Month: April 2023

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Philippians 4:8

Wonderful Words Of Life
Christian Hymn By Philip Bliss

1 Sing them over again to me,
Wonderful words of life;
Let me more of their beauty see,
Wonderful words of life;
Words of life and beauty
Teach me faith and duty.

Refrain:
Beautiful words, wonderful words,
Wonderful words of life;
Beautiful words, wonderful words,
Wonderful words of life.

2 Christ, the blessed one, gives to all
Wonderful words of life;
Sinner, list to the loving call,
Wonderful words of life;
All so freely given,
Wooing us to heaven. [Refrain]

3 Sweetly echo the gospel call,
Wonderful words of life;
Offer pardon and peace to all,
Wonderful words of life;
Jesus, only Savior,
Sanctify forever. [Refrain]

I was listening to this beautiful Christian hymn over and over on youtube the other day after the harder migraine. It was so healing and relaxing – really ministered to me. Next thing I knew, God gave me the answer to something I’d been trying to figure out. God is so awesome.

In Heaven, there will only be wonderful words of Life.

Jesus – The Wonderful Word of Life.

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

Note: While we may not agree with everything a particular church or Christian group teaches or believes, there are times when we can be blessed by something outside the realm of our current understanding of God.

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

The joy is in knowing that Jesus is with you, that He’ll never leave you nor forsake you, and that He has the power (that is true power) – and, in fact He is working all things together – to work all things together for your good.

And, there’s more…

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

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

Note: While we may not agree with everything a particular church or Christian group teaches or believes, there are times when we can be blessed by something outside the realm of our current understanding of God.

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

Some think this verse points out an alternative lifestyle. The intent of this verse is to set us free from this world and its ways. Those who take up the command will have their lives changed in ways they’ve never known before. They will experience Christ living in them.

Had a harder migraine attack just after midnight Tuesday morning. Still reeling from it. The migraines are so difficult to live with. That’s why I’m so thankful I have the opportunity to become like Jesus, to know Him through the Word. It’s how He gives me the power to live ABOVE the migraines and other challenges in life. Praise God!

When I think of all that Jesus has done for me, I am so thankful. Who would not want the opportunity to become like Jesus? Well, according to the Bible, those who love the darkness more than the Light, more than Jesus. What a contrast…Light and darkness.

Choose Jesus, choose The Light. Trade in your old self for the opportunity to become like Jesus in all your ways. Or choose the darkness and perish by continuing to live in the world’s ways.

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

Note: While we may not agree with everything a particular church or Christian group teaches or believes, there are times when we can be blessed by something outside the realm of our current understanding of God.

Always. ☺

And always remember Romans 8:28. God works all things – all things – together for the good of those who love Him. Amazing and exciting.

Look up. Always.

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

Note: While we may not agree with everything a particular church or Christian group teaches or believes, there are times when we can be blessed by something outside the realm of our current understanding of God.

1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide (rest) under the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
Psalm 91: 1-2

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

Note: While we may not agree with everything a particular church or Christian group teaches or believes, there are times when we can be blessed by something outside the realm of our current understanding of God.

I was walking into the kitchen this morning (4-21-23) and suddenly had the thought that I love it when the Holy Spirit shows me I’ve been living in doublemindedness (some faith/some fear). Don’t you love those ah-ha moments? It’s so fun to be made aware of it and then to shake it off as you run back into the presence of God, free from fear, wrong thinking, worry, pride, jealousy, offense, love of money, unforgiveness, anger, etc. God is so good. I’m so thankful for His everlasting faithfulness, love and watchful attention to my heart and mind. What joy it is to be a child of the Most High Love there is.

Nothing like feeling at home in His beautiful, liberating Presence.

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

Note: While we may not agree with everything a particular church or Christian group teaches or believes, there are times when we can be blessed by something outside the realm of our current understanding of God.

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!
Romans 11:33

God is so awesome. How awesome? I don’t think I’ll ever find out everything about Him. How fun is that? Never-ending awesome…

I love adventure. It’s one reason I like going off roading and exploring new areas with Annie – Annie was always outside hiking and playing as well. As a kid, I wanted to look into so many things and to find out how fun, interesting, and exciting something was. I was always outside getting into this and that, always curious. It is so fun to think that God is past finding out. I’ll never reach the end of discovering how deep, high, far or wide He is. And to think that God is Love. Fun to let that sink in…

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

Note: While we may not agree with everything a particular church or Christian group teaches or believes, there are times when we can be blessed by something outside the realm of our current understanding of God.

15 See then that ye walk circumspectly (carefully), not as fools, but as wise,

16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
Ephesians 5:15-17

and so that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.
1 Corinthians 7:35b

Distractions are such a waste of our time here on earth.

This video really spoke to Annie and me. God continues to speak to us through it every day.

