Category: General Christian Living

I just love how our Father desires so strongly for us to trust in Him with all our heart. He wants so much for us to not have a single care in this world. That’s how much He loves us. Wow. Such amazing love. He’s so good to us. SO GOOD!

“I Don’t Worry” By Silverwind

The fish in the sea, the birds in the air
Are so full of life, they don’t have a care
They never grow food or plough up their land
Because they are fed by their Father’s hand

I am a child of the Father
He takes care of me too
I am a child of the Father
I don’t worry ’bout what to do

The grass in the field, the flowers that bloom
Don’t make their own clothes by spinning a loom
And yet they are dressed as fine as the king
They tell us their Father has made everything

I am a child of the Father
He takes care of me too
I am a child of the Father
I don’t worry ’bout what to do

*******

25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:

29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Matthew 6:25-33

Smile – You’re a child of The Father! He’s taking all of who we are to never, never worry land.

God bless,

Mark

Boy, the Lord just keeps telling me such wonderful things. He’s so infinite and full of wholeness, truth, life, rest, peace and joy. And He keeps expanding on each of these areas, and more. And Jesus isn’t full in the sense of the way that we often view “full.” When we think of full, we think of something that has edges, sides, is enclosed. But, God is infinite and unlimited. He’s full without sides. ☺

13 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:

14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life (Jesus), and few there be that find it.
Matthew 7:13-14

The spirit of antichrist that will dominate in the one world system that’s coming upon the world, and the one that will become more and more dominate in the coming days will be a system that will totally suffocate the true life found only in Jesus. The one world system will force all people to think the same, to be the same. There will be no room for anything else. Those in charge will demand total conformity to their way of thinking. Wow, that’s really scary for anyone who will be left to live in the tribulation period, the period Bible indicates is soon to be in place.

The wide way that leads to death is such a distraction and blinds us from seeing the infinite, narrow way that leads to all of true life.

Narrow sounds confining to us. Wide often sounds more comfortable and open with unlimited opportunities. But, when we really study the two ways, we find that they’re really not what they appear to be. The narrow way is really infinite while the wide way is one that’s constricting and contracting.

The wide way and the narrow way… It’s funny how the wide way life that leads to destruction will steal, kill and destroy and how the narrow way will give us “life” and that abundantly. In reality, the narrow way keeps expanding and broadening us while the wide way will suffocate us, choke us off and bring us death. In reality, the two ways are really just the opposite of how we often look at them. One, the narrow, infinite way is liberating, growing and freeing while the other (the wide, finite way) is actually narrowing us and cutting us off from “life,” from Jesus Who is The Way, The Truth and The Life.

6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:

7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

9 For in him (Jesus) dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
Colossians 2:6-9

God bless,

Mark

Got up this morning and had coffee with Annie. While we talking about the Lord, I remembered the great word our friend, Kimberly, shared with us a little while ago. It’s such a mighty blessing. I knew I needed to send it out again this morning. Here it is…

A Warrior knows opposition is coming. Trained for battle, he does not fear the opposition, but expects it. As a Warrior, we are trained in patience – waiting. Not just waiting for the sake of waiting… but waiting to hear, to be given direction and strategy against the enemy. 1 Peter 5:8 tells us our enemy roams about as a roaring lion. He makes a lot of noise so we will be distracted from receiving our instructions.

It’s vital that a Warrior learn to quiet themselves and listen. Without Divine direction, we will be trying to make things happen on our own. We will fall into traps of obligation or manipulation. There is a way that seems right to a man, but that path leads to destruction. Pro. 14:12

There’s a big difference between making something happen – like manipulating a friendship or a career move or financial decision, and letting something happen while listening to the LORD’s instructions for that situation.

A Warrior is unafraid of what approaches – doesn’t try to prevent it or manipulate it, but lets it come. Then stills himself to hear from the General of Heaven to know how to fight the battle. Be still and know that I AM GOD. Ps 46:10 We don’t win battles by trying to prevent opposition with manipulation and making our own comfort zone to live in. We win battles by allowing the opposition and joining with our LORD to receive instructions for victory! The greater the opposition, the greater the opportunity for victory because our GOD truly works ALL things together for good for those who love HIM and are called according to (and in agreement with) HIS purpose. Rom. 8:28

God bless,

Mark

Last week, the Lord told me “Your PTSD and other health issues are not the end. Rather they’re just the beginning and I’ll show you what I can do through them.” I have no idea what all He meant by that, but it was amazing and so uplifting that I can’t even tell you.

When enemy darts can no longer damage us, when they lose their sting and impact in our lives, the Devil’s attacks become ineffective. He’s disarmed.

When Jesus shared the new thought I mention below, the following verse took on a whole new, liberating meaning for me. “Crucified with Christ” is a really freeing thing. “I’m no longer living, but Christ is living in me” takes on a whole new understanding. ☺

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live (this is what I’m about to share), but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Galatians 2:20

Being offended is when the enemy hits me with one of his fiery darts and I want to hang onto it and even protect and nurture it (this is torment) because all I know how to do is to be offended when I get hurt. True of most of us, right? It’s mainly because I’m living for me instead of living for Christ. I’ve learned to live in the awful, but familiar, life of frustration, unforgiveness, resentment and bitterness. I begin to live with a vengeful heart. Now, I’m living in the oppressive world of Satan.

What the Holy Spirit shared with me can remove all bitterness, hurt, the past, unforgiveness, jealousy, shame, selfishness, pride, insecurity – you name it – from your life. You will no longer be subject to being offended. The Holy Spirit can remind us to stay in this mindset.

This may take a little bit for it to sink in and heal you, but I really believe it can set us free in a huge way.

Wow, if I can communicate this clear enough, and when the power of the Holy Spirit helps us understand this in our spirits, this is going to help set many free indeed.

The other day, I was feeling offended, a little angry and vengeful. I was being tempted to believe some of Satan’s hurtful lies when the faithful Holy Spirit told me this:

“This life is not about you. It’s about Jesus.” When the sweet Holy Spirit spoke this to me, the enemy fled immediately and I felt Jesus’ great peace and joy come over me.

When I stop living this life for me and instead begin living it entirely for Jesus, I’m free.

If my life is not about me, I can’t be hurt and Satan can’t attack me based on any of my own past or fears. This is amazing. As long as I live in this posture, Satan has no game in my life.

Wow, these few powerful words (My life is not about me. It’s about Jesus.) can so radically change your life. How? Because if this life is not about me and instead is about Jesus, I can’t be hurt if I remember this. Somehow, knowing my life is all about Jesus, changes my understanding of my/this life and gives me a whole new perspective and platform to operate from. I’m bound as long as I think this life is about me. But, I am loosed if I remember and live in “this life is about Jesus.” Instead of taking on enemy darts based on my hurts, past and fears, I’m now facing his lies from God’s perspective and realm. My hurts, past and fears no longer matter and that changes everything because I’m in Christ and that makes this life all about Jesus. Now, the enemy has no avenue to approach me by. All he sees is Jesus and he knows his schemes for me are over.

This life is not about me. It’s about Jesus… Wow. What an amazing and liberating truth.

God bless,

Mark

This is a little longer, but worth the read. ☺

Wow, God wants SO MUCH for us to enter His rest. I really believe we’re going to start hearing more about His rest as He pours out His love, mercy, and grace on mankind.

Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way! “My Father has entrusted everything to me (Jesus). No one truly knows the Son except the Father, and no one truly knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Matthew 11:26-29

A few months ago, it was like the Holy Spirit told me, “How do you spell challenges? V-I-C-T-O-R-Y.”

There was a man in Eugene, Oregon named John Sedberry. We’ve never met him. He now lives just down the road from us in Alpine, California. John had been so beat down in life that he never thought he’d get on top of things. I’ve heard him talk (one of the most incredible testimonies anyone could ever hear) and it was amazing how down he was. In fact, his wife was so disgusted and sick of living with him that she didn’t even want to do his laundry any more. John had lost all hope.

While living in Oregon, Ann and I had come to the point where we’d lost all hope. It was a totally empty feeling that can only be understood by those who’ve had the same life experience. I remember hearing one of John Sedberry’s testimony tapes and being able to completely relate to him as a man. Today, John is a successful business man. His life has totally changed and he gives all the glory to God because he knows he’d be a loser forever without God’s intervention in his life.

Jesus: “Mark, will you receive me? Will you really let Me set you free? Or will you cling to, and be consumed by, your bondage, your pride, by your religious Christianity?”

At one time or another, Jesus asks the above of each one of us.

And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.
Matthew 10:14

Satan is a liar and he loves religious people from all church backgrounds.

Wow, at one time, I had no idea that religious people (like I was) abhor Jesus as much as they do. Let me try to explain…☺

Not that many years ago, I really thought I was a loser. I had almost nothing but “loser” thoughts all day and night long – unless you’ve been that deep in the enemy’s lies, you can’t possibly know what I’m talking about. In fact, Jesus is still working on me in that area of my life to set me free indeed by His truth. Satan will gnaw on us until his lies become so familiar to us that even going to church can’t change us – that’s because most people in church aren’t free (Dr. Neil Anderson). In fact, we won’t let Jesus into us enough to take the chance of being set free. We’ll resist His every attempt. That’s when we truly become religious Christians. We do enough Christian things to make us, and others, think we’re Christians. We exist in a spiritually defeating and decaying life while doing enough religious things to fool ourselves and others. We have too much religious pride to keep us from really opening up our lives to Jesus and we never get set free.

Maybe you have a lot of pride and even compassion and passion about “caring” about people. I did. Then, Jesus began to show me caring was His job and that I desperately needed to transfer all of my care to Him or it would eventually consume me. And this is just one of the many liberating works Jesus knew I needed performed in my life.

God began to show me that a lot of the people I was caring about didn’t really want Jesus – He even gave me a vivid vision of what He was trying to show me that I share below. These people wanted to stay the way they were. Wow, that was an eye opener. But then, even in Jesus’ day, He told His disciples they needed to wipe the dust off their feet concerning anyone they shared the truth (Jesus) with who didn’t “really” want it. For whatever reason, these people preferred their bondage – the lies they’d lived with for so long that had become such a part of who they were; the lies had become familiar spirits and had so infiltrated them that they didn’t want to change not realizing that it is the devil’s lies in them persuading them not to change. How do I know this? Because this is exactly how I was.

Jesus showed me this vision in the middle 80s. I was working at our church and walking down the hall when I saw this. It all happened in just a few seconds. Here it is: Jesus showed me that Ann and I were running with Him through a mine and battle field. Ann was holding onto one of His hands and I was on the other side of Jesus holding onto His other hand. He told me that we must hold onto His hands to reach our destination since He was the only One Who knew how to get there without getting wounded by Satan only to end up in one of the fox holes throughout the battle ground with wounded people in them. When I looked down at one of the fox holes, Jesus told me to keep my eyes on where we were headed (the enemy’s weapons depot to blow it up) and to not get distracted by the people in the fox holes. He said the people in the fox holes were there to trip me up (He said the enemy was using them to hold us back) so that I would not reach the goal Jesus had for Ann and me. I asked Him who the people in the fox holes were. What He said shocked me. He said they were “Religious Christians” who didn’t really want Him. They wanted their religious life instead. They didn’t really want to be set free. Wow.

Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
Ephesians 3:17-19

Whatever lies the devil has you thinking the cost will be for giving Jesus your whole life, give your life to Christ and destroy the devil’s lies. Let Jesus take all of you in exchange for all of Who He is. You will never be the same. You’ll have the adventure of your life. You’ll be more free than you ever thought possible because our finite flesh cannot possibly comprehend the length, height, or depth of our supernatural, Almighty God. And, the freedom (Jesus) just keeps coming. We promise.

Keep your hand in Jesus’ hand. Keep running in the Spirit. No matter the challenge, go on to complete V-I-C-T-O-R-Y!

Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12-14

God bless,

Mark and Ann

“GREAT is Thy faithfulness.” Isn’t it the most wonderful thing that God can only be faithful. That’s why His faithfulness is so GREAT.

God bless,

Mark

This short video is really a blessing.

Mathematics reveals the infinite nature of God | THE INFINITY SOLUTION | The Book of Mysteries

Happy Monday, everyone!

So come on. Let’s go and see what God has in store for each of us this week.

What an incredible Heavenly Father we have. Incredible.

God bless,

Mark

This is my time to believe God’s Word. My life must be spent believing and obeying God’s Word so I can live on earth free indeed and so that God’s light can shine in the darkness to help others find their way to Jesus.

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.
John 14:6a

Christianity began not as a religion, but as a way of life. (Amir Tsarfati)

Recently, I heard an Amir Tsarfati “Bible Bite” on youtube. He was talking about Bible prophecy, but his teaching relates to the Bible as a whole as well. It really hit me.

Why do we wait to believe? Why do we put it off. Why does our skepticism keep us from advancing to take the “promised land” (the renewed mind) the Bible says is ours for the taking?

The enemy wants our “Believing.” He knows believing God’s Word is the mightiest weapon to threaten his kingdom of darkness. He fights our belief with everything he’s got because he knows believing God’s Word leads to doing God’s Word.

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

I must let the Word of God into my thoughts and intents to see if there is anything there that has me bound so I can be set free.

And [Jesus] said to them, O foolish ones [sluggish in mind, dull of perception] and slow of heart to believe (adhere to and trust in and rely on) everything that the prophets have spoken!
Luke 24:25

God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
Numbers 23:19

God bless,

Mark

In order to create the universe, God had to exist apart from our realm.

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
Genesis 1:1

By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.
Hebrews 11:3

I read the above verse yesterday and it hit me that it totally disproves the theory of evolution that’s bases the formation of our material realm on what has always been here. Almighty God made the entire universe out of things that are not seen. Only God could do that.

God bless,

Mark

No one can come to Me (Jesus) unless the Father who sent Me draws him [giving him the desire to come to Me]; and I will raise him up [from the dead] on the last day.
John 6:44

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 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 3:14-19

Wow, we don’t have to convince anyone about Jesus, about the things of the Spirit. That job belongs to the Father and Holy Spirit. Isn’t that wonderful – and care-free?

God bless,

Mark

Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:
Proverbs 22:24

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

Satan knows your hot buttons. He’ll do all he can to make you into an angry person. Angry people have a very difficult time trusting God. In fact, I don’t believe it’s possible for an angry person to enter God’s rest because their anger prevents them from fully believing and trusting God in all things. I know this was true in my life and I’ve seen it in others.

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

Here’s a huge key to kingdom living. Whenever you’re tempted to get mad about anything (including strife), stop and praise the Lord immediately instead. This is how Jesus had me turn things around in my life. Immediately praising God instead of getting angry – and continuing to linger on my anger – really helped me to begin to see that God was working all things together for my good. All things. What a tremendous blessing it was when God showed me this.

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

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

God bless,

Mark and Ann

2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
1 John 3:2-4

Sound Mind – Biblically speaking, having a sound mind requires a thought process based on the wisdom and clarity that God imparts rather than being manipulated by fear.

It wasn’t that many years ago that I did not have a sound mind. My thoughts were filled with fear, worry and care.

How do I know when the enemy’s attacking me? When I take a thought that begins to make me worry, fear, that something is out of control and that I better do something before it’s too late. From that point on, my thoughts spiral out of control and fear becomes stronger and stronger…

That’s when I need to seek God and His Truths. That’s the time when I need to praise and thank God. I need to remember that God is working everything together for my good. I need to discern the intent of the original thought and recognize that the spirit behind that sudden fear thought is a fiery dart sent from the father of lies, Satan. I need to remember that my Father has not given me the spirit of fear, but of power, of love and of a sound mind.

God is on His throne. There is never any reason to despair, my friend. Never.

When we’re in the Word, the Bible, we’re in His Presence. And one of these glorious days those Words will be replaced by His wonderful eyes, nose, mouth, pierced hands and feet. We’ll see Him, the Word, in all of His majestic glory – And we will be like Him. And He’ll look at us with all of His truth, mercy, grace, power, and love.

And the Word will have become flesh, at least to us, once again.

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.
1 Corinthians 13:12

God bless,

Mark

This is a really encouraging 1 minute video by Amir. In it, Amir reminds us that this is the first time in history that Israel and the gentile church have existed since Israel has been back in the land. The time of the gentiles must be coming to a close so God can deal with the people of Israel. We’re so close to Jesus coming for us, my precious brothers and sisters in the Lord. Hallelujah! ☺

The Trumpets are Sounding

God bless,

Mark

The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.
Zephaniah 3:17

Happy Monday, everybody!

God bless,

Mark

And if I (Jesus) go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
John 14:3

He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
Revelation 22:20

God bless,

Mark

Like He’s done for so many, God showed Ann and I something years ago when we had pretty much come to the end of our ropes. And we’re having more and more victory by believing it: There’s no victory in not doing the Word. The victory is in the “doing.”

When Ann and I began doing the Word, we had to act on it in faith – We had to step out in faith and trust that what it was telling us to do would work in our lives. We didn’t yet fully believe it. We took it on faith. When we were tempted to not trust in Him with all our heart, we had to fight that temptation with Proverbs 3:5-6 which is the verse that commands us to trust in the Lord with all our heart rather than to lean on our own fearful and misguided understanding. God has rewarded our attempt to have faith – to live the Word and apply it to our daily lives no matter how hard the enemy tries to get us to give up believing God’s Word. There’s a difference (there’s a real, substantial and sustaining “knowing” that comes with believing) and we’re so grateful and blessed to be walking in belief in so many new ways in our hearts, minds and emotions today.

6 Be careful for nothing; but (instead) in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

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

8 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 4:6-8

The Word is so life-changing. It takes over our lives and has the power to transform us if we’ll let it. To be careful (anxious about) for nothing is so incredible. Especially in today’s world where anxious, worry, doubt and fear are becoming so much more prevalent.

Keep believing. God will change you as you let Him have His way with you. I know He can change anyone because He’s changing us right in front of our eyes.

“Thank you, Jesus, for reminding me that I don’t ever have to be anxious. All I ever have to do is to pray and turn things over to You knowing that You’ll work it all out and work it for my good.”

