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strengthening and establishing the hearts of the disciples; encouraging them to remain firm in the faith, saying, “It is through many tribulations and hardships that we must enter the kingdom of God.”
Acts 14:22

I can honestly tell you that Annie and I would not be entering the Kingdom of God if it had not been for all of the tribulations and hardships God has allowed in our lives. We could not possibly be learning to trust in the Lord with all our hearts, that He is working all things together for our good, to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, to cast all our “care” on Him, and to praise and thank Him in all things if it had not been for the trials and hardships He has been using to remove our weak, circumstance-reliant flesh from us.

The Kingdom of God is so wonderful and He keeps revealing more and more of it to us. Before we learned that God can be trusted in everything, we were miserable and constantly tossed to and fro in our spirits. The tribulations and hardships are teaching us that God is always faithful and that fact is everything in life – God is building our lives on Christ, the firm foundation that is immovable, the Rock. That we can rely on Him in it all is the greatest blessing we could have ever imagined. We can see the Kingdom like never before and it’s a wonderful, care-free, peaceful, restful, loving, joyful, ever-expanding place.

I hope you’ll listen to Messianic Rabbi Jonathan Cahn’s 3 minute message excerpt below.

The Promises of God They Never Preach [From Completing Your Mission (Message 2268)]

Do you have tribulations and hardships? Rejoice! You’re entering the Kingdom where you learn to live ABOVE and free from circumstances and where He takes all of your “care” from you. Hallelujah!

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

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

What a blessing it is to be in Jesus instead of being in myself. He is so fantastic and His glory that He shares with us keeps coming and expanding into all of who we are. What joy is ours as we choose each day to exchange us for Him.

The Lord bless you and keep you
The Lord make His face to shine on you and be gracious unto you
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace
And I put the Name of the God of the children of Israel on you and bless you in Jesus’ Name, the Name that is ABOVE every other name (even ABOVE the “end times”).

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

Boy, oh boy, there is so much to written and shared about the following. As I’m sitting here writing this, the Holy Spirit keeps telling me more and more. I wish I could be right there with each of you to share more of it with you, and to have you share with me, all God is doing in your own life in the following type of experience in the Lord.

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 have overcome the world.
John 16:33

I had back to back migraine attacks yesterday. My head feels like it’s in a vice and my brain is pretty beat up. But I have God’s joy and peace that pass my understanding. I’m not left to or stuck in my understanding because God is showing me I can rely on Him and that let’s me live surpassing my own ways and understanding. Does that make sense? ☺

God’s ways are so beyond my limiting, constrictive ways, so far beyond my weak flesh.

Pride keeps me doing my ways and prevents me from doing God’s ways – His ways set me free so I’m choosing every day to say no to my pride and to adopt God’s ways more and more so I can be free indeed. There’s nothing like the liberty I’m finding in Christ! Indeed, it’s True Life!

The Holy Spirit’s joy comes on me as I do and see His ways actually work in my life; as I see them work in this life; as I witness them working here on earth. It’s amazing.

I’ve been having really bad knee cap pain again – off and on for about 18 years. Last week, my doctor told me he thinks I have arthritis in my knees. I had my knees x-rayed on Monday and the x-rays showed there is nothing wrong with my knees. What a blessing.

To celebrate the fact that there is no structural damage in my knees, I was riding my bike around our neighborhood yesterday and thinking about the end times we’re in when the absolutely precious Holy Spirit said, “I want you to have My joy in the days ahead. I can give you My joy no matter what comes up in your life before you come to Heaven.”

Wow, I got a big grin in my spirit and just had to smile as I felt His power supersede my own thoughts. God is so wonderful and He just keeps introducing me to more and more of Himself, Who He is and what He’s capable of.

Folks, I can’t live in God’s joy on my own. His joy comes from Him. It’s supernatural. It comes from the Heavenly realm. In fact, I’ve come to realize that apart from Him, I can’t do anything on my own that brings me His joy. That’s just the point. I keep asking God to help me and He does. And when He does, His supernatural joy fills me all over again. This keeps going on and on. It’s crazy good.

