Lamp at hand, but is your vessel ready for use?

Have you ever lost power and in that moment, you remember all of the batteries in the flashlights are dead... your single lighter is only giving off sparks... and you're down to the last couple matches in the box? And now, you're kicking yourself because you knew months ago that things needed replacing/refilling, but life got busy so it got by you? You had access to the necessary tools, but lacked that which was crucial to power them and put them to good use.

Well, let's envision that experience from the ten virgins' perspectives in Matthew 25:

"Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh." (Matthew 25:1‭-‬13)

In that parable told by Jesus, five of the ten virgins are likened to this seemingly mundane example above about losing power and realizing when it was too late that you weren't really ready. And due to lack of preparation, they sadly missed out on the promising life they'd been so long hoping for. Now, the other five were well-stocked and equipped with lamps at hand filled with the oil to light them when the time came. Their preparation paid off mightily as they were fully ready when the Master came a'callin and were received of him!

Photo captured by Power in Prayer

Dearest beloved,

Here's where I emphasize the importance of this truth, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." (Psalm 119:105). The word. The word is the light that matters most. The Bible is the Word of God. Friends, it does little to no good to have it at hand but not access it. The effects are slim to none if only you read it but not apply it allowing its power to be put to use. You'd be as the five virgins who had their lamps but no oil to light them. That's a terrifying thought knowing that this parable about the virgins is speaking in terms of preparing for eternity with Jesus. Thereby, this bride is making herself ready! I've got to be ready, and I encourage you to ready yourselves, too!

"Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word." (Psalm 119:9)

"But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." (James 1:22)

"But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it." Luke 11:28)

"Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock." (Matthew 7:24-25)

Church, let's ensure that we have access to our lamps and are well-equipped to light and use them at a moment's notice. Let God be your guide. Let Jesus lighten your path and lead you in the way of righteousness... straight to His table.

"Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints." (Revelation 19:7‭-‬8)

HERE COMES THE BRIDE!!!!!!!

**P.S. DON'T FORGET YOUR OIL!