I leaned against the reservoir beside our house, elbows resting on the aged cement wall, and stared at the water. Bugs skittered across the surface, barely making a dent.
I thought I couldnโt see the bottom of the reservoir, but then I caught sight of the fish swimming below and my eyes adjusted to the depth.
A moment later wind rippled the surface and blew all the bugs away.
And below, the fish swam serenely, unperturbed by the wind blowing on the surface.
Itโs time to go deep with God.
My Christian experience needs to be like those fish โ swimming deep, unaffected by the wind blowing on the surface. Absolutely calm.
For months before the pandemic hit the world, Richard and I were sensing a strange calm before a storm. And then overnight everything changed without warning.
We are not alarmists, but we are convicted that we are entering the deeply troubled times that Jesus spoke of in Matthew 24 โ events that will bring on the end of the world.
If we do not already have a deep experience with God, now is the time to get one. We need to be making more than just a small dent in the waters of relationship with God. We need to be going deep. If we donโt, we will be blown away by the winds of strife, trial and the testing of our faith.
Itโs time to be spiritually prepared so that we can face the troubled times coming upon the world.
It may feel impossible to slow down but if we want to be prepared for whatโs coming we must do as David did: โI have stilled and quieted my soulโฆโ (Psalm 131:2, NIV). He chose to slow down.
Why should we slow down? So that we can think, pray, and hear God speaking.
Itโs time to cut non-essential things and focus on the most important things:
Learning to hear and recognise Godโs voice takes practice. Hearing Godโs voice is essential for the times we are entering into. Like the apostles in the book of Acts (See Acts 8: 26-29; 16:6,7), who recognised Godโs promptings and acted on them, we will need to do the same. Donโt know how to hear and recognise Godโs voice? Read this post on 6 Ways to Discern Godโs Voice
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and Job 22:2 tell us to lay up Godโs word in our hearts and minds, teach it to our children, talk about it wherever we go, and make it an integral part of our lives.
The benefits of scripture memorisation are many โ it helps us resist temptation (Psalm 119:11), renews the mind, transforms the life, gives wisdom, and comforts us during trials.
โThe Bible in the memory is better than the Bible in the book case.โ
Charles Spurgeon
As a child and teen I read many stories of people taken to prison for their faith and how their knowledge of the Bible helped them get through very dark times. Memorisation of things that will strengthen us in time to come is a great way to prepare for those times.
Here are some to get you started:
Psalm 27:1-6
Psalm 29:11
Psalm 46
Psalm 91
Isaiah 26:3,4
Hebrews 12:2,3
2 Corinthians 12:9,10
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
The times that lie ahead will require a faith that can endure hunger, delay, weariness, and difficulty. Faith is like a muscle that is strengthened through exercise. Read 3 Ways to Develop Robust Faith to help you build the kind of faith in God that will hold you fast to Him.
Submitting ourselves to God continuously is essential for the times we are entering into. If we donโt, fear and anxiety or the desire to please man will lead us to make rash mistakes or give up our faith. We must learn to surrender ourselves to God and be moved by His will and not our own thinking and feeling.
When we surrender ourselves to God we connect ourselves to His power. We will not get through the times ahead by gritting our teeth, depending on our own strength. Peter vowed that he would go to prison and to death for Jesus, but when the crunch came he failed. We must be connected to Godโs strength or we will do the same.
We must learn to distrust ourselves and depend unreservedly on God so that He can strengthen us and lead us through the troubled times ahead.
While our salvation is not in our knowledge, it is comforting to know whatโs ahead. The Bible offers clarity on how things are going to end. The Bible also predicts that false teachers will lead people astray, and knowing what it teaches will prevent deception.
If youโd like to know more about prophecy and end times, watch this video.
โAnd herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward manโ (Acts 24:16 NIV).
Entering troubled times knowing that you are right with God and with others will give peace of mind. Confess your sins to God and receive His forgiveness. If there is anyone you have offended, or someone who has offended you, talk to them and, as far as possible, make things right between you.
Daniel 12:1 tells us that there will be a time of trouble at the end unlike any this world has ever seen. Now is the time to be preparing mentally, spiritually, and physically for that time.
Itโs time to go deep with God.
We will only be as strong as our connection with Him.
Read Part 2: Physical Preparation for End Times.
Are you spiritually prepared for Christโs Second Coming? What do you need to do to get ready?
Tamarynn | 20th May 20
What an amazing post. Thank you so much for this. Very deep and insightful and made me contemplate my spiritual preparation as well as helping my children to prepare their hearts spiritually and grow a deeper relationship with God.
Jennifer Lovemore | 20th May 20
I think we sometimes underestimate the importance of spiritual preparation. I’m happy this was helpful to you!
Diane | 20th May 20
Really enjoyed this today. Very helpful and encouraging. Thanks!๐
Jennifer Lovemore | 21st May 20
I’m happy it was helpful! ๐
Sammy | 20th May 20
This is such an eye opener. We are busy preparing for moving to the country as a family, but we had not realized how much the soul needs connection with the maker.
Thank you so much for the wonderful article.
Jennifer Lovemore | 21st May 20
You’re welcome, Sammy. I hope all goes well with your move!
Gail | 22nd May 20
Always encouraging to read your posts.๐
Jennifer Lovemore | 22nd May 20
Thanks, Gail ๐
Preparation for End Times Part 2: Physical Preparation - Love More to Live | 27th May 20
[…] The safest place to be in a crisis is right where God wants you to be. Thatโs why we began with spiritual preparation for end times. (Read it here.) […]
Jenny Kohl | 3rd Apr 21
Your physical and spiritual preparation have been most encouraging. Thank you so much for sharing. It is so exciting to learn and grow stronger in God’s word and get closer and closer to Him day by day. We sure serve a Mighty God!!
Jennifer Lovemore | 3rd Apr 21
Iโm happy it was helpful! ๐๐
Bonnie | 10th May 21
One of the scriptures noted in your teaching is 2Cor 14:16-18 … the problem Iโm having is that there isnโt a 14th chapter of 2 cor … could you direct me to a different reference?
Thanks so much
Jennifer Lovemore | 10th May 21
Oops! Thanks for pointing that out! Itโs meant to be chapter 4:16-18. Iโll update the post. ๐