Jesus' Paid the Ultimate Price for His Bride

Mohar: the price a prospective groom paid to her family to secure the betrothal. To secure The Church as His Bride, Jesus the Christ paid an enormous mohar. The price was the ultimate in shame, pain, and a most brutal and agonizing death. We commemorate His ultimate sacrifice/payment today. How does your heart respond?

SHAME: Spit on; dressed up as a silly looking king (purple robe & crown of painful thorns) and mocked; beaten; hit in the face; made to carry His own cross . . . His reaction:

Such a large crowd of witnesses is all around us! So we must get rid of everything that slows us down, especially the sin that just won't let go. And we must be determined to run the race that is ahead of us. We must keep our eyes on Jesus, who leads us and makes our faith complete. He endured the shame of being nailed to a cross, because he knew that later on he would be glad he did. Now he is seated at the right side [a] of God's throne! So keep your mind on Jesus, who put up with many insults from sinners. Then you won't get discouraged and give up. Hebrews 12:1-3 CONTEMPORARY ENGLISH VERSION

PAIN: Emotional and physical -- endured in silence, while we complain loudly of headaches, stomaches, and the like.

He was beaten, he was tortured,
but he didn't say a word.
Like a lamb taken to be slaughtered
and like a sheep being sheared,
he took it all in silence.
Justice miscarried, and he was led off—
and did anyone really know what was happening?
He died without a thought for his own welfare,
beaten bloody for the sins of my people.
They buried him with the wicked,
threw him in a grave with a rich man,
Even though he'd never hurt a soul
or said one word that wasn't true.
Isaiah 53:7-9 THE MESSAGE

DEATH: Have you ever wondered what Jesus' thoughts were as He hung their on the cross, dying a death He could have forgone? Is the Holy Spirit whispering to your heart even a tiny realization of just how much He loves you and me -- the whole of His Church, His Bride here on this earth? No Bride's family could ever expect a greater price.

Still, it's what God had in mind all along,
to crush him with pain.
The plan was that he give himself as an offering for sin
so that he'd see life come from it—life, life, and more life.
And God's plan will deeply prosper through him.

Out of that terrible travail of soul,
he'll see that it's worth it and be glad he did it.
Through what he experienced, my righteous one, my servant,
will make many "righteous ones,"
as he himself carries the burden of their sins.
Therefore I'll reward him extravagantly—
the best of everything, the highest honors—
Because he looked death in the face and didn't flinch,
because he embraced the company of the lowest.
He took on his own shoulders the sin of the many,
he took up the cause of all the black sheep.
Isaiah 53:10-12 THE MESSAGE

These thoughts have been prompted by a study of ATTNEDING THE BRIDE OF CHRIST by Martha Lawley, copyright 2005, Lifeway Publishing.

Horton Hears a Who -- Horton Gets a Clue

WOW!!! That's the only word that came to my mind as I read through this incredible article -- plus an overwhelming sense of the Holy Spirit all over this one. "WHO" would have ever thought that Dr. Seuss in 1954 would be speaking prophetically to us today in 2008 -- over 50 years later.

What I recognized immediately as a friendly children's flick appearing on the big screen all over America this weekend, has just become a "must see" moment in time.

This is just more confirmation to me that it has been God speaking to me about using my reflexology skills and gifting in a pro-life center in my community. The contacts were made weeks ago. I now have a copy of a textbook on the subject of maternity and reflexology. When I learned of the book in early January, I had no idea it would take me over 2 months to actually obtain a copy -- especially in our instant gratification society. I'm also trusting the right doors will open for me to participate in a very specific maternity and reflexology advanced training this fall. All of that before I ever read this article this morning.

Praying you will take the time to read the whole article at the link above. Copies of the book may be ordered from The Elijah List or through Amazon at the link to the right on this page. What steps will you take to get involved in the cure for this epidemic, bringing God's light for these precious unheard "Little Whos?"

Why Do We Expect God to Bless America?

Everyday in America we here someone somewhere asking, "God Bless America!" I'm wondering why it is we expect Him to do that. The craziness circus (in my opinion) of an election year that is well underway . . . A happy and blessed nation would do well to heed and follow Godly Biblical views on a number of the BIG issues. Where do the candidates stand on that? I'm not one to wish to debate politics on this blog (And I won't! Don't even think about posting political ads -- They'll be rejected). I'd love to hear comments on "Why this is our expectation in the light of the way we treat God?"

What I pray that we would see as a nation is the respect and blessing we withhold from the God who has blessed us with way more than we'll ever deserve. The following passage from Malachi speaks to us today, as well. . . and "NO" it's not just about money. It is about repentance and seeking HIM and serving HIM. It's ALL HIS!! It's ALL ABOUT GOD. . . It's NOT about us. However, the incredible God I serve does "pour out blessings beyond your wildest dreams." When the nation HUMBLES itself and turns to HIM, I believe we may continue to rise from our sinking state and once again "be voted 'Happiest Nation,'. . . and experience what it's like to be a country of grace"

The Master You've Been Looking For
1 "Look! I'm sending my messenger on ahead to clear the way for me. Suddenly, out of the blue, the Leader you've been looking for will enter his Temple—yes, the Messenger of the Covenant, the one you've been waiting for. Look! He's on his way!" A Message from the mouth of God-of-the-Angel-Armies.

2-4But who will be able to stand up to that coming? Who can survive his appearance?

He'll be like white-hot fire from the smelter's furnace. He'll be like the strongest lye soap at the laundry. He'll take his place as a refiner of silver, as a cleanser of dirty clothes. He'll scrub the Levite priests clean, refine them like gold and silver, until they're fit for God, fit to present offerings of righteousness. Then, and only then, will Judah and Jerusalem be fit and pleasing to God, as they used to be in the years long ago.

5"Yes, I'm on my way to visit you with Judgment. I'll present compelling evidence against sorcerers, adulterers, liars, those who exploit workers, those who take advantage of widows and orphans, those who are inhospitable to the homeless—anyone and everyone who doesn't honor me." A Message from God-of-the-Angel-Armies.

6-7"I am God—yes, I Am. I haven't changed. And because I haven't changed, you, the descendants of Jacob, haven't been destroyed. You have a long history of ignoring my commands. You haven't done a thing I've told you. Return to me so I can return to you," says God-of-the-Angel-Armies.

"You ask, 'But how do we return?'

8-11"Begin by being honest. Do honest people rob God? But you rob me day after day.

"You ask, 'How have we robbed you?'

"The tithe and the offering—that's how! And now you're under a curse —the whole lot of you—because you're robbing me. Bring your full tithe to the Temple treasury so there will be ample provisions in my Temple. Test me in this and see if I don't open up heaven itself to you and pour out blessings beyond your wildest dreams. For my part, I will defend you against marauders, protect your wheat fields and vegetable gardens against plunderers." The Message of God-of-the-Angel-Armies.

12"You'll be voted 'Happiest Nation.' You'll experience what it's like to be a country of grace." God-of-the-Angel-Armies says so.
Malachi 3:1-12 The Message

A bit preachy? Perhaps. I still had the need to share my thoughts on this. I pray that as a nation we will really look at how we are robbing God, humble ourselves to repent, and turn to serve Him. I believe we will be blessed again beyond our wildest dreams.