Open It And Read

 

Open. Read.

*Understand Preparing Yourself*

You've probably watched a lot of "end time" videos, maybe dozens. You know the signs, you know the verses. But I have to say that I am uncomfortable about some things that some people think it's what Jesus wants of us as believers, BUT IT IS NOT WHAT JESUS WANTS. Two things, and the 2nd one I had to deal with at one point in my Christian walk.

1. Information is not oil.

Jesus told a parable about 10 virgins - acting as bridesmaids (Matthew 25:1-3) who were waiting to go into the wedding banquet. Five of them were wise (ready), five were foolish (unprepared). Here's the detail so many skip. All 10 virgins KNEW the groom was coming. That was never in question. All of them were waiting for Him. All believed to be ready. But, knowing he was coming was not what separated the wise from the foolish. The OIL IN THE LAMP did. So if watching videos online through you tube, face book, TV specials, DVD's , listening to preachers or opinions has made you "informed," good! But being "informed" is not the same as being ready. Five of those virgins who were "waiting," believed to be "ready" to meet the Bridegroom, were not. They were shut out and refused entance even though they were fully informed! They knew scriptures, even did mighty good works in Jesus Name. Hmm. When they knocked on that CLOSED door, the answer wasn't "you didn't know enough information so you cannot enter," it was "I don't know you' so they COULDN'T enter! That is a relationship word phrase (I don't know you) not a " lack of knowledge phrase. Matthew 7:23 records it as Jesus saying I NEVER KNEW YOU!  Meaning there was never a relationship established with Jesus. Oil in your lamp signifies evidence of the Holy Spirit .. those who walk in the Spirit have an intimate closeness to GOD. You would never open up your own front door to allow someone in you don't know. Neither will Jesus. Does He know you?

2. Here's my 2nd point. 

I was guilty many years back. Albeit done in ignorance, not willfully. It is this: letting someone tell you about Jesus- His WORD (bible)  instead of learning to HEAR HIM by reading it yourself. This was me. I allowed other people for many years do my seeking for me without establishing a personal relationship with Him. I never studied a bible because I did not think it was necessary when friends shared their opinions, radio preachers spoke, and the preacher gave sermons in church. I thought that was enough. I WAS WRONG. I wasn't developing a relationship with Jesus, I was developing an opinion from everyone else's thoughts and understanding. WEIGHING THIS, WEIGHING THAT and from there what sounded right or logical, I clung to. Not knowing I wasn't in a personal relationship. I was just gathering information. And information is not oil!

Jesus said, "If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into the ditch" (Matthew 15:14). Read that last part again. BOTH FALL, not just those who lead. Jesus called some of them blind guides because although they looked and sounded authoritative and well-trained, their hearts were not where they were supposed to be. Not all who teach or preach are guiding you into truth but just giving you information that you'll fill your heart with believing "information" is enough to say you know Jesus. Back in my early days I fell in that trap. I WAS ONLY SEEKING INFORMATION WITHOUT KNOWING JESUS, GOING BY WHAT I WAS TOLD was supposedly what right or what things meant based on opinions. But that's not my point because eventually you will grow, learn more, understand deeper, etc.  My gravest error was, I had no relationship with GOD, just head knowledge. But Jesus wants a relationship with us.. to talk to Him off and on throughout the day by prayer or just conversation. Just like you stay in touch with your best friend, share your concerns, your worries, troubles, trust Him, believe Him, count on Him, confide in Him, ask for help, cry out, lean on HIM, engage with Him. He's the best friend you'll ever have and who has your best in mind! 

Jesus, is the Good Shepherd. He said He knows those who KNOW HIM (never a "I don't know you" response). Jesus affirms, " My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me" (John 10:27). HIS Sheep HEAR, not my sheep hear it from somebody else and repeat it. That's not a relationship with the SON OF GOD. That goes for my blogs too. YOU NEED TO READ THE WORD OF GOD AND DEVELOP A CLOSE, TRUSTING RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM ON YOUR OWN, letting Him reveal Himself to you. Sermons and preachers and authors and bloggers can be of assistance or a pathway with arrows directing you to Him, but they are never a coat-tail grabbing guarantee an entrance into heaven! I'm not suggesting you stop watching END-TIME religious videos, TV preachers, or hearing a friend's opinion on Bible scripture. I am urging you to open the pages of the Bible and read it for yourself then begin forming a relationship between you and GOD. Don't let watching religious movies, documentaries, blogs, or opinions replace the Bible that is suppose to lead you to Him. Seek to know with all your heart. That's how you start and continue to put oil in your own lamp so when Jesus returns, your light is shinning brightly, and has continued to burn, never going out,  proving you were a faithful wise virgin and waited with patience for His return.

Until He Comes,

-Pat-