THE LORD IS RIGHTEOUS IN ALL HIS WAYS

Photo provided by Katie Peace

The LORD is righteous in all 

his ways, and holy in all 

his works.  The LORD is nigh 

unto all them that call upon him, 

to all that call upon him in truth.

He will fulfil the desire of them that 

fear him: he also will hear their cry, 

and will save them.  The LORD 

preserveth all them that love him: 

but all the wicked will he destroy.

My mouth shall speak the praise 

of the LORD: and let all flesh 

bless his holy name for 

ever and ever.

Psalm 145:17-21

SOUL MATTERS

FOR THE BELIEVER!
NUTRIENTS FOR THE DAY

Your soul will not 

graze from the same pastures your 

(flesh) body grazes from, but your body 

will graze from the same pastures your 

soul grazes from.

If you find your soul has lost life, 

it may because your feeding from 

the wrong pastures.

Graze from the Word of God and let it 

fulfill your desires. When you do so, it 

will fulfill your every need. The places 

your spirit goes, your body will yield to. 

Walk in the ways of the Lord and let 

him sustain you!

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, 

and ye shall not fulfil the 

lust of the flesh.  For the flesh 

lusteth against the Spirit, and the 

Spirit against the flesh: and these 

are contrary the one to the other: 

so that ye cannot do the things that 

ye would. But if ye be led 

of the Spirit, ye are not under 

the law.  Now the works of the 

flesh are manifest, which are these;

 Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, 

lasciviousness,  Idolatry, witchcraft, 

hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, 

strife, seditions, heresies,  Envyings, 

murders, drunkenness, revellings, and 

such like: of the which I tell you before, 

as I have also told you in time past, 

that they which do such things shall 

not inherit the kingdom of God.  But the 

fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, 

longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, 

faith,  Meekness, temperance: against 

such there is no law.  And they that 

are Christ’s have crucified the flesh 

with the affections and lusts.  If we live 

in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

GALATIANS 5:16-25

IN HIS STEPS

Photo provided by Steve Long

For what glory is it, if, when ye be 

buffeted for your faults, ye shall 

take it patiently? but if, when ye 

do well, and suffer for it, ye take 

it patiently, this is acceptable with 

God.  For even hereunto were ye 

called: because Christ also suffered 

for us, leaving us an example, 

that ye should follow his steps:

Who did no sin, neither was guile 

found in his mouth:  Who, when he 

was reviled, reviled not again; when 

he suffered, he threatened not; but 

committed himself to him that judgeth 

righteously:  Who his own self bare 

our sins in his own body on the tree, 

that we, being dead to sins, should 

live unto righteousness: by whose 

stripes ye were healed.  For ye were 

as sheep going astray; but are now 

returned unto the Shepherd and 

Bishop of your souls.

II Peter 2:20-25

NOT USING YOUR LIBERTY FOR A CLOKE OF MALICIOUSNESS

Photo provided by June Roberson Ormesher

 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers 

and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, 

which war against the soul;  Having your 

conversation honest among the Gentiles: 

that, whereas they speak against you as 

evildoers, they may by your good works, 

which they shall behold, glorify God in 

the day of visitation.  Submit yourselves 

to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s 

sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;

Or unto governors, as unto them that are 

sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, 

and for the praise of them that do well.

For so is the will of God, that with well 

doing ye may put to silence the ignorance 

of foolish men:  As free, and not using your 

liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, 

but as the servants of God.  Honour all 

men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. 

Honour the king.  Servants, be subject 

to your masters with all fear; not only 

to the good and gentle, but also to the 

froward.  For this is thankworthy, if 

a man for conscience toward God 

endure grief, suffering wrongfully.

For what glory is it, if, when ye be 

buffeted for your faults, ye shall take

it patiently? but if, when ye do well, 

and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, 

this is acceptable with God.

For even hereunto were ye called: 

because Christ also suffered for us, 

leaving us an example, that ye 

should follow his steps:  Who did 

no sin, neither was guile found in 

his mouth:  Who, when he was 

reviled, reviled not again; when 

he suffered, he threatened not; 

but committed himself to him 

that judgeth righteously: Who his 

own self bare our sins in his own 

body on the tree, that we, being 

dead to sins, should live unto 

righteousness: by whose stripes 

ye were healed.  For ye were as 

sheep going astray; but are now 

returned unto the Shepherd and 

Bishop of your souls.

