In the parable of the ten virgins (Matt 25:1-13) the virgins or bridesmaids waited for the arrival of the bridegroom, which in that tradition of marriage, could have happened at any time day or night. All ten had lamps lit but only five had extra oil in case the wait was long and the bridegroom came at night. When the bridegroom did come it was at night and the foolish virgins’ lamps sputtered as they were short of oil.

In this parable, Christ is the bridegroom returning for his church, his people, at his second coming. The foolish virgins were not prepared, they were like people that have not made Jesus their Lord and savior. The wise virgins had brought extra oil and were prepared; like people that have received Jesus as Lord and savior and are spiritually prepared to meet Christ at his second coming.

The wise virgins went in with the bridegroom to the wedding feast, just as spiritually prepared Christians will enter eternal life in heaven at Christ’s second coming.

The foolish virgins went looking at night for oil, just as spiritually unprepared people may search for the way to become a Christian at Christ’s second coming. When the foolish virgins returned with oil, the door of the wedding feast was closed and they could not enter. In fact, the bridegroom said to the unwise virgins: “I know you not” (KJV).

When Jesus returns, and he will, it will be too late to ask him into your life as Lord and savior. There are many, even in churches that see the light of Jesus but they do not know him. Have you repented of sin and asked Jesus into your life to be your Lord and savior and to give you the eternal life God has for you?

Be like a wise virgin, ask Jesus into your life now and make sure you have the light and are spiritually prepared to meet him when he comes back for his church.

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In 2 Corinthians 5:20 we are told that we are Christ's ambassadors; it doesn't say that we should try to be but we are. So, what is an ambassador? An ambassador for Christ is a representative of Christ; Jesus is not here in the flesh so we act as his hands, feet and voice. It sounds like quite a responsibility doesn't it?

In Ephesians 6:20 Paul said he was an ambassador in chains and goes on to talk about witnessing as he also does in 2 Corinthians 5:20. Thus an ambassador is also a witness. In verse 18 of 2 Corinthians 5 we read that: “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation”.

If you feel like you don't have a ministry then here is one you absolutely do have; we all do. Seeing as we are ambassadors our lives should be appropriate for this service; people should see Christ in us (1 Peter 2:12). In other words, we should be bearing fruit (John 15:8). What does that mean? Well, we should be coming more and more like Jesus every day; with his love flowing from us (John 13:34) and a heart’s desire to share Jesus with others (1 Peter 3:15). How do we get there?  By abiding in the vine (John 15:5). What does that mean? It means we need to be sold out for Jesus, spending time in prayer, his word and fellowship with him (Phil 3:8). There are no short cuts.

As we press into him (Phil 3:12), we will be changed, including our desires and priorities; we will become his ambassadors (2 Cor 3:18).

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"But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace." (Ps 37:11; KJV). A very similar scripture is found in Matthew 5:5 in the beatitudes. Meek is not a word we use so much these days and if we do it doesn't have very inspiring connotations; we think of such a person as week.

However, in the New Testament Greek, we see that meekness is far from weakness. Because as Christians we know who we are and what we have in Christ we can have a quiet confidence in face of any tests, trials or opposition; this is true meekness. We have our emotions under control. To be meek is also to walk in humility and submission to God; to be teachable. The closest English word is gentleness.

In Matthew 21:5 we are told that Jesus came in meekness and in Numbers 12:3 we learn that: “the man Moses was very meek". Meekness is actually a fruit of the Spirit, listed in Galatians 5:23; it is usually called gentleness in this reference but is the same Greek word as in Matthew 5:5. So, as we allow the Holy Spirit to work within us and develop his fruit then meekness will be evident in our lives.

In the epistle of Titus, we are exhorted as Christians: “to speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men” (Titus 3:2).

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 “Except the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain that build it” (Ps 127:1; KJV). What is the foundation for your life? Are you trusting in your bank account, your career? Those things may build a living for you but they will not build a life. Jesus said that he came to bring us an abundant life (John 10:10). This means a superabundant life in every aspect; prosperity, health, peace and purpose, to name but a few areas.

Gods eternal life starts now, in the present life and continues forever for the Christian (1 John 5:11). Jesus taught us about the foundation we need so we can enjoy the God kind of life (Matt 7:24-27). This foundation is the word of God; hearing it and doing it. Jesus likened this to putting down a firm foundation for a house on the rock. He also talked about the foolish man that built on the sand and the storms of life came and blew his house away; this man chose to ignore Gods word.

God’s word is truth, it is also life and the bible tells us that we shall know the truth and the truth shall set us free. (John 17:17; 8:32) We need to fall in love with God’s word and commit to spend time in it ahead of all other priorities (Ps 1:1-2); then we need to commit to do it. Try it, God will change your life and line it up with his.

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"And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace." (John 1:16 KJV) What a wonderful verse and notice that this amazing grace is bestowed on all. Grace is not dependent on anything that we can do but is God's gift of unmerited favor and mercy towards all his children (Eph 4:7).  

Grace is a freely given strength and force that empowers us to be and to have all that God has designed for us (2 Cor 12:9). The apostle Paul taught us that we are saved by grace and it is a gift from God (Eph. 2:8). In Romans 3:24 we are told that we are justified by grace. To be justified is simply to be made just as if we had never sinned. God’s grace is far greater and more powerful than our sins (Rom 5:20).

Again, in that verse in 2 Corinthians (2 Cor. 12:9), we are assured that God's grace is sufficient for us; in other words, it enables us to deal with and endure all our problems and it: “is made perfect in weakness”. God’s grace gives us: “all sufficiency in all things” that we: “may abound to every good work” (2 Cor 9:8). Wow and double wow!

Avail yourself of God's grace today - meditate on it, speak it and receive it.

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Check out our web site ( www.onthewayinlove.com ) for information on our book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”, including how to purchase it and also to see more encouraging Bible based blogs. Please recommend our book to others.