Day 21: Filling the Lamps with Oil
Question: How good is your relationship with the Holy Spirit?
Bible Passage: (Matthew 25:1-13) - Matthew 25:6 “It was the middle of the night when the cry rang out, ‘The Bridegroom is here! Go out to meet him!”
Reflection: Praying, Giving, and Fasting are equally important and critical to taking care of ourselves spiritually and bearing the Image of God well. The Holy Spirit is the Oil in the Parable of the 10 Virgins.
Look up how many of the writers of the New Testament Epistles called entire churches “little children.” It's a very intentional segué…we read “born again” in the precious red letters, and his disciples called those who were born again ‘children.’ Kids gotta learn a lot, and often get mad when confronted with this reality. They don't realize their own ignorance, and they can't help it.
If I had to sum up what the Holy Spirit wants me to say, it's “be vigilant, and keep your lamps full.” The first part of Matthew 25 is the first place we see this parable of the 10 Virgins.
‘Vigilant’ is defined as: being careful to watch for possible danger or difficulties.
What were the conditions the Messiah described when he taught about that during the Parable about the arrival of the bridegroom? There was darkness, and they needed oil in their lamp to “go out and meet him.” They were expected to be prepared. Half were, and the other half were lazy in their preparation.
Forget about the news, forget about your shows, and sports for a day. In other words, if the Holy Spirit is guiding you to fast from food, I challenge you to double down and for just one day subtract something that isn't food that your flesh likes too much. If you can't pray/meditate or read your Bible, then have conversations you've been putting off, do acts of mercy, show love (agape) to those around you. The council of the canon is pretty clear about there being a ‘path of life' and the ‘wide road to destruction.’ The LORD is the same yesterday, today, and forever. His manifold love is something I urge you to press into and rest in. We'll need it more every day until our mortal bodies return to the dust.
Jesus chose to allow himself to be handed over to the Temple Guards and allowed himself to be scourged and then carried the cross and laid down his life of his own accord on the cross, so that his followers could have the Holy Spirit given in the Upper Room on Pentecost (WOW, what love!). Those who are born again have access to that same spirit. Seek a deeper connection with the Holy Spirit in your quiet time today.
Prayer: Father, keep us vigilant and awake. In the darkness of this world, help us keep our lamps full and our hearts ready for the Bridegroom. Holy Spirit, fill us again where we have grown distracted, weary, or complacent. Teach us to hunger for Your presence more than the temporary things of this world. Help us to pray deeply, love faithfully, and walk in obedience. Thank You, Jesus, for the cross, and for making a way for us to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Lead us on the path of life, and help us reflect Your love well until the day You return. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Bible Passage: (Matthew 25:1-13) - Matthew 25:6 “It was the middle of the night when the cry rang out, ‘The Bridegroom is here! Go out to meet him!”
Reflection: Praying, Giving, and Fasting are equally important and critical to taking care of ourselves spiritually and bearing the Image of God well. The Holy Spirit is the Oil in the Parable of the 10 Virgins.
Look up how many of the writers of the New Testament Epistles called entire churches “little children.” It's a very intentional segué…we read “born again” in the precious red letters, and his disciples called those who were born again ‘children.’ Kids gotta learn a lot, and often get mad when confronted with this reality. They don't realize their own ignorance, and they can't help it.
If I had to sum up what the Holy Spirit wants me to say, it's “be vigilant, and keep your lamps full.” The first part of Matthew 25 is the first place we see this parable of the 10 Virgins.
‘Vigilant’ is defined as: being careful to watch for possible danger or difficulties.
What were the conditions the Messiah described when he taught about that during the Parable about the arrival of the bridegroom? There was darkness, and they needed oil in their lamp to “go out and meet him.” They were expected to be prepared. Half were, and the other half were lazy in their preparation.
Forget about the news, forget about your shows, and sports for a day. In other words, if the Holy Spirit is guiding you to fast from food, I challenge you to double down and for just one day subtract something that isn't food that your flesh likes too much. If you can't pray/meditate or read your Bible, then have conversations you've been putting off, do acts of mercy, show love (agape) to those around you. The council of the canon is pretty clear about there being a ‘path of life' and the ‘wide road to destruction.’ The LORD is the same yesterday, today, and forever. His manifold love is something I urge you to press into and rest in. We'll need it more every day until our mortal bodies return to the dust.
Jesus chose to allow himself to be handed over to the Temple Guards and allowed himself to be scourged and then carried the cross and laid down his life of his own accord on the cross, so that his followers could have the Holy Spirit given in the Upper Room on Pentecost (WOW, what love!). Those who are born again have access to that same spirit. Seek a deeper connection with the Holy Spirit in your quiet time today.
Prayer: Father, keep us vigilant and awake. In the darkness of this world, help us keep our lamps full and our hearts ready for the Bridegroom. Holy Spirit, fill us again where we have grown distracted, weary, or complacent. Teach us to hunger for Your presence more than the temporary things of this world. Help us to pray deeply, love faithfully, and walk in obedience. Thank You, Jesus, for the cross, and for making a way for us to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Lead us on the path of life, and help us reflect Your love well until the day You return. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
by: White Stone Member
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Day 1: The Joy of Conviction Day 2: Formed for WisdomDay 3: God is Our Refuge Day 4: Fighting the FleshDay 5: What is the next right thing to do?Day 6: The Spiritual Discipline of Silence Day 7: Not Fast, Just Furious Day 8: The Rosetta GroanDay 9: The Secret Place, It Starts HereDay 10: Call GodDay 11: Leave Nothing Undone Day 12: WhyDay 13: Obedience That Hurts, Endurance in the Midst of Suffering Day 14: Unbalancing Your Life for GodDay 15: What weighs you down?Day 16: The Delusion of Pride Day 17: The "It's Not that Serious" SinDay 18: The Primary Goal of Prayer is Presence Day 19: The Privilege of Lamenting Day 20: No Turning Back Day 21: Filling the Lamps with Oil
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