Month: December 2020

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Psalm 119:11

Sinning against God is so harmful to our lives. A lot of the time, we don’t even realize we’re doing it, and so often we sin against Him by conforming to this world. He has so much for those who will seek Him.

No God, no peace. Know God, know peace. This is so true. I’m a living testament to it.

Years ago, I thought I knew God. I thought I was doing all the right Christian things. I thought I knew what God wanted, what He was up to, etc. But, I still didn’t really know Him. I still didn’t have His peace. I thought I did, but I didn’t.

I used to get offended and kind of angry when others would point out something in my life they thought was not good for me. I didn’t like it when God’s Word spoke about something in my life I thought I didn’t seem to have any control over. But, the longer I live, the more I listen to the Holy Spirit, the more I realize God wanted me to follow Him, to know Him so I could be free from things that could harm me clear down to taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. Wow.

He merely wanted to set me free so I could live in the love His Word has for all of us. God wanted me free and I used to fight His freedom. Hmmm…

Thankfully, He kept pursuing me and wouldn’t let me wander off from His intense, all-consuming love for me.

He loves you, precious one. Let Him have His way with you. He only wants to make you free indeed.

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.
Psalm 91:1-2

For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
Psalm 84:10

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

It really doesn’t matter how I “feel,” Jesus’ Truth still works. His Truth will dominate all else when put into use. It’s up to me to choose His Truth (Him) over how I feel so I can have the victory in my thought life. This is so important. It’s the difference between spiritual life and death.

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

Grace, mercy, and peace, which come from God the Father and from Jesus Christ—the Son of the Father—will continue to be with us who live in truth and love.
2 John 1:3

I was telling Annie about some thoughts I woke up with that tried to bring “care” on me. The next thought I had was to praise and thank God for exactly how my life has gone and to thank Him for the wonderful future He has in store for me. It’s amazing how thanking and praising Him cancelled out my own understanding and brings His liberty back into me. Using His understanding, that is, thanking and praising Him in all things, sets me free like nothing else. His truth, His Word, Jesus, is so freeing.

His grace, mercy and peace truly belong to anyone who will continue to choose to live in His Truth and Love.

Then said Jesus to those Jews (and anyone else who continues to believe on Jesus) which believed on him, If ye continue in my word (This is key), then are ye my (Jesus’) disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth (Wonderful Jesus), and the truth (Jesus) shall make you free (from lies that try to snare us and bring us back into bondage).
John 8:31-32

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.

Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.
Isaiah 4:18-19

God is always in the “now.” He’s always working all things together for the good of those who love Him. Right now, right now, right now, right now – all day long, God is working all things – all things – together for our good. What amazing favor, protection, security and love.

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.

Right now, God is working on your behalf. And with God, it’s always “now.”

Hallelujah!

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

Ann and I watched this earlier in the week (By the way, you may want to order the book like we did). The program aired on Focus On The Family. This pastor has some really great insights into how the Bible fits with what people say they’ve seen in Heaven. We hope it brings you the same joy it brought us. ☺☺

Holding On to the Hope of Heaven – John Burke

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.