MORNING DEVOTION 210/2026

BEHOLD, THE BRIDEGROOM IS COMING!

DAY 5: IS THERE OIL IN YOUR LAMP?

Yesterday, we learned that ten virgins were waiting for the same Bridegroom, but only five were prepared. Today, let us examine something deeper: the oil in their lamps. All ten carried lamps, but the foolish had not brought sufficient oil for the waiting. Their lamps looked ready, yet when the Bridegroom arrived, they discovered that something essential was missing.

“The foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.”
Matthew 25:3–4 (NKJV)

The oil reminds us of the importance of genuine spiritual readiness. Although Jesus does not explicitly identify the oil as the Holy Spirit, the parable challenges us to examine whether our relationship with God is real and enduring. A lamp can be carried publicly, but preparation must be cultivated personally. We may appear spiritually active before others, but what is the condition of our hearts when nobody is watching?

“And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’”
Matthew 25:8 (NKJV)

Notice something frightening: the foolish virgins only recognised their lack when the Bridegroom was already approaching. They wanted to borrow oil, but the wise could not supply what they themselves needed. Others can pray with us, teach us and encourage us, but nobody can believe, repent or maintain our relationship with Christ on our behalf. Spiritual readiness cannot be borrowed at the last minute.

“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”
Matthew 25:13 (NKJV)

Pause and Reflect

Am I carrying a lamp that looks spiritually impressive while neglecting my personal relationship with Jesus?

Am I depending on the faith, prayers and spiritual strength of others instead of growing in my own walk with God?

If the Bridegroom came today, would my lamp be ready?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding me that spiritual readiness is personal.

Lord Jesus, forgive me for the times I have been satisfied with the appearance of godliness while neglecting my relationship with You.

Holy Spirit, search my heart. Keep my faith alive, my love for Jesus burning and my life surrendered to Your leading. Teach me to seek Your presence daily, not merely when I face difficulties.

Lord, may I never carry a lamp that looks ready while my heart is unprepared for Your coming.

In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Take This With You

The foolish virgins had lamps, but they lacked sufficient oil.

Lots of Love 💞

MORNING DEVOTION 209/2026

BEHOLD, THE BRIDEGROOM IS COMING!

DAY 4: TEN VIRGINS, ONE BRIDEGROOM — ARE YOU READY?

Jesus tells us about ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the Bridegroom. All ten were waiting for the same Bridegroom, all carried lamps, and all expected to attend the wedding celebration. Yet five were wise and five were foolish. What separated them was not their invitation, their appearance or their expectation, but their preparation.

“Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish.”
Matthew 25:2 (NKJV)

The Bridegroom delayed, and all ten became sleepy and fell asleep. But at midnight, a cry announced His arrival! Suddenly, the difference between those who were prepared and those who were not became evident. The wise had brought extra oil, while the foolish discovered that their lamps were going out. They had expected the Bridegroom to come, but had not prepared adequately for the waiting.

“And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’”
Matthew 25:6 (NKJV)

Here is the sobering truth: All ten knew about the Bridegroom, but only five were ready when He arrived. The foolish went away to buy oil, and while they were gone, the Bridegroom came. Those who were ready entered the wedding celebration, and the door was shut. Jesus concludes the parable with a warning to watch, because we do not know the day or hour of His coming.

“And those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.”
Matthew 25:10 (NKJV)

Pause and Reflect

Am I merely expecting Jesus to return, or am I genuinely preparing for His coming?

If the midnight cry sounded today, would I be ready to meet my Bridegroom?

Am I depending on yesterday’s spiritual experiences instead of maintaining a living relationship with Jesus today?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding me that knowing about the coming of Jesus is not the same as being prepared for His coming.

Lord Jesus, forgive me for the times I have become spiritually careless, assuming there will always be another opportunity to prepare.

Holy Spirit, keep my heart watchful and my faith alive. Teach me to remain faithful even when the waiting seems long.

Lord, I do not want to be among those who expected Your coming but were unprepared when You arrived.

In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Take This With You

Ten virgins. One Bridegroom. One midnight announcement. But two different outcomes.

Lots of Love 💞

MORNING DEVOTION 208/2026

BEHOLD, THE BRIDEGROOM IS COMING!

DAY 3: HAVE YOU LOST YOUR FIRST LOVE?

