INS:The Bride  by John Neal

   * BEHOLD, THOU ART FAIR, MY LOVE

   What is the Lord's bride like? His bride is ever forgiving, ever
loving. She patiently cares for those who misuse her. She points no
fingers - nor accuses - but humbly looks to all in love, with enduring
hope that they may forsake their old man (ways), praying they may come
into the rest of their Creator. She has no self esteem, but sees
herself black, in the Light of the Cross. She does not look down upon
others; but with compassion in her eyes, she looks them in their face,
that they may see the love and the light of her Beloved, who has filled
her heart and is in her eyes. Her life shines, reflecting the radiance
of His beauty, and the light of His Word.

   She sees every soul as being precious, as having been paid for by
the Blood of the Lamb. Secretly she intercedes for them, praying
earnestly for her Beloved to manifest Himself in them, as He has her.
Her prayers are as gentle rain upon dry ground, giving life to dying
plants. Their heart melts as she testifies of His loving-kindness and
tender- mercy. Her words are butter and honey on whole-wheat bread,
with milk in abundance.

   In loving-kindness she offers aid to the hurt and the sick. In
merciful-grace she offers shelter to the homeless, with no thought of
being repaid. In tender-humility she gives her blanket to the poor, so
they may be warm. In peaceful-joy she makes her last loaf of bread, for
the hungry. Their children will be fed today. Such was her Beloved as
He walked upon this earth. She hears His voice, and does precisely as
He says. Nothing on this earth can keep her from following her Master.
Not even death can separate her from her Beloved. She is totally His'.

   She is, the Lord's Bride.

   WHO IS THIS THAT COMETH UP FROM THE WILDERNESS,

   LEANING UPON HER BELOVED?

   She is an architect - diligently seeing over the building process.
When she sets a foundation, one is not afraid to build thereon. Her
walls are plumb, her corners precise. If problems arise, she is whom
they seek. Her blueprint reading is unexcelled. Her eye is sharp, her
judgement clear. Her altar is built of uncut stone. She is faithful, in
all His house, a pillar of white marble. When she speaks, her word is
taken as holy law, as from the Mouth of the Lamb.

   She is a watchman - keeping a vigilant eye for the approach of the
enemy. She is not afraid to raise the silver trumpet to her mouth, at
the first sign of danger. The city rests in peace, when she is upon the
wall. Her wisdom is spoken of in the gates of the city. When she
speaks, all give ear and take heed, it will surely come to pass. The
enemy dares not approach, when she is near. Her sword is swift and
sure. Her wings are eagles, taking her to the Heights of the Lamb. 
She is a shepherd - peacefully watching the flock, caring for them in
holy tender love. Without hesitation she lays down her life, for the
least of her brethren, of whom she is counted among. In danger she
stands her ground, the wolves flee at the sight of her. A whole flock
is fed, by her knowledge of the high places. She leads them in and out,
and lays them down in a quiet place, by living waters. She carries the
wounded ones, upon steady shoulders, to the Hands of the Lamb.

   She is a gardener - sowing the holy seed with no regard to the
season. With tender care, she pulls the weeds that choke the little
flowers life. Her touch is gentle and kind, not a petal falls to the
ground. Skillfully she prunes the trees and vines of dead branches,
they produce an excellent fruit. She keeps the Master's vineyards in a
most orderly way. Her fruit is highly sought in the market place. Her
message is from the throne of grace, the Cross of the Lamb.

   She is a minstrel - faithfully sharing in Light to those who are in
darkness. When she breaks bread, all are filled, not a piece is lost.
She comforts the hurt with holy songs of joy, encourages the weak with
holy hymns of faith, admonishes the body with holy songs of the
Kingdom. Her teaching is clear and precise. The little lambs want to be
like her, when they are grown. When the way is not sure, they look to
her. The path is written on her heart, the Way of the Lamb.

   She is a mother - wisely preparing the meals for her children's
nourishment. Lovingly she insures their dress is modest, their attitude
proper. She has plenty of nourishing milk for the new born ones.

   She is a nurse - joyfully caring for the sick and injured. She has
special fondness for the little ones who have cuts and bruises from
rocky paths. The elder ones call her blessed daughter.

   She is the eldest sister in a large family of children - patiently
caring for each of her younger brothers and sisters needs, making peace
in their quarrels. She waits patiently with tears, for the one who ran
away, an ever burden on her heart.

   She is, the King's Bride.

   I AM MY BELOVED'S, AND MY BELOVED IS MINE

   The bride sleeps and dreams of her Beloved, the day He will come for
her. In the early morning hours He wakes her. "Is today the day my
Love? that You will come for me?" Her heart longing, with anticipation.
"Oh let it be so."

   In the early morning hours she walks to the altar. The dew washes
her feet as she goes forth to the spring of life. The coolness of
themorning air reminds her of the need of His warmth within. Without
which, there would be no meaning of life...for her.

