Go To The ONE Who Wired You To Know What You're Created To Do

Remember...

"Only By Fulfilling God's Will For Our Lives Can We Actually Be Fulfilled!" - Keith, Brenda, and Team TTM

There are areas of real estate in our own communities that contain something so valuable that not even all of the world's money, diamonds, gold, and countless precious minerals can compare! Did you know your community has a place like that? It's a fact ... it's your own local cemeteries! Cemeteries are where the most wealth in all the world can be found! Deep inside the cemetery's grounds are songs that were never sung, books that were never written, businesses that were never started, important words that were never spoken, and all of the countless, wonder-full things that never became more than good intentions,... now laying six feet under the ground.

Why does this happen? Why do so many people talk about doing great things, but end up taking the visions and dreams that God placed in their hearts to the grave? The answer is simple. They never found the reason why God put them on earth, so they never lived "real LIFE". They lived as mere shadows with no definition or real meaning or "success". They did not succeed in fulfilling their life's purpose for which God created them because only "IN HIM" is life's purpose to be found... the secret to a successful life.

What about the people who have written hit songs or best-selling books? Are they successful? Only if those things were done with God, because what the ungodly understand as success is not success at all. While it may be true that they pursued their dreams and accomplished some or all of their vision, whatever someone accomplishes outside of Christ is not in the will of God but is achieved by the arm of carnal flesh. Such efforts are the abuse of their own beings: the abnormal use or abuse of God's original intent for the gifts and talents that He placed in them for His purposes and for His good pleasure.

The truth is without God we can do nothing! The sooner we realize this, the sooner we can begin accomplishing God's purpose for creating us. Only then can we truly be fulfilled: only then can we live genuinely successful lives. For our dreams and visions can only be fully understood and truly realized within the context and fulfillment of God's vision for us. In other words, it is only by fulfilling God's will that we can be fulfilled.

When our heart is filled with thanks for God, for Who He is more than for what He can do for us, God can most certainly smell it. For God, a gratitude-filled heart is sweet in His nostrils. When God is our passion, so much so that we are continually grateful to Him, for Him, the contents of our hearts rise up before His Throne like a sort of invisible smoke, or a sweet-smelling savor, that is Holy, acceptable, and pleasing to Him. This sweet-smelling savor, or fragrance, is the praise mentioned in Psalms 100:4. God is the Consummate Family Man, and nothing makes Him happier than when His children love, and want, Him more than they want their own lives, or His "stuff" for that matter. "But seek ye first the Kingdom of God (the Kingdom that IS God), and His Righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33)

If there was just one thing we could give to you now, it would be "the road map" for discovering the gifts and talents God placed in you to fulfill your life's purpose and His good pleasure! "The road map" is also the ONE THING we ask in prayer on your behalf: --that you develop the "want to", the passion and desire like never before, to get into the pages of God's Holy written Word; --that you ask The Holy Spirit to bring to you, from Jesus Christ, what God had in His heart for each passage of Scripture He gave to His Prophets to write down; --that you come to recognize God's Holy spoken Word in the pursuit of "oneness" with Christ Jesus and walking out each step toward The Prize of His Calling.

"See flipcard titles of Pressin'IN Blog"

We pray that you join us in our unquenchable passion, with eternal thanksgiving and praise, for lighting a fire for The Lord God in the hearts of others... a fire that will burn hot and constantly for Who He IS more than for what He can do for us!

Your friends and servants in Christ Jesus,

     ...and the entire Team of Toward The Mark, Inc.

We couldn't do this without the help of our friends!
This blog message, and each of our full-Bible tools and resources, is made possible by the support of our faithful partners. If you would like to be part of helping us expand our outreach, we would like to invite you to become a monthly financial partner. Your support will go toward fulfilling our calling to provide effective, ongoing outreach tools for the churched and un-churched alike to know the love, truth, and salvation of Jesus Christ. We invite you to partner with us and, together, "press Toward The Mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14)."

CLICK HERE to make a tax-deductible contribution securely by PayPal.

Every gift is tax-deductible and helps. We thank you in advance for sowing your financial seed into the fertile soil of this ministry, and we pray God bless you with a 100-fold return for your generosity!

Mail tax-deductible check contributions to:  Toward The Mark, Inc., P.O. Box 1152, Yorktown, VA 23692-1152.

Sharing practical and effective ways for knowing and showing the Love and Truth of the Gospel that Jesus Christ preached... Living a victorious life during turbulent times in a lost and dying world.

"See flipcard titles"

          Take me back to the top of this post.

          Take me to "Happy is Giving-Thanks" post.

          Take me to "Prayer and Our Vote..." post.

          Take me to "STOP..." post.

          Take me to "Is Your Nest Becoming Unfeathered?" post.

          Take me to "Love Letter from FATHER" post.

          Take me to "Out From Under His Wings" post.

          Take me to "Gold Star Tribute for Memorial Day" post.

          Take me to "Special Tribute to Godly Moms" post.

          Take me to "New CHURCH Leader Prophetic Word" post.

          Take me to "'Rein In' our Runaway Brain" post.

          Take me to "Celebrating 'SINGLEness'" post.

          Take me to "Worship God with sacrifices of Praise" post.

          Take me to "MONEY is not the root of all EVIL" post.

          Take me to "The BEST New Year's Resolution" post.

          Take me to "Aristo & God fulfilled their 3rd military deployment!" post.

          Take me to "Leave it ALL on the Field!" post.

          Take me to "Happy THANKS-GIVING IS EVERYTHING Day!" post.

          Take me to "BEST Keith Shealy Quotes, Recent Most-Requested" post.

          Take me to "Being IN True Faith; OUT of Sin & Doubt" post.

          Take me to "Wine, Deception, and... JESUS" post.

          Take me to "NEW Windows of Opportunity" post.

          Take me to "Defeat the Giant in the Way of your Promotion" post.

          Take me to "What is GOLD STAR MOTHER'S DAY in September?!" post.

          Take me to "NEW Breed of Leader!" post.

          Take me to "God shows Himself BIG in small things too" post.

          Take me to "What do you mean, take up the Cross?" post.

          Take me to "Smite God's Shepherd; Scatter the Sheep!" post.

          Take me to "Bite Your Tongue!" post.

          Take me to "Are You Ready to be Offered?" post.

          Take me to "Bring God a Sacrifice of praise" post.

          Take me to "God, why am I here?" post.

          Take me to "Murder by words?" post.

          Take me to "The BEST Fruit on the Limb" post.

          Take me to "We've Got to Let 'Stuff' Go" post.

          Take me to "Don't Take Your Gifts to the Grave" post.

          Take me to "Salvation is Every-Day Life" post.

          Take me to "Emergency Warning to Professing Witches" post.

          Take me to "Passionate Pursuit of Singleness" post.

          Take me to "We'll Miss You, Dad Shealy" post.

          Take me to "Celebrate Difference; Honoring MLK, Jr." post.

          Take me to "75 Years Ago: Pearl Harbor & Fleet Admiral Nimitz" post.

          Take me to "Our Military Vets Out of Sight...Out of Mind?" post.

          Take me to "Where to RUN When Trials Come" post.

          Take me to "Caught Up With Jesus" post.

          Take me to "True Leaders Speak Life" post.

          Take me to "Greatest Hindrance to Significance" post.

          Take me to Keith's MINI-Series of *Keep the FAITH* book, Chapter TWO.

          Take me to "Rattlesnake Revelation" post.

          Take me to "Gold Star Families Gave ALL" post.

          Take me to "Love of GOD" post.

          Take me to "My Broken Vessel's Fiery Trials" post.

          Take me to "Magnetic Mantle...Why Cats Should Have Kitties" post.

          Take me to "Run TO the Roar!" post.

          Take me to "Overcoming Intimidation" post.

          Take me to "The Invisible Man" post.

          Take me to "The Abomination of Misrepresentation" post.

          Take me to "Living Among Thorns" post.

          Take me to Keith's Journey through Chapter ONE of *Keep the FAITH*.

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!

We INVITE YOU ... 
See and hear, follow and share, more of TTM's full-Bible messages of God, His Will, and His Ways:

~ "Between The Lines TTM Show podcasts" on TTM's Channel

~ "Keith and BrendaLee Shealy's Video Channel" on Vimeo

~ "Keith Shealy's Toward The Mark media page" on Facebook

~ "TTM Singing Sergeant media page" on Twitter

~ "Sharing Messages God Whispers" at our website online

Toward the Mark, Inc. © 2005 - 2020 | Privacy Policy and Terms of Use apply |
(757)251-2440 | TowardTheMark.com | Resources@TowardTheMark.com

We Have to Learn About LETTING STUFF GO!

"The Rabbi asked, 'Do you know why PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN was, without a doubt, one of the greatest world leaders that has ever lived?' His answer would change my life!" - Keith

In the winter of 1988, we were preparing for a concert that Keith Shealy & Toward The Mark band was scheduled to do with Mylon and Broken Heart. In preparation for the upcoming event, I was being interviewed by the host of a local radio station in the Washington, DC area.

            About ten minutes into the interview, the host announced to the listening audience that we were breaking for a few commercials. No sooner had we broken away that the door to the studio opened, and in walked a local Messianic Jewish Rabbi. Under his left arm was his brief case. In his right hand he was tossing a tennis ball up and down!

            Without saying a word, and rather abruptly, the Rabbi threw the tennis ball at the show's host. Seizing the moment as an opportunity to display his sharp athletic ability, the host immediately reached out and grabbed the airborne tennis ball. As the host began to gloat over his quick response to the pitch, the Rabbi looked him square in his eyes and asked, "Why did you catch that ball?"

            Looking somewhat puzzled, the host replied, "I don't know. I guess I've always been programmed to catch things when they are thrown to me."

            At that, the Rabbi then asked him, "Do you know why PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN was, without a doubt, one of the greatest world leaders who ever lived?" His answer would change my life!

            Rabbi said, "The reason that Ronald Reagan was one of the greatest leaders in all of history is, he learned how NOT to catch everything that was thrown at him!"

            Until we finally come to the place where we know, without a shadow of a doubt, that there is nobody and nothing worth our relationship with God, we will constantly find ourselves overwhelmed and sinking under the weightiness of the cares of this life.

            Jesus lovingly warns us that, "Heaven and earth shall pass away: but My Words shall not pass away. And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting (excess), and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares (being unprepared). For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. (Luke 21:33-35)"

            We have to get better at letting go of things that we should not carry with us as the result of effects from the way others my see us or criticize us. If we "drop our guard", and permit those things to take root in our lives - like an insult, false accusations, criticisms, and such - we open ourselves up to what can weigh us down and keep us from moving forward into all that God has for us. If we "reject" those things when they are thrown our way, we keep our focus to be freed from the self-limiting effects of: "unforgiveness, poor self image, bitterness, unreal expectations of others, anger, jealousy, greed,..." and the like. The Apostle Paul puts it this way in Philippians 3:13-14, "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

            To those who have given up houses, lands, relationships, jobs, and their very lives to diligently pursue oneness with God, and resist all manner of distractions to fulfill God's plan for you, we dedicate this message to you. If you are one who has not yet invited Jesus Christ into your heart to be your Lord and Savior, right there where you are, pray to God the following prayer.

            "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! If you have just prayed this prayer we want to congratulate you for making the greatest decision that you can ever make! By accepting Jesus Christ, or rededicating your life to Him, as your personal Lord and Saviour, you have begun the wonderful process of being grafted into the family of God, and we welcome you home. We would like to invite you to contact us so that we can send you information that will help you begin growing in your relationship with God. We would also encourage you to begin attending a Holy-Spirit-filled, Bible-believing 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 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 times like these that hanging out with strong Christian friends and mentors will be crucially important. There really IS strength in numbers!

            CONGRATULATIONS!!! We would like to welcome you into the Family of God... right where "you belong", and you always will! (Selah)

            KEEP PRESSIN' IN... and learnin', and growin', w-i-t-h our Lord and Savior, and also with Keith and Brenda Shealy & Toward The Mark family.

XII SMOOTH STONES book, holding the collection of these 12 most-requested Titles:

No Matter What!	The Magnetic Mantle or Why Cats... Have Kitties;
Fire, Pressure, and Them Slithery... Snakes	The Ultimate Home Gym
Vampires In The Church	STOP...
The Great Deception	The Invisible Man
God Is So Much Bigger Than You Think!	Die Empty!
Building Godly Friendships	The Secret To A Happy Life

Twelve of Keith's best lessons-learned that are most-requested by friends and fellow-readers are printed in our book, "XII Smooth Stones" available at TowardTheMark online

We pray God uses this message 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.

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)

Keep PRESSIN' IN!

We INVITE You ... to follow and share these resources that are also available, for helping build your faith in God, His Will, and His Ways: 

~  "Keith Shealy & Toward The Mark" on Facebook 

~   "TTM Singing Sergeant" on Twitter 

~   "Between The Lines PODCAST" on TTM's Libsyn Channel
HEAR (podcast): PRESSIN' In With God... Trade Anxiety & Fatigue for Confidence & Strength!
+ Keith's song *WON by ONE*

CLICK HERE to make a tax-deductible contribution securely by PayPal.

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!

           Take me... back to the top of this post.

           Take me to Don't Take Your Gifts to the Grave post.

           Take me to Salvation is For Every-Day Life post.

           Take me to Emergency Warning to Professing Witches post.

           Take me to Passionate Pursuit of Singleness post.

           Take me to We'll Miss You, Dad Shealy post.

           Take me to 75 Years Ago: Pearl Harbor & Fleet Admiral Nimitz post.

           Take me to Our Military Vets Out of Sight...Out of Mind post.

           Take me to Where to RUN When Trials Come post.

           Take me to Caught Up With Jesus post.

           Take me to True Leaders Speak Life post.

           Take me to Greatest Hindrance to Significance post.

           Take me to Keith's MINI-Series Journey #1 of *Keep the FAITH* post.

           Take me to Keith's MINI-Series Journey #2 of *Keep the FAITH* post.

           Take me to Rattlesnake Revelation post.

           Take me to Gold Star Families Gave ALL post.

           Take me to Love of GOD post.

           Take me to My Broken Vessel's Fiery Trials post.

           Take me to Magnetic Mantle...Why Cats Should Have Kitties post.

           Take me to Run TOWARD the Roar post.

           Take me to Overcoming Intimidation post.

           Take me to The Heart of Thanksgiving post.

           Take me to The Invisible Man post.

           Take me to The Abomination of Misrepresentation post.

           Take me to Living Among Thorns post.

           Show me Flipcard titles

Toward the Mark, Inc. © 2005 - 2017 | Privacy Policy and Terms of Use apply | (757)251-2440 TowardTheMark.com | Resources@TowardTheMark.com