Category: General Christian Living

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The Blessing Of Imparting The Blessing

Hello Precious People,

The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17

I’m reading a book about the Aaronic blessing found at the end of chapter 6 in the book of Numbers.  The book is “Imparting The Blessing” by William T. Ligon, Sr.  The author, a Baptist minister who had an experience with the Holy Spirit, discusses the importance of the various Bible passages that talk about imparting God’s blessing.  William tells us how God will bless our children, spouses and even our enemies, when we speak the blessing over them.  More about this great book later…

I wanted to bless all of you as you begin another week in Jesus.

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 on you and bless you in Jesus’ Name, the Name that is above all names.

God bless each of you,

Mark

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Heaven: And So Shall We Ever Be With The Lord – Such Sweet Words

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Wow, it’s going to be awesome to be caught up in the air with all our Christian brothers and sisters.  Fills me with excitement and joy just to think about it.

And so shall we ever be with the Lord…Such sweet words.

Take time to think about Heaven, about ever being with our Lord, precious people.

God bless you all, and have a nice weekend letting the peace of God rule in your heart.

Mark

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Romans 8:28: Our Off-Ramp Out Of The Devil’s Ruts

Hello Saints in Jesus,

Ann and I have been re-reading Merlin Carothers’ powerful book “Power In Praise.”  It helps to keep us on track, especially when the devil begins convincing us that we’re in a spiritual rut and “feeling” like God’s not watching over us, and/or that He’s abandoned us.  One of our enemy’s favorite tactics is to try to convince us that something can’t possibly be worked for our good.

Right now, I can’t think of another verse that has meant more to me than Romans 8:28.  Whenever Ann and I feel ourselves experiencing a spiritual rut (like self-pity; anything that threatens our peace and trusting that God’s in control) and becoming discouraged, Romans 8:28 provides the all purpose off-ramp for us to leave satan’s rut.  God’s Word is so powerful and able to deliver us.

Always remember, saints, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28

By the way, Merlin’s books can be ordered at this link:

https://www.praisebooks.org

God bless,

Mark – ChoosingJesusEveryDay.com

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The Resistance Secret

This teaching snippet by Messianic Rabbi Jonathan Cahn is such a good reminder that spiritual resistance exercises our faith.  Faith builds trust in the Lord.

God bless,

Mark

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Your Heavenly Father’s Always Watching Over You

My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.  He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.  Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
Psalm 121:2-4

Boy, I just keep getting so blessed by God’s faithfulness to bring material across my path that ministers to me, to my needs.  The following really spoke to me and I hope it blesses you, too.

From Messianic Rabbi Jonathan Cahn’s March Newsletter…

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I hope that you’re doing well in the Lord and in the power of His might.

Do you remember when you were a little child and it was easy to be afraid of the dark?  You may have even had a night light in you room to help you overcome your fear.  It’s easy for children to be afraid when the lights are turned out.  You may have even called for your parents in the middle of the night because you thought you saw something move in the darkness.  And your parents may have encouraged you with the words, “Don’t be afraid of the dark, there’s nothing to be afraid of.”

Now you’re all grown up, you’re an adult and a believer.  But it’s still easy to live with fear, worries, and anxieties.  Even in the Lord, you may live in fear of the darkness of the future, worrying about what the days ahead will hold.  Some believers are afraid of the darkness of health problems.  Others are afraid of the darkness of rejection or being alone.  Others are afraid of the darkness of financial problems.  There’s no shortage of darkness to be afraid of.

But just as when we were young and your parents told you, “Don’t be afraid of the dark,” so the Spirit of God tells us the same thing, “Don’t be afraid of the dark.  There’s nothing to be afraid of.”  You see, the enemy works through darkness, but the enemy is nothing to be afraid of.  There’s no comparison between the power of God and the enemy or the power of good versus evil.  When we live in fear, we’re giving more power to the darkness.  And the more we fear the dark, the more we’ll end up stumbling.

God has not called us to be afraid of such things.  So it is written, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.”  If you’re a child of God, then God is with you and you have no reason to fear:  “for greater is He Who is in you, than he who is in the world.”  And if God is for you, then who can be against you?  So whatever you’ve been concerned about or have had anxiety about, know that it’s only the dark.  In the light of God’s presence, it’s nothing at all.  And in the light of God’s love and power, you have nothing to fear at all.  So be at peace and get some rest, for the darkness has nothing in it for you to be afraid.  And while you sleep, your heavenly Father is wide-awake watching over you.

