Category: Children

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Romans 8:28

 

 

 

 

 

At times, it’s easy to forget Romans 8:28.  It’s at those times that we’re tempted to list all of the things that appear to be not working for our good.  But, we soon discover that nothing can really be jotted down on such a list because we’re reminded of God’s Romans 8:28 promise.  Nice, isn’t it?

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

Whenever you’re tempted to be disappointed or discouraged, remember the incredible, supernatural and superseding promise in this verse.  It can really turn your day around.  It’s my favorite verse and for good reason.  It’s the perfect antidote for any situation that tries to cause me to, temporarily, stop trusting God’s in control.

Let the saving and comforting truth of the words of this verse get deep down into your soul.  Tape it up in your home, car, or discreetly in your work area.

God’s watching over Romans 8:28 to perform it in the life of all who love Him.  He’s making sure that all who yield to its pre-eminent truth will experience the delivering promise in its words that will keep your heart, mind, and soul protected, safe, and full of faith and hope.

Let Romans 8:28 make you more than a conqueror as you learn the strength in its words to make you into a Christian who’s able to always trust God.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And we know…  =)

Hallelujah for the Lord our God, The Almighty, reigns!

God bless,

Mark

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“Look Up,” Jesus, Our Bridegroom, Tells Us

Hello Everyone,

It was such a blessing to me that I just didn’t want to wait until Heavenly Friday to send this to you.  =)

No pictures in today’s email.  I wanted you to enjoy dreaming about what your new life with Jesus might look like without including any preconceived ideas.  Makes it more fun that way.

Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
1 Corinthians 15:51-52

Boy, I viewed a really beautiful story yesterday about the bride (us) and the bridegroom (Jesus).  It was based on the Jewish wedding.  I know many of you have heard this type of story about how the Jewish wedding relates to us and Jesus, but it always lifts my spirit and I hope it does the same for you.

In the video, the Jewish bridegroom left his house (just like Jesus left Heaven to come to earth), visited the bride to be and then left her to go build the home he and she would live in.  According to the custom, the bridegroom didn’t return again until he came for his bride.  Also, the home the bridegroom built for his new bride was to be at least as big and nice as her parents’ current home.  While at her home the first time, the two had a sort of communion time (part of the marriage proposal just like when we take communion.  We’re saying “Yes” to Jesus offer of salvation, of becoming His bride) to solidify their promise, the covenant of betrothal.

Once the bridegroom built their new house, and had all of the preparations in place, he would get dressed up, take all his friends and go to his bride to take her to their new home.

While the bridegroom was building their new home, the bride was to be preparing herself with beautiful spices, jewelry and her wedding dress.  She also had people helping her to be ready for when her bridegroom came to take her away to their new home.

She wondered and probably daydreamed about what her new home would be like, and how wonderful it was to be pursued by the bridegroom.  She must have thought about how life would be like with her new husband.  Her thoughts for her current life with her parents probably started to take up less and less of her time and attention as that life was replaced by thoughts, dreams and the importance of her coming new life and wedding day.

It seems only natural that there were days when she felt weary while waiting, while she longed for her betrothed, their new home, and if the wedding day would ever really arrive.  I’m sure the bridegroom made his preparations with her on his mind anxious for the day when the two of them would be together, forever.

According to Jewish tradition, the time between their first meeting, their betrothal, and the day the bridegroom came for her was normally about one year.  Also, according to tradition, the bride really never knew the exact time he would come for her so she remained ready for that day.

Jesus’ first coming, about 2000 years ago, was to betroth His bride.  The entire time He’s been away from her (from earth), He’s been building His bride her eternal home and making all of the arrangements for their wedding day.  Tradition even makes it sound like He’ll have communion with His new bride on their wedding day (Mark 14:25).

Sometimes, the things of earth can consume our attention.  We can be tempted to grow weary, and bogged down, to forget about our coming wedding day.  But, yesterday’s video about the Jewish betrothal and wedding ceremony, that day when the bridegroom’s men blew trumpets and came for his bride reminded me again to keep looking up.  Our redemption is truly drawing near.  Our betrothed (Jesus) is at the door, He’s coming for us.  We’ll soon be His in our new home beyond the skies, forever.  Our past life will fade away, there with Him, there will be no more tears, and we will begin “forever.”  We’ll finally be where we belong with Him in our new home, and we’ll finally feel like we’re home with the One our hearts have longed for, our beloved Jesus.

Someday soon, in the twinkling of an eye, all of our dreams will have come true…

Now learn this lesson from the fig tree:  As soon as its branches become tender and sprout leaves, you know that summer is near.  So also, when you see all these things, you know that He is near, right at the door.  Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have happened.…
Matthew 24:32-34

God bless each of you,

Mark

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Heaven and One Person’s Homecoming

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
John 3:16-17

 

 

 

 

 

I’m sitting remembering what my daughter, Hope, shared with me about a place she visited in Oregon.  She’d come around a turn on a path and suddenly saw a beautiful garden that reminded her of what she’d read in the “Chronicles of Narnia” books.  For just a moment, she wondered if she’d actually died and arrived in Heaven.  It was one of those surrealistic moments.  As she related this story to me, I could really sense what she’d experienced and felt Heaven tugging on my own heart. =)

For to me (The apostle Paul) to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Philippians 1:21 ESV

The longer I live, the more I realize that living for and getting to know more about Jesus is all that matters…

Annie and I had a really nice visit with our dear friend Grace (we think of Grace as one of our daughters) a few weeks ago.  Grace told us the wonderful, following story.  I asked her if she would write it down so I could share it with all of you. What a blessed event it was…

*******

“Hi Mark!

Here is the story my father in law shared with me about grandpa’s passing from this life to heaven!!!

“I had just finished reading a booklet hospice had given us about the final stages and breaths of life.  Just as I had finished reading and placed the booklet on the coffee table in front of me, I heard grandpa’s breathing start to change.  His mouth clenched shut and the breaths became fewer.  I called everyone into the family room where his hospital bed lay.  As everyone entered the room, we all began singing grandpa”s favorite hymns.  As we were into our 2nd or 3rd hymn, grandpa took his last breath.  Grandma started dancing around with joy, shouting,  “He’s home!!!!  He”s with Jesus!!!!!”  Grandpa went home to meet his Heavenly Father with his wife of 54 years and all 3 of his children by his side, singing songs of praise!”

This story brings such joy to my heart.  What a beautiful way to leave this earthly life to eternity with God!!!  Grandpa Craker was able to see all of his children, their spouses and most of his grandkids live lives for Christ!!!!!!

I love you and miss you both!!!

Grace”

*******

Yes, furthermore, I (the apostle Paul) count everything as loss compared to the possession of the priceless privilege (the overwhelming preciousness, the surpassing worth, and supreme advantage) of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord and of progressively becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him [of perceiving and recognizing and understanding Him more fully and clearly].  For His sake I have lost everything and consider it all to be mere rubbish (refuse, dregs), in order that I may win (gain) Christ (the Anointed One),
Philippians 3:8 AMPC

This life is all about Jesus and Heaven, precious people.  We’ll be happiest and more fulfilled living this life for Christ and sharing His love, mercy, forgiveness, peace and rest with everyone God sends our way.  =)

For God so loved the world…

And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
Revelation 5:13

Have a nice weekend and remember to take time to dwell on Heaven.

God bless,

Mark

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The Matchless Blessing Of “Doing” The Word

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hello Precious People In Jesus,

I am the vine, ye are the branches:  He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit:  for without me ye can do nothing.
John 15:5

We can’t possibly live the Christian life without Jesus’ help and guidance.  Like me, ask Jesus to help you live this life the way He knows will bless you the most.  The precious Holy Spirit will help to bring you into all of the blessed truth God has for us.

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth:  for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak:  and he will shew you things to come.
John 16:13

Sweet Jesus.  Nothing like the Name that is above every other name.  Jesus produces such joy in my heart.

“and the God of peace shall be with you.”  Such sweet words.

Wow, nothing can calm my heart, protect my being, or produce more, deep, abiding peace and rest like the God of peace being with me.  It’s just so incredibly good to be loved by God, to be dwelling near Him…=)

22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
James 1:22-25

There is a way that seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of death.
Proverbs 14:12

Doers of the Word.  What am I “doing?”  “Doing” and “living” are pretty much interchangeable.  How am I living day in and day out?  How am I conducting myself?  Am I doing my own thing?

Am I doing (“living” my life) doing things the way I was brought up to do, and do those things necessarily line up with the Word of God?  Am I merely following in my parents footsteps.  Did they do life God’s way?  Am I “doing” (living) the way the world is “doing” life?  Or, am I “doing” the Word?  Am I living by the principles outlined in the Bible?

For example, if I’m reading God’s Word and doing what it says to do, my life will be redeemed from destruction (Psalm 103:4).  I’ll be doing God’s will and abiding within the shadow of the Most High, close to God, close to His protection over my life.

Because the Bible tells me to love my wife, that’s what I’m going to do – I’m going to ask God to show me how to love my wife more and more because there’s a blessing in “doing” so for my wife and me.  I’ve learned that loving my wife also blesses my children.  I’m going to learn how to love my children the way God wants me to love them, and my neighbor as well.

For so many reasons the Bible talks about, I’m not going to use cuss words.  I’m going to be slow to become angry, slow to speak and quick to listen.  I’m not going to get drunk with wine but rather be filled with the Holy Spirit.  I’m going to let God show me how to love my enemy.  I’m going to be a good employee.  I’m not going to steal anything.

I’m going to learn all I can about God’s wisdom as mentioned in the book of Proverbs.  I’m going to cast all my care on Jesus, and let the peace of God rule in my heart.  I’m going to learn how to not be afraid of sudden fear and to be anxious for nothing.  I’m going to thank and praise God in everything and believe that He’s really working all things for my good.

I’m going to learn that I can trust in the Lord with all my heart and, like the apostle Paul, to be content all the time no matter the circumstance.  And, I’m going to recieve all of the wonderful blessings that walking in God’s mercy, love, self-control and forgiveness afford me and those I’ve forgiven.

This is what being a “doer” of the Word is all about.  I simply look into God’s Word and see what it has to say about how to handle life, how to behave, how to be blessed because God honors His Word and blesses those who “do” what it says to do.   There are tremendous, supernatural blessings for obeying God’s Word.

If I’m not a doer of the Word, I will reap the consequences that come with doing life any other way than the way God says is the right way to “do” it.

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul:  and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

6 The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.

7 He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.

8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

9 He will not always chide:  neither will he keep his anger for ever.

10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.

14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

15 As for man, his days are as grass:  as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.

16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.

17 But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children;

18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.

19 The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.

20 Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.

21 Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.

22 Bless the Lord, all his works in all places of his dominion:  bless the Lord, O my soul.
Psalm 103

Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do:  and the God of peace shall be with you.
Philippians 4:9

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7

God bless you all,

“and the God of peace shall be with you.”  Mmmmmm.  Nice to meditate on those Words.  =)

Mark

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“The Wages Of Sin” Isn’t The End Of The Story =)

Sorry to get this out so late today. =)

 

 

 

 

 

I know I’ve written about this before, but I need to be reminded of it often.

The thief (satan’s only purpose is to steal, kill and destroy our lives and the lives of each other) cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:  (On the other hand) I (Jesus) am come that they (every one of us) might have life (life is free from the impact of sin, to set us free from sin and death), and that they might have it more abundantly.
John 10:10

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

For all (every person who has ever lived) have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Romans 3:23

He that committeth sin is of the devil, for the devil sinneth from the beginning.  For this purpose the Son of God (Jesus) was manifested, that He (Jesus) might destroy the works of the devil.
1 John 3:8

Wow, I’m listening to something I hope to share with you real soon.  While thinking about what I’m listening to, I had the thought that the wages of sin is death.  The devil came to make us sin, to make life miserable, to bring us death – Death in our relationships, death in every area of our lives including physical death.  Satan wants to kill our relationships, our hope, faith, love, compassion, trust, security, future, etc.

On the other hand, Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil.  Jesus came to set us free from the wages of sin, to set us free from death in all of the nooks and crannies of our minds, souls and bodies.  Isn’t that wonderful?

And ye shall know the truth (Jesus), and the truth (Jesus) shall make you free (from the wages of sin, from the impact sin can have on our lives).
John 8:32

If the Son (Jesus) therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
John 8:36

Is it really possible for Jesus to make us “free,” to have a life free from the wages of sin, to be free indeed, to have life more abundantly?  Yes, or Jesus wouldn’t have said it. =)

More later.

God bless,

Mark

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Gladness and Joy

 

 

 

 

For years now, I’ve been having a certain type of dream.  The idea behind the dream is to defeat me, to make me feel shame and worthlessness – I have Christian music playing all night to help overcome bad dreams.  I know this dream is not of God, but I also know that, somehow, God will use it for good in my life.  Praise Jesus!

I had another version of the same dream last night and got up this morning feeling a little weary.  The Lord often rescues my countenance with this powerful, little song.  It may be that someone else needs to be reminded of the powerful truth in this song taken from Isaiah 51:11.  =)

I like to put this song on “Loop.”  Before I know it, I’m singing along with it.  It can really lift my spirit and reminds me of Whose I am.

God loves us so much.  He watches over our hearts to bring His great salvation to every part of our being.

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

They shall obtain gladness and joy…=)

 

 

 

 

 

God bless,

Mark

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I’m Trading All The Sin In My Life For The Joy Of The Lord

 

 

 

 

Wow, it’s amazing.  Because of the work Jesus is doing in my life, my identity, who I am, is no longer attached to circumstances, shame, unforgiveness, bitterness, pride, anger, worry, care, jealousy, the fear of man, etc.  Hallelujah!

Challenges to our faith come up in everyone’s life.  Something came up in my life this weekend.  I could tell I needed Jesus’ help so I could deal with it His way.  More than anything, He told me not to take on the “care” the situation was trying to put on me.

Wow, I’m just so thankful Jesus is removing all “care” from my life.  Care used to consume and bury me in anger, frustration, confusion, and self-pity – really awful stuff.  I mean, why would anyone want to hold onto that terrible stuff when Jesus is available to them?  And what’s really gross is that I used to get others to take on the care, frustration, bitterness, unforgiveness, and all the rest, I was consumed by.

That’s one of the biggest reasons I love Jesus so much.  He’s shown me how to give Him all my care, and it has really lightened my load, my spirit, and mind. =)

Oh, thank You, Lord.  You’re so good to me, to anyone who will listen to Your great truths and do them.

I’m hearing more and more about people who’ve had something challenging come up in their life and they’ve had to choose between getting mad at God about it or asking His help to get them through it.  Most people I’ve been hearing about have gotten so mad at God over their situation that they’ve abandoned Him altogether.  Satan tricked them into leaving God, the One Person who could have set them free.

People, keep following God no matter what.  If a challenging situation brings you to a fork in the road, don’t get mad at God and walk away from Him.  Ask Him to help you get through it.  He’s more than able to help us in our time of need.

I’ve traded my sorrows, care, shame, unforgiveness, bitterness, worry, anger, jealousy, coveting, all kinds of sin…For the joy of the Lord.  Can’t even put into words how thankful and grateful I am to Jesus that He hung onto me all these years.  I would have crashed and turned away from His love if He’d not continued to help me.  After all, He’s the One Who showed me how to ask for His help and to come away from the sin of getting mad at Him that I was taught while growing up.

No matter what “it” is that you need to lay down (anger, care, unforgiveness, bitterness, unfulfilled dreams and goals, jealousy, whatever), lay it down for the joy of the Lord.  Believe me, you’ll be SO GLAD YOU DID IT!  His joy is so real and wonderful.

“I’m trading my sorrows
And I’m trading my shame
And I’m laying it down
For the joy of the Lord

Yes Lord, yes Lord, yes yes Lord
Yes Lord, yes Lord, yes yes Lord
Yes Lord, yes Lord, yes yes Lord
Amen

I’m pressed but not crushed
Persecuted, not abandoned
Struck down but not destroyed
And I am blessed beyond the curse
For His promise will endure
That His joy is going to be my strength.”
Lyric by Israel Houghton – Israel had a lot of sorrow, shame, pain, etc., in his own life.  He chose not to hold onto it, not to let it define who he was, but to lay it all down for the joy of the Lord.  The choice is ours.  Therefore, choose life for the joy of the Lord. =)

Yes, yes Lord!  I’ll lay down anything and everything for Your matchless joy.  Amen!

God bless,

Mark

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Cave Church In Cairo, Egypt

Happy Easter In The Name Of Jesus,

After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from all nations and provinces and languages, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white, with palm branches in their hands.  And they were shouting with a mighty shout, “Salvation comes from our God upon the throne, and from the Lamb.”
Revelation 7:9-10 The Living Bible (TLB)

Wow, how cool is this?  Here are some of our precious brothers and sisters in Jesus.  We’ll get to be with them in Heaven.  20,000 per service at this church.  God is incredible. =)

Also, I looked this church up online and the story behind it is amazing.  God is so good.  The link to that story is near the bottom of this email – “From Garbage To Glory.”

70 thousand Egyptian Christians sing Emmanuel – God is with us

From Garbage To Glory – Cave Church In Cairo
http://www.christianitytoday.com/behemoth/2016/issue-46-april-14-2016/from-garbage-to-glory.html

He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
Matthew 28:6

Have a wonderful weekend and remember to think about how great Heaven’s going to be.

God bless,

Mark

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Mary and Martha

Wow, it’s so easy to get busy with, and concerned about, so many things.  Most of the time, we’re not even aware of the fact that we’re becoming a “Martha.”

One of my sons-in-law was telling me how the Lord blessed him with this scripture the other day.  This passage is always a blessing.  Whenever we’re tempted to be like Martha, it helps us keep our priorities straight and walking in Jesus’ peace, love and joy.  Reminds me that I need Jesus more than anything.

“As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem they came to a village where a woman named Martha welcomed them into her home.  Her sister Mary sat on the floor, listening to Jesus as he talked.

But Martha was the jittery type and was worrying over the big dinner she was preparing.

She came to Jesus and said, “Sir, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work?  Tell her to come and help me.”

But the Lord said to her, “Martha, dear friend, you are so upset over all these details!  There is really only one thing worth being concerned about.  Mary has discovered it—and I won’t take it away from her!””
Luke 10:38-42 (The Living Bible)

Thank you, Jesus, for continuing to remind us to keep our hearts focused on You.

Jesus, our Savior, and Prince of Peace…


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

God bless,

Mark

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Letting Go Of The Donkey

Open the eyes of my heart, Lord, I want to see Jesus…And, I want others to see Jesus in me so they’ll want to open their hearts, so they’ll want to see You, too.

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her.  Untie them and bring them to me.  If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”

This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:

“Say to Daughter Zion,
‘See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”
The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them.  They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on.  A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.  The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

“Hosanna to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
Matthew 21:1-9

Hi Everyone,

The following story really spoke to my heart.  Over and over again, I’ve been giving Jesus my desire to be able to provide for my family.  It’s probably been my donkey, that thing I want to hold onto because I’ve been afraid to give up that dream.  I gave it up again yesterday.  While it can be hard to give Jesus our dreams and cares, He knows it’s always best for us and that it will lighten our load.  It keeps our relationship with Jesus open and flowing.  And, God uses it to bring His delivering love to others.

And, while we may not be able to see ahead or to understand why we need to give up our donkeys, Jesus always knows the plans He has for us – To give us a future and a hope.

“Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord” – Sometimes, we need to let go of our donkey for others to hear these blessed words, for them to have the opportunity to come to the Jesus they see in us…

Thank You, Jesus, for setting us totally free from our donkeys.

I hope this story blesses you…=)

*******
Messianic Rabbi Jonathan Cahn – Letting Go Of The Donkey

Imagine you’re sitting in your house and you hear your car start. Looking outside, you see a bunch of men.  They shout to you, “The Lord needs your car!”

A similar thing happened two thousand years ago, but with a donkey, not a car.

What if you were the owner of the donkey?  It’s not just a possession; it’s you very livelihood. What would you do?

The owner of the donkey just let it go because it was for the Lord.

You have a donkey in your life, something you don’t want to let go of, give up or change – but a still small voice in your heart is saying, “Let it go, the Lord needs to take it away, and you need to let it go.”

What is your donkey?  It’s that thing in your life you have to let go of and give to the Lord.

God blessed the donkey’s owner and that donkey was the one the Messiah rode into Jerusalem.

Let go, and your life will be blessed in ways you can’t imagine.

It all begins when you let the “donkey” go.

Today’s Mission:  Identify your donkey, that thing in your life you need to let go of, and give it joyfully to the service of the Lord.

Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.
Luke 6:30

*******

God bless,

Mark

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Gadol Adonai Umehulal Me’od

Interesting bit of news on Debka.com this morning.  The Egyptians are building up an arsenal at their air base located in Rephidim.  They’re doing so in an effort to wage “all out war” with ISIS.  About 3200 years ago, Moses struck the rock in Rephidim so that it would bring forth water.

Gadol Adonai Umehulal Me’od – Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised!

Boy, I can feel so MUCH of God’s deep love for mankind right now.  Oh dear Jesus, please bring all of those who don’t know you to Your great, matchless, loving, and delivering salvation.

Truly, I (Jesus) say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.  “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it!  How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!  See, your house is left to you desolate.  For I (Jesus) tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”
Matthew 23:36-39

Ann and I came across a really great video the other evening – You may already have seen this.  The more we watched and listened to it, the more it dawned on us that these Hebrew (Jewish) Christians were singing something significant.  In essence, they’re saying, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”  And, more and more Jews are coming to faith in Jesus.  Combine this situation with world events and it appears that Jesus’s return is getting closer by the minute.

Let this music fill you as you realize that what Jesus said in Matthew 23:39 is happening. More and more Jews are seeing Jesus in their souls (are realizing and saying that Jesus is their Messiah) and it may be that they’ll soon see Him with their eyes. Praise God!

Hebrew Christian Worship Songs /2015 Great Is The Lord, Gadol Adonai Umehulal Me’Od

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NO6wZO2oe7c

Yep, I put this song on right-click> Loop.  Wow, does it build your faith.

Jesus’s prophecy is being fulfilled right in front of our eyes.  Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised!

God bless,

Mark

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God’s (Abba’s) Unceasing Love Call

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Who (or what) shall separate us from the love of Christ?  shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?…For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans 8:35; 38-39 King James Version (KJV) Edits Mine

Nothing can separate us from God’s love.  Not world conditions; a new job; a promotion; moving to another home, city or state; car trouble; family or financial matters; the economy; health issues; you name it…

Like a beacon, God’s great love keeps calling out to us every minute of the day and night wherever we are saying, “I’ve overcome the world; I know the plans I have for you; I love you so much that I sent My own Son to bring you back home to Me, to My love, where you belong; you can trust Me when I tell you that you can have joy and glory in trials and tribulations; it’s okay, you can trust in Me with all your heart; I’m still supplying all your needs; you don’t ever have to be afraid of sudden fear, never; I’m still working all things (even this one) together for your good; let My perfect love for you cast out fear; I’ll deliver you from all your fears; you don’t have to be anxious about anything, ever; keep casting all your care on Me because I’m caring for you, My precious one; you can let My peace rule in your heart right now; only be strong and courageous because I’m with you, and I’ll never leave you nor forsake you; let My Word, My love letter to you, be a lamp to your feet and a light to your path as it reminds you of My love for you; please know that My mercies for you are new every morning, especially today; I’m your shepherd, your Abba, and you will dwell with Me in My house all the days of your life.”

There, did you hear it?  God’s love is calling out to you…

God bless,

Mark

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Reminding Us All To Keep “Looking Up!”

Hello Saints in Jesus’ Name, Our Prince Of Peace,  The Name That Is Above Every Other Name –

First, I want to keep reminding you to bless each other.  The Bible says God is involved in our blessings when we bless each other and put His mighty name on each other.  Things happen in the spiritual realm as we bless each other.

The Lord bless you and keep you,

The Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you,

The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace,

And I put the Name of the God of the children of Israel on you and bless you in Jesus’ Name, the Name that is above every other name.  Amen.

I want to encourage you like the Lord asks us to do in 1 Thessalonians chapter 5 regarding the end times events we’re seeing all around us today.

Wow, I’m telling you, this is no time to get down about the world’s conditions – what God said would happen is happening.  Don’t let yourself be consumed by what’s going on in the natural realm, but focus your attention on God’s supernatural realm – keep casting all your cares on Him for He careth for you.

 

 

 

 

 

Keep looking up to Heaven.  Keep letting go of this earth.  Let the things of earth grow strangely dim in the light of God’s glory and grace.  Our redemption is drawing near.  Do you believe that?  You should.  Your emotional well-being depends on it, on believing God’s Word, and by looking up.

Finally, rather than letting others drag your attention and emotions back to the things of earth, help lift their eyes (their attention and emotions) to Heaven by telling them to look up just like Jesus commands us to do in Luke chapter 21.   This is how we keep letting the peace of God rule in our hearts…

God’s on His throne, folks, and His plans for the universe are being carried out.  Praise God!

Let’s live like we’re already in Heaven.  Doing so will lift us up, and others as well.

We’re about to have all tears wiped away, forever.  Oh, thanks be to God!  Hallelujah to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

Kadosh kadosh kadosh
Kadosh kadosh kadosh
Adonai Elohim tz’va’ot
Adonai Elohim tz’va’ot

Holy holy holy
Holy holy holy
O Lord our God Lord of hosts
O Lord our God Lord of hosts

Asher hayah
V’hoveh v’yavo
Asher hayah
V’hoveh v’yavo

Who was and Who is
And Who is to come
Who was and Who is
And Who is to come

Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus!

God bless,

Mark

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Blessing Leads To Spiritual Freedom And God’s Rest

I believe that blessing gives God the opportunity to work in lives, to draw us and others to Him, to His wonderful, cleansing and healing salvation.  It’s one of the major bricks God uses to build His wall of protection around our lives.

It’s our desire to give you as much information as we can to help you enter God’s rest.  Spending more time thanking and praising God in all things, knowing that God’s working all things for your good, blessing your past, present and future, blessing those who curse you, and loving your enemy – becoming “doers” of all these spiritual truths help to bless our souls and turn us into mighty believers as Christians.  The Bible tells us that those who believe enter God’s rest trusting Him always in all circumstances.

But I (Jesus) say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Matthew 5:44

Bless to rest…

Like you, I know that to our flesh it’s counterintuitive to bless those who curse us, to bless our enemies.  I know that God’s ways are not our ways, but I also know that His ways (not doing things my ways that tend to keep me bound up) lead to true life, love, freedom, peace, happiness and joy in our souls.  All I simply have to do is to be willing to “do” His ways.

Merlin Carothers:  “When I was in war in Germany, it was kill or be killed.  Most Christians don’t even know they’re in a war with the devil.  Most Christians don’t know that their enemy, the devil, is out to kill them.  That’s why it’s so important to inform them of what’s really going on in their life once they accept Christ.  We need to teach them how to do battle, how to defeat the enemy.”

Annie and I are all about being set free from anything that holds us back spiritually.  We want all of the liberty Jesus died for.

If the Son (Jesus) therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
John 8:36

So, here’s some more about the power and liberty of blessing – blessing your past, blessing your children, blessing your spouse, your family and parents (even if they’re no longer living), love your enemy by blessing anyone you perceive as an enemy (Matthew 5:44).  This will change and release your heart and soul.

It’s been amazing in my life how much the enemy uses my past as a source of oppression, of regret, of tension and frustration.  Many of you may feel the same.  I hope Messianic Rabbi Jonathan Cahn’s message excerpt helps you.  It made me stop and bless my parents and past and I’m continuing to do so to be free from the enemy’s attacks and torment in these areas.

You might find it difficult to do at first, but it’s worth it to break down any spiritual walls that may be harming you on the inside.  Go ahead, bless your past, bless your current life and bless God for the future He has for you.

For we wrestle (fight) not  against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Ephesians 6:12

Annie and I bless each other every morning.  We bless our kids, as well.  We even blessed our Jewish doctor the other day at Ann’s appointment.

Blessing will break down spiritual walls.  It will bring to the surface any hurts or strongholds that have been holding us captive and weighing on our souls.

There’s plenty of cursing going on all around us.  Let’s reverse the curse by blessing.  It will help us all.

There’s a spiritual war going on for and in our souls and minds.  Blessing can help us become overcomers in the spiritual realm, and that leads to liberty in every area of our lives.

There’s no place like home, and for Christians, home is God’s still, peaceful rest.

God bless you all,

Mark

 

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The Blessed Place Identified In Proverbs 3:5-6

 

 

 

 

 

Honestly, due to what I thought were overwhelming and never-ending circumstances, there was a time in my life when I didn’t feel like I could trust the Lord with any part of my heart.

What’s your affliction, your thorn, today?  Is it insecurity or inferiority?  Is it a spiritual, health, job, family or financial issue?  Are you concerned about current world conditions?

My own understanding of things can make me restless, tired and worn out.  And, with migraines, it can be hard to trust my own understanding.  I’m actually getting to the point where it seems pretty futile to “lean on my own understanding,” at all.  Hmmm…

For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.  Most gladly (sounds like Paul’s getting what the Lord wants him to rest in, Him, no matter what condition or situation Paul’s in) therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake:  for when I am weak, then am I strong.
2 Corinthians 12:8-10

“But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him (Jesus)!”
Matthew 8:27

Paul prayed asking for the Lord to remove his infirmity.  Like many of us, he hadn’t yet understood what manner of man Jesus was, how powerful Jesus was, that He could control any storm.

Like me, I believe the Apostle Paul didn’t like his infirmity and probably thought he could serve the Lord better without it, especially when healing was such a large part of Jesus’ earthly ministry.  And just like many of us living with physical afflictions, Paul couldn’t have perceived the value of his thorn in the flesh until it helped him come to the place where he could realize that he was finally able to trust in the Lord with all his heart.  Until, like Jacob wrestling with the angel of the Lord all night, we get to that place of trusting in the Lord with all our heart, our infirmity will seem unfair and unpleasant – like a thorn.  But when “circumstances” keep coming (and they do), those who continue to seek the Lord inevitably arrive at the place of complete surrender, true peace and rest, trusting in the Lord no matter what with all their heart.

We want Christ to hurry and calm the storm. He wants us to find Him in the midst of it first.

Pretty sure I had another migraine attack in bed last night.  I’m feeling pretty dull mentally and my head has lots of pressure this morning.  Why am I telling you this?  Well, it’s definitely not so you’ll feel sorry for me.  No way.  =)

I was feeling low this morning.  Then, the Lord asked me to praise Him.  I began to praise Him in my heart and then had another, discouraging thought.  These opposing thoughts went back and forth for about two minutes when the Holy Spirit began to share something really wonderful with me.

He said, “Mark, can you see the two thoughts that are competing for your attention right now?  One thought makes you fearful and anxious, but when you thank and praise Me regardless of how you “feel” right now due to the migraines, the fear and anxiety subside, right?  You feel My calm soothe you.  You sense that you can trust Me even in your weakened condition, right?”  I agreed with what He was saying.  I could really experience what the Holy Spirit was pointing out to me.  He went on, “When you thank and praise Me, you have the spiritual strength to trust Me, even now.  You can trust that I’m in control of your life.  I want you to know that I’m taking you to the place in your spirit where you’ll be able to trust in Me with all your heart.  That means that the battle to trust Me will have been won.  Your thoughts will no longer seesaw between fearful, discouraging thoughts when you feel weak and the trust you have in your heart when you thank and praise Me in all things.  Do you understand how beautiful this is?  Not many people can trust in Me with all their heart.  But because you’re seeking Me, I’m taking you to that strong place.  Do you see what I mean?  I, alone, can take you to the place where no circumstance will be able to keep you from trusting Me with all your heart.  If that wasn’t true, I would not have placed that scripture (Proverbs 3:5-6) in My Word.  But it is true, and I’ll prove it to you.”

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

Wow, precious people.  I’m telling you right now, I can’t think of anything more wonderful, more freeing, more peaceful, more rest-inducing than being able to trust in the Lord with all your heart, to really know with all your heart that God’s always with you, always in control of your life.  This is worth more than all the world’s wealth because it’s not at all dependent on circumstances, and losing your wealth does rely on the condition of “What if I lose it?”

Boy, it’s going to be really wonderful to trust in the Lord with all my heart.  There will no longer be any room for even a molecule of doubt.  =)

That makes me happy.

Who (or what) shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?
Romans 8:35

None of these conditions/circumstances/situations can separate us from the love of God.  That’s the incredible point our loving Savior wants us to understand.  His perfect love casts out the fear associated with circumstances.  Let Him take you to that marvelous, spiritual reality.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart…Ahhhh.

God bless,

Mark

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Look Up!

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There are so many opportunities to look up.  (Psalm 34:19)

that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:16-19

Here’s a neat thought.  All of you know how Jesus says to look up when you see these things coming on the earth in Matthew chapter 24 , right?  Well, you can always look up when you’re facing some sort of test, trial, or whatever.  Feeling down, discouraged, in pain, fearful…whatever?  Look up.  Put on some Christian music, thank and praise God, read Psalm 91 out loud, take those despairing thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ by doing anything like the above that lifts your spirit in the Lord.  =)

Boy, God is SO GOOD!  I had a really bad migraine headache yesterday.  The blessing is that I hadn’t had one in about 5 months.  The other blessing is that I woke up this morning feeling really bad.  Feeling bad always makes me seek Jesus and His delivering love.  As a result of feeling bad, I put on my favorite Christian song and the Holy Spirit began talking to me.  His words started to encourage my spirit.  I just love it when He’s faithful like that.  We serve such a loving God.

Feeling run over?  Well, do whatever it takes to encourage yourself in the Lord, to look up.  That’s what David, in the Bible, did.

The battle is the Lord’s, precious people.  He just asks us to stand and watch the salvation of the Lord.

Thank you, Jesus.

God bless you all as we begin another week with faithful Jesus in our hearts and at our sides,

The Lord bless you, and keep you:

The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you:

The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.

And I put the Name of The God of the children of Israel upon you, and I bless you in Jesus’ Name, the Name that is above every other name.
Numbers 6:24-27 (Edits Mine)

Nothing like the dwelling place of the MOST HIGH.  =)

Mark

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Strong Deception, And Why My Wife And I Choose Jesus Every Day

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“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.  Ye shall know them by their fruits.  Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?  Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.  A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.  Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.”
Matthew 7:13-14

A supernatural, satanic scheme to conform is coming on the world. The forces of darkness are not holding back.  Many people are going to hell where they’ll be permanently captive to the devil.

“The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.”
Proverbs 29:25

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom:  and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.”
Proverbs 9:10

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
Hebrews 4:12

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
James 4:8

“A loving God could never send anyone to hell forever, right Mark?”  I hear this from time to time and realize that anyone who’d make such a comment has never considered the fact that God, even in His love for us, is just.  That was the whole point for why God sent Christ as the only bridge, the only One (or Way) Who can restore our relationship with God (Matthew chapter 27).

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”
John 3:16-17

Every so often I come across something that makes me think, “Am I being as honest, truthful, and bold enough with others as I need to be about Heaven and hell?  Am I showing them enough of the contrast between the two for them to stop and consider what they’re doing with their lives?  Have I done everything I can to get them to take their lives seriously enough to prevent them from ending up with the devil in hell, forever?”

“Earth is as close to Heaven as unbelievers will ever get, and it’s as close to hell as Christians will ever be.”

There’s a very strong deception coming on the world.  The Bible tells us it would happen in the end times.

For example, I’ve heard there’s a strong push to make it a hate crime to call boys “boys” and to call girls “girls.”  What?

Yes, this is how weird it’s getting in our world, folks.  Satan has already taken on God’s definition of marriage between a man and a woman.  Now, the devil’s attempting to erase gender.  It’s a scheme to further destroy trust in the Bible and God’s creation by getting us to question, even more severely, the very existence of a Creator.  If satan can get us to swallow such lies, he’s got us right where he wants us (he knows people will believe almost anything now), and, in the end, he’ll be glad to take as many as he can with him to hell, forever.

The current, strong deception reminds me of the U.N.-type scene in the first “Left Behind” movie where the antichrist figure (Nicolae Carpathia) is telling everyone an outright lie.  His powerful deception’s convincing the other people gathered around the table the he’s telling them the truth.  The only person at the table who’s not deceived is Kirk Cameron’s character, Buck Williams.  The only reason he’s not deceived is because he’s recently given his life to Jesus and the Holy Spirit’s keeping him from believing the lie.

Folks, we may think we could never be deceived due to our intellect, that we’d never conform to supernatural lies, that we’re way too smart to fall for satan’s tricks.  What we need to be aware of is that we’re going to need to be very close to Jesus in these last days.  Brain power, alone, will not be enough to keep us safe.  The power in the deception behind satan’s lies (much of the power resides in, and will depend on, the degree of the fear of man we allow to operate in our lives – the pressure of what others think can make us do some things we know are against our (and God’s) will) is supernatural.  Without maintaining a close relationship with Jesus, we’re no match for this type of powerful deception.

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.  For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.  And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
Galatians 6:7-9

My wife and I know that satan will do everything he can “to get a foot in the door” of our lives, and that he’s never satisfied with just that.  For that reason, we choose Jesus, His ways, every day to maintain the kind of humility it takes today to not fall prey to satan’s deception, to keep us firmly grounded in Christ.  We choose Jesus every day to make sure we’re waiting on Him, and listening for His directives in our lives, in our decision-making processes; to keep us taking thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ, to keep us praising Him in all things, to keep believing that Jesus is working all things together for our good; to maintain forgiving hearts and to continually extend grace to each other and others; to keep from becoming self-absorbed, self-centered and selfish; to help us to keep trusting Jesus; to protect our marriage and family; to love each other the way Christ loves us; to keep ourselves from letting this world’s condition discourage us; to keep us looking up, looking to Christ for His rest, love, wisdom, discernment, peace, and joy; to keep us in His Word that helps us in our everyday lives; to not give into sudden fear; to be anxious for nothing; to maintain our compassion for others; to be able to love our enemies; to continually dwell in the fruit of the Spirit; and to abide in the shadow of the Most High.

I want to strongly encourage each of you to stay close to God.  Residing in Him is the only way we’re going to be able to discern and withstand the end times.  Staying close to God will enable us to let the peace of God rule our hearts every day.   It’s the way to keep our hearts from growing cold when lawlessness increases.  We, desperately, need the Holy Spirit’s supernatural guidance as we navigate today’s world.

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God will bless our lives, and every aspect of them, with His Presence, His peace, stillness, rest and joy as we choose Jesus every day,

Mark

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Take Up Your Cross: That My (Jesus) Joy May Be In You

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The cross of Christ – Where God’s true joy begins…

The glorious wonder and blessing of dying to the heavy burden of living for self –

Boy, I don’t yet know everything the Lord wants me to convey about the blessing of the cross in our lives.  Just the fact that Christ died for our sins on the cross is life-saving and life-changing.

I’ll try to put into words what the Lord seems to be saying to me about the cross.

When we take up our cross, daily, God works His power in us.  His love transforms our lives and renews our minds.  Taking up our cross involves memorizing scripture, learning how to win spiritual battles by learning that we can take every thought captive to Christ, learning how to be overcomers in this world.  We, also, gain so much compassion and understanding, both of which are needed today as He has us reach out to love each other.  The cross teaches us patience, makes us more Christ-like, and becoming more like Jesus always blesses our lives and the lives of those around us.

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The cross is not intended to be a burden.  It is intended to help us die to self, and dying to self and taking on God’s character is such a huge blessing.  We trade in our weak flesh for the fruit of the Spirit.  Our lives are blessed with Jesus’ selfless love, peace, self control, humility, joy, faith, etc.  We receive the Word into our lives as the cross helps us focus on Jesus, our Prince of Peace, the Lord of all that is good, the One Who gives life its true meaning.

The very pages of the Bible (like The Beatitudes found in Matthew 5:1-12, and the love found in 1 Corinthians 13) become alive in us and attract others to the liberating life that only Jesus can give.

No other life will be as blessed as that one who seeks to take up their cross, daily.  Do you see what I mean?  Can you begin to get excited about the daily cross Jesus asks us to take up?  Tremendous blessings reside in the cross for each of us.  Heavenly blessings that cannot be discovered any other way.  =)

Praise God!  Thank you Jesus!

We can rejoice in the cross for all that it’s done and is doing in our lives…

“At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light, and the burden of my heart rolled away, it was there by faith I received my sight, and now I am happy all the day.”  (Lyric by Isaac Watts)

The cross can make us happy all the day, precious people.  There’s no greater life than being like Jesus.  If there was another, greater life, Jesus would have told us so.

Oh the joy of life lived in and for Jesus.  Such stillness of soul, trust, rest, contentment, peace, love and joy.  His death opened the door to His joy.

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Nothing was ever meant to be compared with the joy that comes from our Heavenly Father.  Nothing can.

That Jesus’ joy may be in us.  Wow…  =)

God bless,

Mark

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Only Be Thou Strong And Very Courageous =)

Hello Saints In Jesus,

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It’s a new week.  And, Jesus is in control of our lives, and the entire universe.  He’s working all things for our good.  =)

“Be strong and of a good courage:  Only be thou strong and very courageous…

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein:  for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Have not I commanded thee?  Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed:  for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

…only be strong and of a good courage.”
Taken From Joshua Chapter 1

Aren’t you grateful that God loves you so much?  He’ll never leave us nor forsake us.  Knowing Him gives us the courage to do His will, to walk out His plan for our lives.

God bless,

Mark

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Christianity Is So Simple, And Wonderful

Hello Precious Christians In Jesus’ Name,

“See, I (God) have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil;

In that I command thee this day to love the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply:  and the Lord thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it.

But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them;

I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it.

I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

That thou mayest love the Lord thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him:  for he is thy life, and the length of thy days:  that thou mayest dwell in the land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.”
Deuteronomy 30:15-20

“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Joshua 24:15

How does anyone live with the abandonment and loneliness of believing there’s no God?  Why would anyone not want to be a Christian?  Why would they not want God’s rest, love, joy and peace in their life?  How can they live today without knowing that God, their loving, Heavenly Father, can make all things work together for their good, that they can cast all their care on Him?  Why do any of us choose to live with the trappings pride brings to one’s life, with worry and fear when God’s perfect love can cast out fear and the worry associated with it?

At one time in my life, I was as bad off as the lame man, the leper or the blind man Jesus healed in the Bible stories.  I was so blinded to everything God had for me – always satan’s plan.  My leprosy was the panic, fear, frustration, anger, resentment, restlessness, unforgiveness, bitterness, jealousy, lack of love, unfulfilled dreams and goals, and the fear of man that kept me from even beginning to understand God’s love for me.

“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

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

Surely he shall deliver thee…”
Psalm 91:1-3a

I (Mark) was lame and needed to be delivered – I didn’t know how good “delivered” could be.  I needed to find out how I could “dwell in the secret place of the most High.”  I was out from under God’s protecting presence, His dwelling place.  I needed a Savior, someone who could save me from the ugly and heavy burden the sins of fear, care, bitterness (and all the rest) had placed on my life.

Little by little, God began to bring about change in my life.  He began to deal with these harmful traits and learned behaviors, these awful, devlish things that had such a “strong hold” on my mind, my emotions, my heart, personality, and relationships.

What can I say about Jesus’ love for me?  Wow, He’s simply incredible and unwavering in His faithfulness and love for me.  How grateful I am that He saw my need for Him, and that He’s taken the time to help me change, to become renewed.

“For this purpose the Son of God (Jesus) was manifested, that He might destroy the works (anger, fear, panic, frustration, bitterness, jealousy, coveting, divorce, fighting between us, selfishness, unforgiveness, revenge, you name it) of the devil.”
1 John 3:8

“The thief (satan) cometh not (comes only to), but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy (by trying to make us miserable through bitterness, fighting with each other, hate, resentment, selfishness, you name it):  I (Jesus, on the other hand) am come that they (you and me) might have life (free from anger, resentment, bitterness, coveting, hate, selfishness, etc.), and that they might have it more abundantly (living free in Jesus’ joy, peace, love, forgiveness, blessings, care for us, etc. – and, it only gets better all the time because He’s infinite in His love for us).”
(John 10:10) Edits Mine

The Gospel, the Bible, Jesus and Christianity…it’s all really as simple as the above verses imply.  But, the Gospel message, the Bible, Jesus and Christianity can make all the difference in anyone’s life, here in this earthly life and into eternity.

That’s why God sent Jesus…to destroy the works of the devil (fear, anger, bitterness, jealousy, you name it), and to give us His (Jesus’) life, instead.

Jesus, oh my precious Jesus, Your Presence makes me whole.

God bless you all,

Mark