Are you prepared for periless times?

Nov. 9, 2016 

Ps 86:12 "I will praise thee, Oh Lord my God, with all my heart, and I will glorify thy name for evermore."

After reading II Cor:11, this morning, (having not seen the election results, still haven't), seeing what Paul went through, am I willing to go through periless times for my Lord's sake?  The world is waxing worse and worse (Bible said it would), what shall we do?

II Cor: 9-10

This is a voice crying from the Wilderness (Preserve in Tennessee). No matter what the outcome of the elections, I need to prepare me, for what is to come.  My check list:

          1.  Am I saved? That is, have I accepted Jesus as God's only begotten                                            Son to be my Savior and Lord? ____________.

          2.  Do I trust God in everything?________  Or am I looking to the                          world for solutions?

          3.   Have I been baptized in the Holy Spirit (with evidence of speaking in other  

                          tongues)?_____. (Not necessary for Salvation but He is the helper         for getting through this life on earth.

          4.   Do I honor God with all my substance? (ie. tithe, offerings)._____

          5.   Am I a faithful citizen of the Kingdom of God, first? __________

          6.   Am I doing His will? (or my own or someone else s)___________

          7.   Can God trust me?_________ with everything?___________

          8.    Am I willing to suffer persecutions for His sake, as Jesus did for                        mine?____________.

          9.    Am I working the work that He wants me to do, while it is still                            available to do?____________

        10.     Do I love my neighbor as myself ?_________ Truly ?______

        11.     Have I cleaned up my life, to be an example to draw others to                           Christ? ____________

        12.     Is my body a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God?_____

My Pastor has been encouraging us to Maximize what we have, and know that what we have is enough to do His will.  Don't go into debt for this Holiday Season (or any) and just because you have it to spend, doesn't mean you have to spend it. (speaking from experience, I am finally debt free.) I encourage you to look around you, what do you have?  What can be re-purposed, created, thoughtful, etc... Think, really think about the other person you would like to give to, (or feel obligated to).  Wouldn't they really rather have your time, thoughtfulness, energy, love. or just YOU?  It is amazing what you can come up with when you set the rules for yourself, "before I spend money, what do I have to give?"  Those who accept the challenge, I would like to hear how it worked for you. 

Have a great Thanksgiving and Christmas season, I pray it works well. Oh, and if you put the money you would usually spent in savings? I'm just saying....

Today, I don't know what I will do accept yesterday I spent 4 precious hours on the phone (hanging out the window to get better reception) with my internet carrier to get my internet functioning properly and now they said I had to drive 30 miles to a store to get a sim card, to see if that works.  But I am grateful to be able to communicate with you like this.

 I think I will enjoy this beautiful day that I have been given.  How about you?