Category: Children

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

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

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

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
Galatians 5:16-17

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

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

Note: While we may not agree with everything a particular church or Christian group teaches or believes, there are times when we can be blessed by something outside the realm of our current understanding of God.

Boy, we’re living in more exciting times every day. It’s so fun to be in the scriptures every day, declaring them out loud and standing on them.

Please keep these precious, courageous, comforting scriptures in mind.

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

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

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

For we wrestle 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

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

Move against fear and look for His favor ever day.

So come on, fellow Christians. Let’s go and find out how faithful our Heavenly Father is on the behalf of those who love Him.

We love you all. ☺☺♥♥

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark and Annie

Note: While we may not agree with everything a particular church or Christian group teaches or believes, there are times when we can be blessed by something outside the realm of our current understanding of God.

Some people actually think I don’t love my kids – That’s funny. They think that because I refuse to worry or carry care about my kids. Instead, with God’s help, I’ve learned I put my kids in the loving, all-knowing, trustworthy hands of Jesus. That’s where they and I belong.

The truth is I love my kids. But, and this is huge, I’ve transferred all worry and care for my children onto Jesus – I totally trust them to Him. Yes, it can be hard at times to trust them to Jesus, but the effort to do so is so worth the assurance and freedom Jesus gives me when I do it.

I used to live and be overwhelmed with worry, care and a lot of other awful things. Early on, I passed a lot of that junk onto my kids because I wasn’t doing the Word. Honestly, I didn’t know how to do the Word back then. I didn’t know how to put my faith in the Word.

When you have migraines and CCPTSD as severe as I’ve had them, you either learn to trust God or you dive even deeper into CCPTSD, deeper into worry, care and so many of the other lies of the devil.

Besides that, teaching my children about how to trust God with all my heart is the best gift I could ever give them.

Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.
Deuteronomy 11:9

No, I don’t teach my kids to worry and to be filled with care – what kind of parent would I be if I continued to do that? I teach them to trust the Lord, to cast all their care on Him, to not be afraid of sudden fear, to take thoughts captive to Christ, Romans 8:28, and much more. This is the way to have victory in Jesus. And, it leads you into becoming a world overcomer like Christ. Jesus truly is the only way to Live.

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

Living for Jesus, doing His Word – these are the best ways I can love my kids.

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

Note: While we may not agree with everything a particular church or Christian group teaches or believes, there are times when we can be blessed by something outside the realm of our current understanding of God.

I heard a pastor quote this verse today (1-6-21) and it brought me so much joy. I don’t have to make anyone believe the Word of God. That is God’s job. Isn’t that freeing, liberating and lite?

6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
1 Corinthians 3:6-7

We have such a loving Heavenly Father who wants us to merely sink down in His arms as He takes all care and striving from us. It’s amazing how much He does when I give it all to Him.

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

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

I heard a pastor say yesterday (1-5-21) that people don’t do the Word because they really don’t have faith in the Word. They may know what the Word says, but they don’t trust that it will really work. So, they don’t apply it to their lives. Then they wonder why their lives remain the way they are.

Ann and I used to be that way. Fortunately, God brought us to the point where we had to find out if His Word really works.

Is God really in control today? Do all things really work together for the good of those who love Jesus?

What is the very thing that can stop me from trusting in the Lord with all my heart? Circumstances, right? Today, the world is full of circumstances that are screaming at everyone to pay attention to them. Circumstances are rampant, vying for our immediate attention, and overloading us – The media wants our attention because they make money selling advertising based on viewership.

When I take my eyes off Jesus, I become prey to potentially harmful circumstances, to fear, discouragement and depression. This is the devil’s goal. This is what he’s after – to steal, kill and destroy. He will do anything he can to keep me from trusting in the Lord with all my heart at all times because the devil knows that if I do so, I’ll overcome this world like Jesus has. I’ll be victorious over the schemes of the enemy of my soul.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart (with everything in life); and lean not unto thine own understanding (the devil uses circumstances to get me into my own understanding and off of Jesus). In all thy ways acknowledge him (Jesus), and he shall direct thy paths (He really is working all things together for my good. I simply need to continue trusting Christ with all circumstances, with my whole heart).
Proverbs 3:5-6

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

Note: While we may not agree with everything a particular church or Christian group teaches or believes, there are times when we can be blessed by something outside the realm of our current understanding of God.

Take a few deep breaths. Take a few more…☺

Jesus loves you. It’s true.

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

Lord, help me today with what I need to do. Help me not to get ahead of myself. Teach me to rest in You each moment today. Lead me in the way everlasting and let me calmly follow Your all-knowing ways. Thank You for loving me and for being with me every moment today. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark 

Note: While we may not agree with everything a particular church or Christian group teaches or believes, there are times when we can be blessed by something outside the realm of our current understanding of God.

Some thoughts from yesterday…God is so good.

Holy Spirit, please open our eyes to how wonderful you are and how much You desire for us to live close to You always. You are so amazing and we praise You for how beautiful You are and for your matchless power that sets us free.

For far too long, Annie and I lived in the devil’s reality. We worried, had tremendous fear, anxiety, heartache, and all the rest of his reality up to our eye balls. Satan’s reality will steal, kill and destroy you.

For we wrestle 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

I often think that people think I’m not living in reality when I say some of the things God shows me or lays on my heart. All I can say is that life doesn’t get any more real than when you begin to do the Word, when you begin to follow Jesus in ways you never thought you could or would.

While I was walking today (12-30-20), the Holy Spirit said, “You can praise and thank me for Covid, for the Tri-Lateral Commission and all the rest,” just like Merlin’s books and My Word state. Immediately, I had a joy that was not my own. What a blessing it is to know Jesus!

How do I trust in the Lord with all my heart (Proverbs 3:5)? By praising Him in all things.

Praising and thanking God in all things will teach you how to live free from your own understanding. I promise you.

God inhabits fear, worry, care, dismay, anger, uncertainty, whining, my own understanding, self-pity, focusing on my hurts, etc? No, He inhabits the praises of His people. Begin to praise God and watch what He alone can do as He lifts you out of fear, worry, care, dismay, anger, uncertainty, whining, your own understanding, self-pity, focusing on my hurts, and all the rest.

God’s plans are still being carried out. His Word will come true and we can praise Him for that and experience His Presence with us no matter what. When I praise Him, all of the resources of Heaven are immediately at attention and are released into me and the situation in a way I can’t fully understand. I just need to be obedient to praise Him. The rest is up to Almighty God, to my Father.

God, You’re SO GOOD to me! I’ll sing it through eternity…

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark 

Note: While we may not agree with everything a particular church or Christian group teaches or believes, there are times when we can be blessed by something outside the realm of our current understanding of God.

I’ll get an anxious thought, from time to time, and begin to get in my own understanding about it. If I feel overwhelmed and feel care beginning to weigh on my spirit, I’ll ask God for His help. That’s when He reminds me to cast ALL care on Him. I can feel the relief of giving Him the “care” the thought tried to burden me with.

We have such a faithful God who tells us to cast all our care on Him. He takes our care and we’re free to trust Him with it. Praise You, Jesus.

for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
1 Peter 5: 5b-7

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

I hope you’ll view Jonathan’s short clip below on the big picture and the tests in our lives. It’s excellent.

If you’re not born again, there’s no guarantee things are working out for your good. There’s no guarantee there is a redemptive problem and a redemptive purpose in every problem. If you’re born again, every problem can be redeemed. In the life of a believer, everything (“good or bad”) has a purpose. This is what Romans 8:28 is all about.
^{By Messianic Rabbi Jonathan Cahn (Edits mine)}

So come on, let’s go!

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

Praising God at all times is the best way I’ve found to live. Keeps me in a posture of humility and surrender before Him. Thank You, Jesus.

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Matthew 6:10

He hath made every thing beautiful in his time:
Ecclesiastes 3:11a

who does great and unsearchable things, wonders without number.
Job 5:9

God bless you all. ☺☺♥♥

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

7 “But blessed are those who trust in the Lord
and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.
8 They are like trees planted along a riverbank,
with roots that reach deep into the water.
Such trees are not bothered by the heat
or worried by long months of drought.
Their leaves stay green,
and they never stop producing fruit.
Jeremiah 17:7-8 NLT

So come on. Let’s get out there and find all of the wonderful things the Lord has in store for us. All it takes is faith to be planted by His never-ending river of favor as He works all things together for our good. We can rest in our faith in Christ. ☺

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

I had a really neat dream last night. God was showing me more about how He is the Author of Life and how fun and wonderful Divine Romance is – I woke up with one of His thoughts about how to love my wife even more. His ways are re-mark-able.

He wants so much to show us Life, and He has such a wonderful plan for marriage. He is always moving in the lives of those who seek Him by staying willing to listen to all the beautiful ways He enhances Life.

He is so incredible, and ever expounding on and expanding the lives of those who will open everything in their life to His blessings.

Seeing Life through His eyes…I can only imagine how much better Life gets. And to think He’s going to show me. Wow.

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

I’ve often wondered what would happen if the audio Bible was played through hospital loud speakers. Would patients, staff and family members be ministered to in powerful ways?  Would there be new treatments?  Would it bring hope to so many? Would patients walk out healed?

I saw the following in a John Ankerberg email I received today.

“Many schools in South America and in areas of Africa have a “Bible hour” in their public schools. Although this seems like a very foreign idea to those of us in North America, it is considered normal in these areas and provides a wonderful opportunity for kids to learn about Jesus Christ. Audio Bible devices, such as the audio Proclaimer, are incredible tools for these schools, with the dramatized recording engaging the children in their heart language, making them feel like they are in the story. The children are impacted by hearing the Word of God, then share with their parents and families, often creating a ripple effect within the village or town. Our partners have seen whole communities changed by an audio Bible being played in the local school. Would you consider helping us place more audio Bibles in these schools?”

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

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

Annie talked with Steve today. He works for one her company’s sub-contractors. They talked about what’s going on in the world and how wonderful Heaven’s going to be. She told him about the book, “Imagine Heaven” that she’s reading and how incredible and timely it is that God brought it to us. Ann told Steve it’s going to be so much fun in Heaven as we all share what God did in our lives while on earth. Steve said, “I don’t have any stories…”

Then, Steve told Ann… Years ago, a little girl was in the hospital dying. She was scared. No one in her family knew Jesus. Her mom called Steve’s Pastor, “We’ve never been to church, but our little girl is dying. The Doctors said she won’t make it through the night. She’s really scared. Can you come to the hospital?” Of course the Pastor drove to the hospital and sat with the little girl. He told her about Jesus and his love for her and her family. The little girl made it through the night.

The next day the doctors were dismayed. Her vital signs had changed – she went home a couple days later. The cancer was gone. The next weekend the whole family was in church. They all got saved. Steve played the drums and the little girl loved to stand close and watch him play.

A few months went by – the cancer came back – the Pastor again sat with the little girl in the hospital. But this time she wasn’t scared. She sat up in bed, “Pastor Richard! Do you see them?! The Angels are here!” and she stepped into eternity. The family is looking forward to a joyous reunion together in Heaven. So is Steve.

We all have stories…

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

The world, even a lot of churches and Christians, is filled with those who do not know how to guard their heart.  And their lives show this.  Their thoughts and conversations are filled with worry, doubt and fear.

Diligence – Careful and persistent work or effort

Today, it’s especially important that we guard our heart with Jesus and not with all of the anxious thoughts of the world flying around today. I really believe that Jesus leads us one step, one moment, one day, at a time with His wisdom and peace. This is how I keep my own heart from being troubled.

There was a time when I didn’t know how to guard my heart and I was filled with anxiety, worry, frustration, bitterness, and all the rest. This is about the time when Jesus introduced us to using His Word in our everyday lives. Jesus makes the difference.

Guard your heart above all else (with all diligence), for it determines the course of your life.
Proverbs 4:23

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

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark