Friday, November 16, 2012

Bride of Christ


It takes a lot of work to prepare a bride. There are so many details, so much to do, so many things to get "right". There is the nails, the massage, the hair, the perfumes, the under garments, the the dress, the jewelry, the shoes, the veil and that is just the bride's attire nothing to do with the actual wedding. 



We are the bride of Christ. Each of us individually but also the body as a whole. What are you doing to prepare yourself? The rest of the body? 

James 3:13-18 (NIV1984)

Two Kinds of Wisdom

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.18 Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.


Are the brides and the bridesmaids fighting? Has the marriage supper of the lamb become a free for all? Or, are we performing as eunuchs preparing the bride to be fit for her king?

Jane Harmon:
Have you seen or met someone who has accurate revelations but their words are harsh, cutting, presumptuous, prideful or inappropriate? Are you having trouble in your soul realm?

Proverbs 21:23 (NIV1984)

23 He who guards his mouth and his tongue
    keeps himself from calamity.

How many times does God warn us to keep our words sweet? Remember the bitter/sweet water out of the same well? Avoid evil gossip, slander, back-biting, tale bearing---guard your words.

Ephesians 4:29-32 (NIV1984)

29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

How are we preparing for the bride?

Is your intercession preparing each detail?



Sunday, November 11, 2012

What Are You "Drawing"?


One day while we were driving we passed a house I realized how much it was like so many Christians's lives.. The yard was brown—the grass dead. The house was close to the road and weather worn. It had not seen paint in the 50 years it had been sitting in the burning summer heat followed by the windy, winter snows. The drive was weed ridden with small ruts to be maneuvered in order to arrive at the sad, tired house.


A couple of miles later green assaulted my senses. In the midst of mountainous colors and textures of the high desert it seemed almost out of place. And yet as we got nearer there was a wide tree lined drive way leading to a beautiful home—the house was white with deep green shutters and roof. There were flowers surrounding the house, a garden was nearby, the blue of an above ground pool caught my eye along with the red and white metal of a swing set. The entire picture was Norman Rockwell and so very inviting.

We are in the world but not of the world. Our outward appearance and actions are what draw people to us—it is the love of Christ shed abroad in our hearts that turns them to Christ.

The Philistines stood and looked over the land of the Israelis’ declaring that “surely they served the Most High God”. Who is looking over the fences into your life? Are they drawn? Pray them into the kingdom.

What are you drawing?

Draw the lost.