LOVE of the ETERNAL HUSBAND

[source]

Some of you already know this, so it's not a well hidden secret, but it was not intended to be. I am married but I have been separated from my dear husband for more than 15 years and we usually only see each other when I go home to MN in the summer, briefly. Yes, this is far from a traditional marriage but each of us still love the other. 


Today is our 35th anniversary date. I have shared our anniversary before in the past here. I do not share this lightly or to receive well wishes but prayers are always welcome. Although we were not married in the Church, I honor the church view on marriage. I am trying to stay focused on the purpose for why I am sharing today but it's a bit difficult under the extenuating circumstances for me to speak out on marriage or marriage vows/promises made. I broke mine to my husband. I do not admit this proudly but rather confess this humbly. However, I happen to believe that when I married him, I also married before Christ. I hold dearly my commitment to Our Lord, Jesus Christ and my intimate relationship with Him. Yes, it, too, has been influenced by my broken contract. Yet God is Faithful and was earnest to teach me about the value of faithfulness and fidelity. The authentic relationship between Christ, your spouse and you is a chord of three. Mine was not. However, I cling tightly to the one I have with my Lord and Savior because He is my Eternal Husband... and yours, so I believe this will speak a sweet encouragement to each of you and perhaps you will want more...

For your Maker is your husband—the LORD Almighty is His name— 

the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; 

He is called the God of all the earth. 
Isaiah 54:5 (NIV)

I recently came upon this series of books, added the 4 to my Amazon Wish List (I'm waiting to get or choose between)... "His Princess... " Bride, Warrior, Love Letters from Your King, and "Prayers to my King" by Sheri Rose Shepherd because they have spoken God's Love in such a precious way to me. So I just had to share an excerpt from "His Princess Bride" in honor of this day, My Beloved Lord and Eternal Husband ...

My Eternal Bride,         I want to reveal a sacred secret to you, My beloved. Although I am your God, I am also your eternal Husband. I will come soon to carry you over the threshold into eternity. My desire is to lift the veil from your eyes that you might see who you really are, My Princess, My Bride. I am the Lover of your soul. I long to get close enough to give you a glimpse of My eternal love for you. If you seek Me with all your heart, I will reveal Myself to you in extraordinary ways. If you will come before Me and ask, I will give you a new hope in your heart that will change your view of Me, of yourself, and of the world around you forever.  My Lord and Husband, "I stand in awe. What a strange and wondrous thought to think of You, my God, as my eternal Husband. There is something so astonishing about discovering I am Your Bride, the Bride of Christ. Yes, I want You to lift the veil and let me see You as my Prince and me as your Princess Bride. You are the one true love my heart has longed for all my life. So today I stand at Your altar ready to surrender my heart, my soul, and all that I am. May I find myself as I begin to seek You with all that is within me. Love, Your Princess Bride" ~                                                                             from this book > "His Princess Bride" by Sheri Rose Shepherd

Make that 5 books, I just discovered
"My Prince Will Come" (from 2005)

And there's one more: "Fit for My King" so don't MISS these or Sherri's website 

HIS PRINCESS MINISTRIES

So I join with these beautiful dancers

and dance before my King as I sing of His Great Love

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XgFgzvu3eY

The song alone by Darlene Zschech was almost as long so I chose this anointed one to
DANCE with my King

Father God, I humbly come before You this day. Once more I ask for forgiveness and now I leave my confessed sin of failure with my marriage at Your feet. I have learned much from You, Your faithfulness and Your unfailing Love. I also bring my husband before You and ask for You to save him. He needs You Lord.

Bring him gently and humbly to You so that He may live eternally with You and know Your beautiful love as I do. I love You so much, Lord. I thank You for the great privilege to know, love and serve You. I graciously bow before You as my Lord and King. I receive Your Grace, Your mercy, Your forgiveness and Your perfect Love. Your perfect love  has cast out all fear. I cherish every day that my walk with You that has drawn me closer. Thank You that Your love is unconditional for me and others that humbly come to You!

Loving You leads me into obedience, for You have pointed out that we will follow Your commands if we truly love You. Because You have saved me and made me a new creature, I can love others as You have loved me. There is no limit to Your love, Father. It is from everlasting to everlasting. Shed Your love abroad in my heart. Help me to remember that love's immediate response is to give. My spouse has continued to support me and given to me as You provide continually to me as You have given to us. Thank You! Because You are love, it is possible for Your love to flow through me to others. Help me to love, serve and give in Your manner, Jesus Christ, my Lord. 

Lord Jesus, You are dwelling in my heart by faith and You are rooting and grounding me in Your Love. It is Your love that knits my heart together with other believers. Your love gives me purpose for living and it always leads to joy. Now abides faith,hope and love; help me to realize that the greatest is love and to walk in love in all the relationships in my life.