II Peter 2:11-25


HAPPY JULY 4TH

GOD'S ALL SUFFICIENT HAND

Yesterday I wrote a blog called, "When
Pain becomes Victory and Death
becomes Life."

How far in advance does God see and
make prevision for your needs? 

For Rebecca Jones the wife of  Mark Jones,
God was watching over her and
preparing the way months before
Marks accident. 

Kristy Long, who was struggling not
knowing where to send her children
to school the next year, finally chose
a school in Richardson Texas.
After visiting many schools and almost
enrolling in one, but missed the final
meeting for enrollment, she finally
made her choice. This school is
the same school that Rebecca
youngest child, Asher attends.
On the first day back to school
in the fall, Asher will have his best
friend Noah Long at his side
everyday and any time that Rebecca
isn't able to take Asher to and from
school; it's right on Kristy's way.
God is Good!  All the Time!

All the Time!  God is Good!

Only five days has passed since 

Mark left this world and in those five

short days that have seemed an

eternity already to Rebecca and 

her dear children, there has been 

$21,520 raised to assist the family

with their needs.  

Mark believed and repeated often,

God is Good! All the Time!

All the Time, God is Good!

If in this life you change the 

world by your presence and

leaving this life brings more

glory to the heavenly father and 

reaches more souls for Christ than 

staying, than when this life is all 

said and done; how great will the 

crown in glory be that you ran the 

race with the highest honor. While 

running it, you passed to baton

to so many others desiring to run 

the race as you did.  Running it

so many souls would be added to 

the kingdom of heaven. 

Walking the new path will not be

easy each day as this family learns 

that God is the provider, sustainer

and comfort.  Mark left many stepping

stones for them to place their feet 

on and to follow in his path; this 

is exactly what I see this family 

doing, as they venture to live their

lives without his guidance.

Many times instead of drawing out of the

grace, love and mercy account, I have

ran to the fear account and have taken a 

full withdrawal.  The times I ran to the 

Lord for my strength and comfort, he 

always proved himself to be faithful. 

I remember many years ago when 

our son had to have emergency surgery

due to a freak accident.  The doctors x-rayed

his arm but didn't catch he had a hairline 

fracture in the bone on his left arm.  He was

at the same time exposed to the strep 

virus and the strep went straight to the 

bone, requiring two major surgeries

  No insurance, no money, just us sitting 

in the hospital wondering what God's 

plan was going to be to provide.  

Sitting beside Josh's bed one morning 

after his second surgery, his doctor 

walked in and started discussing the 

next thirty days and what would have 

to be done.  Twice a day, shots would 

have to be slowly injected into 

the subclavan that ran tubes straight to 

Josh's heart.  Each dose cost $400.00 each. 

Dr Kerr stopped and said, "You

will need to make plans with the school

for Joshua to be taught from home for the

next thirty days."  This was not an issue,

as I told Dr Kerr that we home schooled 

our children. Instantly he stopped and

said, "I love home school parents." 

He rallied doctor's and pharmacist

together to reduce prices and to bring

assistance that brought our hospital and 

prescription bills down 75 percent of what 

they would have been.  

This is how our doctor proved to us his love 

for the Lord and his love for home 

schooled parents.

God is Good!  All the Time!

All the Time! God is Good!

We may suffer in this life, 

we may have pain and sorrow, 

but this one thing I know, 

if we allow God to use it for

his glory, he will do that very

thing and in the midst of this 

wilderness journey, we will see

the roses bloom, and the springs 

filled with the water flowing from 

the throne of God.  We will see it

is far better to trust than to be 

filled with fear and anxiety. 

God is our refuge and strength, a very 

present help in trouble. Therefore will 

not we fear, though the earth be 

removed, and though the mountains 

be carried into the midst of the sea;

Though the waters thereof roar and 

be troubled, though the mountains 

shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

There is a river, the streams whereof 

shall make glad the city of God, the 

holy place of the tabernacles of the 

most High.  God is in the midst of 

her; she shall not be moved: God 

shall help her, and that right early.

