Month: May 2018

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.
Ephesians 6:12

Ann and I were watching a Messianic Rabbi Jonathan Cahn video the other day where Jonathan was talking about resisting the fear of the our enemy and continuing on with what God has asked you to do.  Ann told me, “Mark, you can’t let the enemy make you feel stupid, or intimidate you when you make a mistake.  We’re not perfect.  Only Jesus is perfect.  We’re going to make mistakes…probably even today or tonight.  That’s part of life.”

This is a perfect example of how Ann and I minister to each other as husband and wife.  We test the spirit behind any and all thoughts and act accordingly.  We stir up the gifts of God in our lives and stand on the truths found in His Word, the Bible.

Don’t give satan your attention.  Don’t draw back because of the devil’s lies.

Soon after Ann told me this it occurred to me that anything we give our attention to that’s attempting to steal, kill and destroy what God’s doing in our lives in an idol – it’s instead of God, it’s taking His place in our life, even if only for a short time.  These idols (complacency, deception, etc.) are trying to take the place of God’s truth in our lives.  The devil wants our attention and he’ll do anything he can to take our minds off God’s Word/work in us. God’s changing us from glory to glory.  The devil will try to stop this progression.  He’ll use any means (he usually uses the same old lie since he knows it worked in the past) to derail us from continuing on in God. Satan wants us to bow down to him, his lies and deception.

Rabbi Jonathan Cahn encourages us to stand strong and fight the fight against the false gods or idols in our lives…

The above youtube video isn’t the video Ann and were listening to earlier, but Jonathan’s talk is SO good in the above video regarding the idols we’re not even aware of that are trying to get us to bow down to them.  I hope you’ll take 4 minutes and listen to it – It’s that good.  There’s SO much liberty in what he’s sharing here.

Per Jonathan in the above video, as Christians, we don’t ever need to bow down to the idols of fear, worry, temptation, political correctness, depression, discouragement, shame, our past…None of these!  God’s telling us not to bow the knee to them just as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego didn’t in Daniel 3.

16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.

17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.

18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
Daniel 3:16-18

God had them stand and showed them His salvation.  Whether we live or die, because we’ve taken a stand for God, we win!

33 These things I (Jesus) 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

This is so powerful!

God bless,

Mark

Always remember, “Then he answered and spoke unto me, saying, “This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ saith the Lord of hosts.”  Zechariah 4:6

The longer I walk with Jesus, the more I realize that when I’m weak (like when a migraine saps most of my physical strength and mental acuity), then I’m strong because of His faithfulness, love, grace and mercy.  I’m learning, more and more, that apart from Him I can do nothing (John 15:5).  God really comes through for me the more I’m yielded to Him like when I come to the end of my own strength.  It’s pretty wonderful…

*******

Satan will always tell us, “Don’t try being a “doer” of the Word.  You’ll fail and look like a fool.”  A fool?  Really?  To whom?  Man?  Do I fear man more than God?  No!  With Your help, Lord, I’ll not forsake You.  I will be Your “doer” even when I have little of my own strength.

God is as fierce in battle as He is gentle as our Father.
אלוהים הוא עז בקרב הוא עדין כמו אבא שלנו

God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit – the real life, supernatural superheros from the Heavenly realm.

I’ve never liked bullies.  Maybe like me you like movies and stories about heroes overcoming all and winning in the end – with God, we don’t have to wait until the end.  You know, good guy/bad guy themes where the hero appears for such a time as this.  I love it when the calvary comes over the hill at just the right time.  Growing up, I liked Clint Eastwood, John Wayne, Star Wars, and other such movies.  I don’t know, I just love it when the bad guy gets his in the end.  I also loved, Snow White, Beauty and Beast and other, similar stories.  Guess I’m a romantic at heart as well.

Ann and I know we’re suppose to stand for God in our lives – for such a time as this.  We’ve been scared to death and we’ve gotten so sick of the fear (all the bullies) that’s come against us over the years.  Honestly, Ann and I don’t know much else other than to keep standing for Jesus however we can each day.  Do we still get hit with intimidation and fear?  Do we still feel like we can’t go on at times?  Do we get weary in the battle?  Yes.  But, we both know God won’t let us retreat, and He keeps refreshing and revitalizing us when we need it the most.  He’s blessing us for standing and He keeps leading us into more battles to bring us victories.

Satan resists praising God with all his puny might.  Why?  Because He wants to keep you bound to whatever he’s harming you with – pride, the fear of man (that one will really keep us from praising God and locked up in bondage), self-sufficiency, bitterness, resentment, unforgiveness, insecurity, hate, lust, jealousy, intimidation, fear, you name it.  God inhabits the praises of His people.  When we think of praising God, we’re often met with fearful, strange resistance.  Something weird comes out of no where to keep us from praising God.  That’s because there’s no way on earth that the devil wants God to come on the scene.  When we praise God, God shows up.  Mighty angels are requisitioned on our behalf to intervene.  The calvary comes over the hill.  The real superhero of hero’s, God Almighty, comes to our rescue.  So, don’t be surprised that when you think of praising God that your attempt to do so will be met with a strange resistance of fear, intimidation, pride, feeling like a fool, etc.  Praise God and see the deliverance of THE Lord.

And, it’s the same with every other scripture God commands us to put into action in our lives.  God’s trying to rescue us and satan’s trying to keep us from believing and acting on the Word.  Believe Romans 8:28.  Believe you can cast all your cares on Jesus.  Believe you can be careful for nothing.  Believe that God will always back you up when you take a stand and operate in faith.

But without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6).  God works in those who step out in faith, those who believe His Word and act on it regardless of the amount or kind of resistance that comes against believing.

The Bible’s full of superheros, bad guy/good guy stories, romance, faithfulness, bullies and the rest.  It’s the real deal for anyone who like me, likes to see the good guys win in the end and the bad guy get his just reward.  In God’s will, I don’t only get to read about other heroes and how God showed up at just right time for His people.  I get to live it myself without any striving.  Go ahead, make your (and God’s) day.  Follow Jesus’ lead.

Saul thought Goliath was too big to fight.  David thought Goliath was too large to miss.

Baruch Hashem Adonai כבוד שם יהוה – Blessed be the Name of the Lord!

God wants to bless us with all that He is!

Whoa, what’s that hanging in my Bible?  It looks like a superhero suit. Hmmm.  Could it be…

Like David, am I being asked to load my sling?  Am I to sleep with lions like Daniel?  Is there a chance I could stand down today’s false prophets (fear, hate, unforgiveness, worry, jealousy, generational sins and fears) of Baal like Elijah?  In my life, is it possible to see the turn around Paul, Silas and Joseph experienced?  Could I really see miracles like Ruth, Esther, and Sara witnessed?  Will I choose to live like those in Hebrews chapter 11?

“Yes, Lord Jesus, King of Kings, I will!”

Go ahead, put on that superhero suit (two of my favorites suits are the garment of praise and the whole armor of God mentioned in Isaiah 61:3 and Ephesians 6:11)…You’ll find that, because the suit was Tailor-made for you, it fits perfectly.  Be God’s superhero, with all of Heaven’s resources and those who’ve gone on before you cheering you on, for such a time as this.  You’ll be glad you did – for all eternity.

Do it for God, for Jesus and the Holy Spirit, for your wife/husband and family, for the others you know who are looking for something real.  You have everything to gain and nothing but fear (and all the rest of the devil’s intimidating lies) to lose.  You’ll (and quite possibly, others) never be the same.  God will see to it!

We’ll never have another time like earth.  For such a time as this!  Onward and upward!

God bless,

Mark

The following isn’t shared out of self-pity.  Nope.  Just the opposite.  Be bold.  Be who God wants you to be, who He’s making you.  Leave the past.  Move ahead in God every day.  Don’t let the enemy intimidate you or make you feel like you lack what it takes to stand for God in whatever capacity He’s chosen for your life.  Step out in faith and watch the salvation of the Lord.

In school, I was in remedial reading and English classes.  I had very little reading comprehension.  It drove me nuts.  I was in “dumbbell English” in junior high, and junior college.  I’ve never had a clever sense of humor.  I’ve just always been an encourager.  And, I’ve discovered that’s exactly what God wants me to be/do.

Ann and I were in Hobby Lobby yesterday and I saw a well-written Christian book.  The writer had some soothing words and was a lot better writer than me.  I showed the book to Ann and told her I can’t write like that.  She told me, “You don’t need to.  God just wants you to share from your heart the work He’s doing in you and the hope He’s given you.”

Last evening, we were listening to a pastor talk about how he hasn’t been to Bible college.  He said he can relate to what Paul shares in the following verses.

1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.

2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.

4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God (It’s not hard, if God’s really changing you as you work out your salvation (Philippians 2:12), tell people about it.  That has a lot to do with what is meant by “but in the power of God.”).
1 Corinthians 2:1-5

Yep, that about sums me up as well.  I may not be a very good writer.  That’s okay.  I just want you to know God will meet you wherever you are.  In fact, He’ll make you an overcomer, and full of joy, if you’ll become a doer of His Word, if you’ll put His Word into action in your life right where you are.  You’ll find that He backs up His Word, and that He’ll never leave you nor forsake you.

The most important thing is to be faithful to Him Who’s called you to this blessed hope known as the gospel, the good news.  This life is all about Jesus.  There’s really nothing else out there – Nothing else…

Praise Jesus!

God bless,

Mark

It’s the most incredible thing to me that He can replace me with Him.  He can replace my care with His care for me, replace my tendency to worry with trusting Him always, replace my bitterness, resentment and fear with His forgiveness, joy, peace and faith.

if we are faithless, he (Jesus) remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.
2 Timothy 2:13

I often praise the Lord just to bring me closer to Him, to set my mind on Him and His wonderful dwelling place of the Most High there above the things of earth.  I love His safe, sure-footed, peaceful, secure, loving, joyful Presence.

It’s so neat how I can be having my own thoughts about the day, about something I’m working on , about a matter and not be sure what I should do and to have Jesus remind me to praise Him.  Praising Jesus brings Him on the scene because He inhabits our praise.  Once I begin to praise Him, I become more calm, more focused and He begins to help me figure out how to handle things.  Jesus is so wonderful.  What a privilege to be His child.

Is anyone among you in trouble?  Let them pray. Is anyone happy?  Let them sing songs of praise.
James 5:13 NIV (All verses below are NIV)

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort
2 Corinthians 1:3

Of David.  Praise the LORD, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Psalm 103:1

“Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them.”
Luke 1:68

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Psalm 139:14

Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits –
Psalm 103:2

Let the truth of Your Kingdom, Jesus, reign in us.  Let the weight of Your glory cover us.

God bless,

Mark

God Bless,

Mark

When anxiety (a multitude of thoughts) was great within me, your consolation (comfort) brought me joy.
Psalm 94:19

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
James 1:2-3

Clap your hands, all peoples!  Shout to God with loud songs of joy!
Psalm 47:1

The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.
Proverbs 10:28

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 1:8-9

This day is holy to our Lord.  Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
Nehemiah 8:10b

Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.
Isaiah 12:6

Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.
Philemon 1:7

Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD.
Psalm 27:6

and those the LORD has rescued will return.  They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads.  Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.
Isaiah 35:10

A person finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word!
Proverbs 15:23

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,
Romans 14:17

fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.  For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2

Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head:  they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.
Isaiah 51:11

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13

God bless,

Mark

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
John 3:16-17

Regarding the Bible, there’s a lot of talk these days about “behavior modification” and it’s being used in a negative context.  A number of pastors have been tricked by satan to tell their congregations that they don’t need to change their lives or adhere to a list of Biblical dos and don’ts.  “Jesus, please show these pastors and their congregations the truth of Your Word, Your love.”

I like to be rubbed.  It removes soreness and makes me sleepy and relaxed.  Kind of revitalizes me.

I love to read and look at the individual words that make up scriptures – Words like peace, still, calm, joy, love, forgive.  I love to soak in them (as if the words are the hot water in a soothing bath) and let them minister to me as they convey God’s truths, love, mercy, peace and joy to me.  “Be careful for nothing; Be not afraid of sudden fear; Let the peace of God reign in your heart; Be still and know that I am God; Husbands love your wives; Casting all your care on Him for He careth for you; He works all things together for good; The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want…And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever,” and on and on.  The words in those God-inspired, loving directives/enlightenments calm me down, relax me, comfort me, fill me with faith, strength for the day, hope and love.  Through His Word, my soul receives a much needed massage as the kinks of living on earth get rubbed out and replaced by God’s great, and fathomless understanding and love.  His Words definitely revitalize me (Isaiah 40:31 and Jeremiah 15:16).

16 I pray that from his (God’s) glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.  17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him (Letting His Word dwell in you richly).  Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.  18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his (God) love is.  19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully.  Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
Ephesians 3:16-19

The Word lists dos and don’ts, but they’re there to show us our loving Heavenly Fathers care for our souls.  Through words, He communicates and expresses His supernatural, matchless, infinite, deep love for us, how much He values our souls, as He soothes our lives and revitalizes our spirits with His transforming truths.

Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives.  Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives.  Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.
Colossians 3:16

Soak in His love words and let them minister His abounding, deep care for your life.  Then, as you receive God’s love and encouragement in your own life, comfort others with His love and care.

who (God) comforts and encourages us in every trouble so that we will be able to comfort and encourage those who are in any kind of trouble, with the comfort (the same loving massage the Word has brought to our lives) with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
2 Corinthians 1:4

“Oh, thank you, Jesus.”

God bless,

Mark

Ann and I loved each other when we first got married.  We just needed some guidance to know how to live in all the discoveries of joy Jesus has for marriage.  Fortunately, God had us move to Oregon to become involved in a church that could help us begin to see all that God had for our marriage.

Back in the 80s, our church counselor, Chuck, gave me the book, “Do Yourself a Favor:  Love Your Wife.”  The book really opened my eyes, showed me how selfish I really was and how that was hurting us.  The book also gave me a whole new picture of how I needed to love my wife.  It showed me how to lay down my life for her and clarified scripture that spoke of husbands loving their wives as Christ loved the church.  Recently, I read “Captivating (Revised and Updated:  Unveiling The Mystery of a Woman’s Soul.)”  Again, the Lord is using the book’s message to bless me with more understanding for my wife.  The more I understand Ann, the more I love her with Christ’s love and I find that my love for her grows.

I encourage you to seek out material that helps you love your mate the way Christ meant for us to love each other.  The rewards for doing so are so rich and deep.  His love of marriage is infinite and He brings that depth of love to our relationships if we’ll ask Him to help us grow in our understanding and love for each other.  And, we’ll understand more about God and love Him more.  That’s always a blessing to our souls.

Just this morning, Ann and I were discussing more about what we’re learning about Jesus.  It was really uplifting and powerful.  And once again, all over again, I felt the reason God brought us together.  He wanted to bless us with each other in Him.

Loving our wives as Christ loves the church will set us so free to enjoy all that God has for us as Christian men.  I promise you.  If you want the power of the resurrection in your life as a husband, learn to love your wife the way Jesus loves the church.  Die for her and let Jesus bring forth His powerful, immeasurable love and joy in you both.

God bless,

Mark

I had two very draining migraine headache attacks last week and I’m still dealing with the dizziness, memory loss, depression, anxiety and weakness from those migraines.  I’m telling you that I have felt super-discouraged and like giving in to the enemy’s lies trying to uproot my faith.  Now, I’m telling you this because the Lord always delivers me when I become this weak.  He reminds me of my three kingdom keys (that He’s still working all things together for my good; to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ; to praise and thank Him in all things), and of Messianic Rabbi Jonathan Cahn’s words about being tempted to give up and to think that “it’s all over” only to find God saying it’s not over and that you will see the salvation I (Jesus) bring to those who’ve lost their own strength only to discover My strength as I show them My faithfulness.  Folks, we serve the Lion Of Judah.  It doesn’t matter how weak you get in this world, this is what you look like to the enemy when you trust in the Lord with all your heart – especially when it’s all you have at any given moment:

The following is taken from Sarah Young’s Embracing Jesus daily devotional entry for May 16.

When you begin a day – or a task – feeling inadequate, remember this:  My grace is sufficient for you.  The present tense of the verb “is” highlights the continual availability of My wondrous grace.  So don’t waste energy regretting how weak you feel.  Instead, embrace you insufficiency – rejoicing that it helps you realize how much you need Me.  Come to Me for help, and delight in My infinite sufficiency!  My Power is made perfect in weakness.

As you go about a task in joyful dependence on Me, you will be surprised by how much you can accomplish.  Moreover, the quality of your work will be greatly enhanced by your collaboration with Me.  Ponder the astonishing privilege of living and working alongside Me, the King of kings and Lord of lords.  Seek to align yourself with My will, making yourself a living sacrifice.  This is a form of worship, and it pleases Me.  It also makes your life meaningful and joyful.  This is a tiny foretaste of the immense, indescribably glorious Joy that awaits you in Heaven!

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee:  for my strength is made perfect in weakness.  Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2 Corinthians 12:9

And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords.
Revelation 19:16

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Romans 12:1

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever.  Amen.
Jude 24-25

God bless,

Mark

We must not let the enemy’s lies steal all the blessings contained in waiting on the Lord (John 10:10).  There are such rich spiritual fruit/attributes learned and gleaned in the time of waiting on God (Galatians 5:22-23).

Wow, the Bible is full of great verses about waiting on God and His perfect timing.  Really encouraging words from the Holy Spirit in those passages.

For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie:  though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
Habakkuk 2:3

Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield.
Psalm 33:20

I wait for the LORD, my soul does wait, And in His word do I hope.
Psalm 130:5

Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD.
Psalm 27:14

Waiting – The Fertilizer Of Great Faith

Waiting on God teaches us to rely on Him in a way like nothing else can.

God’s training is unlike any other training.  Waiting on Him develops His character deep within us making us strong in the power of His might.  Waiting on the Lord replaces us with Him.

When you look back, you’ll see that God was in all of it.

Take Courage (He’s In The Waiting)
By Kristene DiMarco, Jeremy Riddle, and Joel Taylor

Slow down, take time
“Breathe in,” He said
He’ll reveal what’s to come
The thoughts in His mind
Always higher than mine
He’ll reveal all to come

Take courage my heart
Stay steadfast my soul
He’s in the waiting
He’s in the waiting
And hold onto your hope
As your triumph unfolds
He’s never failing
He’s never failing

Sing praise my soul
Find strength in joy
Let His words lead you on
Do not forget
His great faithfulness
He’ll finish all He’s begun

Take courage my heart
Stay steadfast my soul
He’s in the waiting
He’s in the waiting
And hold onto your hope
As your triumph unfolds
He’s never failing
He’s never failing

Take courage my heart
Stay steadfast my soul
He’s in the waiting
He’s in the waiting
And hold onto your hope
As your triumph unfolds
He’s never failing
He’s never failing

And You Who hold the stars
Who call them each by name
Will surely keep Your promise to me
That I will rise in Your victory

And You Who hold the stars
Who call them each by name
Will surely keep Your promise to me
That I will rise in Your victory

So take courage my heart
Stay steadfast my soul
He’s in the waiting
He’s in the waiting
And hold onto your hope
Watch your triumph unfold
He’s never failing
He’s never failing

So take courage my heart
Stay steadfast my soul
He’s in the waiting
He’s in the waiting
And hold onto your hope
Watch your triumph unfold
He’s never failing
He’s never failing

He’s in the waiting
He’s in the waiting
He’s in the waiting…

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31

Being confident (this is true faith in the face of everyday living) of this very thing, that he (God) which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Philippians 1:6

But you, O Lord, are a shield about me,
my glory, and the lifter of my head.
Psalm 3:3

*I will serve You (God) while I’m waiting…

God bless,

Mark
*Lyric from While I’m Waiting by John Waller

Happy Monday!

When fearful thoughts attack us, God gives us courage and tells us to choose faith and to trust Him in all things.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto
thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him,
and he shall direct thy paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6

Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of
the wicked, when it cometh.  For the Lord shall be thy
confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.
Proverbs 3:25-26

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

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you:  not as the world giveth, give I unto you (In other words, God’s peace is not based on the circumstances of this world so we don’t have to enter into the fear “the world” is experiencing due to circumstances).  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
John 14:27

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

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28

because greater is he (God through His Holy Spirit) that is in you, than he that is in the world.
1 John 4:4b

As a parent, there were many things I would not let my children do because I knew they would harm them – This is how God is with His kids.  In the same way, I don’t let fear trouble my heart.  Instead, I choose to let God’s Word lead me and to control my thinking.  This is how God helps me to maintain a “sound” mind.

Don’t let your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Be strong and of a good courage…Only be thou strong and very courageous…Have I not commanded thee?  Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed:  For (Because) the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest…Only be strong and of a good courage.
From Joshua Chapter 1

God bless,

Mark

The Rose Of Sharon in the Bible book of “The Song of Solomon” refers to perfection.  The idea is that in Christ is everything we need, everything that we can ever have the greatest pleasure and joy in – infinite delight.  There is nothing anywhere that can match the beauty He is, and all that He can bring to our lives.  Indeed, He is beauty, He is life.

I’ve always wanted my incredible wife, Ann, to have roses to enjoy.  We have some gorgeous red and white roses on the “Double Delight” rose tree on our small, front patio – see below.  For days now, I’ve been walking by them thinking how pretty they are.  Yesterday, I stopped to take a deep breath in as I smelled them.  It was then that I realized how they got their name, “Double Delight.” ☺

Those roses have the most incredibly, long-lasting, deep aroma that makes you want to stay there smelling them.

This morning, it dawned on me that the Lord wants me to be with Him (and not to merely walk by Him on my way to do something listed in my busy mind set), to take in His sweet Presence, to linger for a while taking in His precious, mind-soothing and healing aroma.  Nothing like our Prince of Peace. Breathe deep in His Presence.  Such rich, deep, beautiful fragrances in Jesus’ Presence – Truly, He’s the healing essence of life.

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us.  The government will rest on his shoulders.  And he will be called:  Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6

In The Presence of Jehovah

Oh, but when I come into His Presence, no doubts can interfere.

Just slip away and breathe His Name.  He will surely meet you there.

God bless,

Mark

I heard an interesting comment the other day.  “You can’t love God and hate Israel.”

As you may know, there are a few interesting events occurring in the next few days.

The Lebanese elections have concluded with Iranian-backed Shiite Muslims winning some important posts.  Some believe Iran was waiting for these elections to end before making more threats and initiating additional terror attacks in the Mid East and elsewhere.  Some countries are moving their embassies to Jerusalem flaring tensions around the world.  The US embassy is scheduled to make its official move next Monday.  President Trump was supposed to make his decision this coming Saturday regarding the Iran nuclear deal.  In lieu of last week’s Israeli revelations regarding Iran’s deception in the nuclear deal, President Trump has decided to make his decision about the deal today (Tuesday the 8th) at 11am PST.  As a result, nations are stepping up military operations in hopes of quelling any flair ups.  These activities will certainly come with some global challenges in the next few weeks.  All of this sounds a lot like the words in Matthew chapter 24 in the Bible.

I’m telling you all of this so that you’ll not be tempted to give into “sudden fear.”  Jesus told us these types of things would occur and to look up when they began to happen.  As the next few weeks unfold, remember that you do not have to give into sudden fear, or any fear for that matter, as you trust in Jesus’ care.

Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.  For (Because) the Lord (God, Almighty) shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.
Proverbs 3:25-26

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6

God bless,

Mark

Happy Monday, Everyone –

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:  he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil:  for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:  thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:  and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Psalm 23

for thou art with me…

God bless each of you,

Mark