Today's Passage - Matthew 24:29-33

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Matthew 24:29-33   "...Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will father his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: as soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that it is near, right at the door."             Although the day of Jesus' return is unknown to us, but this doesn't mean we don't have a responsibility in it. Our responsibility is to "see", which means to be alert and of sober mind. In these last days, we need to pay close attention to the happenings in the world. Billy Graham once said, that when he picks up the Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other, he reads almost the same words in the newspaper as he reads in the Bible. This statement is both shocking and rejoicing; shocking, for the world is worsen so rapidly, and rejoicing, for the day of the Lord is indeed near.             The more you read the Bible, the more you will not be worried about the world, and the more you will be able to face sufferings and death. Staying alert, which means pray, can help us to be ready to see Him. We often feel powerless and are controlled by the dominion of this world. We often feel helpless in our efforts to living God's will, for we want to overcome temptations but couldn't. We need to come before the Lord and pray earnestly, for only prayer can bind the works of the devils. 1 John 4:4 says that "the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." It is only by His power we can overcome the power of the world.             I always heard this saying: more prayer, more power; less prayer, less power; no prayer, no power. The more I serve the Lord the more I see how truthful this word is. If we don't pray, we have no power. How could we overcome the challenges from the world if we don't have power? May the Lord help us to pray and observe, and to put everything in His hands. May His compassion fill the earth before His glorious return, so that we may experience His mightiness. Let us pray like how Apostle John prayed: Come, Lord Jesus! The day of His second coming is truly near, so let us prepare ourselves and wait for His return!   Pray with Pastor Tong     Dear Lord, You are the Lord with all authority. For not only You've resurrected from death and ascended to heaven, but also one day You will come back in glory. Come, dear Lord! Come not only in the future, but come now. Guide us in our daily lives, in every circumstance and in every relationship. Teach us to pray earnestly everyday till Your return. I thank you and I pray all these in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!