Month: August 2023

And there shall be stability in your times, an abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge; the reverent fear and worship of the Lord is your treasure and His.

Isaiah 33:6 AMPC

This is what God wants to do in our lives. He intends to make us like Jesus. Praise God.

Thanking and praising God in all things (Ephesians 5:20),

Mark

I discovered that I didn’t truly believe God’s Word until I “did” His Word. Doing His Word is a whole new level of understanding, of truly believing. It’s different than an intellectual knowledge of the Word – What I used to think was the same as believing God’s Word.

There are so many scriptures God wants us to live out in our lives so we can go from glory to glory in Him – from spiritual freedom to more spiritual freedom. Hallelujah!

Doing things in the flesh (striving in the flesh) will wear us out and make us weary. This is why God says to crucify the flesh and to learn His ways that give us His new Life.

Want a new heart? Do His Word.

Rejoice in the Lord always.  Again I will say, rejoice!
Philippians 4:4 NKJ

We live ABOVE the flesh and enter into the supernatural realm when we obey God, when we agree to live according to His Word. In the Bible, whenever something is repeated, the Lord is emphasizing something He really wants us (commands us) to do because He knows doing so will bless us so much. Rejoicing in the Lord always will change your life in such surprising and glorious ways. Live ABOVE, rejoice in the Lord always. Come with me and let’s discover the Life that doing so gives us. Discover the real, ABOVE Life in Christ.

Thanking and praising God in all things (Ephesians 5:20),

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 absolutely love learning to trust God. Trusting God silences my prickly, agitating, selfish, complaining, upsetting and frantic flesh.

When I begin to feel unrest rising in me, I know my flesh is wanting to usurp the Spirit living in me. My flesh wants to take back control.

The sword of the Spirit (Jesus, God’s Word) can put to death the flesh.

7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.

9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.
Psalm 37:7-9

And they that are Christ’s (this is the ultimate goal, the dwelling place of the Most High) have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Galatians 5:24

14 But the natural man (the flesh) receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
1 Corinthians 2:14

For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
Romans 8:5

Our flesh has a very hard time receiving, believing and doing God’s Word. It’s hard-hearted. It does not want to give up easily and fights the Spirit working in us. It’s demanding, impatient and wants its way. Life in the Spirit is different.

Doing things in the power of the flesh (striving in the flesh) will wear us out and make us weary. This is why God says to crucify the flesh and to learn His ways that give us His new Life.

I didn’t know how to trust God. I had to learn to do so. It took a lot of lessons…Still learning. ☺ But I can honestly say that learning to trust God gets easier and, along the way, you grow in patience which is a really good thing. To wait on God – to trust God – is invaluable and will enable you to enter His rest. His rest is so beautiful and amazing, and I know there is so much more resting ahead. Life lived by the Spirit of God is such a different life than the life lived without knowing how to trust God, the life lived in the flesh.

Is God in control? Yes. And the more I learn that He is in control, the more I yield to the Comforter – the Spirit – and the more I rest.

Thanking and praising God in all things (Ephesians 5:20),

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.

Thanking and praising God in all things stops/silences the potential impact of sudden fear, runaway worry, frantic feelings, and reaffirms (helps me acknowledge, again) His lordship over my life. It reestablishing “believing.”

Mary Carothers (Merlin Carothers’ wife): God will allow us to come to Him the hard way or the easy way. We choose the long road or the short road. It’s up to us. (My paraphrase) *

In my life, I’ve seen so many people quote Ephesians 5:20, Romans 8:28, and other Bible passages as if they believed them. The problem was that they didn’t live those verses out in life. In Jesus, we have the right, the liberty and privilege of practicing what we’re preaching, the ability to walk what we talk. We do not become free in Him any other way.

I didn’t use to thank and praise God in all things. Most of the time, I was upset, complaining and talking so much “doubt, fear and unbelief” because so much of life appeared to be going against me and my plans. The victory does not come by me getting my way. The victory comes when I learn to thank and praise God regardless of my circumstances – whether I get “my way” or not. I wish I had taught Ann and my daughters to thank and praise God much earlier. I’m grateful He’s teaching me He works all things together for our good.

I had to fight my religious pride and the fear of man in order to thank and praise God in all things. I even thought that if I actually thanked and praised God in all things that the devil would see to that worse calamities would come my way and, as a result, I would take on more panic, and fear. Thanking and praising God in all things can be a real battle (if we let it) because Satan knows the victory we can truly live in if we obey Ephesians 5:20. I’m so thankful God kept prodding me to persevere to believe Ephesians 5:20 – in this important, life-changing area He knew I needed to breakthrough in.