Right now, it’s like I’m living in a Holy Spirit bubble and observing all of the end times events that are happening around me. In God, I can live free from the impact of it all because Jesus has overcome the world. Hallelujah!

He’s telling me I don’t need to have any fear about the days we’re living in. He says I simply need to follow His leading every step of the way.

I’m telling you (many of you are probably already doing this), call on Jesus all day long and let Him give you the supernatural power, understanding, peace, love, rest and joy that can only come from Him. He’s just waiting for us to take on His power that lets us live ABOVE this earthly realm. He loves to release it to us.

For the joy that was set before Him…

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2

Look to Jesus and experience His joy in your life. You can’t come up with it on your own so why try to do so. Please call on Jesus and get His joy that lets you live outside this earthly realm – with His perspective – in every area of your life, thoughts and being.

We love you all…☺☺♥♥

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

On Tuesday, 3-30-21, I was listening to a pastor talk about what Jesus endured on the cross. The pastor was saying that not only did Jesus take on all of the sins of mankind for all time, but that Jesus took on all of the punishment all of those sins would be punished for in hell. Wow. I was telling Annie about it when I got choked up.

The other day I was thinking about Hebrews 12:2

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2

“For the joy that was set before him” really spoke to me. All I could think about was that I just want to have Jesus’ joy and to never focus on my problems. This is the type of good work Jesus is doing in me and it’s so wonderful.

That’s when it hit me – Jesus is my joy. And what immense joy He’s given me. I began telling Annie that Jesus is teaching me how to give Him all my care, He has made it possible for me to be careful for nothing and tells me I can really trust in Him with all my heart at all times. And Jesus has given me the biggest gift I could ever have in this life…Romans 8:28. I was so sick, confused, lost, oppressed and hurting before Jesus began to do His mighty work in me by getting me into His awesome Word that sets us free indeed. I could never thank Him enough for never leaving me nor forsaking me.

To be getting healed of all the poison Satan’s lies had brought into my life is just a miracle. I know how lost I was, and I know Jesus’ power to set me free. That brings tears of His pure joy to my eyes.

Thank You, Jesus, for all you’ve done for me.

Being confident of this very thing, that he (Jesus) which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Philippians 1:6

It’s amazing how much my confidence in Christ is growing as He performs His good work in my life.

Thinking about Jesus just overwhelms me. I love Him so much.

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

The words of the blessing are meant to remind us of God’s care of our lives. He watches over the lives of His children and brings them to His place of rest. Seek Him with all your heart and let Him give you His peace, rest and joy.

The Lord bless you and keep you
The Lord make His face to shine on you and be gracious unto you
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace
And I put the Name of the God of the children of Israel on you and bless you in Jesus’ Name, the Name that is ABOVE every other name.

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7

Thank You, Jesus, for Your Word…

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

Remember, we don’t wrestle with flesh and blood, but with powers of darkness…

The Lord bless you and keep you
The Lord make His face to shine on you and be gracious unto you
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace
And I put the Name of the God of the children of Israel on you and bless you in Jesus’ Name, the Name that is ABOVE every other name.

For the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.
Deuteronomy 20:4

Have radical faith. Believe God and live in victory!

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. 4 Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength:
Isaiah 26:3-4

Before going to bed last night, I was turning down the bed and some other things when it hit me that I was kind of in a funk. I wasn’t really down, but I wasn’t really walking in the Spirit either – My mind wasn’t stayed on God. I stopped right there and began thinking God thoughts and how wonderful He is and how He created the universe, brought Annie into my life and everything I should be thankful for. What a difference listening to the Spirit can make in our thought life.

For we walk (live) by faith, not by sight…2 Corinthians 5:7

I woke up just after 3:30am this morning with a lot of fear. I mean it was really intense. Sugar can sometimes give me anxiety so I thought about what I ate last night. Couldn’t really think of anything that could be bringing on this much fear and that’s when it dawned on me again that there was a spirit of fear trying to intimidate me. I began praising God and telling Him how wonderful He is, etc. Boy, the spirit of fear began leaving the room and I told Annie what had just happened. It was like the Lord was telling me we need to have radical faith today. We need to have faith that chases down fear and exterminates it. We need bold faith in order to defeat the enemy’s schemes in our lives and in the lives of others. Hallelujah!

Feeling dull and just not on top of things?

Happy Monday, everyone.

Remember, when the enemy comes in like a flood (with lying fear), the Lord will raise up a standard against him – faith.

Keep your mind on Christ and let Him show you how wonderful He is each moment of the day. What a Savior we have.

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Ephesians 5:20

The Lord bless you and keep you
The Lord make His face to shine on you and be gracious unto you
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace
And I put the Name of the God of the children of Israel on you and bless you in Jesus’ Name, the Name that is ABOVE every other name.

20 Now unto him (Christ) that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
Ephesians 3:20

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

17 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:

18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

19 The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.
Habakuk 3:17-19

“It makes no sense at all to praise and thank God for the mess I’m in. I don’t know anyone else doing it. I just don’t feel like doing it right now. I think it’s a waste of time. Besides, I’m kind of mad at God right now.”

Sound familiar? It does to me.

Back in the 80s, in our new Oregon home, Ann lay on the couch with our oldest daughter, Faith, in her arms. Ann was crying out to God. She really thought we’d end up divorced or that I was going to kill myself leaving her one choice – to move back to Southern California and in with her mother and dad. We had a good marriage and really loved each other, but I felt like such a burden to Ann that I thought I needed to leave her so she could marry someone who could give her the kind of life I didn’t seem to be able to provide her. I felt so cursed and beyond help with no constructive way out of where my life was heading.

Then, Ann began doing something she’d heard on the Merlin Carothers audio cassette tape she’d played until it had worn out. She began to praise and thank God for exactly how things were at that moment. Literally, within days, God began to give us some answers to our dire situation.

It took me way too many years to figure out that praising and thanking God in all things was such a huge weapon and blessing – Anger, stubbornness and pride probably kept me from doing it – great ingredients for developing a hard heart. That’s why I tell others not to wait to use praising and thanking God at all times. There is no reason to be a miserable, defeated Christian when our obedience to praise and thank God in all things (even when we do it in our minds and not out loud) can deliver us in ways we can enjoy all throughout our lives.

Don’t wait to praise and thank Him in all things. There is supernatural strength when we say, “I will praise you, Lord.”

for the joy of the Lord IS your strength.
Nehemiah 8:10d

When we praise and thank God, Heaven immediately realizes that we’re exercising our faith in God and His faithfulness to us. Praising and thanking Him in all things is like we’re putting in an urgent phone call to the “Lord of Heaven’s Armies” office and our call immediately goes through to the Lord’s attention. It’s up to God how He chooses to inhabit our praise and faith call. He does what is needed to rescue us asap. I can tell you from personal experience that it’s like He immediately dispatches ministering angels to my location to fortify my faith and to encourage me to stand – even when I’m tired, in bed, or weary from any battle I’m in. The Lord gives me the words and thoughts I need to keep believing Him, to keep believing that He loves me, to keep believing that He’s working in the situation, that He’ll never leave me and that it’s His plan to give me a victory in the situation.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 5 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.
2 Corinthians 1:3-5

God knows we’re in a faith fight here on earth and He’ll do everything to help those who will call on Him when battles come their way.

Praise and thank Him in all things. It’s His commandment and for good reason. He – all that He is – inhabits the praises of His children. When God shows up, the enemies (lies, fear, doubt, and unbelief) flee in all directions.

1 I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever.
2 Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.
3 Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.
4 One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts.
5 They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works.
6 They will tell of the power of your awesome works, and I will proclaim your great deeds.
Psalm 145:1-6

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

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

The enemy loves to scare us into submitting to worry and into dropping our faith. This is always a lie. It doesn’t matter what the source is. The sooner we learn to recognize this, the sooner we’ll be able to recover when tempted to lose faith.

