7/27/13

From Bill Dayton... BE PREPARED!


BE PREPARED!
Many of us were scouts as children. We all know the familiar mantra: “BE PREPARED”. We all understood that to survive in the wilderness or in any situation for that matter, one had to prepare and be ready to face what was coming by making proper provisions today.
As we look forward to the second coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ, we also are taught in scripture concerning the importance of being prepared. In Matthew 25:1ff our Lord presented a teaching to help us know what kind of preparation is necessary. As He often did, Jesus uses a common event to aid us in our understanding.
A wedding was in progress. 10 virgins were waiting for the bride and her groom (symbolic of the church and Christ) to return and call them to the wedding feast. The women had lamps that were fueled by oil. Half were prepared with enough to follow the parade of celebrants, and enter into the wedding celebration. Half the women were not prepared and were excluded and left in outer darkness. One group was watchful, obedient, and faithful. The others were lethargic, neglectful and foolish.

The oil of our Christian life is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God that fuels our lives and keeps us burning bright for Jesus. A wise child of God will replenish what is needed, as we wait, every day. We all want to enter into the wedding feast of the Lamb! Let’s be prepared!