Are You Numbered Among The Wise?

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. - Matthew 25:1-2 KJV

The ten virgins represent those who profess to be followers of YESHUA, awaiting His return. The bridegroom symbolizes YESHUA Himself, and the wedding feast symbolizes the completion, the union of the Kingdom of Heaven. It is likened to a bride and the bridegroom becoming one on their wedding day.

The ten virgins are divided into two groups: five wise and five foolish. The wise virgins took oil in jars along with their lamps, while the foolish ones took their lamps but no extra oil. The oil is often interpreted as a symbol of the HOLY SPIRIT or genuine faith and preparedness. The wise virgins' plan to bring extra oil shows their readiness and spiritual vigilance.

Like the foolish virgins, many people today think that many years have passed and YESHUA has not yet return. Many people say, it’s been a long time now that they heard YESHUA is coming and HE has not return as yet. So they become complacent in their walk with GOD, not realizing that YESHUA can return at anytime. In this parable, the bridegroom showed up unannounced, when they least expected and they were not ready.

When the virgins heard the cry, they rose to trim their lamps. The foolish virgins, realized their lack of oil, asked the wise for some, but the wise refused, stating there may not be enough to share with them. The foolish virgins are advised to go and buy oil, but while they were away, the bridegroom arrived. The wise virgins, prepared and ready, entered the wedding banquet with him, and the door was shut. We cannot rely on someone else’s oil, we must have oil of our own. We cannot rely on someone else’s relationship with GOD, we must have our own relationship with GOD.

The question to us today is; would we be likened as wise or foolish? That depends on us individually. Let’s make sure we are numbered among the wise and keep our lamps fill with oil. Let’s ensure that we remain in a state of readiness and preparedness to meet YESHUA by continuing in prayer, and by reading and studying the word of GOD.

Are You Wise or Foolish

Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. - Matthew 7:24 NLT

When someone decides to build a house, it is important that they follow the building requirements that are set by the government. If they ignore the building codes and proceed to build, when natural disaster strikes, that house will not stand, it will be destroyed.

This is no different with our natural and spiritual lives. How are we building our lives? Are we building our lives on what YESHUA said or are we building on our own words or the words of others. The bible is the word of GOD, and we are to follow what GOD said in HIS word. In order to do what GOD says, we must read the bible. It is not enough to just listen to what someone say, we must read the bible for ourselves and ask the LORD to give us revelation and understanding. ‘

YESHUA said, he that listens to my teaching and follows it is wise. If you only listen to the word of GOD and does not obey the word you are considered foolish. But don’t just listen to GOD’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and does not forget what you heard, then GOD will bless you for doing it – James 1:22-25 NLT.

When we listen to GOD’s word and do what it says we become strong. This strength is not of ourselves, but we are strong in the LORD and in the power of HIS might. The word of GOD is powerful and teaches us how to live according to GOD’s standards, so that when the storms of life come, we do not fall apart, because our lives are built on a solid foundation which is YESHUA and HIS word. Anything that is false or superficial cannot stand and will fall.

Are you wise or are you foolish? Are you practicing the powerful teachings of YESHUA? Only you can answer these questions for yourself. If you know that you are not following, obeying the words of YESHUA, repent and begin today.

Don't Quench the Spirit

Do not quench the Spirit – 1 Thessalonians 5:19

Have you ever been in a space where people wanted you to be everything but you?  I’m talking about those moments when people showed you that your authentic self was too much, too different, too disruptive. This kind of pressure creates “Identity Claustrophobia.”

It’s a self-imposed straitjacket that shrinks the God-given uniqueness inside of you. Yet, we do the same thing to God. Without realizing it, we limit the Holy Spirit to the parts that feel safe, comfortable, or familiar. We quench Him. To quench means to extinguish, smother, and put out the fire God lit inside you. It’s arrogant for us even to try to limit God to our expectations. Here are some ways we don’t often understand and subconsciously restrict the Lord:

Deliverer: The Spirit of Truth delivers us from deception (John 16:13). He gives us eyes that see beyond lies, bad decisions, and distorted perspectives. Some of the greatest chains He breaks are not physical but mental and spiritual. So, we should allow Him to do the same with our approach to Him.

Director: The Spirit guides us into truth that logic alone can’t reach, and He does this to those He calls His children (Romans 8:14). Data may inform you, but only the Spirit can direct you. He doesn’t argue, He leads. Therefore, we need to let Him lead

Distributor: The Spirit equips us with gifts that build the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:1-11). Whether prophetic insight, wisdom, or tongues, every gift has a purpose. To suppress them out of fear or discomfort is to rob the community of what God meant to release through you.

Brethren, God’s silence is rooted in protection and not neglect. Yeshua told His disciples in John 16:12, “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear.” In other words, sometimes God holds back until your capacity catches up. His silence can be the gift that stretches you instead of stresses you. But the requirement is for us to let God lead and guide instead of us erecting boundaries around a limitless Lord.

Are you letting the Spirit be Himself? Are you giving Him permission to comfort, guide, empower, and even pray through you when you don’t have the words? This week, I want you to stop settling for cycles of limitation and start saying yes to the fullness of the Spirit. Let Him be the deliverer, director, and distributor in your life.