I continued to see articles, both here and in other publications, as the year progressed and things slowed down to a more tolerable level of activity for me. All of them seemed to be painting

the bleakest pictures and telling how to prepare--mostly by spending your money for their products so you could survive. What all this did for me was to turn me away from looking even a little at what might be needed, because I felt it was such a commercial push, creating a major emotional reaction. I knew, however, that I cannot just bury my head in the sand and hope it will pass me by.

Having looked at and prayed about this, I want to share the little bit of insight I have gleaned so far. I am not telling any of you what you should or should not do to prepare. That is between you and the Lord. But you need to be very aware of what is at the foundation of what you are doing. What is your motive? Is it because the Holy Spirit has directed you that this is to be done? Or is it because of the fear that if you don't do these things, you will be without? Are you spending resources you really need for things now, or that others could use right now, so that you can build this "fortress" for the future? Are you trying to provide for yourself, rather than trusting in the Lord Who has promised that He is the provider, Jehovah Jireh? He has promised that He will never leave us or forsake us. That means never, not even when the clock hits 12:00:01 on January 1, 2000. God will still be there and He will still be the One Who will provide for you. Psalm 37:25&26 say, " 25I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. 26They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed."

Fear has no place in those who truly believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. No matter what comes our way, He is our deliverer. We have His Word as our promise of protection and deliverance, no matter what we are facing. His perfect love casts out all fear. It is when we begin to rely on ourselves, taking our eyes off Him, that the fear has a good place to put down roots, and begin to permeate every area of our lives. Fear is not from God, but from the devil.

Whatever you do in the year of 1999 regarding the next year, don't let it be because man was able to put fear into you and you reacted. Whatever you do, let it be in response to the leading of the Holy Spirit of God, Who never uses fear and isn't the loudest voice, either. Do what God says, even if it doesn't seem to make sense to anyone else. His way is perfect and filled with peace. Do you have peace in what you are doing? If not, then stop. Find out why not, and don't proceed until you have His peace. In this way, you will be better prepared for whatever may come than the many who are stockpiling and making preparations in the natural every day, without seeking the leading of the Holy Spirit.