Category: General Christian Living

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why does God have us praise Him all the time?  Well, I know that when I praise Him, it brings His Presence on the scene.  With God inhabiting my praise, fearful or discouraging thoughts are taken captive, I get clearer thinking and the answers I need, I have more peace, and a knowing that God’s working all things for my good.

1 I will bless the Lord at all times:  his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

2 My soul shall make her boast in the Lord:  the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.

3 O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.
Psalm 34:1-3

 

 

 

 

God bless,
Mark

Jesus is the light (all of the glory, and righteousness of the Father, and Heaven) of the world.  And, in Him, there is no darkness (no sin, no shadow of turning, only liberty). ☺

1 Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.

2 For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people:  but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.

3 And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.
Isaiah 60:1-3

Merry Christmas!

God bless,

Mark and Ann

God loves to rescue us from ourselves, from the influence and impact of our enemy and this world.  He’s truly our Redeemer.

Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water?  Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs?  No, and you can’t draw fresh water from a salty spring.  If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom.
James 3:11-13

Please understand that the following is shared out of love and not out of condemnation.  I just know what God has done for me and I want to share His loving deliverance with as many people as I can.

My wife and I have been around a number of folks lately whose lives are greatly impacted by always being upset, by anger, injustices, and unforgiveness that keeps piling up in their lives, and keeps them “jacked up.”  Their “day talk” involves so much of this they never seem to be able to truly calm down – especially without having alcohol.  Except for using alcohol, I can relate…I was the same way at one time like a boiler, without a relief valve, ready to blow.

Why is it SO important that we become doers of the Word?  Well, one thing that comes to mind is unforgiveness and all its repercussions.  Not forgiving others was causing me an overwhelming amount of torment.  My mind was fenced in by angry thoughts and I could find no real peace and rest for my weary soul.

Like many others, my life had been so full of injustices and problems.  It got so bad that my mind was full of confusion, unforgiveness, bitterness, and resentment.

Fortunately, God doesn’t leave us in this type of condition.

The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience.  And God is faithful.  He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand.  When you are tempted, he will show you a way out (for me, it was memorizing scripture and praising God in all things) so that you can endure.
1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT

Two important things happened in my life that began to turn things around for me in my thinking that started me on the path to a renewed mind, of learning of how to cast my cares on the Lord.

Although I didn’t always feel like doing it, I was motivated by how sick and tired I was of the condition I was in.  I began to memorize scripture and I learned to praise God in all things – God gave me the grace and will power to put these into practice.

Now, it took a little while to really coat my spirit with these two important activities, but things began to turn around and the Lord led me out of the miry clay of sins (unforgiveness, anger, jealousy, fear, worry, etc.) I’d been stuck in for years.

Check your “day talk” and see if it’s causing you tension, stress, worry and unresolved anger.

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Song Speak
By Messianic Rabbi Jonathan Cahn

Zimmer is one of the biblical words for song. Ephesians 5:19 says, “Speak to one another in Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord.”  Think about that.  How do you speak in songs?

You have to learn to talk in “song speak,” to speak in such a beautiful way that it could be a song.  When you speak, there’s no real melody, harmony, orchestra, accompaniment, or musical instrument.  Yet, you’re to speak in a song.

To speak in song means your words make up for the fact that there’s no music and become themselves a song so beautiful it needs no accompaniment.

Ask yourself, if somebody took a transcript of your daily talk, could they write a godly song from it?  Would it go to music?  Talk of anger, fear, blame, pride, conceit, and emptiness doesn’t make godly music.  What kind of talk does?  Talk of love, faith, peace, hope, praise, thanksgiving, encouragement, mercy, God, and scripture.

Stop merely speaking and start learning how to speak a new language today, the language of song speak.

Today’s Mission:  Today, practice thinking and talking in “song speak.”

And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long.
Psalm 35:28

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God bless,

Mark

Boy, I have to tell you that it’s really fun to be able to share these emails with you.  It’s so joyful.  That’s our fun and faithful Jesus! ☺

I have to credit Messianic Rabbi Jonathan Cahn (really, the Holy Spirit through Jonathan) with teaching me to look for God in the midst of attacks, and it’s been a real revelation in my life.

