The Power of One

Gideon had an army. These men were well versed in the art of battle. These were no amateurs. The army was strong and there were many men serving under Gideon. But, we Christians know, after reading God's Word, that God does not ever use big numbers to make a big impact. Remember the loaves and fishes? How about the widow's mites? So it really should be of no big surprise that God was not satisfied with the size of Gideon's army to fight against the Midianites.

Judges 7:2

And the LORD said unto Gideon, "The people that are with thee are too many

for Me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt (boast in)

themselves against Me saying, 'Mine own hand hath saved me.'"

God is a jealous God and He enjoys showing us how BIG and MIGHTY He really is. He wants to fight for us! Exodus 14:14 says, The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. God can take care of you and God can take care of me. We do not need to get caught up in the numbers of it all.

So, God starts putting Gideon's army through a series of tests and when He is done there will be NO POSSIBLE WAY Gideon and his men can defeat their enemy! It's going to take God to pull them through this battle to get the victory! That's what God wants...so we can trust Him and rely on Him. He was teaching Gideon and his army a very valuable lesson that would serve them well, and not only those men but all who read this passage of scripture.

The first test is God eliminates fear. He says tell anyone who is scared to go back home. God cannot work with fear, He operates in faith. Gideon tells those who are fearful and afraid they can leave and 22,000 men pack their bags and head home. The army is reduced to 10,000 soldiers and God said that was still too many men!

Next God eliminates the non-observant. God calls us to watch and be sober. He instructs Gideon to take the men to the water and have them take a drink. Some of the men put their hand to their mouth to take a drink, but the rest bowed down on their knees to drink. God picks the ones who brought their hand to their mouth and that was only 300 men! That's all, just 300 men stayed and 9,700 men were sent back home!

God kept His Word and delievered the Midianites into the hands of Gideon's army! It would be foolish for those men to claim the credit for this win. It was by the strength of God alone and His directions that the battle was won.

You see it was never a numbers game. God wanted to show the army what He could do. He wanted to help them see that when they serve Him and lean on Him, He will get them through the toughest battles.

Maybe you look at life as a popularity contest. You want as many "friends" as you can get on Facebook. You want a large following on Instagram, Twitter, and other social media sites. You want thumbs up, clicks, likes, shares, and you feel that if you don't have as many as the next person then you are not good enough. Maybe you are never picked to help with group projects or sports activities in P.E. at school. You may be the person who eats lunch alone, never feeling like you have anything to say that is worth hearing. Maybe you don't even feel like you matter. You feel invisible. I have some good news for you...you are worth more than diamonds!

God loves you with an everlasting love. He sent His only Son Jesus to die on a cruel, old rugged cross to pay for the sins you committed. He gave His life's blood to set you free. You may feel like you are up against an army that is as numerous as the sands of the sea, like Gideon (verse 12) but God is greater than your need. He has the answer to all of your problems. Trust Him. Let Him take you through this battle, helping you see your worth, and ask Him to use you to help those around you. You see, God picked Gideon to lead this army. He helped all of the men in the battle but He used Gideon, one man, to lead the way. Gideon followed God's orders and did as He was instructed. As a result, all of the 300 men were victorious. It wasn't Gideon's victory, it was the entire army's victory.

In verse 20 it says they all cried "The sword of the LORD and of Gideon." They knew who was going to help them through. They put God first. They proclaimed it loud! Maybe you need to proclaim The sword of the LORD and of (insert your name)! Read the end of the book of Revelations. God's people win! He wins! God will bring you the victory too. He is bringing me victory in so many different areas of my life and I am going to use today's message for strength to get me through another battle!

I Corinthians 15:57-58

But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ:

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding

in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

~Bridgett

Power Over Fear

There is no doubt that we are living in the end of times. Everywhere we look we can see turmoil, trouble, destruction, and pain. Turning on the evening news to watch for even a short time can leave us feeling uncertain, depressed, even afraid. There are wars, rumors of wars, and talk of weapons of mass destruction that our enemies have threatened us with. It can seem bleak, but there is hope! We do not have to feel defeated and discouraged. God has given us His Word and His Word will stand! Jesus said in Matthew 24:15 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. That's good news! No matter what we are facing, no matter the battle, no matter how hopeless it feels, there is a way out my friend! God has not given us the spirit of fear, but instead He has empowered us to live by faith! Please watch this video and may God encourage you today as we read His Word together!

