Category: Children

I was just about to hit the send button on another email when the Lord kept prompting me to send the following instead. ☺

I want to share something with you that will really bless your life. I want you to use your “will” to bring God’s comfort, peace and blessings into your spirit from the precious, life-giving Holy Spirit.

Would you do me a favor today? (Actually, you’ll be doing yourself a huge favor in the Spirit.) Right where you are this very moment, will you praise and thank God for exactly how your life is right now?

God bless,

Mark

And when Pharaoh drew near, the children of Israel lifted their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians marched after them. So they were very afraid, and the children of Israel cried out to the Lord. 11 Then they said to Moses, “Because there were no graves in Egypt, have you taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you so dealt with us, to bring us up out of Egypt? 12 Is this not the word that we told you in Egypt, saying, ‘Let us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians (what is your “Egyptian?”) than that we should die in the wilderness (Ever feel like that?).”
Exodus 14:10-12

Who or what in your life is your “Pharaoh?”

Please read the rest of Exodus chapter 14 (Below the salutation) to see the supernatural victory God brought the Israelites.

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Life or death – Trust in the Lord with all thine heart. This is life! It’s simple, right?. What is death? Anger, fear, worry, bitterness, unforgiveness, greed, insecurity, confusion, jealousy. Basically, the works of the flesh that God wants to free us from. (Galatians 5:19-21; Deuteronomy 30:19)

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Man makes things difficult and hard. For example, man’s latest thoughts on genders (currently, many more than two) makes it super complex and confusing. I can’t even imagine the legalities that will come from so much confusion. How many genders are there? God made it simple. There are two, man and woman (Genesis 1:27). That’s it! God always makes things simple because He knows we are just flesh and blood.

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Satan is opposed to us doing the Word. He opposes “doers.” Most people are terrified of this and never become doers of the Word. Satan will use any tactic he can to prevent us from becoming doers of the Word, from becoming who God intends for us to be.

It’s really simple. We’re either doers of the Word, or we’re not. We’re on one side of the fence or the other. We want to inspire you to be a doer of the Word (James 1:22-25).

Both God and Satan know that this is our ONLY time to “believe.” Will we? (Revelation 21:8)

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David in the Bible – Like I often feel in trials, David could have responded with,”Why did I have to be asked to be all alone with the sheep? Why be a shepherd? Why did I have to be attacked by a lion and a bear? Why me? Why didn’t the other shepherds have to go through this? Poor me.” We can often be tempted to think this way. The reason God lets us face lions and bears is to train us for what He’s calling us to do. He has a plan and will show us His great might and victory. Had David responded the way we often do, would he have been ready to face Goliath? (1 Samuel 17:34-36)

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Looking for signs and wonders? Looking for heavenly dust and supernatural experiences? Looking for “The Power?”

“Do” the Word. Love your spouse. Forgive others who wrong you. Stop striving and ask God to lead you. Give to the poor. Love your neighbor as yourself, love your enemy, experience God working everything together for your good, thank Him in all things, etc.

If you “do” the Word, you will see the power of God manifested in real ways you may never have imagined, your faith in God will grow, and you’ll have His real joy.

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The battle is the Lord’s (2 Chronicles 20:15 and others). Because the battle is the Lord’s, we have nothing to fear. Nothing. The battle is the Lord’s means that He works all things together for our good. We do our part. We follow His lead. We believe and trust in Him and He does the things behind the scenes that lead us into victory. His work may mean closing one door and opening another. He asks only that we keep believing through it all – Believing Romans 8:28 makes believing and trusting Him so MUCH easier. This is the exciting, fun, full of surprises and adventurous life in the Spirit. Nothing like it.

God bless,

Mark 

The Red Sea Crossing
14 Now the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 2 “Speak to the children of Israel, that they turn and camp before Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, opposite Baal Zephon; you shall camp before it by the sea. 3 For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, ‘They are bewildered by the land; the wilderness has closed them in.’ 4 Then I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, so that he will pursue them; and I will gain honor over Pharaoh and over all his army, that the Egyptians may know that I am the Lord.” And they did so.

5 Now it was told the king of Egypt that the people had fled, and the heart of Pharaoh and his servants was turned against the people; and they said, “Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us?” 6 So he made ready his chariot and took his people with him. 7 Also, he took six hundred choice chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt with captains over every one of them. 8 And the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued the children of Israel; and the children of Israel went out with boldness. 9 So the Egyptians pursued them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, his horsemen and his army, and overtook them camping by the sea beside Pi Hahiroth, before Baal Zephon.

10 And when Pharaoh drew near, the children of Israel lifted their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians marched after them. So they were very afraid, and the children of Israel cried out to the Lord. 11 Then they said to Moses, “Because there were no graves in Egypt, have you taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you so dealt with us, to bring us up out of Egypt? 12 Is this not the word that we told you in Egypt, saying, ‘Let us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than that we should die in the wilderness.”

13 And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. 14 The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold[c] your peace.”

15 And the Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward. 16 But lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea. 17 And I indeed will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them. So I will gain honor over Pharaoh and over all his army, his chariots, and his horsemen. 18 Then the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I have gained honor for Myself over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen.”

19 And the Angel of God, who went before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud went from before them and stood behind them. 20 So it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel. Thus it was a cloud and darkness to the one, and it gave light by night to the other, so that the one did not come near the other all that night.

21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea into dry land, and the waters were divided. 22 So the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea on the dry ground, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. 23 And the Egyptians pursued and went after them into the midst of the sea, all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen.

24 Now it came to pass, in the morning watch, that the Lord looked down upon the army of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and cloud, and He troubled the army of the Egyptians. 25 And He took off their chariot wheels, so that they drove them with difficulty; and the Egyptians said, “Let us flee from the face of Israel, for the Lord fights for them against the Egyptians.”

26 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the waters may come back upon the Egyptians, on their chariots, and on their horsemen.” 27 And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and when the morning appeared, the sea returned to its full depth, while the Egyptians were fleeing into it. So the Lord overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. 28 Then the waters returned and covered the chariots, the horsemen, and all the army of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them. Not so much as one of them remained. 29 But the children of Israel had walked on dry land in the midst of the sea, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.

30 So the Lord saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. 31 Thus Israel saw the great work which the Lord had done in Egypt; so the people feared the Lord, and believed the Lord and His servant Moses.
Exodus Chapter 14

Happy Monday!

Hear me, O LORD, and have mercy; O LORD, be my helper.” You turned my mourning into dancing; You peeled off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing Your praises and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks forever.…
Psalm 30:10-12

Ann and I are always being reminded that we could have had God’s joy the whole time we lived in Oregon. And God continues to remind us of that fact each day. What a wonderful, loving God we have.

Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.
Isaiah 51:11

Sometimes, people look at me like they’re frustrated and mad at me for believing and telling them about Romans 8:28.

Ann and I know that until we believed and stood on Romans 8:28, we weren’t really happy. I know that for me, my mind, emotions and spirit didn’t really “feel” redeemed by my Lord until I began to believe Romans 8:28. I was always the victim of defeating circumstances, and constantly wrestling with self-pity and discouragement.

Through Romans 8:28, Jesus redeemed my life – that I thought was full of mistakes and negative circumstances – from destruction.

Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
Psalm 103:4

And, because He’s had a plan for my life, all along, He’s helped me to be a victor and to have victory over life’s situations by truly knowing that He was capable of turning them into blessings in my life.

I know people aren’t mad at me for Romans 8:28. Like I was before I started believing in the truth of Romans 8:28, they’re upset about their lives, and really, they’re upset with God because He’s the One Who wrote Romans 8:28, not me. It’s my hope that they’ll believe Romans 8:28 and receive the great peace and joy that verse can give them. God meant Romans 8:28 to be a blessing, not a frustration. Thank You, Jesus.

And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.
1 Thessalonians 2:13

Stay with God. He’s got a plan and He’s working it. He wants to redeem your whole life through believing Romans 8:28. Believe it and see God turn your heart, faith and life around!

They shall obtain gladness and joy…

God bless,

Mark

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

Trusting in the Lord with all you heart is definitely a large part of the “good work” God performs in us. (Philippians 1:6)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart. God would not have put these words in His Word, the Bible, unless He knew that, with the help of His Holy Spirit, it could really be lived out and experienced on earth, in this life.

What’s in a heart? There can be happiness, joy, fun, and hope. There can also be fear, intimidation, insecurity, anger, care, worry, sadness, family, financial concerns, the past, the future, and so much more.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart – What part of my heart was I not prone to trust God with? My finances, retirement, job, pride, my marriage, my health issues, fear, worry, doubt, anger, unforgiveness, family, responsibilities, etc. These are all parts of my heart. If God tells me to trust in Him with all my heart, then He will give me the ability to trust Him with all these areas of my life. And, God rescued me just in time to tell me I needed to get to know Him in a much deeper way by diving into His Word. I needed to memorize pertinent passages so I could learn how to trust in Him with all my heart. One of the most important pieces of scripture He had me focus and meditate on was Romans 8:28. He knew that one verse would help me to learn to trust Him with my past and future.

What’s in your heart?

“Father, in the Almighty Name of Jesus, show me how to trust in You with all my heart so I can live in Your peace, rest and joy. Thank You, God. Amen.”

If you pray that prayer, according to the following verse, you can be confident that He’ll show you how to trust Him with everything that’s in your heart.

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

God bless,

Mark

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Romans 12:2

I’d just finished reading my Bible passage for today when the Holy Spirit gave me something about all the nonsense regarding the lie behind the popular belief that Christians do not have to experience, or hassle with, behavior modification.

I’d been raised with thinking being moody was an acceptable and proper response to things and conditions I didn’t like. And this occurred in a “Christian” home. So, naturally, I brought that instilled behavior into my marriage. Now, not only did being susceptible to mood swings harm me, it was also hurting my precious wife. Eventually, being moody would have taken a great toll on our marriage and might even have ended it.

Fortunately, God led us to a Christian counselor helped me to stop many of my sins, my inappropriate, harmful and damaging behaviors.

Being moody when things didn’t go my way was just one item God wanted to heal in me. He pointed out to me that I wasn’t loving Ann when I was moody. He gave me a sense that our marriage, and my love, for Ann could be much better and deeper if I’d let God teach me how to stop being moody.

Do you see what I mean and where I’m going with this?

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,
Acts 3:19

God wants us to open up our entire life to Him so He can heal us from all the harmful ways we’ve been living so He can give us His immense joy. That’s incredible. That’s what repentance and having a repenting heart is all about. God wants to bring us times of refreshment through repentance, through allowing Him in so He can change us for the better. What great love He has for each of us.

And He just keeps showing both Ann and me more of how He can set us free indeed.

I’ll take behavior modification – Repentance – every time if it means I can live free from my ways and adopt His liberating, loving ways.

God bless,

Mark

When Annie was in elementary school, while waiting for a ride home one day with a friend, a boy started picking on the two girls. Ann, who was tiny at that age, swung her book bag at the boy and knocked him down. He never hassled them again.

The last few days, we’ve been being tempted to give in to earthly fears. I’ve been having a number of wipe out migraines, and we’ve been tempted to believe more of the enemy’s lies about some other things as well. This morning, I got up feeling pretty bad. Then, I read my Bible reading for today and the Holy Spirit began lifting me up. He told me not to focus on how I felt (again), but rather to focus on God and His Word. I went to Annie and began reading today’s passage to her and building her up in the Lord. I hope someone needs to hear this today…☺

It doesn’t matter how you feel or what’s going on in your life. The devil’s a liar. Don’t give into earthly fears.

Swing your Book (Bible) at the devil and encourage yourself in the Lord with the Word.

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 Chapter 1

We love you all.

God bless,

Mark

Happy Monday, Everyone.

Peace be still. Jesus is doing His mighty work in each of our lives to bring us to the place of having His peace in all circumstances, no matter the storm. Isn’t that wonderful?

And he (Jesus) arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
Mark 4:39

God bless,

Mark

How lovely is Your dwelling place, oh Lord.

Annie and I are always encouraging each other to stay within the shadow of the Almighty. We’re SO safe there. How do we stay there? By memorizing and reminding each other of the following scriptures (and others the Lord leads us to memorize so we can live each moment close to Him) that bring us God’s great peace and resume resting in Him whenever we’re tempted to wander from His secure, safe, restful shadow. Truly, this is the abundant life He promises to all who will follow Him.

Should you ever lose your way, read the following scriptures. These verses will point you back to His lovely dwelling place.

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
Ephesians 4:31-32

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
Philippians 4:4

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Philippians 4:11-13

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

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

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

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Philippains 4:19

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

But godliness with contentment is great gain.
1 Timothy 6:6

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.
John 14:27

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23

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

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
James 1:2-4

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Romans 5:3-5

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

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

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

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

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Philippians 4:8

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts,
Colossians 3:15a

Ah, the secret place of the Most High under the shadow of the Almighty. Mmmm…

God bless,

Mark – 

 

For we do not have a High Priest (Jesus) who cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.
Hebrews 4:15

Sin usually begins with a thought. That’s how it was in the Garden with Adam and Eve.

When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.
Genesis 3:6

Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
1 Corinthians 10:10-13

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression (sin), you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.
Galatians 6:1

God is really helping Ann and me to stop committing some sins we can easily be tempted with in our thought life. He’s helping us to take those thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ and to live each moment believing Romans 8:28. (That’s why we have such a love for helping others by encouraging them to do the same.) It’s part of the Lord working with us to renew our minds to His Word as He helps us to be more free indeed. He’s helping us to bring every area of our lives to Him so we can have His joy and live free in Him. We’re so thankful.

Sin leads to death (Romans 6:23). When we repent, we’re turning away from death. Yes, we will all sin from time to time. We are all sinners (1 John 1:8, 10) and Jesus will forgive us when we confess our sins to Him and repent (1 John 1:9). But today, very few are willing to be Jesus’ disciples indeed. Very few are walking through the narrow gate (Matthew 7:13-14). The devil is drawing most to the wide gate. Very few are renewing their minds to the Word of God and it’s taking a huge toll on them. Most are cherry-picking Bible passages and adopting the ones that suit their comfort zone and lifestyle (2 Timothy 4:1-4).

Every day we’re enticed to leave the dwelling in the secret place of the Most High, to wander out from the shadow of the Almighty (Psalm 91:1).

Satan knows exactly what types of apples we’ll bite on, keeps a tally of the ones we fall prey to the most often, and he keeps popping them into our minds – fiery darts (Ephesians 6:16). He’ll even tell us our salvation is all grace so it’ll be okay if we let in a little anger, unforgiveness, offense, humanism, the fear of man (after all, we want to be popular, socialized and accepted), selfishness, hate, jealousy, fornication, self-pity, strife, rationalizing, greed, pride, insecurity, doubt, mammon, fear. “Go ahead, take advantage of and enjoy the grace God’s provided. It’s why Jesus dies on the cross. I mean, God knows you’re only human, right? After all, everyone’s doing it. God knows you won’t surely die if you do this or look at that,” he whispers to us. “You can handle it. It won’t really hurt anything or lead to any addiction. So go ahead, enjoy some every now and then.”

“And if anyone says anything to you about it, in love, just remind them not to judge you.”

Satan is a liar and the father of lies!

30 As he (Jesus) spake these words, many believed on him.

31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

33 They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?

34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.

35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.

36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

37 I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.

38 I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.

39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham.

40 But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.

41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.

42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.

43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.

44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
John 8:30-44

Then Jesus said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to Me unless the Father has granted it to him.” From that time on, many of His disciples turned back and no longer walked with Him. So Jesus asked the Twelve, “Do you want to leave too?”
John 6:65-67

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

Now unto him (Jesus) that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
Jude 24-25

God bless,

Mark

He sent his word (Himself), and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.
Psalm 107:20

If we’re not doing the Word, at best, we’re doubled-minded. At times, we believe and act on the Word, and not at others. At least, that was Ann’s and my experience.

“Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth as it is in Heaven.” Do we really mean this? Or, do we love the darkness of this world more than the light of Heaven? What is it costing us to love the darkness more than the light? Do we desire to lean on our own understanding? (The flesh fights to keep its own understanding. It does not want to relinquish its own understanding. It relies on pride.) Do we even know the difference between leaning on our own understanding and trusting in the Lord?

Do we see our lives and the things of earth the way Heaven does? Heaven sees things through the Word. Do we? Do we really know, like Heaven does, that all things are working together for good to those who love God? Do we really believe God to the point that we can trust Him instead of always leaning on our own understanding? Do we really?

I really needed God. I really needed His Kingdom to come in my life. I needed my life to reflect Heaven. I needed to see this earth the way God sees it. I needed Him to overtake me so I could try to live free indeed.

In the early 1980s, when we got to Oregon, I went through some really tough, confusing and disappointing times. I truly felt I had lost my way and honestly could not “find” God. I felt like His Presence could not be found. I had no idea what He was up to in my life. We were attending church and even working at church, but I didn’t have any idea how to apply the Word to my life the way God wanted me to. As a result, I really didn’t know God and all that He had in store for me, my marriage and family.

I have to admit, without applying (practicing) Romans 8:28 to our everyday lives and circumstances, life can be pretty challenging. Things can make little sense and cause us great angst. Our thinking can become all tangled up and be hard to straighten out. But, with Romans 8:28, with Jesus, life begins to come into focus and have meaning. Life takes on a new contentment, joy, peace and excitement.

