“At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the Bridegroom! Come out to meet Him!’ Then the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’”  (Matt. 25:6-13)

August 2009

Dear Friend,

Trusting that all is well with you and your loved ones, and that you are enjoying the warm summer weather. Have you taken time out to relax and enjoy nature yet? It has been many years since I enjoyed sitting on my terrace in my back yard. This year I decided to fix it up and buy a small table and chairs so that I can take time to enjoy the trees in the park across the way, and gaze at the ships going by on the ocean. I am blessed with a beautiful ocean view and it is time to enjoy it whenever I can. It is true, the best things in life are free. Just look around and find the beauty where you live. It may be majestic sky scrapers, or the wide open spaces of farm land. It may be the stoops where people gather to talk and enjoy time together. Wherever it is, it is your space and your time, and God will show you the beauty of it if you take the time to slow down and seek Him and His creation. When I was little, we had a beautiful garden and the thing I remember most was the honeysuckle trees. Ahhhh, the fragrance..I would love to experience that again.

This summer so much is going on in the world that it can certainly take priority in our mind. The world economy, jobs, wars, rumors of war, earthquakes, all seem to be spoken of  at a pace that, if we did not know Jesus, would definitely frighten or depress us. We know that we are in the end times. When we read Matthew Chapter 24 we are given a glimpse of what we are seeing right now. It takes discernment to truly understand the position our world is in. Are we in the Great Tribulation? I don’t know. What I do know is the increase in wickedness, the increase in false prophets, the increase in natural disasters is taking place rapidly. Every single day we hear of wars, and rumors of wars on the news. North Korea is gearing up for the Nuclear Bomb. Over 60 years ago we were in a war with Korea, and I remember the air raid drills in school. Girls had to wear stockings to protect our legs from any fallout from a bomb. (As if that would really do the job!) And at the sound of the drill, we had to hide under our desk and cover our head with our arms. It was so scary, I used to go to bed and have nightmares. But here it is 60 plus years later and I am still here!

We think because of hunger here in the United States that this is it! Jesus will be here tomorrow! What about the hunger that has gone on throughout the world, especially in Africa for ages?  Hunger is nothing new, and we are still here.

Lawlessness has definitely increased, there seems to be no right or wrong anymore.  I remember when I was in school, if I was caught chewing gum I had to sit in the Principal’s office and write “I will not chew gum in class anymore” one hundred times! There were strict codes then, and we were taught to obey them. Am I sounding old now? (Smile) Today it is as if anything goes, whatever you feel is right, is right. What happened to standards of decency? However, we are still here.

Okay, this walk down memory lane was for a purpose. For those who are my age and older, it was a time of reflection of how things were. For those who are younger, I hope somehow you saw how it could be. You can change things...yes, you! You can make a difference in society. Christians are not supposed to be brain dead or out of this world. We are in this world, but we are not of it. There is a difference. We are here to do a job. Jesus has called you to do His bidding. As you read the Word of God, you will find out just what it is that He would have you do. It is up to us, as Christians, to be a light in the world, for others to see what we have, and want it. It is up to us to be our very best wherever God has placed us. Are you a housewife? Keep your home in order, take good care of your family. Are you an executive? Do your job with excellence and be a witness for others to see. Train your workers well! Are you a teacher? Be an example by your life! Teach and train the children in your care the glory of excellence! Demand it from them, and expect it. Show them how to love, how to care for one another. This is work, but the fruit of it will last for generations. Whatever your position is in life, do it well. Be your best, and become a mentor to others. Grandmas and Grandpas tell your stories to your grandchildren, and give them hope for a future, one where God will keep them in His care and guide and direct them. Tell them about salvation, and the love of Jesus!

Today, let us take time to reflect upon what is really important. We do not know the time, or the day, or the hour in which our Lord will come. But we do know that He is coming, and that it is soon.

So, how are we to live? As if today is the last day that we will have on earth. As if right now, is all we have. The wise virgins were ready for the Bridegroom with oil in their lamp, and the foolish ones wasted their time, not thinking of that Day. Are we ready? Are you ready? If Jesus were to come tonight, are you ready to meet Him? This could happen in a blink of an eye, with no time to consider it. If we are not ready, it will be too late. There are so many in the world who are not ready, and my heart cries out for them! Today with Satellite TV the Gospel is being preached everywhere, yet there are some who do not hear it. Lord, reach them!! Use us Lord! Let us use every opportunity to witness for Him. You might say, “people will reject me!” They are not rejecting you, they are rejecting Christ as they did when He walked the earth. Say it anyhow, get the Word out and do it with love! Let us pray...Father, in Jesus precious Name, I lift up this reader to You, and I ask You to encourage him or her this day. If this reader needs to get ready for your Coming, speak to his or her heart right now, and bring this person back to You. Cover this reader with Your precious blood and guide and direct his or her steps. Let this reader be a witness for You so that others will also be ready with oil in their lamp when You return. Thank You Lord. Amen!   God bless you!

Rev. Barbara Anne Yovino, Ph.D.