If you obey My decrees and my regulations, you will find life (this is so true for Annie and me) through them. I am the Lord.
Leviticus 18:5
For a day in Thy courts is better than a thousand; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
Psalm 84:10
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
Isaiah 26:3
Do Ann and I have perfect peace all the time? No. We get hit by the devil’s fiery darts, get weary and tempted to give up just like everyone else. But God, our loving Father, keeps encouraging us to continue following Him and to keep seeking Him with all our heart. He reminds us that He’s always been faithful to us and that He always will be. God is taking us to the place where we’ll reside in His perfect peace by renewing our minds to His Word. He’s taking us to the place in our walk with Him that we’ll have His assurance and spiritual strength all day long. He’s showing us more each day about how to dwell in the secret place of the Most High – and it’s wonderful.
Through a series of events, Ann and I were desperate for Jesus in the early 80s. Thinking back on that time makes me realize that all people are desperate for Jesus. But, most will not choose Him over the world, over the darkness. The Bible tells us why most don’t choose to become and continue to be Jesus’ disciples, His students.
One way or another, Satan keeps people from believing The Word, and from desiring to be free in Christ. He can use the fear of man, lust, greed, the flesh, the world’s enticements and a number of others excuses and deceptions to keep people from desiring and following Jesus.
How does God keep Annie and me today – and ever day?
Years ago, He told us to get into His Word. He led us to specific verses to focus on. We were prompted to print out those scriptures, to tape them on the walls of our home, to memorize them, to say them out loud and to believe them with all our might. Today, we are kept because we were obedient to God’s leading 38 years ago. We tell anyone who will listen to do the same things God told us to do because this is how our minds are being renewed to The Word. This is how our lives – Our minds and emotions – are being transformed. This is how we are becoming stronger and more free all the time in Jesus. Anyone can do this. It’s up to them. They can either stay in the world, in the darkness, or they can be transformed. It’s this simple. And still, most will not do it.
Please, take up the challenge to follow Jesus no matter what. He will take you on the most fantastic journey of your life. You’ll become like Jesus. He will take you to the dwelling place of the Most High.
1 I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. 3 O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.
Psalm 34:1-3
Thanking and praising God in all things,
Mark