calvary updates 08/21/2026
- Frank Winfrey
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 11 hours ago
The second coming of Christ has to be a part of every believer's game plan. The only way we are able to live unashamed is to continue yielding our lives to the guidance of the Spirit of God. Romans 12 reflects that sentiment. 1Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will (Romans 12:1,2).
As we lend our lives to walk in obedience, the Holy Spirit within us does his work of transforming our minds to love first, God himself, and second, to believe that our greatest honor is to live lives of obedient service. That obedience brings glory to God because our choices declare clearly that we put him first and not ourselves. To live in this way, we are rejecting the selfish aims of the world system.
As I write this, I recognize there are those that will scoff at a belief that Christ will return at all. There also will be Christians that started well, but have long ago stopped pursuing a life of God honoring obedience. Their lack of preparedness and failure to be aware of the signs of the times will insure that they are embarrassed and found wanting at his return.
Jesus told a parable that considers this. It is called The Parable of Ten Virgins.
1“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
6“At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’
7“Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’
9“ ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’
10“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.
11“Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’
12“But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’
13“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
One application for me in all of this is that for the foolish, their wrong choices had gradually dimmed their light, their witness. Their light was about to go out. They had failed to be prepared. Their lack of preparedness was short sighted. They lived as if their lives would never be examined. They had lost their focus. They were distracted from the wonderful calling and opportunity that God gave them in their redemption.
The protection against this type of folly is found in I John 2. We are to constantly rely on a Spirit's anointing to align ourselves with biblical truth. "But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth" (I John 2:20). When we stray, the Holy Spirit is there to call us back.
Sunday August 23rd Sunday School at 9:15 and Worship at 10:30 AM.
"When He Appears: Help Me be Confident and Unashamed" is our message from our "Verification Code Please" series out of I John. Come and make new discoveries in our Sunday School as we continue our Wisdom series studying through the Old Testament. Our second study is, "Connecting with Others Like Jesus Did." Have a late breakfast with our donuts and coffee at 9:15 AM.
A Song you will hear this Sunday
Hillsong Worship: I Need You
Flourish Tuesday, August 25th, 10-12 noon
Prayer Wednesday, August 26th, 5:30-6:30 PM
Men's Breakfast Saturday, September 5th, 8:30 AM
Peoria Chief's Baseball Game Saturday, Sept 5th at 7 PM. TBA $12- $16 tickets
Today's readings were: I Samuel 13•Roman 11 | Jeremiah 50•Psalm 28-29. If you are looking for a different reading plan, you might enjoy:
In I Samuel 7, after Israel had routed the Philistines, the prophet Samuel set up a stone of remembrance. He called the stone an "Ebenezer." What does "Ebenezer" mean?
In Jesus joy,
Pastor Frank Winfrey
cell: 309-645-9621
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