Can’t just head out without the Word. I need the Word. I mean, with everything that’s happened, with everything that’s happening, and with everything we’re anticipating…
With all that’s happening to me, with all I’m making to happen, whether it be on a tiny or grand scale…
Damn it, JB, get a grip, get the Word. Stand on the Word. Take in the Word. Be filled with the Word and in so doing, move in the grace and glory of God.
Let’s be vigilant. Let’s stay focused on our purpose.
Let’s stand fast in the liberty by which Christ has set us free.
As ambassadors of Christ, let our cry stay consistent: Be reconciled to God.
From what was discussed yesterday:
Earthquakes?
Before it happens:
Step 1: Secure your space by identifying hazards and securing moveable items.
Step 2: Plan to be safe by creating a disaster plan and deciding how you will communicate in an emergency.
Step 3: Organize disaster supplies in convenient locations.
Step 4: Minimize financial hardship by organizing important documents, strengthening your property, and considering insurance.
Step 5: Drop, Cover and Hold On when the earth shakes.
Step 6: Improve safety after earthquakes by evacuating if necessary, helping the injured, and preventing further injuries or damage.
Step 7: Reconnect and Restore daily life by reconnecting with others, repairing damage, and rebuilding community.
When it happens:
Practice Drop, Cover, and Hold On – During an earthquake, you should Drop, Cover, and Hold On to protect yourself from falling debris. Practice with your entire household so everyone knows what to do. Here is how to practice:
DROP where you are onto your hands and knees.
This position protects you from being knocked down and allows you to crawl to a protected space.
COVER your head and neck with your arms.
If a sturdy table or desk is nearby, crawl underneath it for protection.
If you cannot find a protected space, crawl to an interior wall (away from windows).
Stay on your knees and bend over to protect yourself from injury.
HOLD ON until the shaking stops.
If you are under a table or desk, hold onto it as things will be moving. Use an arm to protect your head and neck.
If you are not under a protected space: Protect your head and neck with both arms.
Cybersecurity? Scams?
Before it happens:
Taking quick action once you realize you’ve become a victim of a hack or cybercrime can help limit the potential damages.
Notifying relevant authorities, agencies and your financial institution immediately can help speed up the recovery process.
Set up alerts on account activities, including logins, to help prevent bad actors from accessing your information.
Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) as another layer of protection to help confirm your identity and protect access to your accounts.
When it happens:
Change your passwords across the board.
If there is anything you couldn’t access, ensure proper communication to all your contacts.
Consult with the administrators of the service impacted for account recovery / damage control.
Common themes: What to do when it happens, what to do before then.
Before it happens:
As ambassadors of Christ, let our cry stay consistent: Be reconciled to God.
When it happens:
Let’s stand fast in the liberty by which Christ has set us free.
Psalm 12
The Faithful Have Vanished
TO THE CHOIRMASTER: ACCORDING TO THE SHEMINITH. A PSALM OF DAVID.
1 Save, O LORD, for the godly one is gone; for the faithful have vanished from among the children of man.
2 Everyone utters lies to his neighbor; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.
We have heeded the challenge of Scripture, spanning from the Old to the New Testaments – We’ve chosen life.
As such I believe it has also been placed in our hearts, not only to live above merely existing, but also to speak life – that is, to speak Truth in a world where lies are heard and propagated all the more.
The body of Christ is a community that stands upon the firm Foundation of Christ – He alone is the Rock on whom we stand, and it is ultimately only upon Him in whom we trust.
We depend upon Him, and we are thankful, for we are certainly not alone in this reality – No, not only do we have Christ, but we also have our Father, but for purposes more practical to this existence, we have the Holy Spirit.
He is the Truth that is always at the ready within us and around us, so that when we speak, it is always infused with the Truth, just as all that we do is infused with the Life that we have in Christ.
Oh, I am revelling in this promise in particular, even right now, and especially during these times – when I don’t have any other leverage to count on.
I mean, I can’t help but let it out here – Just as we’ve been born into this world that does not owe us anything, so I’m currently taking in a fact in this life – that is, that nobody is obligated to act or react according to our expectations.
To this, I respond with thanks – Fueled by the Holy Spirit, finding comfort and inspiration from the compassion of Christ and the everlasting love of God, expressed at the cross and fulfilled at the empty tomb.
I thank God, because even as I face and take in these harsh facts of this reality, well, I have a God who is infinitely glorious, and eternally gracious; When we take in how the world is just so cruel, we also give thanks to God, because (1) He is the Maker OF this world and therefore infinitely superior to any and all things we encounter in this world, and (2) He is Maker, but He is also our FATHER who is for us and not against us.
We’re not only seeing lies, but, just mass propagation of information; in other words, there are more and more entities that are trying their darndest to tell us what to think.
Ever since the small tremor we’ve experienced here in our fair city a couple of days ago, I’ve heard at least 5 people mention what I’m calling key words – they said there was the ‘Big One’ that was coming.
And, look – I respect people’s opinions and views, but I couldn’t help but question if some things we mention are things that we truly say from our heart, or from what people have been putting in our hearts and lips?
To this I propose a response that’s all the more natural for us in the body of Christ – that is, again, to speak truth. Speak life.
And, apparently, in order for us to stand fast, we need to equip ourselves with the Word.
In order for us to actually know more about the liberty that we do have in Christ, we need to consult the Word.
3 May the LORD cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that makes great boasts,
4 those who say, “With our tongue we will prevail, our lips are with us; who is master over us?”
5 “Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan, I will now arise,” says the LORD; “I will place him in the safety for which he longs.”
6 The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times.
7 You, O LORD, will keep them; you will guard us from this generation forever.
8 On every side the wicked prowl, as vileness is exalted among the children of man.
Regardless of what happens, and how ‘prepared’ we are or how much we may not be ‘ready’, let us always remember that Christ is with us – in fact, Father, Son and Spirit are all with us as we are with Them…
Before it happens, when it happens. No matter what.
To God be all the glory and praise.
Psalm 13
How Long, O LORD?
TO THE CHOIRMASTER. A PSALM OF DAVID.
1 How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?
3 Consider and answer me, O LORD my God; light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death,
4 lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,” lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.
5 But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.
6 I will sing to the LORD, because he has dealt bountifully with me.
Short and sweet, it does feel like that sometimes, doesn’t it? Feels like we’re distant from our God, and it’s like He isn’t budging, He isn’t moving.
But He deals bountifully with us. Every moment, let us find reason and cause to sing and to rejoice, because we have been saved to the uttermost, by no less than Christ.
By Christ’s birth, death, resurrection and ascension, He has secured us, once and for all time, and beyond. Through Christ we have been cleansed, perfected, and saved forever.
This is what we ought to always keep in mind. Sure, we may be shaken, we may be moved by this circumstance or that event, but we will not always be swayed to and fro, blown about like leaves in the wind – Christ is the Anchor for our Souls. Christ is our Firm Foundation.
When we are threatened, may we allow the Holy Spirit to direct us into peace beyond human understanding, trusting in the Lord in His infinite power, and in His eternal wisdom.
May all the turmoil cause us to trust.. and as we trust in the Lord, I am confident that we are not put to shame.
All glory and honor to our Lord and Savior, now and forever. He is our very present help. He is with us. He will never leave nor forsake us. He is for us and not against us.
We give glory to God, because in Him there is no condemnation. Christ has rescued us from this wretched body of sin, and has saved us by His life in our mortal bodies.
Here and now, we are saved. Here and now, we celebrate.
In all we have before us, we shall move in confidence, knowing that the Lord directs our steps, and He delights in our plans.
Again, all glory and honor to our almighty Father, now and forever.
Thank You, Lord!! Thank You so much, for all that You have done.
You are good and great and glorious.
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