In the 1980s, God began to show us how to use His Word in our daily lives and it made all the difference. It was how He was going to show us how to be delivered from so many strongholds, wrong relationships, wrong thinking and heartache.

Even though they’d left the desert wilderness many years previous, from time to time in their history, the nation of Israel would lose the Word, God’s Laws, and, as a result, lose their way in life. They would lose the ability to know how to live life blessed. When God’s laws were found again (like beneath the temple in Jerusalem), the current King would have them read aloud to the entire nation and the people ended up crying they were so happy to know how to live this life again.

We can be the same way. If we’re not in the Word, if we don’t know what it says about how to live this life the way God intends and knows will bless us, we can be so lost and live miserably with no resolve. We end up with our own understanding (leaning). This is why the world is in such a mess. Without God, without His Word, mankind is lost. They’re left to their own human, limited resources. They’re left with a frail “lean to” instead of the strong, unshakable, peaceful fortress that is the dwelling place of the Most High whenever the storms of life occur.

It’s obvious when someone does not know, and is not “doing” the Word. They’re often just like people in the world. There’s little difference between them and people of the world. They neither know or apply Romans 8:28 and other pertinent verses to their lives so they can’t possibly get to, let alone dwell in, the secret place of the Most High in the shadow of the Almighty. If we don’t have His Word living in us, we don’t have Jesus alive in us. Ann and I know this firsthand. We were miserable leaning on our own understanding.

And he (Jesus) was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
Revelation 19:13

Because he hath set his love upon me (because he/she is “doing” My Word), therefore will I (the Word) deliver him: I (The Word) will set him on high, because he hath known (doing, believing, trusting in His Word) my name (His Name is The Word). He shall call upon me (upon the Word that is in Him/Her), and I (The Word) will answer him: I (The Word) will be with him in trouble; I (The Word) will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I (The Word) satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.
Psalm 91:14-16

Know the Word and “do” it. Know God and His marvelous, delivering power. You’ll find His way, His dwelling place, and you’ll never be the same. We promise….He promises!

Out of His love for us, God strongly desires for us to be able to say –

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

God bless,

Mark

 

Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth as it is in Heaven (Matthew 6:10). Really? God’s will is at hand. His will is laid out in the pages of our Bibles. The Bible is His will but we don’t really want it if we’re not “doing” what the Bible says to do, if we don’t want to have to believe His will and put it into practice in our everyday lives.

If we see the Bible as inconvenient, or uncomfortable, we won’t do it. We don’t really want Thy will be done on earth, or in our life. We want to have fun, take vacations, nice cars, nice homes, perfect kids and spouses and plenty of money, to pass up the “Joneses,” right? We don’t want to come across as being weird by living the Word in front of friends, co-workers, and family. I have to admit, I wanted the shallow, fragile American dream more than I wanted God’s Kingdom and will done in my life.

Oh taste and see that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8a).

Ann and I have discovered that God’s will is better than life, at least the American dream life that can vanish in an instant. God brought us to the place where His will could become our life. We’ve tasted His favor, His peace, His joy, His protection and dwelling place and there is nothing like Him. He’s stopping all striving in our lives and giving us His sweet contentment. He’s answering huge prayers that is removing years of fear and torment (His answers to our prayers are giving us more confidence that He’ll give us more answers in the future. This is allowing us to trust in the Lord and to lean less and less on our own understanding), and showing us that Romans 8:28 is real, obtainable, and applicable to everyday life. He’s giving us a real, lasting spiritual confidence and security that is built on Him, His everlasting and settled Word, His will for us. His will is causing Ann and I to fall deeper in love with each other and the Lord. He’s showing us the wonderful blessing of working together instead of competing with each other in marriage, and how to love each other in new ways all the time. He’s truly making our paths straight (He’s straightening out our thinking, minds, emotions and spirits) as He shows us the beauty of His ways and how much perfect sense they make in life. He’s really renewing our minds, and showing us how beautiful life is when we cast all our cares on Him, learn the value of waiting on Him, and let Him work in circumstances as we rest in His love for us.

And we could go on and on about His will and how it’s coming into focus right before our eyes and lives. He is SO wonderful, exciting and full of adventure.

And Ann and I have only just tasted of the Lord and seen just the beginning of how good He is…☺

Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth (and in my life) as it is in Heaven? YES, LORD! Please don’t stop bringing Your Kingdom in our lives.

God bless,

Mark

Nothing surprises God. He has peace about our days. He knew all of our days before we were formed in our mother’s womb. He wants us to rest in Him and to have His peace as well. He’s with us every minute of each day watching over the time He’s ordained for us. Isn’t that wonderful?

Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
Psalm 139:16

Happy Monday, Everybody!

So come on. Let’s go into today and this week anticipating our Father’s favor, protection, covering, love and peace. He’s carrying out His plan for us. He’s seeing us through.

“Thank You, Lord.”

God bless,

Mark

When Jesus heard it, He said unto them, “They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance (back to wholeness).”
Mark 2:17

Are you a sinner? Of course.

We’re all sinners according to Romans 3:23 in the Bible. But, that makes us the perfect recipients of God’s grace and mercy. Jesus died to save sinners – That’s you and me. To save us from what? Well, from an eternity in hell, yes. But, to save us from the works of the flesh and the sin that so easily besets (entangles) us (Hebrews 12:1). It’s easy for us to live in sin, in our ways. But, we no longer have to live in our ways, in sin. Now, we can have the Holy Spirit living in us and helping us to renew our minds so we can live God’s ways and be free from the entanglements and consequences of sin. Yay God!

Our first reaction is usually in the flesh. That’s because we’ve been programmed by the world and our sin nature to respond that way. But, we can live ABOVE. We can learn to live in Christ. He can become not only our first reaction, but with Him, we can have “all is at rest.” ☺

The following verses aren’t just for Christmas time. They proclaim “The Life” to those on earth. Every day can be lived with Jesus and the Holy Spirit inside us. Mankind has been redeemed from slavery to sin and the death that life apart from God brings them. No longer do we have to give into and obey the dictates of this world and our flesh. We can submit our every thought, our every decision to Christ and be led by the Holy Spirit. A relationship with Christ isn’t just another religious experience. It’s true Life! Free indeed!

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
Luke 2:8-15

I don’t know about you, but I’ve never felt good inside whenever I was walking in sin and darkness, whenever I was jealous, angry, striving, prideful, arrogant, discouraged, restless, scared, worried, lustful, greedy, hateful, insecure, shamed, etc. I was always impatient and uneasy during times when these things occupied my thought life, emotions and spirit. I never really did love the darkness. It never felt like home. It always made me feel uneasy.

In John 3:19, the Bible tells us that most people will not find The Life. They won’t come to Jesus. The Bible says they won’t because they love and therefore prefer the darkness (all that Satan offers them) over the light (Jesus) . Wow.

The world has it pretty much all wrong thinking Christianity is simply another religion to try, that it’s all about legalism, boring church services and a life full of limitations. The Gospel is Good News. In fact, it really is the greatest news ever given to mankind – Of course, God knows that.

The angels in the fields proclaiming Jesus’ birth to the shepherds were letting them know they will no longer need to live with the choking and death-inducing limitations of sin. No longer do they need to be in bondage with unforgiveness, despair, hopelessness, dismay, the past, fear, hate, self-pity, selfishness, impatience, vengeful hearts, worry, doubt, pride, jealousy, addictions, insecurity, inferiority, shame, anger, lust, greed, strife – And the list of fallen woes we can be redeemed from goes on and on.

Jesus, the Savior was to be born and He came to set mankind FREE! Oh, Hallelujah! Now we can have ever-expanding, abundant, eternal life and joy in the Holy Spirit. We can have infinite Jesus living in us!

Great News! Our Redeemer lives! And because He does, we can have newness of life, The Life – Every day!

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine
O what a foretaste of glory divine.

This is my story, this is my song
Praising my Savior all the day long.

Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.*

God bless,

Mark 
*Lyric taken from the Christian hymn “Blessed Assurance” by blind Fanny Crosby and Phoebe Knapp

Following a pretty strong spiritual trial, Ann read the 23rd Psalm the other morning and just wanted to crawl into the words of that awesome, precious Psalm.

Always remember to dwell (continually abide) in the shadow of the Most High. We’re safe there.

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

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

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

4 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.

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

6 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

The other day, Ann and I were talking about “care.” Being a super sensitive guy, at one time, unknowingly, I was very proud of how much I cared for people. Ann told me it was my badge of honor. I agreed. Care helped identify me and, as a result, I didn’t want it taken from me. I didn’t know God could replace it with His peace.

In the 1980s, Ann and I each had nervous breakdowns – We’d gotten that sick on care. Honestly, it was the result of the fear of man and wanting to please too many people. That will always demolish you with care. At that time, even though we couldn’t totally identify what He was up to, God was beginning to give us a choice regarding care – He even gave us visions about care. He began to set before us each day life (casting all our care on Him) or death (taking care on ourselves, drowning in it more and more, and not doing the right thing which is to cast it all on Christ.)

(What does Jesus command us to do with care?)

Care is huge in Christians circles. Most churches run on it. It brings in lots of money. I believe most pastors leave the ministry because they’re overwhelmed and drown in care.

(What does Jesus command us to do with care?)

For most of my life, I was taking on so much care. As I’ve come to find out, care was just a religious thing I’d believed in. It made me want to please others to the point of choking the life out of me. Care only ever wore me out, left me worried, upset, frantic, confused, angry, not able to truly believe and live in Romans 8:28 and so many other scriptures that told me to trust God, to praise Him in all things, and to let His peace rule in my heart. I simply did not know care was destroying me and I certainly didn’t know Jesus could eliminate from my life or how He would even do it.

(What does Jesus command us to do with care?)

One of the most wonderful experiences you will ever have with Jesus is to ask Him to show you how to remove all “care” from your life. We really believe that having Jesus taking all care on Himself and off of us is a huge part of learning to live on the narrow road the Bible speaks about.

Casting all your care upon him (Jesus); for (because) he (Jesus) careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour (the devil will devour you with care):
1 Peter 5:7-8

You can still love others and be care-free. In fact, I don’t know if we can really love others, point them to Christ and have Jesus’ peace operating in us until we learn how to cast all of our (and the cares of others) care on Christ.

Jesus wants us to let His peace rule our hearts and a huge part of that happening in us is to obey Him by living free of care. Please ask Jesus to show you how to remove care from your life by casting all of it on Him. It will bless you in so many wonderful ways.

We love you all.

God bless,

Mark and Ann

Isn’t it funny that we sometimes “struggle” to hold onto our faith, and that it can be so easy to reach out for and return to our doubts? I mean what have our doubts ever done for us? My own doubts have only caused me much trouble, confusion and misery because they lead me away from God, His ways and His blessings. Let’s stop giving in so easily to our doubts. Just stay with God. He’ll see us through.

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

Happy Tuesday, everyone!

So come on. Let’s go! God is going to show us all the wonderful things He has in store for us today.

God bless,

Mark

My wife and I apply these three keys to our lives every day.  It’s the only way we maintain the victory in the spiritual realm.  We strongly encourage you to use these three mighty spiritual weapons as you follow Christ to victory in your daily life.

Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

2 Corinthians 10:5
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

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

God bless,

Mark

A la carte Jesus?

Jesus has made all of Himself available to us.

Regarding legalism and “behavioral modifications” – A lot of people want little to do with holiness (wholeness), with changed lives and renewed minds. Instead, they’re looking for experiences while retaining the flesh.

What part of Jesus do you not want in your life?

Do you ever do this? I have. It seems like we limit ourselves to, and apply only, those parts of the Word – of Jesus – that fit with our level of the fear of man, our lifestyle, goals, dreams, desires, etc.

“Oh, Jesus, I do not want to resist You.”

I’ve been with Jesus now for some years and I feel like I’m only beginning to see the beauty of His holiness. His holiness is healing me in so many deep, wonderful ways. I’m realizing more and more how much I needed Him. It’s like His holiness is re-making me. His holiness is untangling my thoughts, setting my affections above, dissolving any lingering anger and frustration, calming me down, making me more relaxed and truly giving me a peace this world cannot give us. He’s relieving me of all care – And, we can’t and don’t even realize how much of a burden our care is until He begins to remove it from our lives. He’s working in areas of me that I didn’t even know needed His loving touch. I’m seeing His holiness as whole-iness as He continues to make me whole in Him. The more the Lord shows me of Himself, the more of Him I want. We have an amazing Savior who merely desires to give us all of Him. He’s really giving me beauty for ashes.

1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me (speaking of Jesus); because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;

3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.
Isaiah 61:1-3

As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. 2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God:
Psalm 42:1-2a

Open Our Eyes – Maranatha Singers

Open Our Eyes – Maranatha Singers
Gospel – Open Our Eyes – Maranatha Singers

Open our eyes, Lord,
We want to see Jesus,
To reach out and touch Him,
And say that we love Him.

Jesus is SO wonderful. Once you begin to have Him do His mighty, holy work in your life, you want more and more, and more holiness and wholeness – More of Him.

God bless,

Mark

 

I realize some of the following may offend some people. That’s not my intention. This topic has been on my heart for decades. I used to see so many men talking badly about their wife when discussing marriage items with other men. I could never understand that. One set of my grandparents used to love each other emotionally, physically and spiritually. It was beautiful and really made a lasting impression on me. They always loved each other and I always thought that maybe, one day, I could have the same kind of beautiful relationship with my own wife.

I never understood a marriage where each partner jeered the other to the point that it undermined their marriage and relationship. Couples often stayed together more out of obligation than from a standpoint of strength created by truly loving each other. I don’t get how the media and even preachers joke and ridicule marriage and then act surprised that divorce is rampant. And then, why would anyone want to be intimate with a mate that’s bullying them the way society has accepted and expected marriage to be lived out?

In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker (weaker “vessel” in the KJV) than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.
1 Peter 3:7

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
Ephesians 5:25-26

Men, as the stronger vessel in marriage, use the strength God has ordained for you – and given you – to love your wife. Tell your wife you love her, build her up, help her to become more like Jesus, defend her, protect her, encourage her, take an interest in her, spend time getting to know her better, let her know how much she means to you, buy her things, flowers, cards, take her out to a meal, etc.

Never use your strength to put her down, to belittle her, to talk badly about her with other men when talking about spouses, to intimidate her or to make her afraid of you, to abuse her in any way, etc.

If you do use your strength to hurt her in any way, apologize, ask her forgiveness and tell her you are asking God to help you change your behavior towards her. Tell her, that with Jesus’ help, you desire to become one with her – not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually as well – from here on out.

I really believe that if more men did this, we would see a turn around in the divorce rate in this country as well as in the church that has become so much like the world in so many ways. I truly believe more marriages would thrive, be happy, and blessed. And I believe divorce would lose its grip on society.

So how do we turn marriage around?

Since we’ve been dating, my wife has been praying and asking God to make her the kind of wife I need. Her example and prayer really impacted me and I began to pray that God would make me the type of husband she needs.

The answer to healing marriages is really pretty simple. We just need Jesus to help us turn things around. All we have to do is be willing to let God work in us. Of course the devil oppose us, but God is more powerful.

“God, I want to have a revived, thriving marriage in You and to be truly one with my mate. In Jesus’ Name, please help me to be the kind of spouse my husband/wife needs.”

Because God loves marriage, He’ll be faithful to answer our prayer.

God bless,

Mark

This is SO powerful.

Ann shared the following with me during our morning coffee time on August 26, 2019. It was so liberating and good that I wanted to share it with you.

We’re to become one with our mate. If we’re not becoming one with them, we’re missing out on so much of what God intends for marriage. He wants to grow our marriages and to bless us with each other. What could be more beautiful?

In the 1980s, Ann and I were meeting with a Christian counselor who finally told Mark he had to choose between his wife and his parents. The counselor said that unless Mark cut things off with his parents, Ann and I would probably end up divorced. I wrote my parents and told them I needed to cut ties with them. It wasn’t an easy thing for me to do, and it made my parents very angry and hurt. But, it had to be done.

As a result of my decision to cut ties with my parents, my parents said our kids (Faith and Hope) were going to do the same thing to us that we did to them. But, as always, the Word saved us from my parents’ curse.

Our daughters leaving us is the right thing to do. It’s what the Word says they should do. The Word is always a blessing. God turned the curse my parents’ were trying to put on us into a blessing with His Word.

Husbands and wives are supposed to become “one,” physically, emotionally and spiritually – It’s the only way to have a shot at the kind of marriage God desires. Husbands and wives are not to cling to and stay “one” with their parents. God does not expect them to try to cling to both their parents and their spouse. Doing so is out of order and can cause a lot of heartache because it is sin. It’s not God’s way. It’s man’s way and man’s way doesn’t.

Leave and cleave. It’s the Biblical thing to do. We always get blessed when we “do” the Word. My (Mark) parents did not leave and cleave from their own parents, they never became one emotionally or spiritually, and it made things really bad – My parents were not in order with God’s Word. We want our kids to leave and cleave with their spouse because that’s when the parents and the kids are blessed.

Don’t “hang onto” your kids. And don’t let them cling to you (their parent). Don’t do it. Let them leave and cleave to their mates. God will bless you and them for obeying His Word in this area.

22 Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib, and he brought her to the man.

23 “At last!” the man exclaimed.

“This one is bone from my bone,
and flesh from my flesh!
She will be called ‘woman,’
because she was taken from ‘man.’”

24 This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.

25 Now the man and his wife were both naked, but they felt no shame.
Genesis 2:22-25

God bless,

Mark