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Sunday, March 30

WHEN IT COMES TO SHARING YOUR FAITH...

"When It Comes to Sharing Your Faith Are You a Scaredy Cat? No problem! All You've Really Got to Do is Tell'em What God Has Done For You!”
  It’s time we learn to raise our hands; And sing praise to The One that sits on High! And, giving thanks to The LORD for our salvation, we’ll press Toward The Mark, we’ll get The Prize. Well, let's see if we can share more light on this matter.
       We were just talking about songs that we sang in school and Bible school. Especially "Jesus Loves Me". And we love hearing our kids sing, "Jesus Loves Me"; We love that so much. We were just listening to a friend of ours who was recording her granddaughter singing Jesus Loves Me. It was beautiful. Think about the words and what they mean. What do you think about that? It really was sweet, enjoying a very small girl singing the song lyrics, "Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so". Then she goes on to sing, "we are weak, but He (Jesus) is strong".


        We are often asked what it means that "He is strong, but we are weak?" We've read in The Scriptures (in John 14:11-18) where Jesus Himself said, if the fullness of glory is in us, we will not only do the things that He did when He was here on the earth, but we would do greater things when the Holy Spirit comes, when Christ is in us. "Believe me that I am in The Father, and The Father in Me: … (John 14:11-18).”

        I've really been praying about "Christ in us" because not a lot of people really understand what it means to have Christ in them. I know growing up, I never heard that brought to light. So, Christ in me, we’ll explain a little bit more.



        One night, the Holy Spirit began showing me something that had changed all of my thinking. I was swept into the presence of God and what I was seeing was numbers, just numbers coming out of everything. The Holy Spirit allowed me to peek into God's playroom, so to speak. And He was creating various mathematical equations faster than the speed of light. And each time He would combine numbers, He would be creating something different or allowing something to move, that it was by the arrangement and the changing of numbers that decides what is created and how.

       For example, if we study The Scripture (in Matthew 10) where Jesus was telling that every hair on our head is numbered. "… But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. …(Matthew 10:28-31).” I never really gave that much thought until the Holy Spirit allowed me to peek into God's room doing His math. It dawned on me that Jesus was doing two things. First, Jesus was telling the guys, right there that were with Him at that moment, about the degree and enormity to which God loves each one of them. Secondly, He was also letting them know that God knows every hair that's on your head and, if He knows that, then He'll know everything else about you. So whatever you struggle with, whatever you go through, whatever your heart's desire is,... God knows that. And Jesus was making that point when He was telling them every hair on your head is numbered, it's by the arranging of code.

       When He creates hair on our head, that particular arrangement of numbers will determine whether the hair is round, whether it's flat, whether it's black, red, gray, or whatever. He arranges all of these mathematical equations, "code" at the cellular level. That was a life-changing point that Jesus was making when He was talking to the guys about the hair on their heads being numbered, filling them in on how much God loves them and to what degree.

       Jesus had another awesome point that subliminally was provided as a message to the science community that would be here before His return, 2000+ years later when technology increases. What He was literally sending the message that, hey guys, we're talking about DNA code. He was telling the guys that would come thousands of years later about DNA code saying, "Hey guys, every hair on your head is numbered" or "has a number"; Each and every hair on your head is "God-coded." That's what Jesus was saying. Each hair on your head is "coded--with a number"! And see, God being the consummate mathematician, He knows even the hair of your head, how He coded each hair and what color, what texture, the whole deal. See, I'm making the math point to let you know what He showed me changed my life. The Scripture (in Psalm 139:14) says that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. "I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are Thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well (Psalm 139:14).”



        When God created the blood in The Spirit that flows through Christ's veins, He was creating the most powerful substance in all of creation. The blood that flows through Christ's Veins is the most powerful element in all of creation. So here's the deal... When somebody calls out on the name of Jesus Christ, when they go to the altar or to the closet, in their car, out in the middle of a field, ... and they cry out to God and they say, "Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, please forgive me of my sins and I ask that You would come into my heart", what happens at that moment is, in the spirit, there's a blood transfusion that takes place.

       So, now, wherever you go with your new blood, the blood of Christ is flowing in "your spiritual veins." That is, by the way, the point Jesus was making at The Last Supper (in John 6:52-54), that if you drink My blood and eat My flesh..., He was talking about His blood becoming in us, being in us. "… Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no Life in you..(John 6:52-54).” And the way this happens is through that transfusion in The Holy Spirit. So, wherever we go now, Jesus Christ's blood is in our spiritual veins. This is not just some folk tale. This is the reality. Christ's blood is in the veins of those who w-a-n-t God and who are pursuing Him.

        Now, where The Scripture (in Acts 7:33) says wherever your foot is, that's holy ground; It's not holy ground because we made a commitment in an altar. It's holy ground because Christ's blood is flowing in our veins now. "… Then said The LORD to him (Moses), Put off thy shoes from thy feet: for the place where thou standest is holy ground (Acts 7:30-35).” Or the other Scripture in the Bible (in Psalm 1:2-3), about whatsoever you put your hand to it will prosper. "Blessed is the man that … his delight is in the law of The LORD; and … whatsoever he doeth shall prosper (Psalm 1:1-3).” Or, "And The LORD thy God will make thee plenteous in every work of thine hand, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy land, for good: for The LORD will again rejoice over thee for good, as He rejoiced over thy fathers: … (Deuteronomy 30:9-10).“ What does this mean? It means that the works you performed before your transfusion would prosper to some small degree, like if you were a good engineer or a good builder,... that's as good as it gets. Using my talent that I naturally have? Bingo. But now, Christ's blood is flowing in your veins, His DNA -- the supernatural way that God arranged the numbers in His blood, in the DNA at the cellular level in Christ's blood in The Spirit-- now whatsoever your hand touches will prosper just like for Christ when Christ was on earth. "He that heareth you heareth Me; and he that despiseth you despiseth Me; … Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: … rejoice, because your names are written in heaven (Luke 10:16-20).” Then He says in Matthew 28:18-20, "And Jesus came and spake unto them (His disciples), saying, … Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, … all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen (Matthew 28:18-20).” So, when Christ Jesus’ blood is in you, wherever you go, He goes. Wherever you put your foot, that is holy ground. Why? Not because of us, but because of Christ in us.

        Christ's blood in your veins is supernaturally life-changing power. We wrote a piece here not long ago talking about Revelation 12:7-11. "And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against … that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: … 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 12:7-11).” Verse 11 gives us three primary parts there that must be rightly divided before it can fulfill the purpose for which God had it written that way. First, "And they overcame him (the devil) by The Blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony...." Wait a minute, they overcame the devil by what? By "the blood of the Lamb" that is now flowing through my veins because I asked Him to come into my heart and life. That's right. “And by the word of their testimony” means by our telling others about our oneness with our Father, when we brag on God.

       When we start Sharing things with people the "actual accounts of God's working in our Life", on that personal level... person who's passionately in love with God, who loves God for who He is more than for what He can do for them, a child of God, that is a person who's passionately in love with God; It's the passion by which they love God that the story or the testimonies are shared totally committed to God. When that happens, the reaction is powerful. It overcomes the devil. Why? Not because we tell the story pretty, but because of the blood of Christ that flows in our veins. That is the power. Though we are weak, He's strong IN us.

        I used to wonder when I was a young believer, you know, "faith"... I'm believing Christ is in me. And I didn't understand that when we fall in love with God and pursue Him with our whole heart, He blesses us with a transfusion that allows us to be Christ in the earth. Wherever we go, we preach love for God; We preach the awesomeness of God!

        We preach about God, doing it in such a way that, with the blood of Christ flowing in our veins, and our testimony is supercharged. It doesn’t become supercharged because we're telling it pretty. Our testimony is supercharged because we love God more than life itself! And when that happens "because of the blood of Christ", that story changes human hearts. It unlocks the chains that bind those who have made poor choices in life; It breaks those chains so that that person can come to God, Who in fact is waiting for them with open arms.

        So, the moral of the story is, it's not us; It's Christ i-n us. It's His Blood, the most powerful element in the universe, that breaks the yoke (of oppression), that changes the hearts, that does all of these wonder-full things. That's what it is. And, if you really think about it, everything we just unveiled is "freeing." We get so concerned about “I just can't do this" or "I'm too weak" or "I can't break the habits I have”. It's I, I, I. The real point, that will free us from looking inward at ourselves, is “it's NOT me, it's God i-n me and He does the work.” That can make a world of difference in the whole context of being saved and the changes that are necessary in your life. And we should love letting people know about how awesome He is in our life. Because He is the one that's doing the changes in us and our lives. Isn’t that a wonder-full fact to write on our hearts and share with everybody!?

        We all want to do things for God. We all want our life to count. We all want to walk in and flow in God's purpose for putting us here. And, for any thought that God possibly made a mistake… God doesn't make mistakes. You can't find one if you dig for it for a million years. He never made a mistake. And, what does that tell us? That tells us that, if God has never made a mistake and you're on the planet, you have a specific purpose to fulfill. God factored you in to His plan or you would not be here. Understand that.

        So, here's the deal. Over the years as “churchianity” has infiltrated the fabric of American society, with it has come a, well, if I'm not sharp enough looking, if I don't sing well enough, if I'm not married and have kids, or if I don't own my own home, then I won't be accepted in-to ministry. Satan has blinded a lot of people to what ministry truly is. I've confronted that deception a whole lot in my years.

        Ministry is not joining a church, and doing whatever you have to, to finally wind up preaching in the pulpit. A lot of people think also that “ministry” is acquiring the ability, or acquiring the nod from the senior pastor or the elders, to stand in the pulpit and preach a message. And there's a lot of people believe that, once they stand in that pulpit and preach a few messages, now we are “in” ministry and they've made it. THAT is a demonic revelation. And I know that's a bold statement.

        God has given each one of us a ministry. And do you know what that ministry is called? That "ministry" is called "our testimony"… our personal, individual stories. When we start sharing our experiences in Christ Jesus by the Holy Spirit’s leading, each of our shared stories is unlike anyone else's. And, when we’ve given our hearts to The LORD and we love Him with all of our heart, totally committed to God, it doesn't matter if we are in a wheelchair, if we walk upside down on our hands, or if we've never sung a note,... none of that matters.

       Where ministry truly lies is in our intimacy with our Father. It is to flow out of intimacy with our Father, and not out of textbooks. Now, if you love reading The Scripture, the written Word of God, The Holy Bible, that is "wonder-full" in that it equips us to know the Nature of our Father. Studying the written Word of God we learn His thoughts and ways so that, when He speaks to us, we'll recognize His voice.

        There are many facets of the Word of God, the Holy Bible, and the spoken Word of God to us. This point is often missed in teachings and preachers in the church pulpits. Lacking this knowledge and understanding, church leaders have rejected countless people in communities.

        Satan has painted an image, a lying image, of what "ministry" is supposed to be. There's that lie that, to be a part of a "local church ministry", you need to dress like them, look like them, sing like them, and do the same songs they do. There's that lie that is a lie indeed.

        It doesn’t matter where you're from; It doesn’t matter what you've done, if you can sing, if you can't sing, if you own a suit or you don't; It doesn’t matter what you look like or how good your ability to speak to people... maybe standing up in front of folks or speaking to groups isn’t what you’re supposed to do, or maybe it is. We will tell you this one thing. Using the talents, abilities, and everything our Father God designed in us, we have opportunity to prepare now, actively sowing our unique seed for an abundant harvest, for the account we will give before The Lord and Savior Jesus Christ when He returns for His People.

        Think about the three men and the talents in Matthew 25. One man said, "Well, Lord, I, I hid Your talent." The Lord’s response was something like, “Depart from here. Well, bring the next guy.” The next man said, "Lord, I multiplied Your talents." The Lord’s reply, “Good! Take your place….” Do you know what that “talent” really is where ministry is concerned? That talent is us sharing the things that God has done in our lives along the way, having unstoppable passion for sharing and bragging on the austere God.

        In that passage… Christ Jesus tells us the parable of “5 wise women w-i-t-h full oil in their lamps vs 5 foolish women with-o-u-t full oil in their lamps” AND Jesus tells us the parable of “the 3 men and how each put to use their talents suited to their abilities … to reinforce our essential focus on “CHRIST-MINDEDNESS” always using OUR TIME & TALENTS TO GLORIFY HIM ultimately understanding that, "… When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory: And before Him shall be gathered all nations: and He shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left (Matthew 25:1-33).”

        Share the things that God has done in your life along the way. Develop an unstoppable passion for sharing and bragging on the austere God. We must add, God works in "truth". If you try to share your testimony by making one up, or add embellishment of any kind to your stories, your testimony will fall straight to the floor. We must share our testimony "in Truth" for it to work.