   She kneels at the altar and prays earnestly to her Lord. Tears run
down her cheek as she prays for her worthiness. She lays her all upon
the altar - her heart, her mind, her own desires - she prays until the
Holy Fire has consumed all. Till she is...no more.

   She sits and dines with her Master. She never questions the food He
has prepared for her, but looks into His eyes and eats every word as it
proceeds forth...from His mouth.

   As the meal nears end, tears form in her eyes. "Come My Love," He
says rising up, stretching out His arms. "Look into My eyes, tell Me,
what troubles your heart?"

   She lifts her head for a moment, as if to look in His eyes. But runs
to His feet instead, broken in heart, and weeping. "my Lord - my Love.
I wish for this meal...to never end.... I wish to stay with You...here
in Your holy presence - here at Your feet for the rest of time. Please
do not send me back into the world - please...let me stay with
You...here, now and forever, " she pleads devoutly.

   He reaches down and ever so gently lifts her head. "Look into Mine
eyes, " He says softly. She does for a moment, then closes her eyes in
humility. Tears fill her eyes as she remembers the first time she asked
Him to keep her here and now.......

   His voice - so tender. His eyes - filled with compassion. His love -
encompassing her. "But who shall care for My sheep? the ewes? the
little lambs? the new born ones? the ones...the ones that have been
injured? or are sick?...Who shall care for them? --- How...shall this
dark world...know of My love...if...you are not there to give it?...to
reflect it? --- For...I have none...like you."

   ........She rises with her robe in hand and asks her Love to take
it. She feels no longer worthy to wear it. As she hands it over, she
pleads with Him to wash it in His precious Blood, with hope He may be
moved for her weakness.

   He comes, and ever so softly kisses her cheek. He is pleased. The
longing desire of her heart, to be alone with Him. At the thought of
her perfect submission, He touches her long hair with His hand. Ever so
gently, He wipes away each tear.

   Opening her eyes, she sees her robe is perfectly white. Her love for
Him flows forth, as the fragrance of a flower garden, after a
gentlespring rain. She falls upon the ground in holy worship, kissing
His feet; never ceasing to stop glorifying Him, praising Him for His
worthiness.

   He reaches down and delicately touches her shoulder. His holy love
for her overflows her heart with joy. His blessing of perfect peace
floods her soul. "It is time now, " He says tenderly. She tarries,
momentarily lost in His love, then arises quickly and parts the upper
part of her robe. He reaches in between her breasts and seals her heart
with His nail-pierced hand. It belongs totally to Him, and no man or
thing can enter in, but Him alone. She guards it, with the courage of a
mature lion, with the gentleness of a new born lamb, with the
nimbleness of a young hind. He places a ring on her finger, and His
seal upon her forehead.

   He anoints her head with three drops of oil:

   The 1st drop - the perfect love of the Holy Father

   The 2nd drop - the eternal truth of the Holy Son

   The 3rd drop - the guiding light of the Holy Spirit

   that she may be ready for the day. With a kiss of life, He sends her
to oversee the tender care of His sheep. With her veil in place (for no
one sees her real inner beauty), she makes her way home, where she and
her brethren dwell. The rising sun's first rays light upon her face.
The gentle breeze brings the notes of the morning song birds, singing
their praise to Him. They then orchestrate His songs, His songs of love
for her. She is blessed, for her Beloved goes with her.

   With a song of praise in her heart, to her Love, she devotedly
prepares the meal for her brothers and sisters, as they sleep in the
early morning hours. She carefully selects each one's food, as her
Beloved tells her. She hopes they will eat all on their plate. With a
fresh prayer in her heart, she goes forth into each room and opens the
shade. The morning sun shines upon her, illuminating the room. Softly
she calls her brothers and sisters, "Come and dine, the Master bids
you, come and dine." Some come quickly, hungry for the morning meal.
The little ones run to her, kissing her good morning. Others grumble,
because of her cheerfulness in the early morning hours. But she smiles
and speaks gently with them, while praying and interceding for their
precious souls with a heart made pure; in faith. She has made herself
ready for the day. She has been at her Master's feet, in ardent prayer.

   She is, the Shepherd's Bride.

   She is holy.

   She is honest.

   She is kind.

   She is firm.

   She is pure.

   She is faithful.

   She is beautiful.

   She has made herself ready for the marriage feast.

   By the Blood of the holy Covenant.

   By the Word of the holy Testimony.

   By the Name of the holy Groom.

   She is the lovely virgin.

   The lily among thorns.

   She is, the Bride of Jesus.

   Greetings of love,

   Brother John

   * - Read Song of Songs

   & John Neal Ruth 1:16-17; Shalom This file is presented to you by:
BETH SHAMEA RESEARCH RD 1 BOX 50 STONEBORO, PA. 16153 (c) COPYRIGHT
1982 J.NEAL 1990 BETH SHAMEA RESEARCH ALL RIGHTS RESERVED