Be Ready

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.  2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.  3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:  4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.  5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.  6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.  7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.  8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.  9 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.  10 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.  11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.  12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.  13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.   Matthew 25:1-13

As Holy week continued Jesus taught whenever he had the opportunity. He knew His earthly time was coming to an end. He taught parables, some about His second coming. A parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. Here we have a story about ten young women going to a wedding. A wedding is a wonderful celebration and a time for great rejoicing. People would dress up and get “ready” for the feast. They would also bring lamps with oil to light up the path for the celebration which would last late into the night.

When we go to a wedding today we get ready before we get there. Everything is done before we enter into the church or reception. We make sure we are clean and showered, not a hair out of place, makeup and jewelry perfect. Our clothing is pressed and everything matches.

The parable tells us that five of the young women were prepared and five were not prepared. The five that were not prepared thought about it too late. Who would ever use a lamp and not bring oil to fill it? Weddings were typically held at night. The people attending knew they were held at night, and a lamp would be needed.

The foolish, or unprepared, fell asleep not thinking of the empty lamps. In the middle of a nice nap a loud cry is made, “The Bridegroom is here go and meet him”. All of a sudden the foolish realize they have no oil, the path will not be lit for them. They run to the wise and say, “Give us some oil, our lamps are dry.”

“We cannot do that”, say the wise “there is not enough for both of us. Go and buy some oil for yourself.” The foolish left and missed the Bridegroom, by the time they came back it was too late, the door was shut and they could not get in.

Are we watching and waiting for the Lord? Are we so busy in the busyness of life that we totally forget about God and His word during the week?

Are we prepared for the coming of the Lord? When the trumpet sounds, it will be too late (I Corinthians 15:52). Now is the accepted time, now is the time of salvation. (II Corinthians 6:2)

Have a blessed day,
Donna

The 5W’s of Thanksgiving

As the month of November comes to a close I wanted to share my 5W’s of Thanksgiving. Enjoy and remember to be thankful each and every day for all your blessings.

Who should be thankful?

Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name. Psalm 18:49

To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.  Psalm 30:12

Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. Psalm 95:2

What should we be thankful for?

Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. II Corinthians 9:15

We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; I Thessalonians 1:2

By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. Hebrews 13:15

Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. Psalm 30:4

But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. I Corinthians 15:57

That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works. Psalm 26:7

When should I be thankful?

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. I Thessalonians 5:18

And to stand every morning to thank and praise the LORD, and likewise at even; I Chronicles 23:30

Where should we be thankful?

Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name. Psalm 18:49

Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people. I Chronicles 16:8

I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people. Psalm 35:18

Why should I be thankful?

O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever. I Chronicles 16:34

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. Psalm 139:14

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Everyone sins

For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not. Ecclesiastes 7:20 

The Old and New Testaments contain many verses backing up  Ecclesiastes 7:20. I really do not have to explain this verse the Bible does it for me.

They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Psalm 14:3 

Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Psalm 53:3 

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: Romans 3:10 

They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Romans 3:12 

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Romans 3:23 

Each and every one of us has sinned. Praise God this is not the end of the story. The good news is that Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son was born into this sin cursed world, lived on this earth, then died for the sins of the world and rose again.

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: I Corinthians 15:3-4

As we are in the midst of the Christmas season, the greatest gift you can receive is to accept this marvelous gift from God. 

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Happy Easter

[1] In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.[2]And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.[3] His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:[4] And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.[5] And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.[6] He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.[7] And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.[8] And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.[9] And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. [10] Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me. Matthew 28:1-10

Yesterday I spent the afternoon with my granddaughters decorating eggs. We not only decorate eggs but we make resurrection rolls. I read the scripture that tells of the death and resurrection of Jesus. As I read the scripture and later thought about it, I realize how we take Easter in stride. After a while it is just a tradition. The tradition may be a certain meal or special desserts. Families get together to share the meal and admire the “Easter finery”.

People go to church on Easter out of tradition. Today the churches will be full to capacity but next week, it will be business as usual. The “Easter morning Christians” will be doing what they did the week before Easter.

What about the Christians who go to church every Sunday? Is everything we do “out of habit” or a “tradition.” Jesus was a real living, breathing man. He was God in the flesh. He wasn’t just “one of the boys” but the true and living God living among the common everyday people.

Is Easter just a tradition for you? Is it about new clothes and special music at church? What does Easter mean to you?

Easter should reminds us of our sinfulness and Christ’s sinless perfection. We need to remember where we were when Christ touched our hearts and saved us. Where would I be if Christ had not saved me. I shudder to even think about it. I need to be thankful, grateful, and deeply appreciative of all Christ did for me, not just today but each and every day.

Today as you enjoy Easter dinner remember what happened on this day many years ago. This event still awes the world, God’s precious Son coming to the earth to die for your sins and mine. It is a special gift from GOD to you. Have you accepted this precious gift?

[3] For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; [4] And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: I Corinthians 15:3-4

Rejoicing in His Resurrection,
Donna

Be Ready

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. [2] And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. [3] They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: [4] But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. [5] While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. [6] And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. [7] Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. [8] And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. [9] 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. [10] 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. [11] Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. [12] But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. [13] Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. Matthew 25:1-13

As Holy week continued Jesus taught whenever he had the opportunity. He knew His earthly time was coming to an end. He taught parables, some about His second coming. A parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. Here we have a story about ten young women going to a wedding. A wedding is a wonderful celebration and a time for great rejoicing. People would dress up and get “ready” for the feast. They would also bring lamps with oil to light up the path for the celebration would last late into the night.

When we go to a wedding today we get ready before we get there. Everything is done before we enter into the church or reception. We make sure we are clean and showered, not a hair out of place, makeup and jewelry perfect. Our clothing is pressed and everything matches.

The parable tells us that five of the young women were prepared and five were not prepared. The five that were not prepared thought about it too late. Who would ever use a lamp and not bring oil to fill it. Weddings were typically held at night. The people attending knew they were held at night, and a lamp would be needed.

The foolish, or unprepared, fell asleep not thinking of the empty lamps. In the middle of a nice nap a loud cry is made, “The Bridegroom is here go and meet him”. All of a sudden the foolish realize they have no oil, the path will not be lit for them. They run to the wise and say, “Give us some oil, our lamps are dry.”

“We cannot do that”, say the wise “there is not enough for both of us. Go and buy some oil for yourself.” The foolish left and missed the Bridegroom, by the time they came back it was too late, the door was shut and they could not get in.

Are we watching and waiting for the Lord? Are we so busy in the busyness of life that we totally forget about God and His word during the week?

Are we prepared for the coming of the Lord? When the trumpet sounds, it will be too late (I Corinthians 15:52). Now is the accepted time, now is the time of salvation. (II Corinthians 6:2)

Have a blessed day,
Donna