How do you make sure you have enough oil?

[Figure of eighty]

Tips please. 

 

Thank you.

[Figure of eighty]

6 hours ago, DDisconnect said:

I usually fill up when the gauge is at half-tank. 

On a more serious note... You refer to the parable of ten virgins, yes? In that parable, the wise ones were the ones who had oil on hand before they knew the bridegroom was coming. In a way, the foolish ones going to get oil wasn't bad either, it's just that it was a bit too late - they should've filled up sooner. Fill up when the gauge is at half-tank, you know?

You may also notice that the oil is purchased. There's a price. This fits a theme of many parables, of shedding the old to take on the new. Like a garden, cutting away the rot and being mindful to let good things grow in the wounds. This is where the oil comes from. The 5 foolish ones did have lamps and did believe, but because they had not paid the price for the oil, it was too late by the time the announcement came. They tried to fix it, they did go pay the price, but the doors were shut already. If this seems applicable, then perhaps there's some old rot that's eating away at you - something you may need to get rid of.

Knowing of your current predicaments though, this burned out feeling is likely due to that. Might be giving rise to new rot. It's rough when you feel like you're in a hopeless place and that, no matter how hard you pray, you feel unheard and unanswered. However God does things in his own time and in his own (often strange and unexpected) ways. The Lord is good. One just has to hold on to that belief beyond all the nonsense that tries to blur one's vision, to weigh one down, to misdirect them. Going from the boat to Jesus and keeping your eyes on him, not looking down, looking back, or fearing the waves beneath your feet. That, and you have many others here who have prayed and who will pray on your behalf. 

It's a terrible situation. Honestly, if I were in your shoes, I probably would've blown up by now, lol. I'd have been telling your parents off and putting my foot down cause there's a line between wanting help and just being a leech. Especially an ungrateful leech. I think I said it once before, but please just hold strong and know that there are those on your side, that God is good. It never rains forever. Just bear with the wind - take shelter in the Lord.

Thanks. Now my next question is what all ia considered oil?

[Figure of eighty]

Im also distracted with alot of worries well mainly the state of our world. 

So much chaos. Im nervous for the day of election. 

I want to connect with God but my mind is so frazzled.

[Tristen]

Hi Fo80,

The parables from Matthew 24:45 through to the end of Chapter 25 are about being prepared to meet Jesus at His return. I interpret this as seeking God and His kingdom. That is, spending time with God and pursuing/prioritising His purpose for our life. Your relationship with God is not something a Christian can give to nominal Christians (i.e. Christians in name only). Nominal Christians have to develop their own relationship with God. A nominal Christian is an “evil servant” who “says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards” (Matthew 24:48-49), to whom Jesus says, “Assuredly, I do not know you” (Matthew 25:11). They are the “lazy” (verse 26) and “unprofitable” (verse 30) servants; the “goats” (verses 32-33) who did not serve Jesus in this life by loving people (verses 42-43).

[David1701]

Oil is a type of the Holy Spirit (as another poster already mentioned).

A "virgin" is someone who professes to believe in the Lord (i.e. not an idolater/spiritual adulterer but a "virgin").

If such a person has no oil, then that person does not have the Holy Spirit and is not saved.  Going to those who sell oil would be like going to an evangelist, to hear the gospel, which, if believed, will result in being given "oil" by the Lord (the Holy Spirit, to indwell).

When the Lord returns, many professing Christians will not be saved but will have an empty lamp that gives out no light, because they do not have the Holy Spirit, but only an empty claim of being Christian.