Keith, Brenda and The TTM Team
Our Military Warrior Aristo was in Afghanistan on his 3rd active duty deployment in five years of service when he found strength IN Christ Jesus through God's Word. See how reading our book 'Letters From The Front' also helped Aristo while he was facing the challenges of his military mission. God once again proved to be faith-full, using Keith’s Toward The Mark teachings to build strength and strong bonds among Aristo's warrior team.
Aristo wrote this letter as he was crossing into double-digit number of days left on his final deployment. His five-year enlistment was about to come to an end. What you're about to read from this brother in Christ, TTM's Man on the Ground in Afghanistan, demonstrates how great God is at changing the course of a man's whole life, and others', to make it better than we could ever even imagine!
A few weeks ago, I started having devotions with my roommate. Other guys started coming as we invited them. The Lord has been doing big things in all of our lives! Recently H., who came for his 7th night of devotions, accepted the Lord and said he has never felt such peace before. I could see it on his face as he explained. He said that the only thing he’s worried about is his friends and family who don't believe in God. Wow, God is awesome!
Devotions is every night and the group is growing. Although one of the guys named W. is a non-believer, he has come back for his second time and I can see God changing his heart. My room-mate T., TSgt N., J., and O. recently accepted The Lord, and they are inviting others to come see how God is doing a work in their lives. The beginning and ending prayers rotate between me and J. so far, but I believe all the men are gaining confidence in The Lord and share with us the things they talk with God about. I love when they share and I share what I feel led to, including the experiences Keith wrote about in Letters From the Front.
I am so happy Keith wrote about his experience of trying to show his faith to The Lord by doing a lot for Him. I totally, personally understand that. Keith was trying to please The Lord by serving in every area of ministry he felt he was able to, and he became exhausted. I learned that I had been that overcommitted servant also, became fatigued, and now am learning how The Lord just wants us to wait, rest, and trust in Him. That is so beautiful to me as it shows me that God is not anxious, so neither should I be. We humans sometimes try to earn God’s love and goodness, but we can't. He just wants to love us, bless us, and spend time with us. Jesus did not endure the cross because we did anything right. He came that very long way for us because He can't help but love us, and desire us to have an intimate relationship with Him. I’m in! How about you?" -- Aristo
We encourage you to throw your entire being into becoming one with our Father, with Jesus Christ, and with The Person of The Holy Spirit. Even as Jesus prayed in the garden, "That they all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in Us: that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me (John 17:21)."
God continually looks for those of His children whose hearts are perfect toward Him, and for those who will give their all. "For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him ... (2 Chronicles 16:9)." God is always looking for His Children to fulfill His call on their life, and to pursue that fulfillment with total abandon.
One of God's deepest Desires is that we relax as we run this "marathon" race *with* Him. On that great and glorious day, when each one of us who love God with our whole heart has the infinitely unfathomable honor and privilege of standing in front of Him, we will see the indescribable way that God does all He does, from a state of rest-fullness, in sweet peace and joy that manifests in fun... the likes of which we have never remotely heard of on earth. "Thou wilt show me the path of life: in Thy Presence is fullness of joy; at Thy Right Hand there are pleasures for evermore (Psalms 16:11)."
From your Shealy friends and co-laborers in Christ, and the faith-full family and friends who help us help others, we pray that the Holy Spirit will settle over you this end-of-year season, with healing and provision where it is needed, and with joy unspeakable, full of His Glory! Thank you for hearing our heart, and this "secret" God has graciously given us!
Pray this prayer, RELAX, and watch what God will do...
"Dear Father God, in the precious Name of Jesus Christ, the King of kings and the Lord of all lords, I lay my life at Your Feet. I come before You, confessing that I am a sinner, and I ask for You to forgive me of all my sins - those that I know I have committed, as well as those that I am not even aware of. I ask that You come into my heart and be my Lord. I lay my life, and everything in it, at Your Feet, and ask that You please take me and begin to change me to be like YOU. I ask that You redeem the time that has passed, and allow me the opportunity to become exactly what You have predestined me to be, from before the foundation of the earth. I commit my life to You now, and thank You for receiving me as Your own. In the wonderful Name of Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God, I pray, Amen." And AMEN!!!
WELCOME HOME!
We want to congratulate you for making the greatest decision that you'll ever make! By accepting Jesus Christ, or rededicating your life to Him, as your personal Lord and Savior, you have begun the wonder-full process of being grafted into the family of God, and we welcome you "Home" to God's Family. We would also like to invite you to contact us so that we can send you information that will help you begin growing in your relationship and daily walk with God. We would encourage you to begin attending a Holy-Spirit-filled, Bible-believing church right away.
Begin reading The Holy Bible daily, whether you understand it or not. Always remember, God's written Word in The Holy Bible is like no other book that has ever been written! When we rendezvous with The Person of The Holy Spirit as we read what God has written there, it becomes stored in our heart for The Holy Spirit to access it to bring to our remembrance. You will find that The Scriptures will become applicable to whatever you are going through, at any given time!
There are wonderful Bible teachers on television and on the radio that can, especially early in your walk with God, help you to begin receiving good teaching, and encouragement, right away. Although very informative, these programs are never to be a substitute for close relationships with people who love and serve God. At times, the transformation process that you have now begun will be difficult, and you will be tempted to go back to your old ways of living your old life. It will be during those times that hanging out *with strong Christian friends and mentors* will be crucially important. There really IS strength in numbers!
To help you grow in your journey to, as Jesus prayed in the garden, become *one* with our Father in Heaven, we have teaching resources that, if taken to heart, will help lead you INto ONEness with Christ Jesus. We have books, music CDs, customized individual teachings, blogs, podcasts, Facebook/Twitter/LinkedIn messages, and videos you can take advantage of simply by contacting us. We would like to be among the first to welcome you into the Family of God... right where you "belong", now and always! (Selah)
And remember, no matter what, Keep PRESSIN' IN... learnin', and growin' *with* our Lord and Savior. You might consider using our book LETTERS FROM THE FRONT, the special collection of keys to defeating hindrances that have kept many of God's servants from walking with the confidence and authority that Jesus Christ died to give us! Twelve life-changing teaching chapters:
;
|
|
Sin Makes Ya Stewpit!
|
The Cart's Before the Horse
|
The Crisis of Eroding Integrity
|
The Fruit's on the End of the Limb
|
Too Quick to Compromise
|
The Rarest of All Breeds!
|
Please...Stop Stinkin'
|
Three Keys to God-Pleasing Faith
|
Let It Go
|
Understanding the Fear of The Lord
|
Into the Secret Place
|
Give to Give
|
To help you further your fight to victory through the battles that confront every one of us in these turbulent times we live in, get your copy of our book, " LETTERS FROM THE FRONT." In this collection of 12 letters written from the front lines of battle fought in the spiritual, natural, and theater of the mind, Keith's Scripture messages will build your faith and help you reach God's full potential for your life."LETTERS FROM THE FRONT"
available at TowardTheMark online.
We pray God uses this message, and all of our resources, to fan the flame in your heart for Christ Jesus, His wonder-full Ways, and His Plan and Purpose for you in this life. If you have any questions about our work, or if you would like to make a special tax-deductible donation, place a special order for any of our books, magazines, or CDs, or to share a testimony or prayer request with us, please e-mail us. Also feel free to write a letter and mail it to TOWARD THE MARK, P.O. Box 1152, Yorktown, VA 23692-1152.
May God bless you greatly as you carry this truth in your heart. We are eternally grateful for our loving Toward The Mark Family of sponsors who make this blog, and all of our resources, possible by their faithful prayer and monthly financial support!
Your friends and servants in Christ,
To Show GOD BIG in
a World that Sees Him small…
sums up the reason Keith stepped out in faith to focus on reaching the lost and strengthening believers everywhere, through Toward The Mark, Inc. Keith and Brenda's prayer is that you will be encouraged and edified by the Secrets from God's Word that Keith recounts in our written and recorded products.
sums up the reason Keith stepped out in faith to focus on reaching the lost and strengthening believers everywhere, through Toward The Mark, Inc. Keith and Brenda's prayer is that you will be encouraged and edified by the Secrets from God's Word that Keith recounts in our written and recorded products.
We couldn't do
this without the help of our friends!
This blog message, along with the complete collection of original podcasts, music, blogs, books, CDs, and other Bible-based resources of Toward The Mark, Inc. is made possible by the faithful prayer and financial support of the TTM Sponsorship Family. We'd like to invite you to come on-board, to become a part of the TTM Family as well by becoming a monthly financial partner. Your support will go toward fulfilling our God-given calling to help provide effective, contemporary outreach tools that are available to everyone, the churched and un-churched alike, who desire to know more of the love, truth, and salvation of Jesus Christ. We invite you to partner with us, as we, "press Toward The Mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:14)
This blog message, along with the complete collection of original podcasts, music, blogs, books, CDs, and other Bible-based resources of Toward The Mark, Inc. is made possible by the faithful prayer and financial support of the TTM Sponsorship Family. We'd like to invite you to come on-board, to become a part of the TTM Family as well by becoming a monthly financial partner. Your support will go toward fulfilling our God-given calling to help provide effective, contemporary outreach tools that are available to everyone, the churched and un-churched alike, who desire to know more of the love, truth, and salvation of Jesus Christ. We invite you to partner with us, as we, "press Toward The Mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:14)
Keep PRESSIN' IN!
And remember ...
Every gift is tax-deductible and helps! And we thank you for it!
Mail tax-deductible contributions by check or money order made out to:
Toward The Mark, Inc., P.O. Box 1152, Yorktown, VA 23692-1152.
Thank you in advance for sowing your financial seed into the fertile soil of this ministry! We pray God bless you with a 100-fold return for your generosity!
"Blessed be The LORD my Strength which teaches my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: My Goodness, and my Fortress; my High Tower, and my Deliverer; my Shield, and He in Whom I trust; Who subdues my people under me (Psalm 144:1-2)."
