July 8, 2017

MY FRIENDS, IS THIS REALLY OUR SEASON?

looking over our life, most of us have no physical signs that we’ve been in combat for so many years with the enemy. So many lives lost of those we loved or been acquainted with, and with no reservation we know our lives are not some “cunningly devised fables,” but real situations and circumstances that God has allowed us to come through on this journey He has placed us on as we enter this season of our life.

As I write with the help and guidance of an unseen hand and you are able to read and feel and respond by that same presence, more than any other time in our life we must understand we are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an a holy nation, a peculiar people; that have been called to show forth the praises of him who hath called you [and I] out of darkness into his marvellous light:” [“for such a time as this] 1 Peter 2:9 (KJV)

And with great anticipation we must focus on the words “there is a time and season for everything,” and “Like a grapevine branch, we are not always producing fruit in our life. That would be unnatural. For a significant portion of a grapevine’s life is nothing but a dry, twisted stick, fruitless with no benefit to anyone. It is even useless for shade, worthless as timber, to all appearances it is only fit to be ripped from the ground, thrown in a heap and burned.

Yet those barren times are as vital in the life of the vine, as the season itself. If spring could tip-toe passed nature without stirring it from its winter slumber; if the sun could slip through the sky without dispelling the night; if rain could fall to the ground without bringing life to the desert, only then should you fear dry times, dark times, lean times. Though [at times we] feel as useless as a fur coat in a heat-wave, the time will come when your warmth is treasured. For everything there is a season.”(Grantley Morris)

My friends, as God’s chosen, today is our season. But first, we must allow God’s Spirit total access, there can be no area of our life that we are not willing to say “Lord not my will but thy will be done. And once we have given it all to the Master while allowing self to die daily, we then begin to realize what faith it will take to understand that prophecy did start with “in the beginning” Gen. 1:1 (NIV)

And prophecy will end soon as many live only to make “America great again” not to live for that unique and personal relationship with a Great God.” And it will end with, “It is finished” and “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.” Rev. 22:20-21 My friends, oh, what faith it will take to maintain a steady hold onto the saving grace, power, and love of Christ.

But, we must also understand the extent at this point in prophecy Satan is going through to drive a wedge between the Good Shepherd and His faithful Children that will cause our total destruction. That is why we must focus daily on Calvary as Christ disciples while exemplifying that same love towards God and others that “God demonstrated toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died” to save us.

July 7, 2017

MY FRIENDS, DO WE HUNGER AND THRIST AFTER RIGHTEOUSNESS”

Two blind men were sitting on the side of the road longing for Christ, the “Lion of the tribe of Judah.” To appear. As Jesus passed, they cried out Lord, Lord, have mercy on us, and at that point the crowd cried out hush! But to no avail. I can only imagine their attitude was, Christ has no time for the blind. But remember my friends; man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” So Christ hears the cry of a longing heart for righteousness and immediately stops, and says, “what do you want Me to do for you?”

Their response was, “Lord, we want our eyes to be opened.” Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes; and immediately they regained their sight and followed Him.” Matt 20:29-34 (NASB) Immediately they were healed. And immediately they followed Christ, because, “blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” Matt 5:6 (KJV) And discipleship is a testimony to being filled.

One woman said, “if I may but touch His garment, I shall be [filled, and she was]” Matt 9:21 (KJV) As the deer pants for streams of water, so [our] soul must pant for the righteousness of God.” Ps. 42:1 (NIV) My friends, our relationship and passion for Christ must become real! Our desire to eliminate self and take on the character of Christ who was scourge and beaten by the Roman soldiers as the rabble cried out “crucify Him, crucify Him, His blood be on us and on our children,” must become real.

Let’s look within our heart and ask do we hunger and thirst after righteousness? Christ tells us “whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:14 (KJV) So to thirst after righteousness, “the heart that has once tasted the love of Christ, [and] cries out continually for a deeper draft, and as you impart you will receive in richer and more abundant measure.

Every revelation of God to the soul increases the capacity to know and to love. The continual cry of the heart is, “More of Thee,” and ever the Spirit’s answer is, “Much more.” Romans 5:9,10. For our God delights to do “exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.” Ephesians 3:20. To Jesus, who emptied Himself for the salvation of lost humanity, the Holy Spirit was given without measure.

So it will be given to every follower of Christ when the whole heart is surrendered” [to the righteousness of Christ] (E.G. White, Thoughts From The Mount of Blessing, p 20-21) If we thirst after righteousness the whole heart will surrender to the prompting of Gods Spirit. In addition, our heart must not become unstable and occupied with the things of this world which shifts our focus away from the Bread of Life Jesus Christ.

Remember “Sin will not arise a second time,” therefore if our plans are to be heirs to God’s kingdom, we must be “safe to save” when God says it is finished, Son go get my children. And remember there will be no substitute for the “pure in heart.” So if we are God’s children, it has not yet appeared what we will be. [But what we do] know that when He appears, the [“pure in heart”] will be like Him, because we will see Him as He is.” 1 John 3:2 (NASB)

July 5, 2017

MY FRIENDS, ARE WE LISTENING IN THE MIDST OF THE NOISE AND STORM?

It’s personal today my friends. So, with a sincere and contrite heart let’s have a conversation with God, as we tell Him how badly we need Him to just get us through the day, because we are breaking under the weight of it all and we are afraid we might fall and become unable to get up. So we feel empty but still willing to keep listening for that still small voice, looking for Him in the midst of the noise and storm of our life to hear if He is telling us to go or stay, or maybe our God is telling us to hold on to Him for just one more day? (Mandisa, Where You Begin)

My friends, this journey Christ has us on and the weight of it all takes its toll at times. And at times we can say with no reservation that we have been in a war zone surrounded by the enemy where it seems there is no way of escape. But like “Moses who was at Horeb, the mountain of God tending His Father-in-laws sheep when a Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire….

And when the Lord saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, Moses, Moses!” Ex. 3:1-4 (NKJV) What a journey, from a child of parents held in bondage by the Egyptians, to being raised in the royal courts by Pharaoh’s daughter, to a fugitive on the run for murder and now Moses is eighty years old and have been in exile for forty years.

I can only imagine Moses is having a conversation with God but unlike you and I we must listen for God’s voice in the midst of the noise and “breaking news” of this world which at times makes us feel we are breaking under it all. But friends, we must still be willing to keep listening until we hear that still small voice of  God’s Spirit saying here are my plans for you. “Plans to prosper you, and not to harm you.”

And at that point we realize God’s plans for our life were created from the foundation of this world. Even before God said “let there be light” and His desire for our life was sealed with the blood of Christ at Calvary and on the third day He rose, which gives us hope and a future in “that place eye have not seen nor ear heard, nor have ever entered into any man’s heart [all that God has prepared for all who love Him [with a passion] and are willing to give it all to Him, even our life]” 1 Cor 2:9 (NASB)

My friends, if it’s personal, we also understand if we desire salvation we must also follow Christ wherever He may lead. And like Moses, we must deny self and everything this world has to offer “and take up our cross and follow Christ.” [wherever He may lead] For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” Matt. 16:24-26 (KJV) and once we have made that choice we will be one of the redeemed who one day soon will come through great tribulations, with washed robes that have been made white in the blood of the Lamb” Rev. 7:14 (KJV)

July 4, 2017

MY FRIENDS, ARE WE PREPARED THROUGH OUR FAITH TO FINISH THE COURSE?

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen…….And then the author of Hebrews begins to speak of many “who through their faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.

Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated, of whom the world was not worthy wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.” And then chapter twelve continues by saying “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely.

In addition, let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Heb. 11,12 (ESV) My friends, our Father which art in heaven has placed before us His word. “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us….” John 1:14 (KJV)

And the Word who was made flesh tells us Himself “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you [and I] when others will revile [His faithful] and persecute [His faithful] and utter all kinds of evil against [His faithful] falsely on His account.” So [with passion today] we must rejoice and be glad, for our reward [will be] great in heaven [if we are faithful for we must remember] they also persecuted the prophets who were before [us].” Matt. 5:10-12 (ESV)

My friends, where is our faith today? And are we preparing for eternity or just our limited stay here on earth from birth to death. Remember Satan’s objected is to shift our focused from the things above, to what self must obtain on this earth and not what God’s will for our life is. Satan is a strategist in the art of war even though He knows the war ended at Calvary when Christ said “it is finished.”

Satan continues to fight assuring all who will listen, it’s not finished you will be great again if you seek first the things of this world, for your reward. My friends, soon God will say it is finished one more time and at that point the controversy will end with Him saying “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give to [my faithful] according to [their] works.” Rev. 22:11:12 (KJV)

June 30, 2017

MY FRIENDS, WILL WE HEAR, I NEVER KNEW YOU OR WELL DONE?

When the morning dawned, the angels urged Lot to hurry, saying, “Arise, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be consumed in the punishment of the city.” And while he lingered, the men took hold of his hand and his family.”

