THINK SERIES, PART 15: "ON BEING PRUDENT AND SHREWD"

What does this really mean – ‘The simple believes everything but the prudent gives thoughts to his steps” (Proverbs 14:15).

That is a powerful statement that addresses the gullibility and the discernment of two types of people. We do not really have to look very far to observe this fact. Because most of modern humankind is bereft of Critical Thinking,

Many of us may remember the “Beanie Baby” craze of the 1990s. That five-inch-high stuffed toy created a market that rose up, made countless millions for those who knew how to market the allegedly exclusive ones and get them off their basement shelves to gullible buyers. Twenty years later, you and I can find boxes of them at garage or yard sales for 50 cents a pop. What does this have to do with thinking, by normally conservative and even discerning folks? Well, some of them THOUGHT they could make the big jackpot by selling the “Princess Diana” purple beanie in the plexiglass case.

This is just one simple, fun and harmless example, unless someone spent their entire social security check on $ 100s of dollars of Beanies, thinking they would pull in the bucks, within weeks and months, only to find out that another million people had the same idea. However, the goal of this series is not to go Dr. Phil on folks and pick on them with “what were you thinking”… about any decision where we follow the crowd. The goal is to develop and train, first in ourselves and then our children, grandchildren, and those whom we mentor, the value of prudent (as opposed to positive) thinking, Biblical thinking, and how to think critically.

The original biblical Hebrew word for “prudent” is “Arum”. It is a word which ranges in definition from being “shrewd, subtle, and prudent” to the almost opposite, as in cunning. Jesus tells us in Matthew 10:6, as He warned His disciples to be “as shrewd as serpents but as innocent as a dove”.  Two things about this quote from the Greatest Life Coach Who ever lived:

Jesus is NOT saying that we are to be as deceptive as that snake, Satan. This is the sinless Son of God.  What Jesus means is to be extremely discerning. That is, to know when to hold them, know when to fold them, as an old song goes.

Every intention of the word “prudent” in Proverbs 14:15 requires we are supposed to have, not just proper thought, but discernment, grounded in truth – objective truth. Objective truth is black and white. Either you believe or you do not.  The Bible gives a powerful statement regarding atheists, where the good Book says, “the fool says in his heart, there is no God”. It takes more “faith” to NOT believe your eyes, your conscience, and the law of God written in the hearts of every single human ever born, than the faith it takes to be a believer in Jesus, as Lord. That is literally Objective truth.

There are also terms of Logic. When an atheist or an agnostic (i.e., an atheist who is a coward) makes a statement that there is no such thing as Absolute Truth, when we say that we believe in God, that non-believer has violated the terms of Logic by making an absolute statement. Therefore, under the terms of logic, we can, by all rights, dismiss their argument. Period.

To get to this point of Critical Thinking, one must have a strongly and exponentially growing measure of Biblical Wisdom. The first three Chapters of the Book of Proverbs will be a good place to start and read, over and over, until it sinks into your consciousness. I spent two weeks in Proverbs chapter 2  a while back, as I felt the tug of the Lord pulling me back more and more to those pages to embed those words in my soul. What emerged from that period, where I camped on Chapter 2, was a series called - "A Proverbs 2 Man". (CLICK HERE FOR VIDEOS).

We must be led by the Spirit to discern the wiles of this corrupt world, so that we can function, with an unction, in the Righteousness of God - in thought, in word and in deed. The Holy Spirit will guide us into the pathway of ALL Truth.

To be as shrewd as a serpent and innocent as doves, we must know the ways, teachings, and commands of God so that we will never sin.  There is a line in the Lord’s Prayer where Jesus teaches us to pray, in the original language – “do not allow us to fall into temptation”. We have to be buffeted and surrounded by the strength that comes from God and His Word,  so that we can spot a trap a mile off. We have to be in our right mind. We have to think. We have to think critically.

Sadly, too many Christians fall for the wiles of a seductive financial deal, woman (or man) or something that is too good to be true. When we have the ability, capacity, and the FREEDOM to RUN in the opposite direction. The Bible gives us clear direction to think critically so we do not ruin what is most precious to us and Him, our witness, testimony, reputation, and families.  He has given us these beautiful and powerful words to embed in our consciousness that we can live in peace, joy, and contentment, all the days of our lives.

