Category: General Christian Living

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Cave Church In Cairo, Egypt

Happy Easter In The Name Of Jesus,

After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from all nations and provinces and languages, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white, with palm branches in their hands.  And they were shouting with a mighty shout, “Salvation comes from our God upon the throne, and from the Lamb.”
Revelation 7:9-10 The Living Bible (TLB)

Wow, how cool is this?  Here are some of our precious brothers and sisters in Jesus.  We’ll get to be with them in Heaven.  20,000 per service at this church.  God is incredible. =)

Also, I looked this church up online and the story behind it is amazing.  God is so good.  The link to that story is near the bottom of this email – “From Garbage To Glory.”

70 thousand Egyptian Christians sing Emmanuel – God is with us

From Garbage To Glory – Cave Church In Cairo
http://www.christianitytoday.com/behemoth/2016/issue-46-april-14-2016/from-garbage-to-glory.html

He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
Matthew 28:6

Have a wonderful weekend and remember to think about how great Heaven’s going to be.

God bless,

Mark

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Mary and Martha

Wow, it’s so easy to get busy with, and concerned about, so many things.  Most of the time, we’re not even aware of the fact that we’re becoming a “Martha.”

One of my sons-in-law was telling me how the Lord blessed him with this scripture the other day.  This passage is always a blessing.  Whenever we’re tempted to be like Martha, it helps us keep our priorities straight and walking in Jesus’ peace, love and joy.  Reminds me that I need Jesus more than anything.

“As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem they came to a village where a woman named Martha welcomed them into her home.  Her sister Mary sat on the floor, listening to Jesus as he talked.

But Martha was the jittery type and was worrying over the big dinner she was preparing.

She came to Jesus and said, “Sir, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work?  Tell her to come and help me.”

But the Lord said to her, “Martha, dear friend, you are so upset over all these details!  There is really only one thing worth being concerned about.  Mary has discovered it—and I won’t take it away from her!””
Luke 10:38-42 (The Living Bible)

Thank you, Jesus, for continuing to remind us to keep our hearts focused on You.

Jesus, our Savior, and Prince of Peace…


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

God bless,

Mark

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Letting Go Of The Donkey

Open the eyes of my heart, Lord, I want to see Jesus…And, I want others to see Jesus in me so they’ll want to open their hearts, so they’ll want to see You, too.

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her.  Untie them and bring them to me.  If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”

This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:

“Say to Daughter Zion,
‘See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”
The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them.  They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on.  A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.  The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

“Hosanna to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
Matthew 21:1-9

Hi Everyone,

The following story really spoke to my heart.  Over and over again, I’ve been giving Jesus my desire to be able to provide for my family.  It’s probably been my donkey, that thing I want to hold onto because I’ve been afraid to give up that dream.  I gave it up again yesterday.  While it can be hard to give Jesus our dreams and cares, He knows it’s always best for us and that it will lighten our load.  It keeps our relationship with Jesus open and flowing.  And, God uses it to bring His delivering love to others.

And, while we may not be able to see ahead or to understand why we need to give up our donkeys, Jesus always knows the plans He has for us – To give us a future and a hope.

“Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord” – Sometimes, we need to let go of our donkey for others to hear these blessed words, for them to have the opportunity to come to the Jesus they see in us…

Thank You, Jesus, for setting us totally free from our donkeys.

I hope this story blesses you…=)

*******
Messianic Rabbi Jonathan Cahn – Letting Go Of The Donkey

Imagine you’re sitting in your house and you hear your car start. Looking outside, you see a bunch of men.  They shout to you, “The Lord needs your car!”

A similar thing happened two thousand years ago, but with a donkey, not a car.

What if you were the owner of the donkey?  It’s not just a possession; it’s you very livelihood. What would you do?

The owner of the donkey just let it go because it was for the Lord.

You have a donkey in your life, something you don’t want to let go of, give up or change – but a still small voice in your heart is saying, “Let it go, the Lord needs to take it away, and you need to let it go.”

What is your donkey?  It’s that thing in your life you have to let go of and give to the Lord.

God blessed the donkey’s owner and that donkey was the one the Messiah rode into Jerusalem.

Let go, and your life will be blessed in ways you can’t imagine.

It all begins when you let the “donkey” go.

Today’s Mission:  Identify your donkey, that thing in your life you need to let go of, and give it joyfully to the service of the Lord.

Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.
Luke 6:30

*******

God bless,

Mark

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Gadol Adonai Umehulal Me’od

Interesting bit of news on Debka.com this morning.  The Egyptians are building up an arsenal at their air base located in Rephidim.  They’re doing so in an effort to wage “all out war” with ISIS.  About 3200 years ago, Moses struck the rock in Rephidim so that it would bring forth water.

Gadol Adonai Umehulal Me’od – Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised!

Boy, I can feel so MUCH of God’s deep love for mankind right now.  Oh dear Jesus, please bring all of those who don’t know you to Your great, matchless, loving, and delivering salvation.

Truly, I (Jesus) say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.  “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it!  How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!  See, your house is left to you desolate.  For I (Jesus) tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”
Matthew 23:36-39

Ann and I came across a really great video the other evening – You may already have seen this.  The more we watched and listened to it, the more it dawned on us that these Hebrew (Jewish) Christians were singing something significant.  In essence, they’re saying, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”  And, more and more Jews are coming to faith in Jesus.  Combine this situation with world events and it appears that Jesus’s return is getting closer by the minute.

Let this music fill you as you realize that what Jesus said in Matthew 23:39 is happening. More and more Jews are seeing Jesus in their souls (are realizing and saying that Jesus is their Messiah) and it may be that they’ll soon see Him with their eyes. Praise God!

Hebrew Christian Worship Songs /2015 Great Is The Lord, Gadol Adonai Umehulal Me’Od

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NO6wZO2oe7c

Yep, I put this song on right-click> Loop.  Wow, does it build your faith.

Jesus’s prophecy is being fulfilled right in front of our eyes.  Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised!

God bless,

Mark

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God’s (Abba’s) Unceasing Love Call

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Who (or what) shall separate us from the love of Christ?  shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?…For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans 8:35; 38-39 King James Version (KJV) Edits Mine

Nothing can separate us from God’s love.  Not world conditions; a new job; a promotion; moving to another home, city or state; car trouble; family or financial matters; the economy; health issues; you name it…

Like a beacon, God’s great love keeps calling out to us every minute of the day and night wherever we are saying, “I’ve overcome the world; I know the plans I have for you; I love you so much that I sent My own Son to bring you back home to Me, to My love, where you belong; you can trust Me when I tell you that you can have joy and glory in trials and tribulations; it’s okay, you can trust in Me with all your heart; I’m still supplying all your needs; you don’t ever have to be afraid of sudden fear, never; I’m still working all things (even this one) together for your good; let My perfect love for you cast out fear; I’ll deliver you from all your fears; you don’t have to be anxious about anything, ever; keep casting all your care on Me because I’m caring for you, My precious one; you can let My peace rule in your heart right now; only be strong and courageous because I’m with you, and I’ll never leave you nor forsake you; let My Word, My love letter to you, be a lamp to your feet and a light to your path as it reminds you of My love for you; please know that My mercies for you are new every morning, especially today; I’m your shepherd, your Abba, and you will dwell with Me in My house all the days of your life.”

There, did you hear it?  God’s love is calling out to you…

God bless,

Mark

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Reminding Us All To Keep “Looking Up!”

Hello Saints in Jesus’ Name, Our Prince Of Peace,  The Name That Is Above Every Other Name –

First, I want to keep reminding you to bless each other.  The Bible says God is involved in our blessings when we bless each other and put His mighty name on each other.  Things happen in the spiritual realm as we bless each other.

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 on you and bless you in Jesus’ Name, the Name that is above every other name.  Amen.

I want to encourage you like the Lord asks us to do in 1 Thessalonians chapter 5 regarding the end times events we’re seeing all around us today.

Wow, I’m telling you, this is no time to get down about the world’s conditions – what God said would happen is happening.  Don’t let yourself be consumed by what’s going on in the natural realm, but focus your attention on God’s supernatural realm – keep casting all your cares on Him for He careth for you.

 

 

 

 

 

Keep looking up to Heaven.  Keep letting go of this earth.  Let the things of earth grow strangely dim in the light of God’s glory and grace.  Our redemption is drawing near.  Do you believe that?  You should.  Your emotional well-being depends on it, on believing God’s Word, and by looking up.

Finally, rather than letting others drag your attention and emotions back to the things of earth, help lift their eyes (their attention and emotions) to Heaven by telling them to look up just like Jesus commands us to do in Luke chapter 21.   This is how we keep letting the peace of God rule in our hearts…

God’s on His throne, folks, and His plans for the universe are being carried out.  Praise God!

Let’s live like we’re already in Heaven.  Doing so will lift us up, and others as well.

We’re about to have all tears wiped away, forever.  Oh, thanks be to God!  Hallelujah to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

Kadosh kadosh kadosh
Kadosh kadosh kadosh
Adonai Elohim tz’va’ot
Adonai Elohim tz’va’ot

Holy holy holy
Holy holy holy
O Lord our God Lord of hosts
O Lord our God Lord of hosts

Asher hayah
V’hoveh v’yavo
Asher hayah
V’hoveh v’yavo

Who was and Who is
And Who is to come
Who was and Who is
And Who is to come

Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus!

God bless,

Mark

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Blessing Leads To Spiritual Freedom And God’s Rest

I believe that blessing gives God the opportunity to work in lives, to draw us and others to Him, to His wonderful, cleansing and healing salvation.  It’s one of the major bricks God uses to build His wall of protection around our lives.

It’s our desire to give you as much information as we can to help you enter God’s rest.  Spending more time thanking and praising God in all things, knowing that God’s working all things for your good, blessing your past, present and future, blessing those who curse you, and loving your enemy – becoming “doers” of all these spiritual truths help to bless our souls and turn us into mighty believers as Christians.  The Bible tells us that those who believe enter God’s rest trusting Him always in all circumstances.

But I (Jesus) say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Matthew 5:44

Bless to rest…

Like you, I know that to our flesh it’s counterintuitive to bless those who curse us, to bless our enemies.  I know that God’s ways are not our ways, but I also know that His ways (not doing things my ways that tend to keep me bound up) lead to true life, love, freedom, peace, happiness and joy in our souls.  All I simply have to do is to be willing to “do” His ways.

Merlin Carothers:  “When I was in war in Germany, it was kill or be killed.  Most Christians don’t even know they’re in a war with the devil.  Most Christians don’t know that their enemy, the devil, is out to kill them.  That’s why it’s so important to inform them of what’s really going on in their life once they accept Christ.  We need to teach them how to do battle, how to defeat the enemy.”

Annie and I are all about being set free from anything that holds us back spiritually.  We want all of the liberty Jesus died for.

If the Son (Jesus) therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
John 8:36

So, here’s some more about the power and liberty of blessing – blessing your past, blessing your children, blessing your spouse, your family and parents (even if they’re no longer living), love your enemy by blessing anyone you perceive as an enemy (Matthew 5:44).  This will change and release your heart and soul.

It’s been amazing in my life how much the enemy uses my past as a source of oppression, of regret, of tension and frustration.  Many of you may feel the same.  I hope Messianic Rabbi Jonathan Cahn’s message excerpt helps you.  It made me stop and bless my parents and past and I’m continuing to do so to be free from the enemy’s attacks and torment in these areas.

You might find it difficult to do at first, but it’s worth it to break down any spiritual walls that may be harming you on the inside.  Go ahead, bless your past, bless your current life and bless God for the future He has for you.

For we wrestle (fight) 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

Annie and I bless each other every morning.  We bless our kids, as well.  We even blessed our Jewish doctor the other day at Ann’s appointment.

Blessing will break down spiritual walls.  It will bring to the surface any hurts or strongholds that have been holding us captive and weighing on our souls.

There’s plenty of cursing going on all around us.  Let’s reverse the curse by blessing.  It will help us all.

There’s a spiritual war going on for and in our souls and minds.  Blessing can help us become overcomers in the spiritual realm, and that leads to liberty in every area of our lives.

There’s no place like home, and for Christians, home is God’s still, peaceful rest.

God bless you all,

Mark

 

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The Blessed Place Identified In Proverbs 3:5-6

 

 

 

 

 

Honestly, due to what I thought were overwhelming and never-ending circumstances, there was a time in my life when I didn’t feel like I could trust the Lord with any part of my heart.

What’s your affliction, your thorn, today?  Is it insecurity or inferiority?  Is it a spiritual, health, job, family or financial issue?  Are you concerned about current world conditions?

My own understanding of things can make me restless, tired and worn out.  And, with migraines, it can be hard to trust my own understanding.  I’m actually getting to the point where it seems pretty futile to “lean on my own understanding,” at all.  Hmmm…

For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.  Most gladly (sounds like Paul’s getting what the Lord wants him to rest in, Him, no matter what condition or situation Paul’s in) therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  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 12:8-10

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

Paul prayed asking for the Lord to remove his infirmity.  Like many of us, he hadn’t yet understood what manner of man Jesus was, how powerful Jesus was, that He could control any storm.

Like me, I believe the Apostle Paul didn’t like his infirmity and probably thought he could serve the Lord better without it, especially when healing was such a large part of Jesus’ earthly ministry.  And just like many of us living with physical afflictions, Paul couldn’t have perceived the value of his thorn in the flesh until it helped him come to the place where he could realize that he was finally able to trust in the Lord with all his heart.  Until, like Jacob wrestling with the angel of the Lord all night, we get to that place of trusting in the Lord with all our heart, our infirmity will seem unfair and unpleasant – like a thorn.  But when “circumstances” keep coming (and they do), those who continue to seek the Lord inevitably arrive at the place of complete surrender, true peace and rest, trusting in the Lord no matter what with all their heart.

We want Christ to hurry and calm the storm. He wants us to find Him in the midst of it first.

Pretty sure I had another migraine attack in bed last night.  I’m feeling pretty dull mentally and my head has lots of pressure this morning.  Why am I telling you this?  Well, it’s definitely not so you’ll feel sorry for me.  No way.  =)

I was feeling low this morning.  Then, the Lord asked me to praise Him.  I began to praise Him in my heart and then had another, discouraging thought.  These opposing thoughts went back and forth for about two minutes when the Holy Spirit began to share something really wonderful with me.

He said, “Mark, can you see the two thoughts that are competing for your attention right now?  One thought makes you fearful and anxious, but when you thank and praise Me regardless of how you “feel” right now due to the migraines, the fear and anxiety subside, right?  You feel My calm soothe you.  You sense that you can trust Me even in your weakened condition, right?”  I agreed with what He was saying.  I could really experience what the Holy Spirit was pointing out to me.  He went on, “When you thank and praise Me, you have the spiritual strength to trust Me, even now.  You can trust that I’m in control of your life.  I want you to know that I’m taking you to the place in your spirit where you’ll be able to trust in Me with all your heart.  That means that the battle to trust Me will have been won.  Your thoughts will no longer seesaw between fearful, discouraging thoughts when you feel weak and the trust you have in your heart when you thank and praise Me in all things.  Do you understand how beautiful this is?  Not many people can trust in Me with all their heart.  But because you’re seeking Me, I’m taking you to that strong place.  Do you see what I mean?  I, alone, can take you to the place where no circumstance will be able to keep you from trusting Me with all your heart.  If that wasn’t true, I would not have placed that scripture (Proverbs 3:5-6) in My Word.  But it is true, and I’ll prove it to you.”

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

Wow, precious people.  I’m telling you right now, I can’t think of anything more wonderful, more freeing, more peaceful, more rest-inducing than being able to trust in the Lord with all your heart, to really know with all your heart that God’s always with you, always in control of your life.  This is worth more than all the world’s wealth because it’s not at all dependent on circumstances, and losing your wealth does rely on the condition of “What if I lose it?”

Boy, it’s going to be really wonderful to trust in the Lord with all my heart.  There will no longer be any room for even a molecule of doubt.  =)

That makes me happy.

Who (or what) shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?
Romans 8:35

None of these conditions/circumstances/situations can separate us from the love of God.  That’s the incredible point our loving Savior wants us to understand.  His perfect love casts out the fear associated with circumstances.  Let Him take you to that marvelous, spiritual reality.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart…Ahhhh.

God bless,

Mark

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Look Up!