Why do I thank and praise God in all things? It’s teaching me one of the biggest lessons in my life – to fear not! Thanking and praising Him in all things brings His peace that passes understanding into my spirit. Because I can actually feel His Presence come on me and His precious Presence keeps me. His Presence consoles and fortifies me like nothing I’ve ever experienced. His Presence has no match. His Presence builds supernatural strength, peace and rest in me that I would not trade for anything.

If you’re not thanking and praising Him in all things, why aren’t you? Stop listening to the devil’s lies that keep you from doing it. If it’s plain fear, religious pride or the fear of man that keeps you from walking in this new power, then you need to step out of those bondages and into the glorious Light and freedom your loving Heavenly Father has for you.

*Merlin Carothers is the author of so many of the praise series books like Prison to Praise, and Power in Praise.

Thanking and praising God in all things (Ephesians 5:20),

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.

Let Jesus have preeminence over our thought life. Praise Jesus. What a gift of grace it is to be taught to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.

These things I (Jesus) have spoken unto you, that in me (the key is to have Jesus – the Word – alive in you) ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
John 16:33

Hallelujah.

Have a blessed weekend, everyone.

Thanking and praising God in all things (Ephesians 5:20),

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 had my last migraine attack on June 19th…

One of Annie’s friends sent her an email a while ago saying her husband had found information regarding glycaemic migraines. He thought it might be something I should look into. The friend also told Annie about a product called Berberine that helps with balancing blood sugar levels. Annie started taking it because she was noticing that eating carbs was bothering her. When she started Berberine, she felt better and found it was easier to keep her weight level as well.

Annie thought I might want to try Berberine so I began taking it. I soon found I was experiencing some of the side effects Berberine can cause like regular headaches, upset stomach, etc. I noticed I was not having migraines and I felt different in my head. Could it be that I’ve suffered from insulin resistance all these decades? No doctor ever related my migraines to blood sugar issues even though migraines were thought of as glycaemic migraines as far back as 1935. I once approached our family doctor about sugar and migraines, and he said that could not be the cause.

I can’t tell you what it has been like to have the migraines for over 60 years and then to have them suddenly stop. I’m beginning to feel like a whole other person, and it’s only been just over two months. I still do not have a lot of endurance or energy, but I’m actually feeling like I may be able to be more normal as far as anxiety, and all the other challenges I’ve had, goes. I’ve actually been feeling calmer and clearer in my head. It is so weird. Don’t know where this is all heading – no pun intended. I keep asking God about all of it. No answers yet.

Annie and I are both wondering if it could be true. We keep thinking the headaches could start back up any day now, but they don’t.

Could I really be starting to walk out of all the years of being migraine and CPTSD “Mark?” What would that even be like?

Wow…

Thanking and praising God in all things (Ephesians 5:20),

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.

Keep running with Jesus. He’s what matters.

Annie and I have been feeling spiritually challenged the last couple days and it is getting more intense today. So, we decided to dig deeper in Jesus. We keep our focus on Him. We want to run through the tape into Heaven both now and when we reach that blessed place one day. Amen? Amen!

7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:7-14

Thanking and praising God in all things (Ephesians 5:20),

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.

God began speaking some brand-new things to me this morning. I love it when He speaks. He is really something. What a miracle He and Annie are in my life.

God gave me a new understanding this morning regarding CPTSD and chronic migraines. He said these are not me. He allowed them to steer me in life. Without them, I could have been completely lost concerning the things of God. I’m a separate person from these two maladies. That is an interesting thought since they’ve played such a role in my life for 60+ years. I wonder what God is saying about all of this now at this time. Hmmm…A new freedom is coming for me? I’ll have to wait and see if He elaborates on this thought. I may almost be feeling like He’s removing both from me which would be incredible and strange at the same time. Praise God. In everything give thanks.

Someone may need to read this today. I wanted to share briefly that I’ve experienced so many breaking points in my life. These were times when I did not think I would make it and that I could not go on anymore. I have to say that each time, God was there and somehow helped me to keep going. Like you, I owe Him everything. I know His grace brought Annie into my life. I know He has been in all of it. All I can do is thank and praise Him for His mercy, grace, patience and love.

Thank You, Jesus, for Your unwavering faithfulness.

If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.
2 Timothy 2:13

I sought the Lord (His grace kept me doing this), and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
Psalm 34:4

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

Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:57

22 It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23

He sent His Word (Jesus) and healed them and delivered them from their destructions.
Psalm 107:20

I love you all.

