Month: March 2021

It’s easy today to be caught up in so much of the pressures, fear and negativity of the times. God really wants us to keep focusing on Him and all that He still has for each of us as His child. He still wants us to know that He’s able to keep working all things together for our good. He’s still working in the lives of those who keep seeking Him and letting Him set them free in ways they never imagined regardless of circumstances.

I hope you’ll listen to this great, short teaching the Lord had Messianic Rabbi Jonathan Cahn share.

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
James 1:8

Only God could remove our double mindedness and bring stability to our lives.

Hebrews chapter 13 is a wonderful passage of scripture because it provides the key to ending the super-testing wilderness time and experience in a person’s life. The wilderness is where our faith and unbelief seesaw and we walk in the awful place of a spiritual no man’s land. We are totally prey to double mindedness.

And to whom sware he (God) that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.
Hebrews 13:18-10

They entered not into God’s rest because of unbelief. It’s really that simple. That’s how it was for Annie and me. Some people believe some of the Word, but they stop there and never come fully out of their particular wilderness because they stop believing at some point and refuse to continue taking the promised land God has for them.

The wilderness Ann and I experienced when we were first married was really hard. We could not find rest and could not understand why others seemed to have found God’s rest. We found that we liked hanging around with others who were still stuck in their own wilderness experiences rather than choosing to hang out with those who had a confident assurance in Christ and His faithfulness. That seems pretty funny to me now that I write it down…

Thinking back on our lives in Oregon, Annie and I only began to come out of the awful wilderness we were in when God encouraged us to start doing and believing His Word, to begin to believe God. As a result of our obedience to believe God, we began to experience some spiritual breakthroughs and momentum. Some of our friends and family didn’t necessarily like that and even said we were “holier than thou” and acting “self-righteous.” More and more, we began to not care what they thought because we knew – really knew – God was directing us and healing us of the burden of our unbelief. He was bringing us out of our wilderness.

This morning (3-10-21), I was reading about how God told the children He was going to put on them all the things they complained about. Only Caleb and Joshua would enter the promised land because they believed what God said. I will be in the awful wilderness until I begin to believe God and silence my unbelief by doing His Word. This is how faith in God begins and continues developing. There is no other way.

Believing is the way out of the wilderness. God sets before me each day – beginning today – belief (life) and unbelief (death). Depending on which one I choose, I can either stay in or come out of the wilderness.

By the way, the three kingdom keys (we’ve shared over the last several months) God showed me years ago are His faithfulness to Ann and me making the decision to follow God out of our own wilderness.

God is so good and loves us more than we ever imagined. That is why we love sharing about how God has, and still is, teaching us the value of trusting Him and believing and standing on His mighty-delivering Word. There is nothing like it. Nothing.

These things I (Jesus) have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
John 16:33

And, because Jesus has overcome the world (the lying fiery darts of the enemy, our flesh, and all of the world’s unbelief all around us), He’s given us the victory over unbelief and we no longer need to revert back to unbelief whenever tribulation and trials come our way. Romans 8:28 (Jesus) can keep us believing because our precious, almighty high priest and Savior, Jesus, is working everything together for our good.

Believe and enter into God’s rest.

Hallelujah! Thank You, Jesus!

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

I still pray for Bill Gates and the others whose plans are quickly leading us deeper into the end of days. I still don’t want anyone to go to hell – forever.

Sometimes I get angry about the choices people are making. I’m so thankful God has given me a love for those who choose not to follow Him. It’s better than living angry towards them.

So much tension and anger out there today. So many people taking sides and throwing verbal stones at each other. God said it would be this way in the last days…

I was thinking about all the anger and negativity in the world this morning (3-11-21) when the Lord said, “I’m still here. I’m still in the room with you. There is as much of Me here as there ever has been. I’m still available to heal marriages and to renew minds. Nothing has changed as far as My Spirit, My Peace and My Love for people is concerned. My dwelling place is still reachable – no situation can change that. All of Who I Am is still as close as ever to anyone who will come to Me. All one needs to do is to come away from the world and focus on Me and all that I Am and have for them. I will be their Father and they will be see how blessed it is to be My child. Come be with Me.”

My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.
Song Of Solomon 2:10

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

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.

Oh, Lord, there is nothing like Your precious glory that changes my life and blesses me in so many ways.

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
2 Corinthians 3:18

“From glory to glory.” I was thinking about this and talking with Annie about it the other day. It was like the Holy Spirit was saying, “You won’t always see how I’m changing you from glory to glory at first. It may appear to you as though something’s wrong or you may be afraid of what I’m doing at first. Initially, when I begin a new work in you, you may feel strange or uncomfortable. Keep walking with Me and you’ll see what I’m up to as I take you to new heights of My glory. As My child, I only intend to set you more and more free in My Love, trust, liberty, peace, rest and joy. I love you so much, My child.”

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

Yesterday, I came across some news so incredibly hideous regarding these end times we’re living in. It was so diabolical that it was hard to believe a person could give themselves over to the devil to the point they would use fear on children – in one of the largest school districts (Los Angeles) in the US. God reminded me to keep my eyes on Him so I could remain still in Him by looking up whenever I see these types of end times things occurring.

The Lord bless you and keep you (as you stay in Him)
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 (especially in the end times “storms” erupting all around us)
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.

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 4:8

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.

If the Son (Jesus) therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
John 8:36

As a Christian, I now have the chance to be like Jesus. Are you kidding me? I can actually become like Jesus? That’s what the Bible says if I’ll continue in Jesus. That’s overwhelmingly circuit-blowing in the most exciting way I know of. I love the times when I know I’m being like Jesus. But, to be like (in the Lord) Him all the time? Wow.

Then said Jesus to those Jews (and Mark and Annie) which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth (Jesus), and the truth (Jesus) shall make you free.
John 8:31-32

I used to think doing the Word was too hard, burdensome and even legalistic. I was wrong. God knew I was wrong and brought me to the place where I’d begin applying His freeing Word to my life.

I’m not a super-Christian. I’m (Ann, too) simply someone who needs God’s Word in order to be freed from all the bondage and spiritual heaviness my ways were bringing me.

I hear so many saying we don’t need to “do” the Word today. And, like I did, most of those same people have so much care in their lives – They’re not still. They display so much striving in their efforts to not be what they’ve been deceived into thinking and labeling as “legalism.” They don’t realize how free (still in their spirits because they’ve discovered how to be in Jesus) they could be if they’d continue in God’s Word like the Lord wants all His children to do.

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
2 Corithians 12:10

When you begin to sink into the immense blessing that verse brings to your life, you change and begin to rest more deeply in His Love and strong protection for you.

Ever notice how when you’re tired that it can be easier to give things over to God? When I’m weak, I find it easier to let Jesus handle things, it’s somehow easier for me to trust Him with “it.”

I love those times when I begin to get too into the flesh (you know, you begin to tempted to take on too much care, frustration, disappointment, resentment, etc.) about something and God says, “Let go of it and give it over to Me. Let Me work in the situation. I’ll do what’s best for everyone.” I absolutely love how as the older I get, the easier it is for me to give more and more to the Lord for Him to work out. It’s much easier to cast my care on Him and it’s such a joy to rest in giving things and situations to Him, and then to wait on Him and watch how He smooths things out and covers and cares for me.

I love casting my care on Jesus. It’s simply lightens my soul and is so wonderful as I feel Him taking care from me.

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
1 Peter 5:7

Mmmm…

Thank You, Lord, for Your liberating Word that continues to set me free indeed.

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

Annie and I sang this hymn yesterday. It’s one of our favorites…

I Come To The Garden 
_{Christian Hymn by Charles Austin Miles}

I come to the garden alone while the dew is still on the roses,
And the voice I hear falling on my ear,
The Son of God discloses
And He walks with me and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am his own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known

He speaks, and the sound of His voice is so sweet
The birds hush their singing,
And the melody that He give to me
Within my heart is to ringing.
And He walks with me and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am his own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known

I stay in the garden with Him,
Though the night around me is falling.
But He bids me go; through the voice of woe
His voice to me is calling.
And He walks with me and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

Those moments when Jesus tells you you are His own.  Such blessed moments…

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.

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

I was in the kitchen this morning thinking about someone when the Lord said, “Walk hand in hand with Me each day.” His Words gave me a new way of looking at that person and their situation. He reminded me of how much I need Him each moment. I need Him to keep me close so I can dwell with Him and enjoy all of the wonderful things He is.

How does God keep our hearts and minds? Through Christ Jesus. If I don’t know Him like I need to know Him, I won’t be kept, and I’ll often meander off on my own way. It’s that simple.

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7

Picture yourself walking hand in hand with wonderful Jesus right by your side. It’s such a blessing. Keep close to Him…

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

Drop your doubts. In fact, flee them.

Annie and I pray for parking spaces. We pray while shopping. We pray about most everything when we remember to do so. Why? Because we’ve learned what a joyous blessing it is to walk with precious Jesus all the time. To be mindful of His Presence all day long is just so much fun, security, peace, rest and joy. It’s really that simple.

Spiritually speaking, the blessing is serious business. It’s representative of God placing life and death before us each moment of every day. The blessing will do its wonderful work in our lives if we believe the words in the blessing. Become like a little child again. Believe and see the blessing cover, protect, and deliver you every moment of the day.

It’s just so fun to walked around each moment of the day being blessed. ☺☺

Jesus bless you and keep you
Jesus make His face to shine on you and be gracious unto you
Jesus lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace
And I put Jesus’ Name on you and bless you with His Name that IS ABOVE every other name. Believe it!

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

A popular greeting today is, “How are you doing?”  It doesn’t matter how I’m doing or feeling, Jesus is Lord and in control.  I’m trusting Him.  That’s all that matters.

20 So they brought the boy. But when the evil spirit saw Jesus, it threw the child into a violent convulsion, and he fell to the ground, writhing and foaming at the mouth.

21 “How long has this been happening?” Jesus asked the boy’s father.

He replied, “Since he was a little boy. 22 The spirit often throws him into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.”

23 “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.”
Mark 9:20-23 NLT

In the early 80s, fear chased us around and had us really scared most of the time while living in Oregon. Spiritually (and that impacts everything else in a person’s life), Ann and I were so lost until we began believing, memorizing, and applying God’s Word (Jesus) to our lives while living in Oregon in the 80s. Yes, it’s true, Satan will attack your efforts to walk by faith. Nothing new about that. But, in Jesus, we win the faith battle.

Now, God has pretty much turned us into storm chasers. He’ll be faithful to do the same with anyone who will attempt to stand up to fear and to say, “Enough!” When we see others (and there are so many today) being harassed by storms, we want to run after them and set them free by teaching them to have faith in Jesus.

It doesn’t matter what label we put on “storms,” on any situation or event the devil tries to steal our faith and to eventually kill us with. Covid, past hurts, resentment, being tempted to think Jesus has let you down in some way, the fear of man, finances, family, job, health, stormy waves out at sea like the disciples faced with Jesus asleep in the boat. All storms are powerless in Jesus’ Name.

Jesus will always have the same reply to our lack of faith – “Why is your heart hard? Why don’t you believe in Me? Where is your faith? How long must I put up with this faithless generation?”

Jesus, The Name that is ABOVE every other name. Believe, and live Free in Jesus.

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark

I love to dwell in the house of the Lord. He leads me beside still waters…

Mmmm…

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Psalm 23

His house is made up of “surely goodness and mercy” – and so many other wonderful, comforting furnishings.

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark