To the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2:2, 3.
Said Christ, “All things that the Father hath are mine.” “I and my Father are one” (John 16:15; 10:30). “I appoint unto you a kingdom” (Luke 22:29). The Lord Jesus lays His hand upon the eternal throne of God with all the ease and assurance of one who rules and reigns, putting on His head the crown of deity. He sits at the right hand of God and receives supreme honor as God, the glory He had before the world was. He distributes His gifts to all who by faith shall claim them. . . .
We have an inexhaustible storehouse, an ocean of love in the God of our salvation. He has placed in the hands of Christ all the treasures of the heavenly resources and says, “All these are for man, in order to convince fallen, sinful man of My love, . . . and that for his happiness I am working and will work.” The happiness of man is to know God and Jesus Christ whom He hath sent. It was to make this vast treasure house of all good available that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. He sprinkled every gift with His own blood…. The gift to our world in sending Jesus is an exhibition of His grace which God Himself cannot surpass…. But one thing is impossible with God–the power of eclipsing the greatness of His gift in showing His love for fallen man….
Had God the Father come to our world and dwelt among us, humbling Himself, veiling His glory, that humanity might look upon Him, the history that we have of the life of Christ would not have been changed. . . . In every act of Jesus, in every lesson of His instruction, we are to see and hear and recognize God. In sight, in hearing, in effect, it is the voice and movements of the Father.
But language seems to be so feeble! I refrain, and with John exclaim, “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God” (1 John 3:1).
That I May Know Him p. 338
““““““““““““““““““
Prayer Requests
—–Please pray for Ronnie Jay. He has a cold or the flu and is feeling miserable. Rose
“““““““““““““““““““`
Dear Friends,
While I was up at Esther’s earlier this year, Esther remarked that it was hard to believe that this March she and Brian will have been married nine years. This made me think of the happenings in 2005. Both of our daughters got married in that same year—Esther Marie in March and Eileen in July. I was began reminiscing about all the stress of preparations for Esther’s wedding. So much to buy and do—such as finding a place for the wedding, buying items that could be used for both weddings, helping pick out a dress for Esther, buying thankyou gifts for the wedding participants, picking out a dress for me that I could use for both weddings, etc. At first I bought a very fancy, light blue sparkly dress, but after I got it home and took a picture of me in it, I could tell that it would never do. I looked like a big, blue, sparkly blob. I took it back to the store. A short time before the wedding, Esther helped me pick one out that was more suited to my figure and one that after the weddings were over I could continue to wear. In fact, I still wear it to church occasionally.
Since I was so far away from Michigan, Mike’s mom took over the plans for it. Wisely, they had a wedding coordinator whose whole focus was getting everything ready for the wedding. Plans went much smoother for their wedding. Many church members at Mike’s church became involved in the preparations and countless hours went into making the wedding just right. It turned out beautifully and I was relatively stress free.
Just so, we each are to prepare for an upcoming wedding that is the most important wedding in all the Universe. The whole focus of our life must be in getting ready for the marriage supper of the Lamb. Revelation 19:5-10, gives us a glimpse of the glory that will take place during that time. “And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb.”
Jesus told a parable of a guest who came unprepared to a king’s wedding feast. “And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matt 22:11-13 So it is in reality. Without the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we will not prepared. Without our Dear Saviour’s removing the filthy rags of our righteousness from us and providing the wedding garment, the spotless robe of His Righteousness, that we may be fit to enter into His marriage supper, we will never partake of that great feast. He does not force that garment upon us, but it is necessary that we have it. Praise God this wedding garment is a free gift purchased for us by the Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ! It is ours for the asking! Indeed, He is standing there waiting for us to claim it as our own!
May we, today, ask for that glorious wedding garment, even the spotless robe of Christ’s righteousness, while there is yet time to receive it. May we all be part of that grand and glorious wedding that is soon to take place. May we rejoice in the love and mercy of our God forevermore is my prayer.
Rose