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Holding Myself in Readinesshe disciples of Jesus once asked Him a question saying, Master, Tell us, when

will all this happen? What sign will signal your return and the end of the

world?Jesus replied them saying, Dont let anyone mislead you, for many will comein my name, claiming, I am the Messiah. They will deceive many. And you will hear

of wars and threats ofwars, but dont panic. Yes, these things must take place, but

the end wont follow immediately. Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom

against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the

world. But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come.Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the

world because you are my followers. And many will turn away from me and betray

and hate each other. And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many

people. Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. But the

one who endures to the end will be saved. And the Good News about the Kingdom

will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then

the end will come.

Then Jesus went ahead and told them the following interesting story, Then

the Kingdom of Heaven will be like 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 didnt take enough olive oil for their lamps, but the other five were wise

enough to take along extra oil. When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became

drowsy and fell asleep.At midnight they were roused by the shout, Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come

out and meet him!All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. Then the five foolish ones

asked the others, Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.But the others replied, We dont have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy

some for yourselves.

http://houseofvirtue.blogspot.com/2009/01/holding-myself-in-readiness.htmlhttp://houseofvirtue.blogspot.com/2009/01/holding-myself-in-readiness.htmlhttp://houseofvirtue.blogspot.com/2009/01/holding-myself-in-readiness.html

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But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were

ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. Later, when

the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, Lord! Lord! Open the

door for us!But he called back, Believe me, I dont know you!So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.As I read the two Bible passages above (Matthew 24:3-14 andMatthew 25:1-13 NLT)

they served as fresh reminders to me of Gods desire for His people to be constantly

prepared and ready for the second coming of Jesus Christ (Revelation 22:12, Revelation

3:11). I realized afresh how God desires for His people to be rooted and grounded inChrist (Ephesians 3:17-19), so that they are not shaken by any unpleasant experiences

they might encounter in the world due to their affiliation with Him (Luke 21:12). How

He seeks for a people who have broken out of religious mentalities and are no longer

bound by the traditions of men (Matthew 15:3-6); and realize that worship is no

longer tied to a place but is a condition of the heart (John 4:21-24), as such we must

pray always and not faint so as to maintain a steady flow of fresh oil and power from

Him (Matthew 26:41, Mark 14:38, 1 Thessalonians 5:17).

I realize today that being a Christian goes beyond going to church and attending

numerous church programmes, but rather its more about seeking to do Gods will as

His kingdom is being established here on earth (Matthew 6:33).

Today going to church should no longer be an end to itself because The glory of this

latter temple shall be greater than the former, says the LORD of hosts. And in this

place I will give peace, says the LORD of hosts(Haggai 2:9 NKJV, 1 Corinthians 3:16).

He wants His people to realize that they have become the habitation of God (1

Corinthians 3:16), therefore they are to stay alert and carry Him wherever they go.

The Master wants His people to hold themselves in readiness for Him.

~Uche

http://www.houseofvirtue.blogspot.com

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