G e t t i n g   P r e p a r e d

 

This morning was a disaster!

Well, no, that is an exaggeration.

But it sure was a BIG disappointment!

 

 I was awake early, as usual. The photos I had taken yesterday were  processed, and the ones not useful were deleted. A glance at the digital  clock told me that the DAWN was beginning.

 

 This was my signal to put my computer on low power mode, and open the tops of both bedroom windows. Then I picked up my camera.

 

Outside in the sky toward the east, the sky was rapidly becoming a brilliant pink, with traces of orange. With a big smile toward heaven, I turned on the camera and focused the lens. Then I clicked the shutter button.

 

Nothing!

 

Again and again, I clicked the shutter button, becoming more frustrated with each attempt. I tried to figure out what the problem was, without success.

 

Finally my last option came to mind:  "The battery hasn't been charged in a while, and maybe there just isn't enough 'juice' to click the shutter."

 

So I dug into my camera bag for the charger, removed the battery from the camera, and put them together into the wall socket. Sure enough, the red light went on, and stayed that way for several hours until the color changed to green.

 

I worshipped God during the sunrise - but without my camera I could not record the event.

 

It was not going to happen. My equipment was not in order.          

I was not prepared.

It was a VERY big disappointment!

 

So here we go again, making lemonade from a sour lemon.

"Lord, please help me make good lemonade here!"

 

And, suddenly I understood:

 

"Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.

"Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent.

"For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them,

but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps.

"Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep.

"But at midnight there was a shout, 'Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.'

"Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps.

"The foolish said to the prudent, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.'

"But the prudent answered, 'No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.'

"And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut.

"Later the other virgins also came, saying, 'Lord, lord, open up for us.'

 "But he answered, 'Truly I say to you, I do not know you.'

 "Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.

Matthew 25:1-13  NASB

 

What was Jesus talking about here? The context is the timing - the coming of the bridegroom to the wedding.

 

Jesus Himself is the Bridegroom for whom we wait.

 

Obviously, we must be prepared. We must get ready. We must not leave out any part of what we've been told to do.

 

And what are the commands of Jesus to those who want to be His Bride?

Receive the Holy Spirit

 

Preach the Gospel of the Kingdom

 

Re-member (put together again) His Body

 

Be ministers of reconciliation

 

Heal the sick

 

Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, taking care of the widows and orphans

 

Minister to those in prison

 

Cast out demons

 

Raise the dead

 

DO THE WORKS THAT JESUS DID!

 

 

In the meantime, for Americans and many others around the world, the easy life is fast disappearing, and people are studying up and stocking up for SURVIVAL.

 

We are being increasingly warned about hyperinflation disaster sure to come as national and global dominoes fall. The circumstances in Germany leading to the rise of Hitler, and today's example in Zimbabwe are major warning signs.

 

Please take a look here:

http://www.personalliberty.com/bob-livingston/investor-sounds-alarm-on-hyperinflation/

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