classes, where we covered a wide array of topics and provided both information and an opportunity to learn practical skills. We have been intentional in keeping the focus of our preparedness outward and not merely on self-preservation. Meaning, we are storing resources and acquiring knowledge and skill sets that will enable us to provide for our families while helping others who cannot help themselves (the elderly, handicapped, and single moms). The hour is late and it’s important that you connect with other like-minded people in your church, neighborhood and relational circles.

Here are some practical steps to take.

Let’s review the things we have already taught about preparedness:

1. •Have at least a 30 day supply of fresh water on hand (1 gal/day/person)
   

2. •Have at bare minimum a 30-day supply of food and a means to prepare it.
   

3. •Work toward getting a 3-month supply of food and an alternate source of water.
   

4. •Be sure to have cash money on hand in case you can’t use debit or credit cards
   

5. •Have a plan for home safety and security and review it with your family members
   

6. •Keep your vehicles gas tanks topped off and safely store an extra 5 gallons of fuel
   

7. •Have a well stocked First Aid kit and get trained in first aid skills
   

8. •Be sure you have hard copies of emergency phone numbers, numbers of friends and family
         members and important information/documents.
   

9. •Prepare an emergency bag that you can grab and take with you in case you have to leave your
         home in a disaster or an emergency. (Bug-out bag)
   

10. •Map out two evacuation routes from your home in case you have to leave your home and city.
          Be sure one of the routes does not require traveling the interstate highways.
    

Walk Closely with the Lord

Beloved, our Great Shepherd is in control. His sovereign hand is guiding His flock and directing the fulfillment of His purposes. This is not a time for fear or anxiety, but a time to embrace the promises of God. Here are two verses that the Holy Spirit recently highlighted to us as we sought His leadership concerning this spiritual season:

Isaiah 26:3-4 NLT 3 You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
4 Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.

Ps 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.”

This season is an opportunity to trust the Lord, to draw near to Him, to listen to His voice and live in His peace. As the psalmist declared, “God is very present help in time of trouble” (Ps 46:1)

God, in His providence, has placed you in your neighborhood, in your city, in this state, of this nation for such a time as this (Acts 17:26-27). He desires to magnify and uphold the honor of His name through you in this time of shaking. He is inviting us to be His instruments of mercy, truth and justice as we reach out to others in love and kindness.

I encourage you, in this season, to be much in the Word of God, to strengthen relationships with others in the body of Christ, and take every opportunity to join the saints in corporate prayer. The Lord releases His government (power and authority) through the praying church (Eph 3:10-12; Rev 5 & 8). It is there, in the unity of the Spirit, when we gather with one mind and one heart, that He releases the commanded blessing.

Oh friends, let us go hard after His heart in this season. We have the sure promises of the Scripture and the now word of the Lord through His servants the prophets. God confidently leads His people through the trials and shakings, thereby enabling us to pray in faith and obey confidently without fear.

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteousness right hand.” (Isa 41:10).

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall no be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the LORD your God…” (Isa 43:2-3a)

Eager to grow with you in faith as we follow our wonderful Shepherd,

Pastor Chuck Reber