Month: August 2019

A la carte Jesus?

Jesus has made all of Himself available to us.

Regarding legalism and “behavioral modifications” – A lot of people want little to do with holiness (wholeness), with changed lives and renewed minds. Instead, they’re looking for experiences while retaining the flesh.

What part of Jesus do you not want in your life?

Do you ever do this? I have. It seems like we limit ourselves to, and apply only, those parts of the Word – of Jesus – that fit with our level of the fear of man, our lifestyle, goals, dreams, desires, etc.

“Oh, Jesus, I do not want to resist You.”

I’ve been with Jesus now for some years and I feel like I’m only beginning to see the beauty of His holiness. His holiness is healing me in so many deep, wonderful ways. I’m realizing more and more how much I needed Him. It’s like His holiness is re-making me. His holiness is untangling my thoughts, setting my affections above, dissolving any lingering anger and frustration, calming me down, making me more relaxed and truly giving me a peace this world cannot give us. He’s relieving me of all care – And, we can’t and don’t even realize how much of a burden our care is until He begins to remove it from our lives. He’s working in areas of me that I didn’t even know needed His loving touch. I’m seeing His holiness as whole-iness as He continues to make me whole in Him. The more the Lord shows me of Himself, the more of Him I want. We have an amazing Savior who merely desires to give us all of Him. He’s really giving me beauty for ashes.

1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me (speaking of Jesus); because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;

3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.
Isaiah 61:1-3

As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. 2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God:
Psalm 42:1-2a

Open Our Eyes – Maranatha Singers

Open Our Eyes – Maranatha Singers
Gospel – Open Our Eyes – Maranatha Singers

Open our eyes, Lord,
We want to see Jesus,
To reach out and touch Him,
And say that we love Him.

Jesus is SO wonderful. Once you begin to have Him do His mighty, holy work in your life, you want more and more, and more holiness and wholeness – More of Him.

God bless,

Mark

I realize some of the following may offend some people. That’s not my intention. This topic has been on my heart for decades. I used to see so many men talking badly about their wife when discussing marriage items with other men. I could never understand that. One set of my grandparents used to love each other emotionally, physically and spiritually. It was beautiful and really made a lasting impression on me. They always loved each other and I always thought that maybe, one day, I could have the same kind of beautiful relationship with my own wife.

I never understood a marriage where each partner jeered the other to the point that it undermined their marriage and relationship. Couples often stayed together more out of obligation than from a standpoint of strength created by truly loving each other. I don’t get how the media and even preachers joke and ridicule marriage and then act surprised that divorce is rampant. And then, why would anyone want to be intimate with a mate that’s bullying them the way society has accepted and expected marriage to be lived out?

In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker (weaker “vessel” in the KJV) than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.
1 Peter 3:7

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
Ephesians 5:25-26

Men, as the stronger vessel in marriage, use the strength God has ordained for you – and given you – to love your wife. Tell your wife you love her, build her up, help her to become more like Jesus, defend her, protect her, encourage her, take an interest in her, spend time getting to know her better, let her know how much she means to you, buy her things, flowers, cards, take her out to a meal, etc.

Never use your strength to put her down, to belittle her, to talk badly about her with other men when talking about spouses, to intimidate her or to make her afraid of you, to abuse her in any way, etc.

If you do use your strength to hurt her in any way, apologize, ask her forgiveness and tell her you are asking God to help you change your behavior towards her. Tell her, that with Jesus’ help, you desire to become one with her – not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually as well – from here on out.

I really believe that if more men did this, we would see a turn around in the divorce rate in this country as well as in the church that has become so much like the world in so many ways. I truly believe more marriages would thrive, be happy, and blessed. And I believe divorce would lose its grip on society.

So how do we turn marriage around?

Since we’ve been dating, my wife has been praying and asking God to make her the kind of wife I need. Her example and prayer really impacted me and I began to pray that God would make me the type of husband she needs.

The answer to healing marriages is really pretty simple. We just need Jesus to help us turn things around. All we have to do is be willing to let God work in us. Of course the devil oppose us, but God is more powerful.

“God, I want to have a revived, thriving marriage in You and to be truly one with my mate. In Jesus’ Name, please help me to be the kind of spouse my husband/wife needs.”

Because God loves marriage, He’ll be faithful to answer our prayer.

God bless,

Mark

This is SO powerful.

Ann shared the following with me during our morning coffee time on August 26, 2019. It was so liberating and good that I wanted to share it with you.

We’re to become one with our mate. If we’re not becoming one with them, we’re missing out on so much of what God intends for marriage. He wants to grow our marriages and to bless us with each other. What could be more beautiful?

In the 1980s, Ann and I were meeting with a Christian counselor who finally told Mark he had to choose between his wife and his parents. The counselor said that unless Mark cut things off with his parents, Ann and I would probably end up divorced. I wrote my parents and told them I needed to cut ties with them. It wasn’t an easy thing for me to do, and it made my parents very angry and hurt. But, it had to be done.

As a result of my decision to cut ties with my parents, my parents said our kids (Faith and Hope) were going to do the same thing to us that we did to them. But, as always, the Word saved us from my parents’ curse.

Our daughters leaving us is the right thing to do. It’s what the Word says they should do. The Word is always a blessing. God turned the curse my parents’ were trying to put on us into a blessing with His Word.

Husbands and wives are supposed to become “one,” physically, emotionally and spiritually – It’s the only way to have a shot at the kind of marriage God desires. Husbands and wives are not to cling to and stay “one” with their parents. God does not expect them to try to cling to both their parents and their spouse. Doing so is out of order and can cause a lot of heartache because it is sin. It’s not God’s way. It’s man’s way and man’s way doesn’t.

Leave and cleave. It’s the Biblical thing to do. We always get blessed when we “do” the Word. My (Mark) parents did not leave and cleave from their own parents, they never became one emotionally or spiritually, and it made things really bad – My parents were not in order with God’s Word. We want our kids to leave and cleave with their spouse because that’s when the parents and the kids are blessed.

Don’t “hang onto” your kids. And don’t let them cling to you (their parent). Don’t do it. Let them leave and cleave to their mates. God will bless you and them for obeying His Word in this area.

22 Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib, and he brought her to the man.

23 “At last!” the man exclaimed.

“This one is bone from my bone,
and flesh from my flesh!
She will be called ‘woman,’
because she was taken from ‘man.’”

24 This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.

25 Now the man and his wife were both naked, but they felt no shame.
Genesis 2:22-25

God bless,

Mark

In your patience possess ye your souls.
Luke 21:19

But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
James 1:4

God bless,

Mark

For the Lord – not our situation or circumstances – shall be thy confidence, and (He) shall keep thy foot from being taken.

For the most part, our own understanding is conformed to this world’s understanding – We act pretty much like the world expects us to, right? For example, like the world, if things go wrong in our lives, we get nervous, discontent, angry, worried. Our appetites (mental, emotional and physical) are pretty much formed and governed by this world and the way it thinks. We may even tend to do worldly things to try to fit in – Ever catch yourself thinking, “I’m a Christian now so why do I still act that way? Why did I do that again?”

But, as children of the Most High, God has a different plan for us. God commands us to lean not, to not refer to, and to not give into this world’s understanding because He knows that we’ll suffer for it. His ways are good news (the Gospel) and He wants to teach us how to live His ways. He wants us to trust Him with all our heart because He is ABOVE this world and works in supernatural ways ABOVE and beyond this world’s understanding. His ways liberate us from this world and its understanding.

I have to say that after a migraine, it is really easy to feel down, discouraged, and to feel self-pity. Often, people feel sorry for me – I’d rather they would praise God. But, God’s Word tells me to count it (even migraines) all joy. Wow, I don’t have to give into the down feelings and self-pity no matter how appealing they are to my flesh (the world’s understanding I’m used to). I can take those negative, defeating thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ, praise God, and remember that He’s working all things together for my good. I can trust Him with all my heart rather than leaning (watch out below) on my own understanding, and be victorious even though I may need to take it easy for a few days because the migraine has left me a little weak mentally and physically (migraines don’t have to leave me weak spiritually). Like the Apostle Paul, I can trust God and be content in whatsoever state I’m in. That (God’s truth) is everything to me.

This is why I know I need to know God more. He’s everything. His truth conquers this world.

God has a new way of living and thinking in store for those who love Him. Loving Him means, that with the help of the Holy Spirit (our Comforter), I/we no longer need to spend my/our time being conformed to this world’s ways, its understanding, its obvious limitations. He wants to transform me/us by showing me/us how to renew our minds so we can live ABOVE this world. Jesus has already overcome this world. He’s overcome its ways of understanding and doing things. We can do the same “in Him.”

