I could hear geese honking above the dense Oregon fog…Immediately, God said, "I'm going to teach you to hear My voice." Little did I know how much I needed Jesus.
Ann and I went to a birthday party the other day. I saw a man who’s an excellent carpenter. I wanted to ask him about installing laminate flooring on a curved wall. As it turned out, not only did he tell me how he’d install around the curve, this gentleman also shared some neat spiritual truths with me.
Two things he said really touched me in a special way. He said he’d been injured when he fell about a year ago and went through a few weeks of deep depression that caused him to cry out to the Lord for help. The Lord brought him out of the depression and he knew he was a different man having more compassion, and sensitivity to the things of God.
He told me he never used to cry but that he’d recently had an experience with the Lord when he found himself sobbing about some things the Lord wanted to help him with. God wants to help us. Isn’t that wonderful?
God was showing this man how to meet his wife’s needs and how he could be more gentle and loving with her. I really like it when I get to meet other men who mention that the Lord speaks to them about loving their wives more and how to better meet their emotional needs. For instance, my (Mark) wife doesn’t like to be teased so I refrain from teasing her. She also wants me to listen to her more with a genuine interest so I can help her resolve matters that she needs my help with, and to be gentle with her when talking to her and interacting with her. She loves it when I guard her heart.
The other thing this man said was that the Lord wanted us to think more about Philippians 4:8 and to live praising God and being thankful all the time. God was telling this gentle man to change his thinking so that it lined up more with the following:
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Philippians 4:8
I hadn’t seen this man in years and I was really thankful God had us talk together at the birthday party. What a blessing…
That evening as Annie and I were getting ready for bed, the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart. He said, “Do you know why I want you to practice Philippians 4:8? It’s because that’s how Eden was. God wants you (all of us) to come back to Eden, back to His loving, liberating thinking and thoughts.” (All it takes is a willing heart.) Wow, that was beautiful, encouraging, merciful, and so loving.
What a great God we have. Such an incredible source of comfort and our ever-watchful Prince of Peace.
I heard Amir Tsarfati, a dear Israeli Christian, speaking about how the Jews missed the hour of their visitation (Luke 19:44 in the Bible) when Jesus came to earth 2000 years ago. The man was warning and encouraging people to be ready for Christ’s return to earth and of the coming tribulation. His talk was loving and pretty sobering to say the least. He spoke about Romans 13:11 and how people need to wake up to the reality and seriousness of what’s coming in the very near future.
My wife and I watch Pastor Farag’s weekly prophecy updates. I really like his sincerity, humility, honesty and insights. You can find his weekly updates on youtube. This update was particularly good as he talks about how much faster the end times events are coming.
“If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.
Matthew 24:22
Please watch Pastor J.D. Farag’s prophecy update in the link below.
Mid-East Prophecy Update – February 25th, 2018
The Destruction of the Temple and Signs of the End Times
24 Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. 2 “Do you see all these things?” he asked. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”
3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”
4 Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains.
9 “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
15 “So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand— 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let no one on the housetop go down to take anything out of the house. 18 Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak. 19 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! 20 Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again.
22 “If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. 23 At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. 24 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I (Jesus) have told you ahead of time.
26 “So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. 27 For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 28 Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.
29 “Immediately after the distress of those days
“‘the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light;
the stars will fall from the sky,
and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’
30 “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. 31 And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.
32 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 33 Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. 34 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
The Day and Hour Unknown
36 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.
42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
45 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46 It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. 47 Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 48 But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’ 49 and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. 50 The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. 51 He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Matthew Chapter 24
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
John 8:32
I’m sure you can relate to the following experience/lesson I had the other day…
I was doing some work the other day when I had the thought of being a little weary, spiritually. At first, I didn’t recognize the source of that idea, and thought, “Well, You’re probably right, Jesus. I guess I could be a little spiritually weary.” I began feeling (sure sign that I need to test the spirit behind the thought) somewhat tired in my spirit and felt I could use a break from spiritual battles.
That’s when it dawned on me, “Wait a minute. I see what’s going on here.” The devil was behind the spiritually weary thought and was trying to get me to buy into his lie. I said, “Ah, I see you, satan. I’m not really weary. You’re just trying to get me to believe your lie.” Instantly, the weary thoughts vanished and I felt really encouraged in the Lord. Yay, God.
9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for (because) in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Galatians 6:9
The battles never end…
Neither do the victories.
Now thanks be unto God, who always causeth us to triumph in Christ and who maketh manifest through us the savor of His knowledge in every place (Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. NLT).
2 Corinthians 2:14
Steve DeNoon (And some others) – “Billy Graham will pass away right before the rapture.”
We’ll see…
Wow, so much talk today about the rapture, the end times heating up with Russian and Iran moving into Syria and so close to Israel’s northern border, and evil increasing around the world. It’s certainly a good time to know Christ as our Savior. As the Bible clearly states, God is lining up the nations against Israel so He can show the whole earth that He alone is God, and that there is no other.
Heaven’s coming right up. Keep looking up to Jesus and Heaven.
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Titus 2:13
I (Jesus) am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for (because) without me (Jesus) ye can do nothing.
John 15:5
Things I wasn’t good at and other things that bugged me or annoyed me in life – God was about to touch these areas and heal them, line upon line in His time…☺
In the beginning, although I thought I was going to be good at marriage, and had many good intentions, the Lord showed me I was a pretty selfish husband and had a lot of insecurity and generational strongholds. For instance, I wasn’t as gentle as the Lord knew I needed to be with my precious wife. God had to make a lot of good changes in me because, apart from Him, it wasn’t going to happen.
It takes humility to come to God and to experience His love and healing. I’ve found that nothing really gets done in me when I cling to pride. And humility becomes so attractive and feels so right and good. That’s why I’ve come to embrace surrendering to the Lord. It’s the sweetest posture and position/place in the universe.
What was/is God’s intention for life? Last night, the Holy Spirit said something really interesting to me. He said, “I know how you’d be in Eden.” Wow, that stopped me in my thoughts and I sensed I should let it linger on my mind…☺
Goals have you tied up in urgency? Feel vengeful. Aggression keeping you keyed up? Do you hate red lights, stop signs? Wrestle with pride, unforgiveness, impatience? Have trouble stilling yourself before God?
That’s wonderful. God points these things out to show us our need for healing in these things. And, that’s just what He loves to do. He’s all about making us new.
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.
2 Corinthians 5:17
God can/will turn these around for you. Whatever the devil has told you you’re harnessed with can be redeemed in Jesus. We’re not left to these things, nor to ourselves. That’s just the devil’s lie. No, Christ can set us free from any annoyance we’ve picked up in life, and from our own fleshly tendencies. He can help us to come away from minding the flesh. Isn’t that exciting? God can make red signal lights enjoyable and restful as we stop and take time out in our day.
13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13
Just let it go and leave it with God. Let Him change you. If we’re willing, He can set us free to enjoy everything in our lives.
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden (burdened), and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28
Don’t believe God can do it? Like me, ask Him to heal your unbelief. ☺
Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good thing, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Psalm 103:1-5
In this was manifested the love of God toward us: that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.
1 John 4:9
For God SO LOVED the world that…
Just wanted you to know today how MUCH God loves you. “That” in John 3:16 is the extent of God’s love for you. He was willing to do whatever it took to show you His love for you.
He loves you and only wants the best for you.
16 “For God so loved the world (that’s you and me), that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
John 3:16-17
1 O God, do not be silent! Do not be deaf. Do not be quiet, O God. 2 Don’t you hear the uproar of your enemies? Don’t you see that your arrogant enemies are rising up? 3 They devise crafty schemes against your people; they conspire against your precious ones. 4 “Come,” they say, “let us wipe out Israel as a nation. We will destroy the very memory of its existence.”
17 Let them be ashamed and terrified forever. Let them die in disgrace. 18 Then they will learn that you alone are called the Lord, that you alone are the Most High, supreme over all the earth.
Psalm 83:1-5; 17-18
19 So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.
Isaiah 59:19
I was reading in the book of Isaiah the other day where the Assyrian king was threatening King Hezekiah in Jerusalem. Israel was greatly intimidated until the prophet Isaiah told King Hezekiah that God was going to turn back the Assyrians and kill the Assyrian king. That’s exactly what took place.
Sounds a lot like what’s going on today with Iran and Israel with the same impending outcome for Iran. When Israel’s enemies attack her in the last days, God’s going to destroy them as foretold in the Bible book of Ezekiel chapters 38-39.
God’s in control and we’re on the verge of seeing that carried out in the Middle East as Iran positions itself with military outposts in Syria. (Debka.com is pretty informative these days for accurate Israeli news.)
19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
Numbers 23:19
35 I will defend this city and save it, for my sake and for the sake of David my servant!” 36 Then the angel of the Lord went out and put to death a hundred and eighty-five thousand in the Assyrian camp. When the people got up the next morning—there were all the dead bodies! 37 So Sennacherib king of Assyria broke camp and withdrew. He returned to Nineveh and stayed there.
Isaiah 37:35-37
Very exciting times…
As Jesus commands us to do in Matthew chapter 24, keep looking up for our redemption is very near.
God’s in control…And the whole earth is about to find that out.
6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Philippians 1:6
We can be confident that if we continue to follow Christ that He’ll keep making us into His image. We’ll have His peace that passes understanding, we’ll truly believe that He’s working all things together for our good, we’ll be content in whatsoever state we’re in, we’ll find it easy to forgive those who trespass against us, we’ll be able to love our enemies, we’ll be free from sudden fear, we’ll be free indeed.
Keep walking with Jesus and following His lead. Nothing like our Jesus…Nothing.
4 Then as I looked, I saw a door standing open in heaven, and the same voice I had heard before spoke to me like a trumpet blast. The voice said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after this.” 2 And instantly I was in the Spirit, and I saw a throne in heaven and someone sitting on it. 3 The one sitting on the throne was as brilliant as gemstones—like jasper and carnelian. And the glow of an emerald circled his throne like a rainbow. 4 Twenty-four thrones surrounded him, and twenty-four elders sat on them. They were all clothed in white and had gold crowns on their heads. 5 From the throne came flashes of lightning and the rumble of thunder. And in front of the throne were seven torches with burning flames. This is the sevenfold Spirit of God. 6 In front of the throne was a shiny sea of glass, sparkling like crystal.
In the center and around the throne were four living beings, each covered with eyes, front and back. 7 The first of these living beings was like a lion; the second was like an ox; the third had a human face; and the fourth was like an eagle in flight. 8 Each of these living beings had six wings, and their wings were covered all over with eyes, inside and out. Day after day and night after night they keep on saying,
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty—
the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.”
9 Whenever the living beings give glory and honor and thanks to the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever), 10 the twenty-four elders fall down and worship the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever). And they lay their crowns before the throne and say,
11
“You are worthy, O Lord our God,
to receive glory and honor and power.
For you created all things,
and they exist because you created what you pleased.”
The Lamb (Jesus) Opens the Scroll
5 Then I saw a scroll in the right hand of the one who was sitting on the throne. There was writing on the inside and the outside of the scroll, and it was sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a strong angel, who shouted with a loud voice: “Who is worthy to break the seals on this scroll and open it?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll and read it.
4 Then I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll and read it. 5 But one of the twenty-four elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne, has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
6 Then I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne and the four living beings and among the twenty-four elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the sevenfold Spirit of God that is sent out into every part of the earth. 7 He stepped forward and took the scroll from the right hand of the one sitting on the throne. 8 And when he took the scroll, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. 9 And they sang a new song with these words:
“You are worthy to take the scroll
and break its seals and open it.
For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation.
10And you have caused them to become
a Kingdom of priests for our God.
And they will reign on the earth.”
11 Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders. 12 And they sang in a mighty chorus:
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered—
to receive power and riches
and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and blessing.”
13 And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang:
“Blessing and honor and glory and power
belong to the one sitting on the throne
and to the Lamb forever and ever.”
14 And the four living beings said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped the Lamb.
Revelation Chapters 4-5
Truly, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty—
the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.”
I’m gonna keep on telling folks about Jesus. I’m gonna keep on writing and keep on loving and pointing folks to Calvary. I found Jesus, and let me tell you, brother (and sister) that’s enough for me. (Lyric taken from “I’m Gonna Keep On” by Bill Gaither (My Edits).
Secular motivational speakers have many catchy phrases and promising ideas, but they can’t offer their seminar participants Jesus so they can’t give them the Holy Spirit to watch over their souls and minds. The Holy Spirit is given only to those who have accepted Jesus as their Savior to comfort them and to help them renew their minds.
Okay, this email is a little longer and it’s something that’s been brewing in the back of my soul for years. I just got so encouraged to share it with you and the Lord let me put it all down in this email. Praise the Lord!
4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
2 Corinthians 10:4
I have to tell you about an experience I had back in the early 90s while meeting with a headhunter. His office was in a building not far from where a really famous (I won’t mention his name, but he’s even instructed/advised US Presidents) secular motivational speaker’s office is located in the UTC area of San Diego. The headhunter mentioned this motivational speaker by name and then told me, “You know, that guy doesn’t live a thing he’s teaching.”
Honestly, that didn’t surprise me.
A few years ago, I walked into the North County San Diego office of another world-renowned motivational speaker – he also teaches about how to overcome fear, become successful, etc. I was telling his receptionist I knew all about fear and how to overcome it when the actual motivational speaker himself stepped out of his office right behind her. He took one look at me and kind of shrank back a little bit in his spirit – He had a big question mark all over his face and body. It was really odd. At that moment, I knew this man didn’t have Jesus and was merely sharing a lot of secular information with anyone who’d listen.
Yesterday, I was listening to a youtube video. The video was the testimony of another young fellow who was, at one time, supposed to be the next Zig Ziglar. Although this young man never attended college, he’d read and studied a lot of the available worldly motivational material including the material of the men who have their offices in the San Diego area.
Why am I telling you this? Well, the young man who was supposed to be the next Zig Ziglar said he now advises people not to spend a dime on all the motivational material he’d put out over the last several years, and that the people who’d attended his seminars had wasted their $1k entrance fee. He said that what he was teaching them never really did much for him and didn’t really work in the end. In the end, he lost everything including his marriage…And, nearly his life. He’d finally realized all that information had just filled his life with strife and stress. It never had brought him any peace.
So what finally did work for this young man?
Jesus.
With Jesus, we have the supernatural information, the Word, and weapons to walk in real newness of life. It’s true for anyone who will do the Word, for anyone who will act on Jesus’ teachings.
This world’s motivational speakers will probably not tell you to praise and thank God in all things, that God is able to work all things together for the good of those who love Him, and that God can truly teach them to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.
Fellow Christians, we have been given the greatest teachings and blessings in the universe – And, it’s all free. Because Christ has overcome this world, as His children, we can overcome this world.
33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
John 16:33
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Romans 12:2
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:35-39
Oh, thank you, Jesus! Thank You, precious Holy Spirit, for helping us to be truly set free as You live in us and teach us God’s ways.
God please bring the secular motivational speakers to You. Open their eyes to Jesus.
I have a cold and am feeling pretty tired. And, I wasn’t sure I had anything to share with you today. Then, Jesus reminded me that I never do have anything to share with you, but that I can rest in Him and His provision as He encourages me/us each day. It’s so neat how the Lord comes into our every day lives and circumstances to share His transforming life with us.
Boy, I just love the verse below. It reminds me of how in His love for us, God teaches us that He’s with us in every one of life’s storms that try to capsize us. Jesus is in our boat, folks. With Jesus, we’ll never go down. He always leads us through. ☺
14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
2 Corinthians 2:14
Man, don’t you just love Jesus. What an incredible Savior. Never a dull moment. I’d follow Him anywhere – always an adventure. It must have been so amazing to be one of His disciples while He was on earth. Following Him around would have been so wonderful and life-altering. Now, we get to follow where He leads each one of us. Life (and He is the Life) doesn’t get any better than that.
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 14:6
I love you all. Think of how much Jesus loves you. ☺
Jesus: “Come on, let’s go. I’ll show you the new victories I have in store for you today as, together, we love those around us, bring them peace and joy, and walk in newness of life each and every day.”
In His grace, God takes us through trials to show us He’s always with us. He does so to teach us that His grace is sufficient (to teach us His ample faithfulness) for us, that He’ll never leave us nor forsake us, and that He always causes us to triumph so we can get used to trusting Him in all things…always. This is so loving and all-powerful.
The following was so good and soothing that I just had to share it with you.
*******
Prayer Produces Patience and Hope
By Joyce Meyer
Moreover [let us also be full of joy now!] let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance. And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character (approved faith and tried integrity). And character [of this sort] produces [the habit of] joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation.
Romans 5:3-4
It is easy to say, “Don’t worry.” But to actually do that requires experience with the faithfulness of God. When we trust God and then see and experience His faithfulness in our lives, it gives us great confidence to live without worry, fear and anxiety.
That’s why it is so important to continue to have faith and trust in God in the very midst of trials and tribulations. With God’s help, we can steadfastly resist the temptation to give up and quit when the going gets rough. God uses those hard, trying times to build in us patience, endurance, and character that will eventually produce the habit of joyful and confident hope.
Always remember that when you are in a battle, you are gaining valuable experience that will benefit you in the future. You will more easily trust God when difficulty comes, and you will be able to testify to others regarding the goodness and faithfulness of God. If you are in a battle right now, you can let it defeat you or make you stronger! Make the right decision and let it help bring you into a deeper level of spiritual maturity.
We serve a God Who is so marvelous that He can work out things for our good that Satan intends for harm.
“I will rest in Your (Jesus) love
Put my trust in your goodness
And set my thoughts on peaceful things above…”
Your sweet, sweet Holy Spirit
Your beautiful, ever-present Presence
Your unwavering devotion and covenant
Your wisdom in bringing Annie and me together, and blessing us with such beautiful daughters and sons-in-law
Your love for me
Your peace, rest and joy
Your faithfulness to me
Your goodness is better than anything else I may have desired
Your protection over me
Your promises to me
Your care for me
Your Word that tells me about the wonder found in You
Your never-ending working in my life that renews me
Your endless life springing up in me
Your physical, emotional and spiritual provision
Your Name that guards my life
Your matchless power to transform me
Yes, Lord, such peaceful things, ABOVE.
Jesus, You make me to lie down in green pastures: You lead me beside the still waters. You restore my soul: You lead me in the paths of righteousness for Your Name’s sake.
Truly, Lord, You are my blessed shepherd…You are my green pastures, my still waters, restoring me in You by leading me to the safe, joyful, righteous ways found only in You.
Take time to think about Heaven today and this weekend. Things ABOVE. ☺
God bless,
Mark Quote from “I will Rest In Your Love” by Marty Nystrom
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
1 Corinthians 2:14
Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Galatians 5:24
I hope I can make the following clear and understandable because I believe it’s really important, especially today.
I’m becoming aware of something I wanted to share with you. You’ve probably noticed it as well.
While it’s been true in the past as well, I’m seeing more and more Christians and pastor/teachers feeding and expanding their intellectual understanding while neglecting to crucify their flesh – crucifying the flesh maintains humility which is vitally necessary in order to follow Christ. As a result, many Christians and pastor/teachers are opening themselves up to theological and spiritual error, and to the world’s influence as well. This can be seen clearly in the spirit of mammon that’s trying to dominate Christians. That type of focus will send us off in many damaging directions and puff up the flesh instead of crucifying the flesh.
The only thing I know of that will unite the church and give the mind proper, biblical discernment is to become Christ’s disciples by continuing in His Word. Only in doing the Word will the flesh be crucified – Knowledge of the Word is not enough.
Then said Jesus to those Jews who believed in Him, “If ye continue in My Word, then are ye My disciples indeed.”
John 8:31
I believe that what Jesus meant in John 8:31 was that if we continue to learn and do His Word, all areas of our lives would become free from the impact our flesh has on us. We would be more free from pride and other pressures of the flesh.
If we’re not crucifying the flesh by living the Word, by being doers of the Word, the flesh will continue to dominate us and attempt to dominate and control our spirits. As we all know, the flesh has a voracious appetite and will fight all attempts to be taken over. It has little discernment and is open to pride – Satan’s downfall. Pride feeds the intellect and dispels the notion that the flesh must be crucified.
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
James 1:22
Christ commands us to be doers of the Word if we’re to become His disciples. It’s the only way I know of to become free indeed.
Please don’t misunderstand me here. I’m not saying we need to discard our minds and intellect. But, both need to be brought under the control of the Holy Spirit by renewing them to the Word of God.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Romans 12:2
27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
John 14:27
I’ve never had God’s peace while living for the flesh. On the other hand, the more I listen to the leading of the Holy Spirit, the more my flesh is dying and the more free I’m becoming in the peace, rest, and joy of the Lord.
28 Come unto me (Jesus), all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28
Sometimes I think God has brought me so far from the fearful life I was living years ago. Then, I discover more of His love and care over my life and I realize there’s a never-ending depth to His love and delivering mercy, peace, rest, grace and joy. We have such a wonderful Savior.
This song (I put it on “loop” and let its loving message sink deep in my spirit. So refreshing.) reminds me of how incredibly thankful I am that He called me out of the darkness into His marvelous light. “Thank you, Jesus.”
15 “See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. 16 If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God[a] that I command you today, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules,[b] then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. 17 But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away to worship other gods and serve them, 18 I declare to you today, that you shall surely perish. You shall not live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to enter and possess. 19 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, 20 loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.”
Deuteronomy 30:15-20
2 “Repent (or, exchange our ways for God’s ways), for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Matthew 3:2
Satan will do all he can to keep us from having harmony in our relationships because he wants to steal, kill and destroy us. He’s been destroying us with lies from the beginning in the Garden of Eden. The last thing he wants is for us to be doers of God’s Word.
I think it’s really something how God mentions in the Bible’s book of Isaiah that if we continue to choose to live in our ways that the result will be that we oppose each other through increasing disharmony.
On the other hand, if we repent, if we turn from our ways and choose to begin to learn about God’s ways to live, we’ll have more harmony between us. This is why it’s so important to be doers of the Word, of His ways.
6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.
John 14:6 NLT
How do we learn and put God’s ways in our lives? By reading the Bible to see what Jesus has to say about how we should live our lives in this world. This is how we’ll stop opposing each other and move towards harmony.
We weren’t built to live in today’s world. No, we were designed to live in Eden. That’s why God’s drawing us back to Him…
Earlier this week, I was reading in the book of Isaiah in the Bible and God was talking about spiritual conditions getting so bad (they’d left God’s ways and were living in their own ways – never good) in the lives of the Israelites that they began “opposing” each other. Wow, sounds like today, like what happens in marriages, and society as a whole. We can even get to the point that we oppose ourselves.
Wow, there’s nothing like being drawn closer and closer to Jesus. If you’re like me and have problems that can’t be resolved or seem to be never-ending, rejoice!
Yes, rejoice!
Often, God works through problems we face to draw us to Him. His “chosen” (those He knows have ears to hear) people have issues that force them to become close to Him, to find out His ways.
You’re “chosen,” precious one. Hallelujah!
Boy, I have some great news for you this morning. Ann and I were talking about some of the recent trials some people we know are going through. I started to analyze their troubles and couldn’t figure out how they were going to resolve their matters – I could feel care and a spiritual heaviness coming over me. The devil even whispered in my ear that God wasn’t going to be able to help them and that those people were stuck in their situations. It was pretty discouraging.
Well, I got up to go do something when I decided to read some of the Bible. Wow, the Lord began speaking to me about how exciting it is when we come to dead-ends with no apparent way out. He told me when there’s no way out, just like what happened (and still happens from time to time) to me many years ago, that’s when God’s allowing circumstances in our lives to make us turn to Him – He’s funneling us to Him. This is exactly the same thing that happened to Israel in the Bible.
In His matchless, supernatural understanding and love for His people, He allowed things to build up in their lives until they turned back to Him, to His loving, liberating, joy-producing, life-sustaining ways – This is when times of refreshing come – That’s so exciting and exactly the message in Merlin Carothers’ book, “Power In Praise.” Merlin states over and over that it doesn’t matter what series of circumstances makes you focus on God, all that matters is that you do. God is the way around all life’s obstacles.
