Is There Oil In Your Lamps?

Have you ever read in the Book of Matthew about the ten virgins?

It offers us some timeless lessons on being prepared and vigilant. If you are paying attention you know that the times are getting dark and getting darker. We don’t know when Jesus will return, but we should be ready when He does.

This parable is recounted by Jesus and underscores the importance of spiritual readiness in anticipation of the Kingdom of Heaven. By meditating on this scripture we can gain valuable insight into living in faith and foresight.

In Matthew 24, Jesus tells His disciples what will happen at the end of the age and gives them the signs of His return. He tells the parable of the ten virgins.

Parables are earthy stories with heavenly meanings. This parable, like many parables this one causes us to examine ourselves.

Matthew 25:1-3 tells us, that 5 of the virgins came to the door of the wedding after going to get oil for their lamps knocking on the door, “open the door for us” but they were too late.

If we are not prepared we are like the 5 virgins who had to go to the shop to get oil for their lamp, who are late for the wedding of the bridegoom.

Jesus will say to us, ‘I don’t know you.” Therefore we must keep watch because we do not know the day or the hour He will come.

This parable emphasizes the importance of being spiritually prepared because the time of Jesus’s return is unknown. We must learn to listen and obey the Holy Spirit.

It’s what’s inside the Lamp that matters most.

What is interesting about this parable is that the 5 virgins had their lamps. They looked prepared for the arrival of the bridegroom. But the lamp was not enough. With no oil, the lamp was useless. They were focused on what the outside looked like, with no care of what was on the inside.

The oil represents the Holy Spirit, so the real importance is whether they were filled with the Holy Spirit.

Romans 8:8-9 says,

“Those who are in the flesh can’t please God. But you at not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if it is so that the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if any man doesn’t have the Spirit of Messiah, he is not this.”

In other words, if you live by the flesh it leads to death and if you live by the Holy Spirit it leads to life.

If the Spirit of God does not dwell within you, then you do not belong to God. The good news is if you become born again His Spirit will come and dwell in you and take up residence in your heart.

Without the Holy Spirit or oil as mentioned in the parable of the 10 virgins, you are just an empty lamp. It doesn’t matter how good the lamp looks on the outside.

When we recieve our salvation we become filled with the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 5:18 tells us,

“Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.”

One way of thinking about this verse is that we need to constantly yield to the Holy Spirit. Doing God’s will allows Him to have a greater impact on our lives.

Reading the Bible, praising Him and worshipping Him will renew our minds and refill our strength every day. This will give us the oil we need to shine bright in a dark world,

Being filled with the Holy Spirit requires more then than going to church on a Sunday, or fulfilling your “duty” of going on easter Sunday and Christmas.” Your growth will happen most outside of the church. It is there where we prepare our hearts to be ready for the coming of Jesus.

The virgins who had extra oil were prepared and ready for Him coming. Even though we look prepared on the outside, we must be ready on the inside. Our lamps should be full of oil.

Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18we should all be aware of,

“Brothers and sisters, But we don’t want you to he ignorant, concerning those who have fallen asleep, so that you don’t grieve like the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Yeshua (Jesus) died and lives again, even so, God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Yeshua. For this, we tell you by the Word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord will in no way precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with God’s shofar. The dead in Messiah will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. So we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore comfort one another with these words.”

Our eternal destination is determined by what we do now. Once we die our eternity is sealed. If we are not ready the door will be shut. If we don’t prepare now it may be too late.

I imagine the virgins were in shock when they were hot with this reality. I for sure don’t want Jesus to say, “I don’t know you.”

Knowing Jesus us has nothing to do with our deeds or actions. And has everything to do with putting our trust in Him as our Savior and Lord. Nothing else matters.

Don’t be like the 5 virgins who just had lamps, looking like they were prepared, but they had no oil. The Holy Spirit did not dwell in them.

The preparation begins now. This is an appointment you don’t want to miss. We have to get ready for now.

Being Born Again

In John 3:1-21, Jesus talks to Nicodemus a prominent Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin (the ruling body of the Jewish people). Nicodemus had come to Jesus at night with some questions he had.

As Jesus talked with Nicodemus, He said, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. Nicodemus asked ‘how can a man be born again when he is old?’ Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!’

Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but Spirit give birth to Spirit,

The phrase “born again” can be translated as “born from above.” Nicodemus had a real need. He needed to change his heart – he needed a spiritual transformation that could only come from above.

Being born again carries the idea of becoming “children of God” through trusting in the name of Jesus.

I think Paul says it best in Ephesians 2:1-5

“You were made alive when you were dead in transmissions and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the children of disobedience, among whom we also all once lived in the lusts of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and we’re by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, for His great love with which He loves us, even when we were dead through of trespasses, made us alive together with Messiah (by grace you have been saved.”

Sinners are spiritually ‘dead’ when they receive spiritual life through faith in Jesus, the Bible says it is rebirth. Only those who are born again have their sins forgiven and have a relationship with God.

As I was thinking about my next post to put here. This came to my mind. I heard God say,

“Being born again is the Holy Spirit coming to live on the inside of you. God opens up a steady flow of the water of truth that keeps pouring into your spirit”

Feeling Out Of Place

Tell us about a time when you felt out of place.

Because of the childhood neglect, I was raised under. I have always felt out of place. I have never felt like I belong anywhere. It’s difficult to stay very long at social gatherings. It’s difficult for me to look around and see people having a good time and wonder what I’m missing.

I have always known I was different. My childhood traumas because my mother failed to respond to my emotional needs. Along with the fact that I was punished when I talked. I was taught that my feelings did not matter. I had to adapt, by pushing my feelings down and away so that I didn’t bother people. This was a survival tactic to deal with my feelings. But as an adult in becomes a problem.

Emotions are the glue that connects us to other people. I never felt as though I connected with people. I feel like an outcast everywhere I go. I never feel like I can be myself around people. Because I never learned how to socialize with other people.

Because of the emotional distance, and reflection I had as a child, I am more comfortable being by myself, rather than being around people.

Life Without A Computer

Your life without a computer: what does it look like?

Computers can be both a blessing and a curse, depending on how they are used. They can provide access to information. But they the are also a huge distraction. Computers definitely give a wealth of information but the information can be false.

If you want to know something you can google it. But computers are programmed by people. Anywhere people are involved it involves their perception of the truth.

Distractions from computers subtly impact how we solve problems, adapt, and think. When we check an online resource, it reduces the brain’s ability to rely on our memory.

Resting distractions is very difficult for people who are not self-disciplined because computers have been engineered to capture out attention. To eliminate distractions we must make conscious choices to only use a specific amount of time. And live in reality, instead of the digital world.

The Secret To Being Powerful

More than ever, we need God’s power in society today. Without the power of God, we would wither away to nothing. Most people don’t realize that if God leaves He takes everything with Him Man and the universe exist for no purpose.

“When I extinguish you, I will cover the heavens and make the stars dark. I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon won’t give its light. I will make all the bright lights of the sky dark over you, and set darkness on your land” -Ezekiel 32:7-8

Only when the Holy Spirit dwells in us can we do all that we were called to do. Without the Holy Spirit power to change us and to help us impact the world around us. It’s only with God’s power we are able to finish strong. As long as the power of God stays in our life, we have power.

It doesn’t matter what we have done in the past, or we choose to do today, without the Holy Spirit we will fail. Only through Holy Spirit sets people free with God’s power. Only the Holy Spirit can fill us with God’s power. That is why God the Spirit is here on the earth.

Job 34:14 -16 tells us,

“If God were to withdraw His Spirit, all life would disappear and mankind would turn again to dust. Listen now and try to understand.”

We need His power to survive. His Word is our secret source of power.

As the critics try to dig deeper into their hole of unbelief, their rationale invariably exposes their own inherent weaknesses. The secret source of power opens the lies, the skeptic life remains unchanged.

If you need strength, and healing in your mind or body God has provided a solution for you in His Word.

The Word Of God Is Your Secret Source Of Power

Skills I Would Like To Learn

What skill would you like to learn?

I would like to learn effective communication in social settings.

When it comes to writing and speaking to someone one-on-one I can do that. But when I’m in a group setting. I shut down.

I am always focusing on what I should say and then when I do say it, it comes out as a bibble battle because I get stressed out around too many people. My words get mixed up.

I just don’t communicate well in big crowds. I’m not sure why. Sometimes I think it’s that old feeling that people will judge me for what I say.

Why Bless Those Who Curse You?

When we experience abuse from, others, our natural response is to strike back. It’s our inborn sense of justice, coupled with our prideful desire to punish our offenders, prompts us to retaliate, returning hurt for hurt and insult for insult.

However, God instructs us to do the opposite, to show love to our enemies.

“You have heard that it was said, you shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you” – Matthew 5:43-44

One what we can love our enemies is by blessing them instead. In faith, we can choose to bless our enemies, even when we don’t feel like it, or it feels unnatural.

A spoken blessing is a positive. biblical statement that involves the blessing of God on the life of another. The power of spoken blessings comes from God who blessed us will all spiritual blessings in heavenly blessing.

Our words have the potential to do good or do harm. There are a few scriptures that show us the impact of this,

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, those who love it will eat its fruit” -Proverbs 18:21

“Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones” -Proverbs 16:24

“Anxiety is a man’s heart weighs it down, but a kind word makes it glad” -Proverbs 12:25

When we bless others we direct God’s goodness onto us.

God tells us that “Vengeance is mine, I will repay.”

God will take full responsibility for whatever punishment should be administered to offenders.

“Not rendering evil for evil, or insult for insult but instead blessing, knowing that to this we’re you called, that you may inherit a blessing. For, he who would love life, and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit. Let him truth away from evil and do good. Let him seek peace, and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears open to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil” -Peter 3:9-12

Freedom from an emotional vengeful reaction for an offender gives us immediate rewards of a hurtful person. But gives us bitterness for years. We should not live in bitterness because of someone else hurtful tendencies. Let God give them their due justice.

Paying Attention

What details of your life could you pay more attention to?

I would do better to pay attention to my body. I have some chronic ailments that have stemmed from my younger life, and not thinking of myself first.

