My daughter and I attended the most beautiful wedding this past Sunday. It was filled with everything one would expect to enjoy at such a glorious event! We could see that much preparation went into each detail of the ceremony as well as the reception.
This wedding brought back many memories. Prior to becoming a counselor, I spent a large portion of my adult life doing bridal makeovers. Those of us who have worked with brides and bridal parties understand the importance of fulfilling the vision that the bride has for her day! Most brides want to look as perfect as they can. They want to look back at those photos with nothing but feelings of joy.
When I re-dedicated my life to Jesus and was baptized in my 30’s, a friend prophesied over me that I would not only make people look beautiful on the outside, but would be helping others feel beautiful on the inside as well. Fast forward a few years and as a counselor and inner healer, that prophetic word is fulfilling itself on a weekly basis.
As I laid down to rest Saturday night, so excited for this upcoming wedding, it occurred to me that I am still working with brides. This time around I am working with the Bride of Christ.
John 3:28-30 28 You yourselves are my witnesses that I stated, ‘I am not the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed),’ but, ‘I have [only] been sent ahead of Him [as His appointed forerunner and messenger to announce and proclaim His coming].’ 29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands by and listens to him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. So this pleasure and joy of mine is now complete. 30 He must increase [in prominence], but I must decrease.
Here we see John the Baptist explaining that Christ is the bridegroom, and He (Jesus) has possession of the bride. I love that John states the he, himself, must decrease so that Jesus can increase. That is exactly what I believe counseling and inner healing are designed to do. In a counseling setting we take all of those years that we put ourselves and our own selfish desires first and we lay them at the feet of Jesus. We allow Him to come into our hurting hearts, minds, and physical bodies and release healing into us. We are preparing ourselves as His one and only bride!
16 “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you and to give you assurance of these things for the churches. I am the Root (the Source, the Life) and the Offspring of David, the radiant and bright Morning Star.” 17 The [Holy] Spirit and the bride (the church, believers) say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take and drink the water of life without cost.
Jesus paid such a high price for us! There is still a part of the bride (body of Christ) that has salvation, but they are not walking in freedom in their minds, emotions, and physical bodies. So many remain completely unaware of the power and authority that Jesus left them when He ascended to the right hand of the Father. We can be healed and set free. The bridegroom has already paid for it. It’s available now. You don’t have to beg God to do it for you or wait until you get to heaven! As one of my favorite local pastors always says, “Jesus is not coming back for a bloody, bruised, and beat-up bride.”
For the Kingdom,
Donna
RevelationsOnTheRun 
Awesome word.
Sent from my iPhone
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This was so so good Donna I had to share it! Appreciate all you do for the kingdom!
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Thanks!
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