Last week, I had the pleasure of attending a wedding of some close family friends. It always amazes me to see the beauty of the bride as she walks down the aisle to her waiting groom. It is a special moment when the father gives the bride to the groom and lifts up the veil. All of the love of the bride comes shining through her face!! In this moment she is free to share all of herself with the man of her dreams. Her father has given the groom permission to have and to hold his daughter.
This special time in the wedding reminds me of our Father in heaven's gracious gift of intimacy! In the Old Testament, we see intimate relationships between God and man. In Exodus 33:11, it says; "The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend." When Moses came back to camp after speaking with God, something peculiar happened. It says in Exodus 34:29; "When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony (The Ten Commandments) in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the LORD." His face was glowing like a bride. This frightened the people so Moses began to wear a veil over his face. But Moses took the veil off when he went to meet with the Lord.
In the temple in Jerusalem when Jesus was alive as man on earth, there was a veil that hung in the Holy Place of the temple. It was a separation between the people and the presence of God. At the moment that Jesus died, the veil ripped from top to bottom. The veil was from ceiling to floor and about 12 inches thick. Only God could have ripped this veil. It is such a beautiful imagery God our Father gave us. The church is referred to as the Bride of Christ. So when Jesus died, the Father removed the veil so that all believers, who are the bride, could enter into an intimate relationship with His son, the Groom.
God has given us this gift through Jesus to enter into His presence each day and to talk to Him as a friend. In the process of spending time with God, His glory is revealed in our lives. And unlike Moses, we are to walk around without a veil. And as we do, our faces will be shining with the radiance of having God with us! And through this miracle, people will be faced with the reality of the glory of God.
I love meeting with my Lord in the morning. He always greets me with the anticipation of a groom waiting for His bride. He reminds me how loved I am! He shares his thoughts and plans with me. He helps me understand how valuable I am to Him and those He has placed in my life. He fills my cup to overflowing. And then I can go to face the day with His glory all over me and around me. As I walk through the day, I can share His wisdom and great wonders with all I meet. Just like He waits for me, He is waiting for you! Go to Jesus! You are His bride and He is your groom!
2 Corinthians 3:18- "And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Friday, March 2, 2012
"Do Not Be Anxious About Anything"
I got a phone call the other day that blessed me and at the same time scared me to death. Some friends of our family are getting married and asked me to read a scripture passage in their wedding ceremony. Wow! I felt so honored! They are beautiful people! I am so grateful to be attending their wedding and never expected to be a part of the ceremony! As you know, I love the Word of God and believe in the power of the Word and so this is a gift to me!
So, you are probably wondering about the "scared to death" part of this phone call. Did you know most people rank the fear of dying below the fear of speaking in front of groups? I understand this! Fear of speaking in front of groups has been paralyzing to me in my past! It just freaks out my senses to be in front of a group and hear the sound of my voice over a microphone. And the anticipation of it in years past really messed with my mind and caused my heart stress.
In college this fear was so out of control I actually blacked out while presenting a project in front of a classroom full of people. It was humiliating! This fear harassed me for years. After college, I promised myself I would never speak in front of a group again. I did not anticipate any need to speak in front of a group so I thought those days were over.
Then, when I surrendered my life to Jesus, I began to feel the need to testify! The Bible is full of verses calling us to testify and witness. This need has lead me in front of many groups. In order to not allow this fear to control me, I have worked out a commitment to God as His witness. I will only speak in front of groups when asked if I feel passion in my heart for the topic or if I am asked to testify about Jesus. So, as you can see, it was clear during this phone call "Yes" was my answer even though deep down in my flesh, I was feeling fear!
The difference now in how I handle this fear is my dependence on God! I have made a commitment to God to say, "Yes" and not let this fear control me. And He has promised me He will be with me. The Lord has helped me to overcome this fear in the moments I have stood before groups. I have even felt a sense of blessing and joy standing before groups! It is a great testimony to His presence in my body through His Holy Spirit! These times have definitely built my faith!
God is so faithful and sweet! He always blows my mind! When I asked what scripture it was that they wanted me to read, I immediately could hear the words in my head! It is a scripture I have memorized because it so pertains to my life and has brought healing to my fear! I need this scripture often and I see God knew I would need it on that day! This couple chose three scripture passages out of the whole Bible and this is what I ended up with! Philippians 4:6-9! The first verse I will read says this; "DO NOT BE ANXIOUS ABOUT ANYTHING, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Then, verse 7 says, "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
I will proclaim this promise of God before about 180 people! And do you know what I am expecting in the moments that I stand before this group? The peace of God, which transcends all understanding! Even through the weakness and fear in my flesh! Praise Jesus!
So, you are probably wondering about the "scared to death" part of this phone call. Did you know most people rank the fear of dying below the fear of speaking in front of groups? I understand this! Fear of speaking in front of groups has been paralyzing to me in my past! It just freaks out my senses to be in front of a group and hear the sound of my voice over a microphone. And the anticipation of it in years past really messed with my mind and caused my heart stress.
In college this fear was so out of control I actually blacked out while presenting a project in front of a classroom full of people. It was humiliating! This fear harassed me for years. After college, I promised myself I would never speak in front of a group again. I did not anticipate any need to speak in front of a group so I thought those days were over.
Then, when I surrendered my life to Jesus, I began to feel the need to testify! The Bible is full of verses calling us to testify and witness. This need has lead me in front of many groups. In order to not allow this fear to control me, I have worked out a commitment to God as His witness. I will only speak in front of groups when asked if I feel passion in my heart for the topic or if I am asked to testify about Jesus. So, as you can see, it was clear during this phone call "Yes" was my answer even though deep down in my flesh, I was feeling fear!
The difference now in how I handle this fear is my dependence on God! I have made a commitment to God to say, "Yes" and not let this fear control me. And He has promised me He will be with me. The Lord has helped me to overcome this fear in the moments I have stood before groups. I have even felt a sense of blessing and joy standing before groups! It is a great testimony to His presence in my body through His Holy Spirit! These times have definitely built my faith!
God is so faithful and sweet! He always blows my mind! When I asked what scripture it was that they wanted me to read, I immediately could hear the words in my head! It is a scripture I have memorized because it so pertains to my life and has brought healing to my fear! I need this scripture often and I see God knew I would need it on that day! This couple chose three scripture passages out of the whole Bible and this is what I ended up with! Philippians 4:6-9! The first verse I will read says this; "DO NOT BE ANXIOUS ABOUT ANYTHING, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Then, verse 7 says, "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
I will proclaim this promise of God before about 180 people! And do you know what I am expecting in the moments that I stand before this group? The peace of God, which transcends all understanding! Even through the weakness and fear in my flesh! Praise Jesus!
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