The Lord says, “Turn to me now, while there is time.” Joel 2:12 NLT

At this very moment, while I write these words, Hurricane Maria is pummeling Ana’s childhood home, Puerto Rico. Up to 155 mile per hour winds are ripping off roofs and tearing up trees, causing unprecedented destruction to that beautiful island paradise.

I will admit it is hard to write right now, because I am worried for our family members living there, but I must warn you – a greater storm lies just over the horizon.

This year we have seen unprecedented devastation from Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria. Yesterday Mexico City was devastated by a magnitude – 7.1 earthquake which has killed hundreds. In Myanmar 421,000 Rohingya Muslim refugees have fled to Bangladesh, to escape ethnic cleansing. Yesterday, President Trump threatened to destroy North Korea, a country of 25 million people, if the United States is forced to defend itself or its allies.

I could go on and on, but I think you get the point. God has warned us, “There will be terrible times in the last days.” (2 Timothy 3:1 NKJV) and “on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth…” Luke 21:25-27.

Never before have those words rung more true. Earth is waxing old like a garment (Isaiah 51:6) and time is running out.

A storm is coming, my friends, “…a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, even to that time…” (Daniel 12:1).

We stand today at “the beginning of sorrows” Jesus spoke of in Matthew 24. There is still time to get ready, but it is short. We can feel the wind on our brow and see the waves starting to rise, but the eye of the storm is not yet upon us. It’s time to get ready.

Before Hurricane Maria hit Governor Rosselló pleaded with the island’s residents to not wait, but to take shelter immediately. That is good advice for all of us. The storm is coming. Now is time to take shelter in God’s loving arms, where there is safety from any storm. Now is the time to run to Jesus, the Rock of our Salvation, our “…refuge in times of trouble.” (Ps. 9:9) And now is the time to warn our friends and neighbors of the approaching danger, so they too can get ready.

After the storm hits it will be too late. Now is the time to prepare. “Now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2 NKJV). Today, God pleads with you, “Turn to me now, while there is time.”

Do not wait a moment longer. Give your heart to Jesus today. Make Him your “Shelter in the Time of Storm” today and for every day until He comes. May that day be soon.

God bless you and have a great day – and please pray for Puerto Rico!