Is Prepping Good and Biblical?

By Pester Brat, Founder and Director of the Fellowship of
Concerned Constitutional Patriots   pesterbrat.com (FCCP) 

Prepping? Is that a term for reserved just for whacked out conspiracy theorists? Not hardly. Many people already prep to one degree or another. It is wise that we do so in case of a hurricane, tornado, earthquake, or job loss. What about when people "prep" for retirement? Is this something that Christians should not even consider doing? Are there any examples or principles in the Bible about food prepping? In light of our economy with a national debt of over 19 trillion 700 billion dollars as of 10/17/2016 and with so many people unable or unwilling to live off the land, would it be biblical and wise to prepare or unbiblical and foolish? Is there anything at all in God's word that deals with this, and if so, what are some guiding scriptural principles? Let's take a look, and you can decide between you and the Lord for yourself.

1. In Genesis chapter 41 we have the account of Egypt storing up for a famine. You remember the story don't you? Joseph was providentially imprisoned for something he didn't do so it would be revealed that he has the God given gift of interpreting dreams. The Egyptian Pharoah had a disturbing dream that he didn't understand, so he was told about Joseph who had already interpreted dream while in prison. Jospeh interpreted the Pharoah's dream and told him to set aside one fifth of the produce each year during seven years of plenty to prepare for seven years of famine.

God may not be speaking to us in the same way today, but isn't the figurative handwriting on the wall? Many finaincial experts say that a major economic collapse is imminent and could very well bring about serious consequences that include not being to go to the store to get the food and other necessities that we have taken for granted. The above principle is still applies in this writer's and many others' opinion.

2. In 1st Timothy chapter 5 verse 8, the Apostle Paul tells Timothy that those that do not provide for their own is worse than an infidel. Wouldn't this include being able to do so in possible hard times that could occur in our country and lifetime before the Lord's return?

3. In Acts chapter 2 verses 44-46 it says the early church had all things common and shared with those that had need. If there is a major economic collapse, the local churches and body of Christ will need to return to this level of sharing and help.

4. Proverbs chapter 16 verse 9 reminds us that the heart of man plans his way but the Lord directs his steps. Ahh, that wonderful tension of man making decisions in life and the Lord still being in control and accomplishing His will and purpose. In the situation with Joseph and Pharaoh thousands of years ago, God's purpose in that was to save the Israelite's beginning with Jacob and his twelve sons and families. If it is God's will for His people to prepare for a major economic collapse, that too could be to save His people. Which leads us to the next biblical principle and some others.

5. James chapter 4 verses 13 through 15 says come now we that say we will go into a certain city to buy and sell and get gain, because we don't know what will happen tomorrow. Therefore we ought to say Lord willing we do this or do that. That should be our attitude and motive with any plans we make including preparing for an imminent major economic collapse.

6. Remember the parable of the covetous man building his barns? It's in Luke 12:15-31. The issue wasn't so much that he was doing it, but why he was doing it. If we stock up for self glory and recognition so others can see us and how sucessful we are, then that is sin. But if we do it for the right reasons and have the right attitude and motives, then it is not only okay but wise.

7. In the Gospel of Matthew chapter 6 we see Jesus talking about several more things that are important when considering and preparing for a major economic collapse: 1) We are not to lay up for ourselves treasures on earth but in Heaven. 2) We are not to be anxious or worry about tomorrow let alone the possible consequences of a major economic collapse. This is just about being informed so people can wisely and calmly think through what they would do if due to an enemy attack and/or economic collapse we lose many of the modern conveniences we take for granted such as going to the store to get what we need when we need it, water, fuel, electricity, and more. So if you agree and start or return to prepping, don't forget #...3) Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Do you think Jesus was telling them not to hunt or garden anymore? Of course not. But don't make it an idol or god or top priority. If you're a Christian, continue or return to worshiping and serving the Lord as a member of a bible believing gospel preaching grace embracing church. If you're not already a member of a church like that, we hope that you will prayerfully consider our's. As a church we will follow this principle as well. We can talk about these things after church, in services other than Sunday school and morning worship, monthly and special meetings, and provide materials. But by the grace of God we will not let the potential danger rob of us of godly joy and God of His glory.

No one knows how things will unfold. With our national debt approaching 20 trillion dollars, the problem is not going away. There is no guarantee that the Lord will return before a major economic collapse that could happen at any time. If we stock up and the Lord does come for His Church before something happens, just like with any other possessions we have we leave it behind anyway, it doesn't matter. But if it's something that happens before the Lord's return, and we haven't tried to prepare, then what? Do you trust the governments to do the right thing? Don't government officials have a sin nature too that could be further corrupted by power & greed? Are you sure they would not try to take advantage of the situation with a power grab? Martial Law? Mandatory evacuation to FEMA Centers (remember Hurricane Katrina?)?