Imagine a bride preparing for her wedding. Everything is perfectly organised: the dress, the decorations, the guests and the celebration. But somewhere along the way, she has lost her love for the Bridegroom. What would all those preparations mean without love? This was the condition of the Church in Ephesus. Jesus acknowledged their hard work, perseverance and rejection of evil, yet something precious was missing.

“Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.”
Revelation 2:4 (NKJV)

What a sobering revelation! It is possible to be busy serving God while slowly losing our intimacy with Him. We may attend church, lead ministries, pray publicly, give generously and defend sound doctrine, yet our hearts may no longer burn with the love we once had for Jesus. The Ephesians had not abandoned their religious activities; they had abandoned their first love. Jesus was not questioning their work but confronting the condition of their hearts.

“I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil.”
Revelation 2:2 (NKJV)

But Jesus did not leave them without hope. He called them to remember, repent and return to their first works. The Bridegroom does not merely want a busy Bride; He desires a loving Bride. Before we ask whether we are ready for His return, perhaps we should ask whether we still love Him as we did when we first encountered His grace.

“Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works.”
Revelation 2:5 (NKJV)

Pause and Reflect

Am I still in love with Jesus, or have I become comfortable with simply working for Him?

Do I still seek His presence because I love Him, or do I approach Him only when I need something?

If Jesus examined my heart today, would He find my first love still burning?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding me that You desire my heart more than my activities.

Lord Jesus, forgive me for the times I have been busy doing Your work while neglecting my relationship with You. Forgive me when my prayers become routine, my worship becomes mechanical and my service becomes a duty rather than an expression of love.

Holy Spirit, awaken my first love. Restore the joy of Your presence and the hunger for Your Word. I do not want to be a Bride who knows everything about the wedding but has forgotten her love for the Bridegroom.

In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Take This With You

The Church in Ephesus had good works, sound doctrine and perseverance, but Jesus still said, “You have left your first love.”

Lots of Love 💞

MORNING DEVOTION 207/2026

BEHOLD, THE BRIDEGROOM IS COMING!

DAY 2: THE BRIDEGROOM AND HIS BRIDE — A LOVE WORTH PREPARING FOR

When we think about the coming of Jesus Christ, we often focus on the signs, the trumpet and the events surrounding His return. But have we considered the love of the Bridegroom for His Bride? Jesus did not merely choose the Church; He loved her and gave Himself for her. Before the Bride could prepare herself for the Bridegroom, the Bridegroom had already sacrificed His life for her.

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her.”
Ephesians 5:25 (NKJV)

The Bridegroom’s love does not leave His Bride unchanged. Jesus gave Himself to sanctify and cleanse His Church through His Word, preparing her to be holy and without blemish. The Bride is not preparing herself to earn His love; she prepares herself because she has already been loved. Every day, through His Word and the work of the Holy Spirit, Christ continues transforming us into the people He has called us to be.

“That He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word.”
Ephesians 5:26 (NKJV)

But here is something worth considering: Can I say I am waiting for the Bridegroom while resisting His work of preparing me? We cannot desire the wedding celebration while refusing the transformation that prepares us for it. The Bridegroom is coming for a Church that belongs to Him, set apart through His grace and growing in holiness.

“That He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.”
Ephesians 5:27 (NKJV)

Pause and Reflect

Am I allowing Jesus to prepare me for His coming?

Are there attitudes, habits or desires I continue holding onto while the Holy Spirit is calling me to surrender them?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me through Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for His Church.

Lord Jesus, I do not want merely to speak about Your coming while neglecting my preparation. Wash me through Your Word, cleanse my heart and transform my life.

Holy Spirit, reveal everything within me that does not reflect the character of my Bridegroom. Teach me to surrender willingly to Your work of sanctification.

Prepare me, Lord, not because I am afraid of Your coming, but because I love the One who is coming.

In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Take This With You

The Bridegroom did not wait for the Bride to become perfect before loving her. He loved her, gave Himself for her and continues preparing her.

Lots of Love 💞

MORNING DEVOTION 206/2026

BEHOLD, THE BRIDEGROOM IS COMING!

DAY 1: THE PROMISE — I WILL COME AGAIN

When Jesus was preparing to leave His disciples, He knew their hearts were troubled. He did not simply comfort them with the promise of heaven; He promised to return personally and receive them to Himself. What a beautiful assurance! The One who loved us enough to die for us is the same One who has promised to come back for us.

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”
John 14:3 (NKJV)

Notice the words “that where I am, there you may be also.” Jesus’ greatest promise is not merely a beautiful place, streets of gold or heavenly mansions. It is eternal fellowship with Him. The Bridegroom desires to be with His Bride! And while we wait, our love for Him should grow deeper, not colder. We are not waiting for a stranger, but for the One who first loved us.

“And so we shall always be with the Lord.”
1 Thessalonians 4:17 (NKJV)

But waiting for the Bridegroom is more than knowing that He will return. It is living in readiness for His coming. We cannot claim to be longing for Jesus while allowing everything else to occupy the place that belongs to Him. His promise should influence how we live, what we value and how faithfully we walk with Him today.

“And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.”
1 John 3:3 (NKJV)

Pause and Reflect

If Jesus returned today, would He find my heart longing for Him?

Am I more excited about what Jesus can give me in this life than about spending eternity with Him?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for the wonderful promise that Jesus Christ will come again. Lord Jesus, forgive me for the times I have become so occupied with earthly things that I have forgotten Your return.

Holy Spirit, keep my heart awake, my love burning and my life prepared for the Bridegroom. Teach me to live each day with the joyful expectation of seeing Jesus face to face.

Come, Lord Jesus! In Your precious name, Amen.

Take This With You

Jesus did not say, “I will send someone to collect you.”

He said, “I WILL COME AGAIN.”

What a promise of love!

Lots of Love 💞

MORNING DEVOTION 205/2026

THE FEAR OF THE LORD — Loving God Without Losing Reverence

DAY 10: FINALE — FEAR GOD AND KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS

After searching for wisdom, pleasure, wealth, success and the meaning of life, Solomon reaches a powerful conclusion: Fear God and keep His commandments. Everything we pursue in life becomes meaningless if we lose sight of the One who gave us life. We may achieve greatness in the eyes of the world, but the greatest achievement is to live a life that honours God.

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all.” Ecclesiastes 12:13 (NKJV)

Throughout these ten days, we have learned that the fear of the Lord is not terror, but holy reverence expressed through obedience. It is recognising God’s holiness, seeking His wisdom, refusing evil, remaining faithful when nobody is watching and honouring Him above people’s opinions. We cannot separate our love for God from our willingness to obey Him. Love draws us into His presence; reverence teaches us to honour Him with our lives.

“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.” Hebrews 12:28 (NKJV)

But perhaps the greatest revelation is that the fear of the Lord must continue long after our prayers and worship have ended. It must influence how we speak, make decisions, treat people, handle responsibilities and respond to temptation. God does not merely desire our worship on Sunday; He desires hearts that honour Him every day.

“And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.”Deuteronomy 10:12 (NKJV)

Pause and Reflect

Have these ten days changed the way I understand my relationship with God?

Do I merely love the blessings of God, or do I also honour His holiness, authority and commandments?

If I truly fear the Lord, what must change in my everyday life?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding me that You are not only my loving Father, but also the Holy and Almighty God.

Forgive me for the times I have taken Your grace for granted, treated Your Word casually or allowed my desires to become more important than Your instructions.

Holy Spirit, establish the fear of the Lord deep within my heart. Teach me to love what You love, hate what You hate, obey Your Word and honour You even when nobody is watching.

Lord, may I never become so familiar with Your love that I forget Your holiness, nor become so afraid of Your holiness that I forget Your love.

Let my love for You be genuine, my reverence deep and my obedience faithful.

Lots of love ❤️

MORNING DEVOTION 204/2026

THE FEAR OF THE LORD — Loving God Without Losing Reverence

DAY 9: THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS A FOUNTAIN OF LIFE

We often associate fear with danger, punishment and suffering. Yet Scripture describes the fear of the Lord as a fountain of life! How can fear produce life? Because reverence for God leads us away from things that destroy us and towards the One who gives life. Godly fear does not imprison us; it protects us from the consequences of walking outside God’s ways.

“The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to turn one away from the snares of death.” Proverbs 14:27 (NKJV)

Sometimes we see God’s instructions as restrictions on our freedom. But consider a loving father warning his child not to touch fire. The warning is not intended to deny the child happiness, but to protect the child from harm. Likewise, God’s commandments are not designed to rob us of life, but to guide us towards life. When we fear the Lord, we learn to appreciate His correction as an expression of His love.

“For whom the LORD loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights.” Proverbs 3:12 (NKJV)

Pause and Reflect

Do I appreciate God’s instructions as protection, or do I see them as restrictions?