Father, You commended Your love toward me in that while I was yet a sinner, Jesus died for me. Thank You Lord that You have shown me the key to love - that it is not merely an action or an emotion, but a state of being. God, You are love. As You live in me, may love become my nature,too. I love You. Thank You!


Your Beloved bride in WAITING... Peggy

* SEE my featured YouTube video at my new YouTube Channel "King's Servant" (mazmagi54's Channel) for more of my "THANKS to God" sung my that precious young singer that I love to hear, Rhema Marvanne. If you have a YouTube channel, I'd love for us to be friends...

AUGUST PROMISES of GOD

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnpP8NaVZe0365 PROMISES
August Promise Video - 31 Promises - 6:00 Minutes Psalm 19:1; Psalm 47:7-9; Psalm 33:4; 1 Chronicles 16:34; Psalm 71:6; Matthew 10:30; Ephesians 3:12; 1 John 1:7; Psalm 56:11; Proverbs 14:26; Psalm 3:3; Luke 11:13; Psalm 103:2-3; Psalm 37:7-9; Isaiah 40:29; Romans 8:31; Proverbs 19:21; Matthew 18:19; Psalm 92:13-14; Job 5:17-18; Isaiah 61:1-2; Isaiah 66:13; Psalm 30:5; Hebrews 13:16; 1 John 5:18; Matthew 5:7; Psalm 5:12; Psalm 23:5; Luke 10:20; John 14:2;  2 Peter 3:13.
Be sure to come back for my FRIDAY FEATURE of one of God's Promises that speaks to me this week. I FOCUS my FAITH each FRIDAY with one of these and so can YOU choose and share. I'd love for you to feature one for this week from the first 7: Psalm 19:1; Psalm 47:7-9; Psalm 33:4; 1 Chronicles 16:34; Psalm 71:6; Matthew 10:30; Ephesians 3:12; Hope to see you on Friday! 

PROMISE #212 Numbers 23:19 365 Promises
Holding on to the last PROMISE of JULY for all the Promises of God for August. Praying and believing each one as I begin my new month long series of WAITING (see this post today at noon) Comments are off on this one.

SOS ~ WHAT LOVE REALLY MEANS

[source]
JJ Heller


"...I will love you for you

Not for what you have done or what you will become

I will love you for you

I will give you the love, the love that you never knew..."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqWf-XehllA
ONLY LOVE REMAINShttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3BDYBGhSgI

 Love Can Make You New

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koMHJ0_VkfM

[source]

Focusing on God's love still but this week, tomorrow (Mon.) marks our anniversary, which would be 35 years, although we are not together and our love is not a 1 Corinthians 13 love... had it been, we still may be... yet in his own way and me in mine, we love each other and I believe that God can make that love new (if that is His will) love can make you new and only love remains. So even though we are separated, God can still work LOVE in each of us for His purpose and plan. I (we) may have failed in my(our) marriage but I still believe LOVE NEVER FAILS... thank You, God!

PROMISE #24

For God's love is all encompassing and embraces our differences, and meets us where we are. I only pray that God softens hearts to know Him and accept His love as only God can change hearts and show us what LOVE REALLY means. May God carve on your heart the words above of HIS LOVE... unconditional and given to all who humbly come to Him. He's WAITing...

SOAKING On SON DAY
JOIN US

by

  sharing 

A 

scene, song or scripture  

(or any combination)

 just keep it simple! 

* this posts Sat. at 6pm to allow you to link and then rest and soak on Sonday, 

visiting the other blogs during the week as God permits... I add my earlier post when I can to be sure it's working...
If you did/do FRI. Feature Faith Focus, be sure to check the Linky and visit all. These memes are small enough to be able to take time to acknowledge each one, please. 
 If you don't see the Linky, please just add your title or link in the comments.

ONLY YOUR LOVE

Ephesians 2:4,5

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMT7KBS-RWs
Anyone know who this is?

FRIDAY FEATURE ~ FAITH FOCUS

FAITH FOCUS

July Promise - 31 Promises - (1st) Psalm 33:6; (2nd)Deuteronomy 7:9 (3rd Sun.) Psalm 36:7; (4th M) Psalm 68:5; (5th T) Psalm 94:14; (6th W) Exodus 15:26; (7th Th) Jeremiah 31:3; (8th F)Matthew 7:11;(9th Sa) Hebrews 2:11; 

(10Su) Micah 7:18; (11M) Romans 5:5; (12T) Jeremiah 31:33; (13W) Philippians 4:19; (14TH) Psalm 28:9; (15F) Nehemiah 8:10;  (16Sa) 1 John 4:18; (17 Su) Psalm 138:7; (18 M) Psalm 5:11;  (19T) Ephesians 6:11; (20W) Psalm 30:11; (21Th) Jeremiah 30:17; (22F) Habakkuk 3:19; (23Sa) Isaiah 58:7-8; 
*This week's choices are Promises #205-212:Hebrews 4:9-10; Deuteronomy 4:7; Psalm 86:7; Matthew 6:25-26; Revelation 3:12; 1 John 3:2; Revelation 22:4; Numbers 23:19.
Ohh, how I need every one of these 31 PROMISES of GOD and love once again more than one this week like other weeks. However, I will choose this one for my
FRIDAY FEATURE

Revelation 22:4
PROMISE# 211

"ONE DAY, you will see My Face
and My Name will be on your forehead."

