Survival Plan
Revelation 1:9 I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
We, as a
nation, are concerned about many things regarding our nation: the
direction we're headed, terrorism, financial woes, loss of our rights. As a Christian, we
need to be concerned that we have what it takes to get us through.
John
became a follower of Jesus as a young man, and during this time, the church came under the
persecution of the Roman Empire. He was exiled to Patmos where he faced the whips of the taskmaster, worked
hard labor, and lived in a cave for 16 months. God gave him a letter
which was a survival plan for Christians during difficult times. Not
just survive, but thrive. The great thing about the Bible is what was
good for the Biblical times is good for us now.
1.) You need a nutrition plan-
The
world has food, but the food of this world is junk food. You might be
happy to see a lunch box full of Oreos, but you won't survive with it.
Revelation 10:8,9
The
Bible references the book of God to food and milk several times. When
you are a young Christian, you need the milk to grow, like an infant
needs its mother's milk. Other references are regarding food, Man shall not live on bread alone shows up in three verses (Deuteronomy 8:3, Matthew 4:4, Luke 4:4) It contains all the sweetness and nourishment
we need to grow and thrive.
The Bible isn't just sugar but has bitterness, too. It talks of our sins and our faults.
Have you wondered why there are so many anemic and weak Christians
walking around? They don't feed daily on God's word. You have to feed
every day just as you eat meals. I don't know too many folks that skip eating, but it's easy to skip church. What's it going to hurt? I don't have to go to church to be a good Christian.
2.) Communication Plan
You
have to stay in constant communication with Central Control. Think about
all the help we have with God on our side: Jesus, angels, God. All we
have to do is pray to him each and every day. Talk to Him, those eyes in
the sky are more seeing and more knowing than we could ever be. Make a decision to wake each day and say Good Morning, Lord! Thank you for giving me another chance to do good in your eyes. Talk to Him throughout the day. Prayer is a conversation between you and God, talk to Him like you love Him; He loves you.
3.) Protection Plan
Can we be safe in these dangerous days? My children? How can we know that we're protected.
Revelation 7:3,4 "Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads."
4
And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and
forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were
sealed: This was regarding the Jews during The Great Tribulation
Revelation 14:1 Then
I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one
hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father's name written on
their foreheads. All 144,000 were still there; they were protected by God.
Sealed
means you are totally protected. It was a mark put on us when we are
genuinely born again that identifies us as owned by our Heavenly
Father.
4.) An Anticipation Plan
You
have to be looking for someone to rescue you when you're in survival
mode. We are looking for Jesus to come. It will get bad before He does.
But it is a cause for hope and anticipation that the Mighty Redeemer
comes quickly.
Rev 22:7, 20 He tells him three times
You
might say, John died and Jesus didn't come. Either way, He did. If you
die before The Lord comes, then you go to Him. Otherwise, He comes to
you. Win/win situation.
A woman was on a train full of passengers, and the conductor came over the intercom to tell them the train was in trouble and the passengers were going to have to brace for impact. One woman was completely calm and full of grace throughout the crash. When they were talking later, her fellow passengers asked her how could she remain so peaceful when faced with such an uncertain outcome. She said, she was on her way to see her daughter in California that she hasn't seen in several years, but if she would have died, she would have been greeted by her other daughter that died. Either way, someone she loved would be waiting for her at her destination.
Rev22:17 (how you can get survival plan.)
And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. If you haven't accepted Christ as your savior and been born again, you must know this is the only survival plan that matters. It's all well and good to know how to skin a squirrel and make a duck call out of bamboo, but if you haven't been washed in the blood of the lamb, your goose is cooked.
And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. If you haven't accepted Christ as your savior and been born again, you must know this is the only survival plan that matters. It's all well and good to know how to skin a squirrel and make a duck call out of bamboo, but if you haven't been washed in the blood of the lamb, your goose is cooked.
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