Month: October 2023

It’s funny the stuff I think I need to worry about and then Jesus quickly says, “You don’t need to worry about that. Trust Me with that.” My mind is quickly relieved of that matter.

Boy, I really love Jesus…He is saving and healing me from so much.

Thanking and praising God in all things (Ephesians 5:20),

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 (Ephesians 5:20),

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.

It amazes me how much God wants to show us how much He loves us. I love learning that ongoing lesson.

It’s like letting God hug me…I want to live in His arms. Everything is okay there.

Calm down. Take a deep breath and let the peace of God reign in your heart. Nice, right?

Letting the peace of God reign in my heart is the same as letting His Love reign in my heart.

Thanking and praising God in all things (Ephesians 5:20),

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.

Jesus wants us to live different from the unsaved people of this world so that our lives will be blessed with His precious Presence all the time. It’s true. That is how much Jesus loves us. God is Love. And as we get to know Him, we realize more and more how beautiful Life in God is.

20 For the wrath (anger) of man worketh not the righteousness of God. 21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
James 1:20-22 KJV

20 For man’s anger does not promote the righteousness God [wishes and requires]. 21 So get rid of all uncleanness and the rampant outgrowth of wickedness, and in a humble (gentle, modest) spirit receive and welcome the Word which implanted and rooted [in your hearts] contains the power to save your souls.
22 But be doers of the Word [obey the message], and not merely listeners to it, betraying yourselves [into deception by reasoning contrary to the Truth].
James 1:20-22 AMPC

A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.
Luke 6:45

The Bible has a lot to say about using coarse language. It does so in order to save us from the effects that bad language has on our lives. God loves us enough to show us how to be free from those things in our lives that set us off and make us react with language that hurts us, and probably others as well.

I can pretty much tell you what bothers me. You can probably do the same. God is healing from that list of lies the devil tried to defeat me with. Calm down by learning to trust God with all your heart. Stop the devil from “pushing your buttons,” from setting you off with this or that. Stop the profanity. It only harms you. Stop using the “f” word. In fact, stop swearing altogether. It’s not good for you. Living with this world’s ways will not “keep” you. Living God’s ways will keep you. Living ABOVE by changing from this world’s ways to living God’s ways will keep us, and especially in the days ahead.

Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips.
Psalm 141:3

Learn to trust in the Lord with all your heart. Your life will improve in ways you may have never thought possible.

Thanking and praising God in all things (Ephesians 5:20),

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.

God is Most High. There is no other place in existence like being with Him.

These are my three Kingdom keys. They help me live in the shadow of the Most High every day. There is no place like His shadow. Ask Jesus to help you live in the three keys. He’ll do it because He will withhold no good thing from those who walk uprightly – Psalm 84:11.

Thank and praise God in all things.

God is working all things together for those who love Him.

Take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.

What a Life Jesus presents us with if we’ll merely take Him at His precious, victorious Word every day of our lives.

Hallelujah. Thank You, Jesus, that You died to make us free in Your Word, free in You, free indeed.

Thanking and praising God in all things (Ephesians 5:20),

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.

He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.
Psalm 107:20

If we’ll let Him, Jesus – Who is the very Word of God, and Prince of Peace – will minister His love, peace and joy to us right where we are today. Jesus was sent to heal us from the things that try to steal, kill and destroy us like worry, fear and offense that are so prevalent today. Jesus is the One Who calms the storms. Let Jesus in…

When the enemy (wickedness, sudden fear, care, doubt, worry) shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.
Isaiah 59:19b

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
Revelation 12:11

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
1 Corinthians 10:13

Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
Psalm 55:22

Be strong and of a good courage…Only be thou strong and very courageous…Have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: For the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest…Only be strong and of a good courage.
From Joshua 1

Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.
Psalm 119:165

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
Ephesians 4:31-32

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

Thanking and praising God in all things (Ephesians 5:20),

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.

My Jesus, I Love Thee
Christian hymn by William R. Featherston

My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine;
For Thee all the follies of sin I resign;
My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou;
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

I love Thee because Thou hast first loved me,
And purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree;
I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow;
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

I’ll love Thee in life, I will love Thee in death,
And praise Thee as long as Thou lendest me breath;
And say when the death dew lies cold on my brow,
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

In mansions of glory and endless delight,
I’ll ever adore Thee in heaven so bright;
I’ll sing with the glittering crown on my brow,
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

Thanking and praising God in all things (Ephesians 5:20),

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.

Here is another great teaching by Jonathan. I hope it blesses you as much as it did me.

You Are Not Your Situation by Messianic Rabbi Jonathan Cahn
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNRklGcXf1U

Thanking and praising God in all things (Ephesians 5:20),

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.

Jesus travels with me hand in hand in this life. I know He does. And fabulous Jesus is the destination. What a deal. What Life.

Why do we fear the truth when it is the vary key to the whole Kingdom of God?

I want to break free from this world to live ABOVE with Jesus even while living on earth. There is simply so much more ABOVE, in Jesus. Why would I ever want to live without Him and His truth making me more and more free?

As Annie and I talked this morning, I was reminded of all that Jesus is doing in my life, how much His truth is setting me free from and how liberating it is. I can never thank Him enough for His faithfulness as He continues to help me grow to be more like Him. It just boggles my mind and lightens my life in ways I never even knew existed or that could be experienced.

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father (Who is true love) except through me.
John 14:6

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
John 8:32

The truth will make you free – That statement found in John 8:32 in the Bible is like a gate you can walk through that opens up into the entire Kingdom to you. That’s the picture I had in my head this morning – it’s fun to think about that.

Wow, what an incredible opportunity God sets before each of us. The Kingdom is so vast and there is so much wonder waiting there for us. Amazing Jesus is The Truth. By asking Him into our heart to be our Lord and Saviour, we can meet Him and then walk (live) with Him through this earthly life. And little by little He shows us the beauty that can only be found in Him. Who can possibly fathom the Kingdom and how full of all that Jesus is it is? Let’s find out…

O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
Romans 11:33a; 36

For of him (Jesus), and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
Romans 11:36

Thanking and praising God in all things (Ephesians 5:20),

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.

19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,
Acts 3:19-20a

For most, Jesus has a whole new way of living that is so liberating, light, exciting and refreshing. It can only occur in the life of the person who truly makes Christ their Lord.

I cannot overemphasize the importance of eliminating damaging generational strongholds, sins passed down through the generations that never get dealt with in Jesus. They are deadly and not to be downplayed nor swept under the rug so to speak. Ask Jesus to show you where you are acting out any of these strongholds and how to go about removing them. He will be faithful to help you. Getting rid of them – repenting of them – will enable you to live in intimacy with Jesus and your mate and bring endless times of refreshment and fountains of living water in your life and marriage.

It happened again yesterday. The stronghold of offense was seeking to put me in its chains. Would I again choose Annie over the dark strongholds trying to make me obey them like I attempted to do years ago in Oregon? Yes, thank God.

I started walking in some damaging generational strongholds, the old lies that bring me into bondage. They’re the same strongholds that nearly cost me my life and marriage in Oregon. Since I could no longer live with those strongholds, I had to part ways with my parents, siblings and relatives. It was the only way God knew I would have the chance of letting Jesus identify and heal me of those strongholds.

It doesn’t matter how young or old you are, let nothing keep Jesus from healing you of any damaging strongholds operating in your life, in your marriage. Choose Jesus and put an end to any darkness trying to take hold of you or that are keeping you from freedom in Christ, the freedom He died to give you. I promise you will be so glad you agreed with Jesus to flee the darkness in strongholds.

Thanking and praising God in all things (Ephesians 5:20),

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.

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
3 He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
Psalm 23 ESV

Thanking and praising God in all things (Ephesians 5:20),

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.

Heaven – Soon and forever…

What an eternity we’ll have with the One our hearts love…

Thanking and praising God in all things (Ephesians 5:20),

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.

And they overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they loved not their lives unto the death.
Revelation 12:11

For Christians, death is merely a door to pass through. It opens up to the wonder and glory of Heaven and God like we’ve never experienced before. Hallelujah.

Live for Jesus. This is how you overcome in this life. Next stop, Heaven.

Thanking and praising God in all things (Ephesians 5:20),

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.

Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot (my faith in Christ alone) from being taken.
Proverbs 3:25-26

As I’ve memorized and applied God’s Word – Jesus – to my everyday life and circumstances, my “footing” has been established in Christ and I have a peace that passes understanding and I’m learning that I really can “count it all joy.” (James 1:2-4)

Before getting to know Christ in this way, my footing was a worldly one (at best) that was so susceptible to conditions and circumstances. Jesus gives us a confidence that can only come from ABOVE.

Thanking and praising God in all things (Ephesians 5:20),

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.

I’ve had 5 migraines in two weeks and two yesterday – one before going to the dentist for a routine cleaning and one after. I woke up this morning reeling from all the migraines. I felt pretty down, defeated and discouraged. I felt like giving into the dark thoughts pounding me. A while afterwards, like the faithful Father He is, God told me He wants to love Annie all the time and to live like I’m already with Him in Heaven – all tears wiped away and filled with His glory. He said it doesn’t matter what comes up in your life on earth, follow Me.   Stay in My Light.  When distractions from the darkness that try to test your faith in Me arise, test the spirits and look to Me. I will never fail you. Never. You can count on that no matter what.

I needed to hear His precious words of encouragement. Praise God – in all things.

Thanking and praising God in all things (Ephesians 5:20),

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.

It could be fear, pride, striving, generational strongholds, unforgiveness, self-pity, lies you think about yourself the devil has planted in your thinking over the years, insecurity…Whatever. God knows how to set us free. We simply need to humble ourselves in order to unlock the door to that amazing, life-changing freedom made available to us in Christ.

Lately, God has been showing me some brand-new insights into how I can be freer. He’s untying some more knots in how I’ve been thinking wrongly for decades.

Annie got up about an hour and a half (2:50am) before me this morning. Annie had some things to share with me this morning from her time with the Lord. What she shared with me were more insights the Lord gave her about how I can become freer from the destructive strongholds that still have me thinking in some wrong thought patterns. Now I could have acted defensive about what Annie was sharing with me. I could have had a hard heart and decided not to repent/change in these important areas that held me in bondage. As you know by now, I’ve had enough with bondage. I agreed with her – and the Lord. ☺

I’m so thankful for my precious, faithful wife and for Jesus.

Ask Jesus to show you more about how He can make you free. Stay open to His leading. He’ll sort it all out. Stay free!

Cooperate with Jesus’ Light (Truth) shining into the darkness in your life so He can set you more and more free. He loves us so much and wants us to live free indeed. Hallelujah.

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
John 15:5

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

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

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

Thanking and praising God in all things (Ephesians 5:20),

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.

Let all bondage go, and let deliv’rance flow…*

The longer I live and apply Jesus to my life, the more He becomes my sanctuary, my refuge, my peace, rest and joy. I’m so thankful for all that He is.

What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
2 Corinthians 6:16

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

Thanking and praising God in all things (Ephesians 5:20),

Mark
*Lyric taken from Set My Spirit Free – Author Unknown

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.

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
2 Corinthians 10:5

This morning, Annie and I were talking about some thoughts. It was obvious they were not from Jesus, so we talked about stopping such thoughts and how we need to take such thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ. What freedom we have in Jesus. Wonderful…

You know which ones they are. Those thoughts that intimidate you or ones you can doing nothing about anyway. And lift up in prayer and leave any “care” thoughts with Jesus where they belong.

Here is the kind of Life Jesus has for us every day.

speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,
Ephesians 5:19

Hallelujah!

Thanking and praising God in all things (Ephesians 5:20),

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.