Devotionals

---

Bells & Whistles Part II
He who hath an ear let him hear!

In part I, I told you about tuning out the bells and whistles at work! I still don’t hear them all the time, but I have made a conscious effort to listen closely so that I can respond appropriately, and it has taken a great effort on my part! The effort is a direct result of one thing; the outcome of heeding the warning produces a greater profit. If I burn the food it doesn’t sell, thus profit is the thrust to listening to the warning signs!

The alarms were not designed to simply annoy me or give me a headache; there was a plan set in motion and when used properly we succeed as a company. When the alarms or ignored we stand to lose a great deal!

How does this apply to our Christian walk?

We’ve all heard the story of the foolish virgins (Matthew 25:1-13). In verse 5 and 6 we read that all ten virgins slept and at midnight there was a cry made, Behold the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. The foolish virgins had lamps without oil; they had ignored the warnings and when the announcement was made they were not prepared; they had grown complacent! Perhaps they were simply lazy and figured they bum some oil from the other girls; while all along the responsibility had been theirs! They should have known they needed oil! Have lamp – need oil!

You see, we have preached about these foolish girls for years, and yet I wonder if we are ready? I wonder if our lamps are filled with oil? I wonder if the trumpet sounded before you finished this article if you would be with the bridegroom or standing at the door knocking to be let in?

Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not. Luke 12:40 KJV

Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. Revelation 16:15

These words weren’t written just so we’d have something to preach about or good reading material, it was given for our instruction! It is a warning call! It is an alarm! We must live in a state of readiness!

If we ignore the alarms, then we are no different than the 5 foolish virgins! If we choose to push God to the back burner, and live our life according to what makes us feel good rather than what God wants for us, then we are ignoring the alarms!

Blessed (happy, to be envied) is the man who reads aloud [in the assemblies] the word of this prophecy; and blessed (happy, to be envied) are those who hear [it read] and who keep themselves true to the things which are written in it [heeding them and laying them to heart], for the time [for them to be fulfilled] is near. Revelation 1:3 AMP

So what do we do?

As Christians we need to seek God to renew the passion, to restore us to the level of passion when we first fell in love! It is in this renewing of our spirit that we will begin to see the areas of complacency and will have an opportunity to fill our lamps! It takes an effort on our part! Preparing our hearts takes action!

By spending time with God we will begin to hear with clarity the bells and whistles! We will feel it in our bones! We will be able to say with calm and firm assurance:

And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. Luke 21:27-28 KJV

He that hath an ear let him hear!

He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
Revelation 22:20


Dear God we thank You today because there is HOPE! In a world that is filled with hopelessness we know that HOPE ABOUNDS! Lord forgive us for growing complacent and tuning out the alarms that have been sounding! Forgive us for not living as if Jesus is returning any moment! Lord, stir us up! Awaken the slumbering virgins! We want to be ready, lamps filled with oil, so when the announcement is made, BEHOLD THE BRIDEGROOM COMETH, we are able to hear. Understanding that remaining in a state of complacency now, will dull our senses, and we may not hear the announcement - BEHOLD THE BRIDEGROOM COMETH!

Stir us up Lord, in Your name we pray, AMEN!

He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
Revelation 22:20


Further reading: Matthew 24:44; I Corinthians 1:7; 4:5; I Thessalonians 5:23; I Timothy 6:14; Hebrews 9:28; 2 Peter 3:10; Jude 14-15



© Jounda LaMance November 16, 2006

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE