prepared?

"But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived.  The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet.  And the door was shut."  (Matthew 25:10)

If I were to ask you if you were (are) prepared you would probably respond with "for what?"  This time of year, where I live, you would probably immediately think about being "ready" for the winter season, or the upcoming holiday season, or even leaving to go south for the winter season.  If you are still in school you think of exams and research papers.  What about the pop quiz we all dreaded - are you ready for one of those?

The readings today are about being ready.  Joshua is telling the people to "throw away foreign gods that are among you and yield your hearts to the Lord."  (Joshua 24:23)  Paul is reminding the Thessalonians of our believe "that Jesus died and rose again" (1 Thessalonians 4:14) and "we will be with the Lord forever."  (4:17)  Jesus is telling about people preparing for the Lord's return.  Some were ready and some weren't.  Those who were ready "went in with him" while those who weren't couldn't.  Jesus is warning "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour."  (Matthew 25:13)

So....are you ready?  Are you prepared?  We do NOT know when Jesus is coming again but we do KNOW He is.  Yes, we profess Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Yes, we believe he WILL come again.  My question is -- can you answer "why" we believe what we believe?  Can you help someone who is questioning?  Are you prepared?