Hearts Desire

Have you ever made a wish for something and wanted it so badly that you could perceive how it looked, tasted, and desired it to the point of almost seeing it before it happened?

If someone gave it to you, surely you'd be compelled to say "how did you know"? Certainly that person would have to know you quite well, and really want to please you, whether or not you deserved it. That is unconditional love.

I have just described Jesus to you and His ability to know what it is in your heart of hearts. He knows all your secrets and all your desires. When you least expect it--there it is, and it's perfect. You might not even be asking at the time, or maybe it's something that you may even have forgotten that you had once wanted, or even asked for. He didn't forget or wouldn't forget as He lives to please you.

I've gotten things that only He could give me. No one else knew. He makes all my dreams come true.

He has a perfect plan for you too. Have faith, and in time you will see what a friend we have in Jesus.

Taste and see that the Lord is Good, that the Lord is Good!

Entered into the Wedding Feast

Perhaps the most popular prayer, recited by most religions is the "Our Father." One of the lines says,  Thy Kingdom come. Today the gospel reading is helpful in our understanding of the kingdom. Matthew 22:1-13 tells us who is invited, where the kingdom is, the wedding garment, and more. But in the final verse (14) it says --"For many are called, but few are chosen." The next question should be what happens to those who are not chosen? and clearly in verse (13) it says "there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth" in a place called outer darkness. To be cast out will be by your decision, one unchangeable and eternal, having rejected God.

Sadly, people are being misled to believe that heaven is automatic and it is not necessary to go to church to attain salvation, also, their confession of faith will be enough to enter into through gates.

(5)"But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business." Are we to busy for God.  We see many who are invited to the Wedding Feast to worship God in His Kingdom, which is on earth as it is in heaven, but have not the desire or time. They are not willing to come.

If you have been baptized and chrismated, you have entered into the marriage or union with Christ, now and to come. We receive the body and blood of Christ at the banquet table each Liturgy. The kingdom is where the King is.

Worshiping God is His first commandment. We must enter in with humility, having been given the invitation and ability to serve in what ever way we can with thanksgiving, true repentance and walk in the way of righteousness, through the grace of God.

Only then, can we find salvation in God's Kingdom, through Christ for all humanity, for all time.

The Gospel of Luke 14:23 "Then the master said to the servant, 'Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.' "

His desire to fill His house will not be frustrated. We must all do our part by invitation and prayer for the salvation of all mankind.

Scripture readings taken from the Orthodox Study Bible