Stay Ready

Have you ever thought you were ready for your first day of school, and realized later you were not? Have you ever prepared to go on a trip, thinking you had everything ready, and when you arrived at your destination, you realized you forgot something? Like a drivers license, passport, maybe money, etc.... When you read the Parable of the Tens Bridesmaids in Matthew 25:1-13, you realize there were 5 Bridesmaids ready and prepared, and there were 5 Bridesmaids who thought they were ready and prepared and discovered they were NOT. What a moment for those 5 unprepared Bridesmaids. Jesus was speaking to His Disciples about the last days and the position the church needs to be in as these days approach us. This parable instructs the position of the church to Get ready, Be ready, and Stay ready.

The Bible says, "The five who were foolish, didn't take enough olive oil for their lamps, but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil. When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep." The oil represents the Holy Spirit and The Word of God. As these last days approach we need to keep our connection with God "On Fire". We need to make sure the oil of the Holy Spirit is running over. This is OUR RESPONSIBILITY! Someone else can not do this for us. Our passion for Jesus needs to continue to grow stronger not weaker. The only way to STAY READY is In His Presence, In His Word, and In His Work. To stay ready in His Presence is to live with the understanding that God is always near. We should ask the Lord, "What would you have me do in this moment?" To Stay Ready in His Word, is to take time daily to allow His Word to give us a fresh revelation. The Bible says, "the Word of God is alive and powerful..." As many know, I love the one year Bible, it gives a balance approach with a Old and New Testament read, as well as a Psalm and Proverb. It takes only 15 minutes a day. Of course it does not matter what your plan is for reading the scriptures, just get some plan. The key is asking the Lord to give you a fresh revelation of His Word for your life this day. The Lord will do that if you will ask. To stay ready in His Work, is to be active spreading the gospel wherever you are. We need to find out where the Lord is moving and get involved in that work. God is blessing works all over the city, find a work of the Lord, and get involved. If you live in Kansas City, I want to encourage you to get involved in a Life Group. In a Life Group you will get involved in knowing other people, share His Word, Pray, and serve somewhere. As we believers we need to make sure we are known and getting to know others. Isolation is not good!

The Bible says, "we need to be able to interpret the times in which we live" (Luke 12:54-56) The times in which we live really demonstrates that prophecy is being fulfilled right before our eyes. With that being said, we need to make sure our lives Stay In Ready Position. Let's allow the Oil of Joy and His Presence continually run over our lives. Matter of fact let's go ahead and get a little extra....