Category: General Christian Living

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Happy Mondays and God’s Mercy New Every Morning

I really like Mondays.  They’re the beginning of a new week, new opportunities, fresh starts, etc.  Mondays kind of remind me of God telling us in His Word that His mercies are new every morning – He gives us a fresh start to be doers of the Word every single morning.  That’s such faithful grace and love.

21 Yet I still dare to hope
when I remember this:
22 The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
His mercies never cease.
23 Great is his faithfulness;
his mercies begin afresh each morning.
Lamentations 3:21-23 NLT

Happy Monday!

God bless,

Mark

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Children Of His Grace And Mercy

Wow, so much to write about these days…God is so good…All the time.  I’m seeing this more clearly each day.

Even in the Great Tribulation spoken about in the Bible, God is doing everything He can to get people to look up, to repent and to be saved from destruction.  God is so amazing.  His ways are beyond finding out (Romans 11:33).

8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
2 Peter 3:8-10

4 They were told not to harm the grass or plants or trees, but only the people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads.

17 And in my vision, I saw the horses and the riders sitting on them.  The riders wore armor that was fiery red and dark blue and yellow.  The horses had heads like lions, and fire and smoke and burning sulfur billowed from their mouths.  18 One-third of all the people on earth were killed by these three plagues—by the fire and smoke and burning sulfur that came from the mouths of the horses.  19 Their power was in their mouths and in their tails.  For their tails had heads like snakes, with the power to injure people.

20 But the people who did not die in these plagues still refused to repent of their evil deeds and turn to God.  They continued to worship demons and idols made of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood—idols that can neither see nor hear nor walk!  21 And they did not repent of their murders or their witchcraft or their sexual immorality or their thefts.
Revelation 9:4; 17-21

I’ve been reading through the Bible’s New Testament and have finally gotten to the book of Revelation.  I read chapter 9 yesterday and stopped to think about what I’d just read…

I just kept thinking, “Why did You put Your seal on me, Lord?  You could have so easily just skipped over me and not picked me to live closely to You.  It makes no sense to me that You love me like You do.  I can’t understand such wonderful grace – It’s far beyond human comprehension.  It would have been so easy for me to have been one of the “people” You talk about in verses 20 and 21 in chapter 9.  God, I want You to know that I’m thankful beyond words or feelings to have been saved from destruction.  I want to thank You for helping me to cling to You when I am weary, whenever I feel like I can’t go on in my walk with You.  I don’t know what else to say other than thank you, Jesus.”

I have to tell you, folks, that I’m SO thankful for my infirmities, my health and work issues.  It’s true.  For the longest time, before I began praising and thanking God for them (1 Thessalonians 5:18 as well as other verses), I was so confused and angry about my health and work situation.  But, you see, I’m realizing more and more that they were the very things God allowed in my life to keep me focused on Him and His ways, the very tools it took to plant a broken heart and a contrite spirit in me.  I know this to be true in my heart.  I’m sure that without them in my life, like David, I would have gone astray (Psalm 119:71).

I’m merely a child of His grace and mercy.  Grateful beyond anything I could ever write, say or do for You, Jesus…

God bless,

Mark

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For His (God) Name’s Sake

Covenant:  contract, agreement, undertaking, commitment, guarantee, warrant, pledge, promise, bond.

When God makes a covenant with us, He makes it based on the blood of Jesus, our Redeemer.  The covenant is sealed with Jesus’ blood.  That’s how seriously God takes covenants.

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

“For His Name’s sake” in Psalm 23 means that God means to keep His covenant with anyone who covenants with Him.  If you’ve asked Jesus into your heart to be your Savior, God’s made a covenant with you that He intends to keep.  Everything (God becomes our shepherd, I shall not want, green pastures, still waters, a restored soul, fear no evil, a table in the presence of mine enemies, dwelling in the house of the Lord, forever, etc.) in Psalm 23 is what He intends to give you and do for you as His child.  He will spare nothing to do it because, unlike man, God doesn’t break covenants (Numbers 23:19, above).

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

God bless,

Mark

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Our Faithful God Inhabits Our Praises

 

 

 

Boy, I got really attacked spiritually last night and my sleep ended with another overwhelming, hopeless nightmare.  As a result, I got up “feeling” pretty defeated.  I have to admit, these kinds of nights occur less frequently than they used to.

Anyway, I got up not “feeling” like I wanted to thank and praise my Lord – Jesus is showing me feelings don’t have to control me/us.  The Holy Spirit has been so faithful to help me respond (like a reflex) to such defeating feelings with praising God that I began to lift up praises in my heart to Jesus.

