Category: General Christian Living

Happy Monday!

When I realize that God knows all of my days, and that He’s not rattled by what He knows about my future, then I can live without being rattled as well.  I can lay my tendency to be “rattled” down at the foot of the cross trusting in His plans for me, letting His peace reign in my heart.

You (God) saw me before I was born.  Every day of my life was recorded in your book.  Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.
Psalm 139:16

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD.  “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11

God bless,

Mark

Are you like me?  Are you a “Martha” trying to become more like “Mary?”

Today, it’s really easy to become like Martha in that famous Bible story in the book of Luke.  It’s easy to rationalize being really busy, to take on unnecessary stress or fear, to get so caught up in and carried away with the “day-to-day” that I become more and more distracted and distant from the peace and order sitting at Jesus’ feet gives me.  Thankfully, Jesus reminds me of my need for Him and brings me back into close fellowship with Him like Mary in that same Bible story.  Jesus is what’s needful.  There’s nothing like dwelling with Him.

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.  She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.  Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.  She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself?  Tell her to help me!”  “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one.  Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:38-42

 

 

 

 

 

 

God bless,

Mark

Jesus is the Word so the way to get to know Him better is to spend time with Him.  Reading the Word, the Bible, helps me to get better acquainted with Jesus, to find out what He’s really like.

I like to say verses of scripture out loud.  I like to say them (like the 23 Psalm, for instance) until I begin to say them slower.  I find that when that occurs, I’m having more peace, and trusting more in Jesus.  It helps me unwind.

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

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

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

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil:  for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

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

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:  and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Psalm 23

It’s so good to remind myself of Jesus’ love and care for me, that He’s in control and that nothing that happens during my day is outside His watchful eye and attention.  Truly, Jesus is my Shepherd.

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.  Mmmm – Such a  peaceful, restful place…

God bless,

Mark

I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him (Jesus) from the dead.  I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!  I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection.  But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.  No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing:  Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
Philippians 3:10-14

God bless,

Mark

Well, I’ve been having a number of migraines again – Nope, this isn’t a pity party email.  Migraines can leave me feeling pretty feeble, lost and scared.  Probably why I need Jesus as much as I do. ☺

Anyway, after having another migraine attack Saturday, I’d been pretty scared about life and wondering, timidly, about our future.  I shared this with Ann who was lying in bed with a fever and achy all over.  She reminded me of a really neat entry in one of Sarah Young’s daily devotionals.  It really hit home with me, and even though I didn’t feel any different, I knew what she was sharing was truth.  We stand on truth, precious people, not feelings.

Here’s Sarah’s entry in her Jesus Calling daily devotional.

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Do not let fears and worries about the future slow you down now, live in the present.  Just let all of your fears and worries go into His Arms and His Light. He will rid you of them.  There is no need to worry about the future because He is with you always.  You are picturing the future without Him whether you realize it or not.  Because He is the same today and tomorrow and forever He will always be taking care of you.  He is the only one who really knows your future.  So just quit worrying.

Anytime a worry about the future pops into your head, just push it away into the Light that God is shining upon you.  “Say to yourself, ‘Jesus will be with me then and there.  With His help, I can cope!'”  Return your mind to the present time and moment where Jesus is always living!

Luke 12:22-26 (NLT)
Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear.  For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. Look at the ravens.  They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them.  And you are far more valuable to him than any birds!  Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?  And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?

Deuteronomy 31:6 (NLT)
So be strong and courageous!  Do not be afraid and do not panic before them.  For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you.  He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

2 Corinthians 10:5 (NLT)
We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God.  We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.

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The gist of Sarah’s writing is that Jesus is with us.  I needed to stop seeing the future alone, without my precious Jesus. Jesus is with us right now, a minute from now, an hour from now, a day, week, month, year or decade from now.  He’s always with us!  He holds the future in His Almighty hands and has never failed me.  Always picture the future with Christ.

God bless,

Mark

 

 

 

 

 

When I read this verse, it reminds me to take a deep breath and to let God be God.  Through this precious passage, He reminds me that He’s still in control…

God bless,

Mark

 

 

Well, I found that if I didn’t praise Him, I was tempted to get upset, frustrated, worried, bitter, etc.  I’ve found that praising God brings Him on the scene and calms me down.  I’m open to His voice at that time.  The other reason I praise Him is that the Bible commands me to do so in many verses.

For me, it was difficult at first to praise God in all things.  I wasn’t willing to do it.  I found out that I was really holding a grudge against God for not working things out the way I wanted Him to in my life.  Not good.  Once I began praising Him in all things, I found, more and more, that I wanted to surrender my will to His plan for my life.  That’s really good to do, and although it involves waiting for His plans for my life to be unveiled, I trust Him when I praise Him.  Keeps me living with the right perspective.  I don’t know what He’s up to a lot of the time, but I know He’s working all things together for my good because He knows I love Him.

I will praise the Lord no matter what happens.  I will constantly speak of his glories and grace.  I will boast of all his kindness to me.  Let all who are discouraged take heart.  Let us praise the Lord together and exalt his name.
Psalm 34:1-3

God bless,

Mark

The following is taken from “GotQuestions.Org.”

Question:  “How is God our refuge?”

Answer:  What does the word refuge make you think of Maybe an imposing building with locks on the doors, maybe a thick-walled fortress, or perhaps something as simple as a canopy to keep you dry in a rainstorm.  Whatever picture comes to mind, it can be agreed that a refuge is a safe place.  When the Bible describes God as our refuge, it is saying that God is our safe place when we need protection from something.

Knowing God as our refuge enables us to trust Him more freely.  We need not fear situations or people who threaten our well-being, whether in a physical or spiritual sense.  There is no situation we will ever face that is out of God’s control, so the best place to be, always, is right with Him.  “The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe” (Proverbs 18:10).

A question that arises is “how do I make God my refuge?”  It’s easy to picture a physical refuge protecting us from some danger, but how can we make God—whom we can’t see—our refuge?

David is a great example of someone who knew God as his refuge.  At different points in his life, David was on the run from people who literally wanted to kill him, but he always found safety in God.  “My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.  Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge” (Psalm 62:7–8).  An easy way to make God our refuge is to simply ask Him to be.  David said, “Pour out your hearts to him;” that’s what David did all the time.  He poured out his heart to God about what was going on in his life and asked God to intervene on his behalf.  When we turn to God for help or protection, we begin to know Him as our refuge.

In contrast to David’s faith, the leaders of Israel in Isaiah’s day tried to find security in things other than God.  In Isaiah 28:15, the Lord rebukes them for making “a lie our refuge and falsehood our hiding place.”  God then offers them a true refuge:  “See I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic.  I will make justice the measuring line; hail will sweep away your refuge, the lie, and water will overflow your hiding place” (Isaiah 28:16–18).  We may be tempted to look for safety in things other than God, but such things can only provide a false sense of security.  God is the only real refuge we’ll ever find.

God is our refuge.  However, that does not mean He will never lead us into difficult or dangerous situations.  Jesus led the disciples into a boat, knowing full well that a violent storm was brewing; the disciples were terrified, but Jesus, their refuge, calmed the storm (Matthew 8:23–27).  When we are in God’s will, we can face even the most dangerous situations with confidence, because God is with us.

Countless times, God led the Israelites into battles against armies much more powerful than they, yet when they trusted God and obeyed Him, they always came out victorious (see Joshua chapters 6 and 8 for some examples).  Jesus told us, “In me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

No matter what our circumstance, the safest place to be is always in the center of God’s will.  He promises to be our refuge:  “‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’  So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.  What can man do to me?’” (Hebrews 13:5–6).

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Psalm 46:1-2

God bless,

Mark

Happy Monday!

The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.
Lamentations 3:25

The Lord is good unto them that wait for him…The Lord blesses our lives with so many wonderful spiritual blessings as we wait on Him.  In my own life, God has used waiting on Him to iron out the wrinkles in me.  I don’t know of another Heavenly exercise that can teach us His contentment like waiting can. ☺

God bless,

Mark

 

 

 

 

 

A story is told of a man with two pickers.  One pocket has a hole that he never repairs.  The other pocket has no holes, and if a hole develops, he gets it sown up immediately.

Throughout the day, whenever he experiences something negative, he puts it in the pocket with a hole.  But every food thing he experiences, he places in the pocket without the hole.  Every evening, he empties our his pocket and all he has are blessings.

Too many of us put all the good in our lives in the pocket with holes.  We take them for granted, forget them, and don’t treasure them.  Yet, all the negative things we deal with – our problems, frustrations, and worries – we place in the pocket with no holes.  Then, at the end of the day, we empty our pockets and find all sorts of problems and no blessings.

Learn to let go of all the bad and hold fast to all the good so that, at the end of the day and the end of your life, you’ll find yourself with no worries – just a pocket full of blessings.

Today’s Mission:  Today, see, notice, dwell on, treasure, and give thanks for all the blessings and let go of what is not.

Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing.  My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
James 3:10 KJV

And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth.  Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!
James 3:10 NLT

 

 

 

 

 

God bless,

Mark

Messianic Rabbi Jonathan Cahn – Hope Of The World.org.  Taken from his “Sapphires” daily devotional and excerpted from his message titled, “The Unconditionally Joyful Life,” #2176.

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour (uproar; tumult; loud, confused noise), and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice (revenge; ill will; intention or desire to do evil):  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

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully (maliciously spiteful manner) use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven:  for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
Matthew 5:44-45

I love these two passages of scripture.  If you apply them to your life, they can really have a Godly impact on you by keeping you from becoming unforgiving, bitter, and resentful following a hurtful, offensive situation.  We all encounter those types of hurtful, offensive circumstances and God wants to show us how to handle them His way.

And then blessing others, especially when they’ve hurt you, gives God an opportunity to work in both your life and theirs.  It keeps your heart from becoming hard and keeps you open to more of the beautiful, rich, spiritual blessings God has in store for you and releases God to work in the other person’s life as well.

As one of our dear Oregon pastor’s said in a recent teaching, we can forgive others and bless them as we yield to the love of God and what He’s forgiven us for and how He’s loved us when we didn’t necessarily deserve to be forgiven and loved.

That ye may be the children of your Father.  That’s the goal.  When we’re being the children of our Father, we’re living in the peaceful, restful, loving, joyful dwelling place of the Most High.  That’s a blessing unlike any other.

God bless,

Mark

The following is taken from our “Choosing Jesus Every Day” site.  Ann and I have found the three keys to be imperative in our walk with the Lord.

Three Keys To The Kingdom

 

 

 

 

 

Renewing our minds:

Years ago, the Lord impressed upon my (Mark) heart three important elements we needed to pay particular attention to.  God stressed the fact that we couldn’t be nonchalant about our Christianity in order to follow His leading in our lives.

The devil will do everything he can to discourage you from truly believing and acting upon these three keys.  But, if you persist and renew your mind to these three scripture truths, you’ll be well on your way to discovering an abiding peace and true liberty in Christ.

Often we combine all three, but there are also times when one or two of them come to mind just when we need them.

The first key was to learn to take thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ.

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:  (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
2 Corinthians 10:3-5

I was having so many defeating thoughts and didn’t feel like I could overcome them.  Jesus taught me to “change the channel” (take thoughts captive) whenever harmful thoughts came to mind.  For instance, when we were on food stamps and welfare, I felt so ashamed, embarrassed and worthless.  Jesus told me that when those negative thoughts attacked me that I was to say or think Philippians 4:19, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”  Doing so would take my mind off the attacking, lacking thought and remind me that God would provide for us.  This verse gave me a way of extinguishing the enemy’s fiery darts.  If the fiery dart was regarding my past or hope for my future, I was to remember Romans 8:28 and the fact that God would and could use anything for my good.

By showing me this second Kingdom key, God was going to add more liberty to my thought life by helping me to always remember that He’s working all things (like welfare, ill health, or a questionable future) for my good even though I could not understand how He was going to do it at the time.  I believe that when a Christian has this rich truth developed in their heart, that it produces a liberty and peace of mind beyond words.  The protection that the power behind this verse contains is so supernatural and freeing.

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

Romans 8:28 can bring great deliverance to a person who’s dealing with panic disorder and anxiety disease.  It has the power to disarm fear and change anyone’s outlook by turning any situation into an opportunity to cast care on Jesus.  I really believe this verse leads to perfect love casting out fear (1 John 4:18).  Just writing this puts a Holy Spirit smile on my face.

The third key is praising God in all things.  Praising God no matter the circumstance can bring His Presence on the scene and intercept enemy attacks of hopelessness and despair.  At times, when I have trouble sleeping, I begin praising God and the next thing I know, I’m waking up after having fallen asleep.  I also use praise to intercept satanic lies.  Praising puts me in a God frame of mind.  Never forget, satan wants our attention and tries to grab it with his fiery darts.  Praising God can instantly place our attention back onto God and His faithfulness.

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

I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Psalm 34:1

1.  Take thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ
2.  Remember that God Almighty is working all things for your good
3.  Praise God in all things

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Monday!

God bless,

Mark

Nothing ceases my striving, calms me down, stills my anxious heart, brings me back into God’s peace, love, and care like this precious piece of scripture…It keeps me safe and resting in the dwelling place of the Most High.