        We encourage you right now to sit down and recall as many of the accounts of God's moving in your life as you have. Whether He has knocked you off a horse like He did to Saul on the road heading to abuse Christians in Damascus, or whether He put it on somebody's heart to slip you a $20 bill when you needed a tank of gas and you didn't have any money, you've got a "testimony" and you need to recall it and share it. You need to share it because, what that sharing does is, it blesses you with an ability to preach The Gospel of Jesus Christ. And that ability to preach The Gospel of Jesus Christ, and The Gospel Jesus Christ preached, effectively comes because of “your testimony”.

        “Your "testimony", that ability to preach The Gospel effectively, the devil cannot dispute. Anyone can dispute your knowledge of Bible verses, Scripture passages, or how well you can put a sermon message together, or how well you can sing songs. Some people in your life can take you to your knees condemning you because you quoted a Scripture wrong. But the beauty of the testimony is the way God created it for us to use, providing it in such a way that it cannot be disputed. N-o-b-o-d-y can dispute what God has done in your life and, the deal is, t-h-a-t makes for its unrelenting power.

        The “testimony” makes a minister out of every person on the planet, including the people who thought they weren't good enough, who thought they weren't attractive enough, who thought they weren't wealthy enough, who thought they weren't “anything” enough! Our “testimony” is our license to preach and minister the good things of God, and to, ultimately, tell others... Christ Jesus is right there, right now, waiting with His arms open for them to come home to our Father.

        We often recall hearing the testimony of individuals we have come into contact with, some who we didn’t already know of and some who we “thought” we knew. Hearing where someone had come from, the experiences in their life before Christ then their encounters with Jesus Christ in the Holy Spirit where their life was changed, naturally and spiritually. Those changed life stories are what transformed our minds about "our testimony".

        You can't be proud of the things that you have done that are unlawful or hurt others or ourselves but, giving those things to God by surrendering our whole life to The Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, God redeems those things and can use each thing in the life of somebody else. Because everybody has a life with their individual, unique testimony occurring naturally by living it, each and every body can be Christ Jesus’ witness, needing used to reach somebody, according to their experiences and love in The Lord Jesus Christ.

        With all of us, "testimonies" have built our faith. There's nothing cooler than going into a church service and getting to hear somebody in your fellowship minister the good things of God, telling of God’s doing something in their life. Also, hearing a testimony of God’s greatness from a co-worker, or someone in your family or social circles, that "testimony" has a way of building our faith like nothing else can.

        We have often wondered why Satan is working so hard to keep the Scripture passage buried in Revelation 12:7-11, "And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against … that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: … 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 12:7-11).” In our experience, that message has seemingly been "hidden" from God's people. We now know why, and we have to realize, because the testimony of someone sharing the awesomeness, the love of God, the intimacy that we can have with our Father, we’ve got to tell you, it breaks the yoke of oppression! It builds the faith of the hearer!

        Sharing, and living by, the Scripture, "… Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. ….(James 4:7-8)” serves others that bear witness, by fanning the flame in people's hearts to reach for God. If you will draw near to God, He will draw near to you. We are the one that must take the first action. And that's another part of the “testimony” that we have to realize... if you'll "draw nigh to God", hey, then "God will draw nigh to you (James 4:8)."

        And you know what? In order for any of us to fulfill God's will and plan for our life, in order for any of us to have that intimacy with our Father as Jesus prayed in the garden (in John 17:13-26), to be one with God, to live i-n Him and Him i-n us, in order for that to take place there has to be the desire. There has to be "the want-to" for that to take place. And "the want-to" entails "reaching"! Jesus’ prayer for His disciples while they were in The Garden before Christ’s arrest, "… (The Disciples) are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them … 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. And the glory which thou gave Me I have given them; that they may be one, even as We are one: I in them, and Thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one … (John 17:13-26).”

        If you really want something, you will reach for it. If we're not reaching, then it says we don't really want it. Now I'm going to tell you something. If you listen to some testimonies from some people who've truly been changed, who God has truly moved in their life, it will fan the flame in your heart to reach for Him.

        Often we are asked if we have any particular people that we would encourage others to listen to for their testimony. Well, I do know that sometimes the folks that we call "well-known", the ones on TV or whatever, God bless them, are not the ones that are the most "well-known in the eyes of God". You see, the most "well-known in God's eyes" are the ones who have decided, "I want God more than I want my own life". They're the people that said, "Father, if it kills me, I want to be transformed into Your likeness".

