May 08, 2020: SOAP #3809:  2Samuel 15, 16; Psalm 32; Matthew 25

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 25:1 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.

Observation:  My grandparents passed down several oil lamps to my parents who in turn have given a couple to our family.  They sit on a shelf where we can easily get to them.  When I look at them, I think of my grandparents.  But most of the time they go unnoticed.  That is until the electricity goes out!

I have learned several keys to getting the brightest light from a lamp.  First: the glass globe must be clean.  Often the inside needs cleaning more than the outside.  To put all my attention on the outside leaves the globe still dirty.  Second:  the inside of the globe holds smoke from an un-trimmed and mal-adjusted wick. If the wick has not been prepared, it puts off too much smoke.  Third: the wick needs to be in the oil.

When the wick is not properly trimmed and putting off smoke, those looking at the lamp say, “Someone needs to trim the wick.”  They attention is on the wick. When the wick is properly trimmed and adjusted, and the globe is clean, people say, “What a beautiful lamp!” Their attention is on the lamp.

Application:  The wick is like my flesh.  It needs to be in constant contact with the Holy Spirit.  When my attitude needs trimmed, people say, “What’s wrong with Leon?”  When my globe is dirty, people have trouble clearly seeing Jesus.  Their attention is on me.  But when the globe of my life is clean, and the I am full of the oil of the Holy Spirit, and I have a Christ-like attitude, people can see Jesus in me!   Their attention is on Him!

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, use your word to keep my life trimmed and in touch with you.  Keep me full of you.  Let me be a lamp that reveals Jesus.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!