Pray about what you should do. Pray about the problem and for our leaders. Trust in the Lord! Remember that just like looking for jobs, planning for retirement, and more, God ordains the means as wll as the end. Consider my two mottos: 1) I would rather be a fool for preparing and nothing serious happen than to be a fool for not preparing and something serious does happen. 2) Hope for the best, prepare for the worst, and pray God's will be done.

Lastly, while I'm a firm believer that we should do what we can by God's grace until we see His revealed will, remember that no one can take away the salvation Jesus Christ has given through His sacrifical death and bodily resurrection to those who are born again and believe. God is holy- we are sinners because we have not kept God's laws and commandments- but Christ Jesus is Lord and Savior forgiving those who trust in Him and what He did.

Feel free to make more copies of this letter and distribute it. I just ask that you leave the attribution and not change anything. May God use this as He sees fit for His honor and glory!

The Orlando Tragedy, Guns, Gays, and Radical Islam

Well, the evening I'm writing this blog article, there have already been numerous articles, blog posts, Facebook posts, Tweets, etc., from so many people. I'm certainly no better than anyone, let alone some of my fellow pastors that have commented about the tragic mass shooting at a gay night club in Orlando almost 2 days ago.

I have known gay men most of my life, since High School at least. I worked with several at the first bank I worked at in the late 1990's/early 2000's, and I work with several at the current bank I work at. I, like every born again Christian I know, do not condone killing anyone that is LGBT, or harming them in anyway. We should not call them names, but rather respect them as a fellow creation of God that are sinners in need of salvation like any other person in the world.

I have read comments from fellow pastors and others, and already had my own thoughts on what happened. I already shared some of them from the pulpit at the church I serve as pastor. I think we should include the LGBT community when we mourn for those who mourn, and that we should pray for friends and loved ones of those who were tragically murdered including that many would be granted repentant faith in the Person and Finished Work of Christ and saved. But I also agree with some comments and articles that I have read regarding this tragedy and believe that we still do not need to give in to worldly pressure and nonsense when it comes to the issue of gun control, hate crimes and so called homophobia. Even though it is public knowledge that it was a terror attack by a radical extremist Muslim, one gay man still wouldn't say that they did it and implied in his comment that it is all part of the broad homophobic umbrella (remember that the LGBT community think that Christians are homophobic for believing homosexuality is sin and same sex marriage is wrong).

Part of my hope and prayer for the LGBT community is that they will also wake up and realize that radical extremist Muslims want to the kill them too. Heck, even that crazy bunch of so called Christians at Westboro Baptist Church don't kill LGBT people even though what that do is still wrong, as one brother said. I hope that the LGBT community will wake up and realize that Gun Free Zones are nonsensical and that if some were carrying a gun in that night club, the tragedy could have been greatly minimized. That criminals and "bad guys" don't obey gun laws anyway. The LGBT community are doing a great disservice and lose credibility (what little they may have) when so many of them believe they have to hold to a liberal package of views.

I agree with a fellow pastor that the church needs to remember radical extremist Muslims want Christians dead too. This doesn't mean we compromise on calling sex outside the bond of marriage between one man and one woman sin or the Gospel, but the Church definitely should not be glad about this tragic mass murder. And murder is murder, regardless of who was killed and who did the killing. But we are at war, and radical extremist Muslims are our enemy. People, especially liberals. need to get their heads out of their politically correct butts and realize that guns and Christians are not the problem.

Lastly, I know this will be a hard pill for some to swallow, but God is sovereign and in control of all things, and this tragedy is no different. He has His purpose for "allowing" this to happen. As Romans 8:28 reminds us "All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." It will be interesting to see how the government, LGBT community, and the Church, continue to react to this tragedy. Sadly, we have already seen some of it,

If any of my gay acquaintances read this, it is my hope and prayer that God will draw you to Him during this time so that you see your sinfulness in light of His holiness, and your need for the Savior Jesus the Christ who lived a perfect sinless life, died on the cross, and rose again, to pay the penalty of sins and satisfy the justice and wrath of the Father on behalf of those who are born again, repent and believe. For indeed, we are all just a heartbeat and breath away from death, and then it is too late for any of us. The same thing applies to the Muslim community (not just the extremists). For there are none righteous and all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord- the way the truth and the life that no one can come to the Father except through Him and His all sufficient sacrifice and resurrection to be saved from eternity in the Lake of Fire and separation from God.

I need to stop so this is not too long. May God be glorified!

~ Pester Brat

I've Gotta Nickel Shiny and New

Do you remember that old song? I think of it every now and then and sing the parts I can remember.

According to usdebtclock.org, the National Debt is now over 19 Trillion 260 Billion Dollars and rolling on like a runaway freight train. God only knows for sure if there is anything that can be done about it, whether there will be a major economic collapse like nothing we have ever seen, whether we're "too big to fail" and the debt will continue to increase along with the cost of goods while the unconstitutional federal reserve keeps making more money like Trump talked about a few days ago, or whether it is all a hoax like [only] one person told me months ago.

