Pure Light

“To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure.”  Titus 1:15

 

Dictionary.com defines pure as:  “Free from anything of a different, inferior or contaminating kind.”  So what would that entail for a person to be described as pure?  It means that as a born-again child of God, we do not have a mixture of carnality, worldliness or evil mixed with the Spirit of Christ who dwells in us.  It means that we keep ourselves from influences that corrupt or pollute our spirit.  Sounds easy enough, right?!

If you have been around the block for even a week, you know that it is a most difficult process to keep your soul and mind pure while living in such a corrupt society.  Even one generation ago the overall morality of our culture was at a much higher standard than it is now.  The truest gauge is probably found in our media- what we see on TV, in print, and what we hear in lyrics.  As they say, we are going down like a lead balloon.  It is difficult to unplug from these influences, even if the only contact you have with the world is at the grocery store, school and work.

But we were not left on earth to withdraw and unplug.  We were left to share the good news, lead others to Christ and be salt and light!  So how do we remain pure in the middle of everything impure?  I have heard many an inspiring message on the analogy of the Christian to the eagle.  At the end of the day, the eagle cleans its wings, carefully removing all the trash and filth that it has acquired through its journey through the environment that day.  Likewise, we must take time each day to repent, confess and purify our hearts and minds.  We must submit ourselves to the “washing of the water with the Word”, by staying steadfast in the Bible.

Because sexual immorality, coarse jesting and immodesty have become so prevalent, we have our work cut out for us to help guard the purity of the hearts of our children.  Our society is completely sexualized.  If we do not take a stand, be different and stand for what is right, who will?  How will a lost and dying world ever see Jesus in us if we look and act like everyone else?

Dear Lord, create a pure heart in me.  Wash away all that is corrupt and help me stand out as light in the darkness. In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Sherri

Abolishing Fear

 

“Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.”  Proverbs 29:25

 

Fear is a funny thing.  To show fear of God (respect for who he is) results in great wisdom and a life well-lived.  To show fear of man can either be a good thing or a bad thing. When a child is small and fears the repercussions that dad’s discipline will bring will often be a well-adjusted and obedient child.  But somewhere along life’s journey, fear of man has to fall away, leaving room only for the fear of God.

The fear of man will cause us to shrink back and not embrace our destiny.  Fear of man causes hiding, deception and lying.  The fear of man places man in a position that only God deserves.  He alone is our ultimate person to please.  Yes, he requires us to treat others well- as unto the Lord.  Making it ultimately about him keeps us from giving too much weight to the opinion of man.

Fearing the Lord- and trusting in him, ensures our safety.  Trusting God to take care of the people we fear places him on the throne of our lives, and increases our confidence and hope.  Is there someone that holds you in fear?  Take it to the Lord in prayer today.

Dear Lord, deliver me from the fear of man.  Help me live only to win your approval.  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Sherri

 

 

In It to Win It

“You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth?”  Galatians 5:7

 

Have you ever had someone cut you off? In traffic?  With a buggy?  In a race?  Did it inspire Christian love and kind, gooey words?  Chances are, it did not.  There is something inherently irksome about being cut off.  I don’t even like it when somebody cuts of my sentence!  Something about it makes me feel like I forfeited some important destiny- like getting there first; getting the shortest checkout line; and telling the punch line to a joke.  All of that is somewhat rude and bothersome.

But other times, cutting in on us can be more than annoying- it can be catastrophic.  Have you ever watched a race and seen one car cut in to another and cause the other one to spin off the track?  Or have a horse cut off another in a race and it results in the horse behind it falling, breaking its leg, and hurling its rider onto the hard track?

There are so many fits and starts that we make on our Christian journey.  We commit to spending more time in the Bible, reading Christian devotionals, using our drive time for prayer and before you know, something (or someone) derails us.  We determine to walk in love and every obnoxious person known to man crosses our path that day before breakfast!  Why is it so easy to start the good race, but so difficult to complete?

