Seasons of Love

THE BRIDE

Spring is in the air, warm temperatures and clear blue skies Buddings of new life dawn the day Newness of life brings on a new scent in the air, warming our soul Senses of new hope and joy splash in our heart So quickly it visits and passes through Come back, Come back, oh joyous Spring!



PEFECT LOVE

“Where do I begin to tell the sweet love story of how great a love can be. . . . . .”

Spring is sometimes known for its exciting season of love and romance. It is recorded that there were literally, millions of viewers of the recent Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate; I being one. Truth be told, I love Love-stories. True love is priceless and we either rejoice or envy the beholders of them who have found it. There is one ancient love-story, I’ll never tire of, between, Jesus, Son of God and his Bride, the Church. As a young girl, I dreamed of a time I would wed a handsome young man, just a head taller than me, so that I could look up at him as he spoke. He would tilt his head down to kiss me. Handsome and nice was the pre-requisite, when I had almost no knowledge of a real intimate relationship. Instead, putting aside all the romantic notions, I decided a man that is strong in character, decisive and full of integrity, was the preferred man for me. Since he will lead the home, he must rule decisively, but he must also have a gentler side and sensitive, enough, to express his warm love toward his Bride. This perfect man, would be one, who would share his heart and his deep inner-thoughts. He would need to love passionately and always remain faithful. He would need to be wise, intelligent and discerning. He should love and want many children. He would have good work ethics, in order to be an excellent provider. That pretty much sums up the perfect husband for me. Oh and one more thing, I would not have to go looking for him, he would pursue me; he must lock his eye on me and claim love at first sight. Isn’t that just about how most of us start out in marriage? The groom is smitten with his bride and the bride adores her groom. He asks for her hand in marriage and she accepts. Then the waiting begins as the preparations are excitingly being made. She chooses her gown, her jewels and the guest whom she will invite to the celebration. Careful consideration, of the details are made, because, the day is to be as perfect and lovely as possible. Flowers and decorations will adorn her walk as she walks down the isle to her groom. The groom will be there waiting to see the look on his bride’s face. Is she nervous, emotional, elated, or will she hide her emotions behind a simple smile? They exchange looks. All guest arise as a show of honor. The music begins and so does the long walk. The walk is slow and for the bride, it seems too slow. She is quite anxious and all eyes are on her. The bride has prepared herself in adorning her hair. Her nails are neatly manicured and her cosmetics are applied to enhance her beauty. Everyone enjoys watching the bride, because she is in her glory. She is at her most perfect weight and may never return to this size again. The photos taken will remind her of the beauty that surrounds her. As a parallel, Christ is our most perfect groom; all his attributes are perfect, as he is sinless, whole and complete. In Revelation 21:9, the Believers are referred to as, the Bride of Christ, and also, the Lamb’s wife. He chose us, his Bride, out of the world and he pursued us. We, who are “born again,” have accepted his gift and entered into the covenant, thereby, being, bought and purchased, we receive all the benefits of marriage - the blessings, inheritance and eternal life. Of course, God is an infinite Spirit, eternal and unchangeable. In his being is wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness and truth. Therefore to enter a relationship with him, one must be born of the Spirit and not of the natural. If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your personal savior you have found the bridegroom of a lifetime and when he returns, there will be a wedding feast.

Revelation 21:9 “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the lamb.” (NIV)

John 15:9 I have loved you just as My Father has loved Me. Stay in My love. (NLV)

John 6:44 No one can come to me, unless the Father who sent me makes them want to come. But if they do come, I will raise them to life on the last day. (CEV)

Revelation 19:9 Then the angel told me, “Put this in writing. God will bless everyone who is invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb.” The angel also said, “These things that God has said are true.” (CEV)

John 3:3 Jesus answered, “I assure you, everyone must be born again. Anyone who is not born again cannot be in God’s kingdom.” (ERV)

1 Corinthians 7:23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings. (NIV)

Although, it is quite impossible to explore all of His infiniteness, let’s look at only some, of his attributes.

Behold your King, Your Majesty is Smitten in Love

As a king summons his bride, we too are summoned to be with him because, we belong to him. The scriptures tells us how precious and honored we are since, he created us and formed us. No one knows us as deeply and intimate as he does. He left his heavenly home and perfect kingdom to redeem us when, we were in trouble. When the wages of our sin was required of us, he affirmed his love at the cross of calvary and always to give us the gift of eternal life.

Matthew 20:28 Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (ESV) John 3:16  God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die. (CEV) Isaiah 43:1 But now, God’s Message, the God who made you in the first place, Jacob, the One who got you started, Israel:“Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you.  I’ve called your name. You’re mine. When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you.  When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down. When you’re between a rock and a hard place,      it won’t be a dead end— Because I am God, your personal God, the Holy of Israel, your Savior. I paid a huge price for you. (Message) Isaiah 49:16 Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me. (ASV) In these next two passages, Jeremiah 31:3 and Song of Solomon 2:8-13 we see that the Lord draws us to him by his unfailing kindness. In Deuteronomy 30:19, we are given the choice both of life and death - blessings and curses. The Lord has given us a free will to choose whomever we want to serve. To choose Him is to choose life. The Lord Jesus and King of Kings is beckoning us to come away with him. In Song of Solomon you hear his gentle plea, like a playful and love-bound pursuer. Choosing the King of Kings will mean blessings of an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3 The Lord appeared to him from afar, saying, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness. (NASB) Deuteronomy 30:19-20