Have I ever ignored God’s warning, only to discover later that His instruction was protecting me?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You that Your commandments are given in love. Forgive me for the times I have resisted Your correction and followed my own understanding. Holy Spirit, teach me to recognise Your warnings, accept Your discipline and walk in reverence before You. May the fear of the Lord become a fountain of life in me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Take This With You

God does not warn me because He wants to withhold life from me. He warns me because He knows what can destroy it.

Lots of Love ❤️

MORNING DEVOTION 203/2026

THE FEAR OF THE LORD — Loving God Without Losing Reverence

DAY 8: THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS NOT THE ABSENCE OF LOVE

Sometimes we think that loving God and fearing Him are opposites. We ask, “How can I fear someone who loves me so deeply?” But the fear of the Lord is not terror that drives us away from Him. It is holy reverence that makes us recognise the greatness of the One who loves us. God’s love invites us closer, while reverence reminds us never to take His presence for granted.

“The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him, and He will show them His covenant.” Psalm 25:14 (NKJV)

A child who deeply loves and respects a good father does not obey merely out of fear of punishment, but because the relationship is precious. Likewise, we do not fear God because His love is uncertain; we revere Him because His love is so precious. Perfect love casts out the fear of punishment, but it does not remove our reverence for God’s holiness.

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment.” 1 John 4:18 (NKJV)

Pause and Reflect

Has my relationship with God become so familiar that I have lost my sense of wonder at who He is?

Do I obey Him because I fear punishment, or because I love and honour Him?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me and inviting me into an intimate relationship with You. Forgive me when I confuse intimacy with casualness or reverence with terror. Holy Spirit, teach me to love You deeply, trust You completely and honour You wholeheartedly. May my love for You increase my reverence rather than diminish it. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Take This With You

The fear of the Lord does not push me away from God; it teaches me the preciousness of being close to Him.

Lots of Love ❤️

MORNING DEVOTION 202/2026

THE FEAR OF THE LORD — Loving God Without Losing Reverence

DAY 7: THE FEAR OF THE LORD WHEN NOBODY IS WATCHING

It is easy to demonstrate our love and reverence for God when we are surrounded by fellow believers. But who am I when nobody is watching? Joseph was alone with Potiphar’s wife when she tempted him. He could have justified his actions, believing no one would know. Yet Joseph understood that even when people cannot see us, we are always before God.

“How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” Genesis 39:9 (NKJV)

Joseph did not merely refuse because he feared being caught. He refused because he feared dishonouring God. True reverence is revealed in our private decisions, thoughts and actions. We may hide things from people, but nothing is hidden from God. The fear of the Lord teaches us to live with integrity, not because someone is monitoring us, but because we love and honour the One who sees everything.

“The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.” Proverbs 15:3 (NKJV)

Pause and Reflect

Does my private life agree with the faith I profess publicly?

Would I still make the same choices if I knew nobody would ever discover what I had done?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You that Your presence is with me even when I am alone. Forgive me for the times my private conduct has not reflected my public confession of faith. Holy Spirit, strengthen my integrity and teach me to honour You in my thoughts, words and actions, even when nobody is watching. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Take This With You

Joseph did not need an audience to remain faithful to God.

Lots of Love ❤️

MORNING DEVOTION 201/2026

THE FEAR OF THE LORD — Loving God Without Losing Reverence

DAY 6: DO I FEAR GOD MORE THAN I FEAR PEOPLE?

Sometimes we know what is right before God, yet hesitate because we fear what people will say, think or do. We fear rejection, criticism, losing relationships or opportunities. But when pleasing people becomes more important than obeying God, we have allowed the fear of people to take the place of the fear of the Lord.

“The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe.” Proverbs 29:25 (NKJV)

Daniel knew that praying to God could cost him his life, yet he continued praying as he had always done. His circumstances changed, but his reverence for God did not. The fear of the Lord does not mean we will never feel afraid. It means we choose to honour God even when obedience carries a cost.

“He knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.” Daniel 6:10 (NKJV)

Pause and Reflect

Have I ever compromised God’s Word because I wanted to be accepted by people?

Whose approval influences my decisions more—God’s or people’s?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times I have feared people’s opinions more than I have honoured Your Word. Holy Spirit, give me the courage of Daniel to remain faithful even when obedience is unpopular or costly. Teach me to respect people without compromising my reverence for You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Take This With You

Daniel did not wait until the lions’ den was removed before remaining faithful to God.

Lots of Love❤️