The race we run in Christ is too important to give up or quit on.  Every time we get knocked off course, we must get up, dust ourselves off, and get back in the race.  We must find a steady, sustainable clip and not let anything off the track lure us away or cause us to crash.  We will not be perfect.  Our performance will never be perfect.  But our heart can be perfect toward the Lord and we can choose to get up one time more than we fall down.

To run a good race we must be appropriately equipped, and have an uncluttered course before us.  Sometimes we must thoughtfully consider what clutter is tripping us up.  Are there habits, hobbies or relationships that steal your time from God?  We must follow the truth at all costs, even if it means making the touch calls and the hard decisions.  You were running well!  Who or what cut in on you?  Answer that- then cut it out!

Dear Lord, help me to run the race with integrity, stability and faithfulness.  Help me to see and remove the hurdles.  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Sherri

An All-Nighter

“Evening, morning and noon and I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice.”  Psalm 55:17

 

For my day job I am on call 24/7, 365 days per year.  No matter when one of my folks needs me, I am available to them.  But the truth is that sometimes they may call me and my pager my fail.  Or perhaps I am in an area where cell service is spotty.  Despite my best efforts I am not always as readily accessible as someone may need.

I am so grateful to know that whether I need the Lord in the wee hours of the morning, during a hectic lunch break or after dinner, He is always there.  He hears me.   In the deepest dark of night, He is there.   He is available, concerned and interested in the things that pertain to me.  Nothing comes my way that He is not aware of or that He has not already planned his provision, protection, wisdom or solution for.  He is such a personal Savior! 

Lately, I have been crying out to him at all hours of the day and night.  I need something from him- desperately, and I am anxiously awaiting His response.  I am so thankful that he does not handle my needs like a toll-free number.  For impending death, press one.  For routine sickness, press two.  For petty life frustration you can expect a long wait…  He does not have to put me at the bottom of the list to still be available to someone whose need is greater.  He is so there for us.

Sometimes I feel like a broken record and feel sure the Lord is tired of hearing the same song, different verse, each day from me.  But yet he loves, he cares and he listens.  Cry out to him.  He is there for you.

Dear Lord, you know what I need more than I do.  If you don’t show up in my situation, I have no other recourse. Thank you that when I look to you, I am saved.  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Sherri

Left With a Peace

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”  John 14:27

 

Someone’s last words are considered precious to their loved ones. If a person is in a situation to know that they are dying, often they have weeks or months in which to set their house in order, mend their fences and leave final instructions.  These instructions go on to become cherished memories to those who are left behind.

In this passage, Jesus was foretelling his disciples about a time when he would go away.  But he promised them that he would not leave them without help but would send the Counselor, or the Holy Spirit to be with them.

Just as a dying person has a right to specify a will and distribute his possessions to his family, Jesus was leaving them an inheritance of sorts.  He was offering them His peace. 

What is Jesus peace?  It is the quiet assurance of the faithfulness of God.  It is a trust that allows you sleep when your boat is being tossed in a nasty storm.  It is a keeping and sustaining power that allowed him to follow God in obedience all the way to the cross. His peace he gave us.  Not as the world gives.  What is world peace?  Obviously, the world has seldom known peace, or absence of war.  But it means other things as well.  A person using a substance may temporarily have their pain dulled and experience an artificial hopefulness.  Love relationships, even wrong ones, can offer temporary stability, feelings of love and acceptance.  A hefty bank account, seniority on the job and a rich Daddy can offer a person a measure of peace.  But the peace that the world gives is based on something temporal- something bound to perish, decay and fade.

Jesus gives the kind of peace that assures us that although we do not know what tomorrow holds, we know the One who does and trust that he will be with us there.  He will always work things for our good and fight on our behalf.  Peace is all of these things and so much more.  Peace is an intangible, indescribable experience.  It is a quiet calm.  A settledness and soothing of the inner man.  The peace of God leads and guides us and assures us we will get through it.

