You're Invited

There's going to be a celebration and I want you to come. It's going to be a wedding celebration and I'm the bride. You see, many years ago (in eternity past) the Father and the Son agreed to set their love upon me. Not because I am beautiful, or talented, or had anything good to bring to the marriage. It was in fact just the opposite. I had only sin to bring and Jesus took that sin and washed me, clothed me in His righteousness, and gave me the Holy Spirit as "guarantee" for what is waiting for me in Heaven.

Yesterday Tim likened this journey of faith as being the engagement period. Though we are now the Bride of Christ, there will be a wedding celebration in heaven: the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. Christ will be the Host. The Church, which is the Bride, will be the guest of honor. And we will live "Happily Ever After" - literally.

So, how does a bride prepare for the wedding day? What does she do to prepare for marriage?

She devotes her time and energy getting to know the love of her life. She no longer acts independently of her love. When choices are made they are made with her love's interests in mind. When decisions are made they are not made apart from him. She loves being with her love. She loves talking about her love. She prepares herself for him. She loves what he loves. His interests are her interests. She becomes knowledgeable of what life will be like in her new home and she gets ready to live there.

Scripture doesn't refer to the Church as the Bride for no reason. There is a depth of meaning in this scriptural metaphor. I would like to encourage you to spend some time reading about all things wedding-related in the NT as it refers to us as the Bride and Christ as the Bridegroom. Let that amaze you, let that stir your heart, and then get to know that Love of your life, and get familiar with that place where you'll be spending your "happily ever after." A year ago our pastors taught us about Heaven. I would encourage you to listen to those messages again. I also would recommend Randy Alcorn's book, "Heaven" and Joni Erickson Tada's book, "Heaven."

Ladies, I believe when we get a sense of what it means to be loved by Christ, we will get a sense for what "to live is Christ" means, and then we will have a sense for what "dying is gain" means. The more time you focus on the Bridegroom, the more eager you'll be to meet Him face to face. I know I can't wait!! Can you come?