Lost and Finding Joy

Something is on the horizon. We can all feel it. It’s urgent that we wake up from our slumber. Are our lamps filled with oil? Are we prepared?

How can we prepare? How do we fill our lamps?

Prayer is still one important answer.

Prayer used to be a daily thing for the majority of Christians. We prayed as families in preparation to eat a meal. We prayed as families at bed time. We prayed as families on Sunday’s. We even prayed in school. We often prayed for protection and guidance. When did prayer become an option?

For many, prayer has been set aside and is only practiced for special days or events. It’s probably why we have forgotten who we are as spiritual children of God.

Prayer is our lifeline and how we receive answers and revelations from our Heavenly Father. Truth is revealed to us through that connection.

We are always being guided. We just may not be familiar with the nudges or His voice. It’s never a panicked voice. It’s always calm and direct. As we pray often, it helps us to recognize His voice. We become familiar with the guiding voice of the Holy Ghost.

We need guidance more than ever these days. The devil is cunning and his fallen angels are running rampant. It’s impossible to discern truth from lies without faith and familiarity with the promptings of the Holy Ghost. Prayer is a way to know His voice and to receive the answers and guidance we need.

In the scriptures it mentions that some things require both fasting and prayer. Mark 9:29: And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

Finding a church community and keeping the Sabbath Day Holy is another way for our lamps to be full. Going to church each week and partaking of the sacrament, reminds us that we are taking upon us the name of Christ. We are beginning each week armed with His armour (Ephesians 6:11-24).

Reading scriptures is another way to awaken from our slumber. As we search, ponder, and pray about the things we are reading; we will receive our answers.

In summary, how do we prepare?

Pray OFTEN

Fast

Find and attend a church community –keep the Sabbath Day holy

Partake of the Sacrament

Read and ponder scriptures

These are all good ways to start. You only need faith the size of a tiny mustard seed. As you walk by faith, and do these things, your faith will increase. Your lamp will be full.

The time is drawing nearer for the day of our Saviors return.

Let us also remember: Every day is a gift. We are not promised another day of life.

May we live our lives well and fill the measure of our creation. May we love our neighbors as ourselves, and may we lovingly minister unto one another.

God, help us to awaken to our true identity. Help us to connect more with Thee. Help us be prepared, that our lamps may continuously be full. May Thy spirit always be with us to guide us and deliver us from evil.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

Matthew 25:1-13King James Version

25 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

² And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

³ They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

⁴ But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

⁵ While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

⁶ And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

⁷ Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

⁸ And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

⁹ 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.

¹⁰ 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.

¹¹ Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

¹² But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

¹³ Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

~Many Blessings to You and Yours!