Author: Mark and Ann

“Come to me (Jesus), all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28

Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling
Christian Hymn by Will L. Thompson

Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling
Calling for you and for me
See on the portals He’s waiting and watching
Watching for you and for me

Come home, come home
Ye who are weary come home
Earnestly, tenderly Jesus is calling
Calling, “O sinner come home”

O for the wonderful love He has promised
Promised for you and for me
Though we have sinned He has mercy and pardon
Pardon for you and for me

Come home, come home
Ye who are weary come home
Earnestly, tenderly Jesus is calling
Calling, “O sinner come home”

All you who are weary, come home.  I don’t know about you, but I’ve been allowed to be very weary in life.  I was worn out trying to be self-sufficient (didn’t know it at the time), trying to achieve, trying to impress, trying to compete, trying to do this and that perfectly, trying to prove my worth, trying to live up to expectations, trying, trying, trying…

Whewie…

I simply could not conceive of another way, another life, a wonderful life beyond my knowledge and understanding.

What Jesus allowed me to discover is that weary ones will be given the key to the Kingdom of Heaven – Ears to hear, a heart that is now ready to listen and be tuned into the most glorious voice in all of existence, Jesus’ precious, lovely, grace-filled words, “Come home.”

Who is weary but the person who doesn’t yet know His grace.  Those who for this reason or that are still striving and living day to day (probably unwittingly like I was) in their own fears, contrivances and strength.  It’s the blessed weary ones who Jesus is after.  They’re the ones He’s calling to.  They’re the ones who will find His way home.

Behold, I (God) will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it?  I will even make a road in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.
Isaiah 43:19

Come to Me (Jesus), all you who are weary.  Come home and rest.

God bless,

Mark

God knew that living in this world would be a challenge.  He knew we’d be attacked by the devil’s fiery darts so He provided the way of escape for those who love Him.  He gave them the opportunity to choose life or death each day.

Always be joyful (Rejoice always).  Never stop praying.  Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Seems like the devil was always giving me something to complain and be unhappy about.  He loved the fact that I was believing his lies and, as a result, living in such misery, that I was choosing death each day.

On the other hand, Jesus has His incredible, wonderful, amazing, deep peace for His disciples, that is, for anyone who will follow Him and learn to do His ways – True life.

I came to the crossroads in my life and had to make a decision.  Was I willing to stop listening to the lies of my enemy and to begin to believe and act on God’s Word?

The above scripture is just one of the many verses God used to help me overcome all my complaining, torment, bitterness, unforgiveness, unhappiness, hurt over broken dreams, jealousy, anger, anxiety, heartache, and more.

If you find yourself believing a lie (or lies) of the enemy like I did for too many years, do what Jesus is encouraging each of us to do in the verse above.  No matter how you feel, no matter the source of the attack, rejoice always, keep praying, and be thankful in all circumstances.  Doing so will set you free from the fiery darts of the enemy.  I promise.

Happy Monday!

God bless,

Mark

It is the Lord who goes before you.  He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you.  Do not fear or be dismayed.”
Deuteronomy 31:8

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Hebrews 13:5

No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life.  Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you.  I will not leave you or forsake you.
Joshua 1:5

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10

Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.  And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:20

Whether I have what I think is a bad day or if I’m having a really good day, God has said He’ll never leave me nor forsake me.  That’s a wonderful promise that goes beyond words.  We have such an incredible Father.

God bless,

Mark

ROMANS 8:28 – My Happy Place

This verse keeps (protects me, gives me His confidence, love, peace, mercy and rest) me more than any scripture I can think of.  It keeps me by reminding me that God is working all things – even my stumbling steps and mistakes – for my good.  Although there may be many times when I may be a slow learner or become frustrated, He simply asks that I keep being willing to learn (by maintaining a repentant heart and posture before Jesus) all the wonderful things He has in store for me as His child. ☺

God bless,

Mark

We all love heroes and Hebrews chapter 11 is full of such faithful heroes who encourage us to live in the same freedom they had because of their faith and trust in God’s promises and love for them.  We have such a loving Heavenly Father who will work in our lives to such a degree that we’ll learn to live by faith in all circumstances.  This is how we enter His rest and joy.  What a blessing it is that He doesn’t leave us in our doubts and unbelief that can wreak havoc in our lives.

Great Examples of Faith

11 Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.  2 Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation.

3 By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.

4 It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did.  Abel’s offering gave evidence that he was a righteous man, and God showed his approval of his gifts.  Although Abel is long dead, he still speaks to us by his example of faith.

5 It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying—“he disappeared, because God took him.”  [a] For before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God.  6 And it is impossible to please God without faith.  Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

7 It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood.  He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before.  By his faith Noah condemned the rest of the world, and he received the righteousness that comes by faith.

8 It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance.  He went without knowing where he was going.  9 And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith—for he was like a foreigner, living in tents.  And so did Isaac and Jacob, who inherited the same promise. 10 Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God.

11 It was by faith that even Sarah was able to have a child, though she was barren and was too old.  She believed[b] that God would keep his promise.  12 And so a whole nation came from this one man who was as good as dead—a nation with so many people that, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore, there is no way to count them.

13 All these people died still believing what God had promised them.  They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it.  They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth.  14 Obviously people who say such things are looking forward to a country they can call their own.  15 If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back.  16 But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland.  That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

17 It was by faith that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God was testing him.  Abraham, who had received God’s promises, was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, 18 even though God had told him, “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted.”  [c] 19 Abraham reasoned that if Isaac died, God was able to bring him back to life again.  And in a sense, Abraham did receive his son back from the dead.

20 It was by faith that Isaac promised blessings for the future to his sons, Jacob and Esau.

21 It was by faith that Jacob, when he was old and dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons and bowed in worship as he leaned on his staff.

22 It was by faith that Joseph, when he was about to die, said confidently that the people of Israel would leave Egypt.  He even commanded them to take his bones with them when they left.

23 It was by faith that Moses’ parents hid him for three months when he was born.  They saw that God had given them an unusual child, and they were not afraid to disobey the king’s command.

24 It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.  25 He chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin.  26 He thought it was better to suffer for the sake of Christ than to own the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his great reward.  27 It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger.  He kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible.  28 It was by faith that Moses commanded the people of Israel to keep the Passover and to sprinkle blood on the doorposts so that the angel of death would not kill their firstborn sons.

29 It was by faith that the people of Israel went right through the Red Sea as though they were on dry ground.  But when the Egyptians tried to follow, they were all drowned.

30 It was by faith that the people of Israel marched around Jericho for seven days, and the walls came crashing down.

31 It was by faith that Rahab the prostitute was not destroyed with the people in her city who refused to obey God.  For she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.

32 How much more do I need to say?  It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets.  33 By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them.  They shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword.  Their weakness was turned to strength.  They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight.  35 Women received their loved ones back again from death.

But others were tortured, refusing to turn from God in order to be set free.  They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection.  36 Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips.  Others were chained in prisons. 37 Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half,[d] and others were killed with the sword.  Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated.  38 They were too good for this world, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground.

39 All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised.  40 For God had something better in mind for us, so that they would not reach perfection without us.
Hebrews Chapter 11

Trust God, dear friends, and find rest for your soul.  He’s worthy of our faith and trust in Him.

Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion.  But those who trust in (wait on) the Lord will find new strength.  They will soar high on wings like eagles.  They will run and not grow weary.  They will walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:30-31

God bless,

Mark

My wife keeps good stories and some other writing material.  It’s fun to look through them every so often.  The other day, she found the following article taken from a publication called “Words To Live By” in some old family letters.  When she read the article to me, I knew I needed to share it with you.

*******

Lifetime Of Love
Author Unknown

This Is Love:  Knowing for certain and without any doubts that at last you belong somewhere.

We speak of love, wondering what it is, and I answer, this is what I’d like to think it is:  The most wonderful thing in all your world, for suddenly you are complete.  You are one with your wife, and for the first time in your life, you truly know her.

You live with her from day to day, and soon you realize that her looks mean nothing really, that it’s her real self that counts.

The little things, these are what stay with you.  You smile at her across the brim of a crowd.  You are thrilled whenever she suddenly appears.  And you feel an ache when she is not there – the happiness which flows from being able to give of oneself to another, of knowing for certain and without any doubts that at last, finally, you belong somewhere.

Your love for her flourishes, deepening to such a level that it becomes almost pure.  And, more than anything else you’ve ever felt in all your life before, you want only to give this warmth and security to her, give it to her with all your heart and soul and body.

No matter where you are, nor where she is, in a sense of the word you’re both still together.  Your union with her becomes so tender, so terribly dear and close, you’re both that near to the perfect oneness…

It can be like this…

With faith, with God, with compassion and understanding, with trust and soul and heart, it can be like this…

And if it is, the reward becomes a lifetime of happiness on a level unimagined in common hours.

God bless,

Mark

“The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.  He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.  The LORD watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.”
Psalm 145:18-20

“Call to me (God) and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”
Jeremiah 33:3

“But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.”
Micah 7:7

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:16

We all come up against situations when we feel like we don’t know exactly what to do.  That’s when I ask God for His help.  I didn’t use to ask Him for His help.  Instead, I’d get frustrated and out of sorts.

It’s good to begin each day asking Jesus to cover your day and to keep you sensitive to hearing His Holy Spirit’s leading.  Life goes so much better when we keep within the shadow of the Most High, the One Who knows the future and can help us navigate it with His wisdom, peace, love and joy.

Remember to always ask God for His help with any situation.  It’s amazing how much He wants to help us and His help is awesome.

God bless,

Mark

Yesterday, Annie and I were out shopping.  I was clearly feeling an aggressive  heaviness in my spirit and shared this with her – Ann told me she had dealt with the same thing earlier in the day.  I told her something’s going on in the spirit, that I could feel the pressure of it, that it was trying to influence me, and that we needed to be aware of anything that could try to steal our peace, rest and joy in Jesus.  I didn’t know exactly what it was but I’ve learned, for the most part, that when I sense these things that I need to heed what the Lord’s showing me.  As a result of the heaviness I sensed, we both agreed to slow down, smile more, to be more kind, patient, and to not let the heaviness impact our behavior.

The line for gas at Costco was the longest we’d ever seen.  While waiting to fill up, a really nice lady let us go ahead of her.  In a most polite manner, she insisted so we moved ahead of her and we waved “Thank you” to let her know we appreciated her kind gesture.  We saw the same lady again inside Costco and thanked her again for being so nice to us.  She gave us a warm smile.  Then, I noticed another lady with a t-shirt that said some thing like, “Kindness is free.  Sprinkle that stuff everywhere.”  God was confirming what He’d told us about what was going on with the heavy spirit we’d sensed.  I’m so thankful for His voice.  He knows how to keep us and, for that, we’re so grateful.  Nothing like Jesus…Nothing.

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
Ephesians 4:32

Happy Monday, everyone!

God bless,

Mark

I was sitting here this morning thinking and praying about what to share today when the following verse (Hebrews 3:15) came to me.  During the day, the Lord often speaks to me about whatever I’m doing.  He may have a better way of doing something.  He may ask me to love on someone.  He may want me to forgive someone, to read something, to seek Him for something.  When I sense Him entering into my thoughts, I wait for His direction, wisdom, etc.  I try not to turn Him off (to harden my heart, so to speak) because He has the words of life I need so much in my life.  He knows better than I do how I should live my life and I’m always grateful for His peaceful love, covering, and protection over my life.

While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.
Hebrews 3:15

Learning to listen for His voice and instruction is such a beautiful and wonderful way to live life.  Jesus, the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).  Such a precious Savior we have.  Mmmm, He’s everything to me.

God bless,

Mark

I was listening to the precious Christian hymn below on youtube yesterday.  I played it repeatedly when the Lord began speaking to me about how much of Him He’s brought into my life.

For decades, I didn’t have His life in me.  I didn’t have the desire to praise and thank Him in all things.  I always gave into sudden fear attacks, couldn’t begin to conceive that  He was working all things together for my good, and so much more.

I’m so thankful for the reality of His love and character that He bestows on those who are lost but seeking Him the best they know how.

Because Jesus has rescued me from a sin-filled life of worry, unforgiveness, bitterness and confusion, I KNOW He lives.

Now, He walks with me and He talks with me every day.  And, I’ve found that there’s nothing like Jesus.  To have the assurance of His love in my life has made all the difference in the world for me. I’ve never known such peace.  Knowing that He’s working all things together for my good and that He’ll never leave me nor forsake me is so wonderful and beyond words of gratitude.

Stay with Jesus through all the stormy blasts this life can throw at us.  Let Him lead in your life and He’ll bring His abiding Presence into every area of your life.

He Lives
Christian Hymn by Alfred Ackley

I serve a risen Saviour, He’s in the world today
I know that He is living, whatever men may say
I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer
And just the time I need Him He’s always near

He lives (He lives), He lives (He lives), Christ Jesus lives today
He walks with me and talks with me
Along life’s narrow way
He lives (He lives), He lives (He lives), Salvation to impart
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart

In all the world around me I see His loving care
And though my heart grows weary I never will despair
I know that He is leading, through all the stormy blast
The day of His appearing will come at last

He lives (He lives), He lives (He lives), Christ Jesus lives today
He walks with me and talks with me
Along life’s narrow way
He lives (He lives), He lives (He lives), Salvation to impart
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart

Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian Lift up your voice and sing
Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ, the King
The Hope of all who seek Him, the Help of all who find
None other is so loving, so good and kind

He lives (He lives), He lives (He lives), Christ Jesus lives today
He walks with me and talks with me
Along life’s narrow way
He lives (He lives), He lives (He lives), Salvation to impart
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart

Truly, you ask me how I know Jesus lives?  Because He’s now living within my heart.  Oh, hallelujah!

God bless,

Mark

This is a great, short (just over 3 minutes) excerpt from a program Jonathan spoke on.

Also, while I realize our physical bodies can also have issues that we need to address, God can heal us of anything whether He chooses to do so through a miracle or other means.

I’ve included a transcript of Jonathan’s video below in case you wanted it.  Again, I hope you’ll listen to Jonathan’s video.  It’s very timely.

God has called us to stand against the gods of the age.  In America, they don’t talk about idols, but the idols are just as real now.  There’s political correctness.  The thing that happens is, you know, for, if Moses did not stand, nothing would have happened.  You know, we can not accept, the enemy wants all to bow down before him.  He’s the one who wanted Messiah to bow down and so one of the things you see in the Bible is that the people of God are always called to that moment when they have to choose, “I’m not going to bow down to this.”  Moses, “I’m not bowing down to those gods.”  Daniel, “I’m not bowing down.”  Meshach, Shadrach and Abednego didn’t bow down.  The Maccabees would not bow down.  The Apostle Paul would not bow down.  Mordecai wouldn’t bow down, and the Christians wouldn’t bow down which is why they were killed.

The reason was very specific, they would not bow down to say that Caesar was God and offer a sacrifice.  So, all that came from that – Not bowing down is so crucial.  We are called to stand, and this is our time.

You know, we don’t have a choice.  You know, the Jewish people, I said, you know, we have “almost fight” stories, but once they went back to Israel, that was all over.  They knew they had to fight.  If they didn’t fight, they don’t live.  And in the same way, we are called to fight the fight.  We cannot give in.  And so one of the things I say first of all in this age, it’s a prophetic age.  We’re like Elijah.  Elijah would not bow down my knew to Baal.  Well, we are, you have all these things where everybody’s saying you have to accept it, you have to go along with it, you have to be quiet, you have to…We must say, “No, I will not bow down to that false god.  I will not bow my knee to Baal.  I will not give into political correctness, I will not fear.  Come what may, I will only bow down to the living God, and no other god and no other idol.  I will not serve it.  I will not give into it, and I will stand against it.”

We are called to do that, and when that happens – the reason Christians are so in the cross fire now is that we’re the last holdout that’s not bowing down or those who are true, the enemy hates that.  That’s why there’s always fury against those who will not bow down.  But this is our time, and we must stand against the gods.  And, not only prophetically, but even personally, that is that the enemy is always trying to make you, make God’s people bow down to fear, bow down to worry, bow down to temptation, bow down to depression, bow down to discouragement, bow down to your past, and you have to say, “No, I don’t have to take this.  I don’t have to give into this.  I’m gonna fight it.  I’m gonna fight that depression.  I’m gonna fight that god.  I’m gonna fight that fear.  I’m gonna fight that gloom.  I’m gonna overcome because there is only one God.  Therefore, I do not have to bow down to the god of fear, or the god of anxiety, or the god of shame, or the god of impurity.  I can overcome all those things because I have the living God.”

And the other thing is one last thing is that, the other thing we got to know about the enemy, and we were sharing this before, that is, when the enemy always attacks God’s purposes, so he attacks it.  He will especially attack before the big things are coming of God.  He attacked Moses when he was a baby.  He attacked Messiah when He was a baby.  He attacked the church when it was beginning.  He attacked and tried to keep Israel from coming into existence by the Holocaust – That was fury because of what God was going to do.

So the thing is we have to realize something.  If you’re in the will of God – The main thing is to be in God’s will.  But, if you are in God’s will and you’re being attacked, you’re being harassed, you’re being threatened by the enemy, do not fear.  In fact, be encouraged.  It’s a great sign.  It means God has something great for you.  The enemy doesn’t waste his time so he knows what God has for you.  Be strong and overcome and you’re gonna enter into what God has.

God bless,

Mark

Yithazzeq – Hebrew for “to encourage yourself in the Lord.”

Jonathan’s words encouraged my wife and I to encourage ourselves, and each other, in the Lord even more.  I really hope you’ll listen to this short video by Messianic Rabbi Jonathan Cahn.  It is so timely for today.  We need to encourage ourselves in the Lord.  To do so is an incredible weapon in today’s world.

God bless,

Mark

Just like each of us, I need my soul to be restored from the impact the fall in the garden had on mankind.

“For His name’s sake.”  Wow, I’m so thankful God keeps drawing me closer to Him because of His covenant with me – for His name’s sake.  His unfailing faithfulness is such a wonderful blessing in my life.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:  he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul:  he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

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.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:  thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

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

The more I get to know the Lord, and the more time I spend with Him, the more I want to dwell in His house of green pastures, and still waters as He continues to restore my soul.

God bless,

Mark

Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?  Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat?  or, What shall we drink?  or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?  (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Matthew 6:30-33

Why does God ask me to seek His kingdom, first?  Cause He knows if I don’t, I’ll likely become too conformed to this world.

When I seek His kingdom, first, I tend to let His peace reign in my heart; I live knowing that He’s working all things together for my good; I tend to cast all my cares on Him; I’m more likely to take sudden fear thoughts captive to Christ’s peace and control; I’m more loving and have more compassion, and a forgiving lifestyle; I’m more likely to listen to the leading of the Holy Spirit throughout my day, etc.

When I seek first the kingdom of God (when I give it preeminence in my life) and His righteousness (Living this life the way He tells me is best in His Word), when I’m spending time reading and thinking about the Bible, when I’m listening to Christian music, or talking to my wife about God, I live in the shadow of the Most High in His secret dwelling place where I feel safe, have more peace, love my wife the way God wants me to, I have more of His understanding, love, and joy – it’s the happy place where I’m the most secure.

And, He adds everything else I need…☺

When I look at life that way, it’s really pretty simple, and sweet.

God bless,

Mark

Come unto me (Jesus), all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart:  and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  For (because) my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30

Such precious words from our Lord…

“Jesus, please make Your living words a reality in our lives.  Let us walk with You (be yoked up with you) every minute of the day so we can live in Your rest all the days of our lives.  Teach us how to do this, Jesus.  Thank You, Lord.  Amen.”

God bless,

Mark