Saturday, March 5, 2011
END TIMES READING PLAN : Isaiah 19, 21
SCRIPTURE READING
Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (ESV)
Most Christian women do not struggle with the idea of being sons of God because they do not see it as a call to be less feminine. However, men often struggle with the idea of being the Bride of Christ because they wrongly conclude that it is a call to become less masculine. Let me assure you that experiencing the truth of being the Bride of Christ does not undermine a man’s masculinity bur rather strengthens it. As women are called to be the sons of God, so men are called to be the Bride of Christ. Both describe a position of privilege before God for His children. These privileges do not point to something that is intrinsically male or female, but rather they transcend gender. When Jesus calls us His Bride, He is sharing His power and heart with us because He wants us to be with Him where He is and to work together with Him in building the Kingdom and ruling the earth together (Jn 17:22-24, Rev 5:10). Jesus has fiery affections and a burning desire for His people. God loves us in the way He loves Himself (Jn 15:9; 17:23). Jesus feels the same intensity of love of us as the Father feels for Him. He loves us with His “all” and He wants this from us. Being the Bride of Christ, is all about receiving love from Him, and that is for both males and females.
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. In listening prayer, ask the Holy Spirit if you have any misconceived ideas about being the Bride of Christ, based on gender stereotypes. If so, ask the Holy Spirit to speak the truth to you.
2. Meditate on the fact that Jesus wants to share His power and heart with you, He wants to work together with you to build His Kingdom.
3. Spend a few moments adoring Christ for the love that He has for you, ask Him to reveal deeper levels of love to you. Ask Him to give you experiences with that love. Ask Him for a word, thought or picture that depicts exactly how much He loves you.
