Category: General Christian Living

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God’s Always In Control Working His Plan

Hello Precious Ones in Jesus,

I am convinced and confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will [continue to] perfect and complete it until the day of Christ Jesus [the time of His return].
Philippians 1:6 Amplified Bible (AMP)

“Question:  “Why did Jesus have to die?”

Answer:  When we ask a question like this, we must be careful that we are not calling God into question.  To wonder why God couldn’t find “another way” to do something is to imply that the way He has chosen is not the best course of action and that some other method would be better.  Usually what we perceive as a “better” method is one that seems right to us.  Before we can come to grips with anything God does, we have to first acknowledge that His ways are not our ways, His thoughts are not our thoughts—they are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8).  In addition, Deuteronomy 32:4 reminds us that “He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just.  A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.”  Therefore, the plan of salvation He has designed is perfect, just, and upright, and no one could have come up with anything better.”
Taken from Gotquestions.org

God’s plan for my life is perfect and no one, especially me, could have come up with anything better.  I’ve surrendered my life to God.  As long as I remember that, I feel safe.  I can be still and know that He is God.  And, I’m reminded to let the peace of God rule in my heart whenever I’m tempted to think that I’m on my own…

The above, gotquestions.org, material reminded me again that God is in control of my life and working all things for my good.  If He worked all things for good for His Son, Jesus, He’s got things in my life working for my good.  I just need to be still, and let His peace take over.  That really comforts me.

And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.
Romans 8:28 (AMP)

Blessed [gratefully praised and adored] be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort,  4 who 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 with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (AMP)

God bless,

Mark

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The Blessing Of Forgiving Others

We live in a world where forgiveness is practiced less and less.  So it’s no wonder we have more and more anger, wars and devastation occurring.

But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Matthew 6:15

Wow, this is such a liberating verse.  It keeps the sins of unforgiveness, bitterness, resentment, and a whole bunch of other really bad things, from digging into and polluting our hearts, minds and souls with the enemy’s suffocating traps and mind games.  It’s just so neat how God protects us by commanding us to forgive each other.  Reminds me to always forgive anyone, even those on the roads, so that my Heavenly Father will keep forgiving me.

What a kind and incredible world it would be if we simply, and instantly,  forgave one another…  =)

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
Ephesians 4:32

God bless,

Mark

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Jesus, Rest For Our Souls

Hello Precious People In Jesus’ Loving Name,

Jesus met people right where they worked and lived.  He always seemed to have something to say to attract them to His life, His way, His love and care.

Do you ever fidget?  Find yourself getting fussy, impatient, or out of sorts during the day?  We all do from time to time.  And a lot of the time, we don’t even realize we’re doing it.  For me, it usually occurs when I’ve stopped walking with Jesus, when I’ve become unyoked from Him for any period of time…

Yoke:  A wooden crosspiece that is fastened over the necks of two animals and attached to the plow or cart that they are to pull.  As long as we’re yoked with Jesus, as long as we walk close to Him, our lives become easier, lighter, and restful as we give Him our burdens and care, and take on His loving, peaceful, joyful ways.

Come to me (Jesus), all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For (because) my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30

No matter where we are right now, at home, in an office, outside working – wherever – Jesus is always available to us desiring to share His love with us.  Isn’t it the most wonderful thing that we can learn from Jesus each moment of our day…that His yoke is easy and His burden light bringing rest to our souls.

The longer I walk with Jesus, the more restful I’ve become as He teaches me how to stop striving, to become less conformed to this world’s ways, how to trust Him, how to take on His easy yoke and light burden.

Rest for our souls…  =)

God bless,

Mark

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Everything’s Ok

For I am convinced [and continue to be convinced—beyond any doubt] that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present and threatening, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the [unlimited] love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39 AMP

And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.
Romans 8:28 AMP

After all (all includes whatever is going on around us or in our lives that may be attempting to steal our peace and trust in Jesus’ care of us)…

…we serve a sovereign God who is never surprised by anything that comes our way, including world events.  He’s never caught off guard.  He knows the beginning from the end.

Yep…He Who is The Lord of Lords and King of Kings, knows…

Boy, the Lord has really been ministering to my wife and I the last several days while she’s been home sick.  I even had another bad migraine last night where I lost my memory for a little while.  But, God just keeps speaking to our hearts that “Everything’s ok.”

We love it when Jesus shares these simple and powerful words with us.

Everything’s ok, precious people.  Really…

God bless,

Mark

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The Greatest Inheritance

After knowing that their parents loved Jesus, the greatest legacy anyone can leave their children, the greatest thing children can inherit from their parents is that their parents were godly and content.  This is truly great gain.

11 Not that I (The Apostle Paul) was ever in need, for I have learned how to get along happily whether I have much or little.  12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything.  I have learned the secret of contentment in every situation, whether it be a full stomach or hunger, plenty or want;  13 for I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power.
Philippians 4:11-13 The Living Bible

God bless,

Mark

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But Godliness With Contentment Is Great Gain

Seems these days that the devil is doing all he can to keep people from the healing power of God.  He’s doing everything he can to keep us from godliness and contentment because he knows we’ll be free from his influence, his devices that steal, kill and destroy lives.

I love the types of Bible passages seen below.  They keep me further away from the devil’s lies by reminding me of where my focus needs to be.

I love the peace and rest that verse 6 brings me – “But godliness with contentment is great gain.”  Verse 6 helps me to trust my Lord.  The words remind me to trust that God’s in control of my life and situations.  Such protecting, soothing and restful words…But godliness with contentment is great gain.  =)

3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;

4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings (To express objections or criticisms in bitter, harsh, or abusive language.), evil surmisings (An idea or opinion based on insufficiently conclusive evidence; a conjecture.),

5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

10 For the love of money is the root of all evil:  which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

1 Timothy 6:3-11

God bless,

Mark

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Life-Altering Interruptions

 

 

 

Oh Love that will not let me go…

Hi Folks,

Just wanted to reiterate that God uses the interruptions in our lives and schedules to slow us down and to focus our attention more on Him and His ways that lead to true life – Lives that have more compassion, peace, love, forgiveness, joy and rest in them.

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.
Proverbs 19:21

So, if you find your routine being interrupted and find yourselves trying to understand why, don’t become frustrated.  Know that God is merely taking some of your time to let you know how much He thinks about you and loves you.  He only wants what’s best for us.  That’s how He is…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!  How vast is the sum of them!  If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand.  When I awake, I am still with You.
Psalm 139:18-19


 

 

 

God bless,

Mark

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A Sound Mind Is Invaluable Today

The following was so good regarding a “sound mind” that I wanted to share it with you.  The reason we’re going to see so many fall at our side and right hand (see Psalm 91), in these last days, is because they will not have a Biblically sound mind.  As a result, they simply will not be able to cope with end times conditions.  (Luke 21:26)

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Contrasting Fear with a Sound Mind and a Powerful Love

Beth Moore
LIFE Today With James and Betty Robison (Edits Mine)

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power
and of love and of a sound mind.”
2 Timothy 1:7

A crisis came into my life when I was in my early 30’s.  Even though I hungered for God, I had an extremely self-destructive and unhealthy heart and mind.  I cycled from one pit of defeat to the next, until I began to wake up to a desire to walk with God.  I was convinced that walking with God as a good Christian meant simply picking myself up and going on with my life, so I held my self-destructive side down, with no thought of opening my heart and letting God heal me.

Then came a time when I had a very problematic situation at home and couldn’t keep my self-destructive side down.  Everyone needed me to help them with their issues and I didn’t have the extra energy to keep my own stuff contained.  One day I looked at myself in the mirror and thought, “If you do not let God heal you, you are going to self-destruct.  You know better than this, but you are going to self-destruct.”

I had been in ministry for years as a Bible study writer and a teacher, but I was afraid of telling anyone about the abuse of my past.  Fear tormented me and I became convinced that if I let myself think it through, I would go crazy.  The truth is that I was about to be healed and set free, but the enemy didn’t want me to think that way.  The enemy wanted me to think that if I ever opened the door to my past, I wouldn’t be able to handle it.  That was a lie!

In 2 Corinthians 11:2-3, Paul talks about the deceptive power of the enemy.  Satan is the father of lies and will do whatever he can to keep us from walking in the powerful life of Christ.  One of the weapons he uses against us is fear.  When we are driven by a spirit of fear, we act out the antithesis of power, love and a sound mind.

Fear causes us to trade power for an overwhelming, pervasive feeling of powerlessness.  When we start thinking that we’re at the mercy of our past and our circumstances, we discount the power that is ours through the Holy Spirit.  Fear can talk us into trading love for lust because fear makes us decide that we are not going to risk our hearts again.  Love, which enables us to hear, believe, hope and endure all things, is the incentive to all obedience.  Where fear keeps us from loving, love is the driving force behind everything else in life.

I have dealt with fear all of my life.  It was my major stronghold as a child.  The enemy tried to use that fear to convince me that I would never be anything different; I would never be clean or pure.  The enemy tried to convince me that God could never change me.  But scripture says differently.