I used to pray and ask God to show me where I’m deceived. This video reminded me to begin asking God how I’m distracted. He continues to show me and it is incredible. The enemy will use anything (the past, migraines, CPTSD, shame, jealousy, unforgiveness, family issues, you name it) he can to distract us from the things of God. Ask God to show you how you’re distracted. It’s a real eye-opener. I hope you’ll watch the 14-minute message time of this video by Perry Stone.

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

Note: While we may not agree with everything a particular church or Christian group teaches or believes, there are times when we can be blessed by something outside the realm of our current understanding of God.

If you love God, you can count on Romans 8:28 to keep you. It’s that simple. We merely need to remember that scripture. It has the tendency to lift us ABOVE our circumstances. Praise God.

28 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

This precious verse always brings me back to the secret dwelling place of the Most High – Psalm 91:1.

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

Note: While we may not agree with everything a particular church or Christian group teaches or believes, there are times when we can be blessed by something outside the realm of our current understanding of God.

When our faith or trust in God is challenged, God reminds Annie and me that the trial will serve to strengthen our faith in Him. Amazing. What a different and victorious way to look at trials. Keeping our eyes on the outcome is such a resting and glorious way to live.

16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust (pressure or desire) of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
Galatians 5:16-17 KJV

As we know, the flesh and the Spirit are opposed to each other – are they ever. The flesh will try to keep us weighed down and defeated by living in the world’s ways and the Spirit will keep encouraging us to live free by applying His ways (His Word) to our lives.

Living according to the desires and dictates of the flesh will keep us from the victory in Jesus God has for our lives. We must learn to silence our flesh and to listen to the Spirit in order to renew our minds to the Word of God. This is the only way we will learn to live free in Jesus.

We had a really difficult time trusting in and finding out how wonderful God was when we were living by the flesh (not trusting God and how that harmed us) one day and then living by the Spirit (doing God’s Word and witnessing it working) the next. It was a sea saw existence at best. Only when Annie and I decided to try to live by the Spirit all the time did we begin to see breakthroughs in our Christian lives. Sure, we had asked Jesus into our lives and to save us from an eternity in Hell apart from God, but we did not begin to live in spiritual victory in our daily lives until we applied God’s Word to our every circumstance. Do we still get knocked down spiritually from time to time? Yes, but God was so loving and faithful to remind us that He will always have a new insight and victory for us if we’ll keep our eyes off the spiritual attack or failure and remember that He has something new for us to enjoy in Jesus if we’ll keep marching through any trials. What an important blessing knowing that is.

So come on, let’s go. ☺☺

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

Note: While we may not agree with everything a particular church or Christian group teaches or believes, there are times when we can be blessed by something outside the realm of our current understanding of God.

…And the more I know Him, the more I trust Him. Mmmm. This is Life.

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

Note: While we may not agree with everything a particular church or Christian group teaches or believes, there are times when we can be blessed by something outside the realm of our current understanding of God.

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

It doesn’t go well for me when I take my eyes off Jesus and get them onto this world. As a Christian, I’m commanded in God’s Word to be transforming my mind to His Word so I can become more like Jesus in all my ways. This is where the power of God takes over in my life to bring me His Life.

As Christians, we’re Not Of This World, right? If that’s true, if the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the great light that shone in the darkness thousands of years ago, and if the Gospel is good news, why do we act like we’re of this world? The devil is distracting us by doing everything he can to make us believe his lies and deception to make sure we don’t live in the freedom Christ died to give us in this life, here and now. Sorrow and mourning are supposed to be fleeing away in the Life of the believer…

Being a Christian is all about letting Jesus live in you. No matter the storm, Jesus has always had peace for us. He has always had the power to calm any storm if we’ll learn to let Him.

Don’t let this world distract you from the gladness and joy you can have in Jesus. Don’t let this world shepherd you. Jesus is our shepherd. The Prince of Peace is our Savior and God.

Hallelujah!

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

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, (learn to do this and you’ll never be the same)
Colossians 3:15a

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

Note: While we may not agree with everything a particular church or Christian group teaches or believes, there are times when we can be blessed by something outside the realm of our current understanding of God.

Save Me, O My God

A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.

1 O Lord, how many are my foes!
Many are rising against me;
2 many are saying of my soul,
“There is no salvation for him in God.” Selah

3 But you, O Lord, are a shield about me,
my glory, and the lifter of my head.
4 I cried aloud to the Lord,
and he answered me from his holy hill. Selah

5 I lay down and slept;
I woke again, for the Lord sustained me.
6 I will not be afraid of many thousands of people
who have set themselves against me all around.

7 Arise, O Lord!
Save me, O my God!
For you strike all my enemies on the cheek;
you break the teeth of the wicked.

8 Salvation belongs to the Lord;
your blessing be on your people! Selah
Psalm 3

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

Note: While we may not agree with everything a particular church or Christian group teaches or believes, there are times when we can be blessed by something outside the realm of our current understanding of God.

Below is an excellent 1-minute video by Joyce Meyer.  I love how God  – through Joyce’s short message – tells us to go through.

