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I (God) love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.
Proverbs 8:17

So come on, let’s go hand in hand with Jesus knowing He’s watching over us with His banner of love. It’s so exciting to anticipate His favor, protection, rest and joy each day.

Thanking and praising God in all things,

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 having more migraines and I have an appointment today for my first series of botox injections at 9am to try to slow down the migraine frequency. The neurologist has me taking a medicine to help when I have migraines as well. We keep believing Romans 8:28, taking thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ and praising and thanking God in all things. God definitely has us walking by faith and not by sight. It’s the only way to live in sure victory.

for we walk by faith, not by sight.
2 Corinthians 5:7

We love you all. Keep up the fight of faith. God has wonderful things in store for those who continue to walk hand in hand with Him. Faith is pretty exciting.

Thanking and praising God in all things,

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 used to not be willing to praise and thank God in all things. I can tell you I was not happy. Being willing (yes, it’s an act of our will just like it is with all other Biblical spiritual truths that can become a part of our lives if we’ll choose to believe them and apply them to our daily lives) to thank and praise Him in all things has changed me and made me free in Jesus in a way I would never have experienced otherwise. Praise and thank Him in all things. It turns you into a believer and believing Him makes all the difference in your spirit.

While I live I will praise the LORD; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being (as long as I live).
Psalm 146:2

Hallelujah!

Thanking and praising God in all things,

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.

Yes, I’m having lots of migraines and other body pain. And it’s true, I could choose to concentrate on those issues and worldly events.

But God!

Here’s the deal. I can either choose to dwell on worldly events and let Covid and all the rest get me down, or, I can choose to dwell on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of my faith. Easy choice, right?

Choose Jesus. Live this life the way He wants you to live it in the freedom He died to give us. The Gospel is good news. We’re going to Heaven, folks. Let’s live like it and live in the moment with our Prince of Peace. After all, He’s overcome this world and offers us the same opportunity to do so in Him.

Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return and come with singing unto Zion, and everlasting joy shall be upon their head.

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so. Live like you’re redeemed.

Hallelujah!

We love you all. Have a blessed and redeemed weekend and life in The Messiah, Jesus!

Thanking and praising God in all things,

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 discovering the most wonderful thing. As I take God at His Word, He’s doing deep healing in my mind, emotions and spirit. He, alone, knows my needs and He’s being faithful to address those needs so they can be dealt with and healed with His Truth. Amazing.

“Peace I (Jesus) leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
John 14:27

God’s saying in the midst of all situations to not let our heart be troubled by them. Instead, we can trust Him knowing He’s working all things – even, and especially, what we see as troubling things – for our good. This new way of looking at life is so freeing and joyful. And all we have to do is take Him at His Word and believe that what He’s telling us is true. Isn’t that wonderful and amazing?

The next time you’re tempted with something that troubles you, let not your heart be troubled. Instead, let God’s peace keep you as He shows you His faithfulness to work everything together for your good.

To let go of being “troubled” is so healing. And I’m just beginning to understand this Truth God knew I needed.

Thanking and praising God in all things,

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 acupuncture isn’t relieving the migraine attacks…

I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
Psalm 91:2

In bed this morning, I was having a lot of pain and bad thoughts following another hard migraine headache attack I had yesterday morning – 3 in one week. I was being tempted to question God’s love and care for me. As a result, I did the only thing that came to mind. I began to praise and thank God. Soon, I started thinking that the only remedy for how awful I was feeling was to “will” to trust God with it all. It was the only way out of the weakness I was dealing with physically and spiritually.

I got up and had coffee with Ann. We talked and decided to trust God, again. It’s the only choice He’s ever really had for us. And, it’s the only choice no matter what any of us face. The joy of the Lord is our strength. Nothing else will do.

“Will” to choose Jesus every day. Declare Psalm 91:2 and live free in Him alone.

We love you all.

Thanking and praising God in all things,

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.

Jesus will never leave us nor forsake us. Wow. Such an amazing truth to experience.

No matter what we face in life, when we’re doing the Word, God rewards us with His matchless joy. His supernatural joy is everything.

It’s so amazing to be strong in Jesus when you’re weak in your body. It’s a wonderful experience to feel His sweet Presence keeping you.

Annie and I love to share how, little by little, Jesus is changing our lives. We love to pass on the joy to others as often as we can because we know the difference He is making in our lives and marriage.

8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Peter 1:8-9

13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13

6 Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.”
Isaiah 12:6

6 Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD.
Psalm 27:6

10 and those the LORD has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.
Isaiah 35:10

2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2

17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,
Romans 14:17

Hallelujah!

We love it when He reminds us to let His peace reign in our hearts as we learn to be careful for nothing. We’re finding that, truly, the joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10). Jesus makes all the difference.

We love you all.

Thanking and praising God in all things,

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.

17 And it came to pass, when they (angels) had brought them (Lot and his family) forth abroad, that he (an angel) said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain (The Lord), lest thou be consumed…

…24 Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;

25 And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground.

26 But (this is how we take on a troubled heart today. We refuse to look up to God and let end times events consume us) his (Lot’s) wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.
Genesis 19:17, 24-26

“And when these things (end times events the media is focusing on that’s causing many to have troubled hearts) begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption (Jesus’ peace and calm in the storm brewing in the end times events) draweth nigh.”
Luke 21:28

11 And he said, Go forth (Elijah), and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake:

12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.
1 Kings 19:11-12

This is cool. The Lord told me this morning not to let my heart be troubled by not looking up. He said the world is becoming full of troubled hearts due to the end times we’re living in. He said most people will be consumed by troubled hearts. He went on to say that when I feel my heart being tempted to be troubled to remember that He is the still, small voice and that is how I’ll hear what He’s saying in these times. He wants me to concentrate on His still, small voice in order to quiet the trouble all around me. “Look up, Mark.”

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
John 14:27

Be still (look up to God), and know that I am God:
Psalm 46:10a

Thanking and praising God in all things,

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.

giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Ephesians 5:20

I’m having more and more migraine attacks. I had an acupuncture treatment the other day at the recommendation of our regular doctor. I go back for about 3 more sessions. I meet with a neurologists next Tuesday who is a migraine specialist. Not sure where all this is leading, but we know God is in control and that makes all the difference. Annie and I are thanking and praising God in all things. We can even laugh about all of it. What a blessing that is. We’re so thankful for His Word that keeps us in His secret dwelling place.

Thanking and praising God in all things,

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.

When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.
Isaiah 59:19b

Boy, I got really ambushed this morning with sudden fear – one of the worst in a l-o-n-g time. And, I didn’t even realize that’s what was happening. Fortunately, my love for Annie saved me and I found her to tell her I was sorry for allowing myself to get so attacked this morning. She told me, “Remember what you’re always telling me and everyone else. When the day starts out with sudden fear, look for Jesus’ favor to show up during the day.”

I’m still reeling, but getting back into Jesus, into the dwelling place of the Most High.

Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of
the wicked, when it cometh. For the Lord shall be thy
confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.
Proverbs 3:25-26

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

So come on, everybody. Let’s get out there and discover all the blessings God has for us. Amen?

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

God saw that I was filled with much fear. He stepped into my life and decided to change all that by showing me that fear will no longer be an option. He would make faith in Him my life. Wow.

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

Without realizing it (this is why I pray for God to show me where I’m deceived), I was minding the things of the flesh, and I was not doing well. Minding the things of the flesh (the heavy-laden and burdensome fear, religious pride, bitterness, anger, confusion, etc.) was overwhelming and killing me.

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Colossians 3:2

What has made me a “Godly” man? The answer is simple. It was the great need for God in my life. God was about to “set my affection on things above,” and focus my mind on the things (and how wonderful and comforting the things above are) of His Spirit. Through His mercy, grace and love, God saw where my life was heading with all of the health issues and fear I had, and interrupted my life by showing me that He could deliver me from all my fears if I’d simply follow Him. Wow, what a great, loving God we have.

What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who (or what) can be against us?
Romans 8:31

The Lord is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation.
Psalm 118:14

But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob (put your name here), and he that formed thee, O Israel (put your name here), Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.
Isaiah 43:1

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

As long as I wasn’t believing Romans 8:28, 2 Corinthians 10:3-6, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, and the rest of God’s Word, I was miserable and I was making my family and others around me sad and upset as well. Unbelief is so contagious. Fortunately, for me, God stepped into my life and began to turn things around. He showed me how I could really begin to do and believe His Word. Now, I’ll never be the same. Praise Jesus!

Satan will fight your faith in God’s Word with all his might, but God is more powerful and will keep you if you’re willing to follow Him into the victory His Word can bring to our lives. Against all odds, believe the Word and act on it. It will change you.

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Galatians 6:9

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Romans 10:17

But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.
2 Thessalonians 3:3

because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
1 John 4:4b

Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
1 Thessalonians 5:24

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
Hebrews 11:6-8

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

Jesus was sent to deliver us every day in our real lives. Whatever your need is, Jesus can supersede it. He is what and who we need. I’m telling you the truth.

When God sent Jesus to earth, He sent us His Love to show the immense degree He would go to – in His Love for us – to bring us back to Him, back to His dwelling place where we could live with Him – now, every day, and forever.

3 The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
Jeremiah 31:3

As we become more like Christ, we become filled with His love and we pass His Love onto others. This is what the Gospel does on earth. This is why people who know Him feel compelled to tell others about Jesus, feel led to share His wonderful, delivering and comforting Love with others. The Jesus in you comforts (loves) me when I need it, and the Jesus in me comforts (loves) you when you need it. And, on and on it goes. Pretty wonderful.

3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4

If you’ve ever had the Holy Spirit come on you and consume you, you know how incredibly wonderful He is. For that brief time, nothing else matters as you bask in Who He is, in His wonderful, consuming Presence. It’s so other-worldly and Heavenly.

I sent out yesterday’s email and sat here thinking about it. I began to feel God’s love, calm and comfort come over me. I could feel His covenant promises operating deep in me. It was so wonderful and consuming.

After I sent out yesterday’s email, I realized that God’s Word is really His love in printed page. He sent His Word – His Love – to heal and save us from our destructions. Wow, this just keeps getting better and better, precious people. From one cover to the next, His Word, the Bible, Jesus, was sent to help us to know how to live this life trusting in Him with all our heart. He wants to comfort us every day with Himself. Amazing.

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6

Why does God command us to trust Him with all our heart? Because He wants every part of us to be covered by His matchless, delivering, comforting, all-powerful Love.

Wow…Truly, what Love is this?!

Be still, and know that I am God:
Psalm 46:10a

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. (My dear one) Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
John 14:27

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

Let His promises, His Word, overtake you, dear one.

Mmmm…Your Love for me, Father, is sooooo good.

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark