Month: March 2017

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Daydreaming About Heaven =)

The Lamb to the Lion

I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.  I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows.  And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter.
2 Corinthians 12:1b-4 (English Standard Version – ESV)

Joy of the Lord by Greg Olsen...I love images of Jesus smiling. You don't see them very often.

Make it a weekend filled with Heavenly daydreams…

God bless,

Mark

 

 

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Strong Deception, And Why My Wife And I Choose Jesus Every Day

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“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.  Ye shall know them by their fruits.  Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?  Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.  A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.  Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.”
Matthew 7:13-14

A supernatural, satanic scheme to conform is coming on the world. The forces of darkness are not holding back.  Many people are going to hell where they’ll be permanently captive to the devil.

“The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.”
Proverbs 29:25

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom:  and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.”
Proverbs 9:10

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
Hebrews 4:12

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
James 4:8

“A loving God could never send anyone to hell forever, right Mark?”  I hear this from time to time and realize that anyone who’d make such a comment has never considered the fact that God, even in His love for us, is just.  That was the whole point for why God sent Christ as the only bridge, the only One (or Way) Who can restore our relationship with God (Matthew chapter 27).

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”
John 3:16-17

Every so often I come across something that makes me think, “Am I being as honest, truthful, and bold enough with others as I need to be about Heaven and hell?  Am I showing them enough of the contrast between the two for them to stop and consider what they’re doing with their lives?  Have I done everything I can to get them to take their lives seriously enough to prevent them from ending up with the devil in hell, forever?”

“Earth is as close to Heaven as unbelievers will ever get, and it’s as close to hell as Christians will ever be.”

There’s a very strong deception coming on the world.  The Bible tells us it would happen in the end times.

For example, I’ve heard there’s a strong push to make it a hate crime to call boys “boys” and to call girls “girls.”  What?

Yes, this is how weird it’s getting in our world, folks.  Satan has already taken on God’s definition of marriage between a man and a woman.  Now, the devil’s attempting to erase gender.  It’s a scheme to further destroy trust in the Bible and God’s creation by getting us to question, even more severely, the very existence of a Creator.  If satan can get us to swallow such lies, he’s got us right where he wants us (he knows people will believe almost anything now), and, in the end, he’ll be glad to take as many as he can with him to hell, forever.

The current, strong deception reminds me of the U.N.-type scene in the first “Left Behind” movie where the antichrist figure (Nicolae Carpathia) is telling everyone an outright lie.  His powerful deception’s convincing the other people gathered around the table the he’s telling them the truth.  The only person at the table who’s not deceived is Kirk Cameron’s character, Buck Williams.  The only reason he’s not deceived is because he’s recently given his life to Jesus and the Holy Spirit’s keeping him from believing the lie.

Folks, we may think we could never be deceived due to our intellect, that we’d never conform to supernatural lies, that we’re way too smart to fall for satan’s tricks.  What we need to be aware of is that we’re going to need to be very close to Jesus in these last days.  Brain power, alone, will not be enough to keep us safe.  The power in the deception behind satan’s lies (much of the power resides in, and will depend on, the degree of the fear of man we allow to operate in our lives – the pressure of what others think can make us do some things we know are against our (and God’s) will) is supernatural.  Without maintaining a close relationship with Jesus, we’re no match for this type of powerful deception.

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.  For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.  And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
Galatians 6:7-9

My wife and I know that satan will do everything he can “to get a foot in the door” of our lives, and that he’s never satisfied with just that.  For that reason, we choose Jesus, His ways, every day to maintain the kind of humility it takes today to not fall prey to satan’s deception, to keep us firmly grounded in Christ.  We choose Jesus every day to make sure we’re waiting on Him, and listening for His directives in our lives, in our decision-making processes; to keep us taking thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ, to keep us praising Him in all things, to keep believing that Jesus is working all things together for our good; to maintain forgiving hearts and to continually extend grace to each other and others; to keep from becoming self-absorbed, self-centered and selfish; to help us to keep trusting Jesus; to protect our marriage and family; to love each other the way Christ loves us; to keep ourselves from letting this world’s condition discourage us; to keep us looking up, looking to Christ for His rest, love, wisdom, discernment, peace, and joy; to keep us in His Word that helps us in our everyday lives; to not give into sudden fear; to be anxious for nothing; to maintain our compassion for others; to be able to love our enemies; to continually dwell in the fruit of the Spirit; and to abide in the shadow of the Most High.

I want to strongly encourage each of you to stay close to God.  Residing in Him is the only way we’re going to be able to discern and withstand the end times.  Staying close to God will enable us to let the peace of God rule our hearts every day.   It’s the way to keep our hearts from growing cold when lawlessness increases.  We, desperately, need the Holy Spirit’s supernatural guidance as we navigate today’s world.

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God will bless our lives, and every aspect of them, with His Presence, His peace, stillness, rest and joy as we choose Jesus every day,

Mark

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Take Up Your Cross: That My (Jesus) Joy May Be In You

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The cross of Christ – Where God’s true joy begins…

The glorious wonder and blessing of dying to the heavy burden of living for self –

Boy, I don’t yet know everything the Lord wants me to convey about the blessing of the cross in our lives.  Just the fact that Christ died for our sins on the cross is life-saving and life-changing.

I’ll try to put into words what the Lord seems to be saying to me about the cross.

When we take up our cross, daily, God works His power in us.  His love transforms our lives and renews our minds.  Taking up our cross involves memorizing scripture, learning how to win spiritual battles by learning that we can take every thought captive to Christ, learning how to be overcomers in this world.  We, also, gain so much compassion and understanding, both of which are needed today as He has us reach out to love each other.  The cross teaches us patience, makes us more Christ-like, and becoming more like Jesus always blesses our lives and the lives of those around us.

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The cross is not intended to be a burden.  It is intended to help us die to self, and dying to self and taking on God’s character is such a huge blessing.  We trade in our weak flesh for the fruit of the Spirit.  Our lives are blessed with Jesus’ selfless love, peace, self control, humility, joy, faith, etc.  We receive the Word into our lives as the cross helps us focus on Jesus, our Prince of Peace, the Lord of all that is good, the One Who gives life its true meaning.

The very pages of the Bible (like The Beatitudes found in Matthew 5:1-12, and the love found in 1 Corinthians 13) become alive in us and attract others to the liberating life that only Jesus can give.

No other life will be as blessed as that one who seeks to take up their cross, daily.  Do you see what I mean?  Can you begin to get excited about the daily cross Jesus asks us to take up?  Tremendous blessings reside in the cross for each of us.  Heavenly blessings that cannot be discovered any other way.  =)

Praise God!  Thank you Jesus!

We can rejoice in the cross for all that it’s done and is doing in our lives…

“At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light, and the burden of my heart rolled away, it was there by faith I received my sight, and now I am happy all the day.”  (Lyric by Isaac Watts)

The cross can make us happy all the day, precious people.  There’s no greater life than being like Jesus.  If there was another, greater life, Jesus would have told us so.

Oh the joy of life lived in and for Jesus.  Such stillness of soul, trust, rest, contentment, peace, love and joy.  His death opened the door to His joy.

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Nothing was ever meant to be compared with the joy that comes from our Heavenly Father.  Nothing can.

That Jesus’ joy may be in us.  Wow…  =)

God bless,

Mark

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Only Be Thou Strong And Very Courageous =)

Hello Saints In Jesus,

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It’s a new week.  And, Jesus is in control of our lives, and the entire universe.  He’s working all things for our good.  =)

“Be strong and of a good courage:  Only be thou strong and very courageous…

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein:  for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Have not I commanded thee?  Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed:  for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

…only be strong and of a good courage.”
Taken From Joshua Chapter 1

Aren’t you grateful that God loves you so much?  He’ll never leave us nor forsake us.  Knowing Him gives us the courage to do His will, to walk out His plan for our lives.

God bless,

Mark

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Heaven, Yipee!

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Heavenly Sunlight
Christian Hymn by Henry Zelley

“Walking in sunlight all of my journey,
Over the mountains, through the deep vale;
Jesus has said, I’ll never forsake thee—
Promise divine that never can fail.

Refrain:
Heavenly sunlight! Heavenly sunlight!
Flooding my soul with glory divine;
Hallelujah! I am rejoicing,
Singing His praises, Jesus is mine!

Shadows around me, shadows above me
Never conceal my Savior and Guide;
He is the light, in Him is no darkness,
Ever I’m walking close to His side.

In the bright sunlight, ever rejoicing,
Pressing my way to mansions above;
Singing His praises, gladly I’m walking,
Walking in sunlight, sunlight of love.

Refrain:
Heavenly sunlight! Heavenly sunlight!
Flooding my soul with glory divine;
Hallelujah! I am rejoicing,
Singing His praises, Jesus is mine!”

Boy, folks, we get to walk with Jesus while on earth, and then we get all of Heaven afterwards.  Pretty good deal… =)

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Think I’m going to just stare at Jesus and the Father for a while when I finally get to Heaven.  Can’t think of anything better right now… =)

I’ll talk with you next week.  Have a nice, Heavenly weekend.

God bless,

Mark

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Ravi Zacharias And The Hamas Sheikh

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”
John 3:16-17

“This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,”
1 Timothy 2:3-5

Hi Folks,

Here’s a powerful, loving short story any of us may be able to share with Muslims should the Lord present us with the opportunity.  I hope it blesses you, and them.

Taken from the nine-minute mark in the above video (Edits mine).

Well-known Christian apologist Ravi Zacharias, and some other prominent religious leaders, had been invited to the Middle East to talk to some of that region’s religious leaders.  One of them was a sheikh who was one of the four founders of Hamas.  The sheikh, a large, powerful-looking man, had been in prison for 18 years.  He’d also lost some of his children to suicide bombings.  The room where this meeting took place was full of smoke and people.  The discussions had been intense up to this point:

When it was Ravi’s turn to ask the sheikh a question, the following dialog took place:

Ravi:  “Can I just say one thing to you sir?  5000 years ago on a mountain not far from here, a man called Abraham took his son up the mountain to offer him as an expression of his faith.  You remember that story?”

Sheikh:  “Yes.”

Ravi:  “Let’s not argue about which son right now.”

Ravi:  “But he (Abraham) took his son up that mountain and as the knife is about to come down, God stops that arm, and He says, “Stop!””

Sheikh: “That’s right.”

Ravi: “What did God say?”

The sheikh just stared at Ravi.

Ravi:  “God said, “Stop, I, Myself, will provide.””

Sheikh:  “That’s right.”

Ravi:  “Sheikh, here in Ramallah, very close to us is a hill.  2000 years ago, God kept that promise.  This time, He took His own son up that hill, and this time the hammers did not stop.

Sheikh, until you and I receive this son God has provided, we’ll be offering our own sons and daughters on the battlefields of this world for position, and land, and power, and prestige.”

The sheikh looked at Ravi, and there was such a stunned silence in the room.  Ravi never thought of that talk beforehand.  What he’d said just came out on the spur of the moment.  Ravi thought he’d really blown it.

On the way back to their jeeps, the sheikh, hurriedly, put the other guests in their vehicles and then ran over to Ravi’s jeep.  He patted Ravi on both cheeks and then kissed him on both cheeks.  He told Ravi he was a good man and that he hoped they’d meet again some day as his eyes welled up with tears.

God loves us all, Muslims included, and this story is indicative of His desire to reach them with Jesus’ salvation of grace.  Reminds me that God looks at the heart of man, not the outward appearance (1 Samuel 16:7).

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Romans 3:23

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“And He [that same Jesus] is the propitiation for our sins [the atoning sacrifice that holds back the wrath of God that would otherwise be directed at us because of our sinful nature—our worldliness, our lifestyle]; and not for ours alone, but also for [the sins of all believers throughout] the whole world.”
1 John 2:2

God bless,

Mark

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Christianity Is So Simple, And Wonderful

Hello Precious Christians In Jesus’ Name,

“See, I (God) have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil;

In that I command thee this day to love the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply:  and the Lord thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it.

But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them;

I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it.

I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

That thou mayest love the Lord thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him:  for he is thy life, and the length of thy days:  that thou mayest dwell in the land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.”
Deuteronomy 30:15-20

“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Joshua 24:15

How does anyone live with the abandonment and loneliness of believing there’s no God?  Why would anyone not want to be a Christian?  Why would they not want God’s rest, love, joy and peace in their life?  How can they live today without knowing that God, their loving, Heavenly Father, can make all things work together for their good, that they can cast all their care on Him?  Why do any of us choose to live with the trappings pride brings to one’s life, with worry and fear when God’s perfect love can cast out fear and the worry associated with it?

At one time in my life, I was as bad off as the lame man, the leper or the blind man Jesus healed in the Bible stories.  I was so blinded to everything God had for me – always satan’s plan.  My leprosy was the panic, fear, frustration, anger, resentment, restlessness, unforgiveness, bitterness, jealousy, lack of love, unfulfilled dreams and goals, and the fear of man that kept me from even beginning to understand God’s love for me.

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

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

Surely he shall deliver thee…”
Psalm 91:1-3a

I (Mark) was lame and needed to be delivered – I didn’t know how good “delivered” could be.  I needed to find out how I could “dwell in the secret place of the most High.”  I was out from under God’s protecting presence, His dwelling place.  I needed a Savior, someone who could save me from the ugly and heavy burden the sins of fear, care, bitterness (and all the rest) had placed on my life.

Little by little, God began to bring about change in my life.  He began to deal with these harmful traits and learned behaviors, these awful, devlish things that had such a “strong hold” on my mind, my emotions, my heart, personality, and relationships.

What can I say about Jesus’ love for me?  Wow, He’s simply incredible and unwavering in His faithfulness and love for me.  How grateful I am that He saw my need for Him, and that He’s taken the time to help me change, to become renewed.

“For this purpose the Son of God (Jesus) was manifested, that He might destroy the works (anger, fear, panic, frustration, bitterness, jealousy, coveting, divorce, fighting between us, selfishness, unforgiveness, revenge, you name it) of the devil.”
1 John 3:8

“The thief (satan) cometh not (comes only to), but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy (by trying to make us miserable through bitterness, fighting with each other, hate, resentment, selfishness, you name it):  I (Jesus, on the other hand) am come that they (you and me) might have life (free from anger, resentment, bitterness, coveting, hate, selfishness, etc.), and that they might have it more abundantly (living free in Jesus’ joy, peace, love, forgiveness, blessings, care for us, etc. – and, it only gets better all the time because He’s infinite in His love for us).”
(John 10:10) Edits Mine

The Gospel, the Bible, Jesus and Christianity…it’s all really as simple as the above verses imply.  But, the Gospel message, the Bible, Jesus and Christianity can make all the difference in anyone’s life, here in this earthly life and into eternity.

That’s why God sent Jesus…to destroy the works of the devil (fear, anger, bitterness, jealousy, you name it), and to give us His (Jesus’) life, instead.

Jesus, oh my precious Jesus, Your Presence makes me whole.

God bless you all,

Mark

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God’s Working For My GOOD! =)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Is it just me, or do you get excited sensing that God’s up to something new for you?   You can feel like He’s got something in store for you…

And, you know it’s always going to be good!

Why art thou cast down, O my soul?  And why art thou disquieted in me?  Hope thou in God:  for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.
Psalm 42:5

I don’t know what you’re going through, but I can honestly tell you God will work it for your good.

So many times when we’re confronted with something, we tend to become stressed and feel like we don’t want to deal with it, we don’t want to have to walk it out.

We may view the thing as another change we may have to make in our life and that can make us uncomfortable, bothered.

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Matthew 19:26

What I’ve found is that often when these things come up, it’s really God working behind the seen (scene).  I can’t see Him, physically, so I don’t always recognize it’s Him at first.  But, He’s arranging things in my day to help me, to show me something new, to reveal more of Himself, and His wonderful nature to me.  Know what I mean?

At first, I can even be scared about a situation only to find out that it was God asking me to step out of my boat, again, to learn more about how to walk on water – and, that’s cool =).

In the end, I find that I’m thankful He brought up the uncomfortable situation, that He confronted me with a necessary change, that He’s being true to His covenant with me, that He’s loving on me.  Somehow, He’s made me more like Him because of it, whatever the “it” is that He’s brought up.  And, that’s always exciting.  Nothing like repenting (change He knows I need to make to be more like Him, more free), folks.  Brings times of wonderful refreshing.

And, He then allows us to share the experience with someone who needs exactly what He’s doing in us.  Win-win.  Yipee!

Can’t wait to see what He has in store for me the rest of the day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so…

God bless you all,

Mark

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The Beautiful Release and Comfort That Is Ours As We Praise God In All Things

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

always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 5:20

I will praise the Lord no matter what happens (His praise shall continually be in my mouth).  I will constantly speak of his glories and grace.   2 I will boast of all his kindness to me.  Let all who are discouraged take heart.   3 Let us praise the Lord together and exalt his name.
Psalm 34:1-3 The Living Bible (TLB)

Ever feel like this?  “Wow, this is really bad.  How am I going to deal with this situation?”

By thanking and praising God.  “Mark, that sounds crazy.  How can I possibly thank and praise God for this really hard situation?

Well, let me share with you why you should be praising God right now.  There are two reasons I can think of, immediately.  The devil wants us tied up in his oppressive chains.  Also, satan knows that God inhabits the praises of His people and he does not want God to help you.  It’s really that simple.

Hello Precious People,

This actually happened to me just this morning…

At times, I’m tricked into thinking, “I got this.”  I can be unaware that I’m actually operating out of pride.  I can get so bogged down with a situation that I forget to call on God, to praise Him, to bring His power on the scene.

I’m still learning that if I try to handle challenging situations in my own strength, in my own understanding, instead of thanking and praising God for the circumstance, I can end up stressed out.  When I thank and praise God for the situation, somehow, God is brought into the situation (Psalm 22:3; He inhabits our praises), the stress is released and I can actually feel God taking over.  All the resources of His realm become available to help me.  I stop feeling alone in the situation.  Suddenly, I feel lighter as though the care the situation has brought on me is transferred to God.  And, He works all things for my good.  For me, it doesn’t get any better than this.  What relief is available to us.  Oh, praise God, thank you Jesus.

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1 Praise ye the Lord.  Praise God in his sanctuary:  praise him in the firmament of his power.

2 Praise him for his mighty acts:  praise him according to his excellent greatness.

3 Praise him with the sound of the trumpet:  praise him with the psaltery and harp.

4 Praise him with the timbrel and dance:  praise him with stringed instruments and organs.

5 Praise him upon the loud cymbals:  praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.

6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord.  Praise ye the Lord.
Psalm 150

Go ahead, praise God, and let Him take your cares…

God bless,

Mark

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Heaven’s Coming Right Up!

Hello Folks,

Lots happening in the Middle East these days with God’s people, the Jews, back in their land and all of Israel’s enemies flexing their muscles as they promise the demise of the Jews.  Just like the Bible says, God has placed a hook in the jaws of His enemies to draw them to Israel for the battle of Armageddon, the final confrontation between good and evil.

1 Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God.

2 For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head.

3 They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones.

4 They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.

5 For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee:

6 The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes;

7 Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre;

8 Assur also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot. Selah.

9 Do unto them as unto the Midianites; as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kison:

10 Which perished at Endor: they became as dung for the earth.

11 Make their nobles like Oreb, and like Zeeb: yea, all their princes as Zebah, and as Zalmunna:

12 Who said, Let us take to ourselves the houses of God in possession.

13 O my God, make them like a wheel; as the stubble before the wind.

14 As the fire burneth a wood, and as the flame setteth the mountains on fire;

15 So persecute them with thy tempest, and make them afraid with thy storm.

16 Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek thy name, O Lord.

17 Let them be confounded and troubled for ever; yea, let them be put to shame, and perish:

18 That men may know that thou, whose name alone is Jehovah, art the most high over all the earth.
Psalm 83

The land shall not be sold for ever: for the land is mine, for ye are strangers and sojourners with me.
Leviticus 25:23

I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.
Joel 3:2

8 For thus saith the Lord of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.

9 For, behold, I will shake mine hand upon them, and they shall be a spoil to their servants: and ye shall know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me.

10 Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the Lord.

11 And many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto thee.

12 And the Lord shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land, and shall choose Jerusalem again.

13 Be silent, O all flesh, before the Lord: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation.
Zechariah 2:8-13

And, behold, I purpose to build an house unto the name of the Lord my God, as the Lord spake unto David my father, saying, Thy son, whom I will set upon thy throne in thy room, he shall build an house unto my name.
1 Kings 5:5

14 So the angel that communed with me said unto me, Cry thou, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy.

15 And I am very sore displeased with the heathen that are at ease: for I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction.

16 Therefore thus saith the Lord; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be built in it, saith the Lord of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem.
Zecariah 1:14-16

We’re seeing so many end times events happening.  The Middle East is in the news on a regular basis.  God has said no one will be able to figure out the problems in the Middle East until His agenda has been carried out.

God has returned His people to Israel after 2000 years just like He said would happen in the pages of scripture.  He’s carefully watching over the developments occurring all around His precious possession, Israel.

Image result for heaven images

Heaven’s coming right up!  Take time to meditate on Heaven this weekend, saints.  It’s time well spent.  ☺

God bless,

Mark

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Fear Not! Believe, And Experience The Glory Of God Each Day As You Trust/Rest In His Love For You.

As many of you have come to know, this stuff’s real, precious ones.  Let’s follow Christ.  Let’s make every attempt to live in the faith He died to give us.  Let’s enter His sweet rest…

39 Jesus said, Take ye away the stone.  Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh:  for he hath been dead four days.

40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?

41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid.  And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.

42 And I knew that thou hearest me always:  but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.

43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.

44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes:  and his face was bound about with a napkin.  Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

45 Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.
John 11:39-45

God knew I needed to come to the point where I was so sick of fear that I would do whatever it took to be freed from it.

Mark, why do you talk about the same things over and over again?  Well, it’s because I know we need to get the basics of our faith down if we’re (and our children) going to live in the victory Jesus can give us.  To consistently experience His peace and joy, we need to get these types of truths deep in our souls where the Holy Spirit can help us to be overcomers, day in and day out.

In the following, please understand it’s not my purpose to judge anyone or to make fun of them.  I’m just trying to get us to see that religion (and the “fear of man” religion can contain and perpetuate), in itself, will not make us truly free in Jesus.

Lately, I’ve had a number of people try to share their fear with me.  I could tell they didn’t really want to be set free from their fear.  They merely wanted to get me to enter into their fear.  These are folks who don’t know Jesus and what His love could do for them.  They’re reacting to the fear in their own lives the way they’ve seen others react to fear – the herd mentality.  They make fearful comments, they play fearful thoughts over and over again in their minds – I was like that at one time.  They look at you as if they expect you to join in with the fear they’re  experiencing and trying to pass onto you.  They look stressed, worried and weighed down with responsibility (after all, that’s what being an adult is all about, right?).  Fear was actually telling them what actions to take and how to live their lives which is never a good thing.

How do I know this “fear” look?  Because my parents and relatives (and most of their church friends), who were merely acting out what they saw other worldly and religious people doing, reacted to situations this way.  Being around them as much as I was, I learned to deal with potentially intimidating circumstances in the same, fearful manner.  Doing so nearly wiped me out physically and emotionally, especially when a lot of fearful situations began to gang up on me.  In fact, letting fear control my life this way came close to causing me to give up on having any kind of a meaningful relationship with Jesus.  These people didn’t know Christ and neither did I even though we all called ourselves Christians.  Isn’t that strange?

The really sad thing is that when I (and my precious wife) made any attempt to come away from the fear we were all letting control us, to take a stand and start believing in and living the Word, I was beginning to be labeled as “holier than thou” and “self-righteous.”  I didn’t feel like I was either.  I just desperately needed to find out if the Bible was true because I was drowning in fear, anxiety and panic.  I wanted so much to find out if Jesus could really put an end to the turmoil in me, that He could actually bring trusting peace and rest to my life.

Dejectedly, I (and my family) finally had to cut ties with folks who were holding us back from taking a leap of faith to find out if Christ really was trustworthy, if His peace really could take control of my troubled soul, if He really could work all things for my good, even my very scary past. (Reminds me, again, of the powerful little book, “Hinds Feet On High Places” by Hannah Hurnard)

Precious people, Jesus is the way to deal with all of the fearful thoughts (whether they come from religious people or others) around us that attempt to rob us of our right to our faith in the Prince of Peace.

The thief (satan and his band of fearful demons) cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:  I (Jesus, on the other hand) am come that they (anyone who will truly get to know Jesus) might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly (living with the kind of peace and joy only Christ can impart).
John 10:10 My Edits

When you get hit with doubts, and we all do, don’t panic.  Instead, take action against those thoughts even if it means doing so in your mind or speaking it to yourself under your breath.  Take fear-inducing thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ.  Others may drown in fear.  Jesus has called us to faith, to rely on and relax in Him, in His care.

Quote scriptures that remind you to not give into fear, scriptures that tell you that God can be trusted to take care of you no matter what – tape them up in your home.  Play Christian music all day long in your home.  Memorize verses that remind you to cast all your cares on Christ, and that you don’t ever have to be frightened by sudden fear, the type of fear that catches you off-guard.  Remember, Christ is guarding your heart.  Please, let Him be your Prince of Peace.

Call Jesus’ Presence into the situation…His dear Presence makes us whole.

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

When fear comes, remember to let the peace of God rule in your heart.  And, maybe most importantly, remember that God’s really working all things for your good.  Knowing that will let God’s perfect love build a wall of protection around your heart, and knowing that will cast any fear where it belongs, out of your life.

I love you all.  It’s my joy and strong desire to see each one of us set free so we can fully rest in Jesus.

“Said I (Jesus) not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?”

God bless,

Mark

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God Means It For “Good”…Genesis 50:20, Romans 8:28

Oh Precious People,

So many times in my life, all I could see were the thorns when God was growing rose bushes.  Let God write His story for your life.  Give Him your life, again and again.  Let Him take all the time He knows is needed for His perfect timing.  He just keeps adding such beautiful pages…Yes, all the time, God, the Author of life, is good.

But who are you, O man, to answer back to God?  Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?  Has the potter no right over the clay,
Romans 9:20-21a

And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.  And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?  Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.
John 9:1-3

When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners (those who have harmful ways and behaviors operating in their lives like me) to repentance (to let God create His marvelous ways in their lives to save them from destruction).
Mark 2:17 My Edits

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me (Jesus), because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives (me, and anyone else who wants to be set free), and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
Luke 4:18 My Edits

As some of you are aware, I’ve had some real trials in my lifetime –  I know others who’ve had difficulty as well, some much worse than mine.  I’ve been really “troubled.”  I’ve even questioned God over and over, and had many years of battles.  I’ve tried “storming the gates of Heaven” and so many other methods to get God to reach out and heal me.  I’ve spent much energy consumed in the “whys” along the way.  I hope the following speaks to your hearts and brings a blessing to many of you…

I was listening to some songs about Jesus this morning.  One song, Don Moen’s rendition of “I Am The God Who Healeth Thee” made me pause and wonder why God has yet to heal me of the physical and family issues I still live with, that I’ve felt so much deep hurt, frustration, embarrassment and shame over.

All of a sudden, the precious, small voice of the Holy Spirit cut through the music and spoke to my heart.  “My precious Mark, I knew the scalpel that would be necessary to bring you My life.  You had a much deeper ailment I’m setting you free from, and I’ve allowed these health issues in your life to bring about the deepest healing I can bring to your life…A renewal to your whole being deep in your soul.  For your life, this is the way I’ve chosen to work and to bring the largest amount of healing to many others, as well, who need the blessed work I’ve chosen for your life.  Please trust Me, My son.  I love you.  I’ll show you such wonders…”

Then sings my soul, my Savior, God to Thee, how great Thou art!  =)

Don Moen – God is good


God bless,

Mark

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The Immense Blessing Of Building Our House On Christ, The Rock

Hello Saints In Jesus, Our Prince Of Peace –

Boy, I just love these teaching snippets from Jonathan.  What a blessing he is to the church at this time…☺  By the way, you can order complete teachings at Hopeoftheworld.org.

Jesus so desires that we dwell in the precious, all-protective place of the Most High.  He wants us to be so close to Him that we’re living in His shadow.  That’s why He encourages us to believe passages like Romans 8:28, John 14:27, Proverbs 3:5, Proverbs 3:25, 1 Peter 5:5b-7, Psalm 46:10 and the all of the rest of His life-transforming, refreshing and renewing Word…

God loves us so much and that’s why He motivates us to be “doers” of the Word, trusting that God is watching over His Word to make it’s promises a reality in our lives.  We must be living the Word in order for it to bring rest to our lives.

Jesus, have Your way with my life.  Help me to keep surrendering to Your will.  Show me how to build my life on You, The True Rock.  Then, I’ll all be able to Trust in You with all my heart as I dwell in the safest and most joy-filled place in the universe, within Your shadow, the shadow of the Most High.

The Power of the Rock
How to build a life so strong it will stand no matter what happens in the world.

God bless you as you dwell in Christ.

Helping all of us to build our houses on The Rock,

Mark and Ann

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The Blessing Of Imparting The Blessing

Hello Precious People,

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

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

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

The Lord bless you, and keep you:

The Lord make his face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you:

The Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.

And I put the Name of the God of the children of Israel on you and bless you in Jesus’ Name, the Name that is above all names.

God bless each of you,

Mark

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

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

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

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

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

Mark

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

Hello Saints in Jesus,

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

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

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

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

https://www.praisebooks.org

God bless,

Mark – ChoosingJesusEveryDay.com

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The Resistance Secret

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

God bless,

Mark

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Your Heavenly Father’s Always Watching Over You

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

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

From Messianic Rabbi Jonathan Cahn’s March Newsletter…

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

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

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

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

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

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God bless,

Mark

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For Thou Art With Me…

Hello Precious People in Jesus’ Name,

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

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

For Thou art with me…
Psalm 23:4c

God bless,

Mark