Luke 8:13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.

Allow me for a moment to point out some vital issues on belief as explained here in the telling of the parable of the sower. They received the Word with joy, and for a time believed.

How many of us that call ourselves Christians believe and show absolutely no signs for the effects of belief? For some to say “I believe” is all they have, empty shallow words, of no import nor effect. We see absolutely no fruit of the spirit in their lives. What are we to do?

Luke 13:8 And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:

The one interceding on behalf of the fruitless tree is the vine dresser, a pastor if you will see it that way. Yet are we not all ministers of the Word? The issue here is to get to the root of the matter and provide an atmosphere and materials for growth. They need to be exposed to the truth without judgment nor be cast aside.

Perhaps their understanding is the problem. Perhaps the fact that they received the word with joy is what they believe in, that the feeling is their sign. Feelings are fickled and soon fade away. They may even desire to recreate the feeling of joy, to manufacture it, like the leave of that tree which bears no fruit but shows signs of growth. After all they do have leaves. Just no fruit.

Luke 8:15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

If they will do a heartfelt and honest examination perhaps they will realize they did not receive the Word in their hearts. But how does one receive a word into the heart when words are heard with the ear and understood by the mind? How does it go from the mind to the heart?

That is another matter.

Matthew 25:9d buy for yourselves.

Matthew 25 begins with the telling tale of the ten virgins and the oil for the lamps. Oil represents anointing. So how does this relate to appropriations? Good question.

If you have read previous devotions these past few days, I pointed out that the words of the Kingdom are often different in meaning than as the world knows it. Here is one of those words, appropriations.

The U.S. government creates laws. In all cases except unfunded mandates, they collect taxes to enact these laws. A committee within the House of Representatives called Ways and Means appropriates funding to ensure these laws are carried out.

In the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, the anointing oil is bought by individuals for their own lamps. Jesus Christ is the anointed. Jesus Christ is the Word. The oil is appropriated from the Word of God. The price paid is time and effort but the appropriation comes by making the Word yours.

2 Corinthians 3:2-3 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.

Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

When you make the Word an integral part of who you are, it guides and directs your thoughts and actions.

Have you bought the oil for yourselves?

Do you continue to buy the oil as you use it or allow your lamp to run dry?

Thus the five virgins with oil were called wise.