Category: General Christian Living

God Bless,

Mark

When anxiety (a multitude of thoughts) was great within me, your consolation (comfort) brought me joy.
Psalm 94:19

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
James 1:2-3

Clap your hands, all peoples!  Shout to God with loud songs of joy!
Psalm 47:1

The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.
Proverbs 10:28

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 1:8-9

This day is holy to our Lord.  Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
Nehemiah 8:10b

Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.
Isaiah 12:6

Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.
Philemon 1:7

Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD.
Psalm 27:6

and those the LORD has rescued will return.  They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads.  Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.
Isaiah 35:10

A person finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word!
Proverbs 15:23

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,
Romans 14:17

fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.  For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2

Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head:  they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.
Isaiah 51:11

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

God bless,

Mark

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

Regarding the Bible, there’s a lot of talk these days about “behavior modification” and it’s being used in a negative context.  A number of pastors have been tricked by satan to tell their congregations that they don’t need to change their lives or adhere to a list of Biblical dos and don’ts.  “Jesus, please show these pastors and their congregations the truth of Your Word, Your love.”

I like to be rubbed.  It removes soreness and makes me sleepy and relaxed.  Kind of revitalizes me.

I love to read and look at the individual words that make up scriptures – Words like peace, still, calm, joy, love, forgive.  I love to soak in them (as if the words are the hot water in a soothing bath) and let them minister to me as they convey God’s truths, love, mercy, peace and joy to me.  “Be careful for nothing; Be not afraid of sudden fear; Let the peace of God reign in your heart; Be still and know that I am God; Husbands love your wives; Casting all your care on Him for He careth for you; He works all things together for good; The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want…And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever,” and on and on.  The words in those God-inspired, loving directives/enlightenments calm me down, relax me, comfort me, fill me with faith, strength for the day, hope and love.  Through His Word, my soul receives a much needed massage as the kinks of living on earth get rubbed out and replaced by God’s great, and fathomless understanding and love.  His Words definitely revitalize me (Isaiah 40:31 and Jeremiah 15:16).

16 I pray that from his (God’s) glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.  17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him (Letting His Word dwell in you richly).  Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.  18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his (God) love is.  19 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 3:16-19

The Word lists dos and don’ts, but they’re there to show us our loving Heavenly Fathers care for our souls.  Through words, He communicates and expresses His supernatural, matchless, infinite, deep love for us, how much He values our souls, as He soothes our lives and revitalizes our spirits with His transforming truths.

Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives.  Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives.  Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.
Colossians 3:16

Soak in His love words and let them minister His abounding, deep care for your life.  Then, as you receive God’s love and encouragement in your own life, comfort others with His love and care.

who (God) comforts and encourages us in every trouble so that we will be able to comfort and encourage those who are in any kind of trouble, with the comfort (the same loving massage the Word has brought to our lives) with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
2 Corinthians 1:4

“Oh, thank you, Jesus.”

God bless,

Mark

Ann and I loved each other when we first got married.  We just needed some guidance to know how to live in all the discoveries of joy Jesus has for marriage.  Fortunately, God had us move to Oregon to become involved in a church that could help us begin to see all that God had for our marriage.

Back in the 80s, our church counselor, Chuck, gave me the book, “Do Yourself a Favor:  Love Your Wife.”  The book really opened my eyes, showed me how selfish I really was and how that was hurting us.  The book also gave me a whole new picture of how I needed to love my wife.  It showed me how to lay down my life for her and clarified scripture that spoke of husbands loving their wives as Christ loved the church.  Recently, I read “Captivating (Revised and Updated:  Unveiling The Mystery of a Woman’s Soul.)”  Again, the Lord is using the book’s message to bless me with more understanding for my wife.  The more I understand Ann, the more I love her with Christ’s love and I find that my love for her grows.

I encourage you to seek out material that helps you love your mate the way Christ meant for us to love each other.  The rewards for doing so are so rich and deep.  His love of marriage is infinite and He brings that depth of love to our relationships if we’ll ask Him to help us grow in our understanding and love for each other.  And, we’ll understand more about God and love Him more.  That’s always a blessing to our souls.