The more we’re around Jesus, the more we’re in His Word, etc., the more our minds will be renewed. The more we’ll be able to count it all joy because we’ve learned to trust Him always. Like Christ, we’ll overcome this world. As a result, we’ll be more Christlike, we’ll be better husbands, wives, siblings, workers, and on and on. God sent His Son to die on the cross for mankind so they could become overcomers in all areas of life. He’s asking us to die to this world and its ways so we can be free, and live free in Christ regardless of circumstances.

The question Jesus asked me about 40 years ago was, Do you want to stay conformed to this world or do you want to follow Me and let Me transform you by showing you how I can renew your mind?

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

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. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
2 Corinthians 12:8-10

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
John 15:5

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

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

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

But godliness with contentment is great gain.
1 Timothy 6:6

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

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
Joshua 1:9

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
James 1:2-4

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Romans 5:3-5

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

God bless,

Mark

I wanted so much to be strong. I think we all want to be strong, to feel self-sufficient – Even as Christians. I’m realizing that the strength I wanted was really “in the flesh.” It was one that wanted recognition and accolades. It was really pride. Honestly, it was birthed out of shame, insecurity and earthly weakness.

We need never fear. We need only to yield to Him, to our Prince Of Peace, to beautiful, wonderful Jesus.

Jesus: “Mark, I want all of you. Then, you will live a life beyond anything you could have ever imagined.”

For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 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. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
2 Corinthians 12:8-10

Up against a struggle that’s making you feel like submitting to earthly fears?

Yesterday morning, I had one of the most severe migraine attacks I’ve had in a little while. The aura (vision disturbance) was so strong, I was having a difficult time trying to put together the choosing Jesus every day email. I’m telling you this because I believe Jesus wants everyone to know – to really know – they don’t have to rely on their own strength, that they can let His peace reign in their hearts in all situations. God wants to bring us to the point in our walk with Him where we depend totally on Him and His strength. That is such a sweet spot that brings deep relief to our souls, emotions and minds. It’s a resting in our spirit that convinces us that God really is in control – what a gift. That way, even when we’re “weak,” we’re really strong “in Christ,” and in the power of His (not ours) might.

In Christ – Mmmm…

Feeling weak in some area of your life? Perfect. You’re one God is calling to live close to Him so you can learn the unsurpassed beauty of knowing that He’s strong and that He’ll always care for you. The weak are given the opportunity to yield to Him in a different, contented, deeper way, and learn they can always live secure in – and only in – His dwelling place. Fear not. He is strong. In His shadow there is joy, safety, rest and peace…And there, His precious Presence, to sink down into…evermore.

Praise The Lord (An old song, but so good and true)
By The Imperials

When you’re up against a struggle
That shatters all your dreams
And your hopes have been cruelly crushed
By Satan’s manifested schemes

And you feel the urge within you
To submit to earthly fears
Don’t let the faith you’re standing in
Seem to disappear

CHORUS:
Praise the Lord
He can work through those who praise Him
Praise the Lord
For our God inhabits praise
Praise the Lord
For the chains that seem to bind you
Serve only to remind you
They drop powerless behind you
When you praise Him

Now Satan is a liar
And he wants to make us think
That we are paupers when he knows himself
We’re children of the King

So lift up the mighty shield of faith
For the battle must be won
We know that Jesus Christ is risen
So the work’s already done

(Praise the Lord)
Praise Him
(Praise the Lord)
Praise Him
(Praise the Lord)

When you praise Him
(When you praise)
When you praise Him
When you praise the Lord

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:57

I don’t really need to be strong when I’m in Jesus. What a relief that is for me. Jesus Christ is risen so the work’s already done…Thank you, Jesus.

Praise Him, and watch earthly fears drop powerless behind you.

God bless,

Mark

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
Psalm 91:1-2

Happy Monday, Everyone!

Keep dwelling…

God bless,

Mark

The Lord’s light penetrates the human spirit, exposing every hidden motive.
Proverbs 20:27

The Lord’s light. Mmmm… Aren’t you glad and grateful that the Lord doesn’t leave us in the dark and to our own devices? He rescues us from our ways to bring His times of refreshing into our lives.

43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.

44 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 use you, and persecute you;

45 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.

46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?

47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?

48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Matthew 5:43-48

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
Proverbs 14:12

Maybe you’re like me. I have a difficult time loving my enemy (real, or perceived) when I’m operating outside of Christ (in my ways), away from His shadow and dwelling place.

When I’m “in Jesus,” I’m safe and things are okay. When I’m “in Mark,” not so much, and I can be caught off guard and react from “my flesh,” react from “my ways.”

Whenever I get caught off guard, whenever sudden fear or hurt or disappointment come up, I try to make a habit of stepping back and listening to the Holy Spirit before responding or reacting. That’s why I memorize scriptures (like the one in Matthew above) that help me overcome negative strongholds that may be at work in my life. God’s Word will turn those negative strongholds into His mighty, overcoming, resting, joy-filled strongholds. I can’t even begin to tell you how thankful I am that He’s replacing my old, harmful strongholds with His ways. I was heading for an awful life without Him.

Matthew 5:48 above says to be perfect just like our Father. Why be perfect? Because doing His Word keeps us safe and in His joy as we incorporate His ways into our everyday life.

30 As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried (proven by those who do the Word): he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.

31 For who is God save the Lord? or who is a rock save our God?

32 It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.
Psalm 18:30-32

The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace.
Psalm 29:11

God bless,

Mark

If anyone ever had a reason to be angry or mad, Jesus did.

Any one of us has the ability to become angry and then to keep it suppressed while it seethes and works its evil in us.

Joyce Meyer used to be a very angry person. Who could blame her. I remember watching a Joyce Meyer youtube video with Ann a while ago. In the video, Joyce breaks down, and with tears says, “I now know that God allowed all the years I was raped by my father so that He could bring about a work to reach so many hurting so they could experience His healing. Now I know He really is able to work all things together for the good of those who love Him.” Until you walk through something like that, you cannot possibly understand the mercy, grace and tears of joy the Holy Spirit can give you as He transforms your anger, heals your emotions, and allows your testimony to bring His powerful forgiveness and love to so many.

All that I am,
All I can be,
Jesus, take all of me

Take all of me
Take all that I’ve got,
And make me what you want me to be
Light of the world, Jesus take all of me

Take all of me, take all that I am
And all I ever dreamed I could be
Mold and make me, Jesus, take all of me
Lyric from “Take All Of Me” by Wayne Watson

*******

Thankfully, God is so faithful to show us our heart and what resides there so He can do a mighty work to release us from any sin that’s destroying us and those around us.

And because iniquity (lawlessness) shall abound, the love of many shall wax (grow) cold.
Matthew 24:12

There are so many Bible verses addressing anger. One of the most popular ones is Ephesians 4:26. It commands us not to let anger make us sin and to not let the sun go down with us still angry lest we give the devil a foothold. The Bible (the book of James, etc.) is full of verses about anger and warns against it for good reasons.

Have you noticed? The devil is fanning the flames of anger today – His own jealousy, pride and anger caused him to fall from heaven. He’s taking full advantage of our fallen nature. And, according to the Bible, anger’s only going to get much worse with lawlessness abounding and hearts growing cold. It’s one of Satan’s most powerful lethal weapons because it’s so easy to fall prey to it and to justify it. Anger can make us feel smart, and responsible. It can prevent us believing verses like Romans 8:28 and keep us from trusting God. It appeals to our pride. Anger is the correct response to being wronged, right? Anger prevents us from looking up (Matthew 24). Anger makes us question God’s very existence, His love and will for us and our lives which is VERY dangerous to do. Anger can turn us into manipulators. It can make us even more angry when we don’t get our way. Anger makes us feel empowered. It gives us something to do about things. It helps us rationalize our position in a situation. The devil knows it can keep us from trusting God and enables us to spread our anger, unforgiveness and bitterness to others. It robs us of joy and saps our energy while it causes us much mental and physical anguish.

Anger is a setup and we must be very careful not to enter into the devil’s anger snare lest we be consumed.

The really scary thing is that the devil knows what type of situation will make you the most susceptible to anger.

Honestly, I believe anger is being used to separate the sheep from the goats. That’s why it’s so important to obey God in all things.

It’s really been pointed out to me that I can’t change anyone. Only God can really change us. I can write about how He’s setting me free, but it takes His leading and power to cause any one of us to want to change. One of the ways God points out the need for us to change something (like anger) in our lives is to allow us to become so sick and tired of something that, under the load of what’s negatively impacting our life (anger?), we become pliable and willing to let Him work in that area to set us free.

