A Bride's Love for Her Bridegroom

This morning in Sunday School my wonderful husband led us through Mark 2:18-22.

"18) Now John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. Some people came and asked Jesus, "How is it that John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees are fasting, but yours are not?" 19) Jesus answered, "How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? They cannot, so long as they have him with them. 20) But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast. 21) "No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. If he does, the new piece will pull away from the old, making the tear worse. 22) And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, he pours new wine into new wineskins."

Fasting, in this day, was most often associated with mourning or a time of great spiritual need. Those who approached Jesus wanted to know why His disciples were not fasting. After all that was the thing to do, a weekly tradition in fact.

I love the Lord's response and the picture He paints for us as He explains to them why His disciples were not fasting. Imagine your wedding day and the excitement that surrounded the events of that day. This is a day filled with great anticipation, much joy and laughter; there is no time for mourning and there is no need for more than what is about to take place. And, so it was with the disciples of Jesus- by being in the presence of the Savior of the world, the bridegroom, there was absolutely no need to mourn and the reality of physically walking with Christ daily met their every need. Fasting for them, at this time, was not necessary.

There is so much more that could be discussed here, but I want to focus our attention to one thing in particular. As Chris continued teaching and talking about the wedding day and all the joys, the love, and the closeness that is felt on that day; the words that are exchanged between the bridegroom and his bride expressing each one's love for the other, he asked a question that I have thought about all afternoon- why do you love God and when was the last time you told Him you loved Him? All afternoon I thought about all the reasons I love the Lord and all the ways He has blessed me. I began making a list- the list could go on and on, but I want to share just a few of those reasons with you and I would for you to share with us the reasons you love the Lord.

I love You Daddy because:
~You have never turned Your back on me.

~You are a God of second and third and fourth and.... chances ( and goodness knows I have needed them all)

~You have set me free from the bondage of sin and set my feet upon the Rock.

~Your ways are higher than mine and Your thoughts make so much more sense than mine do.

~You have blessed me with a wonderful husband who has shown me the person of Christ in so many ways and given me the privilege to be the mother of three precious children. I love you honey!

~You have given me a message to speak and I am honored to be Your servant.

~You have showered me with more grace, mercy, forgiveness, and love than I deserve.

~You gave me two Godly parents who never stopped praying for my stubborn self. Love you mom and dad!!

~You have redeemed my soul and given me life eternal.

~You have blessed me with many Godly friends who encourage me to keep on keeping on.

Oh Father, my words could never adequately express my love for You. Your love never ceases to amaze me. I pray that I live my life in a manner that brings You honor and glory. You are my everything. My heart anticipates that great and glorious day when the heavens are opened and I, your bride, take You, my groom, by the hand and forever dwell with You. Come Lord Jesus, come!