If you are struggling today with life’s issues, ask the Lord to reveal his peace to you.  He has already bequeathed it to you if you are a born again child of God.  If you have not accepted Jesus as your Savior, he desires to free you from your sin, be Lord of your life and grant you this peace that we are talking about.  Won’t you let him in today?

Dear Lord, bless those who read this.  Multiply peace to their hearts, settle their minds and grant them rest from their worries.  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Sherri

Bagged Gift

“If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him?” Matthew 7:11

 

My four year old has been on a tear for a few days.  He has been misbehaving, disobeying, and displaying other worrisome behaviors.  This is not my first rodeo- he is my third child. In my heart of hearts, I know this is just a phase and is bound to turn around.  But in the meantime, I spend so much of my time correcting, scolding, disciplining and praying to treat him as God would have me to.  He is not a bad child.  In fact, he is very precious and as sweet as the day is long.  But he is testing his boundaries.

That same child loves baseball.  In fact to say that he loves it may be the understatement of the year.  For a long time now he has wanted catcher’s gear (he calls it crotch-down catcher).  Because it is expensive and he has not yet started t-ball we have put him off.  But this week his aunt brought a surprise for him-some catcher’s gear.  I could hardly wait for him to get home and see it.  Then the report came.  He was ugly to his brother on the way home from his Granny’s house.  I told him he had a surprise but would have to be sweet to get it.  The bad behavior and correction continued.  Then the next day he went to my Mom’s.  When he came home, I was informed that yet again, he had gotten into trouble off and on all day.  So sadly, he could not get them that day either.

As a Mom, it hurts my heart to deprive him of something I know will cause him so much joy.  But there is no way I can reward the way he has been acting.  He does not have any idea what a great surprise awaits him if he will only begin to behave in the way that he had been trained and in the way that is required of him.  I was venting to God about my frustration, and then it hit me.  How many good gifts does my Father have in store for me, but I cannot receive them because of my behavior?  Because of my disobedience, because of my rebellion…What treasures have we forfeited?

God has good gifts for you and me.  But as a good Father, he has to withhold them until we prove we can be trusted with it.  Consider your ways.  Are you asking for blessings, but walking outside of his will?  It is not going to happen.  Seek the Lord and I know you will be amazed with what he will do for you, his precious child.

Dear Lord, thank you for all of the gifts you have given me.  Forgive me for the ways that I sin against you.  Help me to be aware of the times that I displease you.  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Sherri

Flea-bitten Thanks

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.  His loves endures forever.”  Psalm 136:1

 

I’ll admit it.  I have been guilty.  I have felt sorry for myself.  I have hosted a pity party, invited myself and sat down for scones and crumpets.  There are days that things to feel grateful for are a little hard to think of.  Ever been there?

But of course it is a lie from the devil.  There is always countless things to be grateful for.  Elementary things- such as air to breathe, food to eat, clean water and a warm, dry, place to sleep.  There are spiritual things- salvation, peace, joy and grace.  There are relational things- parents, a spouse, children, grandparents, friends and coworkers.  There are emotional things- the love of God, love of family, emotional support, and affirming words.  There are material things- a home, a car, clothing, jewelry, vacations and dinners out.  The lists and categories go on forever.  All of these things are opportunities to practice “an attitude of gratitude.”

But even in the worst of circumstances- in sickness, divorce, bankruptcy, and betrayal- God is still good.  And therefore, he is worthy of giving thanks to.  I once read the story of Corrie Ten Boom, the author of The Hiding Place. She tells about her imprisonment for protecting Jews during the Holocaust.  She looked for ways to be thankful even during the horrors of torture.  They were so radical in their thanks, that they even decided to be thankful for the fleas in their room.  Fleas that tormented and bit them.  They were determined to be thankful, and later found out the guards seldom searched their room, because of the fleas.  This left them free to pray and study the Bible together.  Even in the worst of circumstances, we can rejoice in the fact that a good God is watching over us and will ultimately work to help us.