The heathen raged, the kingdoms 

were moved: he uttered his voice, 

the earth melted./  The LORD of 

hosts is with us; the God of Jacob 

is our refuge. Selah.  Come, behold 

the works of the LORD, what 

desolations he hath made in the earth.

He maketh wars to cease unto the end 

of the earth; he breaketh the bow, 

and cutteth the spear in sunder; he 

burneth the chariot in the fire.

Be still, and know that I am God: 

I will be exalted among the heathen, 

I will be exalted in the earth.

 PSALM 46

WHEN PAIN BECOMES VICTORY AND DEATH BECOMES LIFE

This story begins in Richardson Texas, a quaint suburb in the Dallas - Fort Worth area, where Mark and Rebecca Jones lived. Mark never made the headlines of the New York Times or appeared on Good Morning America. But this man made news in Heaven on June 28th, 2017, when he walked through the gates of heaven and into the arms of the one he so loved, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Mark, the Worship Leader at Trinity Church in Richardson Texas, did far more than just lead his people in song. He led them to the throne of God.

On June 2, 2017, Mark’s life would no longer be the same. Leaving the house on this rainy day, Mark fell down the steps, tearing all the tendons and ligaments in both legs. He went through knee surgery on both legs and began physical therapy, but what he learned during those days was not as important as what he taught others during that time. As he was learning to walk again after the surgeries, he taught other people how to have a new walk also.

On June 4, 2017, Mark posted a video with these words to his friends. 

" Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights." Habakkuk 3:17-19

On June 9, 2017, Mark posted these words, 

"My heart and flesh may fail

The earth below give way

But with my eyes, with my eyes I’ll see the Lord

Lifted high on that day

Behold, the Lamb that was slain

And I’ll know every tear was worth it all

Though you slay me

Yet I will praise you

Though you take from me

I will bless your name

Though you ruin me

Still I will worship

Sing a song to the one who’s all I need"

(Shane and Shane-"Though You Slay Me")

On June 11, 2017, Mark posted a video of him lying in the hospital bed, singing the song called, "Blessings" and these words.

'Cause what if your blessings
come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are
Your mercies in disguise"

"What if the sole purpose of being in your life, and all (sic) brings with it, is for the sole purpose of making you more like Jesus?"

On June 16th Mark posted these words  

"The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." Job 1:21b    My Friday morning proclamation regarding My Good, Good Father....

He remains, good, all the time! He remains, faithful!

He remains, merciful!
His grace is sufficient!
His love is everlasting!
He is with me in this storm!
He is working all things for good and for His glory
and that is good enough for me!
He is fully trustworthy!
He alone is my Healer!
His presence is full of joy!
His people are amazing!
His plans are perfect!
His timing is without error!
His strength is perfect, when my strength is gone!

Thank You, Father for entrusting me with this trial. I'm not worthy, but You are. May I be faithful to this call. I love you.

On June 25, 2017 mark posted a video singing from his hospital bed, "In Christ Alone", and posted these words.

No power of hell no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand."
"....on Christ the Solid Rock I stand,
all other ground is sinking sand.

On June 28, 2017, Mark posted these words, not knowing this would be his last day on the earth, and the beginning of watching his pain become a victory and his death bringing forth life. 

Today's Nugget – Find a way to (continue or begin) to serve your bride that says, "I love you and I'm thinking about you" and do it today and everyday that God gives you breath.

One of the ways that I've been able to serve my bride, over the years, is to make her coffee in the morning. No matter what time I got up or what the day held, for a very long time now, one of the things that Rebecca knew that she could count on was that her coffee, half and half and Chinet, comfort disposable travel cup with lid, would be waiting to greet her at the beginning of her day.

To say that was a blessing to her is a tremendous understatement. One of the things that I miss most about not being at home since my accident is that I am not there to make her coffee for in the morning.

As I heal more, little by little, day by day, I look forward to the next time I can stand in my kitchen and grind coffee beans and prepare her morning "happy" to start her day.

But it also reminds me, once again, that we cannot wait to say or do the things that we want and need to do. We are not guaranteed the next moment, our next breath or our next step.

So fellas, whatever that is for you, do it today. Do it right now and every day that God gives you breath! And count it a joy and a privilege to do whatever that is that says, "I love you and I'm thinking about you babe!"

She'll be eternally grateful for your doing so.

Shortly after Mark's death, a young couple who had lost a very young child suddenly, watched the videos on Mark's facebook page of him praising, worshipping and loving his Lord, and it gave them a new perspective and is helping them walk through the dark days they are experiencing.

This morning as I was praying about what to title Mark's story, I felt the Lord lay this title on my heart, "WHEN PAIN BECOMES VICTORY AND DEATH BECOMES LIFE".   I questioned the Lord about that topic, but as I have learned over the years, God knows what he is fixing to do; I just need to hold the pen.

This topic came to me around 9:00 AM so I sat down and started writing, deleting and writing again.  Then I received a message from my daughter-in-love that said, Mark's son was sitting by the pool this morning with his mother and prayed and accepted Jesus Christ into his heart. I knew instantly why God had pressed on my heart to call this blog, "WHEN PAIN BECOMES VICTORY AND DEATH BECOMES LIFE." 

So now I must ask this question. What will the last few days of your life look like? Will they be filled with stepping stones that will lead someone else into peace, joy and eternal life or will you leave the stepping stones that bring sorrow, anguish and fears?

We have but one life, may our last days look like those of this godly man, Mark Jones, that as people go through life and start to sink, they can find the firm stones he left behind, place their feet onto them and stand and move forward in a path that will also provide great stepping stones for others to follow. 

THAT YOU MAY KNOW WHAT IS THE HOPE OF HIS CALLING

Photo provided by June Roberson Ormesher

 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ 

by the will of God, to the saints 

which are at Ephesus, and 

to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

Grace be to you, and peace, 

from God our Father, and from 

the Lord Jesus Christ.

Blessed be the God and Father 

of our Lord Jesus Christ, who 

hath blessed us with all spiritual 

blessings in heavenly places 

in Christ:  According as he hath 

chosen us in him before the 

foundation of the world, that we 

should be holy and without blame 

before him in love:  Having 

predestinated us unto the adoption 

of children by Jesus Christ to 

himself, according to the good 

pleasure of his will,  To the praise 

of the glory of his grace, wherein 

he hath made us accepted 

in the beloved.  In whom we have 

redemption through his blood, the 

forgiveness of sins, according 

to the riches of his grace;

Wherein he hath abounded 

toward us in all wisdom and 

prudence; Having made known unto 

us the mystery of his will, according 

to his good pleasure which he hath 

purposed in himself:  That in the 

dispensation of the fulness of times 

he might gather together in one all 

things in Christ, both which are in 

heaven, and which are on earth; even 

in him: In whom also we have obtained 

an inheritance, being predestinated 

according to the purpose of him who 

worketh all things after the counsel of 

his own will:  That we should be to the 

praise of his glory, who first trusted 

in Christ  In whom ye also trusted, after 

that ye heard the word of truth, the 

gospel of your salvation: in whom also 

after that ye believed, ye were sealed with 

that holy Spirit of promise,  Which is 

the earnest of our inheritance until the 

redemption of the purchased possession, 

unto the praise of his glory.  Wherefore I 

also, after I heard of your faith in the 

Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,

Cease not to give thanks for you, 

making mention of you in my prayers;

That the God of our Lord Jesus 

Christ, the Father of glory, may 

give unto you the spirit of wisdom 

and revelation in the knowledge of him:

The eyes of your understanding being 

enlightened; that ye may know what 

is the hope of his calling, and 

what the riches of the glory of his 

inheritance in the saints,  And what is 

the exceeding greatness of his power 

to us-ward who believe, according to 

the working of his mighty power,  

Which he wrought in Christ, when he \

raised him from the dead, and set him 

at his own right hand in the heavenly 

places,  Far above all principality, 

and power, and might, and dominion, 

and every name that is named, not 

only in this world, but also in that 

which is to come:  And hath put all 

things under his feet, and gave 

him to be the head over all things 

to the church,  Which is his body, 

the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Ephesians 1