Apostle Dr. Peggy Elliott

 I was concerned, after hearing report after report, the numbers of government employees whose families began struggling financially, due to the partial shut down. Without knowing of an impending disaster on the horizon, most families were not prepared for such a decision. It was reported that these families had the necessary supplies needed to survive for at least one full week. But, when the shutdown continued, day after day, food shortage for many of the over 800,000 employees affected by the shutdown, began to run low on basic food supplies.  Without a paycheck, how were they to eat?

     Restaurants and commercial kitchens began providing hot meals and bag lunches. Actors and actresses, football owners and players, rappers, and many others, began donating food items, feeding individuals and families. What a blessing!

     The difficulty was in not knowing when the shutdown was going to end. No one knew, not even the President of the United States, who ordered the shutdown. Instead of focusing on the reasons the government shutdown occurred,  I will focus on how the body of Christ is to be ready for disaster.

     "Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without telling his servants, the prophets." Amos 3:7.    When the prophets and watchmen are functioning appropriately, the body of Christ would spend less time being on the defense against the enemy. It is obvious to all, even the non-Believer, that our country needs to be healed.  Yet, I remind my fellow Believers that as Christians, our hope is not in the government, our hope is in Jesus Christ.  The government was partially shut down but heaven was wide open!  We are all familiar with 2 Chronicles 7:14, "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."  Our land needs healing.  Individuals and families need the same.

     Luke 14:13-14 guides the behavior we should exhibit with those in need and hurting.  "But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind and you will be blessed.  Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."  Many were helped during this time of disaster.

     Now is the time for you and your family to assess your ability to prepare and survive a disaster.  You cannot help others if your family is not prepared. The partial shutdown forced each of us to determine if we have the items needed should another economic disaster occur. If you wait until the disaster occurs, you have waited too late.  Just ask the five virgins who did not have oil for their lamp as recorded in the parable in Matthew 25: 1-13.  "At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.  Five of them were foolish and five were wise.  The foolish ones took their; lamps but did not take any oil with them.  The wise one, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.  The bridegroom was a long time in coming and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.  At midnight the cry rang out: 'Here's the bridegroom!  come out to meet him!'

     Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps.  The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.'  '"No,' they replied, 'there may not be enough for both of us and you.  Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves."  But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived.  The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet.  And the door was shut.

     "Later the others also came, 'Lord, Lord,' they said 'open the door for us!  "But he replied, 'Truly I tell you, I don't know you.'  "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour."

     I have written three ebooks, How to Prepare for Disaster, How to Survive During a Disaster, and How to Restore After a Disaster.  Each of these electronic books provides checklists of items you need to have in your home and car, should disaster hit. There is vital information contained in these pages that will assist you in not panicking when a disaster occurs.

     My tagline speaks volumes, just ask five virgins;  "It is better to have disaster supplies and not need them, then it is to need them and not have them."  The miracle is being given time to prepare.  Don't wait!

 

Apostle Dr. Peggy Elliott
Peggy Elliott Ministries
316-305-5673