This weekend I had the pleasure of having a study lesson with an incredible teacher! She was very wise and had an incredible anointing of the Spirit upon her. One of the things that stuck with me was when she was talking about how important it is to be in God's Word and how there was a time when she couldn't sleep past 2:30 in the morning that she found herself praying deeply and pouring through God's Word in ways she had never done before. It was only later, after her husband was diagnosed with terminal cancer, that she realized that the Lord had been preparing her spirit for the trial that lay ahead. That is the key today! There is no substitute for spiritual preparation! Had she not prepared herself through God and His word, she wouldn't have had near the courage or strength to go through what lay before her. Spiritual preparation equips us for unforeseen crises or opportunities. However, if we are unprepared spiritually, we will be vulnerable to life's unexpected events!
"And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut." Matthew 25:10.
This parable that Jesus told teaches us, I believe, this truth. Ten virgins were waiting for the arrival of the bridegroom so that they could celebrate with him and his bride. Five of them prepared in advance and brought an adequate supply of oil for their lamps. The other five were not prepared, so they ended up having to rush off to buy more oil. While they were gone, the bridegroom arrived. The five that had planned ahead entered into the house with him, but the door was closed against the five that had not been ready.
Friends, I believe that if we are spiritually prepared when a crisis comes, we will not have to try to develop instantly the relationship with Jesus that will strengthen us and sustain us. If we suddenly have the opportunity to witness to an unbeliever, we will be equipped to do so. If we enter a time of worship spiritually prepared, we won't worry about missing an encounter with God. If we are spiritually filled when we meet a person in sorrow, we will have much to offer. If we have established safeguards in our life in advance, we will not give in to temptation.
There is much that can be said about spiritual preparedness. Many of us lose many opportunities to experience God's activities because we have not devoted enough time to our relationship with Christ. And, many of us fall down and crumble during trials and crises because we did not take the opportunity to prepare ourselves spiritually and find neither the strength or courage to face them. If you have still not developed the habit of daily prayer and Bible study, friend, you are waiting for a fall! Daily prayer and study will do more than just give us knowledge and relationship with our heavenly Father, it will also allow God to equip us to face whatever life brings!
May God Richly Bless You Today!! H Trent!
"And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut." Matthew 25:10.
This parable that Jesus told teaches us, I believe, this truth. Ten virgins were waiting for the arrival of the bridegroom so that they could celebrate with him and his bride. Five of them prepared in advance and brought an adequate supply of oil for their lamps. The other five were not prepared, so they ended up having to rush off to buy more oil. While they were gone, the bridegroom arrived. The five that had planned ahead entered into the house with him, but the door was closed against the five that had not been ready.
Friends, I believe that if we are spiritually prepared when a crisis comes, we will not have to try to develop instantly the relationship with Jesus that will strengthen us and sustain us. If we suddenly have the opportunity to witness to an unbeliever, we will be equipped to do so. If we enter a time of worship spiritually prepared, we won't worry about missing an encounter with God. If we are spiritually filled when we meet a person in sorrow, we will have much to offer. If we have established safeguards in our life in advance, we will not give in to temptation.
There is much that can be said about spiritual preparedness. Many of us lose many opportunities to experience God's activities because we have not devoted enough time to our relationship with Christ. And, many of us fall down and crumble during trials and crises because we did not take the opportunity to prepare ourselves spiritually and find neither the strength or courage to face them. If you have still not developed the habit of daily prayer and Bible study, friend, you are waiting for a fall! Daily prayer and study will do more than just give us knowledge and relationship with our heavenly Father, it will also allow God to equip us to face whatever life brings!
May God Richly Bless You Today!! H Trent!
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