Originally published Monday, 10 March 2014.
www.insideoutwithcourtnaye.org
I almost titled this post, “Becoming a Wise Bride.” But then I was quickened by the Holy Spirit that it wouldn’t be quite accurate. You see, the Bible warns us to BE ready when Christ returns. We can’t be found thinking about it, dreaming about it, talking about it, or just hoping for it. Yet, we have to be found faithful, wise, and full of oil in our lamps as we wait for the soon return of Christ.
Some of you reading this have either never heard about the return of Christ or have heard it at some point or another in your life. Whichever category you’re in, just know that when Jesus comes in the clouds supernaturally to claim all of those who love and live for Him, that you need to be a wise and ready woman. To many of us it’s known as the Rapture of the church. But don’t take my word for it. First Thessalonians 4:16-17 says, “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the call of the archangel, and with a trumpet call of God. First, all the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and remain with him forever. So comfort and encourage each other with these words.” (NLT)
That’s exactly what I’m doing today…encouraging you to be ready when He comes. Jesus tells us in Luke 12:40 and 42, “You must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected…I’m talking to any faithful, sensible (wise) servant to whom the master gives the responsibility of managing his household and feeding his family.” (NLT) You see, we have to be alert at all times, be found doing the will of God, and waiting with great hope and expectancy when He comes like a thief in the night. So…
Are you ready? Are you preparing? If Jesus was to come today, would you BE ready to go with Him? Does your life reflect holiness, purity, integrity, faithfulness, servitude, and perseverance? Are you peculiar, meaning set apart or different because you are a Christ follower? Can people tell that you are different? Are you truly salt and light to the earth? These are not just questions for you, but its questions for me as well. God has put a charge in my heart to prepare not only myself, but other women to be ready when Jesus comes. I want to be like the five wise virgins in the Bible who were ready when the bridegroom came for them, not like the five foolish ones who weren’t prepared.
Matthew 25:1-4 portrays this well when it says, “The Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of the ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. The five who were foolish took no oil for their lamps, but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil.” Now to paraphrase this passage of Scripture, it goes on to show that the five foolish ones were not ready to go when the bridegroom (Jesus) came for them. But the five wise were prepared. Their lack of oil (anointing, holiness, wisdom, faithfulness, preparedness, and perseverance), caused them to miss Jesus! Ouch! (*Read all of Matthew 25:1-13)
*Jesus warns us in Matthew 25:13, “So stay awake and be prepared, because you do not know the day or hour of my return.” Don’t miss Him sis, because after He returns, there will be total and utter destruction upon this earth like no one has ever seen or imagined before! And please don’t take this as a scare tactic. It’s just reality. Look at Revelation 3:10-11 where Jesus says, “Because you have obeyed my commands to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon this whole world to test those who belong to this world. Look, I am coming quickly. Hold onto what you have, so that no one will take away your crown.”
So my sister, don’t let anyone or anything steal your affection, passion, or zeal for God. Stay awake! With that being said, are you a wise bridesmaid? Are you making yourself ready for Jesus with the oil in your lamp? And are you head-over hills in love with Him? Are there things that you need to repent of right now and make right with God? If so, don’t wait! Get your life in order and keep it that way by the power of God’s word, prayer, continual confession, repentance, and by the Holy Spirit. Times are getting rough and the return of Christ is getting closer and closer. It’s time to be a greater light to our families, friends, co-workers, church family, community, and the world around us. It’s time to be a wise bride!
Remember, Jesus is coming back soon! And those who endure unto the end shall be saved. So let’s be ready from the Inside Out!
~Courtnaye
Before you close this post, check out this powerful video and feel free to share this post with someone who can grow from it. Thanks so much! Check it out now...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIj47X960pw. God bless!
*Thanks for reading! I hope and pray that you’ve been enlightened from this post. Feel absolutely free to leave a comment or for questions you can email me directly at insideoutwithcourtnaye@gmail.com, and I will respond promptly. Also, tune in every Monday at 7:30am for new posts! Don’t forget to “Like” my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/InsideOutWCourtnaye) and share this blog with friends, family, co-workers, or your women’s group or ministry. I’d love to stay connected and help more women grow in the Lord! Thanks again and may God be with you!
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