The Unprepared! PREPARE NOW! ⏰🚨

Ready or Not—He’s Coming Back!

Ephesians 5:27 (KJV)

“That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”

Written by Lauretta Scott

iPublishub-Books — Publishing with Purpose & Faith

🚨 Before I Sound the Alarm!

Hey, Blog Friends and Family! ❤️

Before I dive into this blog, I want to make something perfectly clear!

I AM NOT COMING FROM A PLACE OF SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS!

I’m not sitting here pretending I have all my ducks lined up in a row, that I’ve crossed every T, dotted every I, and somehow managed to get everything in my life together!

NO! ABSOLUTELY NOT!

I’m still allowing God to work on me, too!

But I truly believe this blog is a call for the Body of Christ to wake up, examine ourselves, and prepare for the appearing of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

Before the trumpet of God sounds, we have an opportunity to hear the warning and prepare our hearts!

And today, I’m sounding that alarm!

PREPARE NOW!

Not tomorrow!

Not next week!

Not when everything in your life finally settles down!

NOW!

Because, Blog Friends and Family, the question isn’t whether Jesus is coming back.

The question is…

WILL YOU BE READY WHEN HE DOES?!

Let’s go! 🚨

🌎 Another Day! Another Distraction!

Hey, y’all!

I see we have ANOTHER distraction going around on social media!

Y’all saw it, right?! 👀

Another controversy!

Another argument!

Another reason for everybody to jump online and give their two cents!

And before you know it, everybody is fussing, debating, defending, accusing, and carrying on!

GOOD GRACIOUS! CAN WE GET A BREAK?! 🤣

How much longer are we going to allow the cares, concerns, and controversies of this world to occupy so much space in our minds?

Can I have an honest, transparent moment?

I AM TIRED!

Tired of the bickering!

Tired of the back-and-forth!

Who’s right?

Who’s wrong?

The left side!

The right side!

The conservatives!

The liberals!

Who’s voting for whom?

Who’s going to win?

Who’s going to lose?

GOODNESS GRACIOUS! ENOUGH ALREADY!

Are we not tired of living in the midst of all this craziness?!

I sure am!

Now, don’t misunderstand me.

I’m not saying we shouldn’t care about what’s happening in our world. We should be responsible citizens, love our neighbors, stand for truth, help those in need, and occupy until He comes!

But somewhere along the way, have we allowed the things of this world to occupy the very space in our hearts and minds that should belong to God?

WE ARE SO BUSY WATCHING WHAT’S HAPPENING AROUND US THAT WE MAY BE NEGLECTING WHAT’S HAPPENING WITHIN US!

Oh, somebody needs to hear that!

We are called to live with a Kingdom mindset!

Colossians 3:2 (KJV)

“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”

Let me ask you something.

Are we more concerned about who’s sitting in the White House than whether our own spiritual house is in order?

Are we spending more time following the latest controversy than following the teachings of Jesus Christ?

Are we more prepared to argue our opinions than to give an answer concerning our faith?

CHURCH! WHERE IS OUR FOCUS?!

👰🏽‍♀️ Without Spot! Without Wrinkle! Without Blemish!

Let’s go back to our foundational scripture.

Ephesians 5:27!

WITHOUT SPOT!

WITHOUT WRINKLE!

WITHOUT BLEMISH!

WITHOUT ANY SUCH THING!

Do y’all hear me today?!

Please hear me!

God is not playing with us!

And His Word is not going to change because we have become comfortable living any kind of way!

HE SAID WHAT HE SAID!

Jesus Christ is preparing a glorious Church, holy and without blemish!

Not a Church that simply knows how to look holy on Sunday morning!

Not a Church that can quote scriptures but refuses to live by them!

Not a Church that has mastered the appearance of godliness while neglecting the condition of the heart!

But a people who have been washed, sanctified, and made ready through Jesus Christ!

And let me make something clear.

WE CANNOT MAKE OURSELVES SPOTLESS THROUGH OUR OWN GOOD WORKS!

It is through the cleansing power of Jesus Christ, His Word, His grace, and the work of the Holy Spirit that we are made holy.

But we must respond to Him in faith, repentance, and obedience!

So here’s my question!

ARE YOU READY?!

Not your pastor!

Not your mother!

Not your father!

Not your spouse!

Not your best friend!

YOU!

Are YOU ready?

⏰ Ready or Not—He’s Coming!

Oh, I get it!

You think you have plenty of time!

You think you can put this preparation business off until tomorrow!

You think Jesus is going to wait until you finally decide to get yourself together!

REALLY?! 🤔

You think He’s going to hold everything up while you finish doing whatever it is you want to do?!

Well, excuse me for being the bearer of some uncomfortable news!

SORRY, CHARLIE! IT DOESN’T WORK LIKE THAT! 🤣

And today, I’m here to burst that STINKING THINKING!

HE’S COMING!

HE’S COMING BACK!

AND WE NEED TO LIVE READY!

Matthew 24:44 (KJV)

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

Did you catch that?

IN SUCH AN HOUR AS YE THINK NOT!

We don’t know the day!

We don’t know the hour!

We don’t have access to God’s heavenly calendar!

So why are we acting as if we have all the time in the world?

Stop procrastinating!

Stop making excuses!

Stop treating spiritual preparation like something you’ll eventually get around to!

PREPARE NOW!

🌍 Could God Be Getting Our Attention?

Now, I want to share something that’s been stirring in my spirit.

I truly believe we need to examine the things that are consuming our time, our thoughts, and our attention.

Everywhere we turn, somebody is complaining about something!

Our world is changing!

Our communities are hurting!

Families are struggling!

People are frustrated!

And the list goes on and on!

But I have a question!

COULD THESE TROUBLED TIMES BE REMINDING US JUST HOW MUCH WE NEED GOD?!

Now, I’m not saying every hardship or crisis is God removing something from our lives. We must be careful not to claim to know God’s specific purpose behind every world event.

But I am asking us to consider this:

Could the uncertainty surrounding us become an opportunity to turn our hearts back toward Him?

Let’s look at ten things people are constantly talking about!

1. Hatred and Racism — Discrimination, prejudice, division, and people mistreating one another because of their differences.

2. Violence and Crime — Murders, shootings, domestic violence, human trafficking, and communities living in fear.

3. Poverty and Homelessness — Families struggling to survive, people living on the streets, and children going hungry.

4. Greed and the Love of Money — People putting wealth, power, and personal gain above compassion, honesty, and human life.

5. Political Division and Corruption — Dishonesty, abuse of power, broken trust, and constant fighting over political differences.

6. The Breakdown of Families — Absent parents, broken relationships, neglect, abuse, and a lack of love and guidance in homes.

7. Bullying and Social Media Negativity — Cyberbullying, public humiliation, gossip, misinformation, and the constant tearing down of others.

8. Selfishness and Lack of Compassion — People becoming so focused on themselves that they overlook the suffering and needs of others.

9. The Rising Cost of Living — High grocery prices, unaffordable housing, expensive healthcare, and financial hardship.

10. Lack of Accountability, Respect, and Integrity — Dishonesty, disrespect, entitlement, and people refusing to take responsibility for their actions.

WHEW! 😮‍💨

And that’s only TEN!

We could probably name another fifty before lunchtime!

But here’s what I want us to understand.

WE CAN BECOME SO CONSUMED WITH WHAT’S WRONG WITH THE WORLD THAT WE FORGET TO EXAMINE WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE WITHIN OURSELVES!

We can complain about hatred while refusing to forgive!

Complain about corruption while refusing to walk in integrity!

Complain about selfishness while overlooking the needs of our neighbors!

Complain about division while participating in the very arguments that keep us divided!

OH, LORD! HELP US!

What if, instead of spending every waking moment complaining about the condition of the world, we began asking God to examine the condition of our hearts?

What if we spent more time praying than arguing?

More time loving than criticizing?

More time preparing than procrastinating?

WHAT IF?!

God is not surprised by the chaos or the rapid changes taking place in our world.

But are we allowing these circumstances to draw us closer to Him?

Hebrews 12:2 (KJV)

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith…”

That’s where our focus belongs!

ON JESUS!

🪔 The Unprepared Bride! Where Is Your Oil?

Now, Blog Friends and Family!

Let’s talk about a wedding!

But not just any wedding!

Let’s talk about the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25:1–13.

Five were wise!

Five were foolish!

All ten were waiting for the bridegroom!

All ten had lamps!

All ten had the opportunity to prepare!

But here’s where the story takes a serious turn.

FIVE WERE PREPARED, AND FIVE WERE NOT!

The wise virgins brought extra oil for their lamps.

The foolish virgins took their lamps but failed to bring enough oil!

And when the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

But at midnight…

A CRY WAS MADE!

Matthew 25:6 (KJV)

“And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.”

OH, MY GOODNESS!

CAN YOU IMAGINE?!

The moment they had been waiting for had finally arrived!

The bridegroom was coming!

It was time!

But five of them discovered something was terribly wrong!

THEY WERE NOT PREPARED!

Their lamps were going out!

And suddenly, they wanted the wise virgins to share their oil!

But the wise virgins told them there might not be enough for everyone and instructed them to go buy their own.

Now, here’s my question!

WHY DIDN’T THEY PREPARE BEFOREHAND?!

What distracted them?

What caused them to overlook something so important?

Why did they assume they would have enough time to get what they needed later?

All ten knew the bridegroom was coming!

But only five were ready when he arrived!

And that, my friends, is the warning!

DON’T WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE TO PREPARE FOR SOMETHING YOU ALREADY KNOW IS COMING!

Now, the parable doesn’t specifically tell us that the oil represents the Holy Spirit, so I don’t want to add something to the scripture that Jesus didn’t explain.

But the message of the parable is unmistakable!

WATCH! BE READY!

There are some things you cannot borrow from somebody else’s spiritual life.

You cannot borrow their obedience!

You cannot borrow their personal relationship with Jesus Christ!

You cannot depend on somebody else’s faith while refusing to respond to God for yourself!

You must know Him for yourself!

🚪 The Closed Door! Knock! Knock!

Now, this part of the parable should cause every one of us to stop and examine our lives!

While the foolish virgins were away buying oil, the bridegroom arrived.

The prepared virgins went into the wedding celebration with him.

And then…

THE DOOR WAS SHUT!

OH, LORD!

THE DOOR WAS SHUT!

Can you imagine the foolish virgins returning and discovering they had missed the opportunity?

KNOCK! ✊

KNOCK! ✊

LET US IN!

PLEASE LET US IN!

Matthew 25:11–12 (KJV)

“Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.”

I KNOW YOU NOT!

Oh, my goodness!

Can you imagine hearing those words?!

Jesus also gives a sobering warning in Matthew 7:23:

“And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

Friends and Family!

These are not words any of us should want to hear!

And this is why I am sounding the alarm!

Not because I have everything together!

Not because I am better than anybody else!

Not because I am pointing fingers!

BUT BECAUSE I WANT US ALL TO BE READY!

Including me!

❤️ What’s Occupying God’s Space in Your Heart?

Now, let me ask you something personal.

What’s hindering you from preparing?

What’s distracting you?

What has become so important in your life that you’ve allowed your relationship with God to take a back seat?

Is it social media?

Is it money?

Is it relationships?

Is it bitterness?

Is it unforgiveness?

Is it pride?

Is it fear?

Is it the cares and concerns of everyday life?

Or have you simply become comfortable putting God off until another day?

WHAT IS OCCUPYING THE SPACE IN YOUR HEART THAT SHOULD BELONG TO HIM?!

And before you answer, remember something.

God already knows!

You might be able to hide certain things from people, but you cannot hide the condition of your heart from God!

And here’s the beautiful thing.

HE IS STILL INVITING US TO COME TO HIM!

He is merciful!

He is loving!

He is patient!

And He is faithful to forgive those who genuinely turn to Him!

🙏🏽 Lord, Create in Me a Clean Heart!

So where do we begin?

I’m glad you asked!

Let’s start with the prayer of David.

Psalm 51:10 (KJV)

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”

And David continues in Psalm 51:11:

“Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.”

Now, let’s connect that with another powerful passage!

Psalm 24:3–4 (KJV)

“Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place?

He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.”

THERE IT IS!

CLEAN HANDS!

A PURE HEART!

A RIGHT SPIRIT!

Now, isn’t that a wonderful place to start?!

Not by pretending we have everything together!

Not by pointing out everybody else’s sins!

Not by comparing our spiritual walk with somebody else’s!

But by humbling ourselves before God and asking Him to do a work within us!

LORD, SEARCH ME!

LORD, CLEANSE ME!

LORD, CORRECT ME!

LORD, REMOVE EVERYTHING THAT IS HINDERING MY WALK WITH YOU!

LORD, HELP ME TO LIVE READY!

Because the goal is not simply to appear prepared before people.

THE GOAL IS TO BE FOUND FAITHFUL BEFORE GOD!

🚨 Final Aha Moment: Don’t Get Ready—Live Ready!

Blog Friends and Family!

I want to leave you with this thought.

The five foolish virgins did not miss the wedding because they didn’t know the bridegroom was coming.

THEY MISSED IT BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT READY WHEN HE ARRIVED!

Think about that!

They knew!

They waited!

They had lamps!

They expected him to come!

But expectation without preparation left them standing outside a closed door.

And I don’t want that to be our story!

We don’t have to know the day or the hour to know how we should live today!

Love God!

Love people!

Forgive!

Repent!

Walk in obedience!

Abide in Christ!

Stay in His Word!

Keep your heart tender before Him!

And when you stumble, don’t run away from God—run back to Him!

Because our confidence is not in our own perfection.

OUR CONFIDENCE IS IN JESUS CHRIST, THE ONE WHO CLEANSES US AND MAKES US WHOLE!

So stop allowing every controversy, every argument, every distraction, and every worldly concern to pull your attention away from what matters most.

THE BRIDEGROOM IS COMING!

KEEP YOUR LAMP READY!

KEEP YOUR HEART PREPARED!

AND ABOVE ALL—KNOW THE BRIDEGROOM FOR YOURSELF!

Matthew 25:13 (KJV)

“Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”

And that’s my final question for you today.

IF THE CRY WENT OUT TODAY—WOULD YOU BE READY?

Don’t just get ready.

LIVE READY! ❤️

Until your next Aha Moment,

Lauretta Scott

Founder of iPublishub-Books

Publishing with Purpose & Faith

Inspiring Hearts. Transforming Minds. Changing Lives.