Give thanks to God simply because He is good.  And most importantly because His love endures forever.  Where would you be without the love of God?  Alone in the world with no hope for this life or the life to come! But thank God, He appeared and demonstrated His love toward us on Calvary where He shed his blood for you and me.  Give thanks to the Lord for that sacrificial, enduring love.

Thank you Lord, most of all, for your love and goodness toward me.  Without it I would be consumed.  Thank you Jesus!

Sherri

Be Thankful

“Let the peace of Christ rules in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.  And be thankful.”  Colossians 3:15

 

It is Thanksgiving season once again.  A time to be thankful for all that God has done for us.  As we buy the groceries, stuff the turkey and mix up yet one more casserole, we must pause to remember the reasons why we are thankful.

This passage of Scripture is rather interesting.  It talks about the importance of peace in our heart, peace within the body of Christ, and then out of nowhere- we are commanded to be thankful.  The two thoughts seem distinct and separate and yet there is obviously a correlation between peace and thankfulness.

The Old Timers used to admonish us to count our blessings.  Have you ever given it a whirl?  I have and never once have I been able to make an exhaustive list.  There is always one more thing for which we can be grateful.  As I began to count all of the things that God has done for me- saved me, given me health, given me His Spirit to guide me, blessed me with a wonderful family, a nice home, dependable vehicles, a job… I begin to recall all of the times he has come through for me and become keenly aware of how much He loves me.  All of that reminiscing builds my faith and brings great peace.

In the busy-ness of your week, try to set aside some time to allow his peace to rule in your heart.  And be thankful!

Dear Lord, thank you.  Thank you for freedom to worship you.  Thank you for a wonderful church family, friends, parents, children, food, shelter, water. Thank you for every bit of it.  I know that every good gift is from you and I am so thankful.  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Do I Know You?

“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.  Five of them were foolish and five were wise.  The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them.  The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.  The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.  At midnight the cry rang out, ‘Here comes the bridegroom!  Come out to meet him.’ Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’  “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.”  But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.  Later the others also came. ‘Sir! Sir!’ they said. ‘Open the door for us!’ “But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.’ “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.’’  Matthew 25:1-13

 

(I hope you have been following our journey through this parable.  If not, feel free to go back to the first post “Are You Ready for the Groom? Part I.” Regardless, I feel sure you can still glean from the devotional today.)

The last few verses of the parable today are so sad, so desperate.  The virgins who waited, watched, shopped and ran back, were denied entrance into the wedding banquet.  Can you imagine how their hearts fell as they ran up, excited and eager about what was to come, only to realize that they had completely missed their window of opportunity because they were unprepared?  They began to beseech the groom, to beg and plead.  But the answer was basically “No, I don’t know you.”

It is the biggest desire of my heart –and I hope yours as well- to be acknowledged by the Lord and allowed entrance into heaven to enjoy his glories forevermore.  For him to tell me that he did not know me would be the most crushing, destroying reality of any lifetime.  Do you know the groom?  Does he know you?  Jesus died for you, bled for you, has pursued and loved you.  When he comes, will he find you ready to go?  Or would he say, “Do I know you?”  This reminds me of the passage in Matthew 7:22-23 that says: “Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

I pray that you never hear those words from THE Bridegroom, Jesus.  We, the church, the Bride of Christ, must be washed, watching and ready for his return.  There will be only the one invitation.  We will either go in or hear the words “I knew you not.”

Dear Lord, help me to know that I am ready.  Help me to be a witness in this world, so that no one I love will be left behind.  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Sherri

 

The Shut Door

“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.  Five of them were foolish and five were wise.  The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them.  The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.  The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.  At midnight the cry rang out, ‘Here comes the bridegroom!  Come out to meet him.’ Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’  “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.”  But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.”  Matthew 25:1-10

 

I hope you have been following our journey through this parable.  If not, feel free to go back to the first post “Are You Ready for the Groom? Part I.” Otherwise, I feel sure you can still glean from the passage of Scripture found in verse 10.

