Category: General Christian Living

When I read Sarah’s devotional for today, I could really relate.  Sarah has Lyme Disease.  What she shares is exactly how God is working in my own life to set me free from having to strive to be “in control.”  Somehow, God is bringing me into more of His peace and rest as He helps me to recognize that He, and not me, is in control.  I hope her words are a blessing to you as well.

Jesus Always for September 12
By Sarah young

Your times are in My hands.  So trust Me, beloved.  I am training you to feel secure in the midst of change and uncertainty.  It can actually be a relief to realize you are not in control of your life.  When you accept this human condition while resting in My sovereignty, you become increasingly free.

I am not telling you to be passive of fatalistic.  It’s important to use your energy and abilities, but I want you to do so prayerfully.  Pray about everything, and search for Me in your moments.  I am a God of surprises so look for Me in unexpected places.

I invite you to rejoice in this day that I have made asking Me to orchestrate its details and events.  Since I am in control of your times, you don’t have to be anxious about making things happen faster.  Rushing and anxiety go hand in hand, and I have instructed you not to be anxious.  If you let Me set the pace, I will bless you with Peace that transcends all understanding.

But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.”  My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors!
Psalm 31:14-15

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7

God bless,

Mark

Some time after I sent out yesterday’s email, the Holy Spirit began speaking to me about the tremendous spiritual blessings He has for Ann and me when I listen to His leading to love Ann.  As I obey His leading to love Ann the way He leads me to, not only does it bless Ann and make her more secure in my love for her, it also blesses me.

Any time we’re willing to obey God’s voice in our lives, we reap precious spiritual blessings.

By loving Ann, God was speaking His love to me as well.  He began telling me, again, that learning to love Ann more would calm me down and help me to rest more in what God is doing in my life.  Loving Ann would enable me to trust God more and remove more strife and destructive strongholds from me.  He showed me that He would provide for us in ways we couldn’t do for ourselves – When he tells us this, it really relaxes us and assures us that He’s in control of our times and lives.  His love for us builds and strengthens our faith in Him.

This time with the Holy Spirit continued throughout the day and was really wonderful.  I love it when He interrupts my routines to bring me/us more of His merciful, tender, gentle, gracious, and peaceful love and understanding about how life in Christ should and can be.

Such an all-caring God we serve.  His boundless love just keeps coming growing deeper and deeper and adding His supernatural rest to our spirits, minds, bodies, and emotions.

God bless,

Mark

Happy Monday, Everyone –

I used to love football, and dirt bikes a lot.  I loved and pursued “guy” things and whatever I found interesting, self-fulfilling, and fun.

I take off my wedding ring when I shave in the morning so I don’t get shave cream in the ring’s design.  This morning, as I took it off, it was like the Holy Spirit said, “With that ring, you promised to love and cherish Ann.”  It stopped my heart and mind right in their tracks.  I knew God was showing me more of His heart and love.

I haven’t always loved Ann even though I tell her I love her all the time.  Love is more than a written or spoken word. It’s action, and it involves a change of heart – God was blessing my heart and Annie’s by interrupting my morning.  The Lord reminded me, again, to love Ann, to not be selfish and to not want my way, to listen to her, to be even more gentle with her, more considerate, to be more helpful, more tender, to show more interest in what she likes, to hug her more often, to speak more lovingly to her, etc.  I love to love my wife.

I’m SO thankful that God is making me more and more one with my precious Annie.  He was right when He said, “The two shall become one.”  Honestly, I feel most like the gentleman God wants me to be the more I pursue and love my Annie.  It’s God’s precious order and I continue to find that there’s nothing more wonderful than following God’s design for our marriage.

What’s more is that God’s blessing me as I love Ann.  He’s calming me down more and helping me to trust and rest in Him more as well by loving her.

“With this ring…” Wow, God is just so incredible and His blessings are so deep and rich.  Letting God show me how to love Ann.  Mmmm…

“Thank you, Jesus, for letting me love Ann.”

God bless,

Mark

30 As for God, his way is perfect:  the word of the Lord is tried (See below):  he is a buckler (a shield surrounding the person) to all those that trust in him.