Christian Filling Station

I grew up in a little church that people often referred to as "The Filling Station." I was pretty young at the time and wasn't sure what they meant. How could our church be compared to a gas station? So I asked my grandmother what they meant by that and she explained it to me. She said those people who visited our church on Friday nights usually had their home church they attended on Sundays. Ministers and laymembers alike would come to our church and say the same thing. They always felt like they could get refueled at our church.

Now our church was nothing fancy. We didn't even have an indoor bathroom. That didn't make any difference to those who stopped in to fellowship with us. The real reason they came was to experience something that few other churches offered...a real encounter with God! Don't get me wrong, I am not saying our church was the only church who had it right, but many churches had their rituals and routines. So often formal churches schedule everything into the service except for God to have His way. Members know when to say amen, what hymns to sing, and can even follow along with the minister as he gives a sermon. I believe you have to have order and structure because you will create chaos and confusion if that is lacking and God will not be able to work in that situation. I Corinthians 14:33 says "For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints." But there's something wrong when you walk in the door of the church and right back out after service is over and you are not changed. There needs to be something more than a gathering of individuals with similar beliefs meeting at the same time each week and going through the same motions time after time and no change takes place.

Our church believes in the power of prayer. We know that prayers changes people and prayer changes things! God is in control of everything! If He allows us to go through a trial or set of circumstances it is for a purpose. He is trying to help us to grow and become the men and women of God He wants us to be. Sometimes when our brothers and sisters from other churches were weary from the spiritual warfare they were battling in their own lives, it was a source of refreshing to come to our church and lay their burdens down. The atmosphere was a little more casual and the focus was on God not each other.

I was at the gas station pumping gas when the Lord started speaking to me about how He wants His church to be a filling station for Christians and non-Christians alike. I want to share what He spoke into my spirit as I filled up my gas tank and I hope you will be able to take something away from this and maybe turn your place of worship into a filling station as well.

First of all, God reminded me of the times I had seen the gas stations so full that each pump had cars lined up waiting for their turn to fuel up. What caused the rush to that station? Generally it was because the cost of gasoline was dropped significantly lower than the competition. It was advertised on a big sign for all to see. What kind of advertisement does our church have? What signs are we holding up in our day to day lives? How are we living our life at work, with friends, at family functions, or even when we think no one is looking? We should live our lives in such a way that others would stop and take notice. They would see something unique and special about us, something they would want for themselves.

When those gas prices drop low, I will admit I quickly call/text my close family members and tell them where I got gasoline and how cheap it was. I encourage them to hurry on over and fill their tanks up, too. It's a great value and I don't want them to miss out on it. Do we as Christians ever do that? Do we ever call or text a friend or family member about the amazing life-changing things God is doing for us? Do we encourage them to walk with God and be saved? Are we telling them how wonderful our Lord is so that they don't miss out?

Next, God showed me how people were patient enough to wait in line for something they felt was worth waiting on. They weren't sure when they would be able to get gas for themselves, but they wanted it bad enough to wait for it. They could see the pump ahead of them and they could count the cars in front of them, yet they didn't move because they didn't want to lose their place.

It reminds me of the five foolish virgins in the Bible. Do you remember that? Matthew 25:1-13 where it says: 1. Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4. But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6. And at midnight there was a cry made, 'Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him.' 7. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8. And the foolish said unto the wise, 'Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.' 9. But the wise answered, saying, 'Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.' 10. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with Him to the marriage: and the door was shut. 11. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us.' 12. But He answered and said, 'Verily I say unto you, I know you not.' 13. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. The wise virgins didn't want to lose their place in line for the bridegroom. They are like the people who want to get a good deal on the gasoline prices. They want to wait their turn.

Another thing God dealt with me about is that we are all at different levels. When we are the gas station some people just want to top off their tank. They are not even close to running out of gasoline but they want to make sure they have a full tank for whatever journey they are on. Some may not be able to afford a full tank of gasoline so they just get whatever they can to make it as long as they can before needing to refuel. Others are skimming by nearly on fumes. They just hope they don't run out before it's their turn at the pump.

Christians are a lot like that. You have some Christians in the church who just seem to have a full walk with God. They wake up reading the Word, praying, and asking God for direction for their day. They fill up first thing in the morning so they can be sure they won't run out of gas regardless of where their path leads them. They are wise.

