The Conversation You Need to Have With Your Family

~~One of the most difficult things about living in the times that we do, is knowing that there is a strong possibility that our children or grandchildren may have to experience some horrific things. As parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, we do everything in our power to protect them from the evil influences of this present world. Those of us who follow the Lord Jesus instruct them in and raise them according to biblical principles, in order to prepare them for these things. 

I’ve read numerous articles on how to physically prepare ourselves and families for the difficult times ahead but what is lacking in many of these is spiritual preparation and conversations that need to take place with our loved ones. It’s wise to have a plan in place, but our trust should fully be in the Lord’s provisions and protection.  Many preppers have their bugout locations and plans mapped out, but what if they (or some of their loved ones) never make it there? What if your plans fall apart? Proverbs 19:21 tells us “There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand,” (KJV).

What if your family is separated and you never see each other again this side of heaven? You have to admit that this is something that you might be faced with. What if your children/grandchildren go to school one day and that is the last time you see them? Are your children/grandchildren prepared to go it alone spiritually? Are they rooted and grounded in the word and have a close intimate relationship with our Savior? For that matter, are we as the adults prepared spiritually to handle being separated from our loved ones during these difficult times?

I admire families that have such strong loyalties, but each and every one of us must remember, that our number one loyalty is to Jesus. He spoke of this in Luke 14:33, “So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple,” (KJV). The all that Jesus is talking about doesn’t just refer to our possessions, but also the relationships that we hold so dear to us.

Luke 14:26 9KJV), “ If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.” These are strong words and unfortunately there will be many who cannot live up to this. As true followers of Jesus, we must be willing to forsake all for Him. We are living in a time in history that I believe that many of us will be faced with the giving up of our physical lives for our Savior. Many of us will be imprisoned for our devotion to Jesus. Some of us may even be carried away captives to foreign lands. We also must be willing to forsake our loved ones for Him if asked to. I know that this sounds backwards, but this is what Jesus said. Would you cave in and deny the Lord if there is a gun to your child’s head?  What if ISIS threatened to behead your husband or wife right in front of you, unless you denounce Jesus and convert to Islam? 

  Many of our brothers and sisters across the world have already answered this call. Their families are experiencing the things that I am writing about. Please remember to pray for our spiritual family around the world, especially those who are being persecuted. If you think that it will never happen here in America, you need to think again and prepare for what is coming our way.

We must remember that everything and everyone that we have in our lives is on loan from God. We don’t own any of it but are stewards of what’s been given to us.  “The earth is the LORD’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein,” Psalms 24:1 (KJV). Keep in mind that no matter what happens on this side of heaven that for those of us who know Jesus, this is just temporary. Romans 8:18 says it best. “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us,” (KJV).  What matters is eternity and where you spend it.

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