Looking for love in all the right places

Posted on February 10, 2010 by valerie

God created each person with the need to give and receive love.

He created marriage and said, it is not good for man to be alone.

Many of you are searching for the perfect mate, and God wants to help
you in this process.

The Bible says…

House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife
is from the LORD. Proverbs 19:24

Finding a prudent wife is important, because they are hard working and will
honor their commitment to their husband, children, and God, even when things are difficult.

When a man and woman marry; they vow to love and honor their spouse, in sickness
and in health, for better or worse, until we are parted by death.

Even among Christians, the rate of divorce is over 50%, so if we want to avoid heartache
and sorrow, we will ask God for wisdom in choosing our mate.

Today, let’s search for some key ingredients to a beautiful marriage that will last a lifetime.

Abraham was getting old and God had blessed him in all things.

Isaac was about 40 years old and his father Abraham prayed for God to find his son a wife,
who would not lead him into sin or idolatry.

He said to the oldest servant in his house…

Put your hand under my thigh, and I will make you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and earth,
that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom
I dwell; but go to my country and to my family, and find a wife for my son Isaac.

Abraham knew the Canaanites did not believe in the true God and he
wanted a godly wife for his son.

His servant asked…

What if a woman will not be willing to come to this land. Should
I take your son back to your homeland?

Abraham said…

Do not take my son back there. The LORD God heaven, took me from my father’s house
and from the land of my family, and swore to me, saying, I will give your descendants
this land, He will send His angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from
there. If the woman is not willing to follow, you will be released from this oath.

The servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham and swore the oath.
He took 10 camels and his master’s goods and went to the city of Nahor.
He made the camels kneel down outside the city by a well at evening time,
when the women would go out to draw water.

The servant prayed…

LORD God of my master Abraham, please give me success this day.
Show kindness to my master Abraham. I stand here by the well of water,
and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water.
I will say to the woman, let down your pitcher that I may drink.
Whoever says, drink and I will also give your camels a drink,
let her be the one You have appointed for Your servant Isaac.
By this will I know that You have shown kindness to my master.

Before he had finished speaking, a young woman named Rebekah appeared in front of him.

God had chosen her many years before, to be Isaac’s wife. In Genesis 22:23 scripture says…
And Bethuel begot Rebekah. Abraham’s brother was Nahor, and God blessed him with
8 children by his wife Milcah. Most times in the Bible, the birth of women is not
mentioned…but Rebekah was preplanned by God and her name is mentioned
to show us, God created her for a special purpose.

Rebekah was very beautiful and a virgin. She went down to the well
and filled her pitcher. The servant ran to meet her and asked her for a
drink. She not only gave the stranger a drink, but offered to draw water
his 10 camels too.

I’ve read that a thirsty camel can drink up to 40 gallons of water…so Rebekah
carried several hundred gallons without grumbling or complaining.

Rebekah was not afraid to get her hands dirty, and work hard. She was kind,
compassionate, and respectful.

The servant watched her in amazement and wondered if she was the one God intended
for Isaac’s wife.

When the camels were finished drinking, he gave Rebekah an earring and
2 bracelets made of gold. He asked her the name of her father. Rebekah
explained, she was the daughter of Bethuel and Nahor was her grandfather.
She offered to take the servant home and provide food and lodging for him
and his animals.

The servant bowed his head to the ground and worshipped the LORD
and said…

Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who has not left destitute my master
of his mercy and his truth: I being in the way, the LORD led me to the house of my
master’s brethren. Genesis 24:27 KJV

Rebekah ran to her home and told her mother and brother Laban what
just happened at the well. When Laban heard the story he said to the
servant…

Come in, blessed of the LORD. I have prepared the house and a
place for the camels. Here is water for your feet and those men
with you.

Food was offered, but the servant refused to eat before he
told them about his errand. He said…

I am Abraham’s servant. The LORD has bless my master greatly, and he has become great.
He has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, menservants and maidservants,
and camels and donkeys.

My master Abraham said, an angel would go before me and direct me to God’s
bride for his son. I prayed to the LORD at the well, and before I was done
speaking, Rebekah appeared before me and spoke the words I had asked the
LORD for as a sign.

When the servant finished the story, he asked Rebekah’s family if
they would deal kindly and truly with him for Abraham’s sake.
Rebekah’s father Bethuel and brother Laban said…

This thing is from the LORD; we cannot speak either bad or good about it.
Here is Rebekah; take her and go. Let her be your master’s son’s wife,
as the LORD has spoken.

When the servant heard their words, he bowed to the ground and
worshipped the LORD. Then he brought out jewelry of silver,
gold and clothing and gave them to Rebekah. He gave
precious gifts to her brother and mother also.

They ate, drank and rested. In the morning the servant was
eager to return with Rebekah to his master. Her brother and her
mother wanted them to wait a few days, at least 10…but the
servant replied…

Do not delay our departure, since the LORD has prospered my way;
send me quickly so that I return to my master.

They called the young woman and asked her if she would be willing to
leave.

Rebekah said…I will go.

Rebekah and her nurse Deborah went with the servant.

Her family offered this blessing to her…

May you become the mother of thousands of ten thousands; and may
your descendants possess the gates of those who hate them.

Meanwhile… Isaac was in the field one evening to meditate by the well of
Beer Lahai Roi. Perhaps he went there to pray; just as Hagar
did when she was grieving, for Beer Lahai Roi means…(The well
of him that lives sees me.)

