Today's Passage - Matthew 24:34-44

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Matthew 24:34-44   "...As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him."   When I was working in Washington D.C., one time I was talking to some Christian colleagues about the second coming of the Lord. One female colleague who's divorced with two children said that she'd rather see the Lord come quickly to bring her back to the heavenly home, because she's already tired of life in the world. Another young female colleague said that the Lord's better wait, because she hasn't started enjoying life yet. A third colleague said that he never thought about the Lord's return, as he didn't really care whether the Lord returns or not. Our attitude towards the return of the Lord will surely impact the way we live.   The early church has great power to testify for the Lord because it had the assurance and expectation for the Lord's return. On the contrary, many Christians today often pity for themselves and don't think the Lord's return would have anything to do with them. Being watchful while waiting is not just about praying while waiting, but we should also bring ourselves before God and serve Him. A godliness that pleases God is not just waiting quietly and do nothing; it's always God's will for us to move forward. Therefore, anyone who follows God must follow all things commanded by God.   Once time President Roosevelt went hunting in Africa. The evangelist Morrison was also there to preach the gospel, and they took the same ship back home. The ship arrived in the U.S., there were lots of people welcoming President Roosevelt home, but Morrison went home alone with his suitcase. As he walked home he was complaining inside: "Lord, I worked so hard for you, how come no one came to welcome me home?" When he prayed about it, the Lord told him: "That's because President Roosevelt is already home, but your home is in heaven. When you come home, you will know how big the welcome ceremony is!" Indeed, our home is in heaven, so when the Lord returns, we will be in the kingdom of God and spending eternity with Him. Our effort in the Lord is definitely not done in vain.   Are you also waiting attentively for the Lord's return? In your daily life, do you really read God's Word and pray, bear glorious testimony for the Lord, and let the love of Christ glow out through your lives to those around you and even to all people and all nations? Are we really able to understand God's will and live a life that pleases Him? When the Lord returns, He wishes that we are all working hard to please Him. May God's Spirit help us to wait attentively and to follow His word until the Lord's return!   Pray with Pastor Tong     Lord, I thank you because you are filled with mercy and grace. Even though we don't know when the Lord will return, but we ask that the Lord will give us a watchful heart to wait for you attentively until the day you return. I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!