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Thursday, September 12

AWARD shows ... and idols?

What is the purpose behind "AWARD shows"? For the most part, award shows, hit charts, and the like are venues for parading and celebrating sinfulness. They provide public recognition for those who Satan has deceived into misdirecting their God-given talents. A platform of opportunities to magnify God in the eyes of all who watch is rather programmed for self-centered misuse of one's gifts. These worldly programs also set up fleshly idols in the eyes of the viewers, especially the “get ‘em while they’re young” shows, pitting young souls against one another in front of millions of viewers.
            What is the goal of the contestants? Each one of them hopes for the coveted label of idol. That was also the quest of Lucifer. The result for Lucifer was he earned his way to the final decision of "The Judge", to quote another popular TV show, “You’re fired.
            The use of that word “idol” is very revealing. For thousands of years, idols have been used by Satan to sway the hearts of men away from God and into bondage, thereby keeping them from pursuing their specific role in God’s plan for Creation. The objects humans worship such as idols, graven images, famous or infamous people, charms that are perceived as having some magical power, and so on, are no different from the bait the award shows offer, as mentioned earlier. Rather than being worthy of adoration, however, idols are nothing, “We know that an idol is nothing in the world (1 Corinthians 8:4).”

            You may be thinking or saying to yourself, “Hey guys, hold on a minute. I don’t worship these people. I only watch those shows for entertainment.” Perhaps you are merely interested in the music, but stick with us on this and consider the wisdom in the Scripture, “It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools (Ecclesiastes 7:5).” The music of a person seeking the status of “idol” most certainly falls under the classification of “the song of fools”. So, with that in mind, I encourage you to choose the better part and hear the rebuke from a wise man named James, an Apostle and half-brother of Jesus Christ, “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God (James 4:4).”

            According to the James 4:4 Scripture, friendship with the world is spiritual adultery, making a person the enemy of God. Another wise man, the Apostle John, wrote, “The whole world lieth in wickedness … keep yourselves from idols (1 John 5:19, 21).” John told us that the whole world lies in wickedness, not just some of the world. He specifically mentioned that we are to have nothing to do with idols. Then, yet another wise man, Apostle Paul gave this admonition, “Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God (Romans 12:2).” The good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God, then, is to be found in the renewed mind that is not conformed to this world.

            The combined message from these three wise men can be put into the following summary… Don’t be conformed to this world because the whole world lies in wickedness; But if you are conformed to this world and don’t keep yourself from idols, then you are a friend with the world, an enemy of God, and a spiritual adulterer.

            In light of those stern words, observe the promise God made to those who choose to heed the warnings defined therein. That is, God’s promise is for those who turn away from the ways of the world in order to pursue friendship with Him, to pursue the renewed mind that is not conformed to this world, in 2 Corinthians 6:16-18, “And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of The Living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith The Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith The Lord Almighty."

            This is such a wonderful promise of God! He will receive those who come out from among the world and remain separate unto Him, not touching that which is unclean. The Lord Almighty will be their Father and they will be His sons and daughters. So, then what will happen to the idols? The prophet Isaiah told us, in Isaiah 2:17-18, "The LORD alone shall be exalted in that day. And the idols he shall utterly abolish (destroy)."


            If you have not invited Jesus Christ into your heart to be your Lord and Savior in your life, stop right where you are and pray this in communication with God, "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!!!

            Every one of the sons and daughters of The Most High God need, and do well to heed the words of wisdom from Apostle Paul's writing in Philippians 4:8-9, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you." Selah... Amen (Let it be so as we pray in The Name of Christ Jesus)!

Check Out "Yours Is A WonderFull Life...No Doubt" podcast:


THANK YOU for choosing to plug in at the Pressin'IN Blog of TTM!

      We must challenge ourselves to watch for and record the breakthroughs God helps us to press in to pursue and recognize, daily, as James 4:7 promises, "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." (James 4:7)

      Halleluia! We look forward to hearing how we can stand with you in celebrating your wonder-full life with no doubt! God bless you,

...and the TTM Family!


Every gift is appreciated and helps.

Mail Tax-deductible Check Donations to:
Toward The Mark, Inc., P.O. Box 1152, Yorktown, VA 23692-1152.





We INVITE YOU...
 see and hear, follow and share, more TowardTheMark messages of the Gospel Jesus Christ preached:




Keith and Brenda "Between The Lines" Podcast on TTM's Libsyn Channel








Toward the Mark, Inc. © 2005 - 2019 | Privacy Policy and Terms of Use apply |
(757)251-2440 TowardTheMark.com | Resources@TowardTheMark.com

Monday, September 2

Feel What Quality Instruments Should Be!

We learned early on that using the best equipment is essential for producing quality products. This is especially true when it comes to fine musical instruments.
          It is a fact...cheap gear makes a job extremely burdensome, while the best tools actually make accomplishing a mission fulfilling. Kenny Marshall's unparalleled craftsmanship not only makes his guitars a joy to play but goes much deeper than that! What our team musicians and friends have found especially amazing is the way God's anointing on each guitar Kenny works on serves to pull out of its player a level of excellence that is an experience like no other guitar can offer.

          Having known Kenny since his days with ZION Guitars in the early 80's, I would like to offer my educated testimony on Kenny Marshall Guitars. Kenny Marshall is prophetically anointed by God to provide the kind of guitars that can actually transform God's psalmist from an ordinary player to excellent. Get your custom-made guitar from Kenny and you'll feel the difference...excellence as it should be!

          That, friend, is some sound advice.

          Special heartfelt thanks to our long-time friend and fellow-musician in Christ Mr. Kenny Marshall, and to all of our faithful partners without whom the work of TTM would not be possible. 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 fulfilling God's plan, we dedicate this work to you.

          In Christ, Keith, Brenda, and Team TTM.

Every gift is appreciated and helps.


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 vision and mission God has given to this ministry! We pray God bless you with a 100-fold return for your generosity!








We INVITE YOU...
 see and hear, follow and share, more of the work of TowardTheMark, Inc.:















Toward the Mark, Inc. © 2005 - 2019 | Privacy Policy and Terms of Use apply | (757)251-2440 TowardTheMark.com | Resources@TowardTheMark.com

Monday, August 19

Gratitude IS Literally The Key!

Remember...
           In Matthew 6:33, Jesus gives us the starting place where it all must begin, "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."

Remember...
           God gives us, in Psalm 100:4, the KEY to ONEness, saying, "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His Name."Just before Jesus was arrested, here is John's account of what Jesus prayed.... just as we also pray:

           "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word; 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; and that the world may know that Thou hast sent Me, and hast loved them, as Thou hast loved Me. Father, I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am; that they may behold My Glory, which Thou has given Me: for Thou loved Me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, the world hath not known Thee: but I have known Thee, and these have known that Thou hast sent Me. And I have declared unto them Thy Name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith Thou hast loved Me may be... IN them, and I IN them (John 17:20-26)."
     We cannot enter in-to ONEness with Jesus Christ, as He prayed in the garden just before He was arrested, without first having obtained a heart filled with GRATITUDE to God for who He is more than for what He can do for us. Gratitude is the KEY that unlocks His gates... that provides the way for those who WANT Him to begin their journey toward becoming One IN God, One IN Jesus Christ, and One IN The Person of The Holy Spirit
           We so enjoy watching the lives of truly grateful people. When you are with someone who is exceedingly grateful to God for Who He is, they will also be grateful for those around them. They will have and display a remarkable level of uncommon respect for others. They are quick to speak life. They are selfless and are always looking for ways to help others in any and every way they can. They look to see others through God's eyes, being ready and willing to help others to recognize and call out the gifts that God has placed in them. They fan the flame in the heart of others to complete the work God has wired them to full-fill. And, lastly, people who know and love God wholeheartedly are truly grateful to Him for Who He is and can't help but tell everyone about Him. Everyone can see how they live life being more keenly aware of the times we are living in, willing to do whatever they are called to do for lifting up our Heavenly Father to be glorified in the eyes of as many people as possible. And the work they do and life they live comes from their passion for God, not their need for approval.

           We encourage you to ask the Person of The Holy Spirit to meet with you in the pages of God's written Word. There is where, if we will ask Him, and wait on Him, He will bring to light all of those times when He has answered our prayers along the way, in turn, making it possible for us to recall and reflect on all of the wonder-full things He has done for us throughout our lives. In turn, our hearts will become filled with gratitude that compels us to offer up thanksgiving to Him, for Him and for everything He IS and everything He does. Satan knows full well that, if he can deceive us into critically condemning others with our words, then he can steal our joy that comes with being IN ONEness with our Father, with Jesus Christ, and with the Person of The Holy Spirit in your life.

           "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also you are called in one body; and be ye thankful." Colossians 3:15

           Our sincerest hope is that you have found some encouragement in this blog. We want you to know that there is even more notes to encourage you, and your friends and family members, in our most-requested book of Toward The Mark, "Letters From The Front." We want to personally invite you to get a copy for yourself, just click here to e-mail us.

           The rarest and most fun people in the world have a heart that is filled with gratitude to God for WHO HE IS more than for what He can do for them! You are invited to join us in always remembering to, no matter what, KEEP PRESSIN' IN!


           Consider using our  LETTERS FROM THE FRONT book, a special collection of 12 of our most-requested teaching titles:

Sin Makes Ya Stewpit
The Cart's Before The Horse;
The Crisis of Eroding Integrity
The Fruit's at the End of the Limb
Too Quick to Compromise
The Rarest of All Breeds
Please...Stop Stinkin'
3 Keys to God-Pleasing Faith
Let It Go!
Understanding the Fear of The Lord
Into The Secret Place
Give to Give!


    This collection of twelve teachings, when taken to heart, will help you emerge triumphant over seemingly impossible situations...
"LETTERS From The FRONT" available by request, please click here to e-mail us.



Would you write and let us know how this message has fanned the flame in your heart for Christ Jesus, His Ways, and for God's Plan for your life? If you would like to request a special order of our book "LETTERS From The FRONT" or any product from Keith Shealy and Toward The Mark, or if you have questions about our work, resources, or giving tax-deductible donations, please click here to e-mail us. We welcome you to also feel free to write us a letter and mail it to TOWARD THE MARK, P.O. Box 1152, Yorktown, VA 23692-1152.


May you be greatly blessed as God writes this message in your heart. We praise Him, with eternal gratitude, for our loving Toward The Mark Family without whose help and support this work would not be possible!

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. We are praying for you to be encouraged and edified by our written and recorded product accounts from The Gospel that Jesus Christ preached in our written and recorded products.


We couldn't do this without the help of our friends!
The blog message you have just read, along with each of our original podcast, music, and video recordings, CDs, books, magazines, and other resources in our ministry collection is made possible by the faithful prayer and financial support of the TTM Family. If you would like to become a part of the TTM Family, your monthly financial support of any amount will help fulfilling God's call on our lives to make Holy-Bible-based messages available to the churched and un-churched alike. You are invited to partner with us in working with God to fulfill His desire for everybody to know Christ Jesus, The Way, The Truth, and The Life...personally. We "... press Toward The Mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13-14) Would you consider helping us expand our outreach capabilities by becoming a monthly financial partner? Your support will go toward helping to provide effective, practical outreach tools for ministering the love, truth, and salvation of Jesus Christ.




Every gift is appreciated and helps.


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 vision and mission God has given to this ministry! We pray God bless you with a 100-fold return for your generosity!







We INVITE YOU...
 see and hear, follow and share, more from Toward The Mark, Inc.:

Keith and Brenda "Between The Lines" Podcast on TTM's Libsyn Channel















"See sidebar Pressin'IN Blog titles"

Toward the Mark, Inc. © 2005 - 2019 | Privacy Policy and Terms of Use apply |
 TowardTheMark.com |
click here to e-mail us

Friday, June 14

Happy Birthday U.S. Army 'n Flag!

Remember...
we are called by God to stand in the gap on the behalf of our fellow Americans and their families.
Remember...
be thankful for everything our U.S. Army Soldiers have bravely fought to protect and defend for all of us Americans since 1775.
Remember...
before any of our troops ever took the military oath of service, each of them was a kid...
growing up playing with neighbors and friends every day, going to school, learning to ride a bicycle, to build a fort, to play games, sports, and music ... just like us.
Remember...
each life story matters, all they had to go through to get to the place they are now, or all of what they went through that led to the place where they made the ultimate sacrifice.  'THEY' are 'US'!
       Today, as we fly OLD GLORY, the glorious symbol of hope, we are celebrating Flag Day and National Flag Week! This is the day our God-blessed STARS AND STRIPES was officially born, and we invite and encourage you to watch "THIS FLAG" beautiful song video in honor of our strong patriotism, ever thank-full to all who have worn a military uniform in the fight to make us, "the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave"!
            Also, as we celebrate the 244th Anniversary of the day our Country's oldest national institution officially began, we give a big "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, U.S. ARMY" shout-out! Check out the special Army article that unveils lessons of D-Day, 75 years ago this month, still relevant today.

            We are taking time and this opportunity to pray for the spiritual and psychological well-being of our military men, women, and families. Whether they served 75 years ago on D-Day, June 6th, 1944, or at a time since then, our military men and women, and their families, make up a big, uniquely tight-knit family to whom all Americans owe a debt of gratitude! We are praying for God’s hand of blessing to touch them, their families, and all that they touched. We want to take this opportunity we have to personally reach out and say “Thank you for serving and sacrificing so much for us”.

            Let’s all pray for each of our brave warriors who have served our blessed Country in uniform, and remember their family members that also served from the home-front. We would ask that you stop for a moment to remember that our countrymen are much more than warriors. In this month of the 75th anniversary of D-Day, we honor the 9,388 service members who died on “Omaha Beach” just as we honor every one of our guys who survived there, on June 6th, 1944! Remember that before they ever took the military oath of service, each one was once a kid...just like you and me.  Each one of these brave men and women are "us".

            We need to remember the value of each and every life.  And remember what they had to go through to get to where they are now, or to the place they were when they made the ultimate sacrifice.   THEY ARE “US”!

           Remember also, no matter what, KEEP PRESSIN' IN!

         You might consider using our  LETTERS FROM THE FRONT book, a special collection of 12 of our most-requested teaching titles:

Sin Makes Ya Stewpit
The Cart's Before The Horse;
The Crisis of Eroding Integrity
The Fruit's at the End of the Limb
Too Quick to Compromise
The Rarest of All Breeds
Please...Stop Stinkin'
3 Keys to God-Pleasing Faith
Let It Go!
Understanding the Fear of The Lord
Into The Secret Place
Give to Give!


          This collection of twelve teachings, when taken to heart, will help you emerge triumphant over seemingly impossible situations... "LETTERS From The FRONT" available at TowardTheMark online.


Would you write and let us know how this message has fanned the flame in your heart for Christ Jesus, His Ways, and for God's Plan for your life? If you would like to request a special order of our book "LETTERS From The FRONT" or any product from Keith Shealy and Toward The Mark, or if you have questions about our work, resources, or giving tax-deductible donations, please click here to e-mail us. We welcome you to also feel free to write us a letter and mail it to TOWARD THE MARK, P.O. Box 1152, Yorktown, VA 23692-1152.

May you be greatly blessed as God writes this message in your heart. We praise Him, with eternal gratitude, for our loving Toward The Mark Family without whose help and support this work would not be possible!

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. We are praying for you to be encouraged and edified by our written and recorded product accounts from The Gospel that Jesus Christ preached in our written and recorded products.

We couldn't do this without the help of our friends!
The blog message you have just read, along with each of our original podcast, music, and video recordings, CDs, books, magazines, and other resources in our ministry collection is made possible by the faithful prayer and financial support of the TTM Family. If you would like to become a part of the TTM Family, your monthly financial support of any amount will help fulfilling God's call on our lives to make Holy-Bible-based messages available to the churched and un-churched alike. You are invited to partner with us in working with God to fulfill His desire for everybody to know Christ Jesus, The Way, The Truth, and The Life...personally. We "... press Toward The Mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13-14) Would you consider helping us expand our outreach capabilities by becoming a monthly financial partner? Your support will go toward helping to provide effective, practical outreach tools for ministering the love, truth, and salvation of Jesus Christ.
Every gift is appreciated and helps.


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 vision and mission God has given to this ministry! We pray God bless you with a 100-fold return for your generosity!





We INVITE YOU...
 see and hear, follow and share, more from Toward The Mark, Inc.:

Keith and Brenda "Between The Lines" Podcast on TTM's Libsyn Channel















Toward the Mark, Inc. © 2005 - 2019 | Privacy Policy and Terms of Use apply |
(757)251-2440 TowardTheMark.com | Resources@TowardTheMark.com