Some of my favourite Black & Whites

Spur of the moment stuff

Spontaneity

(Spur of the moment stuff)

Spontaneity is not a terrible characteristic to have, if we allow the Holy Spirit to harness our enthusiasm. A child-like sense of adventure when matched with childlike faith in Jesus makes up a fantastic combination.

Thank You, Lord, for challenges that take us further than we want to go. Thank you that as we scale life's climbing walls Your help is only a shout away.

Take the jump and trust Jesus as never before!

Have a great day,

Mark

Who You Are In Christ

Who you are in Christ

I am accepted…

I am a child of God’s - John 1:12

As a disciple, I am a friend of Jesus Christ – John 15:15

I have been justified – Romans 5:1

I am united with the Lord, and I am one with Him in spirit – 1 Cor. 6:17

I have been bought with a price, and I belong to God – 1 Cor. 6:19-20

I am a member of Christ’s body – 1 Cor. 12:27

I have been chosen by God and adopted as His child – Eph. 1:3-8

I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sin – Col. 1:13-14

I am complete in Christ - Col. 2:9-10

I have direct access to the throne of race through Jesus Christ – Hebrews 4:14-16

I am secure…

I am free from condemnation – Romans 8:1-2

I am assured that God works for my good in all circumstances – Romans 8:28

I am free from any condemnation brought against me, and I cannot be separated from the love of God – Romans 8:31-39

I have been established, anointed, and sealed by God – 2 Cor. 1:21-22

I have been hidden in Christ – Col. 3:1-4

I am a citizen of Heaven – Philippians 3:20

I have not been given the spirit of fear but of power, love, and of sound mind – 2 Timothy 1:7

I am born of God, and the evil one cannot touch me – 1John 5:18

I am significant…

I am the branch of Jesus Christ, the true vine, and a channel of His life – John 15:5

I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit – John 15:16

I am God’s temple – 1 Cor. 3:16

I am a minister of reconciliation for God – 2 Cor. 5:17-21

I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realm – Ephesians 2:6

I am God’s workmanship – Ephesians 2:10

I may approach God with freedom and confidence – Ephesians 3:12

I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me – Philippians 4:13

The more you reaffirm who you are in Christ, the more your behaviour will begin to reflect your true identity in Him.

Sally's Divine Intervention!

Divine Intervention

I looked on as Sally was making her way over the train tracks at the far end of town. She looked very sad. How had she let herself get to this point of deep despair? She looks thin from her constant dieting. Peer pressure in grade 10 must be taking a greater toll than I thought.

I heard that her boyfriend just dumped her. Exams are tomorrow. I remember telling Sally years ago of a man who was able to take all her problems on Himself.

For some time Sally just stared down at the tracks. I started to pray for her. A short time later Sally looked up. I herd her cry out, “Jesus, forgive me”! Surely then, the love, & peace of Jesus Christ filled her heart!

A short time later Sally picked herself up & started on again. The next day I was glad to see Sally at school. She was laughing with her friends. She was talking to people like she really cared. And oddly enough, she even looked a little taller. I felt so happy for her.

Your Attention Please!

May I have your attention please?

There is in each of our hearts a bent to wander spiritually. Sometimes God needs to break through, shake or wake us, and draw us back to himself. Member the prophet Jonah? He can testify that God will go to any length to get our full, undivided attention.

3 Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went on board, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the Lord. 4 But the Lord hurled a great wind upon the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship threatened to break up. . . . 15 So they picked up Jonah and hurled him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging. . . . 17 And the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. Jonah 1:3-17

There is in each of our hearts a bent to wander spiritually. Sometimes God needs to break through, shake or wake us, and draw us back to himself. The prophet Jonah could testify that God will go to any length to get our full, undivided attention.

I'm gunna listen cause I don't want to be swallowed by a BIG fish K!

God bless, Mark

I hate the way I look!

I hate the way I look.

Do I feel beautiful?

What determines how I feel?

If I'm a guy, how do I view true beauty in the women I know?

1 Peter 3:3-5

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.

What? In today’s society I must look the way all those magazines portray other women. Thin, lanky, makeup, and half naked, and that is just to go to school or work!

Can I keep up? Probably not. So if I don’t, do I feel accepted? By whom do I not feel accepted? Why not? Boy, what is it these days…

Society tells me that I should be happier if I look the way they say I should look. Am I happier? NO… All I got from it was a complex! And I'm broke! I still dislike the way I look.

Women were designed to be beautiful--and that doesn't mean possessing a perfect body, face, or hair.

Beauty is seen in a woman who confidently reveals her heart and gently nurtures those she loves.

She radiates beauty when she loves God with all her heart, mind, and strength, and when she's being the person God made her to be--a real beauty

Blessings,

Mark

Your Responsibility?

Your Responsibility

Nobody really knows what you are going through, or the daily struggles you face, EXPECT Jesus...

He wants to meet you right now at your point of need. Your responsibility is to ask him. Tell Jesus what you need.

Trust him. Then stand back and watch him work. It ain't necessarily easy either!

John 5:5-9 tells a story about a man who was healed at the pool of Bethesda. He wasn't able to get into the pool at what was considered to be the right time cause he could not walk. Everyone else would butt in front of him. Then Jesus came on the scene and the man didn't have to enter the pool, because real healing was there in the person of Jesus! Wherever Jesus is, needs are met. He told the man to get up and walk. And he did...

Mark

Be anxious for nothing?

Hi there!

Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

( Carpe’ Diem ), SEIZE THE MOMENT!
For the most part, we live in a, "doer", culture...one that's filled with such clichés as: "Just do it!" and "Live life in the fast lane!"

Do we measure the value of what we do day to day by how much we put out? By the approval we receive from others? Do we measure ourselves by what others say about us and what we do? Must we be in constant activity?

Does this not cause us anxieties? Society is now so fast. Why do we always feel the need to keep up?

Do we forget God in your busy lives? Hmmmm, I sometimes do! Do we pray before an exam or are we too anxious and forget? Do I feel trapped? Ya, sometimes.

HOW do I get OUT?

Can I find Peace?

STOP... Quiet time with God. Read His word. Pray and give Him your worries.

STOP... Listen to God speak to you.

There's nothing wrong with working diligently or doing something "active," but we should also cherish the gift of solitude with our Lord!

May God bless you all this week!

In His Service,

Mark