Go Get Your Own

Matthew 25:1-13

"At that time the Kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.

Five of them were foolish and five were wise.

The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them.

The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.

The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

At midnight the cry rang out: 'Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!'

Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps.

The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.'

'No,' they replied, ' there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.'

But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

Later the others also came. 'Sir! Sir!' they said. 'Open the door for us!'

But he replied, 'I tell you the truth, I don't know you.'

Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour."

We have counted the cost and found Him, our Jesus, to be worthy. Our prayer is that He would make us ready, and that more and more people would come to see how worthy He is.

The oil is His spirit, the cost is our time. The main thing is... we have to buy now, not later. Not tomorrow, or next week, or next month, or next year. Now is the time to immerse ourselves in the depths of God, in His WORD and in following Him along the narrow path.

The thing about a lover is that they want us to themselves, with no one else around. It really is time to know Jesus in the secret places. Quiet down your life, spent time.... hours if needed. Know the Bible for yourself and not just from what you've heard. Spend yourself and buy Him! He is WORTH every sacrifice and every lonely hour. He is worth it, and we are buying oil. Plus, the handy thing is~ a) Time with Him will make us more pleasant to be around b) Time with Him will make us better lovers of people who don't deserve it, but who really, really need it.

I know it sounds weird, but when we spend time with Him, we become more like Him! I know, crazy!!!

So... time to stop being satisfied with just listening to sermons about it, reading about it, going to conferences so we can be encouraged to do it, it's time to stop just talking about it, singing about it, blogging about it.... it's time to DO it!!!!

So, go get your own oil.... you can't have mine! : )

~Jill

Amazing Grace...

I was sitting pondering... Grace.. what the heck is it really?? I mean people say it's the unmerited favor of the Lord, others say it enables us to overcome... Is that all?? I was just thinking the song... Amazing Grace... how sweet the... SOUND... there's a sound of Grace?? What does this sound do... SAVES A WRETCH LIKE ME. Huh. So, Grace is something that is released that brings about a "SOZO" moment. A saved, healed, and delivered moment. Not just a point of salvation. Not just a point of overcoming sin, but an opportunity to enter into communion and unity with the Lord. I mean, before we were saved we were apart from God... right??

Sean Monaghan a friend of mine that goes to FSM and I spoke very briefly during the conference about this concept. I completely agree with him, and it's at this very moment that the Lord is completely highlighting it and bringing understanding to my mind. Sean was saying perhaps we undermine grace by making it just about sin. I agree. Much of what I know of grace always has to do with overcoming sin, but it's so much more than that. I don't think we understand fully. I would be very tempted at this point to say that Grace is the very Blood of Jesus spilled out. It was blood that bought us and redeemed us, yes, but more than that it brings us into His likeness and into His kingdom; forever!

I'm sure this is a lot like rambling, but it's just on my mind right now.

I just want to know grace. Once I felt it really strong, it was almost like grace was a person.. it was like the person of grace walked into the room... ...I don't know if that is scriptural or not, but it's literally what I felt. I want to know intimately, grace.

Then I want to figure out what the sound of salvation, the sound of SOZO is. Amazing grace how sweet the sound.... wow.... if we could somehow release that sound do you think that everyone in a radius of where we are would fall down and confess Him as Lord? Do you think it would bring about utter conviction, yet peace and life? I dunno. But I want to.

ashley.ayersman:.

Who I Am

IDENTITY THEFT is such a major problem in our society right now. There are billions of dollars stolen, moved, or robbed from people and businessess every year. Some people are innocent to these schemes of wickedness and are helpless as their credit and families are damaged, sometimes indefinetely. Could this be a sign as of what is happening in the natural is happening in the spiritual? I believe so.... Let me explain.

Jesus said in Matthew 20:16 " Many are called, but few are chosen "... God calls many people to His name and many respond! Along the way it seems as though people are "snatched/decieved/discouraged/distracted " away from the faith. Could there be an IDENTITY CRISIS ? I believe many have forgotten who they are.

We are new creatures, fully-loved by an eternal God who is jealous for us with a Zeal of Passion and Love. Song of Solomon says that "I am my beloved's and He is mine" and 1st Peter says we are a "Chosen Generation, a Royal Priesthood, a Holy Nation, His own special people"!

But we are told by a modern secular culture that we are so many other things and the enemy and the world have stolen the truth of our identity and has left us broken and forgotten. Our identity is NOT our failures. Our identity is NOT found in our jobs! Or our Families and Possessions.

I am who God My Father says who I am! I am His Son and I am a Bride to be. Jesus my bridegroom husband. How can i SUSTAIN this belief in my life so that I can be found as an "Overcomer" that Jesus exhorts to be in Revelation? By cultivating a life of Prayer and Fasting and being steadfast unto the end. I tell you there is no other way with the challenges that lie ahead. We must purposefully set out to build our relationship with Jesus today. God is raising up Houses Of Prayer to answer the crisis in our day. What is my identity? Who am I? I tell you that I know who I am. I am a bride. I am a lover. I am found in Jesus. Amen.

Peace and Love,

Nate Shortell