For example, yesterday morning, I got up after having another night of really bad dreams.  Then, my computer had an issue and I was “feeling” like things were really starting to stack up on my spirit – darkness loves to gang up on any injured spirit.  Suddenly, I was reminded to praise God.

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

And, He really did inhabit my praises…

That’s usually about the time the Holy Spirit steps into my thoughts by reminding me that when I’m being tempted to walk by sight instead of by faith that I can rest assured that God is about to show me His favor.  Now that may sound weird, but it happens more and more often and I’m so thankful for God’s precious faithfulness to interrupt discouraging moments with His promise to turn things around for me.

Sure enough, I could “feel” the Holy Spirit encouraging me to look for His favor as I ran a number of errands in the morning.  It was just so great to witness God working as I met nice person after nice person and smiled and lifted others with the love of God as I went from place to place.

Let that be an encouragement to us all.  Always, no matter what’s going on spiritually, look for God to bring joy to your day as you depend on His faithful love, peace and joy.  His favor and Presence is always with us.  That’s His Name, Immanuel, God with us. ☺

My day went from being potentially bad to good that fast.  Truly, if we listen to His voice, our days will be spent in victory…

Why art thou cast down, O my soul?  and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God:  for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.
Psalm 42:5

Now the Lord is that Spirit:  and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
2 Corinthians 3:17

God bless,

Mark

 

 

 

 

 

God bless,

Mark

Hello Fellow Christians, ☺

 

 

 

 

 

 

Casting all your care upon him (Jesus); for he (not me, I’m not designed to and can’t take on “care” without it harming my soul and countenance) careth for you (why do I try to do Jesus’ job by taking on care?).
1 Peter 5:7

‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army.  For (Because) the battle is not yours, but God’s.
2 Chronicles 20:15b

Jesus was asking me to stop hashing out “my” issues.  He wanted me to stop talking about them.  The Holy Spirit shared with me that this is what true faith is all about.  It’s turning our situations over to Jesus for Him to carry and to resolve.  Then, I trust Him to do it in His time however He sees fit.

God doesn’t want me to sin by living with unforgiveness, bitterness, self-pity, jealousy, fear, etc.  He also doesn’t want me to live with worry.  No, instead, He wants me to bring anything that causes me to worry – to fret over, to wring my hands over, to try to carry in my soul – to His cross and leave it there.  He wants me to know that He knows all about the situation and asks me to be thankful and to praise Him in all things – all things.

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Developing Trust
By Joyce Meyer

So trust in the Lord (commit yourself to Him, lean on Him, hope confidently in Him) forever; for the Lord God is an everlasting Rock (the Rock of Ages).
Isaiah 26:4

How many times have we allowed trying situations that come our way to frustrate us and get us needlessly upset?  How many years of our lives have we spent saying, “Oh, I’m believing God.  I’m trusting God,” when in reality, we are worrying, talking negatively, and trying to figure everything out on our own?

Sometimes we think we are trusting God just because we are saying the words, but inside we are anxious and panicky.  It is good that we are taking the initial steps to trust God, but we must also realize we can still grow in trust.  Trusting God is more than just words – it’s words, attitudes, and actions.

Trust and confidence are built up over a period of time.  It usually takes some time to overcome an ingrained habit of worry, anxiety, or fear.  That is why it is so imperative to “hang in there” with God.  Don’t quit and give up because you gain experience and spiritual strength as you go through situations.  Each time you become a little stronger than you were the last time.  Sooner of later, if you don’t give up, you will find yourself in a place of complete rest, peace, and trust in God.

If you are in a time of trial, realize that worry is completely useless, and use the time to built your trust in God.

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God bless,

Mark

“Pray about everything and fear nothing.  When fear knocks at the door, let faith (what you know to be true about Jesus and how He’s working all things for your good) answer.”
Joyce Meyer (Edits Mine)

Submit yourselves therefore to God.  Resist the devil, and
he will flee from you.  Draw nigh to God, and he will draw
nigh to you.  Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify
your hearts, ye double minded.
James 4:7-8

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

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19

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

But the Lord is faithful (Jesus will never leave us nor forsake us), who shall stablish you (He’s producing His peace, rest and joy in us), and keep you from evil (fear).
2 Thessalonians 3:3

Until my wife and I began memorizing and using the Word (like the scriptures above and those found on our web page, choosingjesuseveryday.com>verses God gave us), the Sword of the Spirit, against the enemy’s lies and spiritual attacks, we were living defeated Christian lives.  Now, we rely on God’s Word and the way He’s taught us how to use it in the battle the devil wages against our minds and souls.  Learning how to use the Word is vital.

God bless,

Mark

1 I love you, Lord;
you are my strength.
2 The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;
my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.
He is my shield, the power that saves me,
and my place of safety.
3 I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise,
and he saved me from my enemies.
Psalm 18:1-3 NLT

Boy, God is good all the time, all the time, God is good.  His love and protection over our lives is so soothing and liberating.  His truth endures forever, and with Him, His truths, operating in our lives, we endure and overcome, forever.  Praise Jesus!

Happy Monday, everyone. ☺

God bless,

Mark

15 “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener.  2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.  3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you.  4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you.  For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.

5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches.  Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit.  For apart from me you can do nothing.  6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers.  Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned.  7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!  8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples.  This brings great glory to my Father.

9 “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me.  Remain in my love.  10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.   11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!  12 This is my commandment:  Love each other in the same way I have loved you.  13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.  14 You are my friends if you do what I command.  15 I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves.  Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.  16 You didn’t choose me.  I chose you.  I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.  17 This is my command:  Love each other.
John 15:1-17 NLT

God loves us enough to do whatever it takes to make us more like Him.

“Thank you, Jesus, for Your precious work in our lives.”

He’s constantly setting those who follow Him more and more free from anything He knows will keep them from growing in Him.

 

 

 

 

God bless,

Mark

The Failure That Saved A Life
By Messianic Rabbi Jonathan Cahn

William Cowper was 32 when he decided to end his life.  After several attempts that failed, he tried to hang himself, but was cut down, unconscious but still alive.

Then one morning for a reason unknown to him, he reached out for his Bible and opened it up to the Book of Romans.  He opened up his heart and received the Lord.  His life was changed, and years later he’d write the famous hymn which begin, “God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform.”

Cowper was thanking God that all of his own plans failed and only God’s plan came to pass.  You need to do the same thing.

When your own plans fail, remember the plans of William Cowper.  God has something better for you.  The way of the flesh is death, but God’s way is life and His will for you is blessing.

So every time your own plan fails, thank God. He’s go something better.  As the Lord says, “I know the plans I have for you, plans for welfare and not for calamity, to give you a future and a hope.  (See Jeremiah 29:11-13)”

Today’s Mission:  Give thanks today for any of your failed plans that have led to the plans of God being accomplished in your life.

People throw lots to make a decision, but the answer comes from the Lord.
Proverbs 16:33 New Century Version (NCV)

God bless,

Mark

Happy Monday, Everyone!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
Ephesians 5:19

God bless,

Mark

1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners (like when I was living “my ways.”), nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.  2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night (now that Jesus is teaching me His ways – they’re better).  3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:17-19

I wasn’t always the super-fantastic guy I am today.  Yeah, that’s where you’re supposed to chuckle…☺

All kidding aside, when God began working in my life to help me come away from “my ways,” He began changing me a little bit at a time.  He knows what needs to happen in our lives, and the order of changes that need to take place so we can experience more and more of His love, rest, peace and joy.  A lot of growing in Jesus takes time and for good reason.  We learn a lot about the fruit of the Spirit while growing slowly but mightily in Him.

With me, the first step I remember was taking out the trash without complaining about it.  I know it might sound funny and not very spiritual, but God wanted me to begin to love Annie in this practical way (Jesus is really practical) and knew it would mean a lot to her heart for me to pursue her by being joyful about taking out the trash.

Let God show you how to begin to turn things around in your heart and life. He’ll be faithful to bring you along in His timing.  He loves us SO MUCH.

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:18

being confident of this very thing, that He who hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the Day of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:6

God bless,

Mark

Hello Fellow Christians,

In the past, I’ve actually been tempted to worry about my kids thinking doing so would somehow keep them safe.

I’ve worried about money thinking we’d never run out if I just kept worrying about it.  Pretty silly when I think about that just now and how much Jesus wants us to cast our cares on Him so we can rest in Him.

Over the years, I’ve often noticed that people at work who looked like they were worrying about their work and the company, and appeared to be weighed down with responsibility, were the very people who got raises and promotions.

When the Lord began to set me free from the anxiety and panic that had wreaked havoc in my life for so many decades, I had a real dilemma.  How could I be truly free of worry, let Jesus develop His joy in my life and keep my job, or expect pay increases and promotions?

Well, I had to decide if I was going to follow Christ or this world’s ways.

I needed Jesus so much due to my health issues that He showed me I didn’t really have any other choice than to follow Him away from anxiety, panic and the heavy weight of “care.”  I did get a few raises and a promotion, but eventually I got laid off even though the owner of the company expressed my great work ethic in front of a number of company people.

Now I’m not saying I was laid off because God was making me over with His peace, rest and joy, but I’m sure glad I didn’t choose to mimic the people who looked full of worry and responsibility.

I wouldn’t trade what Jesus has done in me for anything this world offers.  No way.  I don’t know exactly what the Lord has in store for providing for us regarding the rest of our lives, but I do know He’ll be faithful and keep us growing in His matchless liberty.

The “rest” is leaving it up to Him and His timing in all things.

7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
1 Peter 5:7

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6

1 I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.  2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.  3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God:  many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.
Psalm 40:1-3

God bless,

Mark

Happy Monday,

24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves:  but he (Jesus) was asleep.

25 And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.

26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?  Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.

27 But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!
Matthew 8:24-27

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?  the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:1

“You are all around me on every side; you protect me with your power.  Your knowledge of me is too deep; it is beyond my understanding.”
Psalm 139:5-6 GNTD

28 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

5 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 10:5

always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 5:20

God’s on His throne and in control.  He’s working all things together for our good.  He’s helping us to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.  As a result, we can praise and thank Him in all things.

that even the winds and the sea obey him! ☺

Have a blessed week in Jesus.

God bless,

Mark

4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise:  be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

5 For (Because) the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
Psalm 100:4-5

It’s amazing that we even know Jesus, that He’s called us to be His children.  Choosing Jesus Every Day is all about choosing His ways every day to live the abundant life He made available to us through His example and Word.

Thank you, Jesus, for dying for us and for showing us The Way to true life.

18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:18

God bless,

Mark

6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
Hebrews 12:6-7

2 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

15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

16 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.

17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Colossians 3:15-17

10 Be still, and know that I am God:
Psalm 46:10a

It took me a while.  Guess I’m a slow learner when it comes to learning the value of, and adopting, God’s ways.  I was kind of a strong-willed person and could be a clever manipulator.  It certainly never brought me true peace and rest, and I definitely wasn’t “still” in my emotions, mind and spirit.  God had to bring some real pressure on me to help me see that doing things His way is best so I could have His peace and enter His rest.  His ways give me His joy.

I came across a really great quote yesterday.  It reminds me of how important it is to renew our minds to the Word of God, to His ways.  He loves us so much and wants to bless us which is the result of living this life according to the teachings in the Bible.

 

 

 

 

 

 

That’s why I choose Jesus every day.  His peace, rest and joy is what I need every day.

God bless,

Mark

The Fought-Over Life
By Messianic Rabbi Jonathan Cahn

Tiny Israel is the most fought over land in human history.  Fought over by the ancient pharaohs, Amorites, Canaanites, Philistines, Assyrians, Babylonians, Persian, Romans, Mohammedans, Mamelukes, Crusaders, Ottomans, French, British, Arabs, and finally Israel again – the Jewish people

You’d think with all that fighting, Israel was filled with natural resources and riches.  It has almost nothing except that it belongs to God which makes the stakes there especially high.  From there the kingdom and the blessing will come.

You might feel like life is a battle.  The reason is because you belong to God and your life is precious.  There’s a high calling on it and a promise of great things to come.  It’s worth the fight, and the enemy knows it.  His job is to discourage you from persevering and inheriting the blessing.  He knows how precious and how high the promise and the calling is on your life.

Be encouraged, fight the good fight, and keep going until you inherit the blessing.  You knew you had a fight, but now you know you’ve got something worth fighting for.

Be encouraged, take the fight and the resistance as a sign of the greatness of God’s blessings, and press on!

10 A final word:  Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.  12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.  13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil.  Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.  14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.  15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.  16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.  17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion.  Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
Ephesians 3:10-18

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

God bless,

Mark