Here Comes the Bride
As we hear the music begin to play the Bridal March, we all stand to welcome the new bride as she walks down the aisle in her white gown looking perfect, not a thing out of place.
Not too long ago, I saw a photo of a bride on her wedding day getting ready to make this once in a life time journey down the aisle. But something wasn't quite right, in one hand she held a cigarette and in the other she was taking a swig out of a bottle of whiskey. It made me think about how we are going to present ourselves to Christ when we become united as His Bride and He as our Bridegroom.
It goes without saying that a bride is always prepared. She puts so much thought and effort into this day, that there should be no room for surprises.
Rev. 21:2 says; "the bride has prepared herself."
What kind of preparations must we be making in our own lives that we should be made worthy of coming to Christ?
For one thing, in order to take on the responsibility of marriage, we must be mature. In our walk of faith, we must first grow up and not stay a child. We should make an extra effort to grow up and be mature in Christ so that we will be ready to receive Him. It's true that we are all children of the King, but it's only the ones who are mature who will get the car keys! Maturity is the key to this kind of anointing in the kingdom.
How do we get to this point? It takes serious preparation on our parts. To receive God's glory and anointing, we first have to die to ourselves. This means we must give up all our carnal desires and sacrifice our wills to conform to His Will. This is the only way through the veil of Christ in which to enter into the Holy of Holies. God cannot look upon sin, that is why He washes us clean as snow in the blood of His Son.
The book of Esther is a beautiful example of how one unsuspecting woman was chosen by God "for such a time as this" to be in the right place at the right time. It's not that she was better than anyone else, she was obedient and sacrifices her self will in order to come to the king.
This book is not just a story, but a representation of being the Bride of Christ, or the church. Esther 2:8-10 represents how we too must learn to allow the government of God to rule over our lives in order to be anointed. Esther was literally anointed with special oils and perfumes to be purified.
God is a God of order, everything signifies something important, especially numbers. Esther spent 12 months getting ready, the number 12 represents the divine government, God's ruling. She submitted herself and allowed God to govern this preparation in His time. Esther had 7 maids which represents perfection and completeness. Rev. 1:4 speaks about 7 Spirits and 7 Manifestations. The 7 Spirits of God are: Life, Truth, Adoption, Holiness, Grace, Supplication, and Glory. These 7 Spirits are the 7 purifications of the Bride of Christ.
We as Christ's disciples must first soak in God's glory, in His presence just as Esther did in the oils and perfumes. She spent 6 months soaking in myrrh. The number 6 represents the flesh, and the myrrh was used in burial ceremonies. Esther had to die to herself. Then she spent another 6 months soaking in the oil, which represents the Spirit of God. This brings healing, completeness.
If we are to be the Bride of Christ, then it only makes sense that we prepare ourselves in the same fashion as Esther. Once we have entered into the gates, it only makes sense to desire to go into the Holy of Holies. This is where we seek God's face, not just His hand. But in order to approach this place, we must be prepared to minister to God and not the other way around. This the place where we no longer ask God to do for us, but what we can do for Him! Unless we become willing to make sacrifices, we will always remain in the outer courts, and not much happens out here.
It was Esther's desire to attend to her king and ask, "What can I do for you?" She was not getting ready to make demands on him. In being a mature Christian, we know that it's not about us, it's ALL about Him and the role we play in this marriage ceremony. Once you have entered into the Holy of Holies, you don't feel the need to ask God for anything, because you know that He already knows all your needs and is prepared to give them to you. It will become an automatic response to give Him all the praise, honor and glory.
In the Old Testament, the aroma of the burnt sacrifices were a sweet smelling aroma to the Lord. This is how He determined who would pass through the veil where He inhabited. No carnal flesh could enter into this sacred place. Today it's still the same, we can not enter in as long as we are carnal, it takes sacrifice, obedience and alot of preparation to come into the presence of God.
Another important number to consider is the number 10. This represents our human responsibility. Esther 2:16-17 says she was taken into the royal house on the tenth month. The king desired her just as God desires us today. She took the responsibility upon herself to be restored and ready for her king.
"Have the boldness to enter into the Holiest by the blood of Jesus. By a new and living way, which He has consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, His flesh. Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water." Hebrews 10:19-22 (Amplified)
The veil is the body of Christ and we must pass through Him in order to get to God. Just as a bride ministers to her husband, we too must minister to God. If we submit like a wife should, there is NOTHING that our groom won't do for us.
"Husbands love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it. That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of the water by the Word." Eph.5:25-26 (Amplified)
A glorious church, (you and me) and not just one that is anointed is one without spot, blemish or wrinkle. It must be holy. It is the combination of anointing and glory that removes all spots, blemishes and wrinkles which result in no sin.
Why not make a conscience effort to decide that from this day forward you will strive to live a holy, upright and righteous life before the day of your wedding ceremony with Christ. Make a point to live holy from the heart and seek His face. Be prepared on the day you walk down the aisle and look into the face of your bridegroom, Christ. The wedding banquet prepared afterwards is going to be a one of a kind experience. All are invited but not everyone will be attending. Many are called, but few are chosen. Will your name be on this invitation?
Vivian Gordon is called by the power of the Holy Spirit to write inspirational articles to help open the spirital eyes and ears of those who need to hear and see. She dedicates her life to not only hearing the Word, but doing it as well. It is her desire to be a beacon of light to those who may be in the dark. Also called to be a prayer intercessor and warrior to bring health and healing into lives of others that don't know how to pray for themselves. God has given her many gifts in which to serve Him.
Get Paid For 100% of your site's traffic.
Premier Bridal Line, Layne Corban, Launches New Collection and Redesigned Website
Sought after bridal line, Layne Corban, launches its fourth collection and new look for website.
Wedding Speech Don?ts
Have you ever sat through what seems like endless hours of wedding speeches? While it is nice that everyone wants to offer up praises to the bride and groom, a simple toast is usually all that the rest of the guests can handle. Yet, long wedding toasts are not the only wedding speech ?don?ts.? Here are some other things to avoid when you are writing or giving your wedding toast:
Choosing The Perfect Theme For Your Wedding
One of the easiest ways to make a wedding memorable is to have a theme Themes can be humorous, cultural, seasonal, venue-inspired or downright crazy but one thing they do is make your wedding unique and unforgettable
Wedding Planning: Tips for Choosing Online Wedding Vendors
If you're looking to the internet for help with your wedding plans, you're sure to benefit from the wealth of organizational and comprehensive wedding tips, ideas, tools and resources available right at your fingertips! The internet is packed with useful websites, as well as online stores offering every wedding product and service imaginable. You'll find everything from wedding invitations, wedding keepsakes and wedding favors to online bridal gift registries, travel agencies for destination weddings and honeymoons, wedding consulting services and much more.
A Romantic Wedding Anniversary Toast
There are a lot of toasts in the world that are supposed to be meaningful and romantic However, the best toast to get romantic with is the wedding anniversary toast
3 Great Tips For Cherished Wedding Photos
Wedding season is upon us, and that means a record number of photographs will be snapped in the coming weeks and months
Of course, most brides have figured out who their photographer will be ? whether it?s a professional or a talented family member or friend
Palm Springs' Hotel Zoso to Offer Custom Wedding Packages
Hotel Zoso has created several turnkey wedding packages to make getting married as stress free as possible for couples.
Tips to Start Commemorating Your Wedding
Planning a Spring wedding is certainly what most brides will sought after Spring is a season where everything is fresh, new and blooming therefore, having a wedding in spring brings out more meaning to the beginning of a new fresh life for the newly wed
Guide to Professional Styles and Techniques in Digital Wedding Photography
Once folks become emotional, they normally flip albums and view the photos that portray the affairs that occurred in their lives. These images are not merely bits of colorised papers with figures as they can activate deeply-seated emotions. Emotions vary depending upon the memories accompanying these pictures picked up and suspended in time.
Have A Limousine For A Special Wedding
Weddings are the nicest occasions you could ever propose your undivided life. You have to proposal for the venue as well as the food to fulfill to the guests. Aside from this, you necessity to propose on your transportation. Since you cannot use accepted cars for such exclusive occasion, you have to come up with a good idea for you transportation wishes.
You're Making Your Wedding List and Checking It Twice—What Have You Forgotten?
Preparing for a wedding, large or small, is overwhelming! A way to combat that feeling is to break down the required tasks, divide the responsibilities and assign deadlines. Ok, all that is fine—but what have you forgotten?A wedding is a public affair, and it's everyone's fear that somewhere, somehow, despite all the planning, arrangements, expense, and hard work, something will happen to make one or more of the principles appear foolish in public.
How To Pick A Song For Your Father-Daughter Dance At Your Wedding
Sometimes it can be hard to pick one Father-Daughter Dance song for you wedding that really encompasses how you and your dad feel about each other He's your hero
Your Wedding Budget: How Do You Plan For It?
When you decide to get marry, you will need to start planning for your wedding Of course there are a lot of details you have to take care of
Choosing a Wedding Date –- When You're Feeling Indecisive
He – or she – asked, and you answered in the affirmative! Now's the time to bask in the romance, and enjoy the first phase of your new life together. But soon, you'll need a response for that timeless question: "when's the wedding?"For some couples, it's easy – they know just when they want to tie the knot.
Online Florist Versus Florist Shop
A florist is a person designing flower arrangements and selling them. The florist takes care of flower arrangements, which is an art of making bouquets, composition of ornamental grass, herbs, foliages and flowers resulting in a beautiful design.
For even more wedding planning tips and ideas, visit FMBrides.com.
Get Paid For 100% of your site's traffic.