The Word says that Jesus came to call the sick.  He came for those that desperately need him.  He came to set the captives free.  I began to really see that this is what the Bible says and I began to believe it.  Scripture says we have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:16)

For those of us who have received Christ Jesus as our personal savior, His spirit comes and takes up residency and, literally, the soundness of His mind overtakes us.  As I continue to see what the Bible says about me, repeating His words over and over again, God’s Word gets down into the deepest recesses of my mind.  Old thoughts are replaced with the new thoughts of Christ, and we learn to believe it and act on it.  We learn to rely on God’s love and acceptance and His transforming power.

Part of claiming my right to the power, love and sound mind in Christ was seeking professional help.  I had to ignore the spirit of fear that would have kept me isolated when I needed the community of a professional healer who could walk with me into the areas of my past that the Lord wanted to heal.

The enemy knows that on the other side of dealing with the past in the healing power of Christ Jesus, your deliverer will set you into a place of effectiveness, ministry and anointing.  The enemy has everything to lose if you get healed.  He will do whatever it takes to prevent you from claiming your right to power, love and a sound mind in Christ.

Life can be like a rollercoaster.  You wake up every morning and you don’t know what will happen that day, but God does.  He is your constant source of stability.  His Word is your solid foundation.  One of the first places you can begin is the declaration of this truth:  “My God has not given me a spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind!  I have the right to think with the mind of Christ!”

This Week
Recognize and reclaim your right, in Christ, to the powerful love and sound mind God has given you.

Prayer
“Lord, I thank you in Jesus’ miraculous, powerful and delivering name that you do not give me a spirit of fear.  You have, by way of the Holy Spirit, given me the power to endure anything.  Enable me to have and show Your greatness, love and sound mind.  Amen.”

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God bless,

Mark

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Satan Is Stronger Than God?

Silverwind, 1980s:  “My prayer for you is that you will stay with the Lord long enough for Him to remove all your fears.”

Several decades ago, Annie and I visited with my grandma in California.  At the time, we were living in Oregon and experiencing defeat after apparent defeat.  I remember us telling my Christian grandma that the devil is stronger than God because we were living without any hope and struggling so hard to want to keep our marriage and family together, and wondering if we really would continue to follow Jesus.  It appeared as though we weren’t having any spiritual victories and nothing we did, even bargaining with God, altered our condition.

The other day, I heard a popular preacher say that many in the body of Christ are expressing the same thing.  They’re voicing that satan is stronger than God and that they’re losing all hope.

When we believed satan was stronger than God, it was all lies. It was what the devil wanted us to think.  And, he’s the father of lies.  There’s NO truth in him.   (John 8:44)

Saints, I can honestly tell you that God is in control.  That’s why, even though I thought we were not going to make it through to victory, God told me I didn’t have to worry one minute in Oregon.  Later, He told me I could have had His joy the whole time.  His joy is not dependent on circumstances just as the Apostle Paul learned.  This is how Paul discovered that God can give us supernatural contentment whether we have much or nothing.

I want to encourage you by telling you that you can have joy even when nothing “seems” to be going your way.  I’m speaking about God’s joy and yielding to it no matter the circumstance.  To be praising God and celebrating His faithfulness in the midst of adversity is a high calling and supernatural weapon when used against the enemy of our souls.

No, you’re not going under, or down.  Just the opposite.  You’re journeying to the High Places.  God’s wooing you to Himself.  He’s calling us close to Him and making us depend on Him for good reasons.  He loves us and wants to protect us from any and all evil.

Keep seeking Him.  Keep praising Him.  Keep reading His Word and saying it out loud.  He’s bringing His faithful ones to live with Him on Mount Zion, to dwell in the shadow of the Most High.  In His dwelling place, there is supernatural contentment calm, peace, rest, and joy that is not found in any other place.

Joshua 1:9  “Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Matthew 28:20  “Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Revelation 21:3  “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man.  He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.”

Psalm 23:4  “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

Zephaniah 3:17  “The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.”

Joshua 1:5 “No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life.  Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you.  I will not leave you or forsake you.”

Jeremiah 29:11  “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

What have Annie and I discovered?  That in the wilderness, God was teaching us His ways.  That just like the children of Israel when they left Egypt, God was wooing us in our wilderness.  We weren’t going down like satan wanted us to believe.  Instead, God was betrothing us, calling us to His side to be His bride, forever. ☺

Psalm 27:4  “One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.”

He’s removing all our fears…

God bless,

Mark

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RAK CHAZAK AMATS!

Basically, it means a spiritual audacity, running headlong into battle without consideration of the consequences, without fear of death.

Moses knew he would not cross the Jordan.  He commissioned Joshua to lead the people across the Jordan to face and do battle with 31 empires per the Lord’s instructions.  In the sight of all Israel, Moses told Joshua,

“Be strong and of good courage.  Fear not, nor be afraid of them!  For the Lord thy God, He it is that does go with thee.  He will not fail thee nor forsake thee.  “Rak Chazak Amats!””

I don’t remember if I’ve ever written about the many nightmares I had years ago of satan choking and strangling me.  I’ve had to battle, spiritually, most of my life since the age of 11.

Last night, I had some more, similar nightmares.  And, I’ve heard that many people, not just Christians, are being bombarded with thoughts of suicide.  Suicide is on the rise.  People’s hearts are failing them like the Bible said would happen.

There’s no question that we’re in the end times.  So many Jews are coming to Jesus (Matthew 23:39).  The fact that Israel is “back in the land” is the single, biggest piece of evidence that we’re nearing the end of the “time of the Gentiles” and the great tribulation the Bible speaks about.  Satan is attacking mankind with such ferocity.

After getting spiritually attacked again last night, I woke up about 30 minutes before our alarm.  The Holy Spirit prompted me to grab my sword, my Bible, and to begin reading Psalm 91 out loud over and over until the attacks subsided.  At first, I hesitated thinking I was tired and that I don’t want any more attacks.  I mean, why battle the devil when he’s just going to call for more attacks against me, right?  Then, it came over me –

RAK CHAZAK AMATS!

Thankfully, God was calling me to battle no matter the cost and I finally realized He was right.  I got out of bed, and began saying Psalm 91 out loud.  It worked!

This morning, like many others, the peace of God reigned in my heart once I started swinging the Word of God around.  My thinking cleared up and I felt invincible because of The Word and the power it wields in the universe against spiritual wickedness in high places.

No Name is higher than Jesus.  That’s why ALL other names must submit to Him Who is the Word, to His authority.

Saints, if you’re under spiritual attack, don’t just sit there taking fiery darts.  Don’t hold back.   Attack with the Sword, The Word of God. Kill the enemy.  Send them flying in all directions, seriously.

This is no time to mess around with the lies of the enemy.

We’re at a time when Christian programs and complacency will no longer deliver us.  We must learn how to use the Word no matter the cost.  If it costs us friends or family, so be it.

RAK CHAZAK AMATS!

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Ephesians 6:12

God bless,

Mark

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Gaining The Whole Picture – From Atheism To Christianity

Hello Everyone,

This is a really neat testimony about an atheist lady who realized there had to be more to life than just godless science.

She discovered she had limitations as an atheist and how wide open Christianity made her life.  She saw that Christians are were not only intellectual, but that they had a love atheists didn’t know.  Now, she’s so much more intellectually alive as well.

5 1/2 Minutes – It’s a blessing to hear what she has to say…  ☺

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rA3n2zZlLdw

God bless,

Mark

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The Blessed Protection of “In Everything Give Thanks”

Boy, oh boy, I’m so thankful for God’s will…It’s His desire, His will, to keep me free from spending any time in satan’s downward-spiraling traps.

Just about the time – like this morning – I feel like I’m taking on “care, anxious thoughts, self-pity or discouragement” about something, God’s Word comes to mind to rescue me and lift me up by reminding me of this precious verse.  Stops the enemy’s lies from doing further damage to me.  I’m reminded that I live by faith, not by feelings, and that God’s in control.  He’s working all things for my good.  Puts me back on track and moving forward in Jesus.  Helps me remember, once again, of all He has in store for me.

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

Thank you, God, for sending us Your all-powerful Word.

God bless,

Mark

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Heavenly Friday =)

For in Him our heart rejoices,
Because we trust [lean on, rely on, and are confident] in His holy name.
Psalm 33:21

I’ve Been Through Enough
By Dawn Rogers; Sung By John Starnes

“When I first began to walk with the Lord,
I did not fully trust Him,
How He longed for me to understand that I could
So through the valley He led me, afraid as I could be,
Until I felt His loving arms embracing me

How could I ever doubt my God whose hands hold the universe,
Why would I ever question His ability,
There’s no place that I can go where He doesn’t know,
The things that trouble me
He’s always aware of where I am and what I need

I’ve been through enough to know He’ll be enough for me
He’s come through too many times
That puts my mind at ease, for good
And I’ll stake my very life He’s gonna take care of me,
‘Cause I’ve been through enough to know that He’ll be enough for me”

Oh, I believe Him now, after all these years,
He’s been so faithful; He’s proven to be true,
Oh, Nevermore will I doubt or question why
‘Cause I’ve seen Him work before, and I know what God can do

