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I don’t understand everything, but I do know that when I get tempted to give in to the devil’s lies regarding any situation (“It’s hopeless, Mark. Why fight it?”), as long as Satan can get me to react in my flesh apart from Jesus, he will continue to attack in that area of my life. Migraines wear me out. I can get mad about that and live upset, depressed and looking for pity, or I can ask Jesus’ help and give it all to Jesus for Him to work out. This is how I enter His rest. This is the victory! ☺

The Lord bless you and keep you
The Lord make His face to shine on you and be gracious unto you
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace – what joy His peace brings
And I put the Name of the God of the children of Israel on you and bless you in Jesus’ Name, the Name that IS ABOVE every other name.

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

Peace, faith, hope and love – I give you precious Jesus.

The Lord bless you and keep you
The Lord make His face to shine on you and be gracious unto you
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace
And I put the Name of the God of the children of Israel on you and bless you in Jesus’ wonderful, matchless Name, the Name that is ABOVE all – all conditions and circumstances – other names.

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

Here’s a great song – filled with Heavenly truths and Jesus’ Presence – to put on loop…

Peace Give I To Thee
^{By the Maranatha Singers}

Peace give I (Jesus) to thee
Peace give I to thee
Not as the world gives
Give I to thee
Peace give I to thee

Faith give I to thee
Faith give I to thee
Not as the world gives
Give I to thee
Faith give I to thee

Hope give I to thee
Hope give I to thee
Not as the world gives
Give I to thee
Hope give I to thee

Love give I to thee
Love give I to thee
Not as the world gives
Give I to thee
Love give I to thee
Not as the world gives
Give I to thee
Love give I to thee
Love give I to thee

Go with the angel of the Lord accompanying you and the Holy Spirit in your heart. He will protect you and guide your steps.

It’s so amazing to go into Monday knowing you’re with Jesus. He has so many wonders to bring us today and this week as we acknowledge Him each moment along the way.

Jesus is with us. What joy that brings to our hearts.

We love You, Jesus.

God bless you all.

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

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

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

Jesus, we want to trust You at all times. Please remind us that we can always choose to trust You, dear Lord. Make trusting You in all things the foundation of our lives.

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

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

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
Ephesians 5:25

I get so blessed loving the courageous and wonderful wife Jesus knew I needed.

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

Oh, the blessings we have in Jesus if we’ll apply His Truth to our lives. We must know Christ experientially in order to live free indeed. There is no other way.

“Most of us have been taught about the need to appropriate by faith what is already ours through grace. We all desire to have more joy in our Christian life. The keys to experiencing joy are available to all of us. We need to understand the gospel of the grace of God as revealed to the Apostle Paul. Then as we put Paul’s instructions into practice, we will come to know God experientially. This will cause us to know Him better which will cause us to want to obey more, and on and on it goes. Then as we learn and obey God and become focused on spiritual things instead of earthly things, we will become thankful for everything that God has provided for us in Christ. Knowledge, obedience, and thankfulness will then lead to abundant joy in our everyday life In the words of the old hymn Trust and obey, For there’s no other way, To be happy in Jesus, But to trust and obey.” David Havard

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

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

And ye shall know (not just intellectually, but experientially by using The Word of God as the mighty weapon that it is. This is how you know The Truth works. This is how you get used to using it every day) the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
John 18:34

Satan doesn’t want you to know The Truth. He does everything he can to keep you from being well-versed in The Word, to keep God’s Word from operating in your life. He will fight you to keep you from becoming skilled with God’s Word because he knows he’s going down if he can’t succeed.

The devil hates God’s Word and hates those who rely on and believe in The Word because the devil can’t manipulate those who learn how to use The Word to defeat him and his destructive plans for their lives.

This morning, the spiritual atmosphere during our coffee time was pretty thick and oppressive. I felt nervous, backed into a sort of spiritual corner, anxious and somewhat overwhelmed. The Lord told me it was an evil spirit in the room. As a result, I told the spirit to go to hell and to take his lies with him. I got out Psalm 91 and began saying it out loud. Sure enough, the air cleared and I felt God’s strength mounting up in me. Hallelujah! There is nothing like God’s Truth. Nothing!

I need to choose the Word in order for it to work for me, and in me. I can choose to stay with defeating, oppressing thoughts and actions or I can choose to apply the Word to my thoughts and actions and be delivered. That’s why the Word is the blessing it is. I can use it and be free. Spiritual freedom is everything.

When you’re in a faith fight, stay with it. Don’t let the enemy discourage you and tempt you to lose your faith and your trust in God. God will use every single spiritual battle to bring a new truth or spiritual tenacity to you that will make you even stronger in Him. The battles are only meant to be a blessing in you. They come to better prepare you, to make you more free in God’s truth, to better equip you.

Jesus replied, “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.”
Luke 11:28

Think you don’t have what it takes to live by faith? Afraid of entering the fight against Satan? Those are lies the devil has you believing. Remember, the power is in The Word of God. You don’t fight in your own strength. You use The Word – The Truth – and it does the work that brings you to victory.

With the Word, you can live in victory over the enemy’s lies that try to oppress you and try to steal your faith in God. The blessing in putting The Word into practice is that you can live free from the enemy’s lies. The Truth will set you free. Believe It and live free, live blessed.

He (God) trains my hands for war, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
Psalm 18:34

Charge headlong towards freedom in Christ!

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

As you continue to praise and thank God in all things, the result will be the following.

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

Hallelujah!

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

The “Imagine Heaven” book, page 180:

“Jesus is more beautiful, wonderful, and glorious than I can explain…How do I tell you what His face looks like? His face was as if it were liquid crystal glass made up of pure love, light, and life…His face had the colors of the rainbow and colors I cannot describe inside it. All those colors appeared at the same time in His face…They came out and off Him as the waves of the ocean coming on to the shore. I was seeing the colors and I was part of the colors. I was in the colors, and the colors were coming out of me. I was seeing Jesus, and I was a part of Jesus. I was in Jesus, and Jesus was shining out of me…All of it was life. I just wanted to praise Him forever!”

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark – ChoosingJesusEveryDay.com

Note: While we may not agree with everything a particular church or Christian group teaches or believes, there are times when we can be blessed by something outside the realm of our current understanding of God.

Jesus is the blessing. Nothing else can satisfy like precious Jesus.

“Jesus, remind me to keep my hand in Yours.”

The Lord bless you and keep you
The Lord make His face to shine on you and be gracious unto you
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace
And I put the Name of the God of the children of Israel on you and bless you in Jesus’ sweet Name, the Name that is ABOVE (In all ways) every other name.

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away (old habits of not trusting Jesus); behold, all things are become new (being able to trust in Jesus because of Romans 8:28 and other wonderful promises He’s made available to me).
2 Corinthians 5:17

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2:20

But as many as received him (Jesus), to them gave he power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name:
John 1:12

Jesus is the blessing. He has just what I need. That’s why I love being in Him.

Jesus bless you and keep you
Jesus make His face to shine on you and be gracious unto you
Jesus lift up His countenance upon you and give you Himself – peace
And I put Jesus’ Name on you and bless you with His Name because He is ABOVE all.

Happy Monday, Everybody!

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

Yesterday, I was thinking about something in my life that I can’t change in my own strength, or power. I can’t make it happen or go away. My own understanding was kicking in and thoughts starting coming from everywhere. Know what I mean?

I thought, “God, why can’t this change? Why don’t You do something about it?”

That’s when He gently said, “Trust Me.”

I knew His Words were the perfect answer.

It is so calming and stilling to hear Him say those simple two words. He’s so good all the time. It’s so wonderful to know He’s right here with me watching over my anxious heart, thoughts, limited own understanding and desires.

“Trust Me.” Mmmm…

Thank You, Father, for Your constant faithfulness.

Happy Monday, Everyone. ☺

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

Note: While we may not agree with everything a particular church or Christian group teaches or believes, there are times when we can be blessed by something outside the realm of our current understanding of God.

Peace I (Jesus) leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
John 14:27

His peace is not dependent on favorable or unfavorable circumstances because Jesus has overcome this world and its desire for everything to be just as we’d like it to be all the time. And somehow, He works it all for our good. Joseph, in the old testament, experienced this. What amazing power our God has. What favor He gives to those who love Him. Hallelujah!

The Lord bless you and keep you
The Lord make His face to shine on you and be gracious unto you
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace
And I put the Name of the God of the children of Israel on you and bless you in Jesus’ Name, the Name that IS ABOVE every other name (we can count on that).

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

If we are faithless, He remains faithful [true to His word and His righteous character], for He cannot deny Himself.
2 Timothy 2:13 AMP

Often, our faithless, self-serving flesh does not want to hear what God has to say about this or that. When we get to the point in our walk with Jesus where we realize that He works all things together for our good, we’re not as distracted by the flesh and we find it easier to listen to our Father in every situation of our daily lives. What a blessing it is that God knows how much we need Him and how much we need to be comforted by Him. He is so faithful.

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

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

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 (to have fear, worry, greed, your past, the future, etc.) also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
1 Corinthians 10:13

I think for most of us, we don’t make taking thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ the priority until we become desperate enough to do so. It’s so unfortunate that we have to get to that point before we begin to do it.

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
John 10:10

Did you know there is nothing more precious or valuable than a Christ-like thought life? It’s true.

The abundant life is not money, pride, prestige, position, exotic vacations, the perfect family, etc. These can be gone in a flash. The abundant life belongs to the person who has learned to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. This is what seeking first the Kingdom of God is really all about (Matthew 6:33). Only those who are learning to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ will know what I’m talking about here.

Because Christ came to earth to set us free, we no longer need to live with defeating thoughts. He’s given us the victory over them! Hallelujah! Praise Jesus! Thank You, God!

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

It’s so amazing how Jesus is healing Annie and me of so many thoughts – so many of the enemy’s fiery darts we used consume. God is being so faithful to show us how to take thoughts captive to Christ. We are so thankful to the Holy Spirit living in us and how He’s teaching us how to live within the boundaries of Christ’s thoughts. This is living in the dwelling place of the Most High.

Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you how to take every thought captive to Christ. He’ll show you how you can be deliberate in this and how free you can become in your thought life in Jesus.

It doesn’t matter what you’ve been through or what you’re facing today. It does not matter what your health, job, family or financial situation is at the moment. Stop being held captive to Satanic thoughts and thought patterns.

I know the following firsthand because I was held captive to so many awful enemy thoughts for decades.

How many thoughts am I not taking captive by not doing the Word? If I’m not taking wrong enemy thoughts captive to Christ, I’m captive to those wrong thoughts that have me living in defeat. Wow. Don’t be Satan’s captive. Christ has set us free! The way of escape is to take thoughts captive to Christ with the help of the ever-active, ever-discerning Holy Spirit living in us.

Do the Word and become free in Christ by learning how to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. And, God’s Holy Spirit will help you do this. You’ll be so glad you did. There is no better deal anywhere.

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

Why does Jesus make all the difference? Because He’s overcome the world – John 16:33. I want to live my life the same way. In Jesus, I want to be a world overcomer and motivate others to do the same. After all, time is time, and I may as well live my life’s moments for Christ.

I was out for a walk on a beautiful day when it hit me. I’m going to be alive tomorrow, next week, month, and so on. There is so much negative news going around these days. I thought, “Wow, I can either spend my life scared, worrying about everything or praising and thanking God through it all. I can be down in the valley and bring others along with me, or I can choose to live on the mountains with Jesus while I pass on a smile, a nice greeting, a word of encouragement, a lifting scripture, etc. Every day, we have the choice to make it a great day in Jesus or to join so many others who are choosing confusion, fear, and depression.”

I’ll take Jesus. I hope you’ll join me. ☺

Tick tock, tick tock. This is our time to live for Jesus.

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

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

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

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

The challenge before us today is to not let the enemy of our souls get us all worked up. We need to remember these scriptures and live by them. Doing so will keep sudden fear and all the other enemy tactics off of us.

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

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

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.
Philippians 4:6-7

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Romans 12:2

But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.
2 Thessalonians 3:3

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
John 14:27

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts,
Colossians 3:15a

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

I’m falling more and more in love with God, with His ways, with the Life He’s bringing into my life.

Annie and I love singing songs about God, singing songs to Him, worshiping Him – reminds us of His great love and faithfulness. Doing so literally fills us up with Him. The words to Christian songs resonate deeply with the beautiful work Christ is doing in our lives and we light up in our minds, emotions and spirits with His Love in us as we sing of His Love back to Him. Amazing…

25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.

26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
Ezekiel 36:25-27

I’m realizing more and more that when I do His Word, I’m letting God love me, I’m letting His ways bless my whole being.

What immense joy it is to feel God’s Word living and working in my life – Often, I can feel Him – His peace, love and joy – clear down to the bone and it’s wonderful. There has never been anything like it. Wow, it’s just incredible. To be lining up with His will is such pleasure, rest, peace, love and Heavenly joy.

This is why I want to know more about Him and to give Him more and more control over my life.

When I’m loving my wife the way Christ loves the church, I’m worshiping God. Whenever I obey God, I’m worshiping Him, I’m telling Him I agree with His ways. I’m saying I want to do His will because He and I both know how blessed it is to worship Him.

When I love my enemy, I’m worshiping God. When I forgive those who’ve hurt me, I’m worshiping God, when I feed the poor, I’m worshiping Him, when I’m thankful and grateful, I’m worshiping Him, when I meditate on His Word, I’m worshiping Him. When I let His peace reign in my heart and believe that He’s working all things together for my good, I’m worshiping Him, and so on. Whenever I say, “Yes, Lord, I agree with You,” I’m worshiping Him.

He loves it when we worship Him by giving Him our lives in total agreement with His Word, with His will. He has only the best for me and I walk in His best for me when I do His will, when I worship Him.

When I think of how far He’s brought me and how faithful He’s been all the way, I just get so blessed.

What a blessing it is to have Him living in me. What a new reality it is for me…

Can’t wait to see Him face to face.

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

Note: While we may not agree with everything a particular church or Christian group teaches or believes, there are times when we can be blessed by something outside the realm of our current understanding of God.