Image result for looking up to God images

There are so many opportunities to look up.  (Psalm 34:19)

that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:16-19

Here’s a neat thought.  All of you know how Jesus says to look up when you see these things coming on the earth in Matthew chapter 24 , right?  Well, you can always look up when you’re facing some sort of test, trial, or whatever.  Feeling down, discouraged, in pain, fearful…whatever?  Look up.  Put on some Christian music, thank and praise God, read Psalm 91 out loud, take those despairing thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ by doing anything like the above that lifts your spirit in the Lord.  =)

Boy, God is SO GOOD!  I had a really bad migraine headache yesterday.  The blessing is that I hadn’t had one in about 5 months.  The other blessing is that I woke up this morning feeling really bad.  Feeling bad always makes me seek Jesus and His delivering love.  As a result of feeling bad, I put on my favorite Christian song and the Holy Spirit began talking to me.  His words started to encourage my spirit.  I just love it when He’s faithful like that.  We serve such a loving God.

Feeling run over?  Well, do whatever it takes to encourage yourself in the Lord, to look up.  That’s what David, in the Bible, did.

The battle is the Lord’s, precious people.  He just asks us to stand and watch the salvation of the Lord.

Thank you, Jesus.

God bless you all as we begin another week with faithful Jesus in our hearts and at our sides,

The Lord bless you, and keep you:

The Lord make His face 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 I bless you in Jesus’ Name, the Name that is above every other name.
Numbers 6:24-27 (Edits Mine)

Nothing like the dwelling place of the MOST HIGH.  =)

Mark

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Strong Deception, And Why My Wife And I Choose Jesus Every Day

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“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.  Ye shall know them by their fruits.  Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?  Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.  A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.  Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.”
Matthew 7:13-14

A supernatural, satanic scheme to conform is coming on the world. The forces of darkness are not holding back.  Many people are going to hell where they’ll be permanently captive to the devil.

“The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.”
Proverbs 29:25

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom:  and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.”
Proverbs 9:10

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
Hebrews 4:12

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
James 4:8

“A loving God could never send anyone to hell forever, right Mark?”  I hear this from time to time and realize that anyone who’d make such a comment has never considered the fact that God, even in His love for us, is just.  That was the whole point for why God sent Christ as the only bridge, the only One (or Way) Who can restore our relationship with God (Matthew chapter 27).

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”
John 3:16-17

Every so often I come across something that makes me think, “Am I being as honest, truthful, and bold enough with others as I need to be about Heaven and hell?  Am I showing them enough of the contrast between the two for them to stop and consider what they’re doing with their lives?  Have I done everything I can to get them to take their lives seriously enough to prevent them from ending up with the devil in hell, forever?”

“Earth is as close to Heaven as unbelievers will ever get, and it’s as close to hell as Christians will ever be.”

There’s a very strong deception coming on the world.  The Bible tells us it would happen in the end times.

For example, I’ve heard there’s a strong push to make it a hate crime to call boys “boys” and to call girls “girls.”  What?

Yes, this is how weird it’s getting in our world, folks.  Satan has already taken on God’s definition of marriage between a man and a woman.  Now, the devil’s attempting to erase gender.  It’s a scheme to further destroy trust in the Bible and God’s creation by getting us to question, even more severely, the very existence of a Creator.  If satan can get us to swallow such lies, he’s got us right where he wants us (he knows people will believe almost anything now), and, in the end, he’ll be glad to take as many as he can with him to hell, forever.

The current, strong deception reminds me of the U.N.-type scene in the first “Left Behind” movie where the antichrist figure (Nicolae Carpathia) is telling everyone an outright lie.  His powerful deception’s convincing the other people gathered around the table the he’s telling them the truth.  The only person at the table who’s not deceived is Kirk Cameron’s character, Buck Williams.  The only reason he’s not deceived is because he’s recently given his life to Jesus and the Holy Spirit’s keeping him from believing the lie.

Folks, we may think we could never be deceived due to our intellect, that we’d never conform to supernatural lies, that we’re way too smart to fall for satan’s tricks.  What we need to be aware of is that we’re going to need to be very close to Jesus in these last days.  Brain power, alone, will not be enough to keep us safe.  The power in the deception behind satan’s lies (much of the power resides in, and will depend on, the degree of the fear of man we allow to operate in our lives – the pressure of what others think can make us do some things we know are against our (and God’s) will) is supernatural.  Without maintaining a close relationship with Jesus, we’re no match for this type of powerful deception.

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.  For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.  And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
Galatians 6:7-9

My wife and I know that satan will do everything he can “to get a foot in the door” of our lives, and that he’s never satisfied with just that.  For that reason, we choose Jesus, His ways, every day to maintain the kind of humility it takes today to not fall prey to satan’s deception, to keep us firmly grounded in Christ.  We choose Jesus every day to make sure we’re waiting on Him, and listening for His directives in our lives, in our decision-making processes; to keep us taking thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ, to keep us praising Him in all things, to keep believing that Jesus is working all things together for our good; to maintain forgiving hearts and to continually extend grace to each other and others; to keep from becoming self-absorbed, self-centered and selfish; to help us to keep trusting Jesus; to protect our marriage and family; to love each other the way Christ loves us; to keep ourselves from letting this world’s condition discourage us; to keep us looking up, looking to Christ for His rest, love, wisdom, discernment, peace, and joy; to keep us in His Word that helps us in our everyday lives; to not give into sudden fear; to be anxious for nothing; to maintain our compassion for others; to be able to love our enemies; to continually dwell in the fruit of the Spirit; and to abide in the shadow of the Most High.

I want to strongly encourage each of you to stay close to God.  Residing in Him is the only way we’re going to be able to discern and withstand the end times.  Staying close to God will enable us to let the peace of God rule our hearts every day.   It’s the way to keep our hearts from growing cold when lawlessness increases.  We, desperately, need the Holy Spirit’s supernatural guidance as we navigate today’s world.

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God will bless our lives, and every aspect of them, with His Presence, His peace, stillness, rest and joy as we choose Jesus every day,

Mark

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Take Up Your Cross: That My (Jesus) Joy May Be In You

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The cross of Christ – Where God’s true joy begins…

The glorious wonder and blessing of dying to the heavy burden of living for self –

Boy, I don’t yet know everything the Lord wants me to convey about the blessing of the cross in our lives.  Just the fact that Christ died for our sins on the cross is life-saving and life-changing.

I’ll try to put into words what the Lord seems to be saying to me about the cross.

When we take up our cross, daily, God works His power in us.  His love transforms our lives and renews our minds.  Taking up our cross involves memorizing scripture, learning how to win spiritual battles by learning that we can take every thought captive to Christ, learning how to be overcomers in this world.  We, also, gain so much compassion and understanding, both of which are needed today as He has us reach out to love each other.  The cross teaches us patience, makes us more Christ-like, and becoming more like Jesus always blesses our lives and the lives of those around us.

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The cross is not intended to be a burden.  It is intended to help us die to self, and dying to self and taking on God’s character is such a huge blessing.  We trade in our weak flesh for the fruit of the Spirit.  Our lives are blessed with Jesus’ selfless love, peace, self control, humility, joy, faith, etc.  We receive the Word into our lives as the cross helps us focus on Jesus, our Prince of Peace, the Lord of all that is good, the One Who gives life its true meaning.

The very pages of the Bible (like The Beatitudes found in Matthew 5:1-12, and the love found in 1 Corinthians 13) become alive in us and attract others to the liberating life that only Jesus can give.

No other life will be as blessed as that one who seeks to take up their cross, daily.  Do you see what I mean?  Can you begin to get excited about the daily cross Jesus asks us to take up?  Tremendous blessings reside in the cross for each of us.  Heavenly blessings that cannot be discovered any other way.  =)

Praise God!  Thank you Jesus!

We can rejoice in the cross for all that it’s done and is doing in our lives…

“At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light, and the burden of my heart rolled away, it was there by faith I received my sight, and now I am happy all the day.”  (Lyric by Isaac Watts)

The cross can make us happy all the day, precious people.  There’s no greater life than being like Jesus.  If there was another, greater life, Jesus would have told us so.

Oh the joy of life lived in and for Jesus.  Such stillness of soul, trust, rest, contentment, peace, love and joy.  His death opened the door to His joy.

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Nothing was ever meant to be compared with the joy that comes from our Heavenly Father.  Nothing can.

That Jesus’ joy may be in us.  Wow…  =)

God bless,

Mark

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Only Be Thou Strong And Very Courageous =)

Hello Saints In Jesus,

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It’s a new week.  And, Jesus is in control of our lives, and the entire universe.  He’s working all things for our good.  =)

“Be strong and of a good courage:  Only be thou strong and very courageous…

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein:  for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Have not I commanded thee?  Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed:  for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

…only be strong and of a good courage.”
Taken From Joshua Chapter 1

Aren’t you grateful that God loves you so much?  He’ll never leave us nor forsake us.  Knowing Him gives us the courage to do His will, to walk out His plan for our lives.

God bless,

Mark

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Ravi Zacharias And The Hamas Sheikh

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”
John 3:16-17

“This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,”
1 Timothy 2:3-5

Hi Folks,

Here’s a powerful, loving short story any of us may be able to share with Muslims should the Lord present us with the opportunity.  I hope it blesses you, and them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aThwl7mjATc

Taken from the nine-minute mark in the above video (Edits mine).

Well-known Christian apologist Ravi Zacharias, and some other prominent religious leaders, had been invited to the Middle East to talk to some of that region’s religious leaders.  One of them was a sheikh who was one of the four founders of Hamas.  The sheikh, a large, powerful-looking man, had been in prison for 18 years.  He’d also lost some of his children to suicide bombings.  The room where this meeting took place was full of smoke and people.  The discussions had been intense up to this point:

When it was Ravi’s turn to ask the sheikh a question, the following dialog took place:

Ravi:  “Can I just say one thing to you sir?  5000 years ago on a mountain not far from here, a man called Abraham took his son up the mountain to offer him as an expression of his faith.  You remember that story?”

Sheikh:  “Yes.”

Ravi:  “Let’s not argue about which son right now.”

Ravi:  “But he (Abraham) took his son up that mountain and as the knife is about to come down, God stops that arm, and He says, “Stop!””

Sheikh: “That’s right.”

Ravi: “What did God say?”

The sheikh just stared at Ravi.

Ravi:  “God said, “Stop, I, Myself, will provide.””

Sheikh:  “That’s right.”

Ravi:  “Sheikh, here in Ramallah, very close to us is a hill.  2000 years ago, God kept that promise.  This time, He took His own son up that hill, and this time the hammers did not stop.

Sheikh, until you and I receive this son God has provided, we’ll be offering our own sons and daughters on the battlefields of this world for position, and land, and power, and prestige.”

The sheikh looked at Ravi, and there was such a stunned silence in the room.  Ravi never thought of that talk beforehand.  What he’d said just came out on the spur of the moment.  Ravi thought he’d really blown it.

On the way back to their jeeps, the sheikh, hurriedly, put the other guests in their vehicles and then ran over to Ravi’s jeep.  He patted Ravi on both cheeks and then kissed him on both cheeks.  He told Ravi he was a good man and that he hoped they’d meet again some day as his eyes welled up with tears.

God loves us all, Muslims included, and this story is indicative of His desire to reach them with Jesus’ salvation of grace.  Reminds me that God looks at the heart of man, not the outward appearance (1 Samuel 16:7).

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Romans 3:23

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“And He [that same Jesus] is the propitiation for our sins [the atoning sacrifice that holds back the wrath of God that would otherwise be directed at us because of our sinful nature—our worldliness, our lifestyle]; and not for ours alone, but also for [the sins of all believers throughout] the whole world.”
1 John 2:2

God bless,

Mark

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Christianity Is So Simple, And Wonderful

Hello Precious Christians In Jesus’ Name,

“See, I (God) have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil;

In that I command thee this day to love the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply:  and the Lord thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it.

But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them;

I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it.

I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

That thou mayest love the Lord thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him:  for he is thy life, and the length of thy days:  that thou mayest dwell in the land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.”
Deuteronomy 30:15-20

“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Joshua 24:15

How does anyone live with the abandonment and loneliness of believing there’s no God?  Why would anyone not want to be a Christian?  Why would they not want God’s rest, love, joy and peace in their life?  How can they live today without knowing that God, their loving, Heavenly Father, can make all things work together for their good, that they can cast all their care on Him?  Why do any of us choose to live with the trappings pride brings to one’s life, with worry and fear when God’s perfect love can cast out fear and the worry associated with it?

At one time in my life, I was as bad off as the lame man, the leper or the blind man Jesus healed in the Bible stories.  I was so blinded to everything God had for me – always satan’s plan.  My leprosy was the panic, fear, frustration, anger, resentment, restlessness, unforgiveness, bitterness, jealousy, lack of love, unfulfilled dreams and goals, and the fear of man that kept me from even beginning to understand God’s love for me.

“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

Surely he shall deliver thee…”
Psalm 91:1-3a

I (Mark) was lame and needed to be delivered – I didn’t know how good “delivered” could be.  I needed to find out how I could “dwell in the secret place of the most High.”  I was out from under God’s protecting presence, His dwelling place.  I needed a Savior, someone who could save me from the ugly and heavy burden the sins of fear, care, bitterness (and all the rest) had placed on my life.

Little by little, God began to bring about change in my life.  He began to deal with these harmful traits and learned behaviors, these awful, devlish things that had such a “strong hold” on my mind, my emotions, my heart, personality, and relationships.

What can I say about Jesus’ love for me?  Wow, He’s simply incredible and unwavering in His faithfulness and love for me.  How grateful I am that He saw my need for Him, and that He’s taken the time to help me change, to become renewed.

“For this purpose the Son of God (Jesus) was manifested, that He might destroy the works (anger, fear, panic, frustration, bitterness, jealousy, coveting, divorce, fighting between us, selfishness, unforgiveness, revenge, you name it) of the devil.”
1 John 3:8

“The thief (satan) cometh not (comes only to), but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy (by trying to make us miserable through bitterness, fighting with each other, hate, resentment, selfishness, you name it):  I (Jesus, on the other hand) am come that they (you and me) might have life (free from anger, resentment, bitterness, coveting, hate, selfishness, etc.), and that they might have it more abundantly (living free in Jesus’ joy, peace, love, forgiveness, blessings, care for us, etc. – and, it only gets better all the time because He’s infinite in His love for us).”
(John 10:10) Edits Mine

The Gospel, the Bible, Jesus and Christianity…it’s all really as simple as the above verses imply.  But, the Gospel message, the Bible, Jesus and Christianity can make all the difference in anyone’s life, here in this earthly life and into eternity.

That’s why God sent Jesus…to destroy the works of the devil (fear, anger, bitterness, jealousy, you name it), and to give us His (Jesus’) life, instead.

Jesus, oh my precious Jesus, Your Presence makes me whole.

God bless you all,

Mark

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God’s Working For My GOOD! =)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Is it just me, or do you get excited sensing that God’s up to something new for you?   You can feel like He’s got something in store for you…

And, you know it’s always going to be good!

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

I don’t know what you’re going through, but I can honestly tell you God will work it for your good.

So many times when we’re confronted with something, we tend to become stressed and feel like we don’t want to deal with it, we don’t want to have to walk it out.

We may view the thing as another change we may have to make in our life and that can make us uncomfortable, bothered.

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Matthew 19:26

What I’ve found is that often when these things come up, it’s really God working behind the seen (scene).  I can’t see Him, physically, so I don’t always recognize it’s Him at first.  But, He’s arranging things in my day to help me, to show me something new, to reveal more of Himself, and His wonderful nature to me.  Know what I mean?

At first, I can even be scared about a situation only to find out that it was God asking me to step out of my boat, again, to learn more about how to walk on water – and, that’s cool =).

In the end, I find that I’m thankful He brought up the uncomfortable situation, that He confronted me with a necessary change, that He’s being true to His covenant with me, that He’s loving on me.  Somehow, He’s made me more like Him because of it, whatever the “it” is that He’s brought up.  And, that’s always exciting.  Nothing like repenting (change He knows I need to make to be more like Him, more free), folks.  Brings times of wonderful refreshing.

And, He then allows us to share the experience with someone who needs exactly what He’s doing in us.  Win-win.  Yipee!

Can’t wait to see what He has in store for me the rest of the day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so…

God bless you all,

Mark

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The Beautiful Release and Comfort That Is Ours As We Praise God In All Things

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

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

I will praise the Lord no matter what happens (His praise shall continually be in my mouth).  I will constantly speak of his glories and grace.   2 I will boast of all his kindness to me.  Let all who are discouraged take heart.   3 Let us praise the Lord together and exalt his name.
Psalm 34:1-3 The Living Bible (TLB)

Ever feel like this?  “Wow, this is really bad.  How am I going to deal with this situation?”

