Staying Focused in the Chaos

Back in 2015, we wrote a series of articles based on the theme, A Storm is Coming, eventually collecting and publishing the series as an eBook. At the time, many were preparing physically for what they expected to be an economic storm (myself included). A Storm is Coming was written to redirect our attention to the spiritual preparation Christians should be making.

What follows is a reconstruction of one of the first articles in the series. It is offered as a reminder that preparation is necessary for those who will be used by God during the chaos that lies before us. As the chaos intensifies, we must be diligent to avoid worldly distractions (Colossian 3:2), that we might focus on participating with God as He works in us to will and to do to His good pleasure (Philippians 2:12-13).

It’s the Same, but Different

We must recognize that the spiritual preparation we are talking about is something we, as Christians, should have been doing anyway. There is nothing new under the sun. The church today is suffering in many of the same ways it has suffered over the past 2000+ years (e.g., division, apathy, worldliness). The solutions, though daunting, are unchanged (e.g., surrender, die to self, love God and love others, sacrifice, serve).

However, there are least two things that are different for the church during this season. First, there is a growing urgency. Whether from those that sense a storm is coming, or from those that have experienced the slow but growing decline of the church’s influence in society, those that will take their heads out of the sand and truly consider the situation will sense the growing urgency.

A Storm is Coming – An Exciting Revelation

I was recently blessed to share, at the Partners in Ministry Fall Retreat, on three critical steps Christians can take to prepare for the coming storm. As the message was coming to a close, the LORD revealed something very exciting – almost like a vision. I share it with you here for your encouragement.

In regards to Matthew 7:24-27, there will soon be many in the church who are suffering from one storm or another. They will be looking for those who Jesus has made to be a light and a refuge. If you have been hearing and doing “these sayings of mine”, they will come to you. What will be your response?

Jesus said, “As the Father has sent me, I also send you.” (John 20:21) He also said (earlier), “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” That is what we are to say to those who come looking for refuge and light: “Follow me to the One Who can make you.” We are to lead them out of their conformity with the world, to be transformed into the very image of the glory of the Lord. (Romans 12:2, 2Corinthians 3:18)

The LORD showed me, and encouraged me to share, that everyone in that meeting will have the opportunity to lead a dozen or more people through this transformation; to participate in God’s way for making disciples; to help them find the normal Christian life; the life that glorifies the Father.

This assignment will radically change the life of everyone that answers the call. It will require sacrifice; and it will be the best investment we have ever made.

I am convinced that many who read this newsletter are being offered this same opportunity. I encourage you to get prepared; not just for the storm in your own life, but to help others find their way from the captivity of the world, to the liberty of life in Christ Jesus.

Let me encourage you, for your edification, to explore the storm preparation articles on the inLight Adventures blog. Once you get to the blog site, search for “A Storm is Coming”. You should get a list; in reverse chronological order. I have also collected these in an eBook that is available on most of the major online outlets (e.g., Barnes and Noble, Apple iBooks, kobo, Scribd).

Please let me know how I can further help you prepare for this exciting adventure.

Humbly yours and forever His,

A Storm is Coming – Ignore the Dates

“Ignore the dates.” That’s what I should have said… from the very beginning.

I really don’t want to get into what drives men to box God into a date, or follow those that do. A friend of mine recently commented that God cannot trust us with such things; we tend to take too much credit when we guess it right.

What I need to do is apologize. I need to apologize to anyone that has been negatively affected by anything I have shared that suggested that I, or anyone else, had inside knowledge of God’s calendar. I am sorry.

I tried to keep this from happening. I really did. However, comments I have received since the passing of September 13th indicate that I failed. I am sorry if I have caused anyone any harm (e.g., distraction, doubt, discouragement). Please accept my apology.

Now, if I may, let me clarify where I am with all this storm business.

Storms of Many Forms

There are at least three kinds of storms that we should be aware of. First, there is the storm coming to America and the church that resides here. Chaos and lawlessness continue to increase. No one has a legitimate solution to offer. The fact that certain dates have come and gone should not affect our level of concern and preparedness.

Second, there is “the” storm that will come at the end of this age. I do not believe that the storm we are about to experience will be the Great Tribulation. However, the soon coming storm will certainly prepare us for the last great one.

Lastly, we should recognize that most have experienced, or will experience, storms in their life (e.g., loss of employment, house fire, death of a loved one). These storms are more focused – on individuals, families or fellowships. However, they are just as useful to God and His purposes in the earth. He works all things to our good. It helps – really helps – if we are prepared to make the most of His good in the storms.

A Storm is Coming – Some Practical Helps

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

Let me begin by emphasizing that spiritual preparation is more important that physical preparation. That means that we should be spending more time and energy ensuring we are spiritually prepared for the storm. We should be spending more time with the LORD; to learn what He wants – what He has given us faith for. We should be spending more time studying Scripture; for the truth will make us free from fear and deception.

We should be spending more time mending relationships; for a house divided will not stand. For me, I should be spending more time getting to know my neighbors. They will need my help and the opportunity to love my neighbors as myself will be increased in the storm. So will the opportunity to disciple.

It is hard to say that we should be spending more money on the spiritual preparation, because the physical seems so expensive. Oh my, dear Lord, it just occurred to me: Perhaps we should be investing more in other people’s preparation than in our own. Each will have to hear about that for themselves.

In any case, whatever money we invest must be invested as stewards of the Most High God. This is not a trivial matter. One thing we are doing to help keep our physical preparation in line with the spiritual is to ensure that whatever we do, we do it not just for us and our own, but for anyone God would have us bless.

Now for the immediate topic: I spent most of the day looking into long term food stores. My search led me in a number of other areas (e.g., bug out bags). I have included a number of sites that I found useful. WARNING: Some of the sites recommend things I would not do (e.g., buying Kool-aid Drink Mix). You are going to have to decide what of this is for you and your family. In my opinion, it all depends on three very important things: