The Most Important Prep
What is the most important prep? After years of running Prepper Website and hosting The Prepper Website Podcast, I know what kind of articles and topics are popular in the Preparedness Community. I know that articles on bugout bags, EMP’s and 10 Ways to Do Anything are always going to get a lot of clicks. I’ve also seen a lot of click bait titles, the ones that promise you something good but is really just another mediocre topic or articles. This is not a click bait article!
Prepping Mitigates The Impact of Emergencies
Preppers prep for emergencies. We know that things can go sideways, in real, everyday life and sometimes in bigger SHTF scenarios. We want to mitigate the pain our family and loved ones might go through. I open every podcast with the line, “…so that you can love your family, get prepared and live free.” I believe that preparedness does that.
I often think about a father or mother who doesn’t prep and then finds themselves in an emergency situation where their kids are looking at them scared and uncertain. Prepping gives you options. Prepping gives you breathing room so you don’t have to panic and make bad decisions. And the thing is, prepping is really just common sense. You don’t need a 4 year degree or go live by yourself in the woods for a year to do it and do it well.
The Downside of Prepping
But there is a downside to prepping that many don’t think about. Prepping is usually about acquiring “stuff.” Food, water, firearms, finances, gear are all topics that the Preparedness Community discusses. But stuff runs out. You stockpiled six months of food! Good! What if the emergency goes 12 months?
Yes, we talk about building our skills. This is very important! Knowing how to do something, especially when it comes to survival, in one form or another, is a big deal. But it isn’t the most important prep!
M.I.P. – Most Important Prep
If you’ve read this far, you’re like, “Come already! What do you think is the most important prep?” Here it is – the most important prep is your spiritual preparedness. If you just felt a big let down, please keep reading.
Just like your food, ammo and gear are going to eventually run out, your life will eventually run out. It doesn’t matter if you eat healthy, exercise five times a week, take your vitamins and never do anything risky, one day you will breath your last. At that point, your preps, if you still have any, won’t do you any good. The only thing that will matter is your relationship with Jesus.
Aware of SHTF Scenarios
Preppers like to war game scenarios. Who hasn’t thought about what a post-EMP world might look like? But I would suggest that we are experiencing a slow slide into godlessness that many aren’t realizing. Prophecy preachers used to have a harder time talking about new and relevant issues going on in the world. But lately, many have too much to talk about that they can’t fit it all in a normal broadcast. People who are paying attention feel like something is coming.
To add to the godlessness, just research a little into what is happening in the Middle East. Russia, Turkey and Iran are in the news all the time. These countries are big players in End Times scenarios. And because this country has been knee-deep in Election 2020, Antifa, protests, Hunter Biden and social media banning, many haven’t been paying attention to what is going on over there.
What If the Balloon Goes Up?
I’m not talking about a nuke or financial collapse. I’m talking about the trumpet sounds, the sky splits open and Jesus comes riding on a white horse. At that point, it is game over. And the most important prep is going to come into play. Who do you belong to? Are you in the sheep category or the goat category?
31 “But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. 32 And all the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, just as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; 33 and He will put the sheep on His right, but the goats on the left.
Matthew 25:31-33 NASB
Do you know what happens after the above Scripture? The sheep, although they are always depicted as dumb animals, will go to Heaven. The goats, well let’s just say there is going to be a big BBQ going down. Actually, I shouldn’t kid so much about what happens if you are not found on the right side. The reality is Hell is a place where no one wants to be.
Matthew 25:41 says, “Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you accursed people, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels.” Understand, Hell wasn’t prepared for humans. It was prepared for the devil and his angels. God made a way for us to not have to go to Hell. But it is our choice.
No One Chooses Hell
No one in their right mind would want to choose Hell. Of course, many people would want to go to Heaven and live for all eternity. But the most important prep is that you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. That means you repent of your sins, ask for forgiveness and choose to live by His commands, under His authority. Jesus said, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” John 14:15 NASB
Many people will say they are Believers, but it is only talk. Just like that arm chair commando that tells you all the best preps to have but has never really done anything but read articles and respond on forums. Jesus knows who are truly His. He knows those whose names are written in the Book of Life.
More Reading: Christian Preppers – Should Christians Prep?
Growing In Your Faith
And just like we read preparedness articles, listen to podcasts, watch videos and practice to gain knowledge, we are to grow in our faith too! This is another place where many Believers are weak in. Many Christians can recite every episode of “fill-in-the-blank” but haven’t opened their Bible in forever.
As true Believers, we should desire to grow in the Lord. It makes sense! If we are going to live with Him for eternity, shouldn’t we learn as much about Him as possible? But not only that, growing in our faith helps us as we navigate this life.
The fact is that God has a plan for your life. Yes, you! And His plan for your life includes you being salt and light in the world that we live in. We are called to make a difference, not just warm a pew on Sunday morning!
Be Purposeful!
So be purposeful and get serious about the most important prep – your spiritual life. Here are some things you should be doing!
- Read the Bible everyday! The Bible is God’s Word to us. He speaks through His Word. It is our standard. Here is a plan for reading the Bible if you don’t have one, complete with download.
- Pray! When we pray, we share with the Lord what is on our heart and the things we need. We also listen to what He might say back. Here is a message and links to a prayer doc that can help you stay focused.
- Stay in Communion with Christian Friends. You need Bible believing friends who are going to pray with you and give you sound Biblical advice.
- Go to Church! I hear from many preppers about not having a church around them that preaches the truth and many churches don’t believe in preparedness. If you are looking for a church, feel free to join our online church every Sunday morning at 10 a.m. CST. We go LIVE on Facebook and also stream the video on our website. Click here for more information.
- Join a Bible Study! Again, if you are looking for an online Bible Study, we meet on Zoom every Tuesday at 7 pm CST. Check this out!
- Be Salt and Light! In our current climate, it is easy to circle the wagons, put on our camo and protect and defend until THE END! But that is not what the Lord has called us to do. In the midst of all the craziness, we should live lives that glorify Him!
Are You Ready?
If Jesus came today, would you be ready? If He did come, would you regret that you didn’t do more to honor and glorify Him with your life? The fact is that He can come at any hour. When He comes, I want to be ready. And I hope you are ready too!
Peace,
Todd