Thanking and praising God in all things (Ephesians 5:20),

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.

The remarkable thing about God is that when you fear (revere Him above all else) God, you fear nothing else, whereas if you do not fear God, you fear everything else.*
Oswald Chambers

Having the fear of man will keep one from entering deep into the rest of God.

Talk about the ultimate win-win situation; pleasing God by doing His Word sets me free and enables me to enter His supernatural, all-comforting rest. Wow…

I can’t think of anything that has scared me more in life than thinking I was going to die due to my health issues, and the inability to control life. Back in the 1980s, the psychiatrist I met with gave me a book written by a Harvard or Yale doctor about my condition. My doctor gave us some hope by explaining that medicine might help me. The book said that many like me end up on drugs, alcohol, and even turn to suicide.

In Matthew 24:21, the Bible tells us that end times conditions will bring the largest amount of fear (great tribulation) to ever come on the world (including both world wars) – and it is about to be unleashed. People who have had control over their lives will not know how to cope with losing all control.

Then why do these people stay on their self-destructive path?
Why do the people of Jerusalem refuse to turn back?
They cling tightly to their lies
and will not turn around.
Jeremiah 8:5 NLT

Great fear can also have a good outcome if it causes one to turn to God and choose to trust Him fully.

It just makes sense that if there was a better way to live than the way God tells us to live in His Word that He would have told us so, right? I mean, He’s Adonai, God All-Mighty. He, alone, can keep those who trust in Him, those who take on His ways.

When you think about it, pride can make you think you need to fret, worry and take on care. After all, none of us wants to appear irresponsible, right? We like to “have all our ducks in a row.”

What if there was another way?

There is another, higher way. God’s way. It takes humility (it is so wonderful to discover how life-changing, freeing, and comforting humility can be) to live free in this higher realm by surrendering and transferring the fear of man and all other cares to God.

God commands us to cast all (every bit of it, even our very lives) our care on Him, to trust Him in all things and to believe that He is working all things together for the good of those who love Him. Those who have learned to live this new way – by memorizing and applying God’s Word to their daily lives no matter the circumstances – have experienced the amazing comfort available to those who choose to enter into the door leading to God’s rest.

25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
Luke 12:25-26

Worry and care leads to more of the same. God sent His Word to deliver us from worry and care, and all the rest like unforgiveness, pride, jealousy…On the other hand, believing and trusting God leads to more of the same. The Bible tells us the choice is ours.

15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you (we must all choose) this day (every day) whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord (we will choose to apply Jesus to our lives every single day).
Joshua 24:15

4 And when the chief Shepherd (Jesus) shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. 5 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. 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
1 Peter 5:4-7

One day with You (God) is better than a thousand in the palaces of kings. You are my Adonai, my Lord and Master. You call my name, and a flood of joy overflows. You command my life, and a fountain of confidence takes over. You are my Lord, and I praise You today. Amen.**

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 23:6

Thanking and praising God in all things (Ephesians 5:20),

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.

* What does it mean to have the fear of God?
For the unbeliever, the fear of God is the fear of the judgment of God and eternal death, which is eternal separation from God (Luke 12:5; Hebrews 10:31). For the believer, the fear of God is something much different. The believer’s fear is reverence of God. Hebrews 12:28-29 is a good description of this: “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our ’God is a consuming fire.’” This reverence and awe are exactly what the fear of God means for Christians. This is the motivating factor for us to surrender to the Creator of the Universe. Gotquestions.org

** Prayer to Adonai taken from Christianity.com

I heard someone talk about Psalm 37:1 yesterday and I thought of how appropriate that one verse is for the day we’re living in. When I read the rest of Psalm 37, I knew I needed to include it in today’s email. There is so much evil (darkness) today which is what the Bible says will occur in these last days leading up to the tribulation period. God says we do not need to fret because of it. Oh Hallelujah. God really will keep those in perfect peace whose minds are stayed on Him. His Word, His promises, keeps our mind on Him. Praise Jesus.

3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace (protected because they believe God’s Word and experience His deliverance from the worry evil tries to put on them), whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
Isaiah 26:3

Psalm 37
1 Do not fret (worry) because of those who are evil
or be envious of those who do wrong;
2 for like the grass they will soon wither,
like green plants they will soon die away.

3 Trust in the Lord and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
4 Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

5 Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him and he will do this:
6 He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,
your vindication like the noonday sun.

7 Be still before the Lord
and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when people succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.

8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
do not fret—it leads only to evil.
9 For those who are evil will be destroyed,
but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.