For a man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life God desires.
James 1:20

Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.
Ecclesiastes 7:9

I pray each night before bed that God will protect me while sleeping…

I had another one of my really bad nightmares last night – It’s the one about being laid off at my last work place. I woke up scared, confused, angry and questioning God. For about an hour, I laid there wondering why I have to keep having this awful nightmare – going on 15 years now. Finally, God said, “You’re mad.” I thought, “Well, yeah. Who wouldn’t be.” He said, “Praise me for the nightmare. I want to show you something vitally important.” I began to praise God for the nightmare. As I did, something happened in me. I began to thank Him for the nightmare as well. That’s when God said, “It doesn’t matter what happens in your life, I want you to always praise and thank Me. You must do this. It will keep you from letting anger get a foothold in you to control you. Anger will only lead to destruction and death, and especially today when fear and anger are becoming rampant. Praising and thanking Me in all things will keep anger away from you. Doing so will “keep” you. It will allow you to trust Me in all things by allowing you to cast all care on Me. This is so important today. It will enable you to allow Me to work in all things (including this nightmare you have) in your life and to follow My lead with peace. You must believe Me, Mark, this is best.”

One more important thing God shared with me regarding anger. He told me it didn’t matter how significant or insignificant the situation or circumstance was that was tempting me to become angry or mad. He told me to simply thank and praise Him in the situation in order for me to give it to Him for Him to work for my good. He said that, by my responding this way, He would be able to keep me. This is how I was going to be able to keep dwelling in His shadow, protected in the secret place of the Most High.

Israel is back in the land and we’re in the end times. God is getting ready to pour out His wrath on this messed up world. He’s going to do so to make a last attempt to get people to look up to Him and to desire a relationship with Him. This is what the Bible teaches. Crazy things are going to be taking place that will tempt us to become angry, bitter, resentful, and even to give up trusting God and to leave our faith in God. This is part of what the Bible calls the great falling away.

I’m telling you, get right with God in the area of anger. Ask His help in identifying anger you may be harboring. Confess any anger you have and ask Him to help you overcome anger before it takes you over. Ask His forgiveness for the sin of not trusting Him in all situations. Get in the practice of praising and thanking Him in all things before you develop a hard heart, a heart that’s beyond repenting.

Here’s a test – Is there anything – circumstance or situation – in your life (past, present of future) that you can’t or won’t thank and praise God for? If there is, you’re probably dealing with anger that needs to be repented of so you can be free in Christ.

But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness (including anger).
1 John 1:9

A really good resource for overcoming anger and one that can lead you into trusting God with your entire life is Merlin Carother’s powerful book, Power In Praise.

God allowed last night’s nightmare to show me something SO important. He will use it for good. He reminded me that He has the power to do accomplish that fete. He said I can learn to respond to challenges, trials and upsetting circumstances in one of two ways. I can either get mad and angry, or I can choose to give them to Him and trust Him with working it all out and using it for good. One response leads to death and destruction. The other leads to life.

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, 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

“Jesus, forgive me for my anger, Lord. Please, now, take all of me, and all that I am including any anger I cling to…”

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

Ann and I have lived being scared, fearful, depressed, mad and angry. We’ve worked in and been through a painful church split. We’ve had to split from family in order to go on with Jesus. We’ve had hundreds of thousands of dollars in the bank, and we’ve been on welfare and food stamps. We’ve each had total emotional breakdowns. We’ve lived lives where we were not thanking and praising God in all things. We’ve lived with the choices of our own understanding by not believing that God was really working all things together for our good. Fortunately, God allowed us to be put in a position where we had to take a leap of faith and to try to take Him at His Word. We wish we’d taken Him at His Word a lot sooner…

Ever thought to yourself, “I know better than to do something like that” when it comes to putting any part of the Word of God into practice in your life? I have. And it always cost me dearly. No doubt about it. I never enjoyed not doing God’s Word. Never.

The entire 11th chapter of the Bible’s New Testament book of “Hebrews” is dedicated to the men and women who chose not to lean on their own understanding, and instead, chose to follow and trust God at all costs.

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

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Hebrews 11:6

O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
Romans 11:33-36

When I lean, I’m beginning to go in a direction. I may not have started down a certain path, but I’m intending to do it when I lean in a direction. It’s the first action leading to carrying out a decision I’ve made.

God never told me I could wait to “do” His Word until I understood it, until I understood (my own understanding marred by sin) why I should do it. He expected me to just do it. His ways are much higher than mine, and even past finding out (Hebrews 11:33-36 above). If I wait until I have His understanding before I obey Him, I could wait forever. This kind of reminds me of Jesus being amazed at how little faith people had in His day.

Ann and I are well aware of the fact that many (including many Christians) think we’re really weird by praising and thanking God in all things. It’s okay though because we realize how powerful a weapon it is in the spiritual weapons arsenal God’s building into our lives. And we realize that we need to keep doing it so others will take the same leap of faith we took in praising and thanking God in all things. The reward for doing it is so real and exciting in the spiritual realm. And doing it motivates us to want to be obedient to more and more of His Word that leads to the incredible spiritual blessings contained in His liberating ways.

Ann and I were talking this morning (Monday, 8-12-19) about thanking and praising God in all things like He tells us to do in various Bible passages. I told Ann, “People can have a difficult time believing they should and can thank and praise God in all things. I told her I am so thankful God showed us to thank and praise Him in all things because it has really given us a powerful weapon against discouragement, sudden fear, not trusting God, and in so many other areas in our walk with Jesus. I said, “I wonder what keeps us from obeying the scriptures about thanking and praising Him in all things?” That’s when Ann said, “We’re leaning on our own understanding. That’s what keeps us from thanking and praising Him.” Wow, her words were so powerful. They stopped me in my tracks, and really took me by surprise. I could tell the Holy Spirit was speaking something super-meaningful and liberating. This topic is so deep and wide, and involves everything in our relationship with God, with His Word.

Once I began doing what God asked of me, little by little, I began to gain His understanding of why I needed to thank and praise Him in all things. This is so true of most things God asks of me when I don’t yet understand why I should obey a piece of scripture. He’s asking me to step out in faith and to take Him at His Word whether I understand it yet or not. Satan will do all he can (“Hath God surely said? What will your friends and family think if you do it? You may look like a fool. Are you willing to risk that?”) to keep us in our own understanding so we do not get free in Jesus. God’s truths set us free and the devil knows it which is why he uses fear (like the powerful fear of man) to keep us trapped. And I can honestly tell you that I’ve been the devil’s fool by leaning on my own prideful, limited, pitiful understanding. All I ever got out of it was unforgiveness, doubting God, depression, misery, unrest, fear, worry, jealousy, the fear of man, bitterness, anger, insecurity, competition, confusion, pride, etc. Ann and I have made the choice to be God’s fools, to be doers of His Word, and to follow Him into all the freedom Jesus paid for on the cross. And, God is having us (and many others) do it so others will want to do it as well.

For the longest time, I didn’t thank and praise God in all things. I thought doing so was ridiculous and crazy. I mean, really, in all things? It just didn’t make sense – I was leaning on my own understanding and it was preventing me from using this powerful weapon and from getting free in Jesus in the area of thanking and praising Him in all things. I was being held prisoner in my own understanding – Satan loves it when we do this. As the morning moved on, the Holy Spirit began speaking to my heart and I wondered what other areas of my life were still being held captive to my own understanding. I thought about the unsaved people of this world and how they are being held captive by the world’s understanding. This is huge.

I thought, “Where did thine own understanding originate?” In the Garden of Eden, of course, when Satan said, “Hath God surely said? God knows you won’t die if you eat of the tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil.”

This is where our doubts, confusion and questioning God has its roots – This is where all sin, all rebellion against God began for mankind – With the father of all lies. This is when and where faith became fear. This is where we lost our freedom as children of God. And we’ve been building on our own understanding for thousands of years now. And the sin of pride keeps us growing it, expanding on it, and trapped in it. We love knowledge (it feeds our pride), we idolize it and worship it to the point that it robs us of our relationship with God and His Word. And so we stay bound. Think of it. How many more of God’s blessings are we missing out on because of being held back by and stuck in our own understanding? This is huge…

God sets before us each day “life and death.” He tells us to choose life. He’s telling us to be doers of His Word at all costs so we don’t perpetuate the death that keeps stealing, killing and destroying us.

Please remember, you are not fighting against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers of darkness in your struggle to follow Jesus to freedom (Ephesians 6:12). The same lie Satan used in the Garden is being used to keep you bound. “Hath God surely said?”

Is it hard for you to do the Word? Are doubt and fear keeping you from doing it? Do you find yourself leaning on your own understanding? Will you let Jesus set you free from the darkness holding you back?

Praise and thank God in all things and become FREE. Just do it and watch your relationship with Jesus grow beyond anything you thought could be achieved in Him. You’ll be so glad you did and you’ll be well on your way to becoming unbound, and free indeed.

If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
John 8:36

Choose to LIVE FREE – INDEED!

God bless,

Mark

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

Am I willing to let God direct my paths, or am I going to direct my own paths? Will I obey Him by walking by faith? More on this powerful scripture tomorrow. This is so incredible…

Jesus: “So come on. Let’s go! I’ll show you all the wonderful things I have in store for you today and this week.”

Happy Monday, everyone!

God bless,

Mark

Whether anyone believes the following or not, it’s the truth, and everyone will discover it – sooner or later.

Isn’t it funny that we can try all kinds of things to change our lives – to de-stress, to be more happy and carefree? We can do yoga, transcendental meditation, gurus, drugs, alcohol, seminars, running, weights, bike, you name it. But, if we think of getting into God, into His Word, or begin going to a Bible-believing church, people think we’re weak or that we’ve gone off the deep end. That’s because Satan will do anything he can to keep us from discovering God Who is The Way, The Truth and The Life. Satan will let us do a myriad of things as long as they don’t involve God or His Word. The devil is scared to death of God and His Word because he knows it is the only thing that can defeat him, his lies, and his wicked plan for our lives. The Bible is kryptonite to him and he knows it all too well.

Jesus came to set us free – Free from our ways, from the devil and his destructive plan for our lives. No one and nothing else can do what Jesus came to do for us.

Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth (Jesus), and the truth (Jesus) will set you free.”
John 8:31b-32

God bless,

Mark

I’ve been having more migraines lately so I hope my writing is clear enough for you to be blessed.

Praising and thanking God in all things. ☺

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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

You know, Mark, I just can’t believe God’s Word. At best, I stumble in my trusting God and I have a real hard time casting all my cares on Him, not being afraid of sudden fear, seeing trials through with patience and joy, believing that God really can work all things together for the good of those who love Him, and on and on.

But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
James 1:4

Number one – be patient with yourself as you grow in Christ. No one can do any of the above on their own or in their own strength. But we have the Holy Spirit living in us if we’ve asked Jesus into our hearts and are His disciple, His follower, and a doer of His Word.

Here is the really great news. You can learn to trust Jesus and to rest in all of the above (not being afraid of sudden fear, and all the rest – I can do all things through Christ) and have His rest in your heart, mind, and emotions through Christ. It’s His promise. God sent the Holy Spirit to bring us in to all truth, to show us how to and to enable us to live in His truth, everyday.

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit (a strong, renewed, sound mind): for without me ye can do nothing.
John 15:5

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Philippians 4:13

Being confident of this very thing, that he (Jesus, the Holy Spirit) which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Philippians 1:6

Keep believing the Word and walking with Jesus. As you cooperate with His leading, as you “do” the Word, He will do His mighty, liberating work in you and you’ll be blessed beyond measure.

God bless,

Mark

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
1 John 4:18

Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
1 Peter 5:5-8

Fear will torment you. It will keep you restless during the day and keep you up at night. When we come to God and cast our “care” (which is really fear) on Him, we leave our concern with Him trusting Him to work things out for us however He, in His loving wisdom, knows is best. Any more, Ann and I are always casting our care on God. It didn’t used to be that way. We used to care about everything and it was killing us. We thought we were just being responsible people trying to handle things, but God showed us we were actually carrying all this care around with us and it kept tormenting us and making our lives miserable.

Release all care (fear) to God. Be free from fear and its torment. It doesn’t matter what the “care” is that is weighing you down – Money, the future, family, job. Cast it on God. Give it to your Father. Do it now. Say something really simple like, “Fix this Daddy.” Leave it to Him. That is where it belongs.

Will you give Him your care? You can. He’s waiting for you to do so. He loves and lives to have us trust Him.

God bless,

Mark

In the days that lay ahead, Jesus will be our shield. Nothing and no one else will be able to keep us.

But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
Psalm 3:3

Get in the Word of God and make Jesus your shield. When trouble comes, He will keep you. That is His promise to all who love and abide with Him.

Happy Monday in Jesus!

God bless,

Mark