Proverbs 3:5-7 “: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and turn away from evil". Amen

THE 3:16 VERSES OF THE BIBLE, PART 26, THE OLD TESTAMENT CONCLUDES: "WISDOM GOD'S WAY= ABUNDANT LIFE"

Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. (Proverbs 3:16)

There is  a reason for leaving the final installment of the 3:16 verses of the Old Testament for last. In the preceding expository and meaningful studies of the 3:16 verses of the Great Prophets, we were deeply immersed in some very intense teachings. These Words which came directly from the Throne of God, via both the minor and major Old Testament prophets proclaim not just the current condition of humankind, but are pregnant with precise details of events which are either occurring right now, or will come when the gig is up (the End of Days).

Do not let this distinction between the so-called “Major and Minor” Prophets be an impediment. They are only called major because of the sheer volume of their work. Isaiah is a major prophet with an amazing work packed with 66 chapters! The so-called “minor” prophet Malachi only had four short chapters.  But an entire overview of God’s Rule, Sovereignty, Final Judgment and more can be found in two of those four chapters which Malachi wrote.  Isaiah is both historical and prophetic of events at the end of days. They all work together, for the Glory of God.

The key in comprehending; allowing the Holy Spirit to stir and convict our souls, and then applying God’s instructions so we may in complete alignment with Him, is Wisdom.

This is what Proverbs 3:16 teaches us at the end of all that has preceded in the 25 part-series on the Old Testament.  True Godly wisdom is the caveat for the woman or man of God to not just hear and know what He is saying, in these last days, but to track with His thinking. Wisdom from God is a completely different entity than the wisdom of the world. The twain shall never meet.

What the World calls “Wisdom” is actually secular knowledge. Acquiring more and more degrees, diplomas and certification – from  the IT fields to business to whatever, will bring prosperity and good living in the temporal (this life). But the true Wisdom of the Lord brings so much more.

The wisdom of the world seeks after self-fulfillment. 

The Wisdom of God seeks after God.

The wisdom of the world  looks after one’s own self-interest. 

The Wisdom of God furthers the Kingdom of God by understanding what He requires and thus, becoming “other-focused”. 

The wisdom of the world is what brought sin into the world.

Adam and Eve bought the lies of the serpent and saw the Forbidden Tree, which God had specifically put off limits, as Eve noted in Genesis 3:6 (“….when the woman saw that the tree was good for food…..and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took the fruit and ate”.  Eating the forbidden fruit of this corrupt world, without the accompanying Godly wisdom and discernment is the final recipe for Spiritual Death and disaster.

Proverbs 3:16 is a statement of fact perfectly placed in the very center of instruction from the Lord, on being wise by His standards.  To know what this verse means, we look at Scripture explaining Scripture. 

James 1:5 says that "if ANYONE lacks wisdom, let him ASK of God” (Emphasis mine). However, listen to what the leader of the first ever Church in Jerusalem, and half brother of the Lord Jesus also said in the very next verse (6a): "But he must ask in faith without any doubting".  The Lord said through James- ASK IN FAITH.

We know from John 9:31 that ""We know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is God-fearing and does His will, He hears him"

Therefore, from the Word of God, we know this fixed equation: to ask God for wisdom, we MUST have Faith in Him. This Faith only comes from knowing God, through Jesus Christ as Lord and Master of our lives. So knowing this, we can understand what Proverbs 3:16 is leading us to comprehend:

A. Long life is in her right hand.  In the Bible, the right hand is the more important or significant hand as it denotes power and favor. Jesus is said to be seated (in glory) on the "Right Hand" of God. Jesus Himself said in Matthew 22:44 about Himself, the following: "'THE LORD SAID TO MY LORD, "SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND, UNTIL I PUT YOUR ENEMIES BENEATH YOUR FEET "'? (which He quoted from Psalm 110:1). 

So whether it is at the Right Hand of God, where Jesus the Messiah sits (so to speak) or the shot-gun rider on a western stage-coach, or the co-pilot on an airplane, or meet “so and so….my right-hand man” – we are talking important stuff! Here in Proverbs 3:16, Wisdom is the “her”, as in “her right hand”. For the first 15 verses, God instructs not just on the knowledge and benefits of being spiritually wise, but He implicitly tells us to be not “wise in our own eyes” (Proverbs 3:7).

There is danger for one who is wise in his/her own eyes. Bad choices based on self-created “wisdom” can lead to a horrible life, and one that is even shortened if illegal conduct like addictions, tax evasion or worse are involved. But the wisdom of God leads to a long productive life.

There is disaster for the person who “despises the chastening of the Lord” (Proverbs 3:11) because that means this person, (now in the majority these days) is telling God – “I don’t need You, I can do this myself”….or worse language than this.  The result of this is Romans 1:28  - God lets them go their own way. Even if they don’t drive off a literal cliff in this life, they already have gone off the edge and the pit of eternal destruction awaits them when they take their last breath. But the wisdom of God, allowing His discipline and guidance to correct our conduct and thinking, leads to a better life here and resting in His Shalom for an eternity.

This is the true meaning of the first part of Proverbs 3:16. Spiritual wisdom directs us to to trust and full obedience through His Written Word. This is the explicit guidance of the Holy Spirit which then leads to long life here and most importantly – Eternal life in the very Presence of God, where there are an infinite length of days!

B. In her (Wisdom) left hand riches and honor – When we think of a person of honor, from the Bible we have men like the Prophet Daniel. In modern Christian history, we have people like George Mueller who on his own, took care of 10,024 children at his orphanages during his lifetime. The 117 schools he started taught Christian education to 112, 000 children. Yet he only took a salary of the modern day equivalent of $10,291 (in today dollars) for his entire family and himself. He never fund-raised or begged for money like come churches and television preachers.  Still, none of the thousands in his care went cold, hungry or without clothes. Muller gave everything up and all he did was pray, and let God provide. In God’s Eyes, Muller’s example and his legacy are riches which will never fill an earthly treasury, but more important – matter tremendously in Heaven!

The incredible Prophet Daniel is well known for being thrown into a lion’s den by the Babylonian king who had not yet become a follower of the God of Daniel. The prophet received that unjust sentence because he refused to bow to Nebuchadnezzar’s wishes and eat meat that was sacrificed to pagan idols. What is amazing about Daniel, is not just his prophesies or his faithfulness and prayers to Almighty God. What stands out to us is the following statement by the Angel, who had come DIRECTLY from the Throne Room of God to declare the following personal commendation to a mortal man. 

Here is the DIRECT Message sent by God and personally delivered to Daniel (CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL CHAPTER 10): 
11 He said to me, “O Daniel, man of high esteem, understand the words that I am about to tell you and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.” And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling. 12 Then he said to me, “Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and on humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to your words. (Daniel 10:11-12)

So here is what Godly wisdom, fueled by obedience and strong faith leads to (from Daniel 10:11-12):
Daniel got the highest honor ANYONE in the Bible could have DIRECTLY. God spoke to Moses, Abraham, Job and many others. But there was never a message like this. Daniel was held in high esteem in heaven, in both eternal riches and honor because his Godly Discernment and Wisdom resulted from actively pursuing God in prayer and no compromise with the pagan world.These are all gleaned from Daniel 10:12:
- Daniel set his heart on understanding (seeking God and His Wisdom through the Scriptures and prayer).
- Daniel was such a peaceful, humble man that he knew from whence cometh his strength. It came from God. He bowed at the Feet of the Throne where the Master abideth.
- Daniel prayed constantly. Because he sought wisdom. Because he, Daniel, was humble. When the words of Daniel, via his power prayers, reach heaven - God responded immediately and sent in the Cavalry!

Daniel's "left hand" ...joined with his right hand in prayer wisely prayed. God responded with eternal riches of high esteem in heaven and honor from the Throne. George Mueller sold all this possessions and lived on 300 British pounds (1800's) per year for his entire family. Mueller live his entire decades long life in ministry to countless thousands of children. Mueller's prayers were almost always immediately answered and thousands of orphans were clothed, fed, kept warm and instructed in the Lord.

These are all pure living examples of wise and humble heroes of the Christian faith. Today, these two recorded historical figures - Daniel and George Mueller - remain the highest of standards. But God is doing the same thing in places across His entire planet, which we will never hear of, until that Great Day of the Lord in Heaven, when all...and I mean ALL - will be revealed.

Long life and the love and respect of God Himself....these are the hallmarks of the truly spiritually wise man or woman who follows Jesus Christ. This is the cherry on top of an amazing walk through all "3:16" verses of the Old Testament.  

FINAL BILLY GRAHAM CRUSADE THIS THURSDAY NOVEMBER 7

BIGGEST WORLDWIDE TELEVISION/INTERNET EVENT EVER

We are living in not just the final days of America as a once great God-fearing nation, but Heaven's clock in running on the lifespan of all things in Creation. Our very next breath, regardless of station in life: from the lowliest to the mightiest, is not guaranteed. Scripture tells us in Psalm 90:12 to " teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."  Wisdom is in short supply these days. Godly wisdom is in even shorter supply, yet it is in high demand. Godly wisdom with the compassion and ability to share God's Truth to a corrupt, sick, evil dying world is ever rarer. I had a divine appointment with a terminal cancer patient in her 70's, who did not ever have an encounter with the Lord. Yet, everyone called her "spiritual". You know what that means - absolutely nothing. That gave me the privilege of sharing the Love of Christ; His Peace and our passing from this world to the next and how we fit into this Plan. Billy Graham has done that all his adult life, since he was born again at a Crusade in North Carolina. In a career spanning about seven decades, he has preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ to more people worldwide than any other human ever born. His crusades from the early days in the 1940's are well documented and can still be view on the Trinity Broadcasting Network every Saturday night! 

 

William Franklin Graham Jr is now about to turn 95! The Lord has given him one final word to share with the world before he departs in peace, some day, to meet his Lord and Savior. The amazing thing about this Crusade is that it may be both the easiest and least expensive in logistics and staff he has ever done! The Last Great Crusade by Billy Graham is ALL electronic! It will reach more millions of lost souls, and Billy's fellow saints like us, than packing a stadium with 100,000 and 20 TV cameras ever did! The goal is to literally meet folks where they are, where they live and operate, in order to reach them with the Gospel of Peace, Love, Joy, Repentance and Salvation - before it is too late for them! The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) which is responsible for the greatest and biggest ever crusade has developed multiple modes of outreach and invitation to both watch this vital 1/2 hour message from Billy and then discuss it, fellowship with some snacks or coffee and then pray with your friends and family!  You can watch this on your laptops and tablets at the Coffee shop or mall. You can watch it simulcast or streaming at church or down at the latest gym. You can invite a small party over to your living room or at your dorm and just reach out your heart and hands to those who are searching for Truth or those who desperately need Hope! I therefore urge one and all to visit the following Billy Graham websites, explore them and then conclude which viewing setting would be the most comfortable and appropriate for both you and your guests. Most of all, pray that this message of the Cross and Hope reach where the Lord is sending it - to receptive hearts:

MY HOPE AMERICA OFFICIAL WEBSITE (CLICK HERE)

BILLY GRAHAM (CLICK HERE)

WATCH MY HOPE- LIST OF STATIONS

A LIST OF LOCAL STATIONS & TV NETWORKS SHOWING "THE CROSS"

 (IN PART...SEE BELOW)

Local Broadcasts

	City	Channel	Station	Air Date	Air Time (local time)
	Aurora, IL	24.3	WPVN TNN	Nov 08	6:00 pm
	Aurora, IL	24.3	WPVN TNN	Nov 10	10:30 am
	Chicago, IL	57	WDCI DST	Nov 07	7:30 pm
	Chicago, IL	50	WPWR MNT	Nov 09	6:30 pm
	Chicago, IL	62.2	MCTV	Nov 10	3:00 pm
	Galesburg (Quad Cities), IL	8	WMWC TBN	Nov 07	7:00 pm
	LaSalle (Chicago), IL	10	WWTO TBN	Nov 07	7:00 pm
	Mount Vernon, IL	13	WPXS DST	Nov 07	7:30 pm
	Peoria-Bloomington, IL		GPS-TV WTV	Nov 08	6:30 pm
	Peoria-Bloomington, IL		GPS-TV WTV	Nov 09	6:30 pm
	Peoria-Bloomington, IL		GPS-TV WTV	Nov 10	6:30 pm
	Quincy, IL	16	WTJR CTN	Nov 08	9:00 pm
	Quincy, IL	16	WTJR CTN	Nov 09	8:00 pm
	Quincy, IL	16	WTJR CTN	Nov 10	6:00 pm
	St. Louis, IL	50	W50CH WTV	Nov 08	6:30 pm
	St. Louis, IL	50	W50CH WTV	Nov 09	6:30 pm
	St. Louis, IL	50	W50CH WTV	Nov 10	6:30 pm

