Category: Husbands and Wives

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Marriage: Forgive Quickly, Kiss Slowly

Forgive quickly, Kiss slowly.

The above slogan appears on a sign that hangs above our bedroom door.  It’s been a pretty meaningful reminder and blessing to our marriage.  We’ve often gifted the sign to other married couples…

Be humble and gentle.  Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.
Ephesians 4:2 The Living Bible

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

Forgive quickly, Kiss slowly…

God bless,

Mark

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A Sound Mind Is Invaluable Today

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

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Contrasting Fear with a Sound Mind and a Powerful Love

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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God bless,

Mark

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Satan Is Stronger Than God?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

He’s removing all our fears…

God bless,

Mark

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RAK CHAZAK AMATS!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

RAK CHAZAK AMATS!

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

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

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

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

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

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

RAK CHAZAK AMATS!

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

God bless,

Mark

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Gaining The Whole Picture – From Atheism To Christianity

Hello Everyone,

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

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

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

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

God bless,

Mark

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The Blessed Protection of “In Everything Give Thanks”

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

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

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

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

God bless,

Mark

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Heavenly Friday =)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

God bless,

Mark

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I Love This Soothing Scripture Passage

Hello Precious People In Jesus,

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

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

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

God bless,

Mark

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It’s So Nice To Be Nice

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

God bless,

Mark

 

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

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

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

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

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

The Lord bless you and keep you,
The Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you,
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace,
And I put the Name of the God of the children of Israel upon you and bless you in Jesus’ Name, the Name that is above every other name.
Taken From Numbers Chapter 6 (Edits Mine)

God bless,

Mark

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God Has Not Given Us The Spirit Of Fear

If God hasn’t given us the spirit of fear, it must be coming from satan.

I’m seeing more and more people being attacked by fear today.  And, sadly, most of them do not know that fear is a spirit sent to devour them, to bring them hopelessness, to make them react with little self-control.

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
II Timothy 1:7 King James Version

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.
II Timothy 1:7 Amplified Bible

I have not been given a spirit of fear (fear is satan’s main weapon as he roams around seeking someone to devour, I Peter 5:8 ).  As a Christian, I do not have to yield to the temptation to fear whenever my life doesn’t go the way I want or think it should be going.  Instead, I can listen to God and yield to His power, His love and His thoughts about me and the situation.  By doing so, I can yield to the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and realize that God IS working all things for my good.  This allows me to have God’s peace as I place myself back under His loving care.

God bless,

Mark

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Maintaining Our Thought-Life

Thankfully, I often think of the apostle Paul and how he and Silas began praising God while imprisoned in chains.  (Acts 16)

For as he (or she) thinketh in his heart, so is he/she:
Proverbs 23:7a (Edit Mine)

Our beliefs become our thoughts, our thoughts become our words, our words become our actions, our actions become our habits.

“Whoa, where did that thought come from and why was I thinking it?”

The devil’s attacks on, and recommendations for, our thought life are deliberate.  If left unopposed, satan’s scheme will eventually destroy us.

For instance, I woke up not feeling good today.  As a result, my thoughts followed the way I felt in my body…

Well, about ten seconds later, the Lord reminded me that His thoughts are not determined by or subject to how I feel, and I began to praise Him and thank Him.  I started being positive for my wife and chose to love her by not letting how I felt get me down.

One thing I try to remember throughout the day is that while God said He’ll never leave me nor forsake me, I can often leave Him during the day.  What I mean is that, for any number of reasons, I can let my thoughts wander away from Him and begin taking on destructive/defeating thoughts.

Let’s stay with God, saints.  Let’s ask Him to remind us of Whose we are throughout the day so we can maintain a victorious thought-life in Christ regardless of circumstances.

“Jesus, please help me to be deliberate in my thinking so I be an overcomer and live the victorious life You’ve given me the opportunity to live.”

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
1 Timothy 6:12

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:  (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
2 Corinthians 10:3-5

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 4:8

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Be joyful always.  Can this really be accomplished?  Yes, the Word says it’s God’s will for Christians, those who choose to be followers of Jesus Christ!

God bless,

Mark – ChoosingJesusEveryDay@gmail.com

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Hold On, Something Great Is Coming!

Hello Christians,

Here’s a 1-minute message to help you begin your week.  God is so good!  =)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tz6GwahOvsg

By the way, here is the link to Jonathan’s entire message that the above excerpt was taken from.  Very inspiring 27-minute message.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zg-47moVPtM

God bless you all,

Mark

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Maintaining God’s Peace During These “Troubled” Times

Asserting behavior is on the rise, big time.  Even if we’re “right,” we need to discern situations with God’s help so that we don’t fall prey to the enemy’s traps.

The other day, I was right behind a Cadillac Escalade.  We were traveling on a two-lane road that was being worked on so barriers were funneling drivers into one lane about 400 yards up the road.  I was already in the correct lane to drive through the road work area ahead.  The accelerating Escalade had flown past me and quickly got in front of me.  I could tell the driver was aggressive and impatient and sensed I should back off from them by leaving some distance between the two of us.

After about another 100 yards, another car came up on my right and quickly passed by hoping to pass the Escalade before we all reached the area where cars had to merge into my lane or hit the barriers in the right lane.  The Escalade driver was not going to let the Nissan Altima in.  No way.  I was far enough behind the Escalade so that the Altima could easily slip into my lane.  But, the Altima was not going to drop in behind the Escalade.  The race was on.  Sure enough, the Altima ran out of room in the right lane and smacked into the Escalade with the entire side of their car.  Pretty bad road rage situation.

Lately, in the news, I’ve been seeing more trouble with plane passengers fighting like the incident Burbank, California yesterday.

People are becoming more aggressive in store checkout lines even butting in front of others who’ve been waiting patiently.  Amazing.

Society is becoming more and more troubled and out of control.  I can sense we’re on the brink of some real problems in the world.  People seem to not care any more and are doing whatever they want to make sure they’re wishes are known and met.  Selfishness is becoming the rule.  Compromise is vanishing.  Grace is disappearing.  Love is giving into hate.

I share this with you not to discourage you but to encourage you to let not your heart be troubled.  We’re going to see those who don’t know Jesus succumb to their troubled hearts and we need to be careful that we’re maintaining a close relationship with Jesus so we don’t get tricked into entering into this troubled, end times world.  Satan’s baiting us and would like nothing more than for us to jump into the troubled mess he’s cooked up.

When the two cars smacked together, I have to admit, it was really weird.  I couldn’t believe what I’d just witnessed.  I thought, “Man, this world is getting even more crazy.”  It was then that the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart and told me to back off, to let go of any of my own aggressive tendencies, to calm down, and to let His peace reign in my heart.  The Holy Spirit meant that He’s watching over me and that I must yield to Him today to keep from getting harmed by this world’s troubles.  He told me not to let a macho, California spirit of aggression cause me to make decisions that could harm me and my wife.  I was really thankful for His words of wisdom.  I pray all the time and ask God to keep me from falling into the trap of the spirits that are coming on this world to bring destruction to many.

Please, if you sense your rights are being violated and that aggression is mounting in you, back off and take a moment to let God reign in you before proceeding.  It could really mean the difference between great harm and safety.

There are so many Bible passages that help us discern the times we’re living in and how we should conduct ourselves to keep us in Christ, in His protection and care.  I’ve listed just a few below.

Know this, my beloved brothers:  let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
James 1:19-20

Be sober-minded; be watchful.  Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
1 Peter 5:8

Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the bosom of fools.
Ecclesiastes 7:9

One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless.
Proverbs 14:16

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 15:1

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  Not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
John 14:27

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

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,
Colossians 3:15a

God bless,

Mark

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Romans 8:28: Our Ever-Ready Defense System

Hello Precious People in Jesus,

At times, I can still be tempted to doubt that God’s working all things, even my past, for my good.  The large, ever-present angel pictured below is pretty much the picture the Lord showed me when He told me He’s protecting me from not believing Romans 8:28.  I’m so grateful He’s this faithful to protect me/us, to see to it that I/we believe.

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

The love of God is so rich and pure.  It’s measureless and strong!
Lyric taken from “The Love Of God” hymn by Frederick Lehman

Then the Lord said to me, “You have seen well, for I (Psalm 34:7 below) am watching over my word to perform it.”
Jeremiah 1:12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

God, Himself, is watching over His Word (Romans 8:28) to perform it.

Romans 8:28 is intended to set a perimeter and stand guard over our minds and spirits like a behind the scenes, ever-ready and impenetrable, missile defense system that’s ready to stop any, and all, incoming weapons (fiery darts) meant to harm us…

I’m finding that if I keep believing Romans 8:28, if it’s preeminent in my thinking, I’m kept much more free from the purpose and impact of satan’s lies that try to tear my faith and me down, or to wreak havoc in my life.

The shield of faith that Romans 8:28 puts in my hands (in my spirit to keep my faith safe and intact) pretty much quenches the devil’s fiery darts.  I mean, what can satan convince me of if I’m walking in knowing that God is working all things for my good.  As God continues to show me that He’s truly working all things for my good, I can truly experience/realize His perfect love that casts out any fear associated with the possibility that something may not work for my good.

Yep, Romans 8:28 can be a huge spiritual tool for taking thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ Who’s ALWAYS working for ALL things for my GOOD.

It’s so much easier for me to cast any care on Jesus, to be still and know that He’s God, and to let the peace of God reign in my heart as I relax in the amazing protection the Holy Spirit places in my life with Romans 8:28.

And we know (with great confidence) 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

God bless,

Mark

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Perfectionism and Growing In Grace

Wow, I could write so much about the following.  But then, I’d begin to feel some perfectionism creeping in.  =)

I’m becoming more and more convinced that satan can make us give up on Christianity by making us strive in our desire to be more like Christ…

We, desperately, need to extend grace to ourselves as well as to others…

It can be really difficult to truly forgive others if we can’t forgive ourselves or God.

Boy, I’m just SO thankful for the Apostle Paul’s life and experiences…

The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.  Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest, if we do not give up.  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.…
Galatians 6:8-10

The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,
Romans 5:20

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves:  it is the gift of God:  Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9

For I do not understand my own actions.  For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.  Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good.  So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.  For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh.  For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.  For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.  Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.  So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand.  For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.  Wretched man that I am!  Who will deliver me from this body of death?  Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!  So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.
Romans 7:15-25

I hope the following is clear and simple enough to express what I’m trying to say…=)

First I want to say that we need to realize that when God’s pointing out something in our lives that we often feel condemnation for it.  But, what God’s really up to is freeing us from whatever He knows is weighing down our spirits.  In His love for us, He’s being a faithful Father.  And, that, we can rejoice in.

With that said, I want to share a personal matter that may be helpful to many – I have just now seen this issue more clearly in myself, again.

I never like to tell folks to dwell on their past since God tells us to press onto the future while forgetting the past, but sometimes knowing our past can help us resolve lingering spiritual issues that free us from the past.

I can be a perfectionist.  God’s helping me with this issue.  I believe being a perfectionist comes from a victim mentality, some form of self-pity, from being compared to others, from never feeling good enough, never living up to others’ expectations, from having chronic health issues, from feeling inadequate, shame, or like I’m a burden.  I can feel like I’m always trying to prove my worth to others.  I’m sure satan is ever ready to bring these thoughts to our remembrance.

As I grow in the Lord, at times, I can feel like I want to do everything perfectly.  I don’t like it when I mess up in my walk with Jesus or when I still react to others in my old ways.  It can bother me for a while, sometimes.  What I also noted about messing up is that it can bother me so much that I can be tempted to feel like, “Oh well, what’s the use.  I’m never going to be able to overcome these strongholds so why try.”

That’s about the time I come to a fork in the road.  Am I really frustrated enough to want to give up Christianity?  Or, do I receive God’s grace for my failure, stop my striving and proving my worth, and ask His help to keep going, to keep me motivated to continue on with renewing my mind in Christ.  Do I let my desire to be free from generational strongholds fill me with such strife that it makes me weary and resentful, or do I let God’s grace cover those irritating items and release Him to work them out of me in His time knowing He loves me in the meantime?

Thankfully, God’s always had me continue on with Him.  He’s always allowed me to forgive myself and to move on.  He’s always helped me to not grow weary in well doing.  In fact, whenever I feel myself growing weary in my Christian walk, God helps me recognize my striving and brings His grace to my mind and heart as if to say, “I know your efforts to be more like My Son.  But, your own efforts only lead to strife and weariness.  So please let go of your strife and walk in My forgiveness and timing for your growth.  Let My grace fill you with the peace that passes understanding right now.”

If you sense that, perhaps by no fault of your own, you’ve become a perfectionist, let God love you into His grace.  Know that apart from Christ we can do nothing.  Jesus is the One Who helps us grow. He’s the One Who forgives us and teaches us to forgive ourselves when we can’t live up to the image we may have formed for ourselves.  He can set us free from serving that idol with His mercy and grace that are new every morning.

Maybe someone needed to hear this today – I did.  I was going to write about something totally different today, but it seemed like the Lord was saying to write the above instead.

I love you all.

God bless,

Mark

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The Blessing In Forgiveness

How do I deal with hurt?  What’s my reaction when someone (even when/if I think God’s hurt me, I hold something against Him, I’m still blaming Him for something) hurts me?  What about forgiving myself?

The devil works to plant sin, like unforgiveness, in my life.  His plan isn’t only to to use unforgiveness to make me miserable, but to destroy me.  And he wants to use my unforgiveness to infect as many others as I can with it.

In His mercy, God steps into my life to show me how to walk in forgiveness.  As I learn the blessing in forgiveness, I’ll feel so much better and want to let others know they too can be freed from the terrible weight of unforgiveness.

Pursue peace with all men, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.  Be careful that no one falls short of the grace of God, so that no root of bitterness will spring up to cause trouble and defile many.
Hebrew 12:14-15

Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.”  And you forgave
the guilt of my sin.
Psalm 32:5

Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
Proverbs 28:13

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
Matthew 6:14

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32

Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression
of the remnant of his inheritance?  You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.
Micah 7:18

You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.
Psalm 86:5

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.
Acts 3:19

Isn’t God’s mercy incredible?  It just rejuvenates us like nothing else can.

Wow, my wife and I listened to some teachings on the importance of forgiveness over the weekend.  I have to admit, before listening to the videos, we didn’t think we had any issues with forgiveness – maybe some lingering religious pride there?  =)

As soon as the forgiveness lessons began, the precious Holy Spirit began speaking to our hearts about some things.  We had to stop the videos several times and let Jesus speak to our hearts.  God’s truth shared in these videos was SO soothing to our hearts, minds and spirits.

I even identified some unforgiveness I had towards God.  It was so healing to deal with that.

As we sat listening to the teacher who taught how important it is to forgive others and then to bless them as a lifestyle, God just loved us into more and more forgiveness.  It was so freeing.  Made us feel so much more lite in our spirits like taking a spiritual bath in God’s love.

Funny how you don’t even realize you’re still carrying around weighty baggage like unforgiveness.  God is SO GOOD, friends.  He does everything He can to show us how to let go of the heaviness our sins can bear on us.  His ongoing faithfulness just keeps surprising us.  It’s so incredibly wonderful how He keeps showing us how to become more and more free to walk in His amazing love.

…that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.   =)

 

 

 

 

Those times of refreshing are so good…Keep helping us become more free with Your soothing truths, Lord.

God bless,

Mark

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Messianic Rabbi Jonathan Cahn: A Case Of Cultural Leprosy

We have a culture and value system that increasingly seeks to avoid pain at any cost.  It even affects Christian culture.  We may not realize it, but this is a form of leprosy.  The greatest danger of leprosy is that it destroys the nervous system so that the person feels no pain.

If their hand is in the fire, they don’t feel it and the hand is destroyed.  So too, when a culture tries to avoid all pain – it becomes leprous.  If you seek to avoid all pain, you will never live a life of righteousness, godliness, and greatness.

Righteousness involves sacrifice and even pain.  There is redemption in pain.  God created it to alert you of danger to life.  If you have pain in your body, it’s alerting you that something is wrong – so you can address it.  If you have pain in your soul, it’s to tell you something is wrong.

You can fix it and it can help you.

Don’t go through your life seeking to avoid pain, or have only pleasure.  Live your life seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.  And all these other things will be added to you.

Today’s Mission:  Today, seek not to avoid pain and pursue pleasure.  But seek to pursue righteousness and the will of God , no matter pain or pleasure.

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:  But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.  If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you:  on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
1 Peter 4:12-14

God bless,

Mark