Way of The Warrior- A Daily Devotional

“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

Warrior;
Jesus’ incarnate ministry was all about the good news! That God so loved the world, that HE DID SOMETHING ABOUT IT! And if we would openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in our heart that God raised him from the dead, WE WILL BE SAVED. We then SHARE the GOOD NEWS- for, Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the WORD of GOD! But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? (Romans 10:14) We are called to OPEN our mouth and share our LOVE that we have for our LORD and the LOVE that the LORD HAS FOR MANKIND! The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)

Leader, In the Bible certain things, represent certain other things, it’s called typology. In the Bible there are layers of meaning, and meaning upon meaning in every sentence, every word, every typology. There is hidden meaning in the scripture that requires focus, meditation, and contemplation- that is one reason the Bible is called a MYSTERY; “My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:2–3). OIL is representative of the HOLY SPIRIT. These 5 “people’ were where they were supposed to be, they were with who they were supposed to be with, but they were without ONE KEY element: the HOLY SPIRIT! They had RELIGION, but not RELATIONSHIP! They were in the right place, at the right time, without the RIGHT UNDERSTANDING!

Conduit, Matthew 7 gives us the same OMINOUS warning; On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ (Matt 7:22-23) It is one thing to know GOD, or to know OF GOD, but it is another for God to know you! A relationship has a cost, the cost is: Time, Emotional connection, and a willingness and\or DESIRE to be known! Today, the question is Have you PAID the price for JESUS TO KNOW YOU? The Time is NOW- open your heart, and your mind and let JESUS know you intimately- CRY out to our LORD and spend time with HIM! Seek Him through His Word, so when the time comes, you will be ready! Now when these things begin to occur, stand tall and lift up your heads [in joy], because [suffering ends as] your redemption is drawing near.” (Luke 21:28) Stay focused on the LORD, because things are getting ready to LOOK UP!