Encouragement for Today - June 14, 2005
June 14
“The Bridal Veil” – Part 2
By Susanne Scheppmann, Proverbs 31 Speaker Team Member, Co-editor Online Devotions,
Key Verse:
Revelation 19:7-8, “Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready." And it was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.” (NASB)
Devotion:
The groom lifts the lacy bridal veil and kisses the bride. The separation between the two lovers is removed and intimacy for a lifetime begins. It’s my favorite moment in a wedding ceremony.
In yesterday’s devotion, when I stood before Bridal Veil Falls, in
But what can we do – anything? Yes. As a bride prepares for weeks to wed, we should attend to things in our life that will please our Groom. Scripture suggests several behaviors of which to rid ourselves if we want to please God. These actions include gossip, bitterness, envy, and pride.
Not only does the Bible instruct us on what not to do, it enlightens us on what attitudes do please God. Read what The Message tells us,
So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it. (Colossians 3:12-14)
The groom lifts the veil to see clearly his beloved bride. When Jesus lifts my bridal veil, I want him to be pleased. I desire to approach Him with anticipation of His hand lifting my veil and seeing acts of righteousness.
So, what do you say? Let’s get closer to the Living Water. Let’s get soaked in His divine love. Let’s prepare ourselves for the bridal veil to be lifted and to gaze in the eyes of Jesus.
"Hallelujah! The Lord our God, the Almighty, has become king. Let us rejoice, be happy, and give him glory because it's time for the marriage of the lamb. His bride has made herself ready. She has been given the privilege of wearing dazzling, pure linen." (Revelation 19:6-8, God’s Word)
My Prayer for Today:
Lord Jesus, I desire to be pleasing to you. Help me to approach you with eagerness and confidence. Show me how to change my attitudes and actions, so that I may please you everyday.
Application Steps:
Read all of Colossians, chapter 3. On a sheet of paper, list the good and the bad behaviors. Ponder how you can prepare yourself to become a pleasing Bride of Christ dressed in righteous acts.
Reflection Points:
What negative behaviors do I harbor?
What godly actions do my friends and family witness?
Is Jesus pleased when He lifts the veil when I approach Him in prayer?
Power Verses:
Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (NIV)
1 Corinthians 13:4-7, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” NIV)
3 John 1:11, “Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.” (NIV)
Additional Resources:
The Ultimate Makeover, by Sharon Jaynes
http://proverbs31.gospelcom.net/newresources_ultimateMakeover.htm
Designing a Lifestyle that Pleases God, by Pat Ennis and Lisa Tatlock
http://proverbs31.gospelcom.net/newresources_designingLifestyle.htm
