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July 3, 2025July 3, 2025

OIL / MATTHEW 25:4

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Matthew 25:4

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

OIL / MATTHEW 25:4

Through a series of illustrations (Matthew 25), Jesus stresses the requirement of faithfulness and watchfulness (readiness and expectancy) until He returns. The parable of the ten virgins stresses the necessity of spiritual perseverance and preparedness because of the reality of Christ’s coming at an unforeseeable date (Luke 21:19). The oil in the parable represents true faith, a right relationship with God and the constant presence of the Holy Spirit’s presence and power in a person’s life. All true followers of Jesus can enjoy that presence. If we want to be ready, like the wise virgins, our lives need to be pure and full of the faith and righteousness that come only from God’s Spirit. Five other parables that teach the lesson of perseverance are the Sower (Luke 8:4-15), the owner of the house (Luke 12:35-40), the manage (Luke 12:42-48), the tower builder (Luke 14:28-30) and the tasteless salt (Luke 14:34-35).

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Guided By Grace

July 3, 2025July 3, 2025

PARABLE OF THE TEN VIRGINS / MATTHEW 25:1

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Matthew 25:1

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

PARABLE OF THE TEN VIRGINS / MATTHEW 25:1

This parable (a brief story that makes a specific point or teaches a lesson) points out that all who believe in Christ must constantly examine their own spiritual condition in light of Christ’s coming at an unknown and unexpected time. They must remain true to their faith in Christ no matter what, so that when the day and hour arrive, they will be ready for Him and He will receive them when He returns (Matthew 25:10). Failure to be in a devoted personal relationship with the Lord when He returns will mean being left out of His kingdom.

The difference between the foolish and the wise virgins is that the foolish failed to recognize that the returning Lord (John 14:3) would come unexpectedly, without obvious signs as the time approached (Matthew 25:13; 24:36, 44).
Christ indicates here and elsewhere (Luke 18:8) that a large portion of the church will be unprepared at the time of His return (Matthew 25:8-13). He makes it clear that He will not wait until all churches and professing believers are prepared for His coming.
Notice that all the virgins (both faithful and unfaithful) were taken by surprise at the bridegroom’s coming (Matthew 25:5-7). This suggests that the parable of the ten virgins applies to believers living before the tribulation and not to those living during the tribulation, who will have adequate signs preceding Christ’s return at the end of the tribulation. It seems that all the virgins may have at one time been ready for the groom to return, but the foolish failed to prepare for the wait. Perhaps they planned to take care of things later but instead they fell asleep. By the time they awoke, it was too late. This should serve as a challenge to all those who make a decision to follow Christ. That initial choice is one thing but sticking to that decision and staying ready for Christ’s return takes persistence and deduction. If Christians do not stay active and grow spiritually – or if they view His return as being distant – the sense of urgency will easily fade. However, if we maintain a high level of expectancy, we will be ready at a moment’s notice.
The fact that both the faithful and the unfaithful “fell asleep” does not seem to be an issue in this story. In fact, if we are spiritually prepared, we can be at peace and enjoy rest in life. Then, when Jesus returns unexpectedly, we will be ready to go with Him.

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July 3, 2025July 3, 2025

GRAIN OFFERING / LEVITICU 2:1-2

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(KJV) Leviticus 2:1-2

And when any will offer a meat offering unto the Lord, his offering shall be of fine flour; and he shall pour oil upon it, and put frankincense thereon: ²And he shall bring it to Aaron’s sons the priests: and he shall take thereout his handful of the flour thereof, and of the oil thereof, with all the frankincense thereof; and the priest shall burn the memorial of it upon the altar, to be an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the Lord:

GRAIN OFFERING / LEVITICU 2:1-2

This was a gift presented to God as an act of worship, symbolizing that a person’s work was dedicated to God. It implied that all human work should be an opportunity to honor the Lord. It also expressed thankfulness to God for one’s daily food (1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 3:23).

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July 2, 2025July 2, 2025

MY MASTER IS STAYING AWAY / MATTHEW 24:48-49

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(KJV) Matthew 24:48-49

But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; ⁴⁹And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;

MY MASTER IS STAYING AWAY / MATTHEW 24:48-49

Christ’s unexpected return will not motivate those within the church who are unfaithful to the Lord and who see no need to be prepared and to remain ready.

Anyone who claims to be a Christian but continues to ignore God’s standard and lives in sin, believing that Christ will delay His coming for a few years, can be compared to the wicked servant. Such a person will feel no immediate threat that the Lord’s return will take him or her off guard (Matthew 24:44; Luke 12:45-46).
It is significant that Jesus connects spiritual unfaithfulness and insincerity with the belief and desire that Christ will not come anytime soon.

Bible Study Tools I Use

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July 2, 2025July 2, 2025

AN HOUR WHEN YOU DO NOT EXPECT HIM / MATTHEW 24:44

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(KJV) Matthew 24:44

Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

AN HOUR WHEN YOU DO NOT EXPECT HIM / MATTHEW 24:44

Once again, Christ refers to His return for the faithful people in His churches at an unexpected and unknown time.

This warning is not for those who go through the tribulation). The only way to reconcile Christ’s teaching about His unexpected coming (Matthew 24:42; Matthew 24:44) with His statement about His expected coming (Matthew 24:33) is to assume that there will be two phases, or stages, to His “second coming.”

The first stage involves Christ’s return at an unexpected time to take His true church from earth (1 Thessalonians 4:17; John 14:3; Revelation 3:10). This happens prior to the antichrist’s rise to power and God’s end-time judgments on the earth (Revelation 6 – 19).
The second stage is Christ’s coming at the end of the tribulation, which will be at an expected time (after certain cosmic signs, Matthew 24:29; Matthew 24:30, and a certain time period, Daniel 9:25-27; Revelation 11:1-2; 12:6; 13:5-7). At that time, He will destroy the wicked and begin His reign on earth (Matthew 24:42; Revelation 19:11-21; 20:4).

2. This second coming of Christ – described as one event consisting of two phases – is similar to how the Old Testament predicted Christ’s first coming to earth as a human. The Old Testament prophets often spoke as if the Messiah’s (Christ’s) coming were a single event, but the fulfillment of those prophecies is seen in two phases:

His coming by birth to eventually die for sin and
His coming to reign on earth at the end of time as we know it (Isaiah 9:2-7; 40:3-5; compare Isaiah 61:1-3 with Luke 4:18-19).

3. Christ’s urgent warning to be always spiritually ready for His coming at the unknown time (the rapture) applies to all generations of Christians before the tribulation (Matthew 24:15-29). It should provide strong motivation for remaining true to our faith in Christ and our commitment to the standard of His Word.

Bible Study Tools I Use

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Map Pencils
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Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

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Blessings,
Margarita & Stace

Guided By Grace

July 1, 2025July 1, 2025

THE THIEF / MATTHEW 24:43

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(KJV) Matthew 24:43

But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.

THE THIEF / MATTHEW 24:43

This is not a direct or exact comparison of two things because Christ is certainly not like a criminal; when He comes, He will take what is rightfully His. The point here is that Christ’s coming at an unknown time will be as unexpected as that of a thief who breaks into a house. His devoted followers must be ready at any time for the Lord’s return (Matthew 24:44).

Bible Study Tools I Use

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www.biblestudytools.com
Map Pencils
College Ruled Spiral Notebook
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Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

Thank you for taking the time to read my Daily Devotion
Blessings,
Margarita & Stace

Guided By Grace

July 1, 2025July 1, 2025

THEREFORE KEEP WATCH – YOU DO NOT KNOW ON WHAT DAY / MATTHEW 24:42

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(KJV) Matthew 24:42

Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

THEREFORE KEEP WATCH – YOU DO NOT KNOW ON WHAT DAY / MATTHEW 24:42

THEREFORE KEEP WATCH

The words “keep watch” (Greek gregoreo) are in the present imperative tense, meaning this is a continuous action at the present time. That is, we must always be prepared right now and from here on – ready for the Lord’s return at any time (John 14:3). There will be no instant warning signs, so Christ’s followers must always live as if He could come today (Matthew 24:44; Mark 13:33-37).

YOU DO NOT KNOW ON WHAT DAY

Christ’s warning that His followers must always be ready relates to His return from heaven to take His church out of the world during the rapture – the event described in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (Matthew 24:40; John 14:3). This means that it applies to us today.

Jesus clearly states that His coming for His followers living before the tribulation will be at an unexpected time and without warning – “because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” In fact, Jesus says that He will return at a time when they “do not expect Him” (Matthew 24:44). This clearly points to an element of surprise, amazement and unexpectedness, even for His faithful followers in the church. This is sometimes referred to as the first stage of Christ’s second coming (the second stage being His expected return to earth following the tribulation period).
Unlike Christ’s coming at the rapture, His final return “with power and glory” to judge the world after the tribulation (Matthew 24:30; Revelation 19:11-21) will be expected, anticipated and foreseen by His followers (Luke 21:28: Matthew 24:33). Some Bible passages even give time frames of the period preceding this event (Daniel 9:25-27; Revelation 11:1-2; 12:6; 13:5-7) The events and signs during the tribulation will create an attitude of certainty and expectancy for those who boldly follow Christ during this time of intense persecution. They will not experience the element of surprise that the present-day Christian church will have at the time of the rapture (Matthew 24:44; John 14:3). Christ’s coming after the tribulation is sometimes regarded as the second stage of Christ’s second coming (Matthew 24:44).

Bible Study Tools I Use

NIV Bible
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www. biblegateway.com
www.biblestudytools.com
Map Pencils
College Ruled Spiral Notebook
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Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

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Blessings,
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Guided By Grace

July 1, 2025July 1, 2025

ONE … TAKEN … THE OTHER LEFT / MATTHEW 24:40

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(KJV) Matthew 24:40

Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

ONE … TAKEN … THE OTHER LEFT / MATTHEW 24:40

Christ’s statement that “one will be taken and the other left” is directly related to the warning He has already given to His disciples, which includes all who would follow Christ as part of His church. For this reason, these words likely refer to those who will be taken out of the world when Christ calls them to be with Him at “the rapture” of the church (John 14:3). The word “rapture” comes from the Latin word rapture, which means “caught away” or “caught up.” This Latin word carries the same meaning as the Greek harpazo, which is translated “caught up” in 1 Thessalonians 4:17. This event, also described in 1 Corinthians 15, refers to the time when the church (all true followers of Christ – those alive and those who have died and whose bodies will be resurrected) will be taken from the earth to meet the Lord in the air. Those who are alive on earth and truly following Christ at this time will be prepared for this event, yet it will still involve a real element of surprise (Matthew 24:37).

Bible Study Tools I Use

NIV Bible
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www. biblegateway.com
www.biblestudytools.com
Map Pencils
College Ruled Spiral Notebook
Ballpoint Pens
Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

Thank you for taking the time to read my Daily Devotion
Blessings,
Margarita & Stace

Guided By Grace

July 1, 2025July 1, 2025

THE COMING OF THE SON OF MAN / MATTHEW 24:37

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(KJV) Matthew 24:37

But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

THE COMING OF THE SON OF MAN / MATTHEW 24:37

Jesus’ statements about “the coming of the Son of Man” have a double reference:

To the first stage of His coming at an unknown and unexpected time to take His followers to heaven (the rapture of the church: Matthew 24: 2; John 14:3; Revelation 3:10),
To the second stage of His return after the tribulation, when He will destroy the wicked and gather all the righteous into His kingdom (Revelation 19:11 – 20:4). This double reference is evident as Christ describes three different categories of people in His illustration of “the days of Noah” (Matthew 24:37-44). These three categories and their relation to Christ’s coming are as follows:

Those who still refuse to accept Christ during the terrible tribulation are represented by the victims of the flood in Noah’s day. Because they do not know the time of Christ’s return, they will be unprepared and destroyed in the end (Matthew 24:38-39, 43; Luke 17:26-28). This is the second stage of Christ’s return – the one occurring after the tribulation.
Those who do accept Christ during the tribulation are represented by Noah. Because of the sign of the end time, these believers will know almost the exact time of the Lord’s return. As a result, they will be prepared and saved (Matthew 24:27; Genesis 7:4). This too refers to the second stage of Christ’s return.

Present-day Christians – the true church – living before the tribulation are represented by Jesus’ disciples (the ones to whom He is addressing His message). They will not know the time of Christ’s return to take them to heaven (Matthew 24:42, 44: John 14:3; 1 Thessalonians 4:14). Though some of the issues described in Matthew 24:1-14 will be evident in society and in nature, there will be no specific and definite signs directly preceding the Lord’s return to take His faithful followers, both the living and the dead, to heaven with Him (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Christ states that His coming at this time will occur suddenly and unexpectedly (Matthew 24:42, 44). Notice that Jesus compares the disciples (His faithful followers in the church) not to Noah (tribulation Christians) but to the flood victims (compare “they knew nothing” Matthew 24:39, with “you do not know,” Matthew 24:42). In other words, people in the church will be like the flood victims in one sense: they will not know the time of Christ’s return for them, just as the flood victims did not know the time of the flood and were surprised when it came. The main difference, of course, is that Christians realize that Jesus is coming and will be saved from destruction if they are ready at all times (Matthew 24:44).

Bible Study Tools I Use

NIV Bible
King James Bible
www. biblegateway.com
www.biblestudytools.com
Map Pencils
College Ruled Spiral Notebook
Ballpoint Pens
Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

Thank you for taking the time to read my Daily Devotion
Blessings,
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Guided By Grace

July 1, 2025July 2, 2025

JULY BLESSINGS

JULY BLESSINGS

In this month of July, may you be filled with a renewed sense of purpose and direction. May God’s wisdom guide your steps and His peace calm your fears. Trust in His plan for your life and know that He is always with you.

In Jesus’ Name Amen!

Have a blessed July!

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START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

OIL / MATTHEW 25:4

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PARABLE OF THE TEN VIRGINS / MATTHEW 25:1

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GRAIN OFFERING / LEVITICU 2:1-2

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MY MASTER IS STAYING AWAY / MATTHEW 24:48-49

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AN HOUR WHEN YOU DO NOT EXPECT HIM / MATTHEW 24:44

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THE THIEF / MATTHEW 24:43

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THEREFORE KEEP WATCH – YOU DO NOT KNOW ON WHAT DAY / MATTHEW 24:42

THEREFORE KEEP WATCH

YOU DO NOT KNOW ON WHAT DAY

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ONE … TAKEN … THE OTHER LEFT / MATTHEW 24:40

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THE COMING OF THE SON OF MAN / MATTHEW 24:37

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JULY BLESSINGS

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