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It was 22 years ago when I arrived in Canada and chose Calgary, Alberta to be my home. Leaving my family and friends behind, it was a new adventure for me to be in a new country without knowing anyone. That was the time I looked for a Filipino community paper and never found any, [...]
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“Keep watch…He will come like a thief in the night”

by Pastor Nilo Briones of “Jesus Word of Life International Fellowship”

There have been lots of dramatic speculations and rumors recently about the coming of the Lord. While this is nothing new for the last decade or so, it’s worth giving a careful thought because it involves our eternal destiny. We’re living in a world where, generally speaking, skepticism comes into play whenever people talk about God and the coming judgment. Although others may not believe, secure yourself by living out your faith righteously in the Lord as if today is your last.

Based on the biblical passage in Matthew 24: 39-44 (New International Version) says, “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.” This is surely something to keep watch for – the Lord will come indeed, but no man or any scientific formula could precisely determine the date and time of His coming.

The Lord is gracious to have given us the warning not to be alarmed and frightened, but to prepare wisely as the signs are clearly manifesting before our very eyes. We’re probably now living in the last days as indicated in Matthew 24:6-8 (Amplified Bible), which says, “And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not frightened or troubled, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in place after place; All this is but the beginning [the early pains] of the birth pangs [of the intolerable anguish].” Like the ancient jailer who witnessed the miraculous breaking of the prison chains of Apostle Paul and Silas attributed to the mighty hand of God, he then asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” Here comes a simple ABC to follow: A for Admit that you are a sinner (as Romans 3:23 says, “There is no one righteous, not even one) and repent or turn away from your sins by surrendering them to God; B for Believe in and accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior (as He said in John 14:6 that “I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through Me); and C for Commit your life God now and throughout eternity, meaning obey His words as laid out in the Bible. The Lord added that, “If you love Me, obey My commandments.”

Moreover, the Bible says, “For it is appointed for man to die once, and after death the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). Are you ready when the appointed time comes? While the Lord is knocking at the door of your heart, be kind to yourself by accepting the Lord’s offer of salvation through prayer. God bless you!

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‘Jesus Word of Life International Fellowship’ congregates at 175 Whitefield Drive NE (a 100-meter walk from NE Whitehorn C-train station). Schedule of Saturday Services include: 5:00-6:00 p.m. Bible Studies (adult/youth/children) and Worship at 6:00-7;30 p.m. followed by food and fellowship. Need prayers or visitation?…call Pastor Nilo Briones for ministration at (403) 973-0623 or e-mail at [email protected]

“Keep watch…He will come like a thief in the night”

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