10 A little while, and the wicked will be no more;
though you look for them, they will not be found.
11 But the meek will inherit the land
and enjoy peace and prosperity.

12 The wicked plot against the righteous
and gnash their teeth at them;
13 but the Lord laughs at the wicked,
for he knows their day is coming.

14 The wicked draw the sword
and bend the bow
to bring down the poor and needy,
to slay those whose ways are upright.
15 But their swords will pierce their own hearts,
and their bows will be broken.

16 Better the little that the righteous have
than the wealth of many wicked;
17 for the power of the wicked will be broken,
but the Lord upholds the righteous.

18 The blameless spend their days under the Lord’s care,
and their inheritance will endure forever.
19 In times of disaster they will not wither;
in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.

20 But the wicked will perish:
Though the Lord’s enemies are like the flowers of the field,
they will be consumed, they will go up in smoke.

21 The wicked borrow and do not repay,
but the righteous give generously;
22 those the Lord blesses will inherit the land,
but those he curses will be destroyed.

23 The Lord makes firm the steps
of the one who delights in him;
24 though he may stumble, he will not fall,
for the Lord upholds him with his hand.

25 I was young and now I am old,
yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken
or their children begging bread.
26 They are always generous and lend freely;
their children will be a blessing.

27 Turn from evil and do good;
then you will dwell in the land forever.
28 For the Lord loves the just
and will not forsake his faithful ones.

Wrongdoers will be completely destroyed;
the offspring of the wicked will perish.
29 The righteous will inherit the land
and dwell in it forever.

30 The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom,
and their tongues speak what is just.
31 The law of their God is in their hearts;
their feet do not slip.

32 The wicked lie in wait for the righteous,
intent on putting them to death;
33 but the Lord will not leave them in the power of the wicked
or let them be condemned when brought to trial.

34 Hope in the Lord
and keep his way.
He will exalt you to inherit the land;
when the wicked are destroyed, you will see it.

35 I have seen a wicked and ruthless man
flourishing like a luxuriant native tree,
36 but he soon passed away and was no more;
though I looked for him, he could not be found.

37 Consider the blameless, observe the upright;
a future awaits those who seek peace.
38 But all sinners will be destroyed;
there will be no future for the wicked.

39 The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord;
he is their stronghold in time of trouble.
40 The Lord helps them and delivers them;
he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
because they take refuge in him (by doing His Word; by applying His Word to their daily lives).

Thanking and praising God in all things (Ephesians 5:20),

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.

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

The steadfast love of the lord (Jesus; Yaweh) never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22–23

Some of the sweetest and dearest times I have in the Lord come right on the heels of being tempted by the devil to doubt God. We needn’t fear times of doubt. God is always faithful. When I’m in a kind of spiritual fog, I simply ask my Father for His help.

For so many decades, I was panicking and so scared because it seemed I was getting weaker in so many important areas of life as the years went on. It was all simply because I didn’t know or understand how strong Jesus is. I didn’t know He was working things out behind the scenes in our lives. I needed to learn the dearest part of life, that is, I needed to know Jesus could keep me/us. There is nothing as precious as learning that Jesus can control all aspects of our lives. Nothing is as sweet to our souls.

Keep seeking and following Jesus in all your ways. The reward for doing so is His inspiring faithfulness.

Thanking and praising God in all things (Ephesians 5:20),

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.

God loves us more than we love ourselves and He proves it by continuing to help us grow to be like Him in all our ways so we can be strong and free in His love. All we need to do is let Him work in our lives.

When things don’t go my way, I can let old strongholds (old, wrong thought patterns) make me react in defeated and upsetting ways. I can become angry, bitter, proud, etc. I dig in and don’t want to give any ground. I want my way, right? Not good.

There are times when it seems like you’re under spiritual attack from Satan. And then there are times when God says, “No, you’re not under a spiritual attack from the enemy. I’m trying to point out an area in your life where I want you to grow in so you can be more free indeed.”

Hallelujah. God wants us free from our tendency to live in the flesh. He wants us to live free by becoming more and more like Jesus. What a blessing God doesn’t leave us alone to have to cater to our weak, whiny, complaining, “wanting its way” flesh.

“I (Jesus) am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. 3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.

5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. 7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! 8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.
John 15:1-8

Thanking and praising God in all things (Ephesians 5:20),

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.

By Faith
1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the people of old received their commendation. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

4 By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. 5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. 7 By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. 11 By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.

13 These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15 If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, 18 of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 19 He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. 20 By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau. 21 By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff. 22 By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones.

23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. 24 By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them.

