Month: May 2018

I’m discovering that, of paramount importance, God wants us to find Him (Jeremiah 29:13).  That’s why He wants us to seek Him with our whole heart. And, if He recognizes a seeking heart in us, a heart after Him, He’ll move all of hell and work out everything in your life to make sure you seek Him with all your heart.  In fact, finding Him is the most important thing in this life.  And because He knows this, He’ll bring us to the point where we’ll seek Him above all else.  God knows that “finding Him” is the greatest experience in the universe.

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me (Jesus),
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.
Isaiah 61:1-3

Isn’t this a glorious passage of scripture?  This is what Christianity and life are all about.  As we grow in Jesus (as we find Him, and the beauty of His holiness; His righteousness or right living), the message in the words in this powerful passage is exactly what He wants us to do for each other.  There’s no greater joy than becoming more like Jesus only to find that His life in us (our testimony to His truths and faithfulness) can bring Jesus’ love, healing, comfort, faith, hope, rest and joy to others.  And all of this love (which is really Jesus’ life in us) perpetuates from generation to generation.

Thank you, Jesus!

God bless,

Mark

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

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Philippians 1:6

“Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, than to trust and obey.”
Lyric from Trust and Obey Christian hymn by By John Sammis and Daniel Towner

When I focus on the storms in life, I can quickly be overtaken by anxiety – I was raised to react this way.  I’m sure this is one of the loving reasons God had me get saved in the first place.  Showing me to focus on Him, first, is such an important part of God’s “good work” in me.  It’s one of the biggest ways He’s healing my soul from harmful past generational sins and strongholds.  It enables me to learn that I really can rest in His faithfulness.

I love how God uses the storms of life to teach us to focus on Him, first (Messianic Rabbi Jonathan Cahn – The Storm King).  God really does work all things together for the good of those who love Him, even the beautiful lessons storms can bring.  He’ll take our love for Him and transform our lives, inside-out, as He teaches us to focus on Him, first.  What a wonderful Heavenly Father we have.  Always changing us from glory to glory as He makes us strong in the power of His ways, His might.

Stormy?  That’s okay.  I’m finding out that storms in life are just more opportunities for Jesus to teach me to focus on Him, first.  Knowing (believing) that He works all things together for my good allows me to live in His faithfulness, His rest – Him, first. ☺

God bless,

Mark

Your own ears will hear him (God).  Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left.
Isaiah 30:21

7 The law of the Lord is perfect
refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the Lord are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm,
and all of them are righteous.
10 They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the honeycomb.
11 By them your servant is warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
Psalm 19:7-10

Wow, is there anything like the blessings (great reward ☺) contained in Godly insights?  I just love it when the Holy Spirit speaks His loving, liberating truths into my life/soul.  His Presence and Words just bring me so much of His love, joy, peace, rest and comfort.  There’s nothing like His precious, still, small voice (1 Kings 19) as He calls to my heart, “Mark, this is the way, walk ye in it.”  And then the shear joy I have when my heart replies, “Yes, Lord, I see what You’re telling me, and the satisfying, soothing comfort Your Words of truth, about that area in my life You want to restore and bless, will bring.”

…By them your servant is warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.

“Precious Jesus, help us by making us evermore hungry for more of You, and Your healing love.”

God bless,

Mark