the Wedding

My husband and I were invited to a wedding today and were so moved.  We really didn't know the couple getting married, we knew the bride's mother.  I wanted to share this song by Etta James, At Last.  See, a women sang this song right before the Bride came down the isle.  You know, most of us have been to weddings and unfortunately, I can count on one hand how many times I walked away saying, "Wow, that was an incredible vocalist."  Nothing against the fabulous people I have heard sing, but either sound systems are not up to par, or singers get nervous or who knows what, but the song doesn't quite come out the way I think it was expected to.  Well this women was a show stopper.  She was incredible.  It was the first of many moving things that were quite memorable at this wedding.

One more thing I want to share about this wedding was the desire of the bride and groom to have an alter call at their wedding.  They knew there would be friends and family there that were not sure of the destination upon their death.  You say and alter call at a wedding, hmmm.  Well, I totally loved it, because 25 years ago this August my husband and I did the same thing.  We had the salvation story shared with our friends and family and after the service I rejoiced with my guests who not only came to my wedding but were given an invitation to the Wedding Feast of the Lamb.

See this pastor tonight shared the parable of the ten virgins found in Matthew 25:1-13.  I have added it here for you to read from the Amplified version if you are not familiar with the parable.  Jesus is speaking: 

"Mat 25:1 THEN THE kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.

Mat 25:2 Five of them were foolish (thoughtless, without forethought) and five were wise (sensible, intelligent, and prudent).

Mat 25:3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they did not take any [extra] oil with them;

Mat 25:4 But the wise took flasks of oil along with them [also] with their lamps.

Mat 25:5 While the bridegroom lingered and was slow in coming, they all began nodding their heads, and they fell asleep.

Mat 25:6 But at midnight there was a shout, Behold, the bridegroom! Go out to meet him!

Mat 25:7 Then all those virgins got up and put their own lamps in order.

Mat 25:8 And the foolish said to the wise, Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.

Mat 25:9 But the wise replied, There will not be enough for us and for you; go instead to the dealers and buy for yourselves.

Mat 25:10 But while they were going away to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were prepared went in with him to the marriage feast; and the door was shut.

Mat 25:11 Later the other virgins also came and said, Lord, Lord, open [the door] to us!

Mat 25:12 But He replied, I solemnly declare to you, I do not know you [I am not acquainted with you].

Mat 25:13 Watch therefore [give strict attention and be cautious and active], for you know neither the day nor the hour when the Son of Man will come."

I have made a note above in red letters.  For this pastor brought attention to this very line.  He said, I have always been perplexed by this comment as we all know that Christians are suppose to share, even the shirt off our backs yet here we clearly see that did not and would not share their oil.  Well, he went on to say, that the oil (as anyone who in learned in scripture will agree) represents the Holy Spirit.  See, the five virgins would not and could not share their personal relationship (in this case their oil) with the five virgins who did not have any oil.  See all of them were virgins (and again what that is symbolizing is they all were good or pure people.  Some teachings I have studied even indicate that the virgins represented those that were even saved, or Christians.)  But they were left out.  The door was locked to them.  They missed the call.  Some say  they were "Left Behind".  See, I can't give you my personal relationship to the Lord.  You have to cultivate that on your own.  You can't give me your relationship.  I have to work out my salvation with fear and trembling on my own.  Jesus is coming back for a bride (the church - the saved - the redeemed - the body) that is without spot or wrinkle.  He is looking for a beautiful bride.  We, we have a charge to be ready.  We need the oil of the Holy Spirit to prick our heart of sin and evil and we need to cultivate our personal relationship with the Lord.  It is beyond our understanding in our human mind but He has a desire for each of us independently and yet he loves us unconditionally.

It was  a really good word.  In response to his teaching 10 guests at the wedding committed their lives to Christ.  So not the question to you?  Are you ready?  Do you have the "oil" of the Holy Spirit working in your life?  Do you hear the Master and do you respond to Him?  Don't hesitate to respond....He is coming quickly.  Just as He said.