When Rebekah saw Isaac, she asked the servant who it was.
When he told her Isaac, her future husband, she dismounted her
camel, took a veil and covered herself. This was done to as a sign
of purity and respect for her future husband.

The servant told Isaac all that had happened. Isaac went with Rebekah
into his mother’s Sarah’s tent and she became his wife. He loved her and was
comforted after his mother’s death.

This beautiful story reveals to us that no child is an accident. Each one
is specially created by God and the time of their birth has a significant
plan and purpose in God’s plan for their. Abraham was a wise father
in wanting a godly wife for his son. Isaac was patient and waited for
the right one to come of age to be his bride. He trusted his
earthly father and God’s choice for his bride.

As we travel down life’s path; it is good for us to remember, if we
pray, God promises to direct our path.

The Bible says…

I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way that thou shalt go;
I will guide thee with mine eye. Psalm 32:8 KJV

No matter what our age, God promises to lead and direct our every
step, if we let him…but he also gives us free choice. Delays in our
answers are times of preparation for God’s best and perfect plan.

Too often we get impatient and God has to fix the mess we’ve made first…

Thus says the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God,
which teaches thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way thou shouldest go.
Oh, that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments: then had thy peace
been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea.
Isaiah 48:17-18 KJV

Following God’s plan allows our life to flow peacefully like a river.
He promises that he will never leave us or forsake us, even when
we take a detour into the wilderness and storms come.

My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commands:
for length of days and long life and peace, shall they add to you.
Proverbs 3:1-2 KJV

God longs to help us make wise choices. He has a perfect husband or wife picked
out for those he has chosen to marry, if we ask him and trust his judgment and timing.

The Bible says…

Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour from the LORD.
Proverbs 18:24 KJV

Men, God will give you favour and blessings if you marry.

Don’t use and abuse his daughters, by trying to lure them into bed before marriage.

Look for a woman who is kind and hardworking. Does she help her family around
the house, cook, and clean? Is she kind to her siblings and use her time wisely?

If she spends her days talking on the phone, texting, and gossiping about others,
avoid her like the plague. If she continually grumbles and complains about you
or her family, your life will be filled with misery and torment.

Rebekah had a servant heart, and respected her families advise.

She worked hard, and God rewarded her with a loving husband, wealth, and children.

Beloved, the same God who guided Rebekah and Isaac, will send his angels before
you as well.

Your Father knows your name and wants your life to be blessed and beautiful.

What is your need today? Do you need encouragement, love,
forgiveness, healing, prosperity, a godly spouse?

Maybe you need God’s help in your marriage or are fearful of
the future. Whatever’s troubling you, Please, take it to the LORD.
He’s right beside you, waiting to listen and help you.

But seek ye first, the kingdom of God, and his righteousness;
and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for this beautiful day. We are fearfully and wonderfully created by you.
No one is an accident, no one is a mistake. Each and every person on the earth
is a chosen vessel; formed by you, to fulfill a special plan you have for them.

You alone can take broken lives and marriages, shattered dreams, and mend them
miraculously together, to design a beautiful work of art.

Thank you for choosing us to be your children. No matter what our background,
no matter who our earthly parents are or were, You are our Heavenly Father and
are in complete control of our lives.

Help us, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to lead a life that is
pleasing and powerful. Infuse us, energize us, and enable us to do
more than we ever could hope, ask or think. We thank you for
sending Jesus to save us from our sins. Thank you that we are
now righteous, through faith in him.

Thank you for vowing to never leave us or forsake us. We put our
hope, our trust, our faith in You to deliver us from all evil.
Jesus died to set us free and we thank you that we never again,
have to be imprisoned by the walls of sin and fear.

Thank you for promising to provide all our needs, if we first seek You.

It is Finished! We are Free! We have power and strength
in and through You! We can do all things through Christ,
who strengthens us. Preserve our lives from the fear of the enemy.
If You are for us…NO ONE CAN BE AGAINST US!

We lift up prayers to you for Derek, Gayle, Clyde, Dennis, Margie, Jeff, Shirley, the people of Haiti,
and all who are suffering from sickness or adversity. You have said the prayer
of faith will save the sick and you will raise them up. We believe in your words and promises.
Wrap your loving arms of mercy and healing upon your children, and make them whole…
never the less, not our will but thine be done.

Thank you for miraculously rescuing another man in Haiti, after 27 days. All praise and glory
goes to you.

We thank you for all the men and women who have faithfully served you and their country
in the military. Bless those who have laid down their lives for us and bring comfort and
peace to their families. We pray for safety and protection for all our troops now serving
their countries. May your angels go before them and keep them safe from harm and danger.

Thank you for always listening and answering our prayers. We wait expectantly for your help
and deliverance!

In Jesus’ name we pray.

Amen

Our Shelter in the Storm
As the storms of life come crashing in

God’s word can bring a peace within…

To quiet your fears and ease your pain

Reminding us why Jesus came…

Without Him we are helpless and weak

Unable to find the answers we seek.

Outside the world looks dark and grim,

Release your cares and worries to Him.

He sees your tears and knows your name.

He wants to make you whole again.

Reach out your hand and hold Him tight.

Trust in Him, with all your might.

Become again, just like a child,

Let Him hold you for a while.

Resting in His arms you’ll find

new power and strength to ease your mind.

Rise from the ashes and look to the light.

Jesus can chase the clouds from sight.

The promises in His words are true.

With God, there’s nothing we can’t do.

Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him:

God is a refuge for us. Psalm 62:8

In Christian love,

Valerie Rousseau