The five foolish virgins appear, on average, to be attempting to do right.  They have gone out to meet the bridegroom, they have taken their lamps with them; when they realize that they will need to purchase oil, they rushed to the store.  Their performance is good enough, right?  Especially if you grade on a curve.  But as this passage makes abundantly clear, the 5 foolish maidens miss the arrival of the bridegroom, and not only that, the door is shut to deter their entrance to the wedding.

Crystal Lewis had a song back in the 90’s that was quite popular “People Get Ready Jesus Is Coming.”  The words have been ringing in my ears more and more as of late.  Notice in this passage that the ones who were ready were the ones able to go in.  Those that were trying to get ready?  No deal.  Some things in life truly are black or white; right or wrong; true or false.  We, who live in the western culture and mindset, often live our lives in shades of gray, picking and choosing what we believe to be right.  But when it comes to the things of God, we do not get to choose from a buffet of the Truth of God.  We are either right, or we are wrong.  We are ready, or we are unprepared and left.

The overarching truth of this passage applies directly to being ready to meet the Lord in the air at the time of Rapture or at the moment of death; but another truth- even for today- also applies here.  Many of the opportunities in life that the Lord provides for us are time-sensitive.  If we take advantage of the opportunity, it is to our advantage, if we delay walking through the open door, we forfeit the chance.  The Lord has dealt with me over the years in the area of disobedience.  One time he dealt so strongly with me that I heard him say, “To procrastinate is to walk in disobedience.”  Wow.  That was pretty hard.  In the South, we are often ‘fixing to start supper’ or ‘fixing to make a phone call’.  ‘Fixing to’ means we have the intention, we just have not implemented it yet.  The bad news is that there are some things that the window of time will expire on, before we carry out our best intentions.  That is why Christians have to learn that when the Lord speaks; directs; opens a door; or gives a command, we must heed it immediately.  We are not guaranteed tomorrow- or even this afternoon- to obey.

Is there some area of obedience you have been procrastinating on?  Do you have an apology to make?  A debt to settle?  Whatever it is, I encourage you in the Lord- do not delay!  Live without the possibility of regret as often as you are able.

Dear Lord, help me to live ready.  Help me to be quick to obey your voice and not rely on my own thoughts or feelings.  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Sherri

Shopping Anyone?

“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.  Five of them were foolish and five were wise.  The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them.  The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.  The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.  At midnight the cry rang out, ‘Here comes the bridegroom!  Come out to meet him.’ Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’  “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ Matthew 25:1-8

We talked yesterday about the importance of having enough oil (representing the presence and anointing of the Holy Spirit) not only for yourself, but to have enough to share with others.  Today, we will look at the flip side of the same coin- the importance on not relying on others for the oil.  Have you ever been hurt, sick or disappointed and your mind immediately rushed to locate the one person you believe can get a hold of Jesus on your behalf?  Have you ever asked someone to pray and give you advice about what they think the Lord would have you to do?

Those of us who have Godly, consistent and trustworthy prayer partners are indeed blessed.  How wonderful to have a Christian brother or sister help to bear your burden.  But at the end of the day, we have all had the experience of not being able to get help from someone else.  There are times that the Lord puts us in a position that we will have to hear from him ourselves.  There are times that the only “word” you can get from God will be found within the pages of His Word- the Bible.  As a child of God, you have to know how to read the Bible and hear from God for yourself.  You will have to develop a fruitful prayer life where you can hear the Lord’s leading yourself.

In this passage, the need to be ready for the return of the groom is so crucial, so imperative, that the virgins could not risk giving away some of their oil.  In these last days, times are hard and we need every bit of the presence of God we can receive to make it through.