"Then the Angel showed me Water-of-Life River, crystal bright. It flowed from the Throne of God and the Lamb, right down the middle of the street. The Tree of Life was planted on each side of the River, producing twelve kinds of fruit, a ripe fruit each month. The leaves of the Tree are for healing the nations. Never again will anything be cursed. The Throne of God and of the Lamb is at the center. His servants will offer God service—worshiping, they'll look on His face, their foreheads mirroring God. Never again will there be any night. No one will need lamplight or sunlight. The shining of God, the Master, is all the light anyone needs. And they will rule with him age after age after age." (The Message) Yes, My King, one day...

THIS IS HOME

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ge9V1cOyVQM

This is OUR ONLY HOPE, to one day, see His Face and look upon His glory. To receive His Name upon our foreheads or as the Message says above "mirroring God"... finally in His image. What a great day that will be! 

Once again, I chose this not just for the PROMISE from God's Word from Revelation but the glorious picture of the SON/sun shining on the water... may you reflect the Son today!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBGRsV2KLXI
...and I never grow tired of hearing Kari Jobe or this song of adoration and praise! It is these truths that stir my heart to have faith and hope that our loved ones will come to know Him as their Lord and Savior, so that this PROMISE is for them also. My prayers, this day are for the "prodigals" and the "stubborn", for God's Holy Spirit to convict them and lead them to this truth, that the right person will come across their path today to be a vessel. It could be you, if not for mine, for someone's precious loved ones, so let's be bold in sharing Jesus, what He does for us and can do for them and their family for an eternity.  
Here are the PROMISES of GOD for this week once again for you to choose from: Hebrews 4:9-10; Deuteronomy 4:7; Psalm 86:7; Matthew 6:25-26; Revelation 3:12; 1 John 3:2; Revelation 22:4; Numbers 23:19.
Share in the comments or blog about  your Friday Feature and LINK UP here than FOCUS your FAITH and claim God's Promise for YOU! Stay tuned for AUGUST's PROMISES! I'm looking forward to ALL God's promises in HIS WORD. Why not make this part of your daily reading with 365 Promises, they are short and so beautifully done? (either sent to your email or in Google Reader).

IT'S NOT ABOUT ME

Max Lucado reminds us that it's not about us, it's ALL about God. The world does not revolve around us nor are we the center of the universe. Misconceptions that we are taught by society throughout our lives. But the rest of the title " Rescue From The Life We Thought Would Make Us Happy" sets the premise for this non-fiction, once again wonderfully written book by Max Lucado. He has such a way with words and story telling with humor and wisdom combined. It's not hard to tell that he is one of my all time favorite authors, even if the last book I read of his was so long ago "He Chose the Nails"; I do receive his UpWords weekly and there is one available daily and MP3s of 1minute messages. So when the opportunity to select one of his books in e-book form came, it was a welcome and a blessing for me, which I read in one sitting. I have so many parts highlighted, I'm not sure where to best begin telling you what I like. Yet I will emphasize that this is a timely book for me and I boldly would say for YOU.


"It's Not about Me" is wisely divided into two parts: God Pondering and God Promoting. "We move through me-focus to God-focus by pondering Him. Witnessing Him. Following..." this centers us on a life that works: God centered and rescues us from the one that doesn't: self-centered, self-ish. Whatever "self" you want to add... works for us to leave this behind and behold God. 


I love how Max than distinguishes between "beholding" and "reflecting" God. This is even wisely carried over in the excellent, though provoking study guide included in the back, written by Steven Halliday. Each chapter is separated into two sections: Beholding and then Reflecting.


The reason these two words are important is because different translations accurately use this for "katoptrizo"... but you'll have to read his book to clearly understand.  Yet, I see that it is crucial
to know since it is our human job description to REFLECT GOD'S GLORY! This is summed up beautifully by Max in these words: "Beholding leads to becoming. Becoming leads to reflecting."
Then Max proceeds to show us that God's message we are to mirror through: our message, our salvation, our body, our struggles, our success - all proclaim God's glory. "God sends the message, we mirror it." This takes us through the God-promoting part with each of these mirrored parts toward upward thinking. We exist to give honor to God's Name and a cleverly written exchange of a discussion between him and a Jewish passenger with Max on a flight.


The ending brought a tear to my eyes and a sweet nod of HOPE preceded by this sound, BOLD statement that expresses the heart of many of us (I hope):

"MAY WE HAVE NO HIGHER GOAL THAN TO SEE SOMEONE THINK MORE HIGHLY OF OUR FATHER, OUR KING."

I strongly encourage you to get a hold of a copy of this book to BEHOLD HIM CHANGING US:

"Beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, 
[we] are changed into the same image from glory to glory, 
even as by the Spirit of the Lord "
(2 Corinthians 3:18)

... and if at all possible, doing the study with a wonderful small group that will be blessed and changed in doing it together. I know that I'm considering it. Plus there is a bonus chapter of another one of Max's new books: "Outlive Your Life"... now I'm curious about that one, too... I can't get enough of Max Lucado's style of writing but you might of me reviewing his books. 

IT'S NOT ABOUT ME ~ It's ALL about HIM!!!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

• Thomas Nelson Product Page 
• TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS BOOK

WFW ~ Psalm 27:1 "I'M FEARLESS"

On my WFW today, I have combined both the NIV and The Message on my photo taken here in MX:


Psalm 27:1
The LORD is my light and my salvation—
   whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
   of whom shall I be afraid?
***

Light, space, zest— that's God!

   So, with Him on my side I'm fearless,      

afraid of no one and nothing. 

(The Message)

***

FEARLESS = without fear

I will not be AFRAID

I will not fear

With the Lord as the stronghold of my life.

Hmmmm... stronghold? 

Many of us connote "stronghold" with satan and "pulling down strongholds".

But here are 2 of 7 uses in the OT, where this is used as a metaphor of God's defenses and protection: 

 WORD STUDY [Note the bold stuff]

Stronghold, high tower  miśgāb "High place, refuge," from the verb śāgab, "be inaccessibly high," and is used in the Piel stem in Psalm 91:14 with the connotation, "to set on high," and "to defend" or "protect."4 Miśgāb is also used as a descriptor of God in 2 Samuel 22:3 and Psalm 46:7, 11. Refuge, stronghold mā�ōz "Place of strength," hence, of safety. The verb carries the idea of taking shelter quickly. While the noun can be used of various types of places of security, it is most commonly used figuratively, designating God as the refuge of his people. God our Strength Shield appears along with Strength, Refuge, and Fortress as a metaphor of God as our Defender. "Strength" is �ōz, "strength, power," used primarily of deity, particularly in the Psalms.  -- �ōz "strength" and mā�ōz "fortress" - taken  from Dr. Ralph Wilson's study on the Names of God  (#7)  ******************************************* Jesus said,  "But if I drive out demons by the finger of God,                                  then the kingdom of God has come to you." 21 "When a strongman, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe. 22 But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armor in which the strongman trusted and divides up the spoils."  Luke 11:20-22   What is the armor of a strongman that Jesus will take away?   The armor is made up of sinful reactions that we choose to indulge in.  Watch the progression. For instance, Christians don't start out to build a stronghold of bitterness. We put on this armor piece by piece until .... unforgiveness - "until they realize how badly they hurt us and ask for forgiveness" resentment - we savor and rehearse our resentment of that hurt or trauma judgment - we judge them with condemning and judgmental attitudes anger with sin - our anger involves sinful thinking and sinful behavior wrath and hatred - we lash out in anger that is out of control  self-hatred - we hate ourselves for our reactions and behavior yet tolerate it violence - threatening behavior: throwing, slamming, hitting, punching, fighting etc. elimination - hoping they disappear, resign, are fired, divorce, die, commit suicide  passive aggression - aggressive behavior that is planned to look innocent  murder - thinking about taking or actually taking their life  Pretty drastic, huh? "...Salvation is the first stage of God's plan for our lives, which is to conform us in character and power to the image of Jesus Christ. If we fail to see our relationship to God as such, we will allow too many areas within us to remain unchanged.Pulling down strongholds is the demolition and removal of these old ways of thinking so that the actual presence of Jesus Christ can be manifested through us."

For more WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY

to FILL you up with the ammunition of God's Word

Visit Internet Cafe Devotions 

Yes, with Jesus as our Light and our salvation 

He will strongly HOLD us from strongholds taking over our lives

and keep us anchored strongly as 

Our Defender, Our Strength, Our Shield, Our Strong Tower,

Our Strong Hold of our lives, 

so we can be "FEARLESS"

What about YOU
Are YOU

Fear less or full of Fear ?

Why not check out what I shared in my
 Secret Garden about FEAR?

May God be your Strongman today!