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

God bless,

Mark

Search me, O God, and know my heart:  try me (test me, God), and know my thoughts:  And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24

Fighting The Gods
By Messianic Rabbi Jonathan Cahn

The children of Israel were not only called to stand for God, but also against the gods (idols) of the surrounding nations.  The first believers in the Book of Acts were called, not only to stand for Messiah, but also to stand against the gods of the ancient world.  If you’re a follower of Messiah and a child of Israel in the Spirit, it isn’t enough to simply stand for God – you must stand against the gods as well.

Maybe you didn’t know that you were born into a world filled with gods, but you are.  The people of this age serve the gods of money, greed, status, materialism, carnality, lust, alcohol, drugs, socialism, music, pornography, abortion, the entertainment industry, political correctness, and a whole pantheon of other gods.

You can’t stay on the fence or you’ll be swept away.  You have to be strong and take your stand against them.  Take your stand like Moses against the gods of Egypt, Elijah against the prophets of Baal, and Daniel in the courts of Babylon.

Be strong, be pure, be immovable, and take your stand against the gods.

Today’s Mission:  Be strong in the power of His might today and stand against the gods and idols of this world, and maybe even the gods and idols of your life.

There shall no strange (foreign) god be in thee; neither shalt thou worship any strange god.
Psalm 81:9

God bless,

Mark

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise
In the city of our God,
The holy place
The joy of the whole earth.

Great is the Lord with Whom we have the victory
He aids us against the enemy
We bow down on our knees.

And Lord we want to lift Your Name up high
And Lord we want to thank You
For the work You’ve done in our lives

And Lord we trust in Your unfailing love
For You alone are God eternal
Throughout earth and heaven above.

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise
In the city of our God,
The holy place
The joy of the whole earth.

Great is the Lord in Whom we have the victory
He aids us against the enemy
We bow down on our knees.

And Lord we want to lift Your Name up high
And Lord we want to thank You
For the work You’ve done in our lives

And Lord we trust in Your unfailing love
For You alone are God eternal
Throughout earth and heaven above.

And Lord we want to lift Your Name up high
And Lord we want to thank You
For the work You’ve done in our lives

And Lord we trust in Your unfailing love
For You alone are God eternal
Throughout earth and heaven above.

You alone are God eternal
Throughout earth and heaven above…

I’m learning, more and more, to trust not in circumstances, but in His unfailing love.  Truly, He alone is God eternal…

Thank you, Lord, for the incredible, liberating work You’re doing in our lives.

God bless,

Mark

12 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

Ann and I were watching a Messianic Rabbi Jonathan Cahn video the other day where Jonathan was talking about resisting the fear of the our enemy and continuing on with what God has asked you to do.  Ann told me, “Mark, you can’t let the enemy make you feel stupid, or intimidate you when you make a mistake.  We’re not perfect.  Only Jesus is perfect.  We’re going to make mistakes…probably even today or tonight.  That’s part of life.”

This is a perfect example of how Ann and I minister to each other as husband and wife.  We test the spirit behind any and all thoughts and act accordingly.  We stir up the gifts of God in our lives and stand on the truths found in His Word, the Bible.

Don’t give satan your attention.  Don’t draw back because of the devil’s lies.

Soon after Ann told me this it occurred to me that anything we give our attention to that’s attempting to steal, kill and destroy what God’s doing in our lives in an idol – it’s instead of God, it’s taking His place in our life, even if only for a short time.  These idols (complacency, deception, etc.) are trying to take the place of God’s truth in our lives.  The devil wants our attention and he’ll do anything he can to take our minds off God’s Word/work in us. God’s changing us from glory to glory.  The devil will try to stop this progression.  He’ll use any means (he usually uses the same old lie since he knows it worked in the past) to derail us from continuing on in God. Satan wants us to bow down to him, his lies and deception.

Rabbi Jonathan Cahn encourages us to stand strong and fight the fight against the false gods or idols in our lives…

The above youtube video isn’t the video Ann and were listening to earlier, but Jonathan’s talk is SO good in the above video regarding the idols we’re not even aware of that are trying to get us to bow down to them.  I hope you’ll take 4 minutes and listen to it – It’s that good.  There’s SO much liberty in what he’s sharing here.

Per Jonathan in the above video, as Christians, we don’t ever need to bow down to the idols of fear, worry, temptation, political correctness, depression, discouragement, shame, our past…None of these!  God’s telling us not to bow the knee to them just as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego didn’t in Daniel 3.

16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.

17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.

18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
Daniel 3:16-18

God had them stand and showed them His salvation.  Whether we live or die, because we’ve taken a stand for God, we win!

33 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

This is so powerful!

God bless,

Mark

Always remember, “Then he answered and spoke unto me, saying, “This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ saith the Lord of hosts.”  Zechariah 4:6

The longer I walk with Jesus, the more I realize that when I’m weak (like when a migraine saps most of my physical strength and mental acuity), then I’m strong because of His faithfulness, love, grace and mercy.  I’m learning, more and more, that apart from Him I can do nothing (John 15:5).  God really comes through for me the more I’m yielded to Him like when I come to the end of my own strength.  It’s pretty wonderful…

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Satan will always tell us, “Don’t try being a “doer” of the Word.  You’ll fail and look like a fool.”  A fool?  Really?  To whom?  Man?  Do I fear man more than God?  No!  With Your help, Lord, I’ll not forsake You.  I will be Your “doer” even when I have little of my own strength.

God is as fierce in battle as He is gentle as our Father.
אלוהים הוא עז בקרב הוא עדין כמו אבא שלנו

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit – the real life, supernatural superheros from the Heavenly realm.

I’ve never liked bullies.  Maybe like me you like movies and stories about heroes overcoming all and winning in the end – with God, we don’t have to wait until the end.  You know, good guy/bad guy themes where the hero appears for such a time as this.  I love it when the calvary comes over the hill at just the right time.  Growing up, I liked Clint Eastwood, John Wayne, Star Wars, and other such movies.  I don’t know, I just love it when the bad guy gets his in the end.  I also loved, Snow White, Beauty and Beast and other, similar stories.  Guess I’m a romantic at heart as well.

Ann and I know we’re suppose to stand for God in our lives – for such a time as this.  We’ve been scared to death and we’ve gotten so sick of the fear (all the bullies) that’s come against us over the years.  Honestly, Ann and I don’t know much else other than to keep standing for Jesus however we can each day.  Do we still get hit with intimidation and fear?  Do we still feel like we can’t go on at times?  Do we get weary in the battle?  Yes.  But, we both know God won’t let us retreat, and He keeps refreshing and revitalizing us when we need it the most.  He’s blessing us for standing and He keeps leading us into more battles to bring us victories.

Satan resists praising God with all his puny might.  Why?  Because He wants to keep you bound to whatever he’s harming you with – pride, the fear of man (that one will really keep us from praising God and locked up in bondage), self-sufficiency, bitterness, resentment, unforgiveness, insecurity, hate, lust, jealousy, intimidation, fear, you name it.  God inhabits the praises of His people.  When we think of praising God, we’re often met with fearful, strange resistance.  Something weird comes out of no where to keep us from praising God.  That’s because there’s no way on earth that the devil wants God to come on the scene.  When we praise God, God shows up.  Mighty angels are requisitioned on our behalf to intervene.  The calvary comes over the hill.  The real superhero of hero’s, God Almighty, comes to our rescue.  So, don’t be surprised that when you think of praising God that your attempt to do so will be met with a strange resistance of fear, intimidation, pride, feeling like a fool, etc.  Praise God and see the deliverance of THE Lord.

And, it’s the same with every other scripture God commands us to put into action in our lives.  God’s trying to rescue us and satan’s trying to keep us from believing and acting on the Word.  Believe Romans 8:28.  Believe you can cast all your cares on Jesus.  Believe you can be careful for nothing.  Believe that God will always back you up when you take a stand and operate in faith.

But without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6).  God works in those who step out in faith, those who believe His Word and act on it regardless of the amount or kind of resistance that comes against believing.

The Bible’s full of superheros, bad guy/good guy stories, romance, faithfulness, bullies and the rest.  It’s the real deal for anyone who like me, likes to see the good guys win in the end and the bad guy get his just reward.  In God’s will, I don’t only get to read about other heroes and how God showed up at just right time for His people.  I get to live it myself without any striving.  Go ahead, make your (and God’s) day.  Follow Jesus’ lead.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saul thought Goliath was too big to fight.  David thought Goliath was too large to miss.

Baruch Hashem Adonai כבוד שם יהוה – Blessed be the Name of the Lord!

God wants to bless us with all that He is!

Whoa, what’s that hanging in my Bible?  It looks like a superhero suit. Hmmm.  Could it be…

Like David, am I being asked to load my sling?  Am I to sleep with lions like Daniel?  Is there a chance I could stand down today’s false prophets (fear, hate, unforgiveness, worry, jealousy, generational sins and fears) of Baal like Elijah?  In my life, is it possible to see the turn around Paul, Silas and Joseph experienced?  Could I really see miracles like Ruth, Esther, and Sara witnessed?  Will I choose to live like those in Hebrews chapter 11?

“Yes, Lord Jesus, King of Kings, I will!”

Go ahead, put on that superhero suit (two of my favorites suits are the garment of praise and the whole armor of God mentioned in Isaiah 61:3 and Ephesians 6:11)…You’ll find that, because the suit was Tailor-made for you, it fits perfectly.  Be God’s superhero, with all of Heaven’s resources and those who’ve gone on before you cheering you on, for such a time as this.  You’ll be glad you did – for all eternity.

Do it for God, for Jesus and the Holy Spirit, for your wife/husband and family, for the others you know who are looking for something real.  You have everything to gain and nothing but fear (and all the rest of the devil’s intimidating lies) to lose.  You’ll (and quite possibly, others) never be the same.  God will see to it!

We’ll never have another time like earth.  For such a time as this!  Onward and upward!

God bless,

Mark

The following isn’t shared out of self-pity.  Nope.  Just the opposite.  Be bold.  Be who God wants you to be, who He’s making you.  Leave the past.  Move ahead in God every day.  Don’t let the enemy intimidate you or make you feel like you lack what it takes to stand for God in whatever capacity He’s chosen for your life.  Step out in faith and watch the salvation of the Lord.

In school, I was in remedial reading and English classes.  I had very little reading comprehension.  It drove me nuts.  I was in “dumbbell English” in junior high, and junior college.  I’ve never had a clever sense of humor.  I’ve just always been an encourager.  And, I’ve discovered that’s exactly what God wants me to be/do.

Ann and I were in Hobby Lobby yesterday and I saw a well-written Christian book.  The writer had some soothing words and was a lot better writer than me.  I showed the book to Ann and told her I can’t write like that.  She told me, “You don’t need to.  God just wants you to share from your heart the work He’s doing in you and the hope He’s given you.”

Last evening, we were listening to a pastor talk about how he hasn’t been to Bible college.  He said he can relate to what Paul shares in the following verses.

1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.

2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.

4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God (It’s not hard, if God’s really changing you as you work out your salvation (Philippians 2:12), tell people about it.  That has a lot to do with what is meant by “but in the power of God.”).
1 Corinthians 2:1-5

Yep, that about sums me up as well.  I may not be a very good writer.  That’s okay.  I just want you to know God will meet you wherever you are.  In fact, He’ll make you an overcomer, and full of joy, if you’ll become a doer of His Word, if you’ll put His Word into action in your life right where you are.  You’ll find that He backs up His Word, and that He’ll never leave you nor forsake you.

The most important thing is to be faithful to Him Who’s called you to this blessed hope known as the gospel, the good news.  This life is all about Jesus.  There’s really nothing else out there – Nothing else…

Praise Jesus!

God bless,

Mark

It’s the most incredible thing to me that He can replace me with Him.  He can replace my care with His care for me, replace my tendency to worry with trusting Him always, replace my bitterness, resentment and fear with His forgiveness, joy, peace and faith.

 

 

 

 

if we are faithless, he (Jesus) remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.
2 Timothy 2:13

I often praise the Lord just to bring me closer to Him, to set my mind on Him and His wonderful dwelling place of the Most High there above the things of earth.  I love His safe, sure-footed, peaceful, secure, loving, joyful Presence.

It’s so neat how I can be having my own thoughts about the day, about something I’m working on , about a matter and not be sure what I should do and to have Jesus remind me to praise Him.  Praising Jesus brings Him on the scene because He inhabits our praise.  Once I begin to praise Him, I become more calm, more focused and He begins to help me figure out how to handle things.  Jesus is so wonderful.  What a privilege to be His child.

Is anyone among you in trouble?  Let them pray. Is anyone happy?  Let them sing songs of praise.
James 5:13 NIV (All verses below are NIV)

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort
2 Corinthians 1:3

Of David.  Praise the LORD, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Psalm 103:1

“Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them.”
Luke 1:68

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Psalm 139:14

 

 

 

 

 

Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits –
Psalm 103:2

Let the truth of Your Kingdom, Jesus, reign in us.  Let the weight of Your glory cover us.

God bless,

Mark