Tag Archive | marriage

Enduring and Everlasting Love

Today I give honor to a couple that are near and dear to my heart. In fact, I have known them all my life–they are my mom and dad, Tom and Grace Bloxsom.

Today they celebrate something that is very rare and wonderful–

→ 76 years of marriage ♥

Very few will ever accomplish such a feat; sadly, these days, most do not even try. Sin, selfishness and rebellion have given marriage a negative connotation; but my parents have lived and demonstrated it in the true meaning of the word, two lives joined together as one–for always.

As anyone that has been married can attest, it is not always easy, and often can be hard work, but it is the commitment that determines the outcome. For my parents, this commitment has been non-negotiable. For better or worse, in good times and bad, sickness and in health, they have remained faithful to their vows and to each other.

So today, and every day, I honor them! ♥

Their commitment to each other and their willingness to persevere, even in the tough times has given them a resilience, also rarely seen in the elderly. At the ages of 95 and nearly 98 my parents are independent and their minds are sharp! In this, I believe, God too, has honored them; as they have lived their lives in honor to Him and their marriage–in honor to each other.

“And he said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it. You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'” Matthew 22:37-39

Who is our closest neighbor but those living in our own household? If you have failed the second commandment, it is likely that you have failed the first. Repent, and give honor to God; from Him, receive what you need to honor and love your spouse.

Is He truly Lord of your life or are you?

I believe He has something very special in store for you, when you sort that one out–it’s not too late!

God is faithful, even when we are not, for He cannot deny Himself.

“‘This saying is sure: If we have died with him, we shall also live with him; if we endure, we shall also reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful–for he cannot deny himself.'” 2 Timothy 2:11-13

Seek Him with your ‘whole’ heart!

So, this year brings another special, momentous, and rarely seen occasion, Our family business–Bloxsom Roofing Company; founded by my grandfather in 1925, now 100 years old! My dad began working for his dad in this business when he was just 12 years old. He and his brothers retired from it and passed it down to my brothers and cousins; it is still family run, now by my brother and cousin’s son, to this day. I am told that less than 1% of family businesses make it to 100 years. Just as in marriage, it takes commitment–perseverance in good times and bad. It takes commitment to each other when you don’t always agree. It takes honor, faithfulness, honesty and integrity. It takes a foundation built on the principles that God placed before us in His Word, the Holy Scriptures–it takes forgiveness and love.

My grandpa will be so pleased to learn that his business carried on for many years, long after he left to join the Lord in his forever home. . .

I expect he already knows ♥

Do you see? As hard as this life is, with its ever-increasing stress–the intensity of coldness increasingly taking over the hearts of men–yet you can accomplish it all by first receiving Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Above all, give first, your honor to God. If you commit to Him, and to placing others before yourself–from your communion with Him you will receive all you need to do this. From His Presence, and from reading His Word, you will ever-increasingly be taking on His characteristics and His nature and then–naturally–love your neighbor as yourself.

“‘You shall not kill. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness. Honor your father and mother, and You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'” Matthew 19:18-19

This is the legacy my grandparents lived–handed down to my parents, and they have modeled for their world.

Thank you, mom and dad ♥ Today, every day, I honor you!

“‘Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which the Lord your God gives you.'” Exodus 20:12, Deut. 5:16

“Give respect to your father and mother, for without them you wouldn’t even be here. And don’t neglect them when they grow old. Embrace the truth and hold it close. Don’t let go of wisdom, instruction, and life-giving understanding. When a father observes his child living in godliness, he is ecstatic with joy–nothing makes him prouder! So may your father’s heart burst with joy and your mother’s soul be filled with gladness because of you.” Proverbs 23:22-25 TPT

Prepared and Stunning!

Apr17

Division must come.

A greater division than man has known since the days of Noah. As then, when there was eating and drinking and marrying and giving in marriage–life carried on and those who would not heed, did not hear.

“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. As were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they did not know until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of man.” Matthew 24:36-39

“Then the Lord said to Noah, ‘Go into the ark, you and all your household, for I have seen that you are righteous before me in this generation.'” Genesis 7:1

“He blotted out every living thing that was upon the face of the ground, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the air; they were blotted out from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those that were with him in the ark.” Genesis 7:23

They had not a care, for they did not fear.

The righteous, however, sense it in their heart, and know they have a part, in the greatest and final act that man, on this earth, will ever know…

When I come once more to gather My Bride.

Oh, she’ll be stunning, for she’ll be prepared. A bride doesn’t wait for the hour late–she readies herself in advance.

Yes, division will come; for the invitations have been sent–as all are invited to come.

“Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to be clothed with fine linen, bright and pure”–for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. And the angel said to me, ‘Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, ‘These are true words of God.'”Revelation 19:7-9

Those received, went to them who believe, the rest went untouched as if dung.

“‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a marriage feast for his son, and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the marriage feast; but they would not come.” Matthew 23:2-3

“Again he sent other servants, saying ‘Tell those who are invited, Behold, I have made ready my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves are killed, and everything is ready; come to the marriage feast.’ But they made light of it and went off, one to his farm, another to his business–” Matthew 22:4-5

“Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore to the thoroughfares, and invite to the marriage feast as many as you find.’ And those servants went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good; so the wedding hall was filled with guests.” Matthew 22:8-10

My heart breaks for those left without, clothes, to enter the Bridal feast ready.

“But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment; and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, and cast him into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth.’ for many are called, but few are chosen.'” Matthew 22:11-14

For soon it will be, too late to prepare, and gain entrance to the Wedding of the Lamb.

He is the feast, and it’s not the beast, as so many fools have supposed. So hurry–while there’s time, for you to change your mind. But hurry, before the doors close!

Prepare to be Stunning, or prepare to be stunned!

And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had worked the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with brimstone.” Revelation 19:20

“‘Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense, to repay every one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.’ Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates.” Revelation 22:12-14

The Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come.’ And let him who is thirsty come, let him who desires take the water of life without price.” Revelation 22:17

Make Ready

May14

Honor and riches are given to those who are not foolish–those who don’t waste their time on earth as if it were free to be wasted. You have been allotted a segment of time as a gift, but a requirement comes with the gift as the wrapper of the package. This time is to be utilized in learning and spiritual growth; for as you grow and change, you are then able to call others higher by example.

Heaven is not a place where sin transfers to, but a place where only righteousness dwells. Why then, would you not be prepared? Prepare yourself as a Bride prepares her wedding trousseau. She makes everything ready before the wedding day. Yes, after the marriage, there is much to learn as maturing continues, but oh, before that day, she makes ready. Her entire focus is in the preparation. She has no time to think of life after marriage, for time passes so quickly, with so much to do. Many are enlisted to help her in her plans for that big day. She trusts that her life will be completed in marriage and all is special and wonderful. Her hopes and dreams shine with love for her Bridegroom is near.

Do you see?

Make ready, for I AM near and time is fleeting…

Make Ready!

“This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.” “Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then every man will receive his commendation from God.” I Corinthians 4:1-2, 5

“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither the immoral, nor idolators, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor robbers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.” I Corinthians 5:9-11

“–he who is united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Shun immorality. Every other sin which a man commits is outside the body; but the immoral man sins against his own body. do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” I Corinthians 6:17-20

“And he will destroy on this mountain the covering that is cast over all peoples, the veil that is spread over all nations. He will swallow up death for ever, and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth; for the Lord has spoken. It will be said on that day, ‘Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.'” Isaiah 25:7-9

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” II Corinthians 3:17-18

“And from the throne came a voice crying, “Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, small and great.” Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty thunderpeals, crying “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to be clothed with fine linen, bright and pure”–for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, ‘These are true words of God.'” Revelation 19:5-9

“Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense, to repay every one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” Revelation 22:12-13