PASSIONATE PURSUIT...PREPARE AND STOREUP

Matthew 25:1-13
24:44
Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 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. 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. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. 
The Lord Jesus Christ came teaching His disciples, and as He was leaving/departing, His disciples began to approach Him and ask Him when He will return. Then Jesus began to prophesy of the things that would come to pass. He shares signs to pay attention to. The Lord shall gather His elect from one end of heaven to the other. He confirms that His Word shall not return void though the heaven and earth shall pass away. Therefore, He warned His disciples to simply be ready. Do not be foolish. Take heed those who think they stand lest they fall. The wise virgins were prepared. How were the other virgins foolish? They did not prepare for tests, trials, and for the ultimate goal, the wedding. People live everyday life sometimes depending upon the light of others instead of having the light for themselves. Jesus stated that His disciples are lights, and we are the salt of the earth! The Lord reminds us that in the world, although we are ambassadors, there will be tribulation. Yet He has given every believer power to overcome the world, and therein is the victory, even according to our faith. The wise store up for the times of trouble to endure to the end. They keep their light shining by storing up the treasures that come from above. The Lord shares in Him are all the treasures of wisdom and understanding (Col 2:3).
If ye be risen in Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God (Col 3:1). Knowing these things, we can come boldly to the throne of God. We must then store up for ourselves patience, zeal after God’s own heart, love that covers a multitude of sins, mercies that endure forever, trust, and long suffering to withstand the tests of time. For the Lord has instructed that the race is not given to the swift nor battle given to the strong, but those who endure to the end shall be saved. 
II Cor 4:6-7
For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
So, therefore, we understand that the oil is the light which is His Holy Spirit. He says all things move and have its being by His spirit. His spirit has all we need to endure in these times, including wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. We have these treasures stored up in earthen vessels so that the excellency of His power shall shine through us and glorify our Father in heaven.
Therefore, let us not be spiritually asleep, but arise to contend for the faith and store up for ourselves treasures that dust and moth cannot corrupt.
II Peter 1:5-7
And besides this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge;
And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

#PREPARE #INSEASONANDOUT #KEEPSEEKING #KEEPPRAISING #HAVEFAITH