Another interesting point to the verse for today is that they would need to buy oil for themselves.  They needed to make their own sacrifice.  The presence of the Holy Spirit is something that will come as you give up TV time to pray. It will come when you give up an hour’s sleep to be in your Word.  Having a rich relationship with the Lord will cost you something.  So many times we envy someone else’s anointing but we are not willing to do what they did to get it.  We want to leach strength, direction and peace from the price that they paid.

Child of God, go buy your own oil! It is precious, it is worth the cost.  It is too important a matter to leave it up to your friends and prayer partners.  I am married to a wonderful man.  Sometimes he (like me) can forget things.  When we are leaving on a trip, if I want to make sure the Grandma’s know what medication our four year old needs, I feel I need to do it myself.  I don’t want to risk him, or someone else forgetting.  We put emphasis and go the extra mile to ensure that the important matters of life are taken care of.  Are you going the distance to have the power and presence of God in your life?  If not, let today be the day you go to the spiritual ‘store’ and purchase some oil.

Dear Lord, thank you for your Spirit.  I know I can never earn it or demand more of your presence in my life.  But I ask that you honor my efforts to spend time in your presence and multiply back to me the amount I need to make it though until you return for me. In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Sherri

 

Can I Have Some of Yours?

“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.  Five of them were foolish and five were wise.  The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them.  The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.  The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.  At midnight the cry rang out, ‘Here comes the bridegroom!  Come out to meet him.’ Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’  Matthew 25:1-8

 

Have you ever had one of those friends?  You know the ones- they want you for what you can offer them and are done with you when you have nothing to offer them?  Have you ever been one of those friends?  We all have probably found ourselves on either side of this equation, if we are honest enough to admit it.

This passage is so sad because all ten of the virgins appeared to have what they needed.  But only five had “the goods” that they were able to make a light to find themselves to the groom.  The wise ones have more than they needed.  More of the oil of the Holy Spirit than they needed for that day.  A wise Christian gets as full of the Holy Spirit as possible.  We never know in a given day what kinds of demand will be placed on the anointing of the Spirit in our lives and therefore, we must have more than enough. 

Another thing that always strikes me about the passage is how wonderful it would be if the wise had enough to share with the others.  Obviously, as this parallels the end times, we cannot bring someone else into the rapture by sharing with then.  But up until the time that we go in and the door is shut (figuratively speaking) we need to be sharing with others what we have.  When we share, we inspire others to get their own oil and be ready when the time comes that they must have it or miss out.

When I read this parable I am always arrested by the sadness of it all.  The five foolish were smarter than so many others- they were there, they had brought their lamps, they were hanging with the wise ones.  They had it all together…almost.  Almost is just not enough when it comes to the things of the Spirit.  When the day comes that the church is rejoined with Christ, there will be so many of our loved ones left behind.  So many that almost made it. They came to church.  They joined Sunday school, they carried a Bible and even forwarded Christian related emails and Facebook statuses.  But they did not quite have the relationship with the Lord that is needed.

Our time is so short.  Let us look for opportunities to share the light, to share the oil, to share the faith; one day soon it will be too late.

Dear Lord, help me to be evangelically minded.  Help me lead others to you.  Help me have enough anointing, Spirit and victory to share with others. In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Sherri

 

Ready or Not…Here I Come!

"At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.  Five of them were foolish and five were wise.  The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them.  The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.  The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.  At midnight the cry rang out, ‘Here comes the bridegroom!  Come out to meet him.’”  Matthew 25:1-6

We used to hang out with some friends that were chronically late.  No matter where we were going, you could count on them to be at least 45 minutes late.  I remember one time they were later than usual.  By the time they arrived over an hour late, I had been sitting and stewing for quite a while. There is something about being “all dressed up with nowhere to go.”  By the time they were ready to leave I had no desire to go at all.  I was completely out of the mood.  Can you relate to what I am talking about?

