JUNE--Month for fulfilled love and hope as two hearts meld as one and embark on life filled with joyful expectations.
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    Father has been honored on his special June day, and now he is expected to "give away" his daughter to some young fellow who doesn't seem to know up from down (in her father's eyes) and is not nearly good enough for his precious jewel that he has reared to be the wife of a successful doctor, lawyer or chief!     What's a father to do?  Most likely, he'll do as most other fathers do--release his lovely daughter to the young man of her choosing and hope for the best!  At the altar, the nervous groom will meet the lovely bride who has spent much time, effort and (dad's) money to prepare herself for this moment.
The Bride of Christ - A "Virtuous Woman"
    Spiritually speaking, the church has been called the bride of Christ.  What is His bride doing to make herself ready for the "marriage supper of the Lamb"? (Revelation 19:7-9).  Like the bride in Matthew's story (chapter 25) who did not know exactly when her groom would come for her, so the bride of Christ (the church) does not know the arrival time of her groom (Christ).  Matthew recorded that the bride's attendants were waiting for the groom's arrival.  Some were prepared to wait as long as necessary, while others were not so prepared and missed out on the wedding procession, but the bride was patiently waiting.  What about the bride of Christ?  Are we waiting patiently, fully prepared for his arrival?

     Revelation 19:7 says the the bride "made herself ready."  What can the bride of Christ do to make herself ready, and what rule of conduct can she observe to remain chaste and pure for her groom?  I know that Proverbs 31 is not usually referenced to as a guideline for the bride of Christ, but it seems to fit the criteria for a "chaste bride" waiting for her groom.

     Looking at some of the attributes of a "virtuous woman" in this scripture can be applicable to the waiting bride of Christ.  The Bible leaves no doubt that Christ is coming back for a "virtuous woman" (church), His bride "without spot or wrinkle" (1 Peter 1:19).

(Keep in mind that betrothal created a bride and groom and was a binding contract dissolvable only by divorce.)

Proverts 31:10-31 - The Virtuous Woman (Bride for Christ):
     :10  She has more value than rubies.  She is so valuable that nothing less than the blood of Christ can redeem her.
     :11  His heart trusts her.  She is trustworthy because Christ has given her His nature.  He has given her His great treasure in her "earthen vessel" (2 Corinthians 4:7) and enabled her to keep it safely by the power of the Holy Ghost.  He will have "great gain" because she will be actively engaged in His business.
     :12  She "does him good and not evil."  The Holy Spirit has cultivated the fruit of the Spirit in her life (Galatians 5:22- 23).
     :13   She seeks ways to help His cause and His family.  She "works with her hands" and doesn't shirk her responsibility toward His family (church) and His work (the gospel).
     :14  She looks for ways to send merchandise to far places.  She promotes the gospel and obeys the command to "go into all the world and preach the gospel" (Mark 16:15).
     :15   She does not discriminate; she includes provision for her "maidens" (servants) as well as for her household..  She knows that Christ died for all, no exceptions.
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