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I shared in the last two devotionals about Jesus’ parable in regards to the wise and foolish virgins. There was another virgin whose obedience changed the history of mankind! Mary, the mother of Jesus, was a wise virgin who heard the voice of God and was prepared to respond!

In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.”

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. Luke 1:26-38

The call of God to Mary came in an unexpected form! She didn’t know that someday an angelic visitation would change her life, but Mary was ready! She had a tender heart towards God, and she called herself, “the Lord’s servant.” She must have had an intimate and loving faith towards her God. Therefore, the Lord chose her and favored her because He knew He could trust her.

The call of God upon Mary wasn’t going to be easy. To be an unmarried pregnant woman could have meant shame, gossip, and disdain by her community. She didn’t even know how Joseph would respond to this call. However, she did not concern herself with all those worries.

Mary’s commitment to the Lord was greater than any fear of man that she was faced with. Those fears were not going to hold her back from doing the will of God. She did not ask the angel if the Lord could wait until Joseph marries her, so that her pregnancy could be acceptable to people. She just declared, “May your word to be fulfilled.”

Mary did not have all the hang ups of a carnal man. Most of us would worry about other’s approval of us and would not want to do anything that could lead people to think less of us. Mary, on the other hand, just said yes to God and allowed God to back her up and protect her. She was pure from selfish motives or ambitions. This wasn’t her idea; it was God’s plan. Her faith was in the Lord, and God was surely faithful to her and provided for her all the way. This wise virgin was ready, and she had plenty of oil for her lamp to provide her illumination in the midst of difficult and uncertain times. 

Has the Lord been asking you to do something that man’s opinion is holding you back? First, please ensure that it is the Lord calling you. Then take a step of faith by simply saying “yes” to Him. 

Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them,  but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. ⁵ But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.

“And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins arose 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, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’  And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming. Matthew 25:1-13

In the last devotional, I began sharing about the parable of the wise and foolish virgins that Jesus told his disciples to teach them about the end times. His main concern was between those who claim to follow him (the goats) versus the ones who truly follow him (the sheep)(See Matthew 25:31-33).

What differentiates the wise virgins from the foolish ones? The wise ones remain in relationship to the Lord and maintain their anointing and sensitivity to spiritual matters. They continue to walk in the light, and as a result, they are not afraid of darkness. The followers of Jesus continually rely on the oil of the Holy Spirit to help them see matters clearly and walk in the light. The wise ones are not too concerned about the timing of the bridegroom’s return because they are ready whenever he comes. 

The foolish virgins are in need of help. They walk in darkness, and they cannot see clearly. They lose focus of the bridegroom because it’s taken too long.  The bridegroom told the foolish ones that he doesn’t know them. This is the main point of the parable. Those who follow Jesus are continually filled by the oil of the Holy spirit and are ready for when He returns. Those who don’t know Him walk in darkness and when He returns they are not ready!

Recently I had a conversation with someone who professes to be a Christian. He mentioned that he attends a Bible study and that they study the scripture from the writer’s perspective. When I asked him what they do with Jesus’ statements such as, “I am the bread of life,” he stated that they only focus on the one who wrote those scriptures  rather than concentrating on Jesus’ words. There is very little benefit to this kind of Bible study.

The Bible is supposed to bring light into our dark world when we believe what God says. It is God leaving His inheritance for His children. If we don’t believe that it is His Word or take it seriously, we can read it all we want and still remain poor in the spirit. If we only read it for its historical or literary significance it completely misses the point. It is a lamp without the oil. It would be of no use for the one who possesses it. 

The consequence of not taking God at His word, is that we settle for untransformed life! As a result, we want to change our environment to meet our needs rather than addressing the lack of oil in our lives. The decisions of the foolish ones are based on darkness rather than the transforming power of God. When the bridegroom comes, they are alarmed and startled rather being prepared. The wise ones never lost focus of why there were there to begin with.

Let’s encourage one another to be like the wise virgins. 

The disciples were curious about the end times, so Jesus shared parables to express His desire for them to be ready rather than focusing on the end times.

“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.

“And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins arose 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, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’  But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming…” Matthew 25:1-13

This parable becomes more clear when we look at the end of chapter 25. In Matthew (25:31-33), Jesus stated that at the end times the sheep and the goats will be separated.  His point is that many proclaim that they are followers of Jesus. However, not everyone who professes to be follower of Christ is His sheep.

The above parable describes ten virgins who were all interested in seeing the bridegroom, but the wise ones made preparations to see Him. The wise ones did not just rely on taking a lamp, but they took a jar of oil. The wise virgins represent the sheep. Oil is a representation of the anointing of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit illuminates the lamp. Without it, the lamp will only provide light for a short time. It eventually cannot light a room because it runs out of oil. 

The wise virgins took additional oil because they understood that their lamp is useless without the oil. The foolish ones were more self-confident and presumed that it would not take that long, so they did not take any oil with them.

When life is going smoothly, many presume upon the future and assume that things will always be that way. They get busy with life, activities, and distractions, and they forget to nurture their relationship with the Lord.

There are those who profess they are Christians, but they do not have the anointing of the Holy Spirit to illuminate the Word of God to them. Therefore, they have a form of godliness, but they do not have the power to be transformed or to have an influence in seeing others transformed. They are the goats that Jesus spoke about. 

I will continue with this subject in the next devotional. 

And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” Mark 12:33

Definition of Understanding (According to Strong’s Concordance G4907): Running together, a flowing together with, knowledge, understanding, the understanding, i.e. the mind so far forth as it understands.

In the New Testament, the word “understanding” has a somewhat different meaning. It is about integrating knowledge to something useful. Understanding is connecting the dots to paint a clear picture of God’s heart.

Jesus’ disciples are good examples of individuals who did not have a clear understanding of spiritual matters while Jesus was with them. Jesus taught and mentored them perfectly. However, many times they misunderstood Jesus’ statements because they didn’t have an understanding. This was evident in their questions and attitude while Jesus was with them.

We may have a lot of Bible knowledge but lack the understanding of God’s heart and will for our lives. One of the definitions of understanding is “a flowing together with.” Is it possible that some of us don’t know how to allow the scriptures to flow together to paint a complete picture of God’s heart and His Kingdom?

We may have focused only on those scriptures that have encouraged us at the sacrifice of other scriptures that make us uncomfortable. Therefore, we prefer to hold on to the ones we like and neglect the ones that challenge our theology. This causes our understanding to be limited and not to flow through the scriptures.

When we look at the landscape of Christianity around us, everyone is claiming that they love God and want to honor Him. However, you can find Christians advocating and praying for things while others Christians are praying and advocating on the opposite side of issues. Some believe that if something is important to them, then God must be endorsing it. Some Christians don’t read the Bible but just want to stay in the spirit and worship God. Others don’t even take the Bible literally and perceive it as a nice literature or poetry. None of these are indications of gaining understanding.

Let’s pray that the Lord would increase our understanding of His Word and His Kingdom as we read the Bible. Then we can love God with the understanding that flows through all the scriptures.

Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding; Proverbs 3:13

Definition of Understanding: (from Strong’s Concordance Hebrew 8394): “from H995; intelligence; by implication, an argument; by extension, caprice:—discretion, reason, skillfulness, understanding, wisdom.”

We all desire happiness, and it is one of the American values that everyone fights, strives, and pursues to gain. However, many times we try to achieve happiness, and it takes us a wrong direction. 

The  worldly happiness is short-lived, and it takes a lot of effort to maintain it. Sometimes, we have to make spiritual compromises to be happy. At other times, we find that worldly happiness has a big price tag associated with it, and it brings about consequences that eventually make us unhappy.

God has a different answer to happiness. The Lord tells His people that gaining wisdom and understanding allows  them to be happy. In this devotional, I would like to unpack what understanding really looks like. 

Understanding is having a sensitivity to the Lord and our surroundings. We may have a tendency to look at our surroundings wondering if we are welcome or accepted by those around us. However, understanding takes a different viewpoint.

As children of God, we belong to the Lord, and anywhere He sends us, that’s our assignment regardless of how people view us. Therefore, the question of belonging is answered by Him rather than those around us.  Instead of feeling insecure about our presence, we go in with an attitude that we are here to serve and reach those that need God’s touch. It’s a form of hospitality and care for others around us. 

We develop a skill to listen, to observe, and to understand where people are coming from and what they need. Some people will be difficult to handle, but part of the skill of understanding is to forgive them quickly, so it won’t block our understanding of what they need spiritually. 

I had an interaction with someone recently that did not go well. I shared something about when I first came to the US, and she was quick to give her own opinion about it. It felt rude, brash, and insensitive.  As I thought about that interaction, I realized that it could have been so different if she had just made an effort to ask a question or try to understand the circumstances. Making a blanket statement that did not fit the situation caused a shut down of our communication. I had to quickly forgive her, so I can remain open to ministering to her. It also was a reminder not to do the same to others. 

Understanding is not about agreeing with others’ viewpoints, but it is about making the extra effort to discern where people are coming from. We need to slow down and be sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit allowing Him to lead and guide us on how to handle the situation.  

In the last devotional, I shared that Jesus’ disciples asked Him who was the greatest in the kingdom. Surprisingly, Jesus did not mention the disciples neither did he include the religious people on His list. Jesus spoke about children; a group that didn’t have a voice in that culture. 

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.  Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me. “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Matthew 18:1-6

The children have certain qualities that give us a clue as to what God values. Jesus stated that those who humble themselves as a child are greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

• Children have no problem making themselves vulnerable or ask for help.

• They generally understand that they are dependent on others for their needs, and they are content with that condition. 

• Children live their lives in the moment rather than thinking that their lives have to have a purpose or every moment has to count. 

• Children have a sense of wonder about the world around them. 

• Children don’t get offended easily.

• They can easily forgive and forget.

• It is easier for Children to believe and accept Jesus than it is for adults. 

We gradually lose our childlike qualities, but Jesus told His disciples to be converted and become like a child. This list and the one from the last devotional are areas that we can pray about. We can ask Him to show us where we need to become more childlike.  

Jesus’ standard of greatness is the complete opposite of the world!

Who is the greatest in the Kingdom? If you looked at social media, you might think it is us! Nowadays, we are easily impressed and amused with ourselves and others. Words such as “great”, “awesome”, and “amazing” are used regularly on social media to express one’s experience, pleasures, or acknowledgement of others’ accomplishments. I always wonder if there any words that we keep reserved for God alone!? 

Jesus’ disciples were curious to know about Jesus considered as the greatest in the kingdom!

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.  Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me. “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Matthew 18:1-6

I wonder why the disciples asked that question? Were they hoping that Jesus would consider them the greatest in the kingdom? Obviously, they had been faithfully following Him! Had they begun thinking more highly of themselves because of their association with Jesus or the number of times they prayed?  It is easy to become proud of our spiritual accomplishments. We are in the danger of  thinking that because we go to church or we read our Bibles everyday, we must be great people. We rely on what we do to measure our value!

Jesus’ idea of greatness was different. He told his disciples that a little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. There is something that little children possess that we as adults lose. They are free from being self consciousness  and are not worried about what others think of them. This allows them to be who they are without putting a front or trying to impress others. There is simplicity and genuineness in their behavior that is authentic and refreshing. They may even say things that could be uncomfortable but true. However,we don’t necessarily get offended by them because we know they have no agenda and that they are just making observations.

Jesus said that we need to converted and become like a child. What would be some of the things that we need to change to become like a child?

• Children do not seek control. They can trustfully sit in a car and allow their parents to take them where they wish.

• Children do not worry about tomorrow and where their provision will come from. Generally, they know that their parents will put them first and ensure that their needs are met.

• Children can play and be free to enjoy themselves without being concerned about impressing others.

• They are curious about their surroundings and are continually learning. They are able to take in the world rather than give their opinion about everything.

• Children go to bed and can sleep well without being anxious and fearful. They can feel safe and rest easily because they know mom and dad would protect them.

• Children make friends easily, and they do not have the hangups of class, wealth, race, religion, etc.

What are the areas that you can be like a child? 

I will continue with this in the next devotional.

Today, most people will enjoy leftovers from yesterday’s Thanksgiving feast, but the leftovers are only a portion of all the food that was consumed by everyone.

The Bible tells us about jesus’ big gatherings; they had more leftovers than the food the they started with!

When Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself. But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities. And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick. When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food.”

 But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

And they said to Him, “We have here only five loaves and two fish.”

He said, “Bring them here to Me.” Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass. And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes. So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained. Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children. Mathew 14:13-21

Jesus’ cousin, John the Baptist, had just been killed, so He withdrew from the crowd to have time alone with the Lord. John’s death may also have been a reminder of Jesus’ looming death. Nevertheless, Jesus’ time with the Lord was interrupted when the crowd began to follow Him. The people may have been scared and confused about John’s death. Jesus was compassionate towards them and did not turn them away. He ministered to the crowd and healed their sick.

When time came for them to eat, the disciples were ready to send the people home, but Jesus told His disciples that they should give them something to eat. The disciples could only see their limited natural resources, but Jesus saw God’s unlimited supernatural miracles. The only food available were five loaves of bread and two fish. In the natural, that amount of food may have fed 10-15 people but not 5,000. Nevertheless, Jesus gave thanks for what was available and gave it to the disciples to distribute it to the people.

The people were all fed, and they gathered twelve baskets of fragments of bread. How is it possible that five loaves of bread and two fish could produce almost double the amount of  leftovers!? Jesus’ compassion towards people and His thanksgiving towards the Lord invited God’s supernatural work on this simple and small meal. His selfless and faith-filled act opened the door for God to meet Him and provide the “daily bread” needed for that crowd.

As we continue through the holiday season, life will get very busy. Let’s make time for those who are searching for answers. Show compassion to those who are lonely and share with those who are in need. God’s supernatural touch will allow us to have more than enough to meet our needs as well as those He sends our way. 

In His great love, the Lord has been rich in mercy towards us. The scriptures below tell us about our condition before Christ and how God’s great mercies changed everything for us and brought life to our mortal bodies.

Let’s give thanks for His indescribable gift of life that we receive by faith. He not only makes us alive in Christ, but He also allows our lives to be fruitful and purposeful!

Let’s show God’s mercy towards others as we spend time with family members and friends during Thanksgiving who do not have a revelation of Christ. The Lord can minister to them through your gentleness and kindness.

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, ² in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. ³ All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. ⁴ But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, ⁵ made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. ⁶ And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, ⁷ in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.⁸ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast. ¹⁰ For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians2:1-10

³ Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler
And from the perilous pestilence.
⁴ He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
⁵ You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
⁶ Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,
Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.

⁷ A thousand may fall at your side,
And ten thousand at your right hand;
But it shall not come near you.
⁸ Only with your eyes shall you look,
And see the reward of the wicked.

⁹ Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place,
¹⁰ No evil shall befall you,
Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
¹¹ For He shall give His angels charge over you,
To keep you in all your ways.
¹² In their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
¹³ You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra,
The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.