Now the devil will try to make us think we need to resolve matters in our own power, strength or intellect because he will do anything to keep us from turning to God and incorporating His ways in our lives. Feeling pressure, or like you just can’t go on? Praise God! Seek God! He’s your answer.
2 I (the Apostle Paul) want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself. 3 In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I am telling you this so no one will deceive you with well-crafted arguments. 5 For though I am far away from you, my heart is with you. And I rejoice that you are living as you should and that your faith in Christ is strong.
Colossians 2:2-5
Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life.
John 6:68
“You can have all this world…Give me Jesus.”
“God of wonders beyond our galaxy, You are Holy…”
O Lord GOD, You have begun to show Your servant Your greatness and Your strong hand; for what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do such works and mighty acts as Yours?
Deuteronomy 3:24
This almighty God Who performs such supernatural feats has called you by name. He’s done all of this for you, so you could know Him in all His glory. Your Heavenly Father loves you and thinks about you all day, every day…If you listen just now, you’ll hear Him calling you by name.
Take time to think about Heaven today and this weekend.
“The emerging churches are teaching error. They’re saying little to nothing about the cross, etc. As a result, most Christians are in the perfect state of mind to view Islam as closely related to what they believe – The pastor of one of the largest churches in America told me he sees Islam as very closely related to our Christianity. Christians are being setup to be deceived like I’ve never seen before.” Ravi Zacharias (Edits mine)
I’m so blessed to have attended a Baptist Church while growing up. Yes, I know what people think about Baptists and I’ve had my own misgivings about much of what they’re about. But, at least they gave me the Word, had me memorizing it, and taught me how to renew my mind (I had to renew my mind in order to survive the avalanche of enemy thoughts that came against me while growing up) with it even if most of them weren’t doing it.
Please bear with me in this email. I’ve been hearing and reading so much lately about how most Christians do not know what they even believe. The sources are stating this is due to so many churches and Christian teaching targeting everything but how to renew the mind to the Word of God. So many Christians have no peace, are living with fear, past hurts, controlling lives, anxiety, frantic unbelief, and unforgiveness. They’re vengeful, carnal, and not reading their Bibles nor becoming doers of the Word.
Fellow Christians, I believe in healing and God’s provision, but too many Christians are seeking miracles, prosperity, and a trouble and tribulation-free life that they’re leading a defeated thought life. They’re not taking enemy darts (thoughts) captive to the obedience of Christ, they’re being taught to question any teaching about taking up our cross daily, they’re not praising God nor thanking Him in all things, and they’re acting like God isn’t working all things together for their good so they don’t really believe God’s in control today.
I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to renew your mind to the Bible. Please, do whatever it takes to begin to do so – memorize pertinent scriptures, follow Christian teaching that gives you the whole Word, read books about the battle for the mind, test the spirit behind each thought and take destructive thoughts captive instead of letting them linger in your mind. One of the best books I’ve ever read on the battle for our minds is Pastor Brian Brodersen’s book, “Spiritual Warfare, Fighting The Good Fight Of Faith.” You can get it at the following Amazon link:
Please don’t kid yourself (that thought is really a lie from the devil) by thinking you don’t need to renew your mind. Believe me, you’re not smart enough to take on the devil without renewing your mind because his lies are spiritually discerned. Dr. Neil Anderson (very left-brained and a past aerospace engineer) points that out in his material. Neil’s “Victory Over The Darkness” and “Bondage Breaker” material is excellent.
A renewed mind is the only weapon we truly have when it comes to the enemy’s deceptive lies, half-truths, and attempts to steal, kill and destroy us (John 10:10).
I’ve attached a list (in PDF format) of the verses God had me memorize back in the 80s. I needed these verses to drive back the lies of the enemy. These verses are a good place to begin to believe God and to walk into the spiritual freedom He has for everyone of His children.
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles (devious and cunning schemes and strategies) of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Ephesians 6:10-18
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Romans 12:2
By the way, if you scoff at or think that I’m being too dramatic in what I’ve shared above, you’re already deceived.
