It is the eve of the Royal wedding between HRH Prince William and Kate Middleton. This modern day fairy-tale is probably what most young girls dream about - meeting a handsome prince, falling in love and getting married. This young woman who is not from the nobility has captured the heart of a future King. The nation has watched their relationship go from strength to strength and now the fruit of this is their imminent wedding. The preparations that have been taking place behind the scenes we can only imagine. It is exciting to be here at this particular time and people everywhere are in the spirit of the event as if it was their own family member about to be married. Everywhere street parties and home parties are planned and many have been camping out near Westminster Abbey to catch a glimpse of the royal couple on their big day. The Palace has released a thread of what we will see and what the day will bring. The guest list includes Heads of State and dignitaries as well as the local shop keepers from the village where Kate grew up. A stunning array of some 30,000 flowers will reflect the English country style of Miss Middleton along with a few trees to adorn the inside of the church. I can only imagine the wonderful aroma it will give off. A carriage procession of the bride and bridegroom with a Captain's escort of the Household Cavalry followed by the Queen's procession with a Sovereign's escort of the Household Cavalry leaves Westminster Abbey for Buckingham Palace followed by a fly over by the Royal Air Force. The banqueting table has been set and the spread I'm sure will be grand. We wanted to get a feeling for the excitement and drove the route today. The Union Jacks were lining The Mall which is the tree lined road through Green Park that leads up to Buckingham Palace. The Media Village was huge and present throughout the area. There was great excitement in the atmosphere! When it comes to events of this nature the British do it incredibly well. The attention to detail is both exquisite and beautiful and the world will be watching. It is a marriage preparation fit for a future King and Queen of Britain.
I can't help but ponder in my own heart about the wedding preparation for the coming of the King Christ Jesus for his bride - those that have believed in Him. The word says 'no eye has seen no ear has heard or entered into the heart of man all that God has prepared for those that love Him' I Cor 2:9 He is preparing for us! How are we preparing our own lives for the coming of the Lord? The Goring Hotel in London spent a vast amount of money to host the bride and her family. This whole wedding season is a shadow of how we should be preparing our own lives for eternity. The huge cost that Jesus paid for His bride was His life. He gave it so that we might have life and spend eternity with Him. That is LOVE, that He would lay down His life in order to save ours. Its not about religion its about a love relationship with Jesus.
Thursday 28 April 2011
Sunday 3 April 2011
Mothers Day
It is Mother's Day in the UK and I woke up this morning to the smell of a delicious cappucino, scrambled eggs and toast brought to my bed on a tray with a pretty handmade bouquet and cards. The day started with an out pouring of love from my 8 year old that has continued throughout the day! The sun was shining and the magnolia and cherry blossoms are in full bloom! It is an amazing blessing to be a Mother and I can't think of anything more rewarding.
There are a lot of amazing examples of incredible women in the Bible. Deborah (Judges 4: 4 -10) A judge and a prophetess who lead Israel to victory. Miriam (Exodus 15:20 - 21) who led a nation of women in praise to God. Ruth (Ruth 1:16) A woman of commitment and devotion. The Shunammite woman (II Kings 4: 8 -10) a wealthy hospitable woman of great faith. Esther (Esther 4:16) a woman who risked her life to save her people. But then when we read about the Proverbs 31 woman in vs 29 it says 'many daughters have done virtuously, nobly and well (with strength of character that is steadfast in goodness) , but you excel them all'. I find this really interesting how this passage gives a shining description of this woman's private life and says that she has done more than the other great women! The chapter starts out in verse 2 about instructing her children. ' what shall I advise you son of my vows and dedication to God'? Her husband trusts her, relies on and believes in her securely! vs 11. She manages her staff and also buys land. vs 15 - 16. This woman is a wife, a mother and a business woman. But how did she excel them all? It was her devotion to God in both the spiritual and practical that impacted both her work and the relationships in her life. The key to her greatness and her success in life was that she 'reverently and worshipfully feared the Lord' vs 30 which is also the beginning of wisdom. Prov 9: 10. This woman has a lot of colour in her life by being diligent and making every effort to develop virtue, intelligence, self control, steadfastness (patience and endurance) godliness and affection in love.
Even though Mother's Day isn't being celebrated outside the UK today but will be celebrated in other parts of the world in May, I want to honour my own Mother and Mother in-law who are both great women of faith and exemplify the Proverbs 31 woman. They have persevered and have had their own great faith journey. Set the standard for yourself to be a Proverbs 31 woman. What do you need to do to be a modern, faith filled Godly woman in uncertain times? Ask God to show you how to bring a new level of richness to your own life and see what He will do.
Proverbs 31: 10 - 31
10A capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman--who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls.
11The heart of her husband trusts in her confidently and relies on and believes in her securely, so that he has no lack of [honest] gain or need of [dishonest] spoil.
12She comforts, encourages, and does him only good as long as there is life within her.
13She seeks out wool and flax and works with willing hands [to develop it].
14She is like the merchant ships loaded with foodstuffs; she brings her household's food from a far [country].
15She rises while it is yet night and gets [spiritual] food for her household and assigns her maids their tasks.
16She considers a [new] field before she buys or accepts it [expanding prudently and not courting neglect of her present duties by assuming other duties]; with her savings [of time and strength] she plants fruitful vines in her vineyard. [S. of Sol. 8:12.]
17She girds herself with strength [spiritual, mental, and physical fitness for her God-given task] and makes her arms strong and firm.
18She tastes and sees that her gain from work [with and for God] is good; her lamp goes not out, but it burns on continually through the night [of trouble, privation, or sorrow, warning away fear, doubt, and distrust].
19She lays her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
20She opens her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her filled hands to the needy [whether in body, mind, or spirit].
21She fears not the snow for her family, for all her household are doubly clothed in scarlet.
22She makes for herself coverlets, cushions, and rugs of tapestry. Her clothing is of linen, pure and fine, and of purple [such as that of which the clothing of the priests and the hallowed cloths of the temple were made].
23Her husband is known in the [city's] gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
24She makes fine linen garments and leads others to buy them; she delivers to the merchants girdles [or sashes that free one up for service].
25Strength and dignity are her clothing and her position is strong and secure; she rejoices over the future [the latter day or time to come, knowing that she and her family are in readiness for it]!
26She opens her mouth in skillful and godly Wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness [giving counsel and instruction].
27She looks well to how things go in her household, and the bread of idleness (gossip, discontent, and self-pity) she will not eat.
28Her children rise up and call her blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied); and her husband boasts of and praises her, [saying],
29Many daughters have done virtuously, nobly, and well [with the strength of character that is steadfast in goodness], but you excel them all.
30Charm and grace are deceptive, and beauty is vain [because it is not lasting], but a woman who reverently and worshipfully fears the Lord, she shall be praised!
31Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates [of the city]!
There are a lot of amazing examples of incredible women in the Bible. Deborah (Judges 4: 4 -10) A judge and a prophetess who lead Israel to victory. Miriam (Exodus 15:20 - 21) who led a nation of women in praise to God. Ruth (Ruth 1:16) A woman of commitment and devotion. The Shunammite woman (II Kings 4: 8 -10) a wealthy hospitable woman of great faith. Esther (Esther 4:16) a woman who risked her life to save her people. But then when we read about the Proverbs 31 woman in vs 29 it says 'many daughters have done virtuously, nobly and well (with strength of character that is steadfast in goodness) , but you excel them all'. I find this really interesting how this passage gives a shining description of this woman's private life and says that she has done more than the other great women! The chapter starts out in verse 2 about instructing her children. ' what shall I advise you son of my vows and dedication to God'? Her husband trusts her, relies on and believes in her securely! vs 11. She manages her staff and also buys land. vs 15 - 16. This woman is a wife, a mother and a business woman. But how did she excel them all? It was her devotion to God in both the spiritual and practical that impacted both her work and the relationships in her life. The key to her greatness and her success in life was that she 'reverently and worshipfully feared the Lord' vs 30 which is also the beginning of wisdom. Prov 9: 10. This woman has a lot of colour in her life by being diligent and making every effort to develop virtue, intelligence, self control, steadfastness (patience and endurance) godliness and affection in love.
Even though Mother's Day isn't being celebrated outside the UK today but will be celebrated in other parts of the world in May, I want to honour my own Mother and Mother in-law who are both great women of faith and exemplify the Proverbs 31 woman. They have persevered and have had their own great faith journey. Set the standard for yourself to be a Proverbs 31 woman. What do you need to do to be a modern, faith filled Godly woman in uncertain times? Ask God to show you how to bring a new level of richness to your own life and see what He will do.
Proverbs 31: 10 - 31
10A capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman--who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls.
11The heart of her husband trusts in her confidently and relies on and believes in her securely, so that he has no lack of [honest] gain or need of [dishonest] spoil.
12She comforts, encourages, and does him only good as long as there is life within her.
13She seeks out wool and flax and works with willing hands [to develop it].
14She is like the merchant ships loaded with foodstuffs; she brings her household's food from a far [country].
15She rises while it is yet night and gets [spiritual] food for her household and assigns her maids their tasks.
16She considers a [new] field before she buys or accepts it [expanding prudently and not courting neglect of her present duties by assuming other duties]; with her savings [of time and strength] she plants fruitful vines in her vineyard. [S. of Sol. 8:12.]
17She girds herself with strength [spiritual, mental, and physical fitness for her God-given task] and makes her arms strong and firm.
18She tastes and sees that her gain from work [with and for God] is good; her lamp goes not out, but it burns on continually through the night [of trouble, privation, or sorrow, warning away fear, doubt, and distrust].
19She lays her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
20She opens her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her filled hands to the needy [whether in body, mind, or spirit].
21She fears not the snow for her family, for all her household are doubly clothed in scarlet.
22She makes for herself coverlets, cushions, and rugs of tapestry. Her clothing is of linen, pure and fine, and of purple [such as that of which the clothing of the priests and the hallowed cloths of the temple were made].
23Her husband is known in the [city's] gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
24She makes fine linen garments and leads others to buy them; she delivers to the merchants girdles [or sashes that free one up for service].
25Strength and dignity are her clothing and her position is strong and secure; she rejoices over the future [the latter day or time to come, knowing that she and her family are in readiness for it]!
26She opens her mouth in skillful and godly Wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness [giving counsel and instruction].
27She looks well to how things go in her household, and the bread of idleness (gossip, discontent, and self-pity) she will not eat.
28Her children rise up and call her blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied); and her husband boasts of and praises her, [saying],
29Many daughters have done virtuously, nobly, and well [with the strength of character that is steadfast in goodness], but you excel them all.
30Charm and grace are deceptive, and beauty is vain [because it is not lasting], but a woman who reverently and worshipfully fears the Lord, she shall be praised!
31Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates [of the city]!
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