Love and Marriage - Christ Awaits His Bride...

“For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ"  (II Corinthians 11:2)

The Apostle Paul  was enamored with Christ and understood the position of trust that had been bestowed on him with regards to His church. He established and nurtured many congregations throughout Asia minor, often referring to them with heartfelt terms of endearment.

Paul also talks extensively about the bride as it relates to the New Testament church. In Ephesians 5:25-27, Paul exhorts husbands to, “...love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it, that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish.” 

Wedding customs in the Bible centered on two events:  the betrothal and the wedding. 

On the day of the wedding, the bride dressed in white, elaborately embroidered robes, bedecked herself with jewels, and put on a veil. The bridegroom, attended by friends and accompanied by musicians and singers, went to the bride’s house. After receiving her from her parents, and with their blessing, he conducted the whole wedding party back to his own house. On the way other friends of the bride and groom joined the party with much music and dancing. A feast was held at the bridegroom’s house. Later in the evening, the bride’s parents escorted her to the nuptial chamber where the bridegroom was waiting. Festivities often lasted for several days.

In the Jewish marriage contract there were promises the bridegroom would make to his future bride.

The contract also stated the price he would pay to obtain her. If she agreed, the bridegroom would hand her a cup of wine. If she drank from the cup, the marriage was sealed and they became legally married. He would then say to her, “I will not drink of this cup until we are reunited.”  Jesus Himself said in Matthew 26:29, “But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.”

Jesus performed His first miracle in Cana of Galilee at the wedding of a close relative. 

Jesus was there with His mother, other family members and His disciples (John 2:1-10).  When the servants attending to the feast made it known to His mother that the wine had run out, she in turn approached her son and said, “They have no wine.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother then told the servants to do whatever He asked. Jesus did eventually intervene on the host’s behalf and miraculously, the six large water-pots, each containing twenty to thirty gallons of water, became filled with wine. The master of the feast then commended the bridegroom for saving the best wine for the end, unlike most weddings, which served inferior wine at the end of the festivities.

For Believers - the New Covenant represents the marriage covenant that will never be broken.  

The New Covenant was sealed with the precious shed blood of Jesus Christ on Calvary.  Jesus gathered with the apostles during His last Passover meal, and as He shared with them the cup and bread, it symbolized the sacrifice He would willingly make to redeem mankind.

In the book of Revelation, John, the beloved also wrote about Christ and His bride [the Church]. He writes, “And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, “Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!  Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready"  Revelation 19:6-9.

So what does a wedding have to do with you and me?

We are the Bride of Christ - the Church.  Individually we are to make ourselves ready for the Bridegroom. We shall be holy and blameless when we stand before Him.  We will not have spot or wrinkle.  Pray that God will prepare us for that day and bring conviction upon His Church for our spirit of indifference and apathy.  Lord Jesus, make us a bride ready for her grand entrance...

Fun Facts:  Why are May and June traditional months for getting married?

It seems in days past that getting married in the late spring had more to do with a bride being "fresh" while the temperatures had not yet reached their summer peak.  Prior to the nineteenth century, daily or weekly bathing was not the norm.  Carrying flowers added a colorful burst and a welcome fragrance for the groom. Additionally, since April frequently brought much precipitation, May and June were dryer months and much cooler than July or August. Thus began the trend of nuptials being held during May and June.

Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”. It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together. 

Visit  http://www.spirituallyunevenmarriage.com

If you have been encouraged by this post - please take time to share it with others.

Love and Marriage - Christ Awaits His Bride...

How Would You Rate Yourself as a MOM ?

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It is true that we judge ourselves harsher than others would.  We often use unfair parameters and unrealistic comparisons while we do it.

It is not uncommon to critique our mothering abilities – especially when we see our children stray from the faith they grew up with.  However, don’t be deceived into thinking you have no further influence or reach in their lives. 

Once your children have left the “nest” rest assured you can still pour Godly advice, comfort and wisdom into them on a regular basis.  The key to doing it successfully is – moderation and discernment.

How many Moms have worn out knees and prayer journals full of petitions on behalf of their children – both young and adult?  How many of us have purchased books like The New Strong Willed Child by James Dobson, or The Power of a Praying Parent by Stormie Omartin?  None of us are beyond the help of those who have blazed the trail before us…

As a tribute to Mothers – below are three famous Moms and their sons…

Billy Graham:

[Excerpt from his biography]

Billy Graham said,“Jesus’ word picture of a hen gathering her brood under her wing fits my mother. She saw to it that we gathered frequently and regularly—and not just around the dinner table or in front of the radio for favorite broadcasts. She gathered us around herself and my father to listen to Bible stories, to join in family prayers, and to share a sense of the presence of God."

On August 14, 1981, Morrow Graham quietly left this earth in her sleep and entered Heaven.

"When word came," said Billy, "I wept and yet rejoiced at the same time. Of all the people I have ever known, she had the greatest influence on me.  She and my father didn’t have much education … But my mother was a woman of God. She always had devotions with us, she always prayed with us, she always loved us, and did so many things, as I look back now, out of the way. And she and my father, when I was in Bible school, they would go up to a room upstairs and kneel down every morning at 10 o’clock to pray for their son in Bible school."

John Wesley and Charles Wesley:

Susannah Wesley was the mother of 19 children, including John and Charles Wesley. Through much adversity, she dedicated her life to instilling a sense of Christian destiny into each of her children.  Her children went on to change the world. Susannah Wesley believed that for a child to grow into a self-disciplined adult, they must first be a disciplined child. To her, the stubborn flesh was the hardest battle for Christians to fight, and Godly parents would do well to equip their children to overcome it early. Susannah Wesley wrote:

"When the will of a child is totally subdued, and it is brought to revere and stand in awe of the parents, then a great many childish follies ... may be passed by…I insist on the conquering of the will of children betimes, because this is the only strong and rational foundation of a religious education ...  when this is thoroughly done, then a child is capable of being governed by reason and piety."

Moses - the Prince of Egypt

In Exodus 2 we are introduced to Jochebed, the daughter of Levi - born to him in Egypt.  She was the wife of Amram and was the mother of Aaron, Miriam and Moses.  Her courage and ingenuity saved her son Moses from the wicked mandate of Pharaoh to kill every male Israelite child.  She cleverly hid him for three months, before placing him among the reeds in a water-tight basket along the Nile River.

As she watched Miriam approach Pharaoh’s daughter, she must have been relieved to hear that she would be nursing and weaning the child herself before handing him over permanently.  Those few early years were no doubt full of Godly teaching and a loving example to that little Hebrew child.  Can you imagine the pain and sacrifice she endured as she watched her young son disappear into Pharaoh’s exotic palace to be raised as an Egyptian?

 I believe Jochebed was an important part of Moses’ life as a young child and into the reaches of adulthood.  She no doubt had an influence on his character, integrity and love for the Lord God of Israel.   She also raised Miriam (the eldest) and their brother Aaron, who appeared with Moses in front of the great Pharaoh of Egypt prior to releasing the children of Israel.  Were her children perfect?  No way.  They all displayed major character flaws.  All were reprimanded and punished by God for their disobedience.  However, all three witnessed God’s Sovereign power, deliverance and blessing in their lives and in their future destinies. 

God’s Word tells us the following:

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6)

The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.  (Proverbs 29:15

The Apostle Paul recalled Timothy's spiritual heritage when he said, "I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience as my ancestors did, when I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day. Remembering your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy, clearly recalling your sincere faith that first lived in your grandmother Lois, then in your mother Eunice, and that I am convinced is in you also." (II Timothy 1:3-5)

This Mother's Day give yourself permission to ease your grading scale when you look in the mirror.  Be less critical and more thankful as you open that Mother's Day card to read it.  Your children want someone to admire, emulate and trust.  Let that Someone be Jesus in you...  

You most likely have more to do with your children's successes than their failures.  The time you invested in their spiritual upbringing is not wasted.  What you've poured into their souls is waiting to spring forth. Your prayers and petitions have been heard.

Trust that God will use it all to bring many sons unto the faith and to bring Him the Glory He is due...

Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”. It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together. 

Visit  http://www.spirituallyunevenmarriage.com

If you have been encouraged by this post - please take time to share it with others.

How Would You Rate Yourself as a MOM ?