The Lamp Is Not Enough
“The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them.” Matthew 25:3 (NIV) You can carry something real and still not be ready. The five foolish virgins were not pretending or rebelling. They had lamps and…
Category Devotionals
You Cannot Borrow What Only Grows
“Five of them were foolish and five were wise.” Matthew 25:2 (NIV) The line in this parable is drawn before anything dramatic happens. It is not drawn at midnight or when the lamps go out. It is drawn at the…
What Midnight Reveals
“At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’” Matthew 25:6 (NIV) Nobody expected the cry to come at midnight. The hour felt wrong and all ten virgins had fallen asleep. Then the cry…
The One Who Was Not There When the Door Opened
“But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived.” Matthew 25:10 (NIV) Six words carry the full weight of this verse. The door did not close because the virgins were defiant or indifferent. It closed…
He Is Worth Being Ready For
“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” Matthew 25:13 (NIV) This week may have settled in you like a weight. You sat with the parable, examined the oil, and it became heavy. That is a real…
Your Name Was on It
“Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” Revelation 19:9a (ESV) Some invitations are earned and some are simply given. The ones you earn come with a record attached. The ones you are given come…
The Feast Is Future but the Blessing Is Now
“For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come.” Revelation 19:6b-7a (ESV) Waiting teaches most of us to lower our expectations. We stop…
He Does Not Begin What He Will Not Finish
“His Bride has made herself ready. It was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure — for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.” Revelation 19:7b-8 (ESV) Leaving things unfinished is something we…
Close Is Not the Same as Confirmed
“And the angel said to me, ‘Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.’ And he said to me, ‘These are the true words of God.’” Revelation 19:9 (ESV) You have been present…
Come to the Table
“The Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.” Revelation 22:17 (ESV) Most people…