I could hear geese honking above the dense Oregon fog…Immediately, God said, "I'm going to teach you to hear My voice." Little did I know how much I needed Jesus.
I’m sitting here listening to a song about the Glory of His Presence. It is going to be so amazing to be there, precious people. So much Love and wonderful glory in His Precious Presence. We love You, Jesus.
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’m really beginning to believe (and I’m convinced the Bible backs it up – see Luke 6:46f) that people who refuse instruction and correction cannot really be Christians. After all, repentance is necessary to follow Jesus into the incredible liberty He has for those who continue in His Word. They’re the ones He knows and they are the only ones who will be free indeed from the devil’s schemes.
He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.
Proverbs 15:32
For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.
Hebrews 12:6
Ann and I were talking during this morning’s coffee time. She pointed out something she’d read in the “Bait of Satan” book she’s reading again. A lack of obedience will cause us to live in sin and sin always leads us away from the safe, secure, liberating secret place of the Most High. We must be in the Word and applying it to our lives every moment of the day in order to get and stay free in Christ. I had been sliding into some old, generational thought patterns and what Ann shared with me snapped me out of it. I quickly went online and began reading Psalm 91 out loud over and over and over. Sure enough, I felt completely different. The Word will deliver us if we’re obedient to do what it says to do. Otherwise, we’re open to this world’s ways and the enemy’s suggestions that lead us into his traps.
Jesus wants us free. Stay open to instruction and correction. Stay free 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.
Whenever I hear this song, I think of the times when I’ve felt Jesus’ Presence fill me. There is nothing like His Presence. It is so amazingly powerful, cleansing, moving and wonderful – you can tell it’s from another dimension. His Presence chases away everything that is not Him and you bask in His supernatural Love.
Jesus, Oh Jesus
By Benjamin Dube
Jesus,
Oh, oh, Jesus
Jesus, Oh Jesus
Jesus, Oh Jesus
Your Presence makes me Whole
Jesus,
Oh, oh, Jesus
Jesus, Oh Jesus
Jesus, Oh Jesus
Your Presence makes me Whole
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.
Be strong and of a good courage…Only be thou strong and very courageous…Have I 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.
From Joshua 1
A “good” courage takes God at His Word and moves out even when in the midst of fear.
I’ve been having more and more migraine attacks. I was sitting with Ann this morning during our coffee time feeling afraid, timid, and dealing with a lot of migraine-induced brain fog. Annie and I were trying to figure out why I’m having so many migraine attacks again. Annie is dealing with some battles of her own as well. That was when Holy Spirit broke into my thoughts and merely said, “Only be thou strong and very courageous.” Wow, His words really hit me and freed me from the dismay I was feeling.
We don’t have to have everything figured out about something…
Only be thou strong and very courageous. God’s children were made for war. It’s true. They were made to be conquerors by believing God and taking Him at His precious, all-powerful Word. In the above Joshua chapter 1 passage, God commands only that we be strong and courageous. He will be with us as we step out in the strength that Jesus provides by being faithful to us. When we anticipate Jesus being faithful, we can be strong and courageous. Go with God. Be thou strong and courageous. He is with you. Hallelujah.
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 a really great dream last night for a change. In the dream, I was around a number of people who were really down and discouraged and I got to encourage them in the Lord. That was really wonderful and fun.
I’ve had two migraine attacks in the last 27 hours. One on each side of my head – at least I’m balanced. ☺
Why am I writing you about this? Because it doesn’t matter what comes up in life, Jesus is still King of kings and Lord of lords. That will never change. Being reminded of that can allow Jesus to “keep” you and even inspire you to thank and praise Him in all things. Rejoice in the Lord always. It’s Life advice.
King of kings and Lord of lords – Jesus…Always.
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.
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
Philippians 4:4
Have a blessed day, week and life as you learn the immense blessing of learning to rejoice in the Lord always, precious people.
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.
As Christians, as children of the Most High, it is important that we remember we belong to God. Our lives are no longer our own. We have given God our lives to do with as He pleases and how He sees best so we can touch other lives with His truths and comfort, and so we can bring Him glory. If we praise and thank Him in all circumstances, we will live ABOVE and free in Jesus in this earthly life He’s chosen us to live. This week, I was reminded of this when I felt badly following Sunday’s migraine attack. I was feeling kind of melancholy until God showed me once again that I am His. That really helped me get free of the post-migraine blues. Thank You, Jesus, for Your timely faithfulness.
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 (Jesus) have overcome the world.
John 16:33
Hallelujah!
God bless 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.
As most of you know, a while ago, God asked me to live like I’m already in Heaven. What an amazing thing to be asked to do while on this earth. God is so awesome.
Here is an excellent 3-minute talk by Johnathan.
Have a blessed day living ABOVE.
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 a migraine attack last night…
I woke up this morning with the “I Have Decided To Follow Jesus” song in my heart. What a blessing. God is so faithful. Look for God’s faithfulness today and this week, precious people. How fun is that, right?
Decide each day to follow Jesus. Your Life will be filled with Him.
I Have Decided To Follow Jesus
By Simon Marak
1. I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
no turning back, no turning back.
2. Though none go with me, I still will follow;
though none go with me, I still will follow;
though none go with me, I still will follow;
no turning back, no turning back.
Jesus is everything to those who follow Him. That’s why I love following Him. He puts a song in my heart and keeps me every day. Hallelujah.
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 hope I can say this the way it is happening inside me – Ann is experiencing the same in her life and it is so precious, from ABOVE, and other worldly to be going through it together.
I know what is happening in me is God and it’s not always easy for me to put into words what He is doing other than to say something like, “I was blind and now He – out of His abundant faithfulness and love – is making me able to see.” Even that description/explanation of what He is doing is so understated.
If God sees a heart in any of us that wants Him, He will overlook all of our faults along the way to transform us into His likeness, into His Holiness.
Most of the time, I thought it would be nice to be thankful for the nice things in life – vacations, bank accounts, nice cars, family and home with the pride of having successful work. We all know what most of those things are. Honestly, I never thought it would ever be possible for me to be grateful and thankful for those things that made me feel like I was less than, like I didn’t fit in, like I would be in the “wilderness” barely surviving, worried, scared, and mostly feeling miserable all my life.
The last two days, God has been so near to me and making me feel so thankful deep in my soul for the migraines, CPTSD, job situation, shame, and all the rest. He’s really showing me it is so overwhelming and beautiful how He has used what I thought were such awful obstacles and dead ends to cause me to “look up” out of immense gratitude for what He alone knew I would one day praise and thank Him for out of a new heart only He could produce in me.
Truly, God’s ways are not our ways because He is so ABOVE us in such all-powerful and supernaturally loving ways. When He begins to work His all-knowing, and all-loving, ABOVE ways in us, it is often not comfortable because we are so filled with “down here,” so filled with the earthly ways our flesh is used to. But His end result is such a powerful work that can only be recognized and understood as His work.
To Him be all glory, honor and praise.
He has loved me through it all – that is amazing by itself. Even when I thought He must hate me for what He was allowing me to go through with no hope that it would ever end.
Be ye Holy for I am Holy (1 Peter 1:16b). Wow, God wants to make us free (Holy) like He is. Isn’t that something? He wants us to love, to be forgiving, to be patient, to be without fear, and torment. He wants us to be Holy like Him. I can see where He’s going with this, and it is beyond natural comprehension and this realm in the spiritual sense. He is so amazing and wonderful beyond what I thought.
Only God could take the old Mark and make me new. And I sit here marveled at the path He chose to make me Holy, free, more like Him. And His Holiness keeps filling more of me.
I’m thankful for the hard things, for His things He used that filled me not with anger like I thought would never end, but with supernatural, heavenly gratitude and thanksgiving…Holiness.
It is going to be so fun to throw any crown He gives me in Heaven at His precious feet. I will never stop doing it. He has given me new Life, His Life. It is so Holy. I’m so thankful.
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 love it when Jesus says this. He is so faithful ever watching over my soul.
“Calm down.”
Jesus is so loving. Truly, He is the Good Shepherd.
Have a blessed day, precious people.
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.
We keep choosing Jesus every day because we want only Him. All else is vulnerable and keeps us weak.
The Bible talks about “shaking.” We often “shake” as we live out Jesus replacing us with Him, His ways taking over our lives as we die to our shakable ways. Shaking is very uncomfortable for the flesh where pride, doubt, fear and other works of the flesh reside. It can be really uncomfortable as you learn to trust God and that He’s working all things together for good for those who love Him. When you can’t yet see His bigger picture and plan, you shake. God is shaking everything that can be shaken. He’s been doing this in our lives for a while now (He is still searching our hearts to remove anything that can be shaken, anything in our lives that is not yet His that can make us weak and shake) and it is the most valuable experience anyone could ever have no matter how discomforting it can be because what is left is what cannot be shaken and that is Jesus living in you.
In these end times, God is shaking the earth. He’s doing it to get mankind to look up to Him, to repent, to get them to come to Him and to leave everything else that can be shaken behind.
Learn to trust God as He works His good will in your life and let Him shake all that can be shaken in your life and this world. It is His plan to give us the Kingdom, to give us all that Jesus is.
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 so much. He wants us to abide in Him, in His precious Love, at all times.
So much fear was controlling my days. I really needed to learn how to let the peace of God rule/reign in my heart. All Christians need to learn to do this. It totally changes lives.
So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.
Isaiah 59:19
Today is no different than any other time in history. The enemy is still attempting to make his fear rule our hearts. Jesus is still calming storms. He is still saying, “Peace be still” to any who will listen to His loving, delivering words.
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts.
Colossians 3:15a
Peace be still. Listen for it. Jesus is here…
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.
23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Psalm 23
This world and its ways will make every attempt to shepherd me, to make me into the person and life it thinks I should be and live.
It is everything to learn to let the faithful Shepherd, Jesus, shepherd me. His Life, True Life, happens in me. So much healing – peace, rest, and joy – takes place in me…
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 looking up to Jesus, my friends. Live this life like you’re already there. Feel Heaven pulling you up by its wonderful truths. We’re longed for the Kingdom. As it is in Heaven, let it be on earth in my life, Lord. Let me be a living example of the truth about You, Jesus. Hallelujah.
Have a blessed weekend.
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 following is taken from the 26-minute mark in Pastor John Bevere’s “Bait of Satan 5” youtube video. While it can apply to all sin, his comments below are regarding the sin of offense which is powerfully destructive to our lives when you discover how far-reaching it is.
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God says, “I know what you can handle,” and He only allows what He knows we can handle to come by us. Spiritual growth is this: When we encounter unfair treatment, when we encounter offensive behavior and we choose to obey God’s Word in the midst of it rather than react and defend ourselves, avenge ourselves or return evil for the evil that’s done to us, God says when you do that, that is when you grow.
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We grow as we apply His Word to our daily lives. This growth is how we become more and more free in the Lord.
We don’t have to choose God’s ways…We get to choose to live His ways out in our lives. It is the most exhilarating, secure, awesome, liberating, joyful, protective, privileged opportunity anyone can have. And it can only be truly appreciated, understood and experienced by those who choose to do it.
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.