Coming of the Lord

I have the most awesome wife. She is so godly. Hungry for God. Recently she wrote something. I am going to post it below. Let it stir you.

Angela Starnes on April 26th wrote:

I woke up early today, a Saturday, to feed my baby, with all plans to go back to sleep. It’s been a tiring week. But my heart is so heavy this morning. I wanted to get up and write what the Lord has put on my heart.

How many of us will really be ready for the coming of the Lord? That is a sobering question.
Remember Noah’s Ark? Awww…those cute animals…two by two… Did you know that scripture says that before the coming of the Lord, it will be like the days of Noah?
What were those days like?

Gen 6:5-7
5 The Lord saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. 6 The Lord was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain.

They had no idea what was coming. Right up until the flood began, they were eating, drinking, getting married….then they were destroyed.

How hard do you think it was for Noah? It took him a long, long time to build that ark. He probably was the laughing stock of town. He certainly wasn’t winning any popularity contests. He was on his own. Maybe he was trying to warn people about what was coming. But no one wanted to hear it. They were too wrapped up in their own lives. And one day, the door shut to the ark and those outside the ark were destroyed by the flood.
What’s it going to be like at the coming of the Lord?

But the greater question is…what’s it going to be like for you at the coming of the Lord? Are you so consumed with your selfish ambitions to even know that Jesus is trying so desperately to reach you? Have you lived for God, but have gotten cold? Why? What’s so important? What hurt is worth hanging onto? What sin is worth keeping?

I loved the movie, Evan Almighty. That was such a cute spin off of the whole Noah story. Remember how Evan kept warning people? Everyone thought he was crazy. But when the people saw what was about to happen when the valley was about to flood, they all rushed into the boat.

Kind of like…A warning bell before you’re really tardy…The yellow light before the red…the weatherman’s forecast…or better yet, the tornado siren…
But it’s not going to be like that at the coming of the Lord. Just like the real Noah, when the door was shut, it was too late. No last minute rescues.

Matt 24:39-41
That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.

What will you be doing?

Matt 24:9-14
9 "Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. NIV

Many will be deceived. That means they’ll think they’re ok, but they’re not. Many will turn away from the faith. That means that they once knew God. Now they betray and hate each other. What? Christians betraying and hating each other? Increased wickedness will cause many to lose their love for God.

BUT those who stand firm to the end will be saved.

2 Peter 3:9-18
9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. a
11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. b That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.
14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. 15 Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. 16 He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.
17 Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. NIV

Noah stood firm. He knew God. He wasn’t a perfect man, but his faith in God was firm in spite of the pressure and ridicule.

I can’t wait to see Jesus face to face! That’s going to be amazing. But it will be even better if you come with me. It’s time to start getting ready now. Today. Right this moment. Commit your life to Jesus Christ today. Turn away from the old destructive patterns you’ve had. Fall in love with Jesus, the one who gave His life for you to be saved. I want to invite you to pray with me. I want to give you a few instructions before we pray, because we’re going to end with the prayer.
Our prayer together is just to get you started. You and God have a lot of catching up to do. Take some more time to pour out your heart to Him. Repent for your ways and your sins. Listen for Him to speak to you and reassure you that you’re His child.
Then, call someone or contact someone to tell them what you just did.
I would love to know, too, when you get a chance.
Then pass the word on. Many more still need this message. Many have never heard once. We owe it to them.

Now let’s pray.
“Father, I thank you for your love for me. Thank you for sending Jesus to give His life so I could know You. I have been living my life for myself. I have sinned against You. I repent to you and ask you to forgive me. With Your help, I want to turn the pattern of my life around, so that I can now live for you. I commit my life to You, Lord. Make me new. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.