The Bride (You) and the Bridegroom (Jesus)

He is the only KING of the universe, and His Son, JESUS, the original crown Prince, is the ultimate redeemer of all captives’ beauties.

On the day you were born your cord was not cut, nor were you washed with water to make you clean, nor were you rubbed with salt or wrapped in cloths. No one look on you with pity or had compassion enough to do any of these things for you. Rather, you were thrown out into the field, for on the day you were born you were despised. Then I passed by and saw you kicking about in your blood and as you lay there in your blood I said to you, “LIVED!” (Ezekiel 16:4-6)

The cry rises from His very core, and with a single word, the King reverse the sentence of death with the power of life. The infant shudders at the sound as she reaches toward His face. In the shadow of the Prince, she has found her reason to live.

He removes His cloak and wraps her in the royal mantle of His household. When asked who the child is, He answers without hesitation. “This little one is mine”

This little one is mine, whose she was no longer matters. They forfeited all rights to her and left her to die without a name. “I’ve redeemed her life.” “I am her benefactor and advocate.” She is bathed and rubbed with salt until all the filth of her shameful birth is removed. She is nursed and nurtured by the servants of the Prince’s household, and when she is weaned and strong, the Prince place her in the home of the keeper of the fields and gardens. There she grows strong and eventually runs and plays in the field, never knowing her blood had spilled on its soil. She is told only that the Prince found her and made her His own.

The Prince is a frequent visitor and always in the background, watching out for her and meeting her every need. She locks nothing, and her childhood is joyful. In the beauty and provision of her surrounding, she flourishes like the produce of His royal fields, for the Prince has made her blossom. Looking at her, there is no trace of shame. She has the noble appearance of one born of royalty.

“I made you grow like a plant of the field. You grew up and developed and became the most beautiful of jewels. (Ezekiel 16:7)

She is a stunning, vibrant jewel, reflecting and emitting the light of a love poured out so generously on her. But there still is a child in her and the time for love is not quite yet, but soon. Time passes.

“Later I passed by, and when I looked at you and saw that you were old enough for love, I spread the corner of my garment over you and covered your nakedness.”(Ezekiel 16:8a)

The Prince comes again, and when she runs to greet Him, He sees it is time. There is no child left in her. The transition is complete . . . she is a woman.

I gave you my solemn oath and entered a covenant with you, declares the sovereign Lord, and you became mine. (Ezekiel 16:8b)

He knows she’s loved Him as a brother, as a savior, and as a provider. And He asks of her the love of a bride. He pledges His life to her, not just a benefactor but also a husband. He spurns the princess of royal birth to cherish forever this abandoned daughter found in the field. The Prince calls her altogether lovely. No one would ever guess the origin of her shadowy birth. She is the radiant reflection of His tender care and passionate love.

Their love is beautiful, tender and passionate. He loves her in the secret place, and it soon becomes evident to all, for no one can be loved by a prince and keeps it a secret.

“And you fame spread among the nations on account of your beauty, because the splendor I had given you made your beauty perfect, declares the sovereign Lord.” (Ezekiel 16:14)

But you trusted in your beauty and used your fame to become a prostitute. You lavished your favors on anyone who passed by and your beauty became his. (Ezekiel 16:15)

How weak-willed you are, declares the sovereign Lord.” (Ezekiel 16:30)

But the Prince is always willing to cleanse and beautify rejected and abandoned bride. “I remember the devotion of your youth, how as bride you loved me and followed me through the desert, through a land not sown.” (Jeremiah 2:2)

“I have loved you with an everlasting love, I have drawn you with loving kindness” (Jeremiah.31:3)

Notice God uses past-tense here. He says “I have loved” as though to say, I decided a long time ago to live, and it is never going to change. Therefore I have reached out and done everything within my power to draw you to me. To capture your attention, I’ve spared no loving-kindness so you would know it is settled with me.

And you, young at heart, you have a choice to make. You can allow romantic love to awaken and be frustrated for the next five or eight years until you find the person you’re looking for or you can pursue to awaken another love, your passion for God. You must choose between these for the time has come for one or the other to awaken.

Remember your creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, “I find no pleasure in them” (Eccl. 12:1)

The realization of His love changes all. It has now become personal, for we are His and He is ours. We would receive every good things from His hand; we’d take it all in and hold it close to our hearts, letting it love us with its liveliness.


Dear Beloved Jesus,

I am overwhelmed by the beauty of your mercy and the depths of your love. You searched me out when I was dying in my sin and brought me into your household. You have clothed my nakedness and cleansed me of every issue of blood and sin in my life.

Thank you for the forgiveness, mercy and tender care. Forgive me for taking the beauty you have given me and looking for the affirmation from the sons of the earth when I already have a covenant of splendor. I renounce my other lovers and pursue you alone.

Thank you for loving in my frailty and not merely in my beauty. I am a Cinderella whom You have drawn from the ashes. I set my heart on You, for you are my one true prince.

Love,

Your Daughter,

Your Bride

from: UNKNOWN

KING

O my King, I crawl in here this morning recognizing how vulnerable I am…


Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. - Proverbs 9: 9 – 10 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud. - Proverbs 16: 18–19

O my King, I crawl in here this morning recognizing how vulnerable I am - knowing that without the relationship You willingly share with me - I would surely fall victim to my own selfishness and human pride. Truthfully, I know this to be a good place to be for me - as this dependence I have on You rings of truth and real sanity. I need Your wisdom this morning, knowing that no matter how powerful and humbling my journey, I can always drink at Your River of Life.

I have been hearing Your warning through the night - as You have had me praying for those who are close to stepping off of Your path - veering into the highway of selfishness and pride. Your warning is strong today my King - and I receive it both for myself and for those for whom I pray. We are indeed in a battle, as the enemy, and our own selfish nature, causes us to stop trusting You - and begin looking for answers, that at least on the surface, seems more satisfying and less troubling.

You reminded me of David today - whom You describe as a “man after Your own heart”
(1 Samuel 13: 14). As I pray to be a woman after Your own heart, Your response was to allow me to feel the pain of confusion and rejection. This time however I recognized the symptoms of my emotions - and actually found myself praising You for all the times You have brought me through similar seasons.
I know I am being groomed - and I know my success or failure will depend on my willingness to surrender to Your purposes - and obey when You call. Most of the time, I think You are teaching me about patience, and bathing me in the fires of refinement, so I will have what it takes to stay the course, when the times also become even more challenging than they are today.

I look at where Your Body is right now, and I can see that without trust I will never get to where You are taking me – even if it means being rejected and being challenged to step out of my comfortable cocoon. One thing I have learned to fear - almost more than anything - is a heart that grows cold. I have learned from past mistakes that grumbling and complaining usually cause me to lose my passion – and even on a few occasions grow cold toward You. It was there in those seasons that Your grace and mercy became very real to me - as You pulled me out of the quicksand – dried me off – and set my feet back on Your path.

This morning my King – even before the sun came up – I heard Your reminder (again) that the Kingdom of God is coming. I receive this frequently from You when I pray. I recognize all Christians living today are called to be a part of this great new movement of our God. You are grooming Your church to be prepared, and just like Jesus said, created to do the will of God. It is there where we will find sustenance for our souls - and satisfaction unlike anything we’ve ever experienced before. Jesus Himself was fulfilled by doing His Father’s will (John 4: 34) – and if this is good enough for You Lord – it is certainly good enough for me.

As we march in the direction of a new reformation Lord, I know how much we will need Your revelation and Your wisdom. Help all who are drawing near to You this new day - to grasp the reality that they have been called and appointed to serve at Your pleasure – doing what You have already planned and designed for them.

I also pray for courage Lord - as I know many of us may have to lay down things which we treasure in order to accomplish the works You have already designed for us. We need to go to a whole new level of trust in these days - as we allow You to direct our steps leading to righteousness, purity and holiness. Help us to persevere and not give up - as I know Your rewards are great for those who stay the course. I also ask You to help us be sensitive to Your timing - as the opportunities You offer only last for a while.

If anyone praying this prayer is in a season of resistance, please Jesus help them to get back into the center of Your will - and remind them that the Holy Spirit Himself dwells within them – and He will focus and direct their steps – in spite of themselves – if they will humble themselves and pray.

Please Lord help us to live as Jesus lived - doing the will of His Father. To You be all the honor and glory!

by Carolyn Baker

JOY at Boot Camp 2011

How important is it to write out our thoughts and feelings? How I wish I were really a good writer. Then, maybe I could put my thoughts into words and let you know exactly how I feel. I’m so glad God decided to put His thoughts and feelings into the written Word! I love to know that He thinks about us constantly and carries us in the palm of His hand. When we take time to record memories, journal our prayers, and write down our thoughts, we truly give ourselves a gift to be opened over and over again. I can recall times of laughter, be encouraged by God’s faithfulness in difficult situations, and feel a sense of comfort by expressing and managing the emotions He’s given to us. It feels good to revisit the joys and even the struggles in our lives because God is working in us and building our trust through every circumstance. We never outgrow His gentle and wise instruction. We never graduate from the learning process.

I have realized that sometimes God just disturbs me so I will continue on aiming for my goals, dream of the impossible, and believe the unbelievable. He has disturbed me so I would come to my senses that the journey doesn’t end there, and I have farther valleys to reach, higher mountains to climb and more obstacles to overcome. Yes, God is at work. God is on a mission. God is moving. God is raising up an army to advance His Kingdom. And I’m proud to say that I am a part of the Army of God. May you also have a vision of the Lord Jesus Christ, which empowers us to carry out the Greatest Commission faithfully as we journey towards Him.


This week April 4-7, 2011, we held the BOOT CAMP at Hardin sa Tabing Ilog Adventure Campsite, Nasugbu Batangas. For me I can say that this year’s camp has been more challenging and yet very calm because I have confidence in the Lord that everything is in His control. I want to honor all the former leaders and new leaders (interns graduates) of project Acts Mission Challenge for their hard work.

To all the volunteers, staff and the team from the USA, Virginia, (Encounter Generation & Burnt offering band) the sacrifice you’ve given, your time and efforts to be a part of the success of the boot camp… thank you very much and I know God will honor also your heart of service in supporting this ministry. The ability of each and every person in the team and staff to work together through Christ is incredible. What a blessing!

The Boot camp was a great success and a great experience. After preparing and planning, “WOW” God moved in a special way. The Holy Spirit moved in a powerful way through the speaker every day. Many young people who were thirsty and hungry for God has been filled with the Holy Spirit, their lives touched. It went above and beyond to help the youth understand the meaning of being called as a forerunner, a new generation advancing the Kingdom of God. The Boot camp brought a big impact to all young people and leaders who responded for the Call. I have received also many comments from staff and delegates that they will never forget the seeds that God planted on their hearts through this camp. And they are all looking forward to getting back together next year with a great testimony for what God has done through their lives.

How amazing is the power of the Holy Spirit’s move through the camp. Yes, God was in the House! Worship, words, prayers, impartation, laughter, weeping, blessings all characterized the boot camp. The crusade was great, the presence of the Lord felt and we were all blessed. It is amazing also to be able to experience and be a part of the day of blessings and the crusade. The Lord moved in a special way to those who were lost and wanting more of God during the crusade at the Town of Tumalim, Nasugbu Batangas and the town of Alfonso, Cavite. The Holy Spirit ministered in a powerful, yet very loving way. This is the start of something “Big” in God. It was an awesome day with the Lord to those who were there!

I’m sure someone said it in their testimonials already but I’m going to say it again anyway, “This is the Best Boot Camp we ever had.”

I have found out that working here is the most rewarding experience I have ever had. The joy that is in my heart, no one can steal it. Working here in the ministry is an undeserved act of God’s grace through the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Wherever the Lord may lead me, I’m still a part of Project Acts Mission Challenge, and I know the Lord will always remain faithful with this ministry.

This has been an exciting season for me as I’ve watched God working in my life and answered prayers! Thank you for the encouragements. I know that many of you pray for me and it is much needed and greatly appreciated. Through your prayers and resources, the Lord’s Word is sown and living souls are brought to Him forever.

You are a continual source of joy and encouragement as you faithfully pray for me. I know that God will richly reward you in your labor of love and service for Christ. Thank you with all my heart. May God bless you more than you could ever imagine, and cause His face to shine upon you. May He prosper you with great health and provide you with every need according to His great riches in glory. This is my blessing and prayer to you!