THE BEGINNING OF SORROWS (BIRTH PANGS)

[Marathoner]

I understand that we can only speak for ourselves in a matter such as this. I love what @B-B has shared and I'm in agreement with @Alive, so my sister and brother definitely speak my own heart. 

One reason why it's been so difficult remaining in one place for so long has to do with the manner in which I lived for so long. When I started renting this apartment I said to the Lord, "Lord, I'm going to start worrying about money! I have entered into commitments and I must keep my word."

A few leases later, I looked at the stored food I had accumulated on the shelves and said, "Lord, what do I need all of this for?" All I need is one meal per day, no more and no less than that, so at times I will give canned and boxed food away to clients of the shelter. 

Yeah, I miss the simplicity of not knowing where the next meal will come from. I prefer it that way!

[Marathoner]

Well, okay. Coffee ☕️ has been my weakness. I have plenty of that! https://worthychristianforums-h45go6maxh5rpepgu.netdna-ssl.com/uploads/emoticons/default_red_smile.gif

[missmuffet]

Matthew 24:21

 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.

The beginning of sorrows is the time leading up to the 7 year tribulation and the second coming. Christians do not need to stock up food and goods. The rapture of the Church takes place before the tribulation starts.  

[TheBlade]

" if it is prudent and wise for a Christian to prepare for our times.". 

Were told tomorrow will care for its self. So not to worry things like that but it is wise to always prepare. We can just look today and see everything can change on a dime. Just maybe leave out the tin hat?

[Sower]

10 hours ago, Dennis1209 said:

My point is that everyone is screaming and predicting everything will get worse, much worse, as our Bible details.

The only place I hear about this "everyone is screaming and predicting"  is on this forum.
Not from my friends, neighbors, nor other church members.

I remember taking our family to the high hill country here in Texas during/anticipating the '98' scare and we all felt so dumb going back home with our back packs full when the world didn't come to an end. A few years back my daughters finally threw out their several 55 gal barrels of rice and beans and other necessities decades old from under the house, turning into science projects.
There's nothing new under the sun.

If you really think through what is being anticipated here, what are all those wise ones who stored up enough stuff to last their family of one/six/twelve for a full year, or two or three. What are you going to do when a neighbor comes begging for just a few morsels to feed their starving kids. Are you going to take away from your own families 'necessities' to give to those less diligent? Are you going to share and the word gets out and then have a mass horde of starving families at your locked door, to say nothing of roving thugs looking for a easy mark.

"Don't withhold good from someone who deserves it, when it is in your power to do so."

"Contribute to the needs of God’s people, and welcome strangers into your home.

"Those who are gracious to the poor lend to the Lord, and the Lord will fully repay them."

"Then they will reply, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and didn’t do anything to help you?' Then he will answer, 'I assure you that when you haven't done it for one of the least of these, you haven't done it for me.'"

"The crowds asked him, 'What then should we do?' He answered, 'Whoever has two shirts must share with the one who has none, and whoever has food must do the same.'"

"Instead of each person watching out for their own good, watch out for what is better for others."

I suppose you could start a food bank with like minded friends if you're serious.
My own thinking has got me into a lotta trouble. Trusting in the Lord gives me peace.
Way too many of God's promises override any of my fears. Trust.
I do not sit idle for His return, or my end.  I sow seed anytime anyplace whosoever, hoping/praying some lands on the good soil.
(Storing up for the big one:)

I hope/pray I have many (stored) sheaves to lay on the altar. (Our real home:)

[WilliamL]

9 hours ago, B-B said:

25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?

28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Matthew 6

There is a difference between worrying about daily provisions, and being prepared for evil times. These two things are not necessarily mutually exclusive.

Being prepared depends on one's current situation:

Luke 22:35 And He said to them, “When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?” So they said, “Nothing.” 36 Then He said to them, “But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one. 37 “For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in Me: ‘And He was numbered with the transgressors.’ For the things concerning Me have an end.” 38 So they said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.” And He said to them, “It is enough.”

So one should consider the state of one's current “But now," and not presume that one is to live just as if one is an Apostle in the time of Christ.

 

[Selah7]

11 hours ago, Dennis1209 said:

First, we are to have our spiritual house in order and expect the return of our Lord at any moment.

But first, Satan will appear on Earth and claim to be God.   …selah 

2 Thessalonians 2:1   Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 3  Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4  Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

[B-B]

7 minutes ago, WilliamL said:

There is a difference between worrying about daily provisions, and being prepared for evil times. These two things are not necessarily mutually exclusive.

Being prepared depends on one's current situation:

Luke 22:35 And He said to them, “When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?” So they said, “Nothing.” 36 Then He said to them, “But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one. 37 “For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in Me: ‘And He was numbered with the transgressors.’ For the things concerning Me have an end.” 38 So they said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.” And He said to them, “It is enough.”

So one should consider the state of one's current “But now," and not presume that one is to live just as if one is an Apostle in the time of Christ.

 

The Lord will provide @WilliamL don’t worry 😊

[WilliamL]

Just now, B-B said:

The Lord will provide @WilliamL don’t worry 😊

What, me worry?

Quite a presumption on your part.

The Lord has provided me a place and a community, and directed us to prepare. For ourselves, and for others who have not. And He has provided us abundantly, stage by stage and soul by soul. Ours is not the only such place. And there is still much yet to do.

Rev. 12:6 Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place having been prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days.

[B-B]

5 minutes ago, WilliamL said:

What, me worry?

Quite a presumption on your part.

The Lord has provided me a place and a community, and directed us to prepare. For ourselves, and for others who have not. And He has provided us abundantly, stage by stage and soul by soul. Ours is not the only such place. And there is still much yet to do.

Rev. 12:6 Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place having been prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days.

Glad to hear you’re not worried 😊