Some Christians are struggling along. Maybe they haven't been saved long. They don't understand a lot of scriptures, but they want something from God. They aren't running on a full tank but they are trying. They are in line. They see the value of walking with God and they want to get to the point where they are filled to overflowing.

Then there are those in the church who are fair-weather Christians. Blowing by life without taking the time to properly fill up. They rarely look at the gas gauge to see if they need to fill up or not. Barely getting by on fumes, running until they are just about out of gas, and then start praying they can make it up to the pump to get more. They are the ones who constantly pray at the altar for deliverance under the conviction of God, but turn around and they live however they want through the rest of the week. God will not always strive with man. It will be the time to make a decision one day and they should hope they do not wait too long.

Our filling station should not just be a church. It shouldn't be a one time each week experience. Each day we should talk to God through prayer. We need to hear from Him and that is done by reading God's Word, the Holy Bible. Throughout the day we need to be monitoring the condition of our heart (looking at the gas gauge). Did we offend someone when we said something in anger? Were we rude to the person ahead of us in line? Were we salt and light to the world? Did we think to pray, or start our day in a hurry and left God out altogether? I remember a poem that really makes this point clear:

No Time To Pray

I got up early one morning and rushed right into the day;

I had so much to accomplish that I didn't have time to pray.

Problems just tumbled about me,

and heavier came each task,

"Why doesn't God help me?" I wondered.

He answered, "You didn't ask."

I wanted to see joy and beauty,

but the day toiled on gray and bleak;

I wondered why God didn't show me;

He said, "But you didn't seek."

I tried to come into God's presence;

I used all my keys at the lock;

God gently and lovingly chided,

"My child you didn't knock."

I woke up early this morning,

and paused before entering the day;

I had so much to accomplish that I had to take time to pray.

Author Grace L. Naessens

In order to stay fueled up, we must read God's Word. We must study it every day and pray fervently. We will grow much closer to God if we will take the time for Him. I read a sign one time that said, "What if you woke up tomorrow with only the things you were thankful for today?" What if God would give you the same amount of time that you give to Him. Would you find yourself being ignored? Would you ever cross His mind? Would you have any time together? God loves you so much that He sent Jesus, His only begotten Son to die on the cross at Calvary for our sins. Talk to Him. Listen to Him. Pray and get filled up. He will meet your needs. He is much greater than any need you will ever have.

~Bridgett

Before & After

For some reason I always enjoy watching shows or looking at pictures that show what something looked like to begin with and then later reveals what the person or thing looks like after. I am fascinated with this!

Once I saw a talk show where they had a special guest on their show. They showed a picture of this guy and he was really scruffy and dirty. His beard was long and bushy. His hair hadn't been cut in years. He looked as though he might be homeless. So they took this guy and did a transformation and what a difference they made! He did not look like the same man at all. He was clean shaven, hair washed and cut, and they had nice clothing on him. He looked years younger and like a completely new man!

I often watch those television programs where someone takes a house that is a complete wreck and flip it. One show I watched featured a house that was so gross I did not see how they could find the potential in it. There was broken windows, stained up walls and floors. The carpet was nasty. There was spray paint all over everything. Someone had taken cement and poured it down the toilet and bathtub drains. It was a disaster! But this young couple bought the home and saw the vision for it. They hired a team and they actually turned that house into a beautiful home. It was like a diamond in the ruff!

This morning as I was getting ready for the day, I was listening to the Bible on my cell phone. It kind of just came to me why I like those kinds of before and after stories. I am one of them! So are you if you are a born again believer! Look at this verse:

2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)

Therefore if any man be in Christ,

he is a new creature:

old things are passed away;

behold, all things are become new.

That is a reason to rejoice! What did you used to look like? Did sin have a hold on your life? Were you that dirty and scruffy person who the world took one look at and gave up on? Were you the outcast? Were you overlooked because society said you weren't enough? We all have to face that person in the mirror and recognize we need a savior. We were all born into sin and have fallen short of God's glory.

Romans 3:23 (KJV)

For all have sinned,

and come short of the

glory of God;

You may be a wonderful person. Maybe you are a volunteer in your community. Perhaps you donate items to your local food bank and Goodwill store. You may do the very best you can but if you have not accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior then you are lost and and you need a Savior. Jesus sees your worth. He sees your value. He knows He can take you and work on you and make you shine like gold! You have to accept Him.

John 3:16 (KJV)

For God so loved the world,

that He gave His only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in Him

should not perish, but have

everlasting life.

For the one who has been set free from sin but you are struggling because you do not feel like you quite measure up. Maybe someone has spoken negative things into your life and you have received it. Don't be discouraged. You are fearfully and wonderfully made.

Psalm 139:14 (KJV)

I will praise Thee;

for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

marvelous are Thy works;

and that my soul knoweth right well.

Stop listening to the enemy. Walk in newness of life. Trust that Jesus will complete the work He has started in you. You are His masterpiece.

Philippians 1:6 (KJV)

Being confident of this very thing,

that He which hath begun a good work

in you will perform it until

the day of Jesus Christ:

Follow Him! You will love the results! The after is so much better than the before! God bless you!

~Bridgett

The Empty Chair

Have you ever noticed someone get up from their chair? Maybe it's their favorite chair and they just got up and went to another room in the house. It is no big deal, because maybe they have done this dozens of times before...maybe hundreds! It's just a seat, right? So, why does it become the empty chair when they are gone?

My dad had a favorite chair. He had a stroke in January 2012. He was given 10% chance to live through the night but we all prayed fervently for Dad and God answered our call. Dad survived that night to the amazement of the physicians but they did not hold out much hope for us. The doctor told us that he would be bedfast. My mother's faith was very strong and she said, "No he's not! These doctors don't have the final say!" He was in Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana for one week and then sent to IU Health Bloomington Hospital in Bloomington, Indiana for rehabilitation. The stroke had left Dad without use of his right side but he did well and God continued to answer prayers and perform miracles for my dad. God continued to keep the healthcare providers amazed and shaking their heads in confusion. Mother knew Dad would soon be able to come home from the hospital and she purchased my dad a very nice, comfortable recliner. This became Dad's favorite place to sit and when he could not rest in bed, he was able to find comfort in that chair.

Dad, Christmas 2012

I did not know when I took that picture of Dad at Christmas that year that the clock had already started to wind down quickly. Sure I knew he had colon cancer and that it had spread to his liver. We found out in July 2012 that he had stage 4 colon cancer with mets but God continued to do so many things for my dad. Doesn't he look so good here?

Do you know how many times my dad got up from this chair to go to the restroom or to go lie down on his bed? I cannot count the times I watched him do that. I saw the chair without him in it and it was never an empty chair, just maybe unoccupied, but I knew he would eventually walk back into the room and situate himself on the cushion and prop his legs up to rest. The chair was not ever "empty" to me. I knew he would be back.

Today my dad's chair sits empty. It is the empty chair. I know my dad will never walk back into the room and sit down to visit with his family. I know that if I stop by after school like I used to do that I will be gazing upon an empty chair. You see the chair is empty because my dad is gone. He has a new home and he doesn't need this chair anymore. He won't ever need it again.

The empty chair is a promise to me. The empty chair means that one day I can leave an empty chair behind, too. It means that no matter how much I miss my dad and how much I long to see him again, that the chair is empty because he is somewhere else waiting for me. I imagine him to look across the Jordan River that he used to tease me and say it was lapping at his feet, and I can imagine him looking at the horizon, waiting for me to cross that final river and lay my anchor down. I can imagine that he will be so happy to see me there and we can hug each other and tell each other how much we love one another and this time there will never be another empty chair to look at. We will never have to say goodbye and we will be together forever with our Lord and Savior who died for us. Jesus died on the cross and rose on the third day so that we could have eternal life.

I Thessalonians 4:16-18

For the LORD Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the LORD in the air: and so shall we ever be with the LORD.

Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

I do take comfort in these scriptures. I believe every single word of it. I know that one day Jesus is coming back for His people and no matter whether I go by way of the grave or the Lord catches me away in the clouds, I am going! I am going to see Jesus and I am going to thank Him for what He did for me. I am going to worship Him for all of eternity! I am going to see my many, many loved ones who have gone on before. The best part is that there will be no empty chairs. Jesus will be sitting on the throne as King of kings and Lord of lords and so shall we ever be with the LORD.

~Bridgett

Hear and Do It!