I am in no way blaming anyone else. The truth is, we have the freedom to choose, but we are free of the consequences of the choices.

Of course, I am now reaping the consequences of my choices. I need to start dealing with the consequences of my health in a more proactive way.

Commit Your Way To The Lord

Have you ever looked back on your life and thought “How could I have been so stupid?” I look back and wonder why the Lord didn’t show me then what I have learned now. Then I think, maybe I wasn’t ready or even willing to listen. I had my way or the highway attitude.

Not realizing I had to commit my way to the Lord to build my life upon the values of His kingdom in order for all the pieces to fall into place.

So often we walk through life without clarity on where we are headed. And set out without a clear course of trajectory, we rarely find ourselves in the places we want to be.

We usually have a vision of where we want to be in a year’s time.

“Where there is no vision, the people perish” – Proverbs 29:18

Our lives may be filled to the brim with a steady flow of commitments and distractions, that cloud our discernment and clutter our vision, making it harder and harder to see a way forward.

I’ve learned it’s so important to push the pause button and reassess my priorities and use of time.

We as human beings have an incredible capacity to say one thing and do another.

For example, I can say I will be at a prayer meeting this evening, and then as it gets close to that time, I am tired and want to bow out of it. I know I need to do what I say, and I know I should be there. Do I do what I say I’m going to do, or do I know out? I know I will not regret going once I’m there. I just need to get in the car and go.

Committing to the Lord is sometimes difficult, yet trusting in Him, knowing He will meet me and guide me is clear.

God is the greatest thing you could ever give yourself to. And if we run after Him with all of our heart, mind, and strength we will be blessed beyond measure.

Number One Priority

What’s your #1 priority tomorrow?

All women have a heavy responsibility to care for many things at once. We need to balance our relationships with Jesus, our homes, marriage, children, and chores, and working outside the homes if it comes to be.

Our lives are re overwhelmed and stimulated, and stressed. Women have been well known for their ability to multitask. Even if we don’t feel like we’re good at it, there are things and people we have to take care of simultaneously.

My first and foremost priority tomorrow and forever is God. Because I know if I make Him Lord over my life, everything else will fall into place. And apart from Him, I can do nothing. I cannot expect to be productive or have a balanced life when I am not abiding in Jesus.

Lead Me Lord

Lead me Father in your ways, even if I have to walk alone.

When I’m tempted to do wrong, make me steadfast wise and strong. And when all alone I stand, shield me with your mighty hand.

In Psalm 5 David’s cry to God is for guidance “Lord lead me.” Those all around are following after their own lusts. David wants none of that.

The temptation to follow the crowd was all around him. David was a soldier and he had a call from God on his life. The ordinary life of a soldier probably didn’t meet with God’s standards. Soldiers had a reputation for rough living. Women, wine, and whatever else they want. Not all soldiers fall into this lifestyle but the reputation was pretty well earned.

David did not want to become like those men. He had a tender heart. A heart towards God that was filled with praise. This did not mean that David refused to pick up a sword but when he did so it was for God’s cause and not his own glory. David wanted to be able to stand before God with a clean heart and hands.

This desire held true for David when he became king too. He conquered much but he did so in the name of the Lord. He struck the people God had instructed Joshua to be removed from the land. David advanced only within the boundaries that God had set up for Israel.

David was not perfect in his actions. If you know the story of Uriah and Bathsheba it is clear. But David had a heart that would receive instruction and connection from the Lord. He wanted nothing to stand between him and the Lord and so he was quick to repent.

Psalm 5 is very appropriate for our lives today. We are living in a time when “anything goes” and even the worst sins are glossed over. Many of the wars raging today are the result of “bloodthirsty” or “boastful” men. Genocide is on the manifest of some of the wars raging. Control and boasting rights are hidden with many others. But war is not the one place we see these behaviors.

In the boardrooms, the stock exchange, and even the classroom, these behaviors are exhibited. Tactics of deceit, aggression, and intimidation are poured out on the unsuspecting. These things are poured out in those who choose to take a stand for the Lord. We have to pray like David for God’s strength to help us stand. And for His guidance for walking the paths He had called us to.

There is so much wrong with our world today and it’s only going to get worse. We are fast approaching the time when Jesus will return, if we read the Bible, we know it is going to get really bad before the end. Luke 21:28 tells us,

“But when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is near.”

I do not know home far that ending is but I trust God will get us there in His time. I trust that God directs my path and protects my heart in this process.

Fulfilling Hard Work

In what ways does hard work make you feel fulfilled?

Hard work makes me feel fulfilled because I know I am pleasing God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 tells us that whether we eat, drink, or whatever we do, do it all for the glory of God. Hard work remind me that above all I aim to please God, no people

The Bible tells us the importance of developing a solid work ethic, and putting our all into everything we do.

It’s easy to get discouraged or feel like our jobs don’t have a purpose. Colossians 3:23-24 tells us that whatever we do, work at it will all our hearts, not for others, but knowing we will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. We need to remember it is the Lord who we need to serve, no man.

When I am working I ask myself, “Is what I’m doing pleasing God.”