So should we just sit back and do nothing while it all unfolds, or should we try certain preventative measures just in case there is indeed a major economic collapse before the Lord's return? If you haven't figured that out yet, I'm in favor of the latter, even though what I do pales in comparison to many others out there.

I work at a bank, so I may have a front row seat if/when the doo-doo hits the fan.

I recommend that you not keep money in your savings, cd's and money market accounts. One possible scenario is negative interest in savings accounts. Another possible scenario is not allowing withdrawal out of these accounts. Anyone remember the Savings and Loan crisis? I also recommend churches do the same things. It may not matter. But then again it might, and the interest is not all that great anyway.

Another recommendation I have is taking as much money out as you can in coin. Coin is controlled by the U.S. Mint, not the Federal Reserve. If/when it all goes down, it could be that coin will not be affected at all or at first like the Federal Reserve's notes. Quarter's and dimes are not are not worth their face values, but pennies and nickels are, So if you haven't already, start saving pennies and nickels. Nickels are $2.00 a roll and come in boxes of $100 at the financial institutions. Pennies are $.50 per roll and $25.00 per box. Even though the other coins are not worth the metal used to mint them, it may be better than Federal Reserve notes since they are not directly controlled by them. Again, it may not matter. But in my opinion, it is worth doing just in case.

I welcome civil comments and corrections.

~ Pester Brat

National Debt Update

According to the real time website www.usdebtclock.org, our National Debt is over 19 Trillion 234 Billion Dollars and still rapidly climbing. That comes out to 59 Thousand 400 Dollars per citizen and 160 Thousand 760 Dollars per taxpayer. Are you preparing for the consequences of a major economic collapse that could happen before the Lord's return? Remember Joseph, Egypt, and the famine.

~Pester Brat

Does 2 Chron.7:14 Include America?

I have heard and read it hundreds if not thousands of times. I used to believe it myself. 2Chron.7:14 is quoted (If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.) and then the person says if America will do this God will heal our land. But do we know that for sure? Is God obligated to heal every nation that does this? Certainly God will forgive the sins of each and every person that is born again and saved through the Person and Work of Christ, but that doesn't mean He will heal our land. We hope so. I hope so. And we should repent of our nationally condoned and accepted sins ranging from sex outside the bond of marriage between one man and one woman to abortion/murder. The above passage was written to Israel, not us. God may or may not do the same for us if there is repentance. Below I leave you another passage found in Luke 10:13-16 & Matt. 11:21-24. Consider what it says and how that may also apply to our country. So when we pray for repentance in our land, let's also pray that God may be pleased to heal our land, because He doesn't have to.

"Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you. And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell. He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me."

~ Pester Brat

National Debt Reaches 19 Trillion Dollars

Yesterday, the Washington Examiner carried an article saying that the National Debt has reached 19 Trillion Dollars

and that it only took about a year to get there from 18 Trillion. That's a whole lotta moola that is still increasing like a runaway train. While we are going through the motions to elect a new President for our country, the National Debt will continue to grow and will reach about 20 Trillion Dollars by the time the new U.S. President takes over. Of course that is assuming the economy does not collapse before then, which is a real possibility. I work at a bank now (I need a job), and wonder what it would be like if banks have to once again tell people they cannot take all of their money out, and what it will be like. May the Lord spare us a major economic collapse, but it may not be His will to do so. 

UsDebtClock.Org says the National Debt is almost 19 Trillion 4 Billion Dollars as of the date and time of this post. That comes to almost 59 Thousand Dollars per citizen

and almost 159 Thousand Dollars per taxpayer. Mt four grandchildren owe a total of Two Hundred Thirty Six Thousand Dollars. God only knows how much it will be by the time they all graduate High School if the Lord wills and tarries His return. 

Are we doing enough to try to reduce this National Debt? Or should we just keep sitting on our hands and care more about sports and entertainment?

~ Pester Brat

National Debt Update

I'm working at a bank now since 11/2/2015. I don't know if that will help get me some information quicker or not.

According to usdebtclock.org on Thursday 1/7/16 at 11pm CST, the National Debt is over 18 Trillion, 848 Billion Dollars.

That comes out to over 58 Thousand Dollars per citizen and over 157 Thousand Dollars per taxpayer.

This does not include unfunded liabilities such as Social Security and Medicare, which adds another 841 Thousand Dollars per taxpayer.

Gas prices in the Birmingham Alabama metro area are about $1.57 per gallon for 87 Octane. That's good for our wallets and pocketbooks, but not a good sign for the economy.

What are you stocking up on if the economy collapses before the Lord's return?

www.pesterbrat.com

~ Pester Brat