Released From Oppression – Romans 8:28

Hello Dear Christians,

Like he tempted Adam and Eve in the garden, satan comes to us with his destroying thought, “hath God surely said?”

As long as I (Mark) didn’t believe and trust what God said in Romans 8:28, I couldn’t believe that God was really in control of my life working all things together for my good.  As a result, I was miserable living with fear, anger and the torment of the enemy’s overwhelming, oppressive, defeating thoughts.

“If anyone could tell you the shortest, surest way to all happiness and perfection, he must tell you to make it a rule to yourself to thank and praise God for everything that happens to you.  For it is certain that whatever seeming calamity happens to you, if you think and praise God for it, you turn it into a blessing.”
William Law, English clergyman, Eighteenth Century

“I thank God for my handicaps, for through them I have found myself, my work and my God.”
Helen Keller

“Blessed is he who submits to the will of God; he can never be unhappy.  Men may deal with him as they will…he is without care; he knows that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.”
Martin Luther

“Cry for grace from God to be able to see God’s hand in every trial, and then for grace…to submit at once to it.  Not only to submit, but to acquiesce, and to rejoice in it…I think there is generally an end to troubles when we get to that.”
Charles H. Spurgeon

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

Yes, God has surely said He’s working all things together for our good.  You can rely on it.  Trust that God is working all things together for your good and be set free from the enemy’s oppression.

God bless you all,

Mark

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

Romans 8:28

 

 

 

 

 

At times, it’s easy to forget Romans 8:28.  It’s at those times that we’re tempted to list all of the things that appear to be not working for our good.  But, we soon discover that nothing can really be jotted down on such a list because we’re reminded of God’s Romans 8:28 promise.  Nice, isn’t it?

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

Whenever you’re tempted to be disappointed or discouraged, remember the incredible, supernatural and superseding promise in this verse.  It can really turn your day around.  It’s my favorite verse and for good reason.  It’s the perfect antidote for any situation that tries to cause me to, temporarily, stop trusting God’s in control.

Let the saving and comforting truth of the words of this verse get deep down into your soul.  Tape it up in your home, car, or discreetly in your work area.

God’s watching over Romans 8:28 to perform it in the life of all who love Him.  He’s making sure that all who yield to its pre-eminent truth will experience the delivering promise in its words that will keep your heart, mind, and soul protected, safe, and full of faith and hope.

Let Romans 8:28 make you more than a conqueror as you learn the strength in its words to make you into a Christian who’s able to always trust God.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And we know…  =)

Hallelujah for the Lord our God, The Almighty, reigns!

God bless,

Mark

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