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God bless,

Mark

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For Thou Art With Me…

Hello Precious People in Jesus’ Name,

I’m discovering that God is always closer than I think.  All I ever need to do is ask Him for His help…

Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
John 14:27b

For Thou art with me…
Psalm 23:4c

God bless,

Mark

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The Veil Is Torn, We No Longer Need To “Worry”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And He bowed His head gave up His spirit…And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.  And the earth shook, and the rocks were split.  The tombs also were opened.  And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many.  When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!”
John 19:30; Matthew 27:51-54

The thief (the devil) cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I (Jesus) am come that they might have life (life free from sins like worry and fear), and that they might have it more abundantly.
John 10:10

He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning.  The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.
1 John 3:8

Wow, I just read 1 John 3:8 again and lights went on in me.  It was like the Holy Spirit said to me, “Mark, do you see what’s going on in your earthly life?  Because of the fall, you’re a sinner.  But, Jesus came to die for your sins to re-establish the same incredible relationship and fellowship Adam and Eve enjoyed with God in Eden.  Sin is the work of the devil.  Satan’s whole agenda was to use sin to separate you from your loving Heavenly Father.

Your Father, your Abba, sent Jesus to die on the cross to bring you back to Eden, to that precious place of living closely with God.

Now, worry, fear, doubt, confusion, unforgiveness, bitterness, hate – all sin – has been conquered and you no longer need to live with it in your life.  You are free from it in Jesus because Jesus will always take care of your heart.  Jesus’s death on the cross tore the temple veil so you can now come boldly to the very throne of grace, to the very Presence of Your Abba, Father, Daddy.  The separation is finished!”

Oh, praise You Jesus.  Thank You, God.

Wow, it’s no wonder the devil fights so hard to keep us in sin, to keep us worrying, fearful, bound, to tell us to doubt God.  If we truly realize what Jesus has done for us, satan’s grip on us will cease.  Our freedom will impact others and help us all to get back to the Eden relationship we had with our Father – That close, amazing relationship the devil has stolen through the fall.

Can you sense it?  Can you feel, even a little bit, what it would be like to get back to the Father, to live once again in the light of His Glory.  Thrilling, isn’t it?

What all does God have in store for me today?  Well, I don’t know yet.  But I do know that “worry, fear, and the fear of man” aren’t three of them.  Why?  Because, “It is finished!”  ☺

The veil’s down.  It (Christ has broken sin’s power in your life) is finished!  All things are working together for my good!  Now we can run into the Holy Of Holies!  We’re back with our Father.  There’s no longer any need to worry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

God bless,

Mark

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Dynasties Of Righteousness: Encourage Each Other With These Words…

It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.
Psalm 119:71

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

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

The last two above scripture references are commands from God meaning that He’s serious about setting us free from fear to enjoy His rest and peace all the time – Even in today’s world.  He has the power to do it!  What a great, faithful God we have.

My dear neighbor, Linda, replies to the daily emails with such enthusiasm.  She’s really a blessing, and like me, really wants to walk in the full liberty Jesus died on the cross to give us, in this life.

Last week, another dear friend, Lori, replied to one of the “Choosing Jesus Every Day” emails with the following:

“You are such an amazing man of faith and I’m so THANKFUL that God placed your friendship in my life!! Thank you for daily being a reminder in “my” life that God works and does all things for good!! He loves us and wants us to TRUST in him fully…not “sorta” trust in Him, but FULLY trust and to cast ALL of our worry upon him. Thank you!! ”

What a blessing it was to see that Lori wants to break through in her life and that God means to bless her as she trusts in Him “fully” with all her heart, all the time.  Lori reminds us all that God wants to richly bless us by casting all of our worry upon Him.  We’re truly “rich” when we learn to do this.  God is SO GOOD, saints.  And, it only gets gooder.  ☺

Then the Lord said to me, “You have seen well, for I am watching over my word to perform it.”
Jeremiah 1:12

At one service in our Oregon church, Pastor Jon asked Ann and me to come forward so he and the church members could pray over us.  I think he could sense that many generational strongholds (sins) needed to be uprooted so they could no longer harm us.  Jon prayed that God would establish a “Dynasty of Righteousness” in our family and future generations.  Over the ensuing years, we would discover what it all entailed.

Growing up, I was taught to worry.  Even though many of the Christians I knew talked about the Word, their lives and actions were often examples of worry, doubt and fear.  It was like they didn’t really believe what they knew in their heads about scripture.  Like in the parable of the sower in the Bible (Matthew 13), for one reason or another, the Word’s promises never took root in their hearts where it could set them free deep in their souls.  It may sound strange, but I had so many health issues that I had to learn to apply the Word to my life (Psalm 119:71).  Honestly, it was the only way I could deal with all of the fear and worry I was experiencing on a daily basis.

Talk the Word out loud, precious people.  Get it deep into your souls where it will protect you.  Teach it to your spouse and children.  Whatever you do, stop speaking and acting out fear and worry.  Instead, quote Romans 8:28, and other verses that will build and instill a trust and confidence in Jesus.  Doing so, will stop worry and fear in your generations.  Doing so will bring an abiding peace and strength to your lives and the lives of your children.   And, at those times when you slip up and still display worry, ask your spouse or child to forgive you.  Say you’re sorry and that you intend to live in faith trusting in God’s Word.  Keep doing this until it becomes automatic and reflexive in your souls.

And I (Jesus) will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever.”
John 14:16

The Holy Spirit, living in us, watches over our hearts.  He reminds us of The Word we have in our hearts to help us have victory in our thoughts and lives.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28

I’ve found that it’s so much easier to trust in the Lord with all my heart when I memorize Romans 8:28 (and many others) in order to realize that Romans 8:28 is true.

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

I truly believe that Jesus is leading us to break through in our lives to establish Dynasties of Righteousness both now and into the future.  Lives that will be richly blessed by entering His rest, now, in this life, as we believe and act on His Word.

I’d like to pray the “Aaronic blessing” over you as noted in Numbers 6:24-27

The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance[a] 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.

Mark

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Letting God Build His Wonderful Character In Us

Hello Fellow Christians,

I’m learning more and more that God is much more interested in producing His character in me than anything else He could do for me.  Although it’s been extremely difficult to do at times, as I wait on Him, I’m also discovering that His character creates a freedom, joy, love, peace, rest, a liberating humility and enthusiasm that nothing else could create.

You see, if I had money, fame, and success apart from having God’s character, I’d still be restless, worried, impatient, etc.  I know this because we once had money and it was one of the most miserable times in our lives, really.  All we did was plan and worry over it.  It certainly didn’t bring us God’s character.  I can honestly tell you that.  Once the money was gone, God got our attention and began to put us back on His track to build His life-giving character in us.

His supernatural character is truly renewing my natural character and it’s the most wonderful thing I’ve ever experienced.  Waiting on God (walking with Him no matter what) brings about change in us, and the change, I’m finding out, is what I’ve really wanted all along.  I mean nothing can compare to the real joy, trust, rest and still spirit He’s bringing about in my life.  And, it gets better and better, forever, folks…  ☺

Now, you may ask me how I know that letting God produce His character in us is worth everything.  My answer is simple and it’s the truth.  I know many who’ve sought education, status, money, fame, worldliness, and success who are still miserable because they never took the time to get to know God – at one time, I was like that.  On the other hand, those I know who have stayed with God, through it all, have real (not a superficial) peace and rest in their souls.  Following God is so worth it.

Boy, when I read today’s entry in Joyce Meyer’s “Closer to God Each Day Devotional,” it really blessed me and I could really relate.  I hope it blesses you, too.☺

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Be Patient (By Joyce Meyer)

But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.
James 1:4 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)

James teaches us that we can rejoice when we find ourselves involved in difficult situations, knowing that God is trying our faith to bring out patience.  I have found that trials did eventually bring out patience in me, but first they brought a lot of other junk to the surface – such as pride, anger,m rebellion, self-pity, complaining, and many other things (my natural character – Mark’s edit).  It seems that these ungodly traits, with God’s help, need to be faced and dealt with because they hinder patience as well as other good fruit like kindness, love, humility, and other things (God’s supernatural character – Mark’s edit).

The Bible talks about purification, sanctification, and sacrifice.  These are not popular words; nevertheless, these are things we go through in order to become like Jesus in our character.  God’s desire is to make us perfect, lacking in nothing.  He wants us to ultimately be filled with the fruits of righteousness, which usually requires us to go through some difficulties that, although are unpleasant, do eventually help us mature.

I struggled with the difficulties in my life for a long time until I finally learned that God would work them out for good and use them to help me in many ways.  He simply wants you and me to surrender and say, “I trust You, God.  I believe when this difficulty is over, I will be a better person than I was before it began!”

No matter what you are going through, trust God that you are growing closer to Him each day!

*******

God bless you all,

Mark

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From Glory to Glory: The Glorious, Tangible Workings of God In Our Lives

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
2 Corinthians 3:18

I read something yesterday about the Glory of God.  I immediately thought of how God is changing me, how He’s making me over.  How’s He doing this?  Well, God’s making me a better neighbor, husband and father; He’s teaching me that He’s in control of my life; that He’s working all things for my good; He’s creating more compassion in me; that I can learn to trust Him all the time and that He’s totally removing fear and worry from my life.  This is the perfect love that casts out fear (1 John 4:18).

The Glory of God involves replacing me with Him, and moving me from “worry to trust” is one of the beautiful ways He’s changing me into the same image of His dear Son.

I wrote this to remind myself of how truly tangible God’s Glory can be in our lives if we’re willing to let Him do His work of love in us.  I want more and more of His wonderful “from Glory to Glory,” like the liberating fruit of the Spirit, operating in my life.

I absolutely love being changed into His image.  Who wouldn’t want to have His image in their life when it brings so much love, compassion, joy, peace and rest to our lives?

God bless everyone,

Mark

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Jesus Can Help Us Be Good Soil

Hello Fellow Christians,

“Hear then the parable of the sower:  When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart.  This is what was sown along the path.  As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.  As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.  As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it.  He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”
Matthew 13:18-23

At times in my walk, I’ve felt like I’ve been all three of these kinds of hearers of the Word.  I’ve felt like I wasn’t sure I could ever be good soil on a consistent basis.  What I discovered was whenever I felt like I was “rocky ground, not understanding the Word along the path, or among the thorns” that I just needed to ask Jesus for His help to be good soil.  He’d help me overcome any spiritual lack (like the jealousy, bitterness, anger, frustration, fear and self-pity that plagued my spirit making me want to give up) in my life to encourage me to grow and become stronger in Him.  He’s teaching me how to take the destructive thoughts of my flesh, and the enemy, captive.  He’s so close to us and ready to help us.  That’s why He sent us the precious Holy Spirit, our Helpful Comforter.

Oh thank You, Jesus, for Your faithful, steadfast love, mercy and care of our lives.

Image result for the steadfast love of the lord never ceases images

Mark

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Peace…Regardless of Circumstances

Peace…Regardless of circumstances.

Not that I speak in respect of want: for (or, because) I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.  I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound:  every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.  I can do all things (whether I’m abased, full, hungry, abounding or suffering need) through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Philippians 4:11-13

God bless you all,

Mark

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Fear To Peace, and My Precious Jesus Who is Romans 8:28

 

 

 

 

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance:  Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners–of whom I am the worst.
1 Timothy 1:15

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
Luke 19:10

I know a lot about worry.  I was lost in it.  It’s my number one sin.

My inability to stop worry is why I can’t ever boast about my close walk with Jesus.  I had to be close to Him to keep from experiencing horrible consequences.

Thank goodness, Jesus will not stop operating in our hearts until He sets us free from whatever sin seeks to control and destroy our lives.

In my life, “care” is like an addiction.  I come from a pretty good familial background of worry.

I can overdose (O.D.) on it in a hurry.  If I entertain any care, my body and mind go to work and create more and more worry and fear.  It can be suffocating, and really snowball making it nearly impossible to stop.

Care can cause other problems like eating disorders and other nervous habits.

I now know that God had a plan for my life that included learning how to trust Him with all my heart.  That’s one reason He had my family attend church.  He knew I’d need to learn scriptures – to know Jesus – that would become my salvation from fear.

What are we going to do about so and so?  We’re going to turn it over to Jesus and trust Him with it.

Silverwind – “My prayer is that you’ll stay with Jesus long enough for Him to remove all your fears.”

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28

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.
1 Peter 4:6-7

Boy, this is really something, and reminds me, once again, that all things work together for good. I’m telling you, folks, stay with Jesus.  We don’t ever have to take on care, worry, fear, frustration and the resulting anger, and bitterness.  Allow Him the time it takes to show you that He makes all things beautiful in His time.

I woke up this morning with some things on my mind.  I had shallow breathing indicating that I was taking on worry and “care.”  I was having an anxiety attack.  I caught myself trying to figure out how some things were going to play out and what their impact might be.  I’m not saying we can’t think things through.  This was worry, pure and simple, and God wants to rescue us from all worry.

Ann and I prayed and asked Jesus to take control of all of the thoughts and items I had on my mind.  We got up and left those things with Him.  We’d cast our cares on Him.

About 15 minutes later, the Lord spoke to my heart in a way that reminded me that He’s in control and that I must cast all my cares on Him.

As many of you know, for nearly 54 years now, I’ve been dealing with anxiety disease and panic disorder – we’re now pretty certain that the root of these disorders is due to my body’s inability to deal with toxins.

Years ago, we were given a book by a Harvard doctor (he was a pioneer in the study of anxiety disease and panic disorder) that said a person with anxiety disease peaks out at about 100 times the normal person when it comes to things in life that cause fear, and the fight or flight syndrome.  It went on to say that an anxiety disease person would have 100 times the fear that the soldiers at Normandy had when they landed.  By the way, fear short-circuits most everything in the body and especially our thinking processes.  Fear can be awful for me.

Well, this morning when the Lord reminded me about casting all my cares (no matter the source) on Him, He shared with me that my panic disorder has really been a blessing in disguise and that He’s known about it all along.  He knew I was going to have to learn to turn everything, and I mean everything, over to Him so I could learn to trust Him, every minute of the day.  If not, I was going to be miserable.  And, my fear would have an impact on those around me.

God told me He’s allowed whatever is causing my anxiety so that I could learn to trust Him with all my heart and then tell others they could as well.  He wanted me to drive home the point that He really wants us to cast (and to do it a thousand times a day if that’s what it takes) all our cares on Him so He can bring His mighty, delivering peace to our souls.

Wow, that really ministered His joy to my spirit and I could feel His deep peace replacing the fear as it left me.  It was kind of like taking off cold, wet clothing and stepping into a hot shower.

Jesus is so merciful.  Even when we’re tempted to think He’s disinterested in our cares, He’s caring for us and watching over our hearts.  What a Deliverer He is.

It’s just so amazing how He works and how wonderful He is.  He allowed fear to teach me to exercise my faith.

The supernatural power in the Word is real, and I’m so thankful for my precious Jesus.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Shepherd is leading us to green pastures and still waters.  As we cast our cares upon Him, He’s restoring our souls.  ☺

For thou (Jesus) art with me…

God bless,

Mark

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Disappointments to Peace

Hello Precious People In Jesus,

I hope the following is clear.  It can be hard for me to express exactly how we felt at times when God began His healing work in us.  Honestly, my wife can often say things better than I can.  ☺

Do you know that God really does have a future and a hope for you?

When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.
Psalm 94:19

Disappointments used to really steamroll and frustrate me.  It seemed to me that nothing was working out for us.  With each disappointment, my reaction to them was growing more intense and negatively affecting my family as well as our relationship with my parents and God.

I was SO thankful when the Lord began showing me how I (and my family) could learn to be less and less impacted by the nonfulfillment of our hopes and expectations.  This is one of the biggest lessons God’s taught us – to have His peace in the face of any storm.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.  I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
Philippians 4:11-12

Things didn’t turn around immediately for us, we didn’t strike oil or find my dream job (at the time, we were told that unemployment in Oregon was nearing 30%), but when we started memorizing and standing on God’s Word, we began to experience a hope we hadn’t had for years.  Something tangible was happening in the spiritual realm and we could perceive it.

When you’ve lived so l-o-n-g with no hope and then get even a flicker of it, you begin to get a sense that things may begin to turn around for you.

The Word is so powerful.  When we get backed into a corner, we ask God to help us find the way out.  The scriptures God had us jot down, and began declaring out loud and memorizing, were the way out for us.  With the Word, we were pushing against a lot of darkness (heartache) that had been oppressing us too long.  When we found the thing (the Word) that would put momentum on our side, we ran with it.  We still do.

We can live with unfulfilled dreams, with unmet goals and expectations.  But we now know we can’t live without the Word, without Jesus, without our preeminent Prince Of Peace.

God’s first instruction to us at our low time was to get in the Word and discover what He was saying about our condition.  His truth was beginning to overtake the lies of the enemy in our ears.  The Prince Of Peace was calming our storm and setting us free from all of the confusion and striving that was killing us.

But You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, Slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness and truth.
Pasalm 86:15

It’s a patient and mighty working of the Holy Spirit, that can take time, when He replaces your desires, and your striving with Jesus.

Some trust in chariots (we wanted to trust in money, in anything we thought would bring us predictable security), and some in horses:  but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.
Psalm 20:7

Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance (God knew we needed to change, to take steps to get closer to Him, to lay our lives at His feet so He could do with them as He wished)?
Romans 2:4

And rend your heart and not your garments .” Now return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness And relenting of evil.
Joel 2:13

Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you, And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you For the LORD is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him.
Isaiah 30:18

To this day, God continues to liberate us by showing us more and more, “but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.”

For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand.  I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness (Those without a need or desire for God).
Psalm 84:10

Nothing like Jesus, the Guardian of our hearts, nothing…

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God bless,

Mark

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Choosing Jesus Every Day Works!

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Hebrews 12:1

Junk (It’s really sin):  In my life, junk consisted of pride, selfishness, self-pity, jealousy, frustration, doubt, bitterness, impatience, strife, unforgiveness, hate, confusion, the fear of man, angry with God, I knew I was neither a good husband nor the kind of father my children deserved, generational strongholds, and others I can’t remember just now ☺.  Sin, life lived apart from God’s wonderful ways, is miserable.

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

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

Are you kidding me, Mark?  Nope, I’m not.  Choosing Jesus every day works.  It’ll change you.  It’s really that simple.  It may not always be easy (your pride and satan will make you think it’s hard to do), but it’s truly simple.  God always intended it to be simple, and POWERFUL.  We simply need to be willing.

I can’t keep choosing Jesus every day to myself.  No one could.  Those who Jesus healed wanted to tell everyone what He’d done for them.  It just comes pouring out of you like an overflow that can’t be contained.

Over the years, Jesus has let me meet and know some powerful people in the Lord, and their lives were incredible because they were choosing to follow Jesus every day.  That’s how the victory over “junk” (sin) is won!

When God is setting you free from as much junk as I used to wrestle with – and I mean it was no fun living with that junk – you become a new person.  I was SO unhappy.  Now, I’m not.  And Jesus is just getting started with me and my wonderful wife.  That’s our Jesus!

ChoosingJesusEveryDay.com is now up and running – we’ll add to it as God leads.

It’s our prayer that God will use it to set many free as they learn how to Choose Jesus Every Day!  All anyone needs to do is ask Jesus to help them get free from the junk in their own life.

He brought me up also out of an horrible pit (that’s what my life used to be), out of the miry clay (the junk can really stick to you, but Jesus will show you how to persevere), and set my feet upon a rock (Jesus), and established my goings (and steadied me as I walked along).
Psalm 40:2

God bless you all,

Mark

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Resting With Daddy (Abba)

Abba – Taken From Intervarsity:  “It seems that when Jesus spoke of God as Father in Aramaic, he used the term Abba.  It is particularly remarkable, then, that Abba is an intimate word for father.  It indicates some of the very first syllables a baby might pronounce in reference to his father — something like Daddy or Papa, but even more like Dada.

God, the Father of Jesus and his disciples, is Dada.”

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

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

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

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

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

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

Years ago, I’d lay down on their bedroom floor and repeat this precious Psalm over and over to my little girls after they climbed in their beds.  With each repetition, I’d speak the Psalm’s words more slowly.  Often my daughters would fall asleep to my (Daddy’s) voice and with the words of this Psalm lingering on their hearts and minds…

…And, my own heart would enter the deep rest of my Heavenly Daddy as well.

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Let your Heavenly Father’s (Abba – Daddy, Dada) Words repeat over and over in your heart.  Linger in His rest…

Dada’s here.

God bless,

Mark

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Can’t Make It Without God? It’s By Design.

Hello Fellow Christians,

Since the age of 11, it’s been pretty obvious that I wasn’t going to make it through life without Jesus taking control of me, my heart, mind and emotions.

I’ve tried to “fit in.”  It’s never happened.  I’ve wanted the things others have desired.  It wasn’t to be.  I “wasn’t like everyone else.”  That wasn’t what God had for me.

I’m finding that there really isn’t room for anything but Jesus in my life.  Funny thing about Jesus is, He is The Life (John 14:6).  He gives life more abundantly (John 10:10).

If you can’t make it without Jesus, you’re extremely blessed.  You have been called to God’s side and into His Presence.  And there, you will dwell.  It’s a place of intimacy, a divine relationship of peace, calm, receiving, rest and joy.

I fought His call, His closeness, for years mostly because I didn’t understand what was happening to me.  I never found peace trying to understand.  In fact, it was when I stopped trying to understand that His peace began to grow in me.

Don’t fight His call to be close to Him.  Don’t let the fear of man (even other Christians) abort His plan for you.  Don’t let yourself grow weary with trying to understand it.  When understanding no longer matters, the storms in this life will be stilled.  Don’t question it.  Don’t become impatient and frustrated with His (God Almighty, the Great I AM, The Prince Of Peace) calling to your heart.  Let it happen.  Let Him teach you what it’s like to live at His side.  Embrace it, and dwell in the shadow of the Most High in the house of The Lord, forever.  ☺

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

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
Colossians 3:15

God bless,

Mark

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Self-Pity And Its Awful Cohorts

Image result for the joy of repentance imagesWherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Hebrews 12:1

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3: 13-14

For thus the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has said, “In repentance and rest you will be saved.  In quietness and trust is your strength.”
Isaiah 30:15a

Our enemy hates repentance (turning from harmful sins) for so many reasons.  He’ll do everything in his power to keep us from turning to God for times of refreshing.  (Acts 3:20)

“Repentance is the act of exchanging the lie that holds us captive for the truth that sets us free.” (Author Unknown)

I got to repent again last night.  Wow, repentance just feels SO good.  Gets rid of the dark, thick cloud the enemy’s lies can form in and around us.

Boy, I’m so thankful God doesn’t leave us in the sin of self-pity.  Self-pity brings with it a whole bunch of bad guys like frustration, fear, anger, being displeased with God, bitterness, “why me,” jealousy…

I’m experiencing some detox symptoms and wasn’t feeling too good last night.  As a result, I started to listen to some of the enemy’s lies.  I was even being silent with my wife.  I was feeling pretty gloomy driving to the store with Ann.  On the way back, the Lord told me to put my hand in Ann’s hand to clear the air between us.  That little gesture began to bring me out of the funk, and we had a great evening together.

Thank you, Jesus, that you’re such a faithful Savior and Lord.

Life would be so much more difficult without His constant watch over my heart.

Mark – – Below is an excellent article about Self-Pity

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Excerpt taken from “The Heart-Hardening Power of Self-Pity” By Jon Bloom

http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/lay-aside-the-weight-of-self-pity

The Heart-Hardening Power Of Self-Pity

Self-pity wasn’t the only thing Jonah was feeling, but its presence and effect was unmistakable.  We know how he felt because of our own experience.  We know that anger, shutting us down emotionally and spiritually.  We know that desire to just sulk or lash out against anyone who crosses us.

Self-pity is our sinful, selfish response to something not going the way we think it should.  And it’s a subtle sin; we often don’t recognize it right away because it wears the disguise of righteous indignation.  We feel justified to indulge it after the injustice we suffered, even if all that happened was we didn’t get our way.

But self-pity is a dangerous, deceitful, heart-hardening sin (Hebrews 3:13).  It’s a spiritual deadener, choking faith, draining hope, killing joy, smothering love, fueling anger, and robbing any desire to serve others.  And it is a feeder-sin, encouraging us to comfort our poor selves with all manner of sinful indulgence like gossip, slander, gluttony, substance abuse, pornography, and binge entertainment, just to name a few.  Self-pity poisons our relationships and is often an underlying cause of our “burnout.”

Self-pity does us no good whatsoever, even if we’ve suffered a true injustice or bereavement or other evil.  It is a closely clinging sin that only weighs us down like an anchor (Hebrews 12:1), so we must jettison it as soon as we recognize it.

Laying Aside the Weight of Self-Pity

There’s no magic formula for laying aside the weight of self-pity.  Fighting sin is a martial art.  Every response to every attack is at least slightly different.  Our best defense is always to be saturated with the Bible, and in particular to keep ourselves refreshed in God’s promises.  But as an example, here’s how I recently battled self-pity:

Ask God for help (Luke 11:9).  Self-pity, like most sins, is an expression of pride.  It is typically hard to let go of because we must admit our wrong when we have felt in the right.  My self-pity almost always affects someone else and it is surprisingly hard to admit my wrong to them.  I need God’s help.

Give yourself some gospel straight-talk.  When I feel self-pity I need to remind myself what I really deserve and what Christ has done for me (Matthew 18:21–35), to be content with what I receive from the Lord (Philippians 4:12–19).  Essentially, I graciously tell myself to stop being a big, selfish baby.

Repent to God for the sin of self-pity (Matthew 3:2; Revelation 2:5). It’s a sin, not merely a “struggle.”  It’s to be killed, tossed away.

Repent to those affected by your sin of self-pity (James 5:16).  Frequently this step of self-humbling is where the hold of self-pity is broken.

In faith take the next step God gives you to face what you don’t want to face (Philippians 4:6–7, 9, 19).  If you feel self-pity over facing a frightening or unpleasant situation and you feel overwhelmed, do the next thing.  God will give you grace to see and take the next step.

If self-pity has become an ingrained habit over a long time, freedom can be yours in Christ, but only through the constant practice of laying aside this sin (Hebrews 5:14).  God will help you develop habits of faith to replace habits of sin.  It will take a while, and that’s okay.  Persevere.  And involve those around you who are spiritually mature.  They are experienced in this fight and will know how to lovingly exhort and encourage you.

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Rest Is Often The Result Of Learning To Wait On God

It’s so easy to want to take control of our lives, to take matters into our own hands.

There are so many scriptures regarding waiting for the Lord, believing His Word, and entering His rest.

“Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart:  wait, I say, on the Lord.”
Psalm 27:14

“For thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel:  “In returning and rest shall ye be saved, in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength; but ye would not.”
Isaiah 30:15

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.   Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30

With all of the seeming setbacks our family has experienced, at times, it’s been very difficult to have to learn to wait on God.  Reminds me, again, of Joni Eeareckson Tada’s testimony, and of the old adage, “Let go and let God.”

It’s funny how the longer I have to wait on God the more I’m realizing how awesome an opportunity it is to get to wait on God.  The Heavenly attributes He’s creating in my life as I wait on Him are changing my thinking about waiting.  Restlessness is being replaced by His rest.  It’s life-changing.

I believe the devil knows the powerful lessons God’s children learn by waiting and that he comes against anyone who is willing to learn to wait on the Lord.  It was part of his strategy when he tempted Jesus in the desert.

I was sitting here this morning waiting for God to give me something to write.  Then, I noticed an email from my good neighbor, Linda.

Linda, replied to yesterday’s “Waiting On God” email saying they’d sung a song at church Sunday called, “God Is In The Waiting.” Linda said, “We tend to think that if nothing seems to be happening we need to do something to speed it up. Guilty as charged☺!  So since then I have been resting in Jesus!!!”

Linda’s words are so true of each of us…=)

Waiting on God is a really good buffer. I’ve met who has been willing to wait on God in some capacity has been endowed with a sweet, abiding, sustaining depth in their life that probably could not have taken place any other way.  A grace, joy and peace is given by the Holy Spirit to keep our hearts as we wait.

Perhaps most importantly is the fact that waiting also seems to replace the thing I’ve been waiting for with simply more of Jesus, His joy and peace.  It’s kind of like the lyric, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.”

And let the peace of God rule in your heart.

Safe in the arms of Jesus…☺

God bless,

Mark

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Joy While Waiting On God – Joyce Meyer

Hi Folks,

The Lord is so faithful, saints.  He keeps reminding me that we didn’t need to worry one minute while living in Oregon.  What fun it would have been to enjoy Oregon while we were there instead of being so frustrated much of the time.  Even today, whenever we are tempted to fret or to become frustrated, God steps into our thoughts to remind us to be full of His joy, always.  He really is in control.  ☺

Wow, this morning’s devotional (Closer to God Each Day) reading from Joyce Meyer was really a blessing.  I hope it blesses you as well.

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“Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring.  Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord.” (Psalm 27:14)

When we “wait” on God, we are not being lazy or passive, but we are actually being very active spiritually.  We may not be “doing” anything, but we are trusting God to do what needs to be done.  In effect, we are saying, “Lord, I will not try to do this in my own strength (Reminds me of the story of Abraham in the Bible).  I will wait on You to deliver me.  And I’m going to enjoy my life while I wait for You.”

Satan wants us to be frustrated from trying to solve our own problems (Sounds like me in Oregon).  He hates our joy.  He wants to see anything but joy because the joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10).  Worry robs us of strength, but joy energizes us.

We are tempted to think we are not doing our part if we don’t worry or try to figure out an answer to our problems (this is how I was raised), but this will prevent our deliverance rather than aid it.  It is not irresponsible to enjoy life while we wait on God and expect Him to do what we don’t know how to do (Amen!)!

Do not fear because the battle is not yours, but the Lord’s.”

God bless you all,

Mark