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The more you trust in God’s Word, the Bible, the more of it you want to apply to your daily life. We can rely on God’s Word and choose Jesus every day, precious people.

So come on, let’s go and see what wonderful things God has in store for us – His kids – today, and every day.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2 Corinthians 5:17

God bless,

Mark

Yesterday, I really felt like giving up. I have a bladder infection and the medicine is really messing with me. Then, I got severely spiritually attacked. A few weeks ago, I was diagnosed with stage 3 kidney disease on top of everything else the enemy tries to discourage me with. That’s why I’m sending out the following. We must keep believing, precious people. Christ died to set us free to become believers regardless of our situation or circumstances. Praise God.

When you pass through the waters, I (God) will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.
Isaiah 43:2

Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me (Jesus).
John 14:1

Then he (Jesus) said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
John 20:27

But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
John 20:31

Keep believing. That’s the word for today. Keep believing that God is working all things together for your good, that He wants you to keep giving Him all your cares, and that praising Him is a supernatural, powerful weapon to use against any of the enemy’s lies that try to get you down in your spirit.

For Christians, this is where the battle is. We enter God’s rest by becoming believers.

What time is it? Well, “right now” (and it’s always now, right?) is included in “all the time.” Remember, God IS good all the time, and, all the time, God IS good. It’s true and we’re free to believe it. Hallelujah!

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

I love you all.

God bless,

Mark

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 “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. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.
John 15:1-6

For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.” 7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. 11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Hebrews 12:6-11

God’s ongoing, deeper, liberating work in our lives…At times, it can hurt and discourage us. But, it is necessary for the work He knows needs to be done to produce His character in us – at all costs.

One of the best times to praise God is when your life’s just been rocked – like mine was this morning – and you feel like giving up. You feel like you had nothing left to begin with, and even that is being taken from you.

Praise God.

He really does work through the praises of His people. Even when praising Him is super hard. The sacrifice of praise is a sweet aroma to Him. He’ll be faithful to help you. So praise Him. In the end, you’ll be glad you did.

It’s not about me and what He’s asking me to part with. It’s about Him, and His faithfulness to give you more and more of Himself. That’s Who He is – The Faithful One. Hallelujah!

God bless,

Mark

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1 John 1:8

Once they’re revealed to us, with the help of the Holy Spirit, we must repent (turn from, depart from, stop) of any sin in our lives in order to follow Jesus into the precious, amazing freedom He makes available to us. This is what being a disciple of Christ will do for us. We will be set free, indeed. And, oh, the joy that floods our souls when we’re no longer bound to our sins; when Satan’s hold on us – in any area of our lives – is broken…☺

Did you know that we can be deceived into thinking that we have no sin? It’s true. I know it firsthand.

I was so blind to the truth. But then, Jesus came to open the eyes of the blind, right? Hallelujah!

Besets: 1. To surround; to enclose; to hem in; to besiege; as, we are beset with enemies; a city is beset with troops. Hence, 2. To press on all sides, so as to perplex; to entangle, so as to render escape difficult or impossible.

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Hebrews 12:1

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because (for) it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.
Romans 1:16

If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 
John 1:7

Wow, what powerful scriptures. The gospel, the good news, is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes (we must believe the good news, the gospel, in order for it to save us from our sin). You see, even though I was a “Christian,” I wasn’t really believing it. I didn’t know how to believe it until God revealed “how to believe it” to me. His good news, the gospel, was what I needed to stop the sin of the fear of man, bitterness, dissatisfied with who God made me, angry about my health issues, not believing that He can work all things (our past included) for good, always seeing myself as a victim, shame, unforgiveness, inferior, insecurity, hardhearted, religious, confused, scared, jealousy, fear, worry, religious pride (and so many other sins), wanting to fit in, wanting the pleasures of this world that were ruining my life and the lives of those in my family that I was impacting. I was really hemmed in and sick in my sins. And, I was spreading it to others. Yep, sin is really ugly – and deadly.

But then, Jesus…☺

God’s Word, Jesus, became “life” to me. He began to save me (purify me) from all those sins I listed above that were making life miserable, and bringing death to me and my precious family. Jesus really is The Life. He removes the sin in our life that’s killing us, our relationships and everything else. As we learn about Him, we can choose to take on His character, His ways that bring life to us by separating us from our sins.

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
James 4:7

Now, all I really want to do is tell everyone about the power of the gospel that can save us (salvation) from the sin that so easily “besets” us – I was stuck in my sin with no perceivable way of escape. Then, Jesus came and shined His light (through His Word) into the darkness in my life exposing it so it could be dealt with, so I could begin to become free in Him.

Anyone who is being set free by/in Jesus would do the same. ☺ They can’t help it because it’s so wonderful to be on the path to true freedom in Jesus.

The people (like me) who walk in darkness Will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, The light will shine on them.
Isaiah 9:2

To give light to them that sit in darkness (the sin in our lives the devil’s using to steal, kill and destroy us) and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Luke 1:79

“The people who were sitting in darkness (like me) saw a great light, and those who were sitting in the land and shadow of death, upon them (me too) a light dawned.”
Matthew 4:16

The Light (Jesus) shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it (Most people won’t comprehend or understand what Jesus has for them (Matthew 7:13-14). We want to be people who comprehend the Light, Jesus).
John 1:5

For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
2 Corinthians 4:6

But you are a chosen race, A royal priesthood, A holy nation, A people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
1 Peter 2:9

for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (free from all sin)
Ephesians 5:8

Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”
John 8:12

to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified (set apart, unburdened, redeemed, make holy) by faith in Me.’
Acts 26:18

Let’s keep letting Christ’s light shine into every corner of our lives to expose any darkness that keeps us from living in His liberty.

God bless,

Mark

Every Day With Jesus…Mmmm.

And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long.
Psalm 35:28

“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

“Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy.
John 17:13

Jesus is with us every day. We can choose to follow Him every day in our studies, our shopping, our marriage, our family, our work, our interactions with each other, and for keeping our minds and emotions in Him. We never need to depend on our feelings since they can change so often according to circumstances. Choose Jesus every day and overcome this world in every area of life. Thank you, Jesus.

Therefore, choose life, choose Jesus.

Go with Jesus and see what He has for you today as you choose to rely on His faithfulness…

Happy Monday, Everyone.

God bless,

Mark

Shalom is not dependent on circumstances which is why the Apostle Paul could write that he had learned – He’d gotten to truly know Jesus, and Jesus’ care for him – in whatsoever state (condition) he was in to be content (by trusting that God was always in control, he could always have God’s peace – Shalom). Philippians 4:11

Paul turned all of his life, all of his circumstances, all of his dreams, burdens and care over to Jesus.

The following is taken from this site:

https://firm.org.il/learn/the-meaning-of-shalom/

Many are familiar with the Hebrew word shalom or “peace.” The common western definition of peace is — the absence of conflict or war — but in Hebrew it means so much more.

“Shalom” is taken from the root word shalam, which means, “to be safe in mind, body, or estate.” It speaks of completeness, fullness, or a type of wholeness that encourages you to give back — to generously re-pay something in some way.

True biblical shalom refers to an inward sense of completeness or wholeness. Although it can describe the absence of war, a majority of biblical references refer to an inner completeness and tranquility. In Israel today, when you greet someone or say goodbye, you say, Shalom. You are literally saying, “may you be full of well-being” or, “may health and prosperity be upon you.”

If this is the way we understand biblical peace, then suddenly many verses take on a whole new meaning. With this Hebrew thought of shalom in mind, let’s look at a few common Scriptures about peace:

“Speak to Aaron and to his sons, saying, ‘Thus you shall bless the sons of Israel. You shall say to them: The LORD bless you, and keep you; The LORD make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace (Shalom – an inward sense of completeness or wholeness in Him – not dependent on outward circumstances.).’” – Numbers 6:23-26

The context of the Aaronic Blessing is ironic (pun intended). God told Aaron to bless Israel with peace while they were getting ready to go conquer the Promised Land. If peace means “the absence of war,” then this doesn’t make sense, since they would soon be destroying cities. God was referring to an inner peace and completeness brought on by sharing in His countenance and His protection. That was the blessing that Israel needed! Israel was to rarely experience times of outward peace, but even in the midst of battle, they were to have an inward rest brought on by the presence of the Lord, regardless of the outward circumstances — so it should be for us as well.

