Month: June 2018

Are you like me?  Are you a “Martha” trying to become more like “Mary?”

Today, it’s really easy to become like Martha in that famous Bible story in the book of Luke.  It’s easy to rationalize being really busy, to take on unnecessary stress or fear, to get so caught up in and carried away with the “day-to-day” that I become more and more distracted and distant from the peace and order sitting at Jesus’ feet gives me.  Thankfully, Jesus reminds me of my need for Him and brings me back into close fellowship with Him like Mary in that same Bible story.  Jesus is what’s needful.  There’s nothing like dwelling with Him.

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.  She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.  Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.  She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself?  Tell her to help me!”  “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one.  Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:38-42

God bless,

Mark

Jesus is the Word so the way to get to know Him better is to spend time with Him.  Reading the Word, the Bible, helps me to get better acquainted with Jesus, to find out what He’s really like.

I like to say verses of scripture out loud.  I like to say them (like the 23 Psalm, for instance) until I begin to say them slower.  I find that when that occurs, I’m having more peace, and trusting more in Jesus.  It helps me unwind.

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

It’s so good to remind myself of Jesus’ love and care for me, that He’s in control and that nothing that happens during my day is outside His watchful eye and attention.  Truly, Jesus is my Shepherd.

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.  Mmmm – Such a  peaceful, restful place…

God bless,

Mark

I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him (Jesus) from the dead.  I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!  I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection.  But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.  No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing:  Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
Philippians 3:10-14

God bless,

Mark

Well, I’ve been having a number of migraines again – Nope, this isn’t a pity party email.  Migraines can leave me feeling pretty feeble, lost and scared.  Probably why I need Jesus as much as I do. ☺

Anyway, after having another migraine attack Saturday, I’d been pretty scared about life and wondering, timidly, about our future.  I shared this with Ann who was lying in bed with a fever and achy all over.  She reminded me of a really neat entry in one of Sarah Young’s daily devotionals.  It really hit home with me, and even though I didn’t feel any different, I knew what she was sharing was truth.  We stand on truth, precious people, not feelings.

Here’s Sarah’s entry in her Jesus Calling daily devotional.

*******

Do not let fears and worries about the future slow you down now, live in the present.  Just let all of your fears and worries go into His Arms and His Light. He will rid you of them.  There is no need to worry about the future because He is with you always.  You are picturing the future without Him whether you realize it or not.  Because He is the same today and tomorrow and forever He will always be taking care of you.  He is the only one who really knows your future.  So just quit worrying.

Anytime a worry about the future pops into your head, just push it away into the Light that God is shining upon you.  “Say to yourself, ‘Jesus will be with me then and there.  With His help, I can cope!'”  Return your mind to the present time and moment where Jesus is always living!

Luke 12:22-26 (NLT)
Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear.  For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. Look at the ravens.  They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them.  And you are far more valuable to him than any birds!  Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?  And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?

Deuteronomy 31:6 (NLT)
So be strong and courageous!  Do not be afraid and do not panic before them.  For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you.  He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

2 Corinthians 10:5 (NLT)
We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God.  We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.

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The gist of Sarah’s writing is that Jesus is with us.  I needed to stop seeing the future alone, without my precious Jesus. Jesus is with us right now, a minute from now, an hour from now, a day, week, month, year or decade from now.  He’s always with us!  He holds the future in His Almighty hands and has never failed me.  Always picture the future with Christ.

God bless,

Mark

When I read this verse, it reminds me to take a deep breath and to let God be God.  Through this precious passage, He reminds me that He’s still in control…

God bless,

Mark

Well, I found that if I didn’t praise Him, I was tempted to get upset, frustrated, worried, bitter, etc.  I’ve found that praising God brings Him on the scene and calms me down.  I’m open to His voice at that time.  The other reason I praise Him is that the Bible commands me to do so in many verses.

For me, it was difficult at first to praise God in all things.  I wasn’t willing to do it.  I found out that I was really holding a grudge against God for not working things out the way I wanted Him to in my life.  Not good.  Once I began praising Him in all things, I found, more and more, that I wanted to surrender my will to His plan for my life.  That’s really good to do, and although it involves waiting for His plans for my life to be unveiled, I trust Him when I praise Him.  Keeps me living with the right perspective.  I don’t know what He’s up to a lot of the time, but I know He’s working all things together for my good because He knows I love Him.

I will praise the Lord no matter what happens.  I will constantly speak of his glories and grace.  I will boast of all his kindness to me.  Let all who are discouraged take heart.  Let us praise the Lord together and exalt his name.
Psalm 34:1-3

God bless,

Mark

The following is taken from “GotQuestions.Org.”

Question:  “How is God our refuge?”

Answer:  What does the word refuge make you think of Maybe an imposing building with locks on the doors, maybe a thick-walled fortress, or perhaps something as simple as a canopy to keep you dry in a rainstorm.  Whatever picture comes to mind, it can be agreed that a refuge is a safe place.  When the Bible describes God as our refuge, it is saying that God is our safe place when we need protection from something.

Knowing God as our refuge enables us to trust Him more freely.  We need not fear situations or people who threaten our well-being, whether in a physical or spiritual sense.  There is no situation we will ever face that is out of God’s control, so the best place to be, always, is right with Him.  “The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe” (Proverbs 18:10).

A question that arises is “how do I make God my refuge?”  It’s easy to picture a physical refuge protecting us from some danger, but how can we make God—whom we can’t see—our refuge?

David is a great example of someone who knew God as his refuge.  At different points in his life, David was on the run from people who literally wanted to kill him, but he always found safety in God.  “My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.  Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge” (Psalm 62:7–8).  An easy way to make God our refuge is to simply ask Him to be.  David said, “Pour out your hearts to him;” that’s what David did all the time.  He poured out his heart to God about what was going on in his life and asked God to intervene on his behalf.  When we turn to God for help or protection, we begin to know Him as our refuge.

In contrast to David’s faith, the leaders of Israel in Isaiah’s day tried to find security in things other than God.  In Isaiah 28:15, the Lord rebukes them for making “a lie our refuge and falsehood our hiding place.”  God then offers them a true refuge:  “See I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic.  I will make justice the measuring line; hail will sweep away your refuge, the lie, and water will overflow your hiding place” (Isaiah 28:16–18).  We may be tempted to look for safety in things other than God, but such things can only provide a false sense of security.  God is the only real refuge we’ll ever find.

God is our refuge.  However, that does not mean He will never lead us into difficult or dangerous situations.  Jesus led the disciples into a boat, knowing full well that a violent storm was brewing; the disciples were terrified, but Jesus, their refuge, calmed the storm (Matthew 8:23–27).  When we are in God’s will, we can face even the most dangerous situations with confidence, because God is with us.

Countless times, God led the Israelites into battles against armies much more powerful than they, yet when they trusted God and obeyed Him, they always came out victorious (see Joshua chapters 6 and 8 for some examples).  Jesus told us, “In me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

No matter what our circumstance, the safest place to be is always in the center of God’s will.  He promises to be our refuge:  “‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’  So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.  What can man do to me?’” (Hebrews 13:5–6).

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Psalm 46:1-2

God bless,

Mark

Happy Monday!

The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.
Lamentations 3:25

The Lord is good unto them that wait for him…The Lord blesses our lives with so many wonderful spiritual blessings as we wait on Him.  In my own life, God has used waiting on Him to iron out the wrinkles in me.  I don’t know of another Heavenly exercise that can teach us His contentment like waiting can. ☺

God bless,

Mark

A story is told of a man with two pickers.  One pocket has a hole that he never repairs.  The other pocket has no holes, and if a hole develops, he gets it sown up immediately.

Throughout the day, whenever he experiences something negative, he puts it in the pocket with a hole.  But every food thing he experiences, he places in the pocket without the hole.  Every evening, he empties our his pocket and all he has are blessings.

Too many of us put all the good in our lives in the pocket with holes.  We take them for granted, forget them, and don’t treasure them.  Yet, all the negative things we deal with – our problems, frustrations, and worries – we place in the pocket with no holes.  Then, at the end of the day, we empty our pockets and find all sorts of problems and no blessings.

Learn to let go of all the bad and hold fast to all the good so that, at the end of the day and the end of your life, you’ll find yourself with no worries – just a pocket full of blessings.

Today’s Mission:  Today, see, notice, dwell on, treasure, and give thanks for all the blessings and let go of what is not.

Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing.  My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
James 3:10 KJV

And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth.  Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!
James 3:10 NLT

God bless,

Mark

Messianic Rabbi Jonathan Cahn – Hope Of The World.org.  Taken from his “Sapphires” daily devotional and excerpted from his message titled, “The Unconditionally Joyful Life,” #2176.

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour (uproar; tumult; loud, confused noise), and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice (revenge; ill will; intention or desire to do evil):  And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
Ephesians 4:31-32

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully (maliciously spiteful manner) use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven:  for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
Matthew 5:44-45

I love these two passages of scripture.  If you apply them to your life, they can really have a Godly impact on you by keeping you from becoming unforgiving, bitter, and resentful following a hurtful, offensive situation.  We all encounter those types of hurtful, offensive circumstances and God wants to show us how to handle them His way.

And then blessing others, especially when they’ve hurt you, gives God an opportunity to work in both your life and theirs.  It keeps your heart from becoming hard and keeps you open to more of the beautiful, rich, spiritual blessings God has in store for you and releases God to work in the other person’s life as well.

As one of our dear Oregon pastor’s said in a recent teaching, we can forgive others and bless them as we yield to the love of God and what He’s forgiven us for and how He’s loved us when we didn’t necessarily deserve to be forgiven and loved.

That ye may be the children of your Father.  That’s the goal.  When we’re being the children of our Father, we’re living in the peaceful, restful, loving, joyful dwelling place of the Most High.  That’s a blessing unlike any other.

God bless,

Mark

The following is taken from our “Choosing Jesus Every Day” site.  Ann and I have found the three keys to be imperative in our walk with the Lord.

Three Keys To The Kingdom

Renewing our minds:

Years ago, the Lord impressed upon my (Mark) heart three important elements we needed to pay particular attention to.  God stressed the fact that we couldn’t be nonchalant about our Christianity in order to follow His leading in our lives.

The devil will do everything he can to discourage you from truly believing and acting upon these three keys.  But, if you persist and renew your mind to these three scripture truths, you’ll be well on your way to discovering an abiding peace and true liberty in Christ.

Often we combine all three, but there are also times when one or two of them come to mind just when we need them.

The first key was to learn to take thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ.

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:  (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
2 Corinthians 10:3-5

I was having so many defeating thoughts and didn’t feel like I could overcome them.  Jesus taught me to “change the channel” (take thoughts captive) whenever harmful thoughts came to mind.  For instance, when we were on food stamps and welfare, I felt so ashamed, embarrassed and worthless.  Jesus told me that when those negative thoughts attacked me that I was to say or think Philippians 4:19, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”  Doing so would take my mind off the attacking, lacking thought and remind me that God would provide for us.  This verse gave me a way of extinguishing the enemy’s fiery darts.  If the fiery dart was regarding my past or hope for my future, I was to remember Romans 8:28 and the fact that God would and could use anything for my good.

By showing me this second Kingdom key, God was going to add more liberty to my thought life by helping me to always remember that He’s working all things (like welfare, ill health, or a questionable future) for my good even though I could not understand how He was going to do it at the time.  I believe that when a Christian has this rich truth developed in their heart, that it produces a liberty and peace of mind beyond words.  The protection that the power behind this verse contains is so supernatural and freeing.

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

Romans 8:28 can bring great deliverance to a person who’s dealing with panic disorder and anxiety disease.  It has the power to disarm fear and change anyone’s outlook by turning any situation into an opportunity to cast care on Jesus.  I really believe this verse leads to perfect love casting out fear (1 John 4:18).  Just writing this puts a Holy Spirit smile on my face.

The third key is praising God in all things.  Praising God no matter the circumstance can bring His Presence on the scene and intercept enemy attacks of hopelessness and despair.  At times, when I have trouble sleeping, I begin praising God and the next thing I know, I’m waking up after having fallen asleep.  I also use praise to intercept satanic lies.  Praising puts me in a God frame of mind.  Never forget, satan wants our attention and tries to grab it with his fiery darts.  Praising God can instantly place our attention back onto God and His faithfulness.

In every thing give thanks:  for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
2 Thessalonians 5:18

I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Psalm 34:1

1.  Take thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ
2.  Remember that God Almighty is working all things for your good
3.  Praise God in all things

Happy Monday!

God bless,

Mark

Nothing ceases my striving, calms me down, stills my anxious heart, brings me back into God’s peace, love, and care like this precious piece of scripture…It keeps me safe and resting in the dwelling place of the Most High.

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

God bless,

Mark

Search me, O God, and know my heart:  try me (test me, God), and know my thoughts:  And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24

Fighting The Gods
By Messianic Rabbi Jonathan Cahn

The children of Israel were not only called to stand for God, but also against the gods (idols) of the surrounding nations.  The first believers in the Book of Acts were called, not only to stand for Messiah, but also to stand against the gods of the ancient world.  If you’re a follower of Messiah and a child of Israel in the Spirit, it isn’t enough to simply stand for God – you must stand against the gods as well.

Maybe you didn’t know that you were born into a world filled with gods, but you are.  The people of this age serve the gods of money, greed, status, materialism, carnality, lust, alcohol, drugs, socialism, music, pornography, abortion, the entertainment industry, political correctness, and a whole pantheon of other gods.

You can’t stay on the fence or you’ll be swept away.  You have to be strong and take your stand against them.  Take your stand like Moses against the gods of Egypt, Elijah against the prophets of Baal, and Daniel in the courts of Babylon.

Be strong, be pure, be immovable, and take your stand against the gods.

Today’s Mission:  Be strong in the power of His might today and stand against the gods and idols of this world, and maybe even the gods and idols of your life.

There shall no strange (foreign) god be in thee; neither shalt thou worship any strange god.
Psalm 81:9

God bless,

Mark

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise
In the city of our God,
The holy place
The joy of the whole earth.

Great is the Lord with Whom we have the victory
He aids us against the enemy
We bow down on our knees.

And Lord we want to lift Your Name up high
And Lord we want to thank You
For the work You’ve done in our lives

And Lord we trust in Your unfailing love
For You alone are God eternal
Throughout earth and heaven above.

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise
In the city of our God,
The holy place
The joy of the whole earth.

Great is the Lord in Whom we have the victory
He aids us against the enemy
We bow down on our knees.

And Lord we want to lift Your Name up high
And Lord we want to thank You
For the work You’ve done in our lives

And Lord we trust in Your unfailing love
For You alone are God eternal
Throughout earth and heaven above.

And Lord we want to lift Your Name up high
And Lord we want to thank You
For the work You’ve done in our lives

And Lord we trust in Your unfailing love
For You alone are God eternal
Throughout earth and heaven above.

You alone are God eternal
Throughout earth and heaven above…

I’m learning, more and more, to trust not in circumstances, but in His unfailing love.  Truly, He alone is God eternal…

Thank you, Lord, for the incredible, liberating work You’re doing in our lives.

God bless,

Mark