The Secret Place: The Garden of Love

By Constance Parks

Come and meet Yeshua Adoni, your "Knight in Shining Armor".  Yeshua, the Hebrew name for Jesus, is calling to you, "Come away with me, my Beloved.


 


If you are someone who has been "looking for love in all the wrong places," as the old song says, then you need to read The Secret Place. Whether you are a Christian or not, you will be drawn close to Jesus and see that He loves you; indeed that He is the lover of your broken heart.


 


This allegory of love follows the Beloved as she faces many trials and tribulations. Jesus, however, is her Comforter and teaches her how to overcome them all. In "the secret place," the quiet garden of the Lord, He heals her fears, hurts and injustices. Able now to move forward, she becomes strong for Him.


 

The Secret Place will introduce you to your Comforter and help you find healing from past traumatic experiences. A study guide is included for those who wish to continue in a deeper relationship with Jesus.


 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Creation House
• Release date: Feb 9, 2016
• ISBN: 9781629984995

Book preview

Reading this book had a profound effect on me. I felt like I was living each chapter in The Secret Place, like I was the one having the experiences described. Many of the things written were actually clues to prophetic words I’ve received over the past years. You actually had to have experienced everything in this book, for there is absolutely no other way you could have written such a masterpiece! Congratulations on such a wonderful accomplishment!

—RHONDA TARVER, FRIEND

THE SECRET PLACE: THE GARDEN OF LOVE

by Constance Parks

Published by Creation House

A Charisma Media Company

600 Rinehart Road

Lake Mary, Florida 32746

www.charismamedia.com

This book or parts thereof may not be reproduced in any form, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise—without prior written permission of the publisher, except as provided by United States of America copyright law.

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version of the Bible. Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc., publishers. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked AMPC are from the Amplified Bible, Classic Edition. Old Testament copyright © 1965, 1987 by the Zondervan Corporation. The Amplified New Testament copyright © 1954, 1958, 1987 by the Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked NAS are from the New American Standard Bible–Updated Edition, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)

Scripture quotations marked NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2010, 2011, International Bible Society. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked NLT are from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL 60189. All rights reserved.

Design Director: Justin Evans

Cover design by Judith McKittrick Wright

Back cover photo: Nanaphotography by Wanda Kay

Copyright © 2016 by Constance Parks

All rights reserved.

Visit the author’s website: www.gardengatewayinternational.org.

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015952362

International Standard Book Number: 978-1-62998-498-8

E-book International Standard Book Number: 978-1-62998-499-5

While the author has made every effort to provide accurate telephone numbers and Internet addresses at the time of publication, neither the publisher nor the author assumes any responsibility for errors or for changes that occur after publication.

CONTENTS

Acknowledgments

Preface

PART I:

THE JOURNEY

CHAPTER 1: Just Friends

CHAPTER 2: True Love

CHAPTER 3: The Deceiver

CHAPTER 4: The Garden (Wisdom about the Battle)

CHAPTER 5: Up the Mountain

CHAPTER 6: In the Midst of the Storm

CHAPTER 7: Touching the Secret Place

CHAPTER 8: He Delivers Me from All My Fears

CHAPTER 9: He Is My Joy (the River of Life)

PART II:

ABIDING IN THE SECRET PLACE

CHAPTER 10: Spending Time with Him

CHAPTER 11: The Throne Room

CHAPTER 12: Holy Ground and High Places

CHAPTER 13: Strongholds

CHAPTER 14: On Eagles Wings

CHAPTER 15: The Eye of the Eagle

CHAPTER 16: Heavenly Warrior

CHAPTER 17: The Final Battle

CHAPTER 18: The Bride

CHAPTER 19: The Marriage Supper

CHAPTER 20: The Wedding

CHAPTER 21: The Bridal Chamber

CHAPTER 22: His Kingdom Come

CHAPTER 23: Yeshua the King

Personal Invitation

Scripture References

THE SECRET PLACE:

THE GARDEN OF LOVE TEACHING AND STUDY GUIDE

CHAPTER 1: Just Friends

CHAPTER 2: True Love

CHAPTER 3: The Deceiver

CHAPTER 4: The Garden (Wisdom about the Battle)

CHAPTER 5: Up the Mountain

CHAPTER 6: In the Midst of the Storm

CHAPTER 7: Touching the Secret Place

CHAPTER 8: He Delivers Me from All My Fears

CHAPTER 9: He Is My Joy (The River of Life)

CHAPTER 10: Spending Time with Him

CHAPTER 11: The Throne Room

CHAPTER 12: Holy Ground and High Places

CHAPTER 13: Strongholds

CHAPTER 14: On Eagles Wings

CHAPTER 15: The Eye of the Eagle

CHAPTER 16: Heavenly Warrior

CHAPTER 17: The Final Battle

CHAPTER 18: The Bride

CHAPTER 19: The Marriage Supper

CHAPTER 20: The Wedding

CHAPTER 21: The Bridal Chamber

CHAPTER 22: His Kingdom Come

CHAPTER 23: Yeshua the King

About the Author

Contact the Author

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

FIRST I WOULD like to thank Yeshua my Lord for His gift of love and His trust in allowing me to write this book. I thank my wonderful husband, Bruce, and my two sons, Michael and Andrew, for all the encouragement in the publishing of this book.

I would like to thank my three sets of spiritual parents: Pastor Richard and Tena Ford, who raised this child up in the way she should go; Pastor Curry and Beverly Juneau and Pastors Greg and Lenda Crawford, who allowed me to stretch and spread my wings to soar and enlarge my territory.

I would also like to thank my sisters, Randi Brewer and Robbie Tolson, who are not only my natural sisters but also my spiritual sisters who encouraged me and prayed me through this first book.

A special thanks to Jim Brooks for typing up and putting on disk the first manuscript, and also to all my friends for their encouragement.

Finally, to those who were so encouraging to me who have already gone to meet my Beloved in the heavenly sphere: my natural parents, John and Anita Lillard, who first instilled godly values in my life; and Annette Weathersbee, Annette Parks, and Pam Tarwater; I give God the praise for putting them in my life and I dedicate this book to them.

PREFACE

THIS BOOK WAS written to encourage you to find the Lord Yeshua on a deeper level. You must put yourself into the pages of this book. Think of yourself as the beloved, for Yeshua wants to speak to you. He wants to heal you and make you whole. Yeshua can love you so fully like no one else can. It says in Jeremiah 31:3 that God (Yeshua) has loved us with an everlasting love and with lovingkindness He will draw us.

As you abandon yourself to this love of His, He will share with you His most intimate secrets, the mysteries of the universe, for He is the Master of the universe.

Therefore, this book is dedicated to those people, male or female, who are looking for love—that missing part of themselves. To those who have been called and chosen by the Master but who have not yet found Him, you will find what you are looking for in this book.

These scriptures have had a profound impact on my life:

Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth—For your love is better than wine. Because of the fragrance of your good ointments, your name is ointment poured forth; Therefore the virgins love you.

—SONG OF SOLOMON 1:2–3

The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying, Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love. Therefore, with lovingkindness I have drawn you.

—JEREMIAH 31:3

I drew them with gentle cords, With bands [ties] of love, And I was to them as those who takes the yoke from their neck. I stooped and fed them.

—HOSEA 11:4

And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment.

—MARK 12:30

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

—REVELATION 3:20

CHAPTER 1

JUST FRIENDS

MY LIFE HAS been such a struggle with so many things pulling here and pulling there. I can’t seem to do the things that I know I should do. I feel so lost and empty inside. Guilt and shame surround me on all sides. There is no peace, no joy within me, no satisfaction in any thing I do. My life is such a mess and there is so much pain and rejection in my heart from things in my past. Is there any hope for someone like me? Is there anyone anywhere who can save me? How could anyone want anything to do with the ugly, miserable, and wretched person that I am? I go about my days doing things necessary to sustain life, but nothing has any meaning. I am like a prisoner in this world, chained to the everyday drudge of life. Where is true joy? Where is true peace? Where is true love?

When I see love, joy, or peace in others, it doesn’t seem real. It’s all fake, or just a put on, or it’s the result of some external influence. Nothing meaningful ever seems to come into my life. There is no true peace that comes from within. Who can save me from this unending hurt? I don’t even know if I want to live any longer. Who will deliver me from this prison of pain and rejection?

Then, one day it happened. I met Him, the one who would love me forever. His name is Yeshua Adonai, and He came into my life and has changed me forever.

Yeshua came into my life one grand and glorious, sunny day. He said to me,

I have been looking for you. I have searched the world over, and now I have found you. I have come to set you free from your prison and to remove your chains of bondage. If you will follow Me, I will set you free. I AM Yeshua. If you will believe in Me and put your unwavering trust in Me and call on My name, Yeshua Adonai, your life will be changed and you will never be the same.

Yeshua said to me,

With an everlasting love I love you, and with loving kindness have I drawn you unto Myself. I have poured out My very heart for you. My beloved, how I do love you! Everything about you, just the way you are, is pleasing to Me. Come with Me. Come away with Me into My kingdom. Let me be your Prince of Peace and the love of your heart. I have come calling your name, seeking your face, and knocking upon the door of your heart. Open that door to your heart and let me in, and I will come into your heart to give you a new and meaningful life. The life I give you is like streams of water flowing in the desert. And that life-giving water will bring My living garden into the midst of your heart.

Come, let us walk in the garden together. I delight in spending time with you walking and talking together in the cool of the day. You are precious to Me, and I rejoice being in your presence. Come, follow Me, and I will put you on the pathway to victory in every area of your life. Although storms may rage all around, I have made you more than a conqueror. I have made you an overcomer through all the storms of life. I AM the one who is able to satisfy your every need. For every desperate need you have, I will meet that need because whosoever hungers and thirsts for the truth and righteousness will be satisfied. So, My beloved, come away with Me. You have need of so much love, and it is only that which I give that can satisfy. Your heart is like an empty well. I have come to bring the water of life and to fill your well with the love that you need.

Everything about Yeshua Adonai was all I had been looking for. True peace exuded out of Him. There was such a glow, such an overwhelming radiance that came from within Him. All I could say to Him was simply, Yes! Without even a thought, I just started speaking,

Yes, I do believe in You and I will put all my trust in You. I do choose to call on Your name, Yeshua. I repent, O Prince of Peace and love of my heart, of all my sins. I choose to lean on You and to rely on You and to trust in Your strength, Your power, and Your abilities to change me and to give me new life. Yeshua, will You come and live in my heart?

His word was comfort to me as He said,

I will live in your heart and provide you with everything you need. I will take care of you as a shepherd takes care of his sheep. I stand in My Father’s authority to tell you that you are forgiven of your sins. Also I have come to take away all the guilt and the shame you have felt for doing things wrong and for having hurt other people, as well as all those other things you have been feeling guilty of when you committed sin. You have received My forgiveness. There is therefore no condemnation for those who are in Me, who walk not after the flesh, but after the things the Spirit desires. I will take your guilt and shame away when you have confessed your sins and repented by turning away from them.

Then He said,

My Spirit, the Holy Spirit, will always be with you. He will be your Counselor and your Helper, and He will magnify My presence to you, in you, and through you. He will also manifest in you grace, mercy, wisdom, and faith. Are you ready to receive My Spirit into your heart?

I said to Him,

Yes! Holy Spirit, come and live in my heart.

Then He said,

Breathe deeply and receive My Spirit.

I took a deep breath and received His Spirit. It was wonderful. I felt so warm inside and there was so much love flowing in me and through me and out of me. I could hardly stand up for all the power that was flowing all around my body. It was so glorious, so awesome, that words cannot seem to express just what I felt. I stood there only for a moment, yet it seemed as though I had been there for an eternity. He then assured me,

My Spirit will always be with you. He will never leave you.

And then He continued,

Now I want to tell you about My life. I grew up in a small town, the son of a carpenter. I was the eldest of My brothers and sisters. When My earthly father died, I was a young adult. I took over the business in which we built tables and chairs and yokes for oxen and other farming tools.

One evening My entire family went out to attend a wedding celebration. It so happened that they ran out of wine. My mother stood up and said to Me, They have no wine. I replied to her, Woman, it’s not yet My time. She told the servants, Whatever He tells you to do, you do it. There were six large empty water pots, so I told them, Fill them all with water, and they did so, all the way to the brim.

Then I said, Now draw some out and take it to the ruler of the feast. And they did as I bid them. As the ruler of the feast tasted the water, it was turned into wine. He said, The best, I believe, I have ever tasted.

All My life I knew I was born for a special purpose, and that My earthly father was not actually My real Father at all. My real Father is not of this world. Quite often I would spend hours talking to My real Father. Each time we talked He would reveal details of My purpose for being here. So that when this happened at the wedding feast, I did it because I had seen My Father do such things.

My real Father loves all people very much. Many, just like you, are prisoners and are bound to the god of this world and its system. My Father wants them all set free; and He showed Me how they are to be set free. So that is just exactly what I would do. People who were sick in mind and body, as I touched them, they were healed and set free. But there were those in power who were jealous of what I was doing, and they hated Me. They hated Me so much that when the time came for Me to fulfill My purpose they came to take Me to kill Me.

Then Yeshua smiled and said,

I also had many friends, especially twelve men, with whom I spent many hours teaching what My Father taught Me. On one of those occasions, we were together at the house of one of the Pharisees. Then a woman, whom they declared a sinner, brought with her an alabaster box of ointment. She stood at My feet as we sat dining. Weeping she turned and knelt behind Me. As she wept she began to wash My feet with her tears and wipe My feet with the hair of her head. After she had kissed My feet, she anointed them with the ointment. She did this out of love and in preparation for My burial. I explained to and taught My friends that this act which she had done is not only pure intimacy, but also true worship.

The time came that I was to be offered up. So I sent My disciples before Me into a village of the Samaritans to make things ready for Me. But they did not receive us, or the Father’s message, because I was set to go to Yerusalem instead