God bless,

Mark

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

Satan isn’t a lion. Oh, he may try to make us think he is. But he’s not.

THIS IS A LION!

and one of the elders said to me, “Stop weeping; behold, the Lion (Jesus) that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals.”
Revelation 5:5

And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord (Jesus) shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
2 Thessalonians 2:8

God bless,

Mark

Living this life His way is how we enter His rest. His ways are listed in the pages of the Bible. With the leading of the Holy Spirit, as we trade our ways for His ways, we enter more and more of His precious rest.

I really ask that the Lord makes the following clear. It’s what happened to me and Jesus has this for everyone – Many of you already know this as well and realize that we’ll never stop learning more about Jesus as long as we live. It’s so precious to me. Really, it’s life to me. That’s my Jesus.

Come unto me (Jesus), all ye that labour and are heavy laden (that’s me, Mark), 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 (This is what He’s doing for me).
Matthew 11:28-29

“I’ve (Jesus) overcome the world.” Wow. That’s quite a statement when you meditate on it. In fact, it’s supernatural. Jesus is supernatural meaning He can give us His almighty power that’s from His heavenly realm to live above our situations, disappointments, broken dreams, jealous tendencies, you name it…above this world – He’s overcome our weakness to cave in when we run into problems and circumstances that cause us fear, worry, unrest. Jesus is teaching me how to overcome this world. He teaches us how to do this and it’s amazing. He teaches us to believe Him, in Him and His Word. And that overcomes this world and our natural reactions to it – our ways. “Super” means above, beyond, greater than, more powerful than, over. That’s what Jesus is all about.

What’s your world like? My world used to be made of all the big and little things that would pick me apart, upset me, keep me on edge, striving, frustrated, always trying to understand, and far from God’s love, peace, rest and joy. It was like God was letting me run out of my own steam, strength, my own resources and remedies until I finally agreed that I need Him, His love, His deliverance and salvation. I thought I was saved, but I didn’t really know Him, His power and the meaning and experience of His ways. I didn’t really know Him Who is the living Word.

for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.
Hebrews 4:10

“Jesus, whatever it takes, please show me Your rest. Teach me how to really follow You. Do Your wonderful work in my life. I truly want to be totally dependent on You each moment so I can learn to rest in You, my Savior.”

God bless,

Mark

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 (only Jesus can give us this kind of cheer that enables us to live above our circumstances); I have overcome the world.
John 16:33

I got to the point in my miserable life that I had to choose to let Jesus overcome my world. And, He’s doing it. Praise Jesus!

I want to tell you a huge secret – Just do the following.

I didn’t always praise God and thank Him in all things. In fact, when I first found out that those two things were commands, I hesitated to do them. I guess you could say I was in a mood over them. I was still pretty angry at God, pouty, confused, and upset about a lot of other things so I didn’t feel like thanking and praising Him in all things – It didn’t make sense to my hardhearted heart (a hard heart is always a stumbling block for me).

But then sometime ago (I don’t remember exactly when), I began to thank and praise Him in all things figuring what do I have to lose. I did it grudgingly. Well, my obedience to do it has paid off. I still don’t always feel like doing it, but the precious Holy Spirit reminds to thank and praise Him in all things, and before I know it, there’s a spring in my step and a song in my heart as Jesus lightens my heaviness with His Presence. That’s really what the good news is about. He takes our burdens (those things that give us a heavy heart) and gives us His joy unspeakable. What a heavenly exchange!

Just thought I needed to share that with any of you who struggle to thank and praise Him in all things. Just do it, and keep doing it. I’m telling you, it will give you such a matchless, spiritual breakthrough.

Keep praising and thanking Him in all things. He inhabits them and His reward is His joy. What strength. ☺

Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.
Nehemiah 8:10

_______

Boy, I just love Jesus. Don’t you?

I did not want to get up this morning. I couldn’t believe how fast the night went by. I was really tired and wanted to sleep a lot more…

But Jesus. I love that. But Jesus. He spoke to my heart and said, “Come on. Let’s go, and I’ll show you the great things I have in store for you today and how I’m working everything, Mark, for your good.” I mean, what are you going to say to such a supernatural offer like the ones He makes us. Incredible.

You can’t buy that kind of encouragement and relationship at any store. It’s not for sale. In fact, it’s free.

Free in Jesus is “free.” It doesn’t cost us anything if we’re willing to follow Him. I just need to keep being willing. That’s it.  What a deal. Best deal in the universe. God’s making life more and more fun every day because He takes all my cares on Himself. Hallelujah! Yipee!

God bless,

Mark

But he gives more grace. Wherefore he says, God resists the proud, but gives grace unto the humble.
James 4:6

For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite (repentant; feeling or showing sorrow and remorse for a sin).
Isaiah 57:15

God bless,

Mark

Jesus set us free to be believers...

What strongholds or sins are you stuck in? If you’re not sure, ask Jesus to show you so you can repent of (turn from them) them and live free from strongholds and sins.

The Word of God used to be my spare tire. Now, Jesus is showing me how to make it my steering wheel every day.

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me (Jesus).
John 14:1

In the “Christian” home I grew up in, I was taught to let your heart be troubled in so many awful, destructive ways. I was “dead” in my sins of worry, doubt, unbelief, easily offended…Jesus is raising me from the dead by showing me that I must believe His Word. Hallelujah!

The “Gospel” really is Good News. It’s really good news for someone like me who was a constant worrier. Jesus is helping me to live without double-mindedness by giving me the victory in my thought life. He’ll do the same for anyone. Take worrying thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ. We win!

Just a reminder that God has not called us to be worriers. Take it from me, worrying is no way to live. Praise God, Jesus called us and has given us the Holy Spirit so that we can be believers always trusting in Him. He’s working all things together for our good. You can’t beat that.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6

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 (Don’t let your heart be troubled – Don’t do it!).
John 14:27

Jesus: “So come on and I’ll show you what I have for you today.”

I love you all.

God bless,

Mark

I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.
Psalm 145:1-3

We were tempted to get fearful yesterday due to another health challenge. But, God helped us to keep praising Him and to remember Romans 8:28 and that God works all things – even this situation – for our good because we love Him.

Praise Jesus – In all things!

Onward and upward, precious people of the Most High.

God bless,

Mark

There’s so much pressure today to make money, and to get ahead. The pressure can make us kind of crazy. It can upset our lives, our marriages and our families. It can even hurt other relationships, and especially our relationship with Jesus.

*******

You don’t have wait to go to Christian counseling in order to save your marriage. You can go to improve your marriage. There’s plenty of good information out there on how to improve and safe-proof marriage. All we have to do is seek it out and then be willing to repent (change) of any harmful behavior. If you have a good marriage, why not seek God to make it an even better, thriving marriage?

Be the kind of mate your mate strongly desires to become one with. Don’t be the kind of marriage partner who makes it impossible for the other partner to want to become one with.

Please each other. This is what God has taught us and it’s grown our love so deeply for each other.

God bless,

Mark

God always has something to show us each day no matter what we’re doing. Even if it’s just to show us, again, that He’s always with us.

Let the peace of God rule in your heart…☺

Anymore, I don’t mind days when I’m not feeling well. Those are the days when God’s grace and mercy seem to show up in my life and keep me going. They’re the days when I rely on Him more – Something I should do all the time. God is so good to meet our needs with His Presence and love.

Always look for God’s favor when you’re having a challenging day. He rewards our faith in Him with His matchless love and grace. As children of the King, we’re never alone, precious ones.

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

God bless,

Mark