31 For who is God save the Lord?  or who is a rock save our God?

32 It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.

33 He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet, and setteth me upon my high places.

34 He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.

35 Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation:  and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.

36 Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.
Psalm 18:30-36

The following is a little long, but so good regarding the nature of God.  It can help fortify our faith in Him.

The Word Of The Lord Is Tested
By Philip Owen – Edited

We would not speak in such terms.  The syntax sounds somewhat strange to us.  “The word of the Lord is tested.”  Yet those words were not written casually or carelessly, and God clearly intends us to consider them because they occur three times in the Old Testament.  “As for God, His way is blameless; the word of the Lord is tested; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him” (II Samuel 22:31; Psalm 18:30).  “Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him” (Proverbs 30:5).

Two parallel statements shed light on what God means when He declares His word to be “tried” or “tested.”  “The words of the Lord are pure words; as silver tried in a furnace on the earth, refined seven times” (Psalm 12:6); and, “Your word is very pure, therefore Your servant loves it” (Psalm 119:140).  Speaking of silver as having gone through the refining fire seven times is a way of saying that all the dross, the impurities, the elements other than silver have been removed.  The silver is pure, perfect, valuable, trustworthy, and all that it purports to be as a precious metal.  Just so, the Word of God.  It is the genuine article.  What it declares itself to be it is in actuality—the very words of God recorded for man to read, and believe, and obey.  Those words come from the One who not only does not lie, but is incapable of lying.  They are pure—without any deceit, hypocrisy, or hyperbole (without exaggeration).

But the metaphor extends beyond the refining fire for silver, suggesting the Refiner Himself, Who never speaks a casual or careless word and never records an empty thought.  His words perfectly reflect the character of the Speaker, Who is Truth Itself, Who has no guile (deceit), Who says what He means and means what He says.  He, the holy, righteous, perfect Judge, tries every word He speaks to men; nothing escapes His lips but perfection.  Not only can He not speak anything sinful, but He cannot misspeak or make an error.  Every one of His words is backed by the full authority and character of a God who is incapable of lying.  Every promise whether for good or ill will be met; every prophecy will be fulfilled; every observation made by God is factual; every opinion offered by God is right; every statement of fact whether historical, biographical, or scientific is accurate.  “For the mouth of the Lord has spoken” (Isaiah. 40:5b) is the final arbiter of truth (a person who settles a dispute or has ultimate authority in a matter.).  The words He speaks have been tested and proven true by the impeccable character of the One Who cannot lie.

It is beyond the meaning of this verse, but it also must be noted that the Word of God has been tested and found to be perfect by countless believers throughout some six millennia.  No believer has found the Word of God to be false in the slightest degree.  God has always done exactly what He said He would do whether in punishing the sinful or blessing the righteous.  Countless saints have put their entire faith and confidence in “thus saith the Lord,” and not one who truly believed and understood the Word was disappointed.  So thoroughly have God’s people put His eternal Word to the test that men and women throughout all ages have sacrificed everything in this life, even their lives, for the sake of the Book (The Bible).

It is not irrelevant, then, that each citation of our text concludes with some form of this affirmation:  “He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.”  The Person of God and the Word of God may be clearly distinguished but are, nevertheless, inseparable.  God stakes His character on His Word.  The God Who saves, sanctifies, and secures us does so through the Word of God.  Those who trust in the truth of the Word trust in God, and those who truly trust in God believe His Word implicitly.  Priests and prophets, apostles and pastors, saints exalted and believers obscure all declare the perfection of the Word of God, its power to save and deliver sinners from hell, its power to strengthen the weak, to comfort the sorrowing, to give joy to the hopeless, to assure the wavering, to guide the confused or blind.  And they say with the psalmist:  “Your word is very pure, therefore your servant loves it” (Psalm 119:140).

God bless,

Mark

The following is taken from BibleStudyTools.com.  I was looking for something simple that would help build up our faith and help us to keep believing that God loves us and is in control of our lives at all times. ☺

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It is so easy to forget God’s presence and power when we face uncertain and difficult times.  Our faith falters and we doubt that God is with us, sometimes even doubting that He is real and who He says He is.  God knew that we would struggle with unbelief and has spoken reassuring words to us through the Bible.  When you begin to doubt, read these Bible verses about believing and pray that God will renew your heart and mind toward who He says He is and who He says YOU are!  Be encouraged as you see God move through all circumstances in life to grow your faith.

They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.”
John 4:42

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

They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”
Acts 16:31

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1

But without faith it is impossible to please him:  for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Hebrews 11:6

but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31

“You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he.  Before me (Yaweh) no god was formed, nor will there be one after me.
Isaiah 43:10

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

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

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

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.  My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.
Psalm 28:7

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Romans 10:17

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13

Surely the righteous (Those who have accepted Jesus as their Savior) will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever.  They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD.
Psalm 112:6-7

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

Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them:  for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
Deuteronomy 31:6

The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, “Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
Jeremiah 31:3

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God bless,

Mark

Two front yard signs put a smile on my face and a spring in my step…

I was out walking the other day and saw a home that had two, large, fake flowers planted in the front yard.  I thought they offered great advice.  “Plant Smiles.”  Not only can we make another person’s day by smiling at them, it also picks up our own hearts and spirits.

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine:  but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
Proverbs 17:22

A merry heart is a good thing to spread around.  Others pick up on it and it spreads joy to all who see it.

God loves us.  If we’ll listen for His voice, He reminds us of this daily.  With God’s help, we can plant smiles because He’s overcome this world!

God bless,

Mark

The last ten days or so have been really interesting.  I’ve been really weak, but God, and my precious wife, kept reminding me to hang in there and that He had a victory in store for me.  Again, this morning, I asked Jesus to help me.

Today, I was rescued and blessed by being reminded again that I truly am a sheep in need of my Good Shepherd, Jesus.

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And (As a result) the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7

Be careful for nothing, and lean not unto thine own understanding…

Amen!

Like me, do you start being careful about something that leads to your own understanding?

Last week, I had a number of health and life challenges pop up.  As a result, without being aware of it, I began to be careful and to lean on my own understanding.  How did I know I was leaning on my own understanding?  Well, my reaction to the challenges had me thinking thoughts (careful) that created fear, anxiety, self-pity, doubt, confusion, and questioning God’s love and control of my life.  Nothing new really.  But, this is how I know I’m leaning on my own understanding instead of trusting God with my whole heart.  When I lean on my own understanding, I begin to direct my paths and that’s not good.  When I place myself back in the position of trusting God with all my heart, His carefree peace, clarity, joy and stillness come back and replace the fear in my heart.

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

He (God) 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.
Psalm 23:2-3

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mmmm – Back in the arms of the Good Shepherd.  Back and safe where I belong…

God bless,

Mark

When I’m not spending enough time with Jesus, I tend to live “outside” of Christ.  I’m left to my own devices, my own way of thinking and doing things, life’s more tricky on my own.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Colossians 3:16

Ann and I were talking this morning about being “in” Christ, about letting Him guide every moment of our day and what a blessing it is when we let Him take the lead in our conversations, our marriage, our work, our relationships with others, our thought life and emotions.  Cooperating with the Holy Spirit each day by letting Christ dwell in our lives makes life so much more enjoyable.  It helps us to be better listeners, more understanding of others, to be more compassionate, loving and patient, calms us down and keeps us focused on Jesus.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…Such sweet words of life.

God bless,

Mark

 

 

 

 

 

You probably know the feeling.  Something totally unexpected pops up in your day.  What to you do?  Well, I can tell you that after having a migraine attack, I need to be really careful how I react cause my emotions are all over the place.  We all have times when our emotions come out of balance.  These are times when I have to ask the Holy Spirit to help me react “in” Him in order to maintain peace, love, joy, rest, forgiveness, etc.  I’m thankful I have the Holy Spirit to help me keep praising God and listening for His gentle voice.

 

 

 

 

 

The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.
Psalm 37:23-24

Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; For You I wait all the day.
Psalm 25:5

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6

God bless,

Mark

The following really speaks to me.  Circumstances in my life had made me (and it was impacting my precious family as well) miserable, angry, bitter and depressed for so many years.  I didn’t know how to change my heart.  Jesus has (and still is helping me) helped me to change and I’m so grateful.  Always ask for Jesus’ help to transform you by the power of the Holy Spirit.  While it can sometimes take time, as the Good Shepherd of our souls, Jesus can do it.

A Merry Heart
Joyce Meyer’s entry for August 28th in her “Closer to God Each Day Devotional”

A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.
Proverbs 17:22

God is life, and every good thing He created is part of that life.  We can get so caught up in doing and accomplishing, in working and earning, that if we are not careful, we will come to the end of our life and suddenly wake up and realize that we never really lived.  God desires for us to enjoy life and live it to the full, till it overflows.

We have a choice in life.  We can grumble our way through our troubles, or we can draw closer to God in difficult times, going through any trouble we face with a merry heart.  Either way, we will all deal with troubles from time to time, so why not take the joy of the Lord as our strength and be filled with energy and vitality?

In John 15, Jesus talks about abiding in Him.  In verse 11, He says, “I have told you these things that My joy and delight may be in you, and that your joy and gladness may be of full measure and complete and overflowing.”  Jesus made it possible for us to have merry hearts.  With His help, no matter what you go through, you can put a smile on your face and enjoy every day of your life in Him.

Don’t spend your life waiting for things to change before you can become happy.  Make the decision to be happy now.

 

 

 

 

 

God bless,

Mark

Happy Monday!

But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
Psalm 3:3

Boy, is that ever true of Jesus in my life.  Just about the time I need Him, He’s always near to rescue me from anger, bitterness, resentment, fear, anxiety, etc.  I’m SO thankful to be a child of God, to have a Father Who knows how to “lift up my head” when old sins or the enemy are pressing down on my spirit making it difficult to see God’s way of escape.

Go with Jesus…

God bless,

Mark

Just like any loving parent wants to keep their children away from anything that will hurt them, God, strongly, desires to set us free and protect us from the false gods in our lives.  This short video by Jonathan is an excellent reminder of God’s love for us.

Messianic Rabbi Jonathan Cahn:  False gods In Your Life

God bless,

Mark

Satan deceived us in the garden by making us think we could be our own god.  All along, satan knew we could never be like God.  The devil knew if he could separate us from God, from He Who is love, from the safety and fulfillment we had in our relationship with God, that he’d have a greater chance of destroying us.

Humble yourselves, then, under God’s mighty hand, so that He will lift you up in His own good time.  Leave all your worries with Him because He cares for you.
1 Peter 5:6-7

It’s so wonderful that God won’t let His children be ruined by the deceit contained in pride.  He commands us to be humble and to wait for Him to lift us up in His own good time.  His “good time” for us comes when we’ve learned to rest in His care, to be content in whatsoever state, to take thoughts captive, to believe that He’s truly working all things together for our good, to love our neighbor as ourselves, to walk in forgiveness, and to have compassion for each other, etc.  When He lifts us up, being easily offended and striving have been removed from our lives and His peace that passes understanding is controlling our hearts and minds in Jesus.  At this point, we’ve learned to love the comfort and ease of the dwelling place of the Most High, and all we want is His blessed will.

The following is taken from Biblestudytools.com.

We know from God’s Word that he resists the proud and gives grace to the humble.  How can we know that we are living in humility and ready to receive God’s blessings?  Humility is the ability to be without pride or arrogance and it is a main character that should be seen in those who follow Jesus Christ.  Jesus is the best example of someone who humbly followed God’s plan for His life.

Proverbs is filled with warnings of those who refuse to be humble.  The New Testament is full of blessings for those who put others before themselves.  You will miss out on the blessed, abundant life that God wants for you if you refuse to let get of pride and follow His purpose on your life.  Be encouraged by these Bible verses about humility and start choosing to day to come humbly before God so He can lift you up!

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Colossians 3:12

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Ephesians 4:2

But He gives us more grace.  That is why scripture says:  “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
James 4:6

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.
James 4:10

In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders.  All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another because “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
1 Peter 5:5

If My people, who are called by My Name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14

For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
Luke 14:11

He (God) has shown you, O mortal, what is good.  And what does the Lord require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Micah 6:8

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
Proverbs 11:2

Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor.
Proverbs 15:33

Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life.
Proverbs 22:4

He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way.
Psalm 25:9

For the LORD takes delight in His people; He crowns the humble with victory.
Psalm 149:4

Live in harmony with one another.  Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.  Do not be conceited.
Romans 12:16

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.  Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
Philippians 2:3-4

God bless,

Mark

Jesus loves me – this I know
For the Bible tells me so
Little ones to Him belong
They are weak but He is strong.

Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.

God bless,

Mark
Jesus Loves Me by Anna Bartlett Warner

8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.   9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.  10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
2 Peter 3:8-10

I’m (Mark) so thankful God didn’t give up on me along the way when I couldn’t find The Way, when I didn’t know Jesus.  The song “You Gave Me Love” (below) really spoke to my heart.  I hope it speaks to you as well and lets you know how much Jesus loves you.

Ann and I heard BJ Thomas in person in the 70s.  He has an amazing voice when heard “live.”  BJ Thomas began singing in church at an early age.  He was later “discovered” and led a pretty hard life due to the pressures of fame, alcohol and drugs.

Many start out with God and then, for one reason or another, go their own way and live apart from Him for a time.  Thankfully, God keeps calling us back to His side, back to His love, tenderness, mercy and forgiveness.

Taken from Wiki:  “BJ Thomas has been married to singer-songwriter Gloria Richardson since December 1968.  They have three daughters:  Paige (born 1970), Nora (adopted from North Korea in 1978), and Erin (born in 1979).  Shortly after Thomas’s career began, he became dependent on drugs and alcohol, which led to his marriage nearly ending and his life nearly ending too.  In 1975, he became a Christian less than a month after Gloria did; most press sources indicate that Thomas has been sober since he and Gloria reconciled in 1976.”

You Gave Me Love
By BJ Thomas

You gave me time when no one gave me time of day,
You looked deep inside while the rest of the world looked away,
You smiled at me when there were just frowns everywhere,
You gave me love when nobody gave me a prayer.

That’s why I call You Saviour ….. that’s why I call You Friend,
You touched my heart ….. You touched my soul,
And helped me start all over again,
That’s why I love You, Jesus ….. that’s why I’ll always care,
You gave me love when nobody gave me a prayer.

You gave me laughter after I cried all my tears,
You heard my dreams while the rest of the world closed it’s ears,
I looked in Your eyes, and I found the tenderness there,
You gave me love when nobody gave me a prayer.

That’s why I call You Saviour ….. that’s why I call You Friend,
You touched my heart ….. You touched my soul,
And helped me start all over again.
That’s why I love You, Jesus ….. that’s why I’ll always care,
You gave me love when nobody gave me a prayer.

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16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son (Jesus), that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  17 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

God bless,

Mark

I love loving families.  It really touches me when I see families hugging each other, encouraging each other, being tender together and laughing together.

Here’s another good one from Messianic Rabbi Jonathan Cahn called The Strength Of An Ox (From Jonathan’s message #683 available on his hopeoftheworld.org site).

Up until about the mid-80s, I (Mark) was really into football.  I’d always loved creaming others on the football field.  I had a killer instinct – God’s replacing it with His character and it’s really helping me to rest more in Him.  God told me to give up football since it could make me pretty angry, and to put that same energy and time into learning how to love my wife and family.  He also helped me to learn how to say “I’m sorry” which was huge since I’d come from a family that almost never said that to each other.  God’s always right.  I’m so thankful He helped me see things His way.

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The Hebrew word for father is av.  It’s made up of two Hebrew letters: the aleph and the bet, or our “a” and “b.”  The aleph, in ancient Hebrew, represents an ox; the bet represents a house.  So a father is the ox of the house.  He’s the strength and the ultimate burden bearer.  An ox’s strength is a great blessing.  But the ox is known for its stubbornness as well.  So if you’re a father, you’re to be the strength of your family.  That strength is given by God.  But be careful that your strength doesn’t turn into blind stubbornness.  Be stubborn for good and for love, but never in anger, bitterness, pride or domination.  For the stubbornness of a father for anger and pride has destroyed countless families and lives.  But the stubbornness of a father for love, compassion, godliness, and mercy has protected and saved countless families and lives.

Be tender in heart.  Be willing to say “I’m sorry.”  And be strong and stubborn in your love for those who are weaker than yourself and who need your strength, just as God is, in the same way, stubborn in love for you.

Today’s Mission:  Today, be stubborn in love, stubborn in faith, stubborn in joy, stubborn in righteousness (living life God’s way is right (righteousness) living that will bless your life).

Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
Luke 6:36

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God bless,

Mark

I’ve been noticing how the Jewish people I know, or know of, are always saying, “Everything happens for a reason.”  And they usually say it unapologetically and with real conviction.  The more I think about their words, the more my faith in God is growing.

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Commemorating Your Medbar
By Messianic Rabbi Jonathan Cahn

Midbar is the Hebrew word for wilderness.  We usually think of the wilderness as a single place, but it’s really not.  There are many Hebrew names for various wildernesses.  For instance, there’s Midbar Yehuda; the Wilderness of Judea where John (John the Baptist) preached.  Then there’s Midbar Negev; the Wilderness of the Negev where Abraham pitched his tent.  And there’s Midbar Sinai; the Wilderness of Sinai through which Moses and the Israelites journeyed.  Then there are a host of other smaller wildernesses:  Midbar Zin, Midbar Paran, and so on. Each wilderness had a different name.  The Hebrews didn’t just go through wildernesses.  They named each of them. It means they wanted to remember them.  They saw them as something meaningful in some way.  So, we all go through wildernesses.  Rarely do we value them or seek to remember them.  But you should remember them.  For God uses them to grow you and make you more like Him.  So rejoice in your wilderness because in the Lord it will only be used for good as you look to Him.  For the Hebrews gave names to their midbars.

Today’s Mission:  Today, give thanks to God for your wilderness, even give a beautiful name to a wilderness in your life that ended up bringing you to God’s blessings.

And he (Jesus) withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.
Luke 5:16

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I’ve written about our time of living in Oregon in the 80s and 90s.  I used to think it was a super-difficult time, a time when I thought God was so far from us, I was so scared and confused. However, God used that precious time to heal us, to teach us so many good things about marriage and family, to set me on a path to being a better husband, to get our attention, to separate us to Him, to bless us and teach us His ways and to bring us closer to His presence.  We’re so thankful for our Oregon wilderness experience.  Truly, we needed our Oregon wilderness time.  We’re so thankful God knew (and knows) what we needed.

God bless,

Mark

Happy Monday, Everyone!

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

Remember to take each day as they come knowing that Jesus is in control and working all things together for the good of those who love Him.  Don’t get ahead of God and the peace He has for you today.  Remember to take each day one day at a time, and to keep casting all your care on Jesus.  Ask Jesus to cover, and protect you as you give Him your work and day.

“Jesus, please give me Your peace that passes my understanding, and help me to trust You today…”

God bless,

Mark

Maybe you’ve had to give up something recently – something material, a relationship, a dream…  While it could take time at times, whenever God’s asked me to give up something, He’s always replaced it with more of His peace, rest, understanding, compassion and joy.  It’s funny cause I thought that if I gave up something I was emotionally attached to that God would replace it with a better “material” item.  Now, while that can occur, I’ve honestly found that gaining more of His character was much more valuable than getting material replacements.  There’s simply nothing I can compare to Him mercifully imparting more of His divine nature to me.  I need His nature and character so much in my life – the more He shows me, the more of Him I want.  And, He’s always, patiently waiting to make me more like Him so I can enjoy life more abundantly in His character and truths that set me free.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.  He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil:  for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.  Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:  thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:  and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Psalm 23

God bless,

Mark

Only in Christ can the wisdom and knowledge of God be discovered for apart from Christ, we can’t do it (John 15:5)

No really, can you imagine anything more fun than learning – truly learning, for real – to trust in the Lord with your whole heart?  Wow, what peace, rest, assurance, calm, security, love, mercy, grace, and joy must fill the life of one who obtains this precious, life-transforming, supernatural trait.

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

With me, ask Jesus to make this true of your life.  Ask Him to give you the incredible gift of being able to trust Him with your whole heart.  Wow, what a matchless treasure.  Mmmm…

God bless,

Mark