Be Prepared

Jesus Is Lord
Exalting Christ
Stand Firm

Matthew 25:1-13

The Message

The Story of the Virgins

25 ^1-5 “God’s kingdom is like ten young virgins who took oil lamps and went out to greet the bridegroom. Five were silly and five were smart. The silly virgins took lamps, but no extra oil. The smart virgins took jars of oil to feed their lamps. The bridegroom didn’t show up when they expected him, and they all fell asleep.

⁶ “In the middle of the night someone yelled out, ‘He’s here! The bride-groom’s here! Go out and greet him!’
^7-8 “The ten virgins got up and got their lamps ready. The silly virgins said to the smart ones, ‘Our lamps are going out; lend us some of your oil.’
⁹ “They answered, ‘There might not be enough to go around; go buy your own.’
¹⁰ “They did, but while they were out buying oil, the bridegroom arrived. When everyone who was there to greet him had gone into the wedding feast, the door was locked.
¹¹ “Much later, the other virgins, the silly ones, showed up and knocked on the door, saying, ‘Master, we’re here. Let us in.’
¹² “He answered, ‘Do I know you? I don’t think I know you.’
¹³ “So stay alert. You have no idea when he might arrive.

For Reflection

How prepared are you to meet the challenges of your Christian faith?  Is it enough to belong to a church?  Is it enough to participate in weekly worship?  It is enough to attend church classes and events.  It is enough to take part in the governance of the church?  Is it enough to be baptized or to participate in holy communion?  Is it enough to contribute to the church budget?  What is it that makes you think you are prepared to meet the challenges of living in this world as a child of God?

Pray

Pray, pray, and then pray again.   Confess your weakness to God.  Ask God to guide you and to give you courage to face this world.  Praise God often.  Thank God for even the smallest of blessings.  Give God the credit for the good in your life.  Accept God's comfort when the world crashes into you.  Pray that you will lose yourself in service to Him.  Pray that you will see beyond the challenge to the opportunity the challenge represents.