When I read this passage I cannot help but feel like perhaps the ten virgins went through a similar thing.  They had been ready and expecting for quite a while.  By midnight they were exhausted, possibly deflated and asleep.  That is when the cry rang out- when they were no longer ready to go.

We know that Jesus is coming back in a moment when we think not.(Matthew 24:44)  Not too long along in America, times were good, people were prospering and everyone was full of hope.  It was easy to forget that Jesus was coming back soon.  It was easier to focus on this life as it was full and enjoyable.  But as things have become harder financially and everyone’s general outlook less positive, we find ourselves once again remembering “Oh yeah, Jesus is coming back this might be the time the Scripture spoke about.”

He is coming back just like he said.  When we were children we would play hide and seek.  At the end of our turn to count we would yell out “Ready or not.  Here I come!”  This is true in the spirit.  Whether we are dressed (in the spirit) and longing for his coming, or whether we have put on our jammies and gone to bed- the truth remains.  Ready or not, he is coming. 

It is my prayer that you and I will live ready to go, on high alert, in eager anticipation of the cry.  For those who are ready, the announcement of his return will be met with rapturous joy and delight.  For those not ready, it will be a time of intense grief and despair as this world has ever known.  I urge you today to search your heart and see if you are living ready to go. Is there any unconfessed sin in your life?  Any unforgiveness?

Dear Lord, please help me live in readiness.  Help me to stay awake and be sober.  Help me walk in readiness for your return.  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Sherri

 

Are You Ready For the Groom? Part II

              

“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.  Five of them were foolish and five were wise.  The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them.  The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.  The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.”  Matthew 25:1-5

 

I have heard all of my life that Jesus is coming back soon.  As a little girl I feared that He would come before I could grow up, get married and have a family of my own.  In time, it has become easier to “put off” any expectation of His coming and live in the moment.  Instead, I find myself marking off the next thing on my calendar of life that I want to experience and enjoy.  Can you relate to this feeling?

When I read this passage of Scripture it is easy for me to judge the virgins for falling asleep while waiting on the bridegroom.  But let’s be honest.  He is a long time in coming!  It is so hard to remain awake when he is long in coming.  A few years ago, we kept a night-long vigil by my stepdad’s bed as he prepared to meet the Lord. I cleaned house all night, trying to stay busy enough to be awake, to be present for him in this crucial hour of his life. I became so angry with myself when I dozed off in the early morning hours and had to be awakened at his home-going.  How could I go to sleep in such a moment of crisis, such a crucial moment?  It was very easy to go to sleep because I had cried myself to exhaustion.  We had been up with him around the clock, rotating for weeks before the end.  A human body can only endure so much.

The bridegroom was long in coming and the virgins became weary from life, from watching for him, and carrying their lamps.  Just like the church today, many of us have become weary in well doing and have fallen asleep.  Just as Jesus commanded the disciples to keep watch with him the night he was betrayed- they had fallen asleep at the critical moment in time.

Jesus is coming back, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye.  His return is at hand.  Will he find you awake, watching and carrying a lamp that burns bright, or will he find you asleep, with a fire that has dwindled in the night?  We, the church, the Bride of Christ must awake, shake ourselves and look!  Life is full of fears and uncertainty at this time.  It is easy to get weary, but we cannot afford to slumber! His return is closer than when you first began to read this post. 

When Jesus ascended into heaven after his resurrection, the disciples stood there for quite a while before the angels urged them to quit looking in the sky and get busy.  We are to be busy about the Father’s work.  But maybe, just maybe, it is time to work while again looking up for His return.

Oh God, I get so weary in life, so tired of the battle.  Strengthen me, sober me and help me to be vigilant in watching.  Help me not to be found asleep when you return.  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Sherri

Are You Read for the Groom? ( Part I)

“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.  Five of them were foolish and five were wise.  The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them.  The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.  The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.”  Matthew 25:1-5

 

This is a familiar passage of scripture often used to teach about living in readiness of Christ’s return.  In the Life Application Study Bible, the commentary explains the wedding day custom of the time:  “On the wedding day the bridegroom went to the bride’s house for the ceremony, then the bride and groom, along with a great procession, returned to the groom’s house where a feast took place, often lasting a full week.  These ten virgins were waiting to join the procession, and they hoped to take part in the wedding banquet…”  As you can see, being ready to go to the party was a huge social event in those days.  To miss out was a huge disappointment for a young virgin- and quite instructional to us today.

