by J. of T., Survival Blog:

Editor’s Introductory Note:  The author has a Christian worldview, and many years of experience as a missionary. He applies these to his family preparedness. Whether you are a Christian or not, you will probably find this article useful.

Lot was Abraham’s brother. He is mentioned in Genesis 14-19. He also receives honorable mentions in the New Testament. The Holy Scriptures don’t even hide his failures or his sin. I love God’s Word because its is brutally honest. It’s like having a best friend tell you the good and the bad about our life.

Lot’s life is an example of how God can keep and save families bearing His name. Albeit, Lot’s strategic relocation is “cutting it close.” That’s an understatement. No one should ever put off or procrastinate critical decisions involving family security and safety.

Lot’s family was saved by God. Our Lord has mercy upon all who call out to Him. He is our solid rock. All other ground is sinking sand.

HISTORY OF ANCIENT CITIES HAS MODERN APPLICATION

It’s important to note that cities like Ninevah, Sodom and Tyre had prosperity. They also had vice and moral extremes. To see an important Biblical insight on the city states of Sodom read Ezekiel 16:49 (posted below). The Biblical prophets deeply probed the roots of moral and spiritual decay. No other words are higher or trustworthy than Scriptures apostles and prophets. They have no equal. No one can overturn or outdo their true calling. Their words and their lives speak forever. (See Hebrews 11).

Lot knew the dangers of living in a populated area with moral extremes. The cities are like magnets that allure and attract. Youth and college kids love metropolitan areas. This presents a formidable challenge to us in modern times. The lessons from Genesis 19 display the unparalleled wisdom and God’s mercy. In the VERY same story! The New covenant also declares Lot’s history and sudden relocation.

Many people live like Lot, 2020. Lot knew the spiritual and physical dangers in the cities he frequented. He chose to ignore God’s prior warnings. Even though he knew the rampant lawlessness governing the regions. Lot’s family was suddenly extricated by angels. Truly, none of us want to experience such sudden loss or forced relocation!  (See Genesis 19:12 and 2 Peter 2:7)

IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO HEAD FOR THE HILLS!

We live in exciting times. More dramatic transformation has occurred in the last 10 years, than the previous 500 years. After two full decades in foreign missions (North America, Alaska, Canada, Africa and the Middle East), my attitude has changed. I’d also state that the point of foreign missions is to transform the missionaries, not just “save souls.”

I’d say that overseas missions work is similar to strategic relocation or homesteading. The only difference is how much you talk (or declare) the Gospel. Some people are not called to be talkers, but doers of God’s wisdom. These can be more persuasive than many pulpit ministers. We are all invited to live lifestyles that embrace God’s Word, in humility. God doesn’t coerce or enforce like Marxism and global collectivism. He invites, He woos and He gently forewarns. He guides and He protects. But when God’s gentle proddings are ignored, He later sends visible judgements or cataclysms. This was seen in Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 19). Sometimes those judgements are overt, but other times its just “sowing what was reaped.” Indirect consequences of decades of disobedience, all reaped suddenly.

INTO THE WILDERNESS!

My son and I drove over 250 miles to our new mountainous retreat. It is beautiful! People were catching 10-20 pound fish! As we gently meandered through the cedar forest, we saw kids with a bountiful harvest. One boy had 3 fish, each over 2.5 feet long. He was carrying them on a stick.

We are having to “start our lives over” in a new region of America. There is a greater degree of neighborliness and honesty here. Guess what? People have emigrated from cities in the Blue States and sought refuge in the wilderness, mountainous regions of America. Inside are a vast wealth of fish, wildlife, and shelter. Here, wood can easily be gathered for heating.

THE PROPER RELOCATION ATTITUDE

Your attitude determines your altitude. Your embrace of the situation (often amidst difficulty), determines the goodness of the outcome. It determines the effectiveness of the solution or goal. Complaining, protesting and faultfinding merely wastes time. Have you ever spent time around these people? Ever been one? I have, too.

We need a new refrigerator, but it is time to change to one that is propane-fueled. Electricity may be downgraded to photovoltaic solar. We are in a time of rationing and entire businesses have closed in 2020 America. Is this only because of a virus? Or are the elites telling us “We are at war, get used to shortages, and lack of services.” I believe there’s a time coming when WalMart will have no food. Grocery stores will be empty. What you grow and harvest will be all that you can eat. What you can, smoke, or make into jerky will be your primary food source. Bartering and wise business will become commonplace. It’s only a matter of time. It’s not if, but when – in the near future.

GOD’S WORD DISPLAYS THE WISDOM AND SURVIVAL SKILLS WE NEED

Honestly, the Bible has cutting edge honesty. Not only do we get to see the miracles (like angels leading Lot out of Sodom), but it is brutally honest. We get to know Lot’s temptations, sins and struggles. Paul the Apostle said “All temptation is common to humanity.” (1 Cor 10:13) The Epistle of James echoes, “We all stumble in many ways.” (James 3:2) If you examine the biographies in the Bible, you will see striking honesty. Often, beyond the levels you experience in local churches in America. That should tell you a lot about America’s spiritual problems, which can’t be fixed with only political solutions. We need God to change our hearts, restore our love for Him, and for the fallen world. Political and legal solutions are only temporary “band-aids” that cover up spiritual issues. All of our social problems in the USA stem from spiritual ailments. Rejecting God’s word, His mercy and wisdom (Gospel) produces needless sufferings. People are sick and looking for healing in all the wrong places.

SPIRITUAL CULTS AND FRINGE GROUPS

The wilderness regions of the West often have some strange characters. These remote areas attract the best and sometimes the worst of our society. You will meet polygamists, extremely legalistic sects of the back-to Hebrew roots movement, folks who claim to be descendants of Israel, extremely paranoid preppers, and much more.

My point here is that the Bible has enough “Good weird events” like Lot leaving Sodom – with the angels. That’s just flat strange and amazing. We don’t need to make the Holy Bible “more weirder” by being ultra emotional or by being nonsensical.

I’ve been around dear charismatics who don’t hype their faith.  I’ve also been around genuine cults, and they usually follow hype charismania, and go right off the deep end.  Usually it starts with a low view of Scripture, and a focus on that “leader’s gifting” or a similar narrow focus, such as pet doctrines. In my experience, many of the extreme cults around the Ozarks are like this.

We need the real thing in America. (And enough of the real thing exists!). This is the the only thing that is going to revive the USA and maybe bring true revival. Yes, I’ve learned real revival comes after a nation suffers a little.

You will also meet genuine Christians trying to live honorable and upstanding lives. Such families are a blessing to the regions you dwell in. This is God’s goal for our planet. That we would all live such honorable, transparent, and humble lives we affect our state and nation.

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