"Nothing stops a family quarrel more quickly than
the arrival of an unexpected guest."
Matthew 24:36-43 (KJV)
But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven,
but my Father only. [37] But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the
coming of the Son of man be. [38] For as in the days that were before
the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage,
until the day that Noe entered into the ark, [39] And knew not until the
flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son
of man be. [40] Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken,
and the other left. [41] Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the
one shall be taken, and the other left.
[42] Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. [43]
But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch
the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered
his house to be broken up.
Like those of Noah's time who were caught unprepared for a flood, so will
it be for many at the coming of the Son of man. People will be going about
the normal activities of life when the unexpected overtakes them. By the
way, what are the "normal activities" of your life, dear lady? If it is
customary for you and your husband to frequently quarrel, chances are
you could experience the arrival of an unexpected guest named Jesus Christ
and be caught in the act of bickering! Is that really the way you'd like
your problems to come to an end? What temper would you like the Lord to
find you in when He returns?
Because of the uncertainty of the time, we would all do well to let the
second coming of Christ motivate each of us to live a pure and blameless
life! Ready or not, Jesus will return… No member of the household who
is on the alert should suffer his/her home to be broken up by the enemy.
Folks who are watchful and maintain their spiritual readiness will not
find Christ a thief to them, while those who are distracted with sin and
self will be stunned by Jesus return. Wouldn't you rather meet Him with
gladness rather than shame?
Rev. 3:3 (KJV)
Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and
repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief,
and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
No truth in the Bible has a greater effect on the believer's heart, mind,
and will than the truth of the second coming of Christ. Unfortunately,
many Christians long for the Rapture, not because of their intense love
for the Lord, but because it symbolizes an escape from the distresses
of life. Which of the three things below would you say you think of the
most?
1. Death
2. Heaven
3. Second Coming of Christ
If you concentrated on one of these topics specifically, which one would
motivate you to live a more godly life? Which one would help you control
your temper?
Titus 2:11-13 (KJV)
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
[12] Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should
live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; [13] Looking
for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and
our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Ladies, the grace of God greatly affects our lives today and tomorrow.
It teaches the believer to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts. It leads
us away from quarrels and toward making restitution while there is still
time! Christian, contrary to popular belief, there is no need to spend
hours in deep counseling or take a psychological nosedive into our past
to determine how to live victoriously today. All we have to do is simply
reject, refuse or disallow all forms of ungodliness and lust in which
we may be or have been involved. Have you allowed God's grace to direct
your desires, your affections and your appetite for things that oppose
godliness? Having set up strict boundaries in our hearts and minds, God's
grace then points us toward sober, righteous and godly living. With a
new focus set on hope, God's grace motivates our daily lives with a strong
awareness of Christ's second coming. In view of that, don't permit your
quarrels to end unexpectedly, end them prudently and establish your temper
for the Lord's return!
Our Lord has told us all to watch
His coming to discern:
For in an hour when we think not,
Our Savior shall return.
Suppose that He had come today,
At morning, noon, or eve?
Would I have been a peaceful soul,
Ready this life to leave?
What thoughts possessed me, as about
My daily task I went?
What of those hasty words I spoke,
When I was tired and spent?
How many will be filled with shame
As God looks on their heart?
Not having done all that they could,
Their homes now torn apart?
Oh, help me, Lord, to live for Thee,
Your glory as my prize;
That I may never be ashamed
To meet Thy loving eyes!
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2003 Pamela A. Iannello