It takes a lot of courage to live with potentially overwhelming circumstances like chronic hemiplegic migraines, CPTSD, and all the other challenges I have and still face. The fear that kicks up my flesh and makes me want to give up has been right on my heels much of the time. I’m sure it’s the reason God gave me a very convincing vision many years ago that told me I have to believe Romans 8:28. Doing so was going to make me believe, trust and rest in Him. What a gift that vision was and is.

But God.

God has been with me all the way (and with you, too) encouraging me to know His Word and to apply it to my life every day. He promises to do the same for anyone. Only be thou strong and courageous no matter how weak you may feel. At all times, strong or weak, Jesus is our strength. We can simply choose to trust and rest in Him and to praise and thank Him in all things. What an encouragement those words are.

I will fear no evil for Thou art with me. (Taken from Psalm 23)

Onward Christian soldiers…Amen? Amen!

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

Note: While we may not agree with everything a particular church or Christian group teaches or believes, there are times when we can be blessed by something outside the realm of our current understanding of God.

This life teaches to fear or to have God’s overcoming faith. These are the two ways of looking at things. Either through the eyes of fear or eyes of faith. God wants us to live only by faith because it is the only way to the kind of kingdom Life that gives us His joy and victory in all things. This is what taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ is all about.

These days, it’s funny how I can either look at things through fear or faith. I used to live mainly in fear, and it drained the life out of me. When I look at things through God’s Word, through Christ, I fill up with excitement, adventure and anticipation of what God wants to do in my life and what He wants to show me this week. That is the only way to live. So, come on, let’s go and find out what our loving Father has for us. Hallelujah!

Be strong and of a good courage…Only be thou strong and very courageous…Have I (God) not commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: For the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest…Only be strong and of a good courage (the kind of courage that is full of anticipation looking for God’s favor and direction in all things knowing He is leading me into His good, faith-building plan for me – Praise God!).
From Joshua 1

Faith in Jesus – The only free (courageous) and adventurous way to live Life.

We love you all.

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark and Annie

Note: While we may not agree with everything a particular church or Christian group teaches or believes, there are times when we can be blessed by something outside the realm of our current understanding of God.

Thank You, Jesus, that You made available the only way to the Father for us by being obedient to go to the cross to give us the amazing opportunity to live free indeed.

Hallelujah!

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

Note: While we may not agree with everything a particular church or Christian group teaches or believes, there are times when we can be blessed by something outside the realm of our current understanding of God.

Here is a really good 14-minute teaching from Messianic Rabbi Jonathan Cahn. I hope you’ll view it.

God bless you all.

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

Note: While we may not agree with everything a particular church or Christian group teaches or believes, there are times when we can be blessed by something outside the realm of our current understanding of God.

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Romans 12:2

Any other joy than His everlasting joy is fickle and dependent on circumstances.

Everlasting joy that is not dependent on circumstances is God’s will for His children. That is what being redeemed is all about. This is what being an overcomer of the darkness is all about. Everlasting joy – Oh, praise God!

Therefore The Redeemed Of The Lord Shall Return
By Ruth Lake

Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return,
And come with singing unto Zion;
And everlasting joy shall be upon their head.

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.
(Repeat the first three lines)

The only reason I fear is because I’m thinking in the flesh instead of trusting in the Lord. I’ll take trusting in the Lord over fumbling around in the dark of my own understanding any day.

His (God’s) truth (and nothing else, not alcohol, money, pride, status, vacations, perfect job – you name it) shall be thy shield and buckler. Psalm 91:4b

Nothing but God’s truth can protect you from the enemy’s schemes that come to steal, kill and destroy us.

Only the redeemed of the Lord shall have everlasting joy because they will have obtained gladness and joy when sorrow and mourning shall flee away. Only those who truly renew their minds to God’s Word. How do I know this? Because Annie and I are experiencing it firsthand and because this is what the Bible states in Isaiah 51:11.

11 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

Hallelujah for the opportunity to renew our minds to the Word of God. Thank You, Jesus, for all You’ve done for us.

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

Note: While we may not agree with everything a particular church or Christian group teaches or believes, there are times when we can be blessed by something outside the realm of our current understanding of God.

Every man did what was right in their own eyes – Exactly what so many are doing today. In other words, they did not “do” the Word of God. They did something else instead. They thought they could skirt God’s Word and get away with it. The Bible says God is not mocked. This means those who think they can get away with rebelling against God’s Word are wrong and the consequence of their choice will be death in one form or another.

25 In those days (sounds a lot like today) there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.
Judges 21:25

7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Galatians 6:7

23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 6:23

The New Totalitarianism by Jonathan Cahn – This is a great 3-minute video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2ULF53XvUU

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

Note: While we may not agree with everything a particular church or Christian group teaches or believes, there are times when we can be blessed by something outside the realm of our current understanding of God.

Today, I need to let God’s peace keep me, and not my own limited understanding that is so prone to fear. Praise God, He’s in control.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

Note: While we may not agree with everything a particular church or Christian group teaches or believes, there are times when we can be blessed by something outside the realm of our current understanding of God.