     Do you ever experience dry skin, especially in the cold winter months? I do. Sometimes it feels so nice after a warm shower to moisturize my arms and legs with a great-smelling lotion. First I put the lotion into my hands and rub them together to warm it up a little bit. Next I apply it to the top of my skin but as I rub it across my arms and legs, the lotion begins to sink in. That reminds me of God's Word....

     Sometimes I get so busy with my life that I don't take a lot of time to really absorb the Word while I am reading it. It just kind of stays on the surface of my mind and never sinks down into my heart. The Psalmist says:

Psalm 119:11

King James Version (KJV)

11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.

     Have you ever really thought about that? We can read God's Word over and over and still not hide it in our hearts. We can memorize scriptures until they are as familiar to us as our favorite song lyrics but not fully grasp all that God wants us to get from His Word.

     

     It is not enough for us to go to church once or twice a week, listen to someone quote some Bible passages and go home. There has to be more to it! Why else would God have taken the time to give us an entire book of promises and hope if we were not supposed to apply it to our lives? We can find all about this very subject in James! Let's take a look at what the Bible says:

James 1:21-25

King James Version (KJV)

21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

     I realize that is a lot of food for thought, so let's break it down. Shall we? Let's take verse 21. I think we can understand that "lay apart" refers to removing something from us, and we can understand filthiness as something we would definitely not want to be a part of us. But what does the superfluity of naughtiness mean? According to Merriam-Webster, superfluity means more of something than is needed. So what the first part of this verse is saying is to remove all filthiness and behaving badly in such a way that it is more than is needed. Let's face it, we are all human. We have bad thoughts or take bad actions from time to time. This is suggesting there was an abundance of this behavior happening and it had to be addressed. So in James it says for us to stop doing this!

     Staying in that same verse, let's continue. We are to receive the engrafted word with meekness. Meekness refers to being quiet and gentle; not wanting to argue with people. If something is engrafted, it can be thought of as joined or held together in order to function normally. So here we are instructed to receive the Word of God with gentleness so we can function normally as followers of Christ! I love that!

     The last part of this verse tells us why we need to make the change from excessively bad behaviors to gently accepting God's Word without challenging others. It is able to save your souls! Wow!!! Isn't that powerful? When we change from our sinful nature to a more Christ-like way of life, we can then open our hearts to receive Christ as our Savior!

     Now, you may be reading this as a Christian and think to yourself, 'What about those of us who have done that?' Well, great! That is wonderful and I am so thankful that you have accepted Jesus as your Savior but it doesn't end there. Now it's time to apply our lotion! Let's read on.

     James 1:22 tells us plainly what we must do. It says that if we just hear the Word it is good but not enough! We must DO IT! Nike had a slogan for years, "Just Do It!" And I think that is what James is saying here. Do not just hear the Word but DO IT! Apply it to your life and really let it soak in so you can LIVE the Word. If you don't, it says you are only deceiving yourself. If we do not obey the scriptures after we have heard them, we are lying to ourselves about our walk with Christ.

     In verse 23 and 24 he expounds on this. He really wants to drive home the point that we must let the Word of God transform us and change us into something more like Christ. He says if we just listen to the preacher or Sunday school teacher share the message of hope and life but we don't ever act on it, it's like we are looking at our own reflection in the mirror and once we walk away we forget what we even look like. Do you see that at church our ministers are supposed to hold up these big spiritual mirrors so that you can really look at yourself and examine your inner man? But if you look at yourself in the reflection of God's Word and you see that you aren't measuring up, but you walk out the door and continue to live your life the way you always have been, then you have not allowed God's Word to change you at all. You are lying to yourself. You know if you are doing what God wants you to do or not. He wants you to see the places you need to improve and ask Him to change those things about you: make you stronger and better than you ever were before. Don't just listen to the Truth, obey it!

     Last verse in this passage, verse 25 gives us a beautiful promise! Ready for this? It says but whoever looks into the PERFECT law of LIBERTY. It's perfect! The law of God found in His Word is flawless! But it is also liberating! There is freedom in the truth. There is power to change in the perfect law of liberty! Note that it doesn't just stop at looking into the law. It says BUT CONTINUES IN THE PERFECT LAW OF LIBERTY! See that? DOING it makes the difference! It says the one who looks into the law, continues in it, AND doesn't FORGET IT! Don't think it's too hard, too painful, too much trouble and just walk away. Remember what you saw in the mirror and work on changing it. It says not a forgetful hearer but a DOER of the work, this man shall be blessed! You will be blessed! There is your promise!!!

