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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.

Nothing and no one can bless us like Jesus can because nothing and no one is ABOVE Him.

When you let the Holy Spirit show you how blessed you are, it really grows in your spirit.

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark and Ann

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark and Ann

Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust Him. He will help you.
Psalm 37:5

So come on, Christians. Let’s go and discover all of the wonder Jesus has for us.

Happy Monday, everyone!

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

Ever tried to conform Jesus to your world? I did for years. I’m grateful it didn’t work.

He that hath ears to hear, let him hear (let him understand what the Spirit is saying).
Matthew 11:15

Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them (are we like the world or like Christ?).
Matthew 7:20

Sometime ago, I wrote about the two cars in two lanes heading for a point where there was a single lane ahead due to road work. The two drivers would not yield and bumped their cars into each other.

While laying in bed yesterday morning, the Holy Spirit told me I can’t let the end times lawlessness impact me to the point that it robs me of God’s peace and fruit. I can’t let lawlessness pull me away from what I have in Christ. I can’t let it conform me to the world and the mess it’s in. I need to stay in Christ and not let my heart grow cold to Jesus, and to His love that overcomes this world.

The world will try to conform us to it if we let it. Jesus tells us not to be conformed to the world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds to His Word, to His ways.

Because lawlessness is increased, the love of most people will grow cold.
Matthew 24:12 AMP

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Galatians 5:19-23

But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me (around me); my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
Psalm 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

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.

Happy New Year? Really, Mark? How can we be happy with everything that’s been happening lately?

These things I (Jesus) have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
John 16:33

In Jesus, we can overcome the world. It’s True.

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6

We can be world overcomers like Jesus if we’ll come to the Father.

Our prayer for all of us is that God will continue to motivate and show us how to continue to renew our minds to His courageous, fear-conquering, all-powerful, liberating, loving Word.

One of the most important goals in having our minds transformed by The Word of God is the matchless gift of being able to let the peace of God reign in our heart. Other life-changing blessings include remembering that, as Christians, we have the ability and strength of the Holy Spirit in us to enable us to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ while we’re reminded that God is working all things together for the good of those who love Him.

If we love God, we’ll do His Word. If we do His Word, we have the assurance that He will back up His Word. Knowing that He’ll make sure to perform His Word gives us a peace that passes our own understanding. This is so delivering. This is the Love of God working in our lives.

Then the Lord said to me, “You have seen well, for I am [actively] watching over My word to fulfill it.”
Jeremiah 1:12

15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

18 I will not leave you comfortless (If we’ll do it, His Word will comfort out lives): I will come to you.

19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.

20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?

23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.

25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.

26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

27 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.

28 Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.

29 And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.

30 Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.

31 But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.
John 14:15-31

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Colossians 3:2

Be strong and of a good courage…Only be thou strong and very courageous…Have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: For the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest…Only be strong and of a good courage.
From Joshua 1

HAPPY NEW YEAR, Everyone!

We love you all.

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.

I have great news for you today. God is much more wonderful than I thought. And, He’s getting more wonderful by the moment and day.

Realizing the precious work God is doing in your life makes you pause at times…

Recognizing that God’s providence is at work in your life and all around you brings you such wonder, joy, peace, love, and rest. For the longest time, I didn’t know God’s providence. In fact, I was mad at Him for all of the challenges, shortcomings and failures I saw as my life. God’s hand of mercy is reaching deep into my life to show me that it’s all been for good – For His good and for my good. Wow, who but God could do this?

I’m seeing more and more that what God wants most from me is me. What a Father we have, people.

In Moments Like These
^{The Maranatha Singers}

In moments like these
I sing out a song
I sing out a love song to Jesus
In moments like these
I lift up my hands
I lift up my hands to the Lord
Singing I love You, Lord
Singing I love You, Lord
Singing I love You, Lord
I love You
Singing I love You, Lord
Singing I love You, Lord
Singing I love You, Lord
I love You

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

What’s been the result of all of my life’s testings to this point? Jesus living in me. The hope of glory has come into my life and I’m not the same as I was before. I can never thank Him enough for what it took for this precious, life-giving transformation to be taking place in me…

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

No matter what your condition or circumstances, we can be strong and courageous in the Lord. This is what “good courage” is all about. We trust Him and follow Him at all time, regardless…

Be strong and of a good courage…Only be thou strong and very courageous…Have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: For the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest…Only be strong and of a good courage.
From Joshua Chapter 1

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

And thus you shall greet him: ‘Peace be to you, and peace be to your house, and peace be to all that you have.
1 Samuel 25:6

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
Matthew 7:24

A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.
Psalm 127:1

By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established;
Proverbs 24:3

My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.
Isaiah 32:18

I am so blessed that in the midst of today’s world, God keeps showing Annie and me how to love and appreciate each other more and more. It’s so wonderful and we’re so thankful. We love loving each other and God keeps emphasizing that we can have in joy in our marriage and home at all times. He’s so amazing.

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

26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Ephesians 5:25-27

Keep loving your family and keep your home a sanctuary full of His grace, mercy, love, rest and joy. Ask God to help you. He loves families and He’ll show you how to do this.

We love you all,

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark and Ann

For the longest time, everything but the peace of God ruled in my heart.

As long as I set my affections on things of the earth, I was easily swayed this way and that – I was tossed to and fro as the Bible states.

God saw the need of my heart and knew what He could do for and in me.

When Jesus began to teach me how to set my affections on things ABOVE, my whole life began to be healed. I started to understand that letting His peace rule in my heart was the most important thing I could do. It allowed me to trust in Him with more and more of my heart and to really stand on and truly be delivered by Romans 8:28. Fortunately for me, I was so sick and lost in fear that Jesus left me no choice but to turn to Him with all my heart. I still slip up from time to time, but, for the most part, I dwell in His secret place apart from fear, striving, and all the rest that had me locked up in bondage for decades.

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

His truth shall be thy shield and buckler…*

And when that occurs in your heart, you’ll never be the same…☺

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark
*Taken from Psalm 91 KJV

There is true liberty in Christ.

4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

5 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 10:4-5

“Holy Spirit, please remind me and give me Your mighty power to renew my mind to Your liberating thoughts. I ask this in Jesus’ Name. Amen.”

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.

He that testifieth these things saith, “Surely I come quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
Revelation 22:20

Looking up…

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”
Luke 22:42

The Father’s cup is the only path for those who will be truly free indeed in Jesus. There is no true peace, rest and joy in the cup I want, in doing my will, in wanting my will, in striving for my will to be done. This is what I discover the longer I live, the longer I abide in the dwelling place of the Most High. Most of the time, it is my will, the cup I insist on, that tries to drag me from my Father’s shadow, from His mighty protection, safety and security.

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Romans 10:17

Our faith has nothing to do with our feelings. In fact, I had another migraine yesterday morning and I’m not feeling good at all. This morning, I read some of “Power In Praise” to Ann while she was getting ready for work. The section I read talked all about not being able to walk by feelings, but instead by faith. In that part of the book, Merlin Carothers writes a powerful line (pg. 41). He said, “God accepted your surrender of will and you were born again by His Holy Spirit.”

When I have migraines, I feel angry, upset, scared, puny, like giving up, weak, depressed, a lot of self-pity, etc. But, God has taught me to surrender my will to His Word rather than to let my will be overwhelmed by the migraine fallout. Loving Annie regardless of how I feel is a huge part of how God is delivering me from feelings that could ruin me.

Live by the Word of God and walk by faith rather than by sight or feelings. God will deliver you as you choose His Word over any conditions you face.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart (give our entire will over to His Word); and lean not unto thine own understanding (sight, feelings, etc.). In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths (into all the liberty He has for us).
Proverbs 3:5-6

We love you all so much. ☺☺♥♥

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

I was battling in the spirit this morning – I was involved in a spiritual conflict. I discovered what I was really doing was leaning on my own understanding and that led to more and more confusion. Finally, I grabbed my Bible, found Annie and began reading Psalm 91 out loud to us. The Holy Spirit began speaking to us pointing out and highlighting certain verses in that passage of scripture. Wow, God is so powerful and His Word can really clear the atmosphere around and in us. The conflict I was having was resolved by reading Psalm 91 out loud. It was amazing.

Psalm 91 – Conflict Resolution.

Focusing on everything but the Word? Read Psalm 91 out loud. Doing so clears the air in our spirits and thinking.

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

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

3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

9 Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.
Psalm 91

So come on, let’s go and see all the great things God has in store for us as we walk hand in hand with Him this week. Hallelujah!

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.
2 Chronicles 20:15

Annie and I are re-reading Merlin Carothers’ Power In Praise book. Wow, what an amazing book full of faith and victory no matter the circumstances we face in life. God is so good. He inhabits the praises of His people. Praise Him today, and sense His Presence in your spirit.

Happy Monday, everybody.

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.

In today’s world, it’s easy to step out of the dwelling place of the Most High. It’s easy to let our flesh take over. This is why it’s so important to be in the Word and applying it to everyday life. This is how we maintain a victorious relationship with Jesus.

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour (noisy outcry; feeling of outrage), and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice (desire to cause pain or injury): 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

Great and timely verse…☺

These portions of scripture can keep us in life. Jesus desires for us to have lives that cannot be shaken no matter what tries to steal our faith in Him, and no matter what tries to stop us from believing that He’s still in control of our lives.

Step out in faith and decide to live the above scripture and see Jesus keep you. He’s the only One Who can keep us.

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

Rest in Jesus’ care of your life

Trust God with everything. Give it all to Him and then relax in His arms of Love…

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.

17For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
Galatians 5:17

I’ve been a Christian for a while, and although I get some pretty amazing things from the Lord from time to time that minister so deeply to me, it’s only beginning to hit me how absolutely wonderful and beautiful holiness (God’s wholeness that so deeply heal and bring us His spiritually rich and abundant Life) and righteousness (God’s right ways and paths of living that lead to True Life) are. I was thinking about a balance sheet in relation to the contrast between Holy/Righteous and Unholy/Unrighteous living. While the lists are not nearly exhaustive – because of God’s infinite character – below is what came to mind.

Wow, and to think that Jesus came to give me Life and then faced death on the cross to make sure I’d have the chance to know Him so He could help me get set free from everything that’s troubled me in my life. What Love.

Holy/Righteous Living

To begin with, His forgiveness for all my sins, I’m redeemed!
He gave me the desire to want to repent and follow Him
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering (patience), gentleness (kindness), goodness, faith, meekness, temperance (self control) – the chance to have these amazing, supernatural traits of the Holy Spirit operating in my life
The realization that Romans 8:28 is really living in me
The gift of learning how to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ – Wow
Cares and burdens cast onto Christ – Amazing
Healed and thriving marriage
His provision
His promise to never leave me nor forsake me
Discernment
Compassion
Boldness in the face of darkness
Forgiving
Security
Free to love others
Courage to follow Jesus no matter what
Sound mind that learns I can trust Him always
The joy, peace, rest and freedom that come by taking thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ, praising and thanking Him in all things, and believing that He’s really working all things together for my good, and applying the rest of God’s Word to our lives to give us His abundant life.

Unholy/Unrighteous Living

19Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21)
Care and burdensome life with no chance of God’s deliverance
And so much more of the lies, and wicked and evil deeds of darkness that keep us enslaved to sin and seek to steal, kill and destroy us.

What a contrast.

God sets life (holiness and righteousness) and death (unholiness and unrighteousness) before you and me every single day . Then, He tells us to choose Life. This is why, no matter how I mess up or what comes my way, I make the attempt every day to choose Christ, to choose Life. God knows it’s the only decision that makes any sense. It’s why He sent Jesus and why He gave us His directions, His Word.

Along with me, pray that the precious Holy Spirit will make you desire His holiness and righteousness. He’ll freely give us His infinite, abundant Life that’s so rich and free.

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.

We live in a busy, restless world. It is everything to know we can turn to God and yield to Him and let His peace reign in our hearts. To be still is such an incredibly valuable gift.

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

Be intimate with your Heavenly Father.  Know Him.  Let His Word soothe and heal you deeply.  This is what being close to God does for us.

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.