Today, we face turmoil in the world. Wars and rumors of wars run rampant. I find myself smiling whenever I see a roll of duct tape or any type of plastic sheeting. My government is trying to tell me to prepare. God told us long ago to prepare. Because He forewarned me, I have no fear of anything that might happen in this world.

Reflecting on preparedness, I look back to Noah. God forewarned and told Noah to build an ark. He worked on preparing that ark for 120 years. He and his family survived a global flood. Noah was prepared. He listened to God.

I remember Joseph. God gave him 2 special dreams. They were dreams that predicted survival through hard times. Joseph went through hard times that trained him and put him in a position where he could teach an entire nation to prepare for what was coming. And when the time came, through 7 good years of harvest, he prepared. The land of Egypt survived 7 years of famine and preserved Israel—the line through which Messiah, Savior of the world would come. Joseph was prepared. He listened to God.

God has given us wisdom. And wisdom tells us that it is good to prepare. We prepare for emergencies by purchasing medical insurance, car insurance and house insurance. We put a little aside for unexpected emergencies. We buy disability and accidental insurance. It is not a lack of faith…it is walking in wisdom. I take Joseph and Noah as examples, and I therefore believe in being prepared for emergencies. Having some extra food and water stored to take you through a couple of weeks is a wise move. Whenever a hurricane or tornado or flood situation arises, those items come in handy. God has told us some hard times will come, be prepared. I say, listen to God.

Today I ask the Church, “Are you prepared?” God has forewarned. He has told us what would happen. He gives us comfort, because we are told the outcome. He has given us instruction to help us overcome. And we need not fear. All we need to do is trust in him, and study to show ourselves approved. II Timothy chapter 3 tells us that we live in perilous times. Study His word and he will guide you through these times. Church, be prepared. Listen to God.

But there is something more important than being physically prepared for hard times. There is nothing more important than being spiritually prepared. The physical will eventually come to an end—it will perish. But the spiritual lives on. There are some who may be reading this issue who do not know the peace that comes from resting in the salvation of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Now is the time to prepare your soul. Now is the time to repent of your sins. The Bible tells us in Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” We have all sinned. And there is a payment due for that sin. We are told in Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Won’t you accept that gift that God has provided for you?

You might be asking, “How? How do I receive this gift of salvation from God?” You repent. You tell God that you are sorry for the sins you have committed. You let Him know that you have a desire to turn away from your sinful ways and turn to Him. You believe in your heart that Jesus is the Son of God and came to die on the cross for you, to pay for your sins. You accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.” You ask him into your heart and life. You then become a part of the family of God. Joy and peace will come into your life. YOUR SOUL WILL BE PREPARED. Listen to God!

Pastor Lynn has been co-pastor, along with her husband Norman, at Mars Hill Baptist Church in Irwin (Rillton), PA since May 2000. She is the newest member to The Well Ministries’ Board of Directors.