It Had to Be You

Ephesians 1:4-5

Kathy says that she is overwhelmed by the amazing things that she gets to experience because God has given her a voice. Can you complete this sentence based on what God has give you?
"I am overwhelmed by some of the amazing things I get to experience because God has given me..."

How great! "It is a precious thought to think that Jesus, our Bridegroom, is preparing a place for us, looking forward to the time when He will come and take us home. We feel sure that He hopes we are also anticipating this day. For what bridegroom wants an apathetic bride?"

I love how they compare the first bride (Eve) with the last bride (the Bride of Christ). That comparison tells us that God is lonely for us, looking for the completion of His holy Bride and that we are to reflect the nature of Christ. As we prepare for our Bridegroom's return we are to prepare our character instead of our gowns. Prepare our characters with purity, radiance, integrity and growing devotion to Him.

Purity - "For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them]." Philippians 4:8
"For then [changing their impure language] I will give to the people a clear and pure speech from pure lips, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve Him with one unanimous consent and one united shoulder [bearing the yoke of the Lord]." Zephaniah 3:9
"Come close to God and He will come close to you. [Recognize that you are}sinner, get your soiled hands clean; [realize that you have been disloyal] wavering individuals with divided interests, and purify your hearts [of your spiritual adultery]." James4:8
Radiance - "Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame." Psalm 34:5
Integrity - "The integrity of the upright shall guide them, but the willful contrariness and crookedness of the treacherous shall destroy them." Proverbs 11:3
"Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God." Ephesians 6:14
Growing devotion to Him - "But grow in grace (undeserved favor, spiritual strength) and recognition and knowledge and understanding of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (the Messiah). To Him [be] glory (honor, majesty, and splendor) both now and to the day of eternity. Amen (so be it)! 2 Peter 3:18

Are we happy? "Happy is fleeting...The goal is loving Jesus. Then, and only then, do you experience an inextinguishable joy."

Will He catch us? Yes. So, if I die to _____, will He catch me? Yes!