     Do you want to be blessed of God? Do you want to please the LORD? Let your life be meaningful. Make your days count. Live your life DOING what you have HEARD the Bible say. Look at the perfect law of liberty and don't just look at it, but remember it and DO IT. You can do it! It's not too hard for you. Remember, this verse?

Philippians 4:13

King James Version (KJV)

13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

     It takes a willing heart and a desire to leave behind the selfish, sinful nature to walk in the Spirit. You can look into the mirror of God's Word and be transformed when you start DOING what it says and don't ever forget what you look like without God at work in you. Ask Him to help you and He will! You can do this as Jesus Christ strengthens you.

     My prayer each day is this: "Lord, help me to be more like You and less like the world." And every day I see another change that He is making in me. I am not perfect. I have to keep examining myself daily. Sometimes I blow it big time but I know how to make it right again. I can repent and He will forgive me and He will help me to do better the next time. You can live in this liberty, too. I pray God blesses you and encourages you today with these words!

~Bridgett

Preparing for the test...

I got accepted into the nursing program this fall. My summer class is half over now and I have been thinking ahead to the fall. I am so thankful that God has helped me get this far. I have talked to friends of mine that are nurses and I have read various things about preparing for the nursing program, and then I decided to watch a YouTube video about preparing for the program. I came across a video about things that nursing students say. One thing in particular caught my attention. This man repeatedly turned down offers to family functions and outings with friends in order to study and prepare for an upcoming test. And that got me to thinking...

How wonderful would it be, if we could be so in touch with God, so aware of the importance of our "seat" in the Kingdom that we would do everything we could to prepare ourselves for the journey? What would family and friends say if we start declining a few invitations to events that really aren't going to help us walk closer to God? What kind of reaction would others have if we said, "You know I would love to hang out with you and watch a movie but I need more time to pray. I need more time to study God's Word."

The Bible tells us that we are to be prepared for the second coming of our King because we do not know when He is coming. We do not know when He will call us home. Where will we spend eternity? How much did we prepare for our spiritual journey while we had the chance? The book of Matthew tells a story of how we are supposed to prepare ourselves for that great day.

Matthew 25

King James Version (KJV)

25 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

² And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
³ They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
⁴ But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
⁵ While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
⁶ And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
⁷ Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
⁸ And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
⁹ But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
¹⁰ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
¹¹ Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
¹² But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
¹³ Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

We must prepare ourselves for the Lord's return, but we also must be ready if God calls us home. We will leave this earth and all of the things we have treasured will rust and pass away. But if we have prepared our hearts for our eternal reward we will not be like the foolish virgins. We will have our lamps trimmed and enough oil to last through the night. You see the oil is the anointing and if we have invited Jesus into our hearts and became a Christian, we are anointed with His Spirit.

Why do you think the oil ran out from the foolish virgins lamps? They had lamps with them. They thought they had enough but they didn't check. They didn't stay in tuned with God's Word. They were not watching and waiting. Instead they hoped they would get close to other Christians that had more oil than they did. That way if they ran out, someone would just give them some of theirs but that is not how salvation works. It is not a group policy. Just because your grandmother prayed for you and your daddy tried to lead the way, and they both make it home, does not mean that you will. You have to have a personal relationship with Jesus and let Him help you on your journey towards home.

The Christian walk has been compared to a race. You can ask any champion runner and they will tell you they didn't just get up one morning and decide they would like to run a race and happen to win it. They have to make a decision to run. They have to commit to the race. They have to train hard to get their muscles in shape and learn breathing techniques so they don't fatigue in the middle of their stride. They have to work hard one day and harder the next. Always pushing themselves to work harder, go further, and run faster. The Bible is full of examples of men and women of God who went before us, running the race with all of their might and receiving their prize.

Hebrews 12:1

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Philippians 3:14
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

So let's run this race! Don't be afraid to give up some of this world's pleasures for more time with God. Pray more, worry less. Read the Bible more and put down the newspapers. Stop listening to the gloom and doom of this present life and open up the Good News of God's plan for your life.

~Bridgett