[Oh the love, grace and mercy of a God who wants all to repent and be saved as we come to a knowledge of His truth. Even as we linger, Christ still takes hold of our hand and guides us which then shifts our focus off of the things of this world as Lot’s wife did,] but allows us to Escape…lest we be destroyed when the Son of Man comes in all his glory” Gen 16:23-26 (NKJV Paraphrased)

My friends, the tragedy of this story is Lot’s wife refused to focus on where God was trying to lead her. As we study God’s word and understand where we are in prophecy, many, like Lot’s wife are also lingering and making unwise decisions as to our destination and who we are allowing to take hold of our hand and guide us.

And one day even though we may cry out Lord, Lord, “our iniquities would have caused a complete separation between self and God, and because of one’s iniquities, [He will hide his face from all who were not willing to hear His plea to “come out of Babylon.”] Is. 59:2 (ESV) Therefore the saddest words to all who have “set their minds on earthly things and not on things above, Christ Himself will say “I never knew you: depart from me.” Matt. 7:23 (KJV)

Friends, what a wasted life, that ends with “I never knew you,” because we failed to know who our God was and where He was trying to lead us throughout our life. As heirs to God’s kingdom, we cannot show signs of weakness. “We must be crucified with Christ [daily which means self no] longer lives [within us], only Christ.

And the life we now live in the body, we live by faith in the Son of God, who loved each of us and gave His own life for [our salvation] Gal. 2:20 (NIV) My friends, God has placed each of His chosen, in situations and circumstances where He expects our influence will be duplicated to others as far as what our eyes see, and what we hear, and where we go.

In addition, what we put into our bodies, that is detrimental to our health. And as God’s chosen, we are commissioned to follow His lead with passion, as we lead others to Christ. And as God’s anointed we must place before the world a shared vision that allows all who recognizes the light of Christ through us to enter God’s Kingdom.

And one day soon, the most cherished words we’ll hear will be ‘well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ Friends, Salvation has to be a “Unity of Purpose” which inspires and motivates others through the way we live our lives “for such a time as this.”

And as the world sees us they only see “Men, and women……who do not fear to call sin by its right name; whose conscience is as true to duty as the needle to the pole; and who stand for right though the heavens fall.” (E.G.White)

June 17, 2014

MY FRIENDS, SALUTATIONS FROM THE FATHER!!

It will soon be Father’s day. And when Our Father which art in heaven establishes an intimate love affair with His Children Its personal because He is a personal God who has made us joint heirs with His only Begotten Son. And His hope is that we will commit to an ever ending love affair becoming one in the same with His Son through His Spirit and when His Son “is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” “And the Father will then see us just as perfectly righteous as His Son [as we enter His kingdom] 1 John 3:2 (NKJV) 2 Cor 5:21 (KJV)

Remember God the Father “made us for an intimate union with Himself.” Man’s definition of intimate is usually defined in terms of sex. But “Paul explains that the human capacity for love is gradually lost through lust….Lust is the ultimate illusion because it promises what it can’t deliver” Eph 4:19 (KJV) (Ty Gibson, A God named Desire) Now with our finite minds imagine a Child who has developed this ever ending love affair with the Father who has always been the light of this Child’s world?

And now this Child seeks love from another. The Father knew, as long as the Child followed in His footsteps He would never walk in darkness, but would have the light of life.” 1 John 4:8 (KJV) Paraphrased. And it’s that light which defines who our Father is and the ever ending love He has towards His children to save us from the forces of evil.

So, how far does a child rebel before the Father confesses “My Spirit shall not strive with my Child forever?” And how far does a child rebel before the Father grieves in His heart, that this child was a creation of His?” Gen 6:3-6 9 (KJV) paraphrased. My friends, we are never beyond the Father’s love and sovereignty, so only eight reciprocated the love that was extended to the entire world and with that eight the plan of Salvation was put into place.

And so, the Father the light of all mankind gave His only Begotten Son and made him the light of this world that who so-ever believeth in Him shall not parish but will receive everlasting life in a “place  Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him” John 3:16 (KJV), 1 Cor 2:9 (NKJV)

Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.” Luke 2:36 (KJV)

My friends, Anna knew of human love but, when she had a love affair with God her life was never the same. Fathers, you understand the ecstasy of human passion for a woman, your Children, family and friends, now God needs you to Go beyond those feelings as you think of love as Anna loved and as the Father loves us.

That selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional love,“for scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But The Father [the light of the universe] demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, [He gave His only begotten Son to die in our stead and for all who believes]. Rom 5:7-8 (NKJV) HAPPY FATHERS DAY

May 20, 2017

MY FRIENDS, WHAT IS THE PRICE OF SEEKING THAT HEAVENLY HOPE?

