John and Doves,
 
I have never sent anything to this site, but I read a great many of the postings every day.  The reason I am writing now is to share some of what the Lord has been speaking to me lately.  Not long ago, a number of the Doves were discussing how they felt the Lord had gone silent, that it felt as if we were experiencing a time of little or no divine activity.  I had been feeling that same thing and finally did what I should have done long before, and asked Him: "Lord, why have you gone silent.  I miss you, tell me what it is I need to know about this time.  What is it you want for and from me?"  The Lord was very clear in telling me:

The battle is becoming more evident, obvious and heightened.  Just as the Hebrews prepared for battle before crossing the Jordan.  Just as our own military prepares, we should be doing the same right now.  New recruits should be brought into the force, they should be taught to how to make and use their weapons, then the battle is to be taken to the enemy.  We need to be actively seeking our new recruits.  Even as we shop in the grocery or the donut shop, we should be responding to questions about how we are or how business is or any other question, in such a way as to begin a spiritual conversation or create an opportunity to pray for the questioner.  We need to make sure we know the scriptures that will be most impacting when folks ask us for the reason for our hope.  We need to be ready at all times to help bring them into the family of followers of Jesus Christ.  The harvest of seeds planted will come much quicker than it has in the past.  Many believers shy away from the subject of spiritual warfare thinking if I don't talk about it, it won't impact me. The battle has been brought and we need to know how to fight it.  Sharpen the weapons, know the scripture used to take the battle to the enemy - in strength not in fear!  As I said, the battle has been brought, just look at your friends, family, and coworkers.  How many of them have experienced attacks they've never experienced before.  The depression that comes to us during the celebration of the birth of our Savior.  The attacks on our children, in the form of sickness or behavior that can hurt not only them, but also those around them.  The activity in the spiritual world has increased and we should prepare for it by studying the Word, by praising and worshipping Him, and through fervent, expectant prayer.  I don't know about anyone else, but as a prayer partner, I pray often for those around me.  I am ashamed to confess that; though I have no doubt the Lord can take away cancer, can heal a broken body or a broken heart, there have been times when my prayers were more wishful than expectant and fervent. We have a big and great God, let's ask Him to do big and great things, and then expect He will do so!
 
I believe we will see a time of great trouble prior to the rapture.  I anticipate it will happen soon.  Whether it be from terrorist acts, or financial collapse, the world will change and will change quickly.  There are several Doves who post financial info on this site that is hopefully causing folks to take stock of what preparations they have made, be they spiritual and/or physical (food, supplies, etc).  In the past few months, the Lord has placed a hunger in me for things financial.  Although I work for the mortgage division of a large bank, I have never had much interest in the inner workings of the economy and how it is all intertwined - in the US and globally.  Not only has he given me a hunger, he has given me the discernment to understand the things I've been watching and reading.  I firmly believe that as we see the number of foreclosures continue to climb here and elsewhere, the truth will come out about how sub prime mortgage backed securities have been used in SIV's (structured investment vehicles) and CDO's (collateralized debt obligations) and then used in places that should normally be investing in safe and secure investment funds.  Large retirement investment funds are already seeing huge losses due to write down of these vehicles, and we have just seen the tip of the iceburg.  Even as the Merrill Lynch's and the Citigroups try to dig themselves out of the holes they've created, they're turning to sovereign investment funds (funds controlled and owned by foreign governments) to be bailed out.  How much do other countries such as China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, etc. need to invest in our economic infrastructure before our economic sovereignty is lost?
 
I am part of a small group of Christ followers who believe this collapse is close and are making preparations.  We have gathered water, flour, rice, beans, freeze dried eggs and butter, and a number of other types of food and supplies.  We have also bought sufficient weapons and ammunition to protect ourselves in the event of an emergency status across the US that keeps the police from being able to protect us.  We are prepared to share what we have with anyone in need, but we won't allow it to be taken from us.  Admittedly, even when the Lord has stopped me from purchasing more supplies, on occassion (more often than I like to admit) my flesh thinks I should continue to gather more and more. That's when the Lord reminded me of Elijah and the widow.  He reminded me that he continued to provide enough flour and oil for them to eat even though the widow was down to enough supplies for one last cake.
 
Lastly, in a recent prayer vigil we held at our church, the leader asked us all to place our hands out and allow the Lord to fill them.  Allow him to give us what he had for us.  As I waited on my knees, the Lord started say the word "Joy," and just kept repeating the word into my heart, mind and spirit.  As my joy continued to grow and my smile was beaming from ear to ear, he started to tell me "Trust."  I have no doubt he was telling me to not allow the things of the world to overwhelm me.  That I shouldn't let anything steal my joy and that the fact that this battle is increasing means I am that much closer to seeing Him - a powerful reason for greater and greater joy.  Then he was asking me to trust Him.  To trust that He is in control and not to allow my flesh to doubt and try to take control.
 
I am most certainly not a prophet, I am but a watchman.  I am not sure why I have been asked to share these thoughts with you, but would not have done so if I didn't believe I wasn't being obedient to the Lord's promptings.  God bless us all.
 
Your brother in Christ.
 
Rob
 
 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Galatians 5: 22, 23a