When you get tempted to fear or feel confusion, keep praising God because He will show you the way back to strong faith. Always remember, God inhabits our praises and that means we will win! He will always give us the victory in every battle if we’ll believe and continue doing His Word. When God inhabits our praise, He displaces fear and instills almighty faith in Him and His faithfulness.

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

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

Conditions on earth are pointing directly to Christ’s soon return and to the tribulation period the Bible speaks about. So many will find life unbearable in the coming days. As Christians, we know the conditions we see around us are leading to life in Heaven with Jesus. What joy lies ahead for those who know Christ, for those who hear Him say, “Look up.”

The Lord bless you and keep you
The Lord make His face to shine on you and be gracious unto you
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace
And I put the Name of the God of the children of Israel on you and bless you in Jesus’ Name, the Name that is ABOVE every other name.

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

I’ve heard a lot of good Christian teaching and solid sermons over the years. I attended a number of Bible colleges and worked in ministry.

While taking Ann to work this morning, I was listening to a really great, and challenging talk by a radio minister. It dawned on me that unless I put what he’s saying into practice, what he’s saying does me no good.

God wanted Annie and I to put His Word into practice in our everyday lives. He would see to it that that happened. We’re so thankful for His faithfulness to bring that about.

24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
Matthew 7:24-27

Years ago, one of my co-workers (my manager) asked me, “Are you from here (Southern California)?” Ever had someone ask you that? I could tell he was asking me that question because I didn’t seem “normal” to him. I actually told him I needed Jesus and that I could not live apart from Him. Don’t know what he thought of that, but he appeared to respect my reply. A couple of years later, my manager was being threatened with losing his job at the company and I was the first person he came to about it. He was pretty upset and I tried to calm him down the best I could…

While growing up, very few homes on my street had families who didn’t attend the church of their choice each week. As a result, life was totally different from today.

The New Normal – Ann and I wanted so much to have a “normal” life – Good job, nice home, family, dog, neighbors, vacations, and retirement. We found out the new normal Jesus had for us was, “when you seek me with all your heart, you’ll find Me.”

Our normal was going to be knowing Jesus with all our heart. Jesus was not going to let us find any other kind of “normal” because He knew the normal life we wanted could never save us from our destructions, from the plans Satan had for us, and from the “perfect life” we sought, but would never truly be able to find in this world. Because He knows the future, God knew we needed to plant our feet on the rock (Christ) and to leave behind the type of life that tends to build on the sand – on anything other than Christ, alone.

11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.

13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:11-13

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

The Holy Spirit points out areas He wants to bring His healing touch to. Isn’t that amazing? He wants to minister to us in so many wonderful ways. As I do His Word, I realize more and more how much He Loves me. I simply need to let Him Love me with His Words of Life that massage His Love deep into every area of my life. Wow.

The Lord bless you and keep you
The Lord make His face to shine on you and be gracious unto you
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace
And I put the Name of the God of the children of Israel on you and bless you in Jesus’ Name, the Name that is ABOVE every other name.

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

Have you ever had a massage? Has anyone ever rubbed your head, shoulders, back or feet? I love to be rubbed. It relaxes me, calms me down, makes me feel loved, makes me sleepy and even rejuvenates me…and more.

I was saying my verses this morning when I realized I was being so ministered to by Jesus. His Word ministers to me. As I agreed with The Word I was reading, it was like He was massaging me deep in my heart with the Love in His Words. It was so soothing and wonderful. He is so wonderful in His Love for us.

This precious little verse stopped me and really captured my attention. Believing and “doing” this one scripture has been so soothing to my life that had so many knots, and sore muscles of fear, bitterness, striving, shame, doubt and so many others.

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1 Thessalonians 5:18

Hallelujah! It is my Father’s will to give thanks in everything. All He wants to do is minister to me through this precious, soothing verse. God knows just where I’m sore and rubs me with His Loving hands of mercy, grace, peace and joy.

And this is just one of the verses He uses to bring His all-knowing, strong hands to bear on my areas that need His healing, loving touch.

What an amazing God we have. Jesus. What a Savior. Let Him minister to you, child of God. He knows just where to rub.

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark