I'm Glad I Bought the Extended Warranty

“A neglected [prayer] closet is the beginning of all spiritual decline.” – C.H. Spurgeon

I read a devotional message this morning that was written by Charles Spurgeon about 150 years ago and yet, it rings as fresh and true as if he had just penned it today. It dealt with our need to constantly replenish the spiritual oil in our lamps so that they might shine brightly for the Lord Jesus Christ in an ever-darkening world. Failing to do so places us in danger of our lamps growing dim, like the foolish virgins in Matthew 25 whose lamps ran completely dry, causing them to miss the Bridegroom’s arrival.

And, Spurgeon pointed out, not just any oil will do. It must be drawn from “the olive-press of Gethsemane, from Him who was crushed there.” Simply put, no oil prepared by human hands will do because it is impure and contaminated by sin.

Let me give you another example of the need to constantly maintain our spiritual lamps and to keep them not only filled to the brim, but also in proper working order.

Earlier this week, the air conditioner in our car stopped working out of the blue. One minute it was providing refreshing blasts of cool air to combat the heat and humidity of Florida in August… and the next, it was blowing nothing but hot air. I assumed it simply needed a fresh charge of Freon, but I was wrong. The entire compressor needed to be replaced at a cost exceeding $1,800 for parts and labor.

OUCH!!!

Fortunately, Deanna and I had prepared for such an event by purchasing an extended warranty on our car when we bought it from our son Matt, who works for Enterprise Car Sales (shameless plug!) And so, after a quick call to Matt, everything was covered except for a $100 deductible, including a rental car while the repairs were being made.

My friend, it is imperative that we keep our spiritual lamps primed and ready for the Lord’s service. That means filling them daily through prayer, Bible study, and fellowshipping with other believers. And above all, make sure you have an “extended warranty” that will take you straight to heaven when you die.

“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.” Matthew 25:13 (NKJV)

- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President