God bless,

Mark

Then said Jesus to those Jews (and to each of us as well) who believed in Him, “If ye continue in My Word, then are ye My disciples indeed.
John 8:31

A few decades ago, Ann and I were living totally defeated Christian lives. Nothing really turned that around for us until, out of desperation, we decided to become “doers” of the Word. We had heard some teaching about battling the devil and how others were becoming victorious in their lives by doing the Word.

If there is one thing I want to leave everyone with, it’s to become “doers” of the Word…And, to keep going in the Word and following Jesus into all the freedom He has for us in this life.

Thanking and praising God in all things is a large part of being a doer of the Word.

Many today do not do the Word because they’re afraid to enter the spiritual battle God calls Christians to – I’ve heard them express it. I was that way until Ann and I got so sick and tired of getting pushed around by not doing the Word that we finally came out of our miserable corner swinging and began pushing back against the darkness that was ruining our lives.

In these end times, the delusion is going to be so strong, and it will be so easy not to obey God’s Word, not to apply His ways to our life as hearts (yes, even the hearts of Christians) grow colder and colder, as more and more fear is unleashed upon the world.

There was a time when I thought I’d have to be crazy or commit theological and intellectual suicide by praising and thanking God in all things because nothing in my life was working out the way “I” wanted it to. I could see no point in always praising God until I saw a real turn around in my everyday circumstances. I was being rebellious and stubborn and I was not willing to change. I was deceived, the enemy knew it and was making sure I stayed that way.

But God was stronger…☺

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Colossians 3:17

But you (God) are holy, you who inhabit the praises of Israel.
Psalm 22:3

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

We praise God in church, at times when we’re home alone and things are going our way, and sometimes when we get together with other believers. But we don’t praise God all the time in our everyday life. Kind of funny isn’t it.

The devil does not want us to get the victory God knows we can walk in if we’ll praise and thank God in all things so Satan keeps us from praising God outside church, and from thanking God in all things. When we finally see this in our spirit, we become convinced of what the devil’s up to and it’s easier to see why God wants us to praise and thank Him in all things.

God knows the spiritual freedom and breakthrough we’ll have when we decide to stop listening to the devil and walk in obedience to God’s command to thank and praise Him in all things.

Believe me when I tell you that the devil wants you to live in the no man’s land of not being able to trust God in all things. Satan wants you to live in the misery of being double-minded as you trust God sometimes, but not at others. Satan loves inconsistency in our Christian witness and walk. There’s no way the devil wants you to be set free by believing Romans 8:28, and he’ll do all he can to make sure that doesn’t happen.

Don’t let the devil rob you of the blessing/victory God wants to give you as you praise and thank Him in all things.

Praise and thank God in all things…And keep at it. You will see the purpose for it and walk in the spiritual victory God wants to bless you with.

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
1 Peter 2:9

Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.
Hebrews 13:15

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

God bless,

Mark

“Nobody who locates the ways of God and walks in them ever ends up a loser! If you allow God to lead you, He will take you to high places in life. … Divine direction also eases life for you.”

“Divine direction eases life for you.” Thought that was a great quote. Ann and I have found that knowing and applying God’s Word to our lives, even though it may be tough to do so due to resistance from Satan, has made life much easier for us.

Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
James 2:19

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Colossians 2:6

God will never tell you not to be a doer of His Word. On the other hand, the devil wants you to make provision for your flesh by being a doer of the flesh. As a result, Satan will always tell you that you don’t have to be a doer of the Word because he knows doing the Word brings you blessings and that the Word defeats him. The devil understands the power in the Word better than we do (James 2:19). If anyone, and I don’t care who they are (especially pastors), ever tells you not to do the Word, don’t believe them. It’s merely the devil trying to keep you bound and defeated, and to keep you from becoming a threat to his kingdom of darkness.

When you become a doer of the Word, you will have many more spiritual battles which means you’ll have many more spiritual victories. One thing Ann and I have learned is that even though we have many spiritual battles on our way to renewing our minds to God’s Word, we also now have God’s rest in a way we could have never had if we had not decided to be doers of His Word.

Another blessing we’ve come to know is God showing us more about how things operate in the spiritual realm. This is such a blessing because God gives you clearer insight into how the enemy works, how to do battle, how to reach victories, and how to rest in Him while heading towards victory.

God has brought us from hoping in His Word to trusting in His Word (and there’s a big difference between hoping and trusting) in so many areas of our lives. When you trust in His Word, there’s a strengthening knowing and a resting contained in the trusting that God keeps you with. It gives you the sweet, incredible assurance that God is in control in all things.

God bless,

Mark