        Zebedee's wife asked Jesus (in Matthew 20:20-28) if her sons could have His approval to sit one on His right side and one on His left? And Jesus asked if they are able to drink of the same cup that He would have to drink of, and asking if they are able to be baptized with the baptism that He will have to be baptized in? "Then came to Him the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons, worshiping Him, and desiring a certain thing of Him. … He saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on My right hand, and on My left, is not Mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of My Father. … Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many(Matthew 20:20-28).”

        That Matthew 20:22-23 message goes for everybody who follows Christ into God. He came to make it possible for us to enter into God, to be in Him, in Him and us. See, we have to be prepared when we make that commitment to God at the altar, or wherever it is that we encounter Christ Jesus for salvation, that we are committing to have our life be transformed, chiseled apart, piece by piece. To be made in-to the likeness of Christ Jesus, we need to understand that that's gonna take some time under the knife that is in the hand of the Great Physician.

        We're going to have to be able to stay on the table, so to speak. When the fire gets hot, when He's using the baptism of fire to burn away our old flesh nature, the “old” flesh man, we can't run. And He will only do it with our surrendering our permission to God, giving Him our invitation to do His work. That's the truth. Then, when you’ve committed to it, you also need to stay on the table when He starts cutting. That's another thing we'll talk more about another time.

        Take note about "pain" and how "pain" is a gift from God. And, for those who can endure it, there will be countless benefits they will reap. They will be able to draw nigh to God and God will draw nigh to them (James 4:8). Our Father God will show you things. He will perform things in and through us that He will only entrust to a blood child- someone who is i-n His blood line.

        There are millions of different directions we can go in talking about the blood of Jesus Christ and what it's like. When the blood of Christ is in our veins, what we're able to do, what we're capable of doing, and what the greatest part about having the blood of Christ in our veins now is... what it does between each one of us and our Heavenly Father; It graphs us i-n to Him like nothing else!

        Remember that, by the blood of Christ Jesus, the blood of Christ i-n us in The Spirit is what makes everything possible for us. And we encourage you today to give your heart to The LORD. Get before The LORD and admit any sin that you've had in your life, that thing that has had a hold of you that you can't seem to shake. Go to Him and ask Him to help you get free from that so that you can run into His arms.

        If there's anything we can do for you, please reach out to us and connect with us and be sure to take advantage of some of the resources we have that can help you to grow in that oneness with God. Right now we have a special offer available for anyone making a donation of $25 or more to help us to get two copies of our book "Letters From The Front", which contains 12 of Keith's Life stories in his testimony. Right now, enjoy your own copy and also get a second copy of "Letters From The Front" that you can give to somebody, or to use for small group Bible study, or whatever The LORD leads.

        We look forward to hearing from you and hearing how you’ve seen The LORD change you and the lives of those around you. And remember to keep singing and rejoicing with... "Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so" and "I am weak, but He is strong" i-n me. Amen. Have a wonderfully blessed week.

       When we stand in the fiery trials of pursuing NEW LIFE IN Christ, we allow them to do their perfect work, so we will one day be able to hear the sweetest of sounds, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." (Matthew 25:21a)

"I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye salve, that thou mayest see." (Revelation 3:18)

  This message is provided to help fan the flame in your heart for Christ Jesus, His wonder-full ways, and His plan and purpose for us in this life. To ask questions, make a special donation, place a special order for books or CDs, or to share a testimony or prayer request with us, please click for e-mail, or write a letter and mail it to the address shown on our website, and as provided below.

  We look forward to meeting here for the next blogpost as we keep Pressin' In Toward The Mark! Please make sure to invite your friends who are unsaved, or those who just need encouragement in the things of God's Word, His Will, and His Ways. We pray that God bless and keep you!


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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.  The complete collection of original podcasts, music, blogs, books, CDs, and other resources of Toward The Mark, Inc. are made possible by the prayer and financial contributions of the TTM Support Family.  We'd like to welcome you onboard TODAY!

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Tuesday, February 25

God Is Redeeming America From Bondage


B
eing alive to witness this once-in-a-lifetime move of God to redeem America is like supernaturally witnessing God repeating history... America's modern-day "Exodus" from bondage to FREEDOM!
"And The LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of My people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows; And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey;... (Exodus 3:7-8)."
Wow, look what God has done and is doing! We are watching the return of free speech and Christian values, encouraging the spread of The Gospel of Jesus Christ and The Gospel He preached. Now is our once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Our team and family at Toward The Mark is calling on every Christian to become and remain vigilant and committed to God's divine plan for our beloved nation.
Just as God watched over and listened to His people who were in bondage to the taskmasters in Egypt, He has been watching over and listening to His beloved people who had been oppressed and suffering, praying and fasting for His divine intervention in modern America. God has heard the cries of His sons and daughters, going through all manner of affliction at the hands of the lies, manipulations, thievery, murders, and wickedness all across "His America" and throughout the world. Are you seeing the evidence now, our Father God's work to restore all that has been ruined, corrupted, and stolen by the hands of Satan's human accomplices in the previous administration in Washington and throughout each state? Our opportunity is so great right now to increase our praying, fasting, and uniting in support of the newly-established administration under our 47th POTUS Donald J. Trump, by urging believers everywhere, at home and abroad, to focus on seeking God's divine wisdom and fortified protection for our new national leaders. This is the next phase of doing our part while God is redeeming America, a repeat of history in this modern-day exodus from bondage to freedom calling for unity, together, petitioning God for a healed, renewed, and righteous America.
There is something else that is crucially important for us to point out here. God has been listening to and hearing the prayers of His faithful ones, those still living and breathing on the earth, and those whose spirits have gone up before His Throne, sadly, before their time. With the testimonies of millions of lives that have been cut short, precious lives that have been stolen, God has been listening to their cries, attesting to the evils done to them and to the evils now being done to their loved ones who are still on the earth.
As a result of His hearing the cries of His people, God has been raising up His Army of "deliverers" to redeem His America, on His behalf. By way of His wonder-full Holy Spirit, God has raised up and revealed His skilled Army of individuals, with many more warrior-saints whom God has yet to reveal, and He is delivering His people... "to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey (Exodus 3:7-8)."
Throughout the year of 2024, in particular, countless individuals who love God and His Word, and who cherish the United States and our U.S. Constitution, had been taking every possible opportunity to help friends, family, and acquaintances become more knowledgeable about Mr. Trump and our U.S. Constitution. Leading up to the 2024 election, many friends and neighbors that were "on the fence", so to speak, received knocks on their doors, phone calls, and social media posts to be more informed about just how crucial our winning the 2024 election with Mr. Trump was, not just for America but for the entire world.
Now that Mr. Trump is occupying his rightful office, and his cabinet members are moving into their positions, settling into their responsibilities, it is now important that we refocus and re-tool. We must refocus the "campaign tools" we used before Mr. Trump and other conservative candidates were elected, applying those "efforts, energy, time, and focus" toward praying and fasting for God's wisdom, protection, knowledge, and guidance to work in and around His vessels, enacting His Plan and Will through President Trump and his cabinet members, the congress, senate members, and all of their staff and families.
So, our next mission here at Toward The Mark, on the political front, is to spread one crucial point; "Success going forward requires that our ministry team and family refocus and re-tool for this next phase as God is redeeming America, a repeat of history in this modern-day exodus from bondage to freedom. Now that the election and inauguration of President Trump is done, we must redirect our fasting and our time in prayer toward petitioning our Father daily for a fresh anointing, and protection of that fresh anointing, on each of those whom He has raised up, and so miraculously placed into leadership roles, in His United States of America.
Please stand with us in prayer every day for those who have been witnessing God's moving so miraculously over His America. We are praying that all Americans will become strong in The LORD, that they will award the credit to where the credit is due, and that they not allow themselves to become distracted away from the fact that it has been God, Jesus Christ, and The Holy Spirit working through His willing vessels -President Donald Trump and others- to save our Republic from what was just inches from a catastrophic demise.
With the recent inauguration of President Trump, we are already seeing new doors of opportunity opening for sharing The Gospel of Jesus Christ on many fronts. Free speech is once again on the side of those who are called by God to spread His Word, written and spoken, about Jesus Christ and The wonder-full Holy Spirit. As we see the walls to secure our southern border resume construction in the natural realm, finally being built up once again, we are seeing the walls that the previous administration had built over the past four years in the spirit realm, being torn down. No longer will the spread of The Gospel of Jesus Christ be hindered as it had been over the past four years. Together, we will seize every opportunity to use the "free speech" God so graciously granted to us to glorify His Son!
As we join forces to stand in the gap for the Presidential Cabinet, let's be sure to pray for each one by name, often every day, that they depend on God and His Word for guidance and direction on the impact each of President Trump's leaders will have on the everyday lives of each and every American. The photos and details below this text can help us as we pray for each one of them, and their roles and responsibilities.
Thank you so much for taking this time to hear our collective hearts on all that God has done, is doing, and has planned for our ministry family in the coming months. Please remember, by standing with us prayerfully and financially, you too will receive a commission on that great and glorious day for all that we have accomplished as a team and family to glorify Jesus Christ before He returns. So please, stay focused on Jesus Christ daily, walk daily in God-pleasing faith, pray without ceasing, and know that you play a crucial role in what God is doing right now to heal and rebuild America!
From the bottom of our hearts we thank you for loving us, teaming with us, and being ALL IN on this final harvest of souls for the Kingdom of God. By our praying for one another and by sowing our individual life experiences, talents, time, and seed into our reaching toward the goals God has given us, we will benefit, together, in the sweet fruit and inheritance of our Father's Kingdom that will abound to each of our accounts in Heaven. With our heartfelt love we express our eternal appreciation for your taking part in this work of TowardTheMark Inc. We close with this encouragement for you to STAY FOCUSED on Jesus Christ daily, pursuing Him and hearing His Voice. There is nothing "of this natural world" that will last, but "the treasures in the spirit" we will take into eternity with us, being the fruit of everything we do while we are alive and living "in this world". With that, we take joy in sharing this sort-of "gold nugget" of reassurance for your "mission ahead" with The Holy Spirit. This Pressin'IN message is a result of our waiting on The Holy Spirit to fill and lead us in the season of hope and healing we are in. Especially among the uncertainty, confusion, and fear surrounding events of our country, we continue to ask that our Father God, by the fulfillment of The Holy Spirit of Christ Jesus, give you reassurance of His plan for your life during this journey ahead, this new season when God is redeeming America, a repeat of history in this modern-day exodus from bondage to freedom all about:
~ giving God our ALL, including in sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving;
~ standing together in faith-full service to God and others;
~ keeping our eyes on God’s plan; and
~ making absolutely sure we come through by never losing sight of "The One" Who actually brought us through—Jesus Christ.
Our prayers are fueled with hope and expectation for fulfilling our spiritual assignments in this world, through sharing The Gospel of Jesus Christ and The Gospel Jesus Christ preached... greater than ever before!

If you have yet to invite Jesus Christ into your heart to be your Lord and Savior, or if you have allowed something or someone to come between you and God, now is your time to get right with God. Right there where you are, pray this prayer to God, then REST-ASSURED and watch what God does...

          "Dear Father God, in the precious Name of Jesus Christ, the King of all 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 (So be it)!

            WELCOME HOME!

            If you have just prayed this prayer, 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, full-Bible focused church right away.


            We advise you to 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 and bring it back 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 that can, especially early in your walk with God, help you to receive good teaching and encouragement right away. Though informative, those Bible-teaching programs are never meant 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 times like these that hanging out with strong Christian friends and mentors will be crucially important. There really IS strength in numbers! (Selah)

            And remember... growing in Godliness requires purity of focus, staying steadfast, immovable, and uncompromising in the faith of Jesus Christ, and now more than ever, no matter what, Keep PRESSIN' IN! 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 provide for us! Twelve life-changing chapters include:

;
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. Request your
"LETTERS FROM THE FRONT" today at TowardTheMark.com.


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. 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! If you have any questions about our work, or if you would like to make a special tax-deductible donation, or place a special order for any of our books, magazines, or CDs, or 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.
With love we lift you to The LORD in our prayers, hopeful that you have determined to keep Pressin'IN to fulfill your part in this new season of opportunity when God is redeeming America and we get to Focus-Lead-Overcome in this modern-day "exodus" from bondage into freedom. We appreciate you eternally for taking part in our work by downloading this Pressin'IN *TowardTheMark* Blog!

Your Servants in Christ Jesus...

    
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.

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, all 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!


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