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

Women at the Tomb - Mary Magdalene

It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles. Luke 24:10


Three women were named as the ones who brought spices to the tomb to prepare Jesus’ body. There are more verses in the Bible about Mary Magdalene than the other two women.

Mary Magdalene was a woman “plagued” with evil spirits. We are told that she had seven devils living within. (Luke 8:2, Mark 16:9) Seven devils that tormented her day and night imagine living in that type of anguish. Evil thoughts and actions overwhelmed her fragile body. Sleep was not common as the spirits stirred inside and wretched havoc with her mind. Her family probably stood back in horror wondering how they might help.

Then one day she heard of a Man coming to town. A Man who healed and cured people of diseases, crippled bodies and demented minds, maybe, this Man could help her. Traveling from the town of Magdala, she made the trip to see Jesus. She was healed and the demons were cast out.

What could she possibly do for the Man who gave her back her life? Mary immediately knew what she had to do, serve and minister to Him. It appears that this was her lifelong duty. We are told that she ministered to him (with others) using their own resources. (Luke 8:3)

She watched in horror as Jesus was hung on the cross. (John 19:25) The agony of the One who did so much for her was overwhelming. Her heart was breaking as she watched the situation unfold. (Matthew 27:55-56)

She quietly followed with some of the other women to the place where Jesus’ body was laid. (Matthew 27:55-56) Mary Magdalene was right by the tomb when Joseph placed His body inside. (Matthew 27:61, Mark 15:40)

In the early light of the morning she was at the tomb to anoint His body with spices. (Mark 16:1) What a shocking surprise to find the grave empty and no body to prepare. (John 20:1) She was the very first person to see the empty tomb. She told others and they came to the grave to see “for themselves”. After the disciples left Mary stood, still in a state of shock and wept. Her heart was broken. (John 20:11)

Mary was also the first person to see Jesus after the resurrection (Mark 16:9) Mary Magdalene was so thankful to Jesus and all He did for her. She was not only made whole physically with a strong mind but also spiritually because Jesus had saved her soul.

As I look at the life of Mary I see someone who was grateful to Jesus for all He did for her. Take a moment to look at your own life, what are you grateful for?

Mary also ministered and served the Lord. How can we serve the Lord? Service will look different for each of us. Can you help at church? Can you prepare food for someone? Can you write a note? Can you …

Pray and ask the Lord what you can do? He will show you.

Here is a portion of scripture to meditate on:

35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Matthew 25:35-40

Have a blessed day, Donna

Showing Kindness

1 Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days. 2 Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth. 3 If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be. 4 He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap. Ecclesiastes 11:1-4

When you do for others it will increase. The main reason we do for others is not so we will see the increase here on earth but we are laying up treasures in heaven. We need to help and give wherever we see the need. We need to have discernment in our giving and do everything with prayer.

Do good while there is time to do it – don’t procrastinate. When you know there is something God wants you to do – DO IT.  If you wait for the “right time” to do something it will never come. We need to do it when the need arises.

I have done many things for others with the Lord’s leading but there have also been many times I felt the Lord nudging me and I just ignored it. Only to find out later that it was a direct leading from the Lord.

The Lord wants us to show kindness to all around us. Is it easy, absolutely not, but it is doable if we are willing to do things God’s way.

As you put on your clothes in the morning, pray and ask the Lord to “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;” Colossians 3:12

Maybe you say, I never see people in need, they are just not where I go. This may be very true but can you help “needy” people in your neighborhood or family? Can you ask God to bring someone in your path that may need a kind word and a cup of coffee?

Solomon says in verse 4 if the farmer just waits around watching the wind he’ll never plant. So will it be for us if we just wait for an opportunity to do something it will never happen. We need to get out there and “plant” kindness to all those around us.

In Matthew 25:34-40 Jesus said these words: 34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. 

Have a blessed day,
Donna

The gift of presence

I recently meet someone who had stage three ovarian cancer. After six treatments the doctors have declared her cancer free. This woman is jubilant, thankful and praising God to all who will listen. She is excited about what the Lord has done (and rightly so). The staff at the hospital where she was treated would like her to come back and “help”.

After speaking to the hospital staff she spoke to her Pastor, telling him she did not know what she should do, where could she help? His answer was use the “gift of presence.”

I thought how true. Who else can understand what someone with cancer is going through but a person who has been through it. Basically the “gift of presence” is being there for someone no matter what they are going through.

There are so many people suffering, whether it is cancer, sickness, divorce, loss of a loved one, homelessness the list goes on and on. What can we do?

Just a few suggestions:

· Give a hug, sometimes all it takes is a touch to let someone know you care.

· A pat on the arm, again touch is a great equalizer.

· Send a card of encouragement.

· A listening ear

· Make a phone call.

· Send an email.

· Make a meal.

· See a homeless person, stop and give them a bottle of water, a gift card, or a homemade treat.

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Matthew 25:40
Step out of your comfort zone. Do something for someone else. The first step is never easy, it just needs to be made and the other steps will follow.

Ask the Lord to put someone in your path that you can help.

Yesterday's the past, tomorrow's the future, but today is a gift. That's why it's called the present. ~ Bil Keane

Open up the present and start to use it to God’s glory.

Can you use the “gift of presence” in your world? Ask God to show you how.

Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
II Corinthians 1:3-4

Dear Heavenly Father,

Open my eyes to the people around me. Help me not to be selfish but to be sharing and caring. Help me to use my gifts for you whether material, physical, mental or financial. Teach me to be a follower of you in all things.

In your precious Son’s name, Amen.

Have a blessed day,
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