“Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life,” 1 Timothy 6:19.

Jesus was praying in the Garden. He had taken with him Peter, James, and John to keep watch as he prayed.

He journeyed a bit and when He came back He found them asleep. He charged Peter,

“…….. What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak,” Matthew 26:40-41.

He did this twice more and each time He returned they were asleep. At this, their opportunity to watch and pray had ended,

“Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, “Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me,”” Matthew 26:45-46.

The trial He had been charging them to prepare for had begun.

This is how it is for us as well. We have been given time to seek the face of The LORD, but if we squander our opportunity, we are left unarmed and unequipped. We venture out into the battle without the proper preparation.

Things may be calm at the moment, but this will not last forever. Things may have seemed to have eased somewhat, but the storm is brewing.

As I write this, Hurricane Ian has slammed into the Florida coast, making its way into the Carolinas — a Category 4 storm with sustained winds of 150 mph — trees toppled, catastrophic flooding, and 2.5 million people without power.

I have family in Fort Myers and prayed for them and all involved. This was a historic storm — a 1 in 1000 year occurrence. It seems a record is broken every time we have another major disaster.

Yet, this is only one storm, affecting only the Southeastern portion of the United States. I believe a storm of greater proportions is coming — one far more reaching, affecting not just part of the country, but the entire landscape.

We may have experienced some sunny days, but as it was for the early apostles, the trial of our lives is just ahead.

The storm is out there, gaining strength and power. Things may appear calm for the moment, but we are in the calm before the storm. The LORD put this on my heart recently as I was seeking Him.

As for what will the storm be, I do not know — but I do believe one is coming. I do know that war with Russia is looming, as Vladimir Putin blames the West, and specifically The United States, for the Nord Stream pipeline attack.

We very well could be at the brink of World War III, as Russia is allying with China, Iran, North Korea, and other countries. There has even been mention of nuclear weapons.

So, what will be next?

Time will tell, but I do believe a category 5 type storm upon the world is brewing.

You may think that things have calmed down — that bright and sunny days are here to stay — but it is at this time that destruction comes,

“For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape,” 1 Thessalonians 5:3.

The world sleeps and knows not what is about to hit. While the massive storm sits off the coast, people are unaware it’s heading their way.

They’re interested in sports, entertainment, wealth, greed, ambition, politics, the latest fad — anything but concern for their souls.

This goes for many of The Churches as well. People are happy being uninvolved. They’re satisfied just blending in — sitting in a big Church — being entertained.

It’s okay hearing about being blessed, but when it comes to talking of righteousness and judgment, they’ll only listen so long.

I am reminded of the Words of Jesus,

“This people draweth nigh unto me withtheir mouth, and honoureth me withtheirlips; but theirheart is far from Me,” Matthew 15:8.

That’s how it is today. Few are concerned for the things of God! They may voice interest, but inwardly they’re happy sitting on the sidelines.

They have “….. a form of godliness,” but deny the power thereof! (2 Timothy 3:5)

There were ten virgins. Five were wise and five were foolish, but “While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept” (Matthew 25:5).

We do not want to be caught sleeping. The skies may be fair-weather clouds today, but a storm is coming!

As Jesus admonished the disciples in the Garden to watch and pray, so we should be in a place of watching and praying, lest we be found sleeping at the midnight cry,

“But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation,” 1 Thessalonians 5:4-8.

Prepare today, children of God, for the storm is coming!

Things may be temporarily calm for now, but this will not last forever. Do not let yourselves be lulled to sleep by a spirit of slumber,

“And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed,” Romans 13:11.

Have a firm determination to serve Jesus Christ at any cost,

“And He said to them all, “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”” Luke 9:23.

Know that the rain falls on the just and the unjust alike, “… and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22).

Prepare yourselves for hard times. Be in expectation for the fiery trial which is to try you. Never let your guard down because life can change in an instant.

“Trust in The LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths….” Proverbs 3: 5-6.

Blessings to you all in The Wonderful Name of Our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ.

 

~ Rich Fyke

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Rich Fyke of Eternal Life Ministries is a watchmen, pastor, and Bible teacher, with a specific calling to wake up the end time Church. His desire is to prepare the people of God for The Coming of The LORD and for the things leading up to His Coming.
Eternal Life Ministries also operates on YouTube and Facebook.

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