God will protect us and our loved ones provided we turn to Him with all our might and begin to do what we have been commanded by Jesus Christ and His Apostles. But being a church member will not save us, and taking the "four steps of salvation" without then becoming a disciple will not save us.

If we continue to practice our business as usual, not really taking up our cross and following the Lord like a true Christian, we will suffer along with the unbelievers. In this case we will be no help to them. We will be as panicked as they are when destruction comes. We will not be a light guiding them toward Christ.

I have listed ten actions we can practice each day that will enable us to survive spiritually no matter what comes to pass in America. None of these practices can be omitted without running the danger of not being able to stand in the day of trouble.

Set aside a place and time for prayer each day.

Meditate in the Scriptures continually.

Place everything on the altar of God.

Live in and by Christ.

Put on the whole armor of God.

Learn to live in the heavenlies.

Confess and renounce your sins promptly.

Do not fret yourself.

Look only to Jesus.

Set yourself aside for God's purposes.

If we neglect any one of these ten we shall not be able to escape the things that come to pass and be able to stand before the Son of Man. Each is important in its own right and depends on all the others for its successful exercise.

If we will do what Christ and His Apostles have commanded, we will be able to follow Jesus throughout whatever comes to pass and know the peace that passes understanding. And we will be able to bring peace to others when the world is in flames.

I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. (Psalms 4:8—NIV)

Set Aside a Place and Time for Prayer Each Day

Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. (Psalms 108:2—NIV)

I am placing daily prayer first because of its importance.

We American Christians agree that we ought to have a "prayer closet." But we don't always have one.

It will not be possible for any of us to stand in the day of trouble that is at hand unless we have a time each day when we pray. By a time of prayer each day I do not mean we think good thoughts. I mean we have a place where we go and wait on the Lord.

Our problem in America is that of time. We have so many responsibilities and cares that the idea of stopping and spending a half hour in concentrated prayer does not appeal to us. But if we do not do this we soon will be deceived and led away from the Lord and into sin.

We are so busy with all of the material cares of life that we do not have the time or strength to pray. Some of us hold down two or three jobs. When we get home at night (or early in the morning) we flop in front of the television, hoping to get some rest. But we are mistaken in this. Time spent in prayer will bring rest, peace, and the solution to our problems. Watching the television does not do this.

To be continued.