Author: Mark and Ann

I hope I can say this the way it is happening inside me – Ann is experiencing the same in her life and it is so precious, from ABOVE, and other worldly to be going through it together.

I know what is happening in me is God and it’s not always easy for me to put into words what He is doing other than to say something like, “I was blind and now He – out of His abundant faithfulness and love – is making me able to see.” Even that description/explanation of what He is doing is so understated.

If God sees a heart in any of us that wants Him, He will overlook all of our faults along the way to transform us into His likeness, into His Holiness.

Most of the time, I thought it would be nice to be thankful for the nice things in life – vacations, bank accounts, nice cars, family and home with the pride of having successful work. We all know what most of those things are. Honestly, I never thought it would ever be possible for me to be grateful and thankful for those things that made me feel like I was less than, like I didn’t fit in, like I would be in the “wilderness” barely surviving, worried, scared, and mostly feeling miserable all my life.

The last two days, God has been so near to me and making me feel so thankful deep in my soul for the migraines, CPTSD, job situation, shame, and all the rest. He’s really showing me it is so overwhelming and beautiful how He has used what I thought were such awful obstacles and dead ends to cause me to “look up” out of immense gratitude for what He alone knew I would one day praise and thank Him for out of a new heart only He could produce in me.

Truly, God’s ways are not our ways because He is so ABOVE us in such all-powerful and supernaturally loving ways. When He begins to work His all-knowing, and all-loving, ABOVE ways in us, it is often not comfortable because we are so filled with “down here,” so filled with the earthly ways our flesh is used to. But His end result is such a powerful work that can only be recognized and understood as His work.

To Him be all glory, honor and praise.

He has loved me through it all – that is amazing by itself. Even when I thought He must hate me for what He was allowing me to go through with no hope that it would ever end.

Be ye Holy for I am Holy (1 Peter 1:16b). Wow, God wants to make us free (Holy) like He is. Isn’t that something? He wants us to love, to be forgiving, to be patient, to be without fear, and torment. He wants us to be Holy like Him. I can see where He’s going with this, and it is beyond natural comprehension and this realm in the spiritual sense. He is so amazing and wonderful beyond what I thought.

Only God could take the old Mark and make me new. And I sit here marveled at the path He chose to make me Holy, free, more like Him. And His Holiness keeps filling more of me.

I’m thankful for the hard things, for His things He used that filled me not with anger like I thought would never end, but with supernatural, heavenly gratitude and thanksgiving…Holiness.

It is going to be so fun to throw any crown He gives me in Heaven at His precious feet. I will never stop doing it. He has given me new Life, His Life. It is so Holy. I’m so thankful.

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 love it when Jesus says this. He is so faithful ever watching over my soul.

“Calm down.”

Jesus is so loving. Truly, He is the Good Shepherd.

Have a blessed day, precious people.

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.

We keep choosing Jesus every day because we want only Him. All else is vulnerable and keeps us weak.

The Bible talks about “shaking.” We often “shake” as we live out Jesus replacing us with Him, His ways taking over our lives as we die to our shakable ways. Shaking is very uncomfortable for the flesh where pride, doubt, fear and other works of the flesh reside. It can be really uncomfortable as you learn to trust God and that He’s working all things together for good for those who love Him. When you can’t yet see His bigger picture and plan, you shake. God is shaking everything that can be shaken. He’s been doing this in our lives for a while now (He is still searching our hearts to remove anything that can be shaken, anything in our lives that is not yet His that can make us weak and shake) and it is the most valuable experience anyone could ever have no matter how discomforting it can be because what is left is what cannot be shaken and that is Jesus living in you.

In these end times, God is shaking the earth. He’s doing it to get mankind to look up to Him, to repent, to get them to come to Him and to leave everything else that can be shaken behind.

Learn to trust God as He works His good will in your life and let Him shake all that can be shaken in your life and this world. It is His plan to give us the Kingdom, to give us all that Jesus is.

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 loves us so much. He wants us to abide in Him, in His precious Love, at all times.

So much fear was controlling my days. I really needed to learn how to let the peace of God rule/reign in my heart. All Christians need to learn to do this. It totally changes lives.

So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.
Isaiah 59:19

Today is no different than any other time in history. The enemy is still attempting to make his fear rule our hearts. Jesus is still calming storms. He is still saying, “Peace be still” to any who will listen to His loving, delivering words.

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

Peace be still. Listen for it. Jesus is here…

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.

23 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

This world and its ways will make every attempt to shepherd me, to make me into the person and life it thinks I should be and live.  

It is everything to learn to let the faithful Shepherd, Jesus, shepherd me. His Life, True Life, happens in me. So much healing – peace, rest, and joy – takes place in me…

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.

Keep looking up to Jesus, my friends. Live this life like you’re already there. Feel Heaven pulling you up by its wonderful truths. We’re longed for the Kingdom. As it is in Heaven, let it be on earth in my life, Lord. Let me be a living example of the truth about You, Jesus. Hallelujah.

Have a blessed weekend.

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 following is taken from the 26-minute mark in Pastor John Bevere’s “Bait of Satan 5” youtube video. While it can apply to all sin, his comments below are regarding the sin of offense which is powerfully destructive to our lives when you discover how far-reaching it is.

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God says, “I know what you can handle,” and He only allows what He knows we can handle to come by us. Spiritual growth is this: When we encounter unfair treatment, when we encounter offensive behavior and we choose to obey God’s Word in the midst of it rather than react and defend ourselves, avenge ourselves or return evil for the evil that’s done to us, God says when you do that, that is when you grow.

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We grow as we apply His Word to our daily lives. This growth is how we become more and more free in the Lord.

We don’t have to choose God’s ways…We get to choose to live His ways out in our lives. It is the most exhilarating, secure, awesome, liberating, joyful, protective, privileged opportunity anyone can have. And it can only be truly appreciated, understood and experienced by those who choose to do it.

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’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.