Author: Mark and Ann

For whom he (God) did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son (Jesus), that he (Jesus) might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Romans 8:29

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Ephesians 1:3-5

18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
2 Corinthians 3:18

I was reminded again yesterday about my need to be more like Jesus. It was such a precious reminder. That’s how God is. Always reminding us of His Presence with us as He makes us into His amazing, loving image. What an incredible privilege it is to be the sons and daughters of God.

I was watching something yesterday and a pastor read the love chapter in 1 Corinthians in the Bible’s New Testament. Suddenly, my heart softened to the words of this precious passage of scripture. The words just help me to relax, calm down, gain a greater perspective, reset priorities and encourage me to want to be more patient and loving towards my wife, family, friends, and those I meet throughout the day and week.

As I was reading the passage again right now, the sweet Holy Spirit reminded me that His work in my life will make me like the Heavenly characteristics listed in verses 4-7 below. I got so excited just thinking that He’s doing that kind of wonderful “love” work in all His children as they continue walking with Jesus. What a blessing to be made into Christ’s image. What peace, rest, love, grace, mercy and joy awaits us as we grow in Jesus. This is what we as individuals and the world at large need today, and every day – The soothing, secure, loving, and comforting touch of Jesus in our lives.

“Jesus, please make me more loving, more like You.”

1 If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. 3 If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.

4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

8 Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever! 9 Now our knowledge is partial and incomplete, and even the gift of prophecy reveals only part of the whole picture! 10 But when the time of perfection comes, these partial things will become useless.

11 When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. 12 Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.

13 Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13

God’s sustaining love is so powerful and reaches into our hearts to bring us all that He is.

God bless,

Mark

But as it is written:  “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”  But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit.  For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.
1 Corinthians 2:9-10

Yesterday, I wrote about how God was doing a new work in me by showing me He wants to remove all complaining from me, from my spirit, so I can learn to trust Him even more and enter deeper into His rest.  God’s faithful to give us many opportunities to practice His new freedom for us.  When we mess up, we don’t need to feel condemnation.  We simply need to pick up where we left off and continue to let the Holy Spirit complete His work in us knowing He loves us all the time. ☺

For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.
Galatians 5:17

In Jesus’ day, many got offended by His teachings.   It caused many to stop following Him.  It’s been the same throughout time.

The Word offends us, our flesh.  Our flesh wants to have its way and when God begins to do a new work in our lives, our flesh will get offended and resist His work of liberty in us.   This is important to recognize because many people leave Christianity when their flesh gets challenged (offended) by the Holy Spirit’s work in them.

For instance, a few weeks back, the Holy Spirit gave Ann the thought, “Is this (or any other thought she may have during the day) glorifying God?”  God was wanting to take Ann to a new level in Him.  He wanted to set her more free in her spirit by bringing this particular thought (one of His ways) to her attention.  Now, the flesh usually responds with something like, “I want to think this thought right now (or do this or that right now) and no one’s going to tell me different.”  Right?  This type of response from the flesh is what can make renewing our minds to the Word of God seem impossible at times.  But the thing is, we don’t have to follow Jesus or renew our minds in our own strength.  It’s pretty hard to defeat the flesh with the flesh, right?  As God points out new areas of freedom He has for us to walk in, the Holy Spirit living inside us reminds us of this new action over and over again.  Then, He uses His power in our lives to help us make these types of changes in our lives that bring us closer to the kind of life and relationship we had with God in the garden before the fall.  God asks us to cooperate (to be willing to do our part) with His Holy Spirit as His work is taking place in us. (Galatians 5:17 above)

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
Philippians 2:12-13

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:1-2

“I am the vine, you are the branches.  He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
John 15:5

God bless,

Mark

Blessed is the man You discipline, O LORD, and teach from Your law,
Psalm 94:12

In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.
Psalm 94:19

While writing the following this morning, I’m sitting here with a God-inspired smile on my face that’s the result of knowing God’s continuing His work in my life.  I’m always amazed at His leading and I get so joyful knowing He’s always healing me in my spirit.

God is showing us (Ann and I) the beauty, peace, and rest His ways bring to our lives.  He keeps showing us things He wants to remove from us that are outside of the “rest” He wants to instill in us.  For instance, for about the last two weeks, the Holy Spirit’s been very gently speaking to me about stopping all complaining – My first thought was, “How could that really happen since complaining is such a part of me and life in general?”  Today, God told me He wants to heal me deeper in my soul by helping me to stop complaining.  Really.  He’s desiring for me to trust Him in a new and deeper way by not complaining.  How do I know it’s God speaking this to my spirit?  Whenever I’ve had a complaining thought lately, He’s gently interrupted that thought with, “I want to help you rest more by helping you to stop all complaining.  It’s a new way I’m having you take thoughts captive, trusting that I’m working all things together for your good, and to keep you thanking and praising Me in all things.”  (2 Corinthians 10:4-6; Romans 8:28; Ephesians 5:20 and other such loving scriptures like Ephesians 4:31-32, and Mark 12:31 about loving your neighbor as yourself)

What an incredible God and Heavenly Father we have, precious people.  Just so wonderful.  And, His healing of our spirits never ends because His infinite mercies are new every morning.

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Philippians 2:13

For the word of God is alive and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12

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 never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23

Boy, this Christian life is so amazing…

God bless,

Mark

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 (Because) the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest…Only be strong and of a good courage.
From Joshua Chapter 1

God’s with you wherever you are.  That’s why we can always have courage.  Our loving Heavenly Father’s with us working all things together for our good.  Such amazing love…

God bless,

Mark

Don’t let the enemy steal your joy today…Nor any other day.  

Live this life in the victory Jesus died on the cross to give us.  Remember, the angel told the shepherds in the fields the night Jesus was born, “”Fear not:  for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For (Because) unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”  (Luke 2:10-11)

Oh, thank You, Jesus for being my Savior, and for saving me when I get discouraged, when I’m in pain, when my focus is on this world instead of on You where it belongs.

Maybe like me, at times, you’re tempted to let circumstances begin to wear you down and discourage you.  I believe that’s why the Holy Spirit gave me these three keys some time ago – He knew I’d need them to overcome this world in Jesus’ Name.   The three keys keep me looking up to Jesus Who is the Author and Finisher of my faith.   When I praise and thank Jesus, it keeps me from developing a hard heart of unbelief.  These keys help to keep me on track and in the right frame of mind regarding the things of earth, and they remind me that all of the wonderful, glorious eternity with the saints, the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit that will be mine, forever, and soon.

Make these three keys a part of your life and walk in victory every day through Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:28 – God’s really working all things together for the good of those who love Him.

Take thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ.   (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

Thank and praise God in all things. All things.
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you (and I want to be in His will) in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:18

Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name.
Hebrews 13:15
I’ve found that when I praise God when I’m in pain (Yes, it can be a sacrifice of praise at times), and don’t feel like doing it that praising and thanking God transforms me and strengthens my faith and trust in His love and care for me.  Before I know it, I’m believing Romans 8:28 again and taking every thought (even pain-induced ones) captive to my precious Jesus.

The LORD (not earthly circumstances the devil tries to defeat me with) is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.   My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.
Psalm 28:7

God bless,

Mark

Happy Monday, Everyone –

In this life, we can sometimes be tempted to think we’re going under, that we’re not going to make it.  Honestly, these are the best times because they bring us to the point where we can choose to cast all the care that’s weighing us down onto Jesus.  Jesus can take our burdens and give us His joy in the midst of trials and provide us with His peace that passes understanding.

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

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

Have a blessed day in Jesus.

God bless,

Mark

I love it when the Lord opens my eyes to more of His ways, His truth, and liberty.  It’s so refreshing.  It’s true life.  That”s Jesus.

“I got this.”  Really?  Are you sure that’s what you want?

When will my heart believe?

Wow, there’s so much to say about today’s topic.  Pride (The devil’s downfall) keeps us from believing God.  It keeps us living with “care,” from trusting God with our whole heart; from God’s deep contentment, and apart from the assurance that God will never leave us nor forsake us; pride keeps us from letting God’s peace reign in our hearts; from renewing our minds; from being still and knowing that He is God; from truly experiencing God working all things together for our good, from the pure joy that complete surrender brings, and on and on – In other words, from dwelling with God.

For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
Isaiah 57:15

Pride Is Killing You – Pastor Francis Chan’s video below is excellent.  He points out that God dwells with the humble, lowly and contrite (those who are truly sorry for their sins, for living apart from God’s ways).  Pride keeps us from dwelling with God.  God points out our pride so that we can be free from it to dwell in and with Him, with the Father of love and all that is true life, from living nearer and with our Prince of Peace, Jesus.

I hope you’ll watch Pastor Chan’s video and that it blesses you as much as it’s blessing us.

God bless,

Mark

I’m sitting here with a pretty painful migraine this morning.  But, God has me praising Him over what I’m about to share.  It’s so exciting how God works.

Behold, I am doing a new thing;
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness
and rivers in the desert.
Isaiah 43:19

You have to admit, it’s really cool when the following happens to you.

Over the last several days, the Holy Spirit has been working a new work in my life.  He’s been teaching me more about how to live in the Spirit and not by my flesh.  He’s teaching me the incredibly liberating life of reacting to more of life through His peace, joy and faith.  It’s enabling me to trust His care of me in a deeper way.  It’s something I was first introduced to many years ago by Pastor Jon at Christ’s Center Church in Oregon, but the Holy Spirit is making it a reality in my life and it’s so wonderful.  God’s so faithful.  I wasn’t even thinking about it and He just started making me aware of His power changing me in this area.  Isn’t it the most interesting and amazing thing when God begins to change you without you even initiating it?

It was neat when God quickened Isaiah 43:19 to me yesterday afternoon when I told Ann about the work God’s doing in me.  God told us that while Isaiah 43:19 often applies to material needs, it applies equally to the spiritual newness of life the Holy Spirit imparts in our lives.  What a great Father we have.  His love just keeps coming as we continue walking with Him by choosing to follow Jesus each day…

God bless,

Mark

Led By The Spirit
By Joyce Meyer in her “Closer To God Each Day” devotional

But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God.)
Galatians 5:16

It’s interesting that in Galatians 5:16 Paul did not say the cravings, or the desires of the flesh, would no longer exist for the children of God.  He said that we can choose to be led by the Holy Spirit, and by making that choice, we would not give in to the temptations that would try to separate us from God.

There are many things that try to lead us – other people, the devil, our own flesh (our body, mind, will, or emotions).  There are many voices in the world that are speaking to us, and often several at the same time.

In order to live in close relationship with God, it is imperative that we choose to be led by the Holy Spirit instead of those other voices.  He alone knows the will of God and is sent to dwell in each of us, to aid us in being all God has designed us to be, and to have all God wants us to have.

Being led by the Spirit means He leads us by peace and by wisdom, as well as by the Word of God.  He speaks in a still, small voice in our heart as we seek to live our lives for God.  The more we follow His leading, the more we will be victorious in life.

I encourage you to begin each day by saying, “Holy Spirit, I will listen for Your leading today.  Give me wisdom and peace so I can move in step with Your guidance.”

God bless,

Mark

Happy Monday, Everyone…☺

Then I saw a Lamb (Jesus), looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders.  The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.  7 He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne.  8 And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb.  Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.
Revelation 5: 6-8

Isn’t that neat?  Your prayers go up to Heaven and become incense in golden bowls before Jesus’ throne.  When you pray, that’s where they go.  When I heard someone speak about this, it really hit me…Our prayers are precious to Jesus.

Keep praying.  ☺

God bless,

Mark

My wife’s father was an alcoholic.  I really believe Satan has many Christians today thinking they can dabble with alcohol and handle it.  Many are using alcohol to give them some relief instead of relying on the peace of Jesus.

Regarding the Bible’s warning and command to not be conformed to this world (Romans 12:2), but rather to be transformed by the renewing of your mind, my wife has a good saying, “If the world’s doing it, I probably should stay far away from it.”  This applies to many things the world is trapped by today…

I hope you’ll watch this short, and really important video on drinking.  It’s one of the best I’ve seen on this matter that’s overtaking the church.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
1 Peter 5:8

God bless,

Mark

1 Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord.

2 Lord, hear my voice:  let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.

3 If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?

4 But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.

5 I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.

6 My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning:  I say, more than they that watch for the morning.

7 Let Israel hope in the Lord:  for with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption.

8 And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.
Psalm 130

Waiting on the Lord is changing me.  It’s doing a makeover in me.  The fruit of the Spirit is forming in me and removing the works of the flesh.  Truly, God redeems us as we wait on Him as we live out His Word in our lives.

Wait for God in every area of your life.  It’ll change you…☺

God bless,

Mark

And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
2 Timothy 2:24

This verse has rescued me so many times over the years.  I like the words strive, gentle and patient in the verse.  Being reminded of these traits can really calm me down and keep me in the proper perspective in my Christian walk.  They remind me to yield to Jesus in all circumstances while letting Him be Lord in my life all the time.

God bless,

Mark

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.  My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.
Psalm 28:7

Happy Monday, everyone.

God bless,

Mark

“Let us not become discouraged when the way grows steep and long, but, affix our eyes on Jesus.  He can change our sighs to song.”
Author Unknown

And when he (God) had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave their testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine (God) own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.
Acts 13:22

Freedom, God’s true freedom, unfolds as Jesus shows me the truth about myself.  Let me explain. I could hear all about Jesus, all about the Bible and those who followed God in their life.  But until I experienced God for myself I never began to be set free by His truth, I never let Him into my life, my heart and soul to let Him begin to shine His light on the darkness I was living with.  When I began to see that I’d been merely religious in my walk with Jesus, I could see why not much was happening to me, to my behavior, to my trains of thought, to the strongholds operating in me.  Somehow, God knew I had a heart after Him and He was faithful to do whatever it took to bring me closer to Him, to His love and life.

David was said to have a heart after God.  It’s why God loved David so much.  David had times when he made mistakes, when he sinned, when he missed God’s best for him and his family.  God knew David could never be perfect, but, like He wants to do for all of us, He wanted to show David His ways and His love so he could enjoy all the blessings contained in God’s will.  God knew that, overall, David’s life desire was to live close to the God he learned to love in the sheep fields as a young man.

Though you make mistakes, though you choose your own will at times, let your overall love for and faith in God encourage you as you walk out your life.  Keep pursing God.  Let God do whatever it takes to change you, to make you fall more in love with Him, to give you a heart after Him.

God bless,

Mark