When someone speaks about end-time preparation, all ears perk up. We give so much time and effort to physical preparations of food, water, and shelter. We must not neglect spiritual preparations.

We need to know Jesus as our Strong Tower. Scripture tells us, “The name of Lord is a strong tower. The righteous run to it and are safe” (Proverbs 18:10).

This word picture came alive to me when I visited Ireland. In the 8^th and 9^th century, the monks built large rock towers to run into for protection when the Viking invaders attacked.

Jesus is like that for us. He is the safest place we can be, no matter what marauders attack us. In order to make Him our first response in a threatening situation, we need to make His name a conditioned practice in everyday life.

• Have you developed a prayer life to hear the Lord’s voice and follow His

direction?

We need to build our spiritual muscles. Jeremiah 12:5 says, “If you have run with footmen and they have tired you out, then how can you compete with horses? If you fall down in a land of peace, how will you do in the thicket of the Jordan?”

There is coming a day when our life of ease (running with footmen) will end. It will require the stamina of running with horses. There are places in the world today where believers cannot meet together as a body for worship. They must depend on the Holy Spirit to tell them where and when to gather for worship with other members of the body of Christ. It might be in a forest in the middle of the night, but the Spirit is faithful to show them when and where.

• Have you developed a practice of fasting?

In Leonardo Cabarera’s book Free Behind Bars, he tells about his imprisonment in Cuba for his faith. The prison officials tried to control inmates by withholding food. Leonardo and his three friends fasted regularly and often, thus taking the power of control out of the official’s hands. Through their fasting and prayer, the Holy Spirit changed many hearts for eternity, in spite of the officials’ efforts.

• Have you memorized scripture to sustain you during a period when the only Bible you have is within you?

In the natural disasters we have experienced over the last few years, people have learned all worldly possessions are temporal, at best. The only eternal thing we possess is the Word of God hidden in our hearts.

Isaiah 51:7 tells us, “Listen to Me, you who know righteousness, a people in whose heart is My law; do not fear the reproach of man, nor be dismayed at their revilings.”

Proverbs 29:25 says, “The fear of man brings a snare, but he who trusts in the Lord will be exalted.”

Above all, fear God and not man.