Wow, Ann and I came out to the living room to have our morning coffee and the Lord gave us a beautiful time in Him.  We put on a Marty Nystrom song (A Broken Spirit And A Contrite Heart) the Holy Spirit reminded me of and just listened as the Holy Spirit kept giving us so many truths that strengthened us – He was telling us about all of the work He’s done in us to build His love, compassion, hope, mercy, peace and rest in our hearts.  We had so much joy we began crying so hard we couldn’t speak at times.  It was so heavenly and fortifying.

God is SO faithful, precious people.  SO FAITH-FULL.

Jesus reminded me that where He’s taking us is to the place where we’ll always be able to sleep in the storms of life.  Only He can do such a work in us, dear ones.  We’re just learning how to lay down in the boat.  No storm can harm us when we have Jesus, the Prince of Peace, with us in our boat (our lives).

Truly, He restoreth my soul…Asleep in the storms.

God bless,

Mark

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Today!

I’m still learning more and more about the deep blessing of contentment…

11 Not that I speak in respect of want:  for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound:  every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Philippians 4:11-13

I spent so many years hoping for a brighter day, a day when my health would return and my occupational and financial dreams would come true.  This kind of thinking and trap can lead to dissatisfaction with life, anxiety, and an unhealthy longing that robs us of today.  So how do I stop the “when” cycle?

I’m hoping the following helps many who wait for something more out of life and, as a result, miss what Jesus wants us to enjoy and learn from every moment of “today.”

These are the good old days.  So many people are trying to get on with their lives, so many won’t be able to be in and enjoy today if answers to their prayers appear delayed…

As most of you know, I’ve been dealing with health issues most of my life.  I’ve often felt like if I could just get well, then I could do and be what I’m supposed to be doing and being, then I’d be happy.  Not getting beyond the health issues caused frustration, and confusion.  It could make me hard to live with.

The other day, I was thinking about all of this again and the Lord told me, again, “Mark, these are the gold old days.  Live them and love those around you.  Lay your “whens/thens” down at the foot of My cross and leave them there.  Don’t regret these days and let them frustrate you, steal your peace, joy and rest.  Stop trying to live beyond today.  You must learn to not let circumstances steal today, steal your peace, steal the moment.  Enjoy today by relying on Me to be your source of joy.  Focus on Me and I’ll show you that right now, today, is a good old day.  And always remember, I work all things together for good including today.”

Have a great today!

God bless,

Mark

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But, “With God, All Things Are Possible”

Hello Dear Christian Brothers and Sisters,

I (Jesus) am the vine, ye (anyone who’s asked Him into their heart) are the branches:  He that abideth (learns about and grows in Jesus’ character) in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit:  for without me ye can do nothing.
John 15:5

When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”  But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Matthew 19:25-26

In our own strength, it’s impossible to have a change of heart (repent), to become like Jesus, to live the abundant life with all of its benefits and blessings.  But, with God all things are possible – Repentance; becoming unselfish; healthy, loving marriage; forgiveness; a changed heart; Godly love for others; patience, understanding, compassion and mercy.

Once we ask Jesus into our hearts, we can simply ask Him to help us change and to become more like Him.  Although it can take time for change to take place in our lives, through the Holy Spirit, Jesus will help us become more like Him while we learn the joy and protection of living in the secret place of the Most High.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28

It’s wonderful that God doesn’t ask us to strive.  He asks us to seek Him and His help as we learn to be like Jesus.

God bless,

Mark

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He Shall Direct Our Paths

Trust in the Lord (Who has infinite knowledge and wisdom and Who can see the whole picture) 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

Isn’t it wonderful that we get to trust in the Lord and not have to rely on our own instincts which can be so misleading?  Thank You, Jesus.

Happy Monday, everyone.  Trust in the Lord – What a comfort.

God bless,

Mark

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Released From Oppression – Romans 8:28

Hello Dear Christians,

Like he tempted Adam and Eve in the garden, satan comes to us with his destroying thought, “hath God surely said?”

As long as I (Mark) didn’t believe and trust what God said in Romans 8:28, I couldn’t believe that God was really in control of my life working all things together for my good.  As a result, I was miserable living with fear, anger and the torment of the enemy’s overwhelming, oppressive, defeating thoughts.

“If anyone could tell you the shortest, surest way to all happiness and perfection, he must tell you to make it a rule to yourself to thank and praise God for everything that happens to you.  For it is certain that whatever seeming calamity happens to you, if you think and praise God for it, you turn it into a blessing.”
William Law, English clergyman, Eighteenth Century

“I thank God for my handicaps, for through them I have found myself, my work and my God.”
Helen Keller

“Blessed is he who submits to the will of God; he can never be unhappy.  Men may deal with him as they will…he is without care; he knows that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.”
Martin Luther

“Cry for grace from God to be able to see God’s hand in every trial, and then for grace…to submit at once to it.  Not only to submit, but to acquiesce, and to rejoice in it…I think there is generally an end to troubles when we get to that.”
Charles H. Spurgeon

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

Yes, God has surely said He’s working all things together for our good.  You can rely on it.  Trust that God is working all things together for your good and be set free from the enemy’s oppression.

God bless you all,

Mark

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God Bless You

The Lord bless you and keep you
The Lord make His face to shine on you and be gracious unto you
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace
And I put the Name of the God of the children of Israel on you and bless you in Jesus’ Name, the Name that is ABOVE every other name.
Taken from Numbers 6:22-27

God Bless,

Mark

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Psalm 34

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.

4 I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

5 They looked unto him, and were lightened:  and their faces were not ashamed.

6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.

7 The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

8 O taste and see that the Lord is good:  blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

9 O fear the Lord, ye his saints:  for there is no want to them that fear him.

10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger:  but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.

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.

4 I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

5 They looked unto him, and were lightened:  and their faces were not ashamed.

6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.

7 The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

8 O taste and see that the Lord is good:  blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

9 O fear the Lord, ye his saints:  for there is no want to them that fear him.

10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger:  but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.

11 Come, ye children, hearken unto me:  I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

12 What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?

13 Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile (craftiness, sneaky, trick, or cunning).

14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

15 The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.

16 The face of the Lord is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

17 The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.

18 The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous:  but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.

20 He keepeth all his bones:  not one of them is broken.

21 Evil shall slay the wicked:  and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.

22 The Lord redeemeth the soul of his servants:  and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.

Happy Monday, everyone.

God bless,

Mark

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Chains

I’m really thankful for Bible passages like the following…

23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them (Paul and Silas), they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:

24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.

25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God:  and the prisoners heard them.

26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken:  and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.

27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.

28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm:  for we are all here.

29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,

30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.

33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.

34 And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.
Acts 16:23-34

I don’t know what kind of chain you may find yourself in right now (marriage/family issues, self-pity, financial needs, job difficulties, health matters, fear), but, like God did for Paul and Silas, I know that chains ended up showing me how mighty God is in His ability to set captives free.  I can now see that things that seemed like chains in my life are now being used to help others see that our faithful God can build a testimony that can help others be set free.  I know it sounds funny and backwards, but ultimately, apparent chains bring us His joy.

Jesus is such a trustworthy, loving Redeemer.  It’s just amazing the things He does… ☺

Feeling beaten down and chained up like Paul and Silas?  Praise the Lord.  Maybe someone who’s also chained up will hear you and, as a result, come to Jesus.

Yep, He’s working all things together for the good of those who love Him.  He’s doing right now in each of our lives…

God bless,

Mark

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Trusting and Resting in Jesus’ Love

Jesus simply wants us to trust that He’s working all things together for our good.  He’s working all things for our good in the way He knows is best and that will bring us the most joy…

Trusting and resting in Jesus’ love – And I will dwell in the house of the Lord, my Prince of Peace, forever.  No place like home…☺

Rest In Your Love – Martin Nystrom

I will rest, I will rest in Your love, Jesus.

God bless,

Mark

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But God Is Faithful…He Always Causes Us To Triumph

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man:  but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
1 Corinthians 10:13

Most of the time when I’m in a tough situation (like a sudden fear temptation), I don’t know how God’s going to deliver me, but, in my spirit, God tells me to concentrate on Him, to let His peace dwell in my heart, that He’ll work it for my good, to realize He’ll never leave me nor forsake me.  God may remove the situation or He may give me the peace and joy to go through it.  He changes my perspective or releases me from the circumstance.

Satan will try to make us believe that we won’t triumph.  That’s what he does.  Don’t believe his lies!

Now thanks be unto God, who always causeth us to triumph in Christ and who maketh manifest through us the savor of His knowledge in every place.
2 Corinthians 2:14 KJV

But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us spreads and makes evident everywhere the sweet fragrance of the knowledge of Him.
2 Corinthians 2:14 AMP

Yep, that’s our God.  One way or another, He always causes us to triumph.  That’s what He does.  You can believe it.  ☺

God bless,

Mark

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Happy Monday!

 

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider that I have made it my own yet; but one thing I do:  forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the [heavenly] prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:13-14 AMP

Today’s a new day and the beginning of a new week in Jesus.  Isn’t it wonderful that His mercies are new every morning.  He keeps moving us forward in His love.  Forgetting what lies behind, He encourages us to keep looking forward to all He has in store for us…That makes me happy. ☺

Happy Monday, everyone!

God bless,

Mark

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Jesus, Prince of Peace

There’s such a great need for God’s peace today, to let His peace reign in our hearts…

It seems like I’ve felt like I’ve had to defend myself for most of my life.  It caused me a lot of stress and anxiety.  Several years ago, Jesus told me to stop defending myself, that He would take care of me, and that I could rest in what He was allowing in my life as He lead me further into His will.  Wow, I can’t tell you how much peace His words brought me.

My wife and I were discussing something the other morning and I could tell she was losing her peace.  When I saw that we couldn’t resolve her matter, Jesus showed me that what we really needed was His peace that passes understanding, and that we needed to let Him work things out.

When one of us recognizes that we’re losing our peace, we remind each other of it and let Jesus bring us back to His peace, His rest, His joy.

Over the years, God’s been teaching me a lot about peace.  Having chronic health issues, panic disorder and anxiety disease really emphasized my need for His peace.

Through our friend , Linda K., God showed me how to test the spirit behind any topic.  If something’s causing me to lose my peace, God reminds me to stop thinking about that matter, to take that thought captive to the obedience of Christ.  He reminds me that He’s in control, to return to His peace, to get back under the shadow of the Most High by letting go of the topic or concern, to cast my care on Him.

And he (Jesus) will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6b

Test the spirits, precious people.  If something’s got you upset, ask Jesus to help you get back to His peace.  Stay in the shadow of the Most High.  Cast all your care on Him and watch The Prince of Peace calm you down and take care of you.

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

God bless,

Mark

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Instead, Focus On God

The thing I (Mark) had a hard time learning was to stop focusing on the problem – I was raised to focus on what was happening, the problem, first.  The temptation is to focus on the problem, thing or situation that’s trying to get me to fear, to take my eyes off God, to not trust God.  I needed to learn to focus on God, first.  This is the first part of victory in the Lord.
Messianic Rabbi Jonathan Cahn (Edits mine)

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

“Oh no, not a flat tire! Oh no…”

Wait, back up.  “God has said He’ll work all things together for my good so, somehow, He’s going to work this flat tire for my good.  Thank You, Lord, for Your promises.”

God bless,

Mark

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Letting Patience Have Her Perfect Work

Any more, when I begin to get “careful” about something that comes up during my day, God reminds me of the scripture in Philippians 4:6, “Be careful for nothing, Mark.”  What a blessing the Bible is to my life.

Learning To Live In God’s Home

I was brought up in a home where I was taught to worry…about money, our reputation, what others thought about us, etc.

It’s a real mystery.  There was a time when I couldn’t trust God, when I didn’t truly know Him.  I didn’t have any “trust God” in me.  I thought I trusted God, but I didn’t really.  I didn’t know He was taking care of me.  I was really scared, pretty much full of hopelessness and unbelief.  It was a really tough existence of living in a spiritual “no man’s land” calling ourselves Christians but full of confusion and fear.

Then, my wife and I began memorizing pertinent scriptures.  If it was true, like so many people said it was, we wanted the Bible to become a reality in our lives and were told that this was one tangible way to get it into our hearts, minds and spirits to put an end to worry, unbelief, fear, and hopelessness.

One day I was aware of something new in my spirit.  I thought it was a small amount of “trust.”  It wasn’t there and then it was, and it began to grow.  How does that happen?  How does the Holy Spirit put “trust” in our hearts?  Pretty amazing miracle…

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

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

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

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

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

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

God’s drawing us close to Him, to the safe, comfortable, secure, joyful, loving dwelling place of the Most High.  He’s taking us home to live in His house, forever…beginning today.

But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, lacking nothing.
James 1:4 KJV

And let endurance (patience) have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing.
James 1:4 AMP

When I was in elementary school, we had to learn to count to 100, the parts of speech, the alphabet and multiplication tables.  We used flash cards over and over until we memorized this important knowledge that we’d use for the rest of our lives.

Ever notice how God likes to repeat spiritual lessons?  He does so to draw us closer and closer to Him.  God’s work in our lives is so thorough.  He desires to grow us up in Him, in His ways, in His understanding, trust, peace, love and joy.  He wants us to live with Him.  So, to bring this about, He takes us through the same lessons over and over again.  That’s what it takes for us to live this life free in Him.

Why does God ask us to let patience have her perfect work so that we can be perfect and entire lacking nothing?  Well, first we have to understand what takes place as we let patience have her perfect work?  The works of the flesh, in our lives, are replaced with the fruit of the Spirit (see Galatians chapter 5 in the Bible).  In other words, the fruit of the Spirit is developed in us and takes over our lives the longer we choose to walk and live with Jesus, the longer we let patience have her perfect work in us.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23

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

When we become aware of His trust being developed in us, Christianity really becomes fun.  You begin to sense that God’s really backing you up.  This is when we begin to know we can always rely on God to see us through…And He just keeps growing our knowing.  This is when we begin to enter His rest; that secure, loving dwelling place, where we can live trusting Him always…and that’s wonderful, that’s home.

Let patience have her perfect work in your life.

Memorize the Word.  No matter where He leads you, stay with Jesus.  Keep learning about Him.  Let Him teach you over and over again so you can be “thoroughly” full of “trusting Him.”  He’s bringing us home to live with Him in His house…☺

God bless,

Mark

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Happy Monday, God Is Always With Us!

he (God) will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee
Deuteronomy 31:8b

I (Jesus) will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Hebrews 13:5c

he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee
1 Chronicles 28:20c

Isn’t it wonderful?  God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit will never leave us nor forsake us.  They’re with us at home, on the road, at work, everywhere we are and go.  That makes for a Happy Monday! ☺

God bless,

Mark

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A Key To Keeping The Faith

Are you impatient?  Do you speak a lot of negative words?  Does a lot of your conversation center around worry, doubt and fear?  If so, you can rejoice because Jesus loves to take our weaknesses and transform them by His glorious light, from glory to glory. ☺

But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
James 1:4

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

“Mark, how’s this going to turn out for my good?”  Honestly, I don’t know.  BUT, I know God says it will.  You just need to see it through and let patience have her perfect work.

One of the key’s to maintaining faith is to not say anything negative – See James chapter 3.  It’s so true.  Simple, right?  Impossible?  Not according to God’s Word.  All we need to do is ask Jesus to help us put a guard over our mouth – The Holy Spirit will be faithful to help you do this.

It’s amazing how much what we say impacts our thought-life.  Keep praising and thanking God.  It makes all the difference, believe me.

Can you begin to see how much fun the Christian life can be?

God bless,

Mark

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The Greatest Thing Spouses And Parents Can Do

I had a pretty severe migraine headache about eight days ago and it’s still making me dull in the head and pretty weak.  Since the initial migraine attack, I’ve had some challenges come up.  Even though I often have a harder time maintaining my faith after a migraine, the Lord just kept reminding me to praise and trust Him.  Sure enough, even though my body and mind were both in disagreement, I kept praising and trusting God, and He just kept delivering me all week long.  I’m telling you this to build you up in your faith, and that even though you may feel weak, obeying God by praising and thanking Him in all things can bring great blessings and deliverance.  It builds self-control and helps me to not complain which is always a blessing. ☺

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
whose trust is the Lord.
8 He is like a tree planted by water,
that sends out its roots by the stream,
and does not fear when heat comes,
for its leaves remain green,
and is not anxious in the year of drought,
for it does not cease to bear fruit.”
Jeremiah 17:7-8

Many times, seemingly stressful or harmful circumstances are simply a prelude to God’s mighty deliverance.  He’s about to bring us a blessing but we can’t see it yet so we’re tempted to worry.  He asks us to have faith that He’ll see us through.

I was going to write about something else this morning, but right when I sat down to begin, I felt lead to write this instead.

The greatest thing spouses and parents can do for each other and for their kids is to believe and act on the Word, the Bible, no matter what’s going on on any given day.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized that it’s so true.  It’s what happened to me over the years.  If I believe God’s Word and let it impact my actions, my wife is much happier and has an easier time trusting God.

For instance, if I believe and act as those I believe Romans 8:28, my entire family benefits from it.  I do, too, because believing Romans 8:28 stops fear and brings hope.  It encourages us.

And, that’s just one scripture, and yet it makes such a huge, positive, peace-inducing impact on us and our families.

God wants to bless the entire family by having us believing and acting out our beliefs by trusting that He’ll back up His Word.

Believing God brought great blessing to the lives of the people in the Bible.  This is our time to live out God’s truths and to watch Him bless our believing as well.

Be a blessing to your spouse and children by believing and acting out God’s truths.

God bless,

Mark