Month: May 2017

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God, And His Ways, Fill Me With Joy

God spoke this to my heart this morning:  “Mark, come away with Me to the high places, those places where those who search for Me with all their heart, those who desire Me above all else, are shown a great secret.   In the high places, I will enable you to live above circumstances because of My faithful love.  I’ll show you how the joy of My Presence has preeminence over everything.”

for the joy of the Lord is your strength.
Nehemiah 8:10c

Jesus’ joy is overtaking every challenge or circumstance in my everyday life, and it’s amazing.  That’s why I’m telling you, there’s nothing like Jesus, like getting to the point where His joy is right there all the time helping us to live above any and all circumstances with His joy…

‘You (God) have made known to me the ways of life;
You will fill me [infusing my soul] with joy with Your presence.’
Acts 2:28 AMP

“I serve a risen Saviour, He’s in the world today
I know that He is living, whatever men may say
I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer
And just the time I need Him He’s always near.

He lives, He lives,
Christ Jesus lives today
He walks with me and talks with me
Along life’s narrow way
He lives, He lives, Salvation to impart
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart.”
“He Lives” Christian Hymn by Alfred Ackley

Didn’t sleep well last night for a number of reasons.  Then, I woke up with this song on my heart and it brought joy to me as I was reminded of His loving care of my life.  I just love how the Lord is so faithful to keep His joy coming.  I love how He rescues me right when I need it by reminding me that His joy supersedes everything.  It’s just so wonderful to know Christ.

Whenever you’re tempted to feel like you’re at the bottom of the barrel, let Jesus turn it over for you and put you back on top.  That barrel (any and all circumstances), and every barrel in the future, is just what you needed to put your attention back on Him and His joy knowing that He’s working all things for YOUR GOOD.  =)

I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer
And just the time I need Him He’s always near…

These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
John 15:11

God bless,

Mark

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So Thankful The Lord Changes Us

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
Proverbs 3:5

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

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

There was a time when it was difficult for me to trust in the Lord instead of my own understanding; to let the peace of God rule my heart; to be still in my mind and emotions knowing that He was always with me and taking care of me.  These days, it’s easier for me to do.

It just amazes me to think that He puts these spiritual strengths into our lives.  I don’t know how He does it.  All I know is that once I was blind to these dear, precious things of God, but now I can see them.

I like to put my name at the end of these verses.  It makes their message more meaningful, personal and loving knowing they’re coming directly from my Father to me to heal me and make me more whole.  Such peace in Jesus.  Such real, wonderful, deep, abiding peace…

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding, Mark.
Proverbs 3:5

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

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

God bless,

Mark

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Charge!

God’s teaching me that I can’t entertain the devil’s lies for any length of time at all.  I can’t nonchalantly let them linger in my mind and spirit.  I’m discovering that mighty warriors can’t live this way.  They must constantly live in the Presence of The Lord ready to put their enemy to flight at a moment’s notice.

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

Death and life are in the power of the tongue:  and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
Proverbs 18:21

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;
2 Corinthians 10:4

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

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
Romans 8:37

Hello Christians in Jesus’ Name,

Maybe like me you’re a sensitive person.  If so, you’ve most likely been asked to be a mighty warrior in God’s army.  Let me explain…

I had bad dreams again last night.  They’re almost always about me being a failure, and not being able to provide for my family.  Because God made me to be sensitive, bad dreams can often leave me in the cesspool of self-pity.  I can wake up feeling like I’ve been run over and left for dead.  So…

When I feel this way, I have to turn to God’s Word and fight off defeating thoughts of guilt, fear, condemnation, inferiority, etc.   By using the Word against their lies, I’m exposing their attacking lies to the light of God’s Word and that light expels the lying darkness.  I send them and their lies  running for cover back to their darkness.

Remember, we’re not fighting with flesh and blood, but against principalities in high places.  This is why I stay close to Jesus.  This is why I must dwell in the shadow of the Most High.  I don’t do it for “religious” reasons.  It’s, literally, life to me.

Without staying close to God, without using the Word (the truths I’ve come to depend on in the Bible) as the sword that it is, I’m without any weapons to fight off the thoughts that would ultimately defeat me.  Life and death (the devil and his defeating thoughts) have been laid out before me and I must choose life (Christ and His conquering thoughts and truths).  I must choose Jesus every day.

With the Word, I’m more than a conqueror like the Bible states in Romans 8:37.  When I finally read Psalm 91 out loud this morning, the enemy’s lies, that had me pretty down, broke.  I began to feel God’s strength and His truths about my life rise up in my spirit.  Darkness fled.

It seems like some people have been tricked into thinking they can be lackadaisical or complacent in their Christian walk, and not have to be this close to God – I’ve been tempted to feel the same way at times.

They don’t want to have to become mighty warriors due to the fear of man, fear of the enemy, embarrassment, don’t dare take the chance of appearing to be too radical in their faith, or some other reason.  I’m not boasting, but I’m not one of them.  I was never given the choice.  For whatever reason (probably because God knew I couldn’t make it without becoming a mighty warrior, one who must always depend on Him and His Word), God wants to make me into a mighty warrior for His glory.  If you receive these emails, you probably have the same calling.

You and I are not victims, mighty warriors.  In Jesus (Who is The Word), we are the victors, and we are more than conquerors.

It’s a spiritual battle we’ve been asked to participate in.  No matter how we feel at any given time, when we use the Word (Jesus), the sword, against the lies of our enemy, the devil sees us like the picture below, and it scares him to death.

Keep your sword (Jesus, The Word, The Way, The Truth and The Life) close at hand.  When the battle command’s given during those times when you’re walking in selfishness, feeling like a failure, overwhelmed, frantic, scared, like giving up, or like you want to go hide somewhere,

Charge!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

God bless you all,

Mark