BVOV Magazine 2013 - present

If we’re doing that, when the trumpet sounds and Jesus appears in the clouds, we’ll know exactly what’s happening and we’ll be ready to go. We’ll be like Noah was when the flood came. He was prepared when the rain started falling. He wasn’t in the dark about what was going on, he was in the ark. He was safe, dry and ready to sail. No One Else Can Do It for You Jesus gave us another vivid picture of this kind of readiness in Matthew 25:1-8. He said: "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. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out." Think about those foolish virgins for a moment. Who decided they weren’t going to take any oil? They did. It was their decision. They made the choice not to be prepared. When the bridegroom came, they realized they’d made a mistake, but by then it was too late to correct it. They asked the wise virgins to help them: "But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh" (verses 9-13). One thing this parable makes very clear is that when it comes to being ready for your in-the-air meeting with Jesus, when it comes to being dedicated and consecrated to Him, no one else can do that for you. The pastor can’t do it. Your husband can’t do it. Your wife can’t do it. It’s your responsibility to see to it yourself that you’re fully prepared. God will help you with that preparation, of course. He’ll strengthen you and speak to you through His written Word. He’ll teach and lead you by His Holy Spirit. Between now and the time Jesus comes, He’ll provide you with everything you need to do what you’re called to do. But you have to cooperate with Him. You have to be watching and listening to what He’s saying to you on the inside. You have to be attending to His Word, praying and walking with Him day by day. He may have a work for you to do that you don’t even know about yet. But if you’ll give Him access to your time, He’ll tell you about it. He’ll show you the steps you need to take and help you fulfill His plan. I remember how He did that many years ago for our dear friend, Ed Dufresne. When he first got turned on to the Lord, he sensed a calling on the inside to preach but he didn’t feel like he could do it. So, the Lord led him to get some people together for a Bible study, play tapes of Kenneth’s messages for them, and then pray for them. After doing that for a while, one day Ed was heading out for one of those meetings and the Lord said to him, 'This time leave the tape recorder at home.' He obeyed and stepped into a mighty ministry of the Spirit that even today—years after Ed has gone home to heaven—is still impacting people’s lives for the Lord! God has steps like that for you to take, too. Even if you’re not in full-time ministry, He wants you to be laying hands on people for them to be healed. He wants you to be sharing the gospel with signs following, praying for people to receive the Holy Spirit, and impacting their lives for the Lord. So watch and pray, and be quick to obey. Do what God is calling you to do and stay ready because Jesus is coming—soon! V * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Points to Get You There: One of these days soon the Lord Jesus Christ is coming back for His Church. When that moment comes you don’t want to realize you haven’t prepared for it. You want to be ready to go! 1) Live every day in the awareness that the day of Jesus’ return is rapidly approaching. Titus 2:12-13 2) Let the anticipation of the Lord’s future coming inspire you to live a holy life now. 1 John 3:2-3 3) Fellowship with Him in the Word and in prayer and walk with Him every day. 1 John 2:28 4) Watch for His leadings and listen to what He’s saying to you on the inside. Matthew 25:13 5) Be excited about His coming because it’s going to be the greatest adventure of your life! 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 BVOV : 31

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