All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. Obviously people who say such things are looking forward to a country they can call their own.

If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back. But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. Heb. 11:13-16 (NLT) My friends, there is a price in following Christ as we seek that heavenly home.

We are nomads, aliens in a foreign land with no set destination except that place eye have not seen nor ear has heard, nor have entered into the imagination of any man or woman what God has planned for the redeems final destination. The redeemed being His children, heirs through the blood of His Son, and recipients of that free gift, God’s grace life eternal, and that heavenly hope His faithful have received, that “inherited “birthright,” a status given only through Jesus Christ, the firstborn Son.”

And as heirs, the cost of following Christ in Luke 9:57-62 (NIV) tells us there were several who because of the status they thought they would receive as workers for an earthly king came to Christ seeking discipleship. One said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” But my friends, discipleship cannot be impulse driven because somehow as the Spirit was moving during church service we felt a portion of what everyone else was receiving. Discipleship is a committed heart to serve.

Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” Christ is telling Him I am a nomad of this world my residence is not of this world. Then Christ said to another follow me. My friends, Christ timing for a commitment can never be an inconvenience, we must be always prepared to go where He leads.

His reply, “Lord, first I must bury my father.” Jesus reply, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” consider what it means to desire heaven, and yet to turn away because of the conditions laid down. Procrastination eventually robs us of total commitment and discipleship as we carry our cross. Another said, “I’ll follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.”

Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” My friends, to look back is to lose focus, on our destination. “Non-essentials must be of secondary importance” when it comes to discipleship, committed faith must be the only factor that drives that passion from within that takes us out on the front lines of the battle field or wherever Christ may lead.

By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, [choosing the life of a nomad] with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. Moses commitment [to serve God was of] greater wealth than the treasures of this worrld, for he was looking to that final reward. [the promise land] Heb. 11:24 (NLV)

May 18, 2017

MY FRIENDS, LOOK BEYOND TODAY ARE WE PREPARED?

Each decade of our life, history, goals and destinations change, family and love one’s move on. The timeline seems blurred at times, but one thing we can forever count on in our life, are “two forces, both operating simultaneously with each other, both moving in opposite directions with different agendas and different outcomes. One force representing everything changeable, unpredictable, and distressing in our lives where all hope will be lost one day in a state of final spiritual ruin.

The other force, a much more powerful one representing the sure movement of God’s wise and sovereign purposes, forever transcending a deep flow of His unchanging love” along with the power of his Spirit transforming our lives as He prepares us for that place Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which He hath prepared for all that love him.” 1 Cor. 2:9 (KJV)

My friends, where we need to focus today is in maintaining a committed passion that keeps us focused. We are now at the threshold of the promise land, discouragement is not an option, we must hold on, finishing this journey with our “torches still lit.” and shinning bright with the radiance of God’s Son who gave it all for our salvation.

We can never allow our mind to linger aimlessly, seeking after the things of this world, forgetting the prize at the end of this journey, eternal life. Remember, God’s word which allows His Spirit to transform our character is the only curriculum that gives us that final diploma written within our heart that says we “have satisfied the requirements, prescribed by” our Savior who gave it all for our salvation on Calvary.

It’s personal my friends, and as Children of God there can be no doubt our Savior left to prepare a place for us and He will return. In Rev. 21:21 (NIV) John gives us a small glimpse of that vision. “The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl.

The streets of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass.” My friends, the discouragement and guilt that keeps us from obtaining and achieving the victory prize, God’s holy kingdom can only occur when we acknowledge Satan who tells us; our dreams, and goals for eternity are unattainable.

And that cross Christ ask us to bear, only a supernatural force has the stamina to carry it. But we must have faith that God will not allow you or I to be tempted beyond what we are able, but with every temptation He will provide the way of escape.” 1 Cor 10:13 (NKJV)

Consistent with this, “as the tempest rages,” we must remember our Savior controls the elements but He also allows those elements to rage in our lives in preparation “for a time of great tribulation like never before,” for today is only the “beginning of birth pangs.”

But, soon the cause for “Christ to which we must devote our lives, will be the only cause that will never fail.” Though we may perish and “heaven and earth may pass away,” the good news will not.” Because Christ lives, and His truth will triumph and then “the dead in Christ will rise first, and we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus, we shall always be with the Lord.” 1 Thess. 4:16-17 (NKJV)

May 17, 2017

MY FRIENDS, IS IT POSSIBLE TO COMPROMISE OUR WAY INTO HEAVEN?

Compromise by definition is “an agreement reached by adjusting, conflicting or opposing claims, and principles,” But in regards to our Salvation “no man or women can [compromise between] two masters…..Matt. 6:24 (KJV) Remember my friends, a divided heart is an unstable heart. James tells us “…….he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” James 1:6-8 (KJV)

So as a Child of God, we must ask, what is our mission statement or standard we live by? Did Christ live by those same standards and principles? “And are we willing to stand up for what’s right though the heavens fall, and the earth passes away.”

It is a grave mistake for God’s children “to seek to bridge the gulf that separates the children of light from the children of darkness by yielding principle, [while] compromising the truth. [Because,] It would be surrendering the peace of Christ in order to make peace or fraternize with the world.

The sacrifice is too costly to be made by the children of God to make peace with the world by giving up the principles of truth. . . . Then let the followers of Christ settle it in their minds that they will never compromise truth, never yield one iota of principle for the favor of the world. Let them hold to the peace of Christ.” (E.G. White, My Life Today P-82)

Land mines are devices that kill, placed just below the surface of the ground by the enemy. In regards to our salvation it is those sins that the forces of evil lay just at the surface of our hearts. Those grey areas of our life, the things we watch on TV, the things we say in conversation and the truth we are willing to compromise in God’s word.

Or may not be in God’s word so we compromise because it does not say, “thus says the Lord.” My friends if you listen to our modern day prophets, prophet meaning the Shepherd’s who we think are chosen to speak for God and to guide His flock in all truth and understanding.

As they give us their account of God’s Spirit Guiding them through His word, you would think God’s word was obsolete and void of any real consequences if the precepts were not adhered to. In many instances our all-knowing, all-powerful, Omnipresence God has been reduced to a trivial being. If you just live within the grey areas of life you will be all right, being good is the new, being perfect.

But Christ tells us in Matt 5:48 (KJV) “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” My friends we are all servants of God with a ministry and a message that we must begin to reveal to the world. We cannot become complacent and compromise with this world because the Master has delayed His coming.

For soon, “the Master will come on a day when we His servants [are compromising,] and at an hour they are not aware of,” and each who have “yielded principle, by compromising the truth will receive their just reward, Perdition. But “blessed is that servant whom his Master, when he comes, will find Them not compromising His truth, “but doing and working and feeding His flock.”

May 10, 2017

MY FRIENDS, WE ARE CLOSER THEN WE HAVE EVER BEEN BEFORE!!

Paul tells us, in 2 Tim 4:1-5 (KJV) “I charge or “testify earnestly” before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.” So my friends, our responsibility is to stay focused on where God is leading, as we make full proof of our ministry to others in the final days of what we call the history of this world, which by definition is a “continuous, systematic narrative of past events written as a chronological account” beginning with, “in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

And now, we are at the threshold of the promise land where every person who seeks God’s presence and kingdom should be searching “the scriptures” and seeking the Spirit of God while praying without ceasing with a passion as history and prophecy unfolds before our eyes in the form of “breaking news.”

But the masses are not concerned with hearing the truth. It’s all a fable or a “a story not founded on fact.” But friends, where do you and I stand in this time of total chaos and confusion we find ourselves living in today. Can we say with no reservation that we are not like the five foolish virgins who had lamps, but no oil?

For you and I, our lamp would be the word of God, but like the foolish who had no oil to sustain them as they waited on the bridegroom, we lack the oil of God’s Spirit found in His word that would sustain us with a continuous connection to God during that time Christ speaks of in Matt 24:21 (KJV) A time of great tribulation, which has never been since the beginning of the world to this time, nor ever shall be.”

My friends, look from within, are we like the wise, who search the scriptures daily as we develop a personal relationship with God and His Spirit. Yes, the bridegroom has delayed His coming. But His promise remains, because He is patient with all His children.

Not wanting any one of us to perish, but [His desire is that] everyone will come to repentance” and be a-part of the redeemed who will live throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity in His kingdom. Yes, from time to time we have all became drowsy and fallen asleep.

But today we must work the works of him that sends us out on the front lines of the battle field to serve, while it is day: for the night cometh soon, when no man can work.” John 9:4 (NIV) But, it is during that time, we will hear the sound of a mighty rushing wind but we must understand it’s closer now than it’s ever been.

We can almost hear the trumpet as Gabriel sounds the call for God’s faithful to come home. I don’t know about you, but I can almost hear also the father saying to His “Son go get my children.”