Loyalty (Part 2)

I love Weddings- The Pageantry- The Beginning of a new life together- Two Becoming One- The Uniting of Hearts and Lives- The Celebration- The food- The Beauty of a Bride and her Court- The Groom at his best- Stong and True- Did I mention the food? I wish I would get invited to more Weddings- Maybe I need to become a Wedding Crasher! That's it- that's the answer- I'll be a Wedding Crasher! Well.............. maybe not. Anyway- As I was pondering over this business of Loyalty, I suppose it was only natural (or maybe Supernatural) that the Holy Spirit would bring Weddings up into my conscious thoughts- Particularly the exchanging of vows. You remember them don't you?

The promise to love, honor, cherish and keep

In sickness and in health

Forsaking all others

Keeping only to your Beloved

All the days of your life

Forsaking all others

Now there's the rub-

A great source of difficulty in the Christian Life.

Does God place this same call on my life in my loyalty and devotion to Him?

Loyalty to my Father in Heaven may mean forsaking people-

At least it may feel like we are forsaking them.

Luke 14:26 Jesus said, " If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters- yes even his own life- he can not be My disciple."

Hard words-yet read on.......

1 John 4:20 If anyone says he loves God yet hates his brother he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother whom he has seen, can not love God whom he has not seen.

Okay now, wait a minute-

Which is it- What's it gonna be?

How about this-

My truest Loyalty to Him is lived out by sharing His Love and Life with People.

I can only be Loyal to Him by Loving them-

With His Love.

Maybe there are times when I have to fall back on this "tough love"-

Times when my loyalty to Him feels like being forsaken to them.

John 3:16 For God so Loved the World (People- All People) that He gave His Only Begotten Son............

If I believe this is truely where God's Heart is-

In the restoration of His people-

In the salvation of His people-

Then maybe it's time to entrust some of these people I love into the hands of a God who Loves them infinitely more than I can comprehend or imagine. Maybe my loyalty to Him is the best way to love them.

Lord Jesus, Father God, Holy Spirit- Thank You for even giving me the ability to love anyone at all. Move in me to entrust You with the lives of those You have brought my way. Enable me to Love them truely by Loving You.

Amen

The Life to Come

I Love Weddings!

This morning I took off on yet another adventure on my bicycle-
This time I stuck to the pavement however-
At least for a while-
I navigated my way from my home some 10 miles to a path that runs along side the Savannah River-
The Canal Tow Path.
At the point where the Tow Path begins there is a Community Center that sits high up on the bank of the river. This center has come to be known as Savannah Rapids Pavillion. The Pavillion is positioned in an exquisite spot that looks down over the river for an incredible view of a spillway with a waterfall that tumbles into gentle rapids. As I picture it in my mind, I realize how inadequate my writing skills are to describe such beauty.

Over the years,

the Pavillion has become a favorite spot for many a young couple to launch out into their own great adventure of a lifetime together.

Well this morning-
if only for a fleeting moment-
I was privileged to witness one such beginning.
Ah, the excitement of the wedding party as they made their way toward what I pray would be a wonderful celebration of Love for a lifetime. The Groom and groomsmen were pictures of strength as they walked confidently toward the life-changing moment. As the Bride came into view, in all her splendor, I was drawn back in time 30 years to the moment I first glimpsed my Julie on our wedding day.

She was Beautiful-

Radiant-

Incredible beyond words!

I thank God for the memory of her smile as she approached our moment-
The moment of pledging our hearts to one another-
I don't think I will ever forget that smile.

 I Love Weddings!

Revelation 19:7 and on- Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory for the Wedding of the Lamb has come and His Bride has made herself ready. Fine linen bright and clean was given her to wear. The angel said, "Blessed are those invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb".

Thank You Father in Heaven for the Wedding to come-

for the celebration to come-

for the life to come.

Thank you for my marriage here and now to such a wonderful, beautiful, woman.

Thank You that our Love has brought forth life-

for our children.

Thank You for how weddings remind me of the life to come with You-

my Eternal Bridegroom.

Amen

It is written,

" Behold now the dwelling of God is with men

and He will live with them- they will be His".

He Who is seated on the Throne has said,

"Behold, I make all things new".

All praise be to You my Lord Jesus for the Life You have won for us.

Amen