National Broadcasts

	Network	Air Date	Air Time
	TBN	Nov 7	8:00 pm ET
	FOX NEWS	Nov 7	10:00 pm ET
	ANGEL TWO	Nov 9	6:30 pm ET
	ANGEL TWO	Nov 10	5:30 pm ET
	BLAZETV	Nov 9	7:00 pm ET
	BLAZETV	Nov 10	4:00 pm ET
	CORNERSTONE	Nov 8	10:30 pm ET
	CORNERSTONE	Nov 10	4:30 pm ET
	CTN	Nov 8	8:30 pm ET
	CTN	Nov 9	8:00 pm ET
	DAYSTAR	Nov 7	8:30 pm ET
	DAYSTAR	Nov 9	4:30 pm ET

PERSECUTION COMES TO AMERICA, Part 2

TEN VIRGINS - FIVE WISE, FIVE FOOLISH

Where do YOU fall in?

There is a quote I heard years ago from the saints in the underground persecuted Chinese church. Apparently, some American believers had gone to China to pay them a visit and encourage them. One of us Yanks asked a persecuted Chinese brother "How can we pray for you?" This is a fair enough....to which the Chinese Christian (who daily has to hide or run for his life so he can worship/evangelize) said to the American Christian "Pray that we DON'T BECOME LIKE YOU!" Ouch!

THAT is a sad commentary on the state of American Christianity today! Days are coming, declares the Lord when the rubber of preparation will meet the road of execution. Days are coming when we will be called upon to say if we are truly a son or daughter of God in Christ - or one of the foolish five virgins!


Jesus tells the Parable of the Ten Virgins in Matthew 25 as a warning for today's believer to act! It is prophetic and scary because many will fail to understand what Jesus really says here. “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. 


And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. (Matthew 25:1-13 ESV)


These are not just EVIL times, but END Times! Yesterday, in Part 1, I listed some of the instances of persecution against the very men and women who lay their lives on the line to defend the same Religious Freedom, now denied them. It is worse than those recent examples. In the past month, the New York City mayor and his sidekicks have banned the use of school buildings, for Sunday worship. All across America, high school gyms, which are not used on Sunday mornings, make extra-money and help hundreds of struggling smaller and poor churches, by allowing the use of their gyms or auditoriums for a fee as churches. Why shouldn't they? It is the property taxes of these same church-going citizens which pay for these schools!


The anti-Christian Mayor Bloomberg, himself a secular billionaire, has now taken to arresting New York bible believing pastors who are praying in front of city hall to protest this unconstitutional travesty. The Pastor of Manhattan Bible Church has been arrested twice for praying. This man is not even an activist or a troublemaker!


Last September, Bloomberg had even banned all Clergy at the site of the 9/11 Attacks 10th Anniversary Commemoration, only because he could. This is the same mayor, who wanted to allow the moslems to set up a mosque just blocks away from the Twin Tower ruins! The issue is shutting down Christians and no one else. There are more and more frequent examples of this kind of trials and tribulations for believers in Christ. It is coming down to the wire and down to us versus them. As the day for the Return of Christ draws closer, more and more of this kind of thing will have you full of righteous indignation - as it should. By the way, one word of caution - do not hate as they do. Praying for them is rewarding as the burden is OFF YOU and ON them, because the Wrath of God is NOT with us!


All  well and good...The question is, if or when called upon, are we as a people known as the Body of Christ, ready?! And by ready, I mean, ready to preach the Word boldly, pray righteously or even be beaten or sent to jail by pagans and secular humanists...or will we sell out and compromise with the world systems?  People are already doing that while calling themselves "christians" or "clergy"!  Again, we do NOT want to be like them, because they are using the Name of Christ for unholy, ungodly secular purposes.


Let us look at again at our passage from Matthew 25. At first, we all scratch our heads as to the meaning of this Ten Virgin story. However, the explanation is very simple.

The actual word used by Jesus is not 'virgin' but "PARTHENOS". This literally means "believers who are  pure, chaste and holy or who have kept ourselves apart from the world, until the Return of Jesus Christ"!!!! Jesus is NOT talking about people who have had no sexual relations, but those who have been saved....those who know they are saved....and those who have been set apart from the world and live that way, because ...think of it, friends....do we really want to be like them??!!

So we have established the literal meaning of what Jesus meant. Now here is where it looks a little tricky. All ten "virgins" are in the story and all ten have lamps. This is symbolic of those who say they believe in Christ...because the verse does say they "went to meet the bridegroom - who is Christ!

So again, there were/are five wise 'virgins' and five foolish ones and all have lamps. The lamp is their spirit. Every human being is Body, Soul and Spirit. These ten virgins appear to be like most in the modern American church today. All ten will appear on the surface, to be the same, and will be thought of as Christ followers,  since all ten apparently have a lamp of the Spirit with them!

Now here is the rub - something was missing - OIL! In the Bible, oil is symbolic of the Holy Spirit! The actual word for oil in this passage is ELAION! The prefix is EL - the Prefix of the Name of God which means Mighty or Powerful as in El Elyon (Most High God) or El Shaddai (All Sufficient God). The oil that Jesus is talking about is the Oil of the Spirit of God Who empowers and indwells the true Believer!!! This is Biblical Truth and a Rhema Word of Revelation!

Five of these "virgins" had "flasks" of oil or had their own oil of the Spirit of God and the others did not! The reason they could not share their flasks of pure extra-virgin olive oil with the five foolish "believers" in this message from Christ, is that each person who claims Christ as their Savior, has to have their own "oil" in them....their own special seal of Holy Spirit in our lives...and be claimed and marked for redemption on that day when the Trumpet sounds and Jesus comes and says "this one's mine...that one's mine...and THAT one ain't!" These five virgins could not share their oil even if they wanted to! Their "oil" was custom designed for them alone - literally, and by Father God Himself!

Of the ten people in that church example, only a certain number (5) will be saved! This may not seem fair, but God has given us ALL enough time, while it is still today, to get right with him. He has given us every opportunity, time after time after time, to come back to Him and surrender ourselves to Him. But the majority of the American church...nay - the entire Western church from the UK/Europe to North America lives like we have all the time in the world. 

Jesus said He will come unexpectedly. We also know that Life is fleeting and we can go to Him right now and be in a literal eternity of Hurt and separation from Heaven - if our lamps are not full of oil...meaning, if we are NOT really saved, but are walking around with a lamp in some church, kidding ourselves that we're okay because 'man, we're christians...we're Americans'!!! 

All of this political mumbo jumbo and getting excited by who is more conservative, or who is pro-life, or who is the better candidate to defend the Constitution means NOTHING if when Tribulation, Persecution or sudden death comes, you and I have NO OIL or no Seal of Approval from God, that you and I belong to Him! I know I do...are you sure you do??!!! Pray right now, with me....

Father in the Name of Jesus, I ask You now to give me the ability to search my own heart to see if I am really in the Faith or if I have been fooling myself, like those five foolish virgins.

Lord it is all good to have righteous anger at how your people are being persecuted around the world for Christ, but Lord where is the anger at my own sin? Where are the eyes to see, as You see, that I need to view the way I have been living as an abomination in Your Eyes?

Where is the knowledge that I am the one walking around pretending when my own lamp is completely empty of the Holy and Empowering Spirit of God and I need Him to fill me with that oil of Joy, Peace, Hope, Love, Grace and more?

So have access to all of me. I acknowledge right now, in the Name of Jesus that I need to repent and confess all my sins and seek complete and total forgiveness from You, and ask You to be the Lord of my life right now...so that when the "Bridegroom", the Lord Jesus, does come back, I will be with the Wise and have my own lamp glowing with Holy Fire, so He can see me and know that I am His, in Jesus' Name, amen!

(image by google image)