29 By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. 31 By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.

32 And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35 Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. 36 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— 38 of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

39 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

Jesus, Founder and Perfecter of Our Faith
12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Do Not Grow Weary
3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. 4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?

“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
nor be weary when reproved by him.
6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and chastises every son whom he receives.”

7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

12 Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. 14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; 16 that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. 17 For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.

A Kingdom That Cannot Be Shaken
18 For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest 19 and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. 20 For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” 21 Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.” 22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, 23 and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

25 See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven. 26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” 27 This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, 29 for our God is a consuming fire.
Hebrews Chapters 11-12

Thanking and praising God in all things (Ephesians 5:20),

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.

Thanking and praising God in all things (Ephesians 5:20),

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.

Thanking and praising God in all things (Ephesians 5:20),

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 let the peace of God rule in your hearts,
Colossians 3:15a

Practice letting the peace of God rule in your heart throughout every day.

God is helping me to trust Him with all of life and this is letting more and more of His blessed peace rule in my heart. It is so wonderful to simply let my Father’s peace rule in my heart.

Thanking and praising God in all things (Ephesians 5:20),

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 are some rights (promises found in God’s Word) Christians can claim:

God is working all thing together for good for those who love Him.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart.

Be not afraid of sudden fear.

Submit yourselves therefore to God.

Let the peace of God reign in your heart.

Fear not.

The fear of man bringeth a snare.

And all of the other promises (rights) the child of God is commanded to live in…

There are only two choices, Life (living in Christ’s promises/rights) or death (living under the devil’s lies and tyranny). If you do not want the Light, believe it or not, you will have the darkness by default – This truth is Biblical, and like many others, I know this firsthand.

America was founded by people who wanted to be free from tyranny – They knew they could no longer live under the heaviness of tyranny. They spelled out what they wanted in their new land and were willing to die to have their freedoms. They were willing to face off with bondage no matter the outcome. It should be the same with Christians. In His Word, God has spelled out what He has for those who are His. Read the Bible to know your rights as a child of God. Don’t let the devil take those rights from you. Refuse to live under the tyranny Satan tries to set up in your life. Stand your ground no matter the consequences. God will be with you all the way.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Ephesians 6:12

Thanking and praising God in all things (Ephesians 5:20),

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.

In Romans 11:33, the Word tells us that God’s ways are beyond finding out. This is why we need precious Holy Spirit to live in us so He can direct us to God’s ways, to Christ alone.

No more Mark, Christ alone living in me…

I hope I can convey what the Lord is speaking to my heart because He is so wonderful.

I was turning down the bed last night (8-1-23) when I had the thought that I was striving in some area. Jesus told me I did not need to strive to make something happen. I simply needed to let go of that thing and let Him lead in it. If it was to work out, fine, and if not, it was also fine. He was setting me free from fear and striving in the matter. What joy, peace and rest came into me at that moment. Jesus is all that matters. In Christ alone is such a secure, peaceful, resting place. It is worth everything to get to the beautiful place “in Christ alone.”

In Christ Alone
Written by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend

In Christ alone my hope is found;
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My comforter, my all in all—
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone, Who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save.
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied;
For ev’ry sin on Him was laid—
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain;
Then bursting forth in glorious day,
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory,
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me;
For I am His and He is mine—
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death—
This is the pow’r of Christ in me;
From life’s first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No pow’r of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home—
Here in the pow’r of Christ I’ll stand.

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts,
Colossians 3:15a

This is where Jesus is leading us – To Himself. He alone meets our needs in a way nothing and no one else ever can.

Still waters and green pastures. In Christ alone. Mmmm…

Thanking and praising God in all things (Ephesians 5:20),

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.

Lately, Annie has been personalizing the Word, and she’s asked me to do the same because she is experiencing the Word at another level in her life. For instance, when we say a scripture and change the pronouns, it feels different in us. It brings the Word down to our level, gives us more boldness and makes us want to do the Word in a whole new way. It also makes our relationship with God much closer and more meaningful. I believe you will be blessed if you personalize scripture.

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

Personalized:
I am trusting You Jesus with all my heart; and I am not leaning on my own understanding. I am acknowledging You in all my ways and You are directing my paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6

The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Matthew 6:9b-13

Personalized:
Daddy in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.

Your kingdom come. Your will be done in my life, as it is in heaven.

Give me this day my daily bread.

And forgive me my debts, as I forgive my debtors.

And lead me not into temptation but deliver me from evil: Amen.
Matthew 6:9b-13

Thanking and praising God in all things (Ephesians 5:20),

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.