I’ve been through enough to know He’ll be enough for me
He’s come through too many times
And that puts my mind at ease, for good
And I’ll stake my very life He’s gonna take care of me,
‘Cause I’ve been through enough to know that He’ll be enough for me”

Yes, Jesus is enough, dear ones.  He’s all we need…

Take time to think about Jesus and Heaven this weekend. ☺

God bless,

Mark

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I Love This Soothing Scripture Passage

Hello Precious People In Jesus,

I was reading some verses this morning and came across this passage, again.  It always makes me pause.  I love how its words can soothe and calm me down as they remind me, once again, of the tremendous advantages of being more like Jesus. ☺

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:  And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
Ephesians 4:31-32 King James Version (KJV)

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor [perpetual animosity, resentment, strife, fault-finding] and slander be put away from you, along with every kind of malice [all spitefulness, verbal abuse, malevolence].  Be kind and helpful to one another, tender-hearted [compassionate, understanding], forgiving one another [readily and freely], just as God in Christ also forgave [a]you.
Ephesians 4:31-32 Amplified Version (AMP)

God bless,

Mark

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Making Heaven’s Servant Leaders

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

I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD (for it is they who trust in the name of the LORD).
Zephaniah 3:12

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
1 Peter 5:6-7

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear:  because fear hath torment.  He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
1 John 4:18

If any of you are going through trying times – maybe even for decades – I can tell you right now this is the type of rigorous, repetitive, seeming monotonous training God uses for making His servants, His leaders – those who will never flinch when called into battle – even in the face of death.

These are the ones the devil fears most.  These are the ones now filled with the perfect love that casts out satan’s fear.  With the help of the Lord of Lords and King of Kings, they’ve made the journey from fear to love’s faith and are now equipped with the secret to set other fearful ones free.

In Heavenly places, you’ve been counted worthy of affliction.  But remember that in God’s hands, affliction produces humble yet precise servant-commanders of the hosts of God.

Your training is not in vain.  In fact, it’s quite the opposite.  This holy training is being used to so tune your soul’s ear to the Master’s voice that the interrupting, enticing, sounds of the world are no longer considered (James 4:7).

Your preparation will be used to point out and to deliver many from the lies and snares of the enemy.  Your life’s training will be used to set many free in Jesus’ Name.  I promise you…and them.

Now, you’ve been entrusted with “the way to escape.”

Into battles, you will carry the Heavenly love banner, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all!”

Enduring, patiently, the training while all the time being more and more filled with the precious, inestimable fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance – learn all you can now.

Then, at that time when nothing else matters in life any more, you’ll be able to truly wait on and rest in the Lord.  His call, His reward for your allegiance, will come.  It will not tarry because there is great need for the perfect love that casts out fear, perfectly- loved one.

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake:  for when I am weak, then am I strong.
2 Corinthians 12:10

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:13

and they loved not their lives unto the death.
Revelation 12:11b

For the souls of the Kingdom…

God bless,

Mark

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It’s So Nice To Be Nice

A side benefit of being nice to others is that it can have an impact on my own heart and spirit.  It can bring me out of the doldrums as well as help lift others higher in their own daily routine.  How great is that?

Just a quick reminder to be nice.  It’s so nice to be nice to your mate, your children and people you meet.  It can really create a “nice” atmosphere.  It can really lift someone’s spirit to smile at them and say “Hello.”  If you know someone’s name, say “Hello” along with their name.  It really makes an impression on them, makes them feel acknowledged and that they have worth and value as a fellow human being.  It can give them strength and hope, and put a spring in their step.  I know I like it when others treat me this way, when they acknowledge me.  It also calms me down and can make my own day better to help someone else feel special.  And somehow, making someone feel worthwhile brings me closer to God’s love in my own heart.  It’s a real win-win encounter.

Spreading around springs of living water can just make everybody’s day lighter and more enjoyable (John 7:38).

Another thing we can do is to ask God how we might better love others.  I’ve found that God’s always ready to show me how I can improve on loving others.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.
Ephesians 5:25

“Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”
1 John 4:11

Do to others as you would have them do to you.
Luke 6:31

The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.
Mark 12:31

God bless,

Mark

 

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In His Love For Us, God Wants To Make Us Immovable

God desires that we be immovable.  Isn’t that incredible love?

When the storms come in life, He wants us to know that we can trust Him see us through – Every time.

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.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Philippians 4:6-8

The Lord bless you and keep you,
The Lord make His face to shine upon 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 upon you and bless you in Jesus’ Name, the Name that is above every other name.
Taken From Numbers Chapter 6 (Edits Mine)

God bless,

Mark