Saturday, July 2, 2011

We are Engaged!

What a celebration!

Let us rejoice and be exceedingly glad, and let us give the glory to him. For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his wife has made herself ready." Revelation 19:7

www.bibletourwithjoline.com
www.bibletourwithjoline.blogspot.com

The idea of spending a lifetime in a loving relationship with someone is something people dream about and hope for. It is very special to know without a doubt, that out of all of the people in the world, you have finally found the one to spend your life with and it is worth celebrating and the wedding party is worth every penny. Christians are funny, we don’t like to party and we don’t celebrate the blessings of our lives. We are too afraid of what people are going to think if we enjoy ourselves too much and non-believers seem to be more joyful than we are. We take God’s blessings for granted. We are always sad, and yet we want people to be saved. Why should they want to be around us? The idea they have of us is that once saved, one becomes a boring bitter person. We may not think so, but trust me this is the image we are projecting. The reality is we have to be happier than the world. We are secure in our salvation. We have the assurance that we are going to spend a lifetime with the King of kings and the Lord of lords. We will finally see the One who loves so much that he died for our sins. My friend, we should be as happy as a bride because our groom is coming. Let us get ready. Let us be joyful. We are engaged to Jesus. The engagement period is supposedly one of the happiest in someone’s life. Your joy should be apparent and contagious. You are counting down the days to be together forever.

Jesus Christ went to prepare us a place. He is really coming back. We are going to have parties that will last 1000 years with our Lord and Savior, are you getting ready? The time of Jesus' coming is unknown; it’s important to know that Christ included an element of mystery about the time of His coming to keep us ready and watching. We must watch and be ready. To live ready for Jesus' return involves living in light of the Day of Judgment. The expectation of Jesus' return should motivate us to godly living. God has chosen us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight; He has redeemed us, purchasing us from slavery to sin, through Christ's blood; and He has sealed us with the Holy Spirit, as a guarantee that we have a part in all things in Christ. Do you want to be part of this? Will you accept the bridegroom’s unconditional love? God is love but that love is perfected/made complete, with us. Christ's love for the church is not a feeling. This love is giving, sacrificing, selfless and unconditional. This love is a love that shows itself in action (He died for you). We are so united with Christ that we represent him in this world, that we complete his love in the world. We should be joyful as we wait (excitedly) for the Lord’s return.

Christ our Savior and Husband is one with us. We are organically linked to him. He loves us with an active, sacrificial love. He who is one with us is also our head, directing us, helping all parts of his body to work together for His glory, and He directs all things together so that we might become his perfect creation. He takes care of us, providing all that we need to join him at the marriage supper, proclaiming his glory, perfect in every way. Are you getting ready? If you've never made a decision to accept Jesus into your life, please consider Him today. Wouldn’t you want to be part of a true union based on love and trust? If you like to be part of this, I invite you to pray with me:

Dear God, I need you. I acknowledge that I have been living my life apart from your perfect plan for me. Thank you for sending your son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for my sin. I now want to enter into a personal relationship with you. I open the door of my life and receive you as my Savior and Lord. Thank you for forgiving me of all my sins. I give you full access to my life. Take control and do as you will. Make me the kind of bride you want me to be. I love you Lord, and it's in the holy name of Jesus that I pray. Amen.

Praise the Lord!