By thanking and praising God.  “Mark, that sounds crazy.  How can I possibly thank and praise God for this really hard situation?

Well, let me share with you why you should be praising God right now.  There are two reasons I can think of, immediately.  The devil wants us tied up in his oppressive chains.  Also, satan knows that God inhabits the praises of His people and he does not want God to help you.  It’s really that simple.

Hello Precious People,

This actually happened to me just this morning…

At times, I’m tricked into thinking, “I got this.”  I can be unaware that I’m actually operating out of pride.  I can get so bogged down with a situation that I forget to call on God, to praise Him, to bring His power on the scene.

I’m still learning that if I try to handle challenging situations in my own strength, in my own understanding, instead of thanking and praising God for the circumstance, I can end up stressed out.  When I thank and praise God for the situation, somehow, God is brought into the situation (Psalm 22:3; He inhabits our praises), the stress is released and I can actually feel God taking over.  All the resources of His realm become available to help me.  I stop feeling alone in the situation.  Suddenly, I feel lighter as though the care the situation has brought on me is transferred to God.  And, He works all things for my good.  For me, it doesn’t get any better than this.  What relief is available to us.  Oh, praise God, thank you Jesus.

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1 Praise ye the Lord.  Praise God in his sanctuary:  praise him in the firmament of his power.

2 Praise him for his mighty acts:  praise him according to his excellent greatness.

3 Praise him with the sound of the trumpet:  praise him with the psaltery and harp.

4 Praise him with the timbrel and dance:  praise him with stringed instruments and organs.

5 Praise him upon the loud cymbals:  praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.

6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord.  Praise ye the Lord.
Psalm 150

Go ahead, praise God, and let Him take your cares…

God bless,

Mark

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Heaven’s Coming Right Up!

Hello Folks,

Lots happening in the Middle East these days with God’s people, the Jews, back in their land and all of Israel’s enemies flexing their muscles as they promise the demise of the Jews.  Just like the Bible says, God has placed a hook in the jaws of His enemies to draw them to Israel for the battle of Armageddon, the final confrontation between good and evil.

1 Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God.

2 For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head.

3 They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones.

4 They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.

5 For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee:

6 The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes;

7 Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre;

8 Assur also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot. Selah.

9 Do unto them as unto the Midianites; as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kison:

10 Which perished at Endor: they became as dung for the earth.

11 Make their nobles like Oreb, and like Zeeb: yea, all their princes as Zebah, and as Zalmunna:

12 Who said, Let us take to ourselves the houses of God in possession.

13 O my God, make them like a wheel; as the stubble before the wind.

14 As the fire burneth a wood, and as the flame setteth the mountains on fire;

15 So persecute them with thy tempest, and make them afraid with thy storm.

16 Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek thy name, O Lord.

17 Let them be confounded and troubled for ever; yea, let them be put to shame, and perish:

18 That men may know that thou, whose name alone is Jehovah, art the most high over all the earth.
Psalm 83

The land shall not be sold for ever: for the land is mine, for ye are strangers and sojourners with me.
Leviticus 25:23

I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.
Joel 3:2

8 For thus saith the Lord of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.

9 For, behold, I will shake mine hand upon them, and they shall be a spoil to their servants: and ye shall know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me.

10 Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the Lord.

11 And many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto thee.

12 And the Lord shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land, and shall choose Jerusalem again.

13 Be silent, O all flesh, before the Lord: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation.
Zechariah 2:8-13

And, behold, I purpose to build an house unto the name of the Lord my God, as the Lord spake unto David my father, saying, Thy son, whom I will set upon thy throne in thy room, he shall build an house unto my name.
1 Kings 5:5

14 So the angel that communed with me said unto me, Cry thou, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy.

15 And I am very sore displeased with the heathen that are at ease: for I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction.

16 Therefore thus saith the Lord; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be built in it, saith the Lord of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem.
Zecariah 1:14-16

We’re seeing so many end times events happening.  The Middle East is in the news on a regular basis.  God has said no one will be able to figure out the problems in the Middle East until His agenda has been carried out.

God has returned His people to Israel after 2000 years just like He said would happen in the pages of scripture.  He’s carefully watching over the developments occurring all around His precious possession, Israel.

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Heaven’s coming right up!  Take time to meditate on Heaven this weekend, saints.  It’s time well spent.  ☺

God bless,

Mark

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Fear Not! Believe, And Experience The Glory Of God Each Day As You Trust/Rest In His Love For You.

As many of you have come to know, this stuff’s real, precious ones.  Let’s follow Christ.  Let’s make every attempt to live in the faith He died to give us.  Let’s enter His sweet rest…

39 Jesus said, Take ye away the stone.  Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh:  for he hath been dead four days.

40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?

41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid.  And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.

42 And I knew that thou hearest me always:  but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.

43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.

44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes:  and his face was bound about with a napkin.  Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

45 Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.
John 11:39-45

God knew I needed to come to the point where I was so sick of fear that I would do whatever it took to be freed from it.

Mark, why do you talk about the same things over and over again?  Well, it’s because I know we need to get the basics of our faith down if we’re (and our children) going to live in the victory Jesus can give us.  To consistently experience His peace and joy, we need to get these types of truths deep in our souls where the Holy Spirit can help us to be overcomers, day in and day out.

In the following, please understand it’s not my purpose to judge anyone or to make fun of them.  I’m just trying to get us to see that religion (and the “fear of man” religion can contain and perpetuate), in itself, will not make us truly free in Jesus.

Lately, I’ve had a number of people try to share their fear with me.  I could tell they didn’t really want to be set free from their fear.  They merely wanted to get me to enter into their fear.  These are folks who don’t know Jesus and what His love could do for them.  They’re reacting to the fear in their own lives the way they’ve seen others react to fear – the herd mentality.  They make fearful comments, they play fearful thoughts over and over again in their minds – I was like that at one time.  They look at you as if they expect you to join in with the fear they’re  experiencing and trying to pass onto you.  They look stressed, worried and weighed down with responsibility (after all, that’s what being an adult is all about, right?).  Fear was actually telling them what actions to take and how to live their lives which is never a good thing.

How do I know this “fear” look?  Because my parents and relatives (and most of their church friends), who were merely acting out what they saw other worldly and religious people doing, reacted to situations this way.  Being around them as much as I was, I learned to deal with potentially intimidating circumstances in the same, fearful manner.  Doing so nearly wiped me out physically and emotionally, especially when a lot of fearful situations began to gang up on me.  In fact, letting fear control my life this way came close to causing me to give up on having any kind of a meaningful relationship with Jesus.  These people didn’t know Christ and neither did I even though we all called ourselves Christians.  Isn’t that strange?

The really sad thing is that when I (and my precious wife) made any attempt to come away from the fear we were all letting control us, to take a stand and start believing in and living the Word, I was beginning to be labeled as “holier than thou” and “self-righteous.”  I didn’t feel like I was either.  I just desperately needed to find out if the Bible was true because I was drowning in fear, anxiety and panic.  I wanted so much to find out if Jesus could really put an end to the turmoil in me, that He could actually bring trusting peace and rest to my life.

Dejectedly, I (and my family) finally had to cut ties with folks who were holding us back from taking a leap of faith to find out if Christ really was trustworthy, if His peace really could take control of my troubled soul, if He really could work all things for my good, even my very scary past. (Reminds me, again, of the powerful little book, “Hinds Feet On High Places” by Hannah Hurnard)

Precious people, Jesus is the way to deal with all of the fearful thoughts (whether they come from religious people or others) around us that attempt to rob us of our right to our faith in the Prince of Peace.

The thief (satan and his band of fearful demons) cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:  I (Jesus, on the other hand) am come that they (anyone who will truly get to know Jesus) might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly (living with the kind of peace and joy only Christ can impart).
John 10:10 My Edits

When you get hit with doubts, and we all do, don’t panic.  Instead, take action against those thoughts even if it means doing so in your mind or speaking it to yourself under your breath.  Take fear-inducing thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ.  Others may drown in fear.  Jesus has called us to faith, to rely on and relax in Him, in His care.

Quote scriptures that remind you to not give into fear, scriptures that tell you that God can be trusted to take care of you no matter what – tape them up in your home.  Play Christian music all day long in your home.  Memorize verses that remind you to cast all your cares on Christ, and that you don’t ever have to be frightened by sudden fear, the type of fear that catches you off-guard.  Remember, Christ is guarding your heart.  Please, let Him be your Prince of Peace.

Call Jesus’ Presence into the situation…His dear Presence makes us whole.

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear:
1 John 4:18a

When fear comes, remember to let the peace of God rule in your heart.  And, maybe most importantly, remember that God’s really working all things for your good.  Knowing that will let God’s perfect love build a wall of protection around your heart, and knowing that will cast any fear where it belongs, out of your life.

I love you all.  It’s my joy and strong desire to see each one of us set free so we can fully rest in Jesus.

“Said I (Jesus) not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-l41rZOt9Ck

God bless,

Mark

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God Means It For “Good”…Genesis 50:20, Romans 8:28

Oh Precious People,

So many times in my life, all I could see were the thorns when God was growing rose bushes.  Let God write His story for your life.  Give Him your life, again and again.  Let Him take all the time He knows is needed for His perfect timing.  He just keeps adding such beautiful pages…Yes, all the time, God, the Author of life, is good.

But who are you, O man, to answer back to God?  Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?  Has the potter no right over the clay,
Romans 9:20-21a

And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.  And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?  Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.
John 9:1-3

When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners (those who have harmful ways and behaviors operating in their lives like me) to repentance (to let God create His marvelous ways in their lives to save them from destruction).
Mark 2:17 My Edits

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me (Jesus), because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives (me, and anyone else who wants to be set free), and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
Luke 4:18 My Edits

As some of you are aware, I’ve had some real trials in my lifetime –  I know others who’ve had difficulty as well, some much worse than mine.  I’ve been really “troubled.”  I’ve even questioned God over and over, and had many years of battles.  I’ve tried “storming the gates of Heaven” and so many other methods to get God to reach out and heal me.  I’ve spent much energy consumed in the “whys” along the way.  I hope the following speaks to your hearts and brings a blessing to many of you…

I was listening to some songs about Jesus this morning.  One song, Don Moen’s rendition of “I Am The God Who Healeth Thee” made me pause and wonder why God has yet to heal me of the physical and family issues I still live with, that I’ve felt so much deep hurt, frustration, embarrassment and shame over.

All of a sudden, the precious, small voice of the Holy Spirit cut through the music and spoke to my heart.  “My precious Mark, I knew the scalpel that would be necessary to bring you My life.  You had a much deeper ailment I’m setting you free from, and I’ve allowed these health issues in your life to bring about the deepest healing I can bring to your life…A renewal to your whole being deep in your soul.  For your life, this is the way I’ve chosen to work and to bring the largest amount of healing to many others, as well, who need the blessed work I’ve chosen for your life.  Please trust Me, My son.  I love you.  I’ll show you such wonders…”

Then sings my soul, my Savior, God to Thee, how great Thou art!  =)

Don Moen – God is good


God bless,

Mark