Just this morning, Ann and I were discussing more about what we’re learning about Jesus.  It was really uplifting and powerful.  And once again, all over again, I felt the reason God brought us together.  He wanted to bless us with each other in Him.

Loving our wives as Christ loves the church will set us so free to enjoy all that God has for us as Christian men.  I promise you.  If you want the power of the resurrection in your life as a husband, learn to love your wife the way Jesus loves the church.  Die for her and let Jesus bring forth His powerful, immeasurable love and joy in you both.

God bless,

Mark

I had two very draining migraine headache attacks last week and I’m still dealing with the dizziness, memory loss, depression, anxiety and weakness from those migraines.  I’m telling you that I have felt super-discouraged and like giving in to the enemy’s lies trying to uproot my faith.  Now, I’m telling you this because the Lord always delivers me when I become this weak.  He reminds me of my three kingdom keys (that He’s still working all things together for my good; to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ; to praise and thank Him in all things), and of Messianic Rabbi Jonathan Cahn’s words about being tempted to give up and to think that “it’s all over” only to find God saying it’s not over and that you will see the salvation I (Jesus) bring to those who’ve lost their own strength only to discover My strength as I show them My faithfulness.  Folks, we serve the Lion Of Judah.  It doesn’t matter how weak you get in this world, this is what you look like to the enemy when you trust in the Lord with all your heart – especially when it’s all you have at any given moment:

The following is taken from Sarah Young’s Embracing Jesus daily devotional entry for May 16.

When you begin a day – or a task – feeling inadequate, remember this:  My grace is sufficient for you.  The present tense of the verb “is” highlights the continual availability of My wondrous grace.  So don’t waste energy regretting how weak you feel.  Instead, embrace you insufficiency – rejoicing that it helps you realize how much you need Me.  Come to Me for help, and delight in My infinite sufficiency!  My Power is made perfect in weakness.

As you go about a task in joyful dependence on Me, you will be surprised by how much you can accomplish.  Moreover, the quality of your work will be greatly enhanced by your collaboration with Me.  Ponder the astonishing privilege of living and working alongside Me, the King of kings and Lord of lords.  Seek to align yourself with My will, making yourself a living sacrifice.  This is a form of worship, and it pleases Me.  It also makes your life meaningful and joyful.  This is a tiny foretaste of the immense, indescribably glorious Joy that awaits you in Heaven!

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee:  for my strength is made perfect in weakness.  Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2 Corinthians 12:9

And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords.
Revelation 19:16

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Romans 12:1

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever.  Amen.
Jude 24-25

God bless,

Mark

We must not let the enemy’s lies steal all the blessings contained in waiting on the Lord (John 10:10).  There are such rich spiritual fruit/attributes learned and gleaned in the time of waiting on God (Galatians 5:22-23).

Wow, the Bible is full of great verses about waiting on God and His perfect timing.  Really encouraging words from the Holy Spirit in those passages.

For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie:  though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
Habakkuk 2:3

Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield.
Psalm 33:20

I wait for the LORD, my soul does wait, And in His word do I hope.
Psalm 130:5

Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD.
Psalm 27:14

Waiting – The Fertilizer Of Great Faith

Waiting on God teaches us to rely on Him in a way like nothing else can.

God’s training is unlike any other training.  Waiting on Him develops His character deep within us making us strong in the power of His might.  Waiting on the Lord replaces us with Him.

When you look back, you’ll see that God was in all of it.

Take Courage (He’s In The Waiting)
By Kristene DiMarco, Jeremy Riddle, and Joel Taylor

Slow down, take time
“Breathe in,” He said
He’ll reveal what’s to come
The thoughts in His mind
Always higher than mine
He’ll reveal all to come

Take courage my heart
Stay steadfast my soul
He’s in the waiting
He’s in the waiting
And hold onto your hope
As your triumph unfolds
He’s never failing
He’s never failing

Sing praise my soul
Find strength in joy
Let His words lead you on
Do not forget
His great faithfulness
He’ll finish all He’s begun

Take courage my heart
Stay steadfast my soul
He’s in the waiting
He’s in the waiting
And hold onto your hope
As your triumph unfolds
He’s never failing
He’s never failing

Take courage my heart
Stay steadfast my soul
He’s in the waiting
He’s in the waiting
And hold onto your hope
As your triumph unfolds
He’s never failing
He’s never failing

And You Who hold the stars
Who call them each by name
Will surely keep Your promise to me
That I will rise in Your victory

And You Who hold the stars
Who call them each by name
Will surely keep Your promise to me
That I will rise in Your victory

So take courage my heart
Stay steadfast my soul
He’s in the waiting
He’s in the waiting
And hold onto your hope
Watch your triumph unfold
He’s never failing
He’s never failing

So take courage my heart
Stay steadfast my soul
He’s in the waiting
He’s in the waiting
And hold onto your hope
Watch your triumph unfold
He’s never failing
He’s never failing

He’s in the waiting
He’s in the waiting
He’s in the waiting…

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31

Being confident (this is true faith in the face of everyday living) of this very thing, that he (God) which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Philippians 1:6

But you, O Lord, are a shield about me,
my glory, and the lifter of my head.
Psalm 3:3

*I will serve You (God) while I’m waiting…

God bless,

Mark
*Lyric from While I’m Waiting by John Waller

Happy Monday!

When fearful thoughts attack us, God gives us courage and tells us to choose faith and to trust Him in all things.

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

Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of
the wicked, when it cometh.  For the Lord shall be thy
confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.
Proverbs 3:25-26

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Philippians 1:6

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

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you:  not as the world giveth, give I unto you (In other words, God’s peace is not based on the circumstances of this world so we don’t have to enter into the fear “the world” is experiencing due to circumstances).  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
John 14:27

And be not conformed to this world:  but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Romans 12:2

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

because greater is he (God through His Holy Spirit) that is in you, than he that is in the world.
1 John 4:4b

As a parent, there were many things I would not let my children do because I knew they would harm them – This is how God is with His kids.  In the same way, I don’t let fear trouble my heart.  Instead, I choose to let God’s Word lead me and to control my thinking.  This is how God helps me to maintain a “sound” mind.

Don’t let your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Be strong and of a good courage…Only be thou strong and very courageous…Have I not commanded thee?  Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed:  For (Because) the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest…Only be strong and of a good courage.
From Joshua Chapter 1

God bless,

Mark

The Rose Of Sharon in the Bible book of “The Song of Solomon” refers to perfection.  The idea is that in Christ is everything we need, everything that we can ever have the greatest pleasure and joy in – infinite delight.  There is nothing anywhere that can match the beauty He is, and all that He can bring to our lives.  Indeed, He is beauty, He is life.

I’ve always wanted my incredible wife, Ann, to have roses to enjoy.  We have some gorgeous red and white roses on the “Double Delight” rose tree on our small, front patio – see below.  For days now, I’ve been walking by them thinking how pretty they are.  Yesterday, I stopped to take a deep breath in as I smelled them.  It was then that I realized how they got their name, “Double Delight.” ☺

Those roses have the most incredibly, long-lasting, deep aroma that makes you want to stay there smelling them.

This morning, it dawned on me that the Lord wants me to be with Him (and not to merely walk by Him on my way to do something listed in my busy mind set), to take in His sweet Presence, to linger for a while taking in His precious, mind-soothing and healing aroma.  Nothing like our Prince of Peace. Breathe deep in His Presence.  Such rich, deep, beautiful fragrances in Jesus’ Presence – Truly, He’s the healing essence of life.

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us.  The government will rest on his shoulders.  And he will be called:  Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6

In The Presence of Jehovah

Oh, but when I come into His Presence, no doubts can interfere.

Just slip away and breathe His Name.  He will surely meet you there.

God bless,

Mark

I heard an interesting comment the other day.  “You can’t love God and hate Israel.”

As you may know, there are a few interesting events occurring in the next few days.

The Lebanese elections have concluded with Iranian-backed Shiite Muslims winning some important posts.  Some believe Iran was waiting for these elections to end before making more threats and initiating additional terror attacks in the Mid East and elsewhere.  Some countries are moving their embassies to Jerusalem flaring tensions around the world.  The US embassy is scheduled to make its official move next Monday.  President Trump was supposed to make his decision this coming Saturday regarding the Iran nuclear deal.  In lieu of last week’s Israeli revelations regarding Iran’s deception in the nuclear deal, President Trump has decided to make his decision about the deal today (Tuesday the 8th) at 11am PST.  As a result, nations are stepping up military operations in hopes of quelling any flair ups.  These activities will certainly come with some global challenges in the next few weeks.  All of this sounds a lot like the words in Matthew chapter 24 in the Bible.

I’m telling you all of this so that you’ll not be tempted to give into “sudden fear.”  Jesus told us these types of things would occur and to look up when they began to happen.  As the next few weeks unfold, remember that you do not have to give into sudden fear, or any fear for that matter, as you trust in Jesus’ care.

Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.  For (Because) the Lord (God, Almighty) shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.
Proverbs 3:25-26

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

God bless,

Mark

Happy Monday, Everyone –

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

for thou art with me…

God bless each of you,

Mark

I’m discovering that, of paramount importance, God wants us to find Him (Jeremiah 29:13).  That’s why He wants us to seek Him with our whole heart. And, if He recognizes a seeking heart in us, a heart after Him, He’ll move all of hell and work out everything in your life to make sure you seek Him with all your heart.  In fact, finding Him is the most important thing in this life.  And because He knows this, He’ll bring us to the point where we’ll seek Him above all else.  God knows that “finding Him” is the greatest experience in the universe.

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me (Jesus),
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.
Isaiah 61:1-3

Isn’t this a glorious passage of scripture?  This is what Christianity and life are all about.  As we grow in Jesus (as we find Him, and the beauty of His holiness; His righteousness or right living), the message in the words in this powerful passage is exactly what He wants us to do for each other.  There’s no greater joy than becoming more like Jesus only to find that His life in us (our testimony to His truths and faithfulness) can bring Jesus’ love, healing, comfort, faith, hope, rest and joy to others.  And all of this love (which is really Jesus’ life in us) perpetuates from generation to generation.

Thank you, Jesus!

God bless,

Mark

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

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Philippians 1:6

“Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, than to trust and obey.”
Lyric from Trust and Obey Christian hymn by By John Sammis and Daniel Towner

When I focus on the storms in life, I can quickly be overtaken by anxiety – I was raised to react this way.  I’m sure this is one of the loving reasons God had me get saved in the first place.  Showing me to focus on Him, first, is such an important part of God’s “good work” in me.  It’s one of the biggest ways He’s healing my soul from harmful past generational sins and strongholds.  It enables me to learn that I really can rest in His faithfulness.

I love how God uses the storms of life to teach us to focus on Him, first (Messianic Rabbi Jonathan Cahn – The Storm King).  God really does work all things together for the good of those who love Him, even the beautiful lessons storms can bring.  He’ll take our love for Him and transform our lives, inside-out, as He teaches us to focus on Him, first.  What a wonderful Heavenly Father we have.  Always changing us from glory to glory as He makes us strong in the power of His ways, His might.

Stormy?  That’s okay.  I’m finding out that storms in life are just more opportunities for Jesus to teach me to focus on Him, first.  Knowing (believing) that He works all things together for my good allows me to live in His faithfulness, His rest – Him, first. ☺

God bless,

Mark

Your own ears will hear him (God).  Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left.
Isaiah 30:21

7 The law of the Lord is perfect
refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the Lord are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm,
and all of them are righteous.
10 They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the honeycomb.
11 By them your servant is warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
Psalm 19:7-10

Wow, is there anything like the blessings (great reward ☺) contained in Godly insights?  I just love it when the Holy Spirit speaks His loving, liberating truths into my life/soul.  His Presence and Words just bring me so much of His love, joy, peace, rest and comfort.  There’s nothing like His precious, still, small voice (1 Kings 19) as He calls to my heart, “Mark, this is the way, walk ye in it.”  And then the shear joy I have when my heart replies, “Yes, Lord, I see what You’re telling me, and the satisfying, soothing comfort Your Words of truth, about that area in my life You want to restore and bless, will bring.”

…By them your servant is warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.

“Precious Jesus, help us by making us evermore hungry for more of You, and Your healing love.”

God bless,

Mark

Happy Monday!

Another week of opportunities for God to show us His faithfulness and favor.

I really like to look at a picture we have in our living room (it’s the one below) of Jesus in the boat with His disciples as Jesus calms the storm that scared the disciples to death.  I like to put myself in their place in that storm-tossed, little boat.  Wow, it must have been amazing to have Jesus rebuke and stop the storm, stop the threat on their hearts and lives.  It would truly blow your mind that a man had such power and authority.  Looking around at the calmed seas, and then looking intently at Jesus, the man Who’d just told the storm to cease, it’s no wonder the men in the boat exclaimed,

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

I’ve felt the same way about Jesus when I’ve had a storm pop up in my life.  I’ve just marveled when I remembered my precious Savior’s promises to always be with me – that He has the power and authority to work all things together for my good, and that He’s always in control.  The storms just cease…

I read that some ladies having a Bible study were discussing the Las Vegas shooting.  One of the ladies said, “The world’s getting so crazy.  Where can one feel safe anymore?”  In the arms of Jesus.  It’s always been true of Jesus.  We’re safe in His arms.  That’s why we need to get to know Him intimately so we’ll always be near Him in the dwelling place of the Most High.  No storm in life is outside His power and authority – not one.

Always remember, come what may, we’re safe in the arms of Jesus.

God bless,

Mark

Wow, when I heard the following youtube video, I rejoiced.  It made Christianity crystal clear and so simple…

I truly believe that God wants Christians to be in His Presence all week long – I believe it’s totally possible since that’s what the Word teaches.  This is the blessing of being His child.  We are no longer to be conformed to this world – double-minded, or anxious and worldly some of the time and having His peace some of the time.  Because we’re now “born-again,” we can walk (live) in newness of life and trust God’s lead for our lives.

When I heard Messianic Jew, Howard Morgan speak on the Sid Roth program, I thought, “Yes, that’s it,” that’s where we’ve missed it in the western world.  I really hope you’ll take the time to listen to what Howard says in the youtube video below.  God wants so much to transform our lives so that we can live with His truths in our lives all the time.

How Christianity Went from Jewish to Pagan | Howard Morgan

To summarize what Howard shared:  (1.) God’s purpose is to bring us back to Him.  This is what life is all about.  He wants us to practice the feasts to remind us of what’s coming for us in the beautiful future He has in store for us.  He desires that we come back into relationship with Him, to be the light of the world by (2.) helping each other (as fellow Christians, as husbands and wives, and families and friends) grow in Him, (3.) and to proclaim that the Messiah is coming.

Howard (really, God did) makes Christianity so simple (simple as 1-2-3 above), and it’s available to us.  I love it.

God bless,

Mark

I hope I can clearly convey this simple and beautiful heavenly principle God’s blessing us with.  Personally, I sense that I’m only beginning to understand how wonderful it is for the Lord to show me how to better understand and love my wife.  That one little word, love, is packed with a universe of blessings for our lives.

I want to learn all I can about how to love my precious wife better because the Lord keeps speaking to my heart that Ann and I will receive more heavenly blessings in our souls by me learning how to love her more.

9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; 10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ.  11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
Philippians 1:9-11

God wants to bless husbands and wives by having men love their wives with the insights Christ gives them.

It’s the neatest thing.  I’m finding that the more I love my wife (Ann) in action (protecting her emotions, her heart, loving her in word and deed, being gentle with her, making sure she has what she needs from me and Jesus spiritually, physically, emotionally), the more I love her in my own heart (my love for her grows), the more affection and compassion I have in my heart for her, the more I appreciate her and want to be with her to share every moment with her.  And, by loving her, my own heart settles down and I have more faith, peace, rest and joy.

It’s the same with my relationship with Jesus.  The more I surrender to Him, the more I follow Him and want to do what He wants me to (like learning more about forgiving, loving others with His love, casting all my cares on Him, praising Him, letting Him live through me…), the more I love Him with more and more of my heart.

I’m so thankful for my wife and all the wonderful ways God has blessed my life through her.  I learn so much about Jesus as He shows me how to love Ann better each day.

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.  28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies.  He who loves his wife loves himself.  29 After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— 30 for we are members of his body.  31 “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”
Ephesians 5:25-31

God bless,

Mark

Happy Monday!

Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head:  they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.
Isaiah 51:11

What a wonderful promise from the Lord of Lords and King of Kings!

God bless,

Mark