In recent months, my heart has been so stirred about what the Bible terms “the end days” and the rapture of the church- where the Lord calls the saved to meet him in the air.  For those of us who have asked Jesus into our hearts as our personal Lord and Savior, we look forward to that time with mixed emotions.  We are eager to go out and join him, but of course, we do not want any of our unsaved friends, family, neighbors, etc., to be left out of the celebration.  We want to avoid seeing anyone that we care about left behind.  As Christians, we are mandated to care about every human being; thus, we look to this day with eager anticipation for ourselves and dread for those who have not made preparations to go.

In later posts, we will discuss the return of the “groom”, but for the purpose of today I want to pause in this passage where the Scripture ended.  Ten maidens had grabbed their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.  Five thought ahead and took the oil that made the lamps useful.  Five foolishly failed to plan and had lamps with no ability to use them.  We know that Jesus put major emphasis on Him being “the light of the world” and us being His light in the world today.  All the virgins, at a glance, appeared to have the same potential to illuminate.  But upon further inspection, five were a farce.  They had the appearance, but no ability.  How many of us “Christians” claim the name of Christ, but fail to truly have the goods?  How many of us attend church, speak the language, have five Bibles, but are without the oil in our lives?  In the Bible, oil is symbolic of the Holy Spirit.  The five wise had the presence of the oil, or the Holy Spirit, thus they were able to light their path to lead them to the groom.

In these evil days that we are living in, it is going to take a little more preparation to keep our lights shining bright.  We are going to have to make sure that we bathe ourselves in the precious Holy Spirit of God and that we know our Word inside and out.  People are sick, beat-down and hurting.  What do we have to offer them?  Are we carriers of the light?  Or are we false advertisers, a mere charade?

The days of easy living for Christians is probably behind us.  Things are tough.  The darkness is growing.  But a pin-prick of light in a pitch-black night will draw all eyes to it.  Are you lighting up for Jesus?

Dear Lord, have mercy on the church.  Forgive us for blending in, giving in, and extinguishing our light.  Help us to shine for You.  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Sherri

The Land of the Living

“For you, O Lord, have saved my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living.” Psalm 116:8-9

 

We have a wonderful future ahead of us in heaven- there will be no tears, no sickness, and no death.  We will not stumble. There are so many things to be excited about on the other side.  We will be reunited with loved ones who have gone on before us into the glories of heaven.  We will spend days with Jesus, our Father God, and all of the Bible and present-day heroes of the faith.  But for now, we are definitely “in the land of the living.”

In this land of the living, there are problems, disappointments and tears.    In fact Jesus himself said “…In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!   I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) Jesus saves us from the second death which results in eternal separation from Him.  Because we know as Christians, that we are saved from death and have a future without tears and failure, we can find great courage and hope to walk out our faith on the earth today.

While we are in this “land of the living” we must walk purposefully, seeking to bring others with us into  the beautiful promise of eternity.  We have to live lives of impact that draws people to Jesus.  As you look around you, there are countless people who are shedding bitter tears, failing and stumbling in myriad ways.  They need to know that Jesus offers hope and help here in this life. They need to hear that he loves them and wants to bless and strengthen them.  They will only know if we tell them.  They will only see if we show them.  Our days in this life are few.  Let’s make them count.

Dear God, help me to be intentional in my faith.  Help me point others to you.  Thank you that there is a great reward laid up for me on the other side, but help me enjoy your richness, joy, and peace while I am still on Planet Earth.  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Sherri