URGENT!

Matthew 24:36-39  - No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.   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 nothng 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.

1 Thessalonians 5:2  - For you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

2 Peter 3:10-13 - 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 done in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.  But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

Lately, we Deliberate Women gals have had some discussion about how many of us feel like we are running out of time.  While generations of people have thought the same thing and thought society couldn't get any worse, the truth is, we have no idea when Christ will be coming back.  It could be a thousand years from now, but it could also be an hour from now.

That should create not only a sense of excitement but a sense of urgency as well when you hear that.  Urgency to share the good news of salvation with others.  Urgency to reach as many as you can.  Urgency to make sure those closest to you know where they are going when they leave this world.

While I [Ginny] am not going to grow a beard and hold up a cardboard sign on the street declaring the End is coming, the thought that Jesus is coming any moment makes me want to get moving and sharing God's love to as many as possible.

                                  What can you do TODAY to reach someone for Christ?

- Do you have a neighbor you can invite over for coffee? 
- Check your Facebook and Twitter updates.  Do they reflect your love of Christ?  You can post Scripture or stories of how God is working in your life.  While I encourage you to be real, I often try to think if I am being a good witness for Christ by the things I share and post.
- Are you giving sacrificially?  Missionaries need your support.  Organizations reaching others for Christ need your support.  Individuals and families in tough situations need your support.  I know we can't give to everything and everyone, but are you giving to the point where it hurts? 
- When was the last time you shared your testimony with others?  Is there someone to whom you could share it with today? 

I think back to the time of Noah (Genesis 6-8).  God had told Noah that he would flood the Earth.  He gave Noah a way out.  I can only imagine how the wicked people on the earth made fun of him.  I also can't help but think that Noah pleaded with them to join him.  As they did not join him on the ark, one can only assume they did not listen.

Not everyone will positively receive the message you have to share.  During Noah's time, the people around him ignored him or made fun of him.  But that didn't stop him from warning them about what was to come.  He faithfully followed the Lord and through his words and actions, he was an amazing role model of God's love.

We need to be like Noah.  We need to faithfully hold to our relationship with the Lord while sharing the URGENT news that MUST BE HEARD about Christ returning.

Christ will return.  Are you ready?  If you are, you must ask the question - Are those around you ready?  If not, don't wait another day.  Today is your day.     

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