“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15-16 KJV

 

      We must be careful how we live. If we live foolishly, spurning the laws of God, then we will reap destruction, hypocrisy, and eventually the rejection of the Lord and our salvation as we walk away from the faith. The Christian has a hard life some would say, but it actually is a very good life. Though we are persecuted, we can have the peace of God and the Holy Spirit comforting us. Though a week was hard to get through, we can come into the Lord’s presence on the Sabbath and be encouraged by the brethren. We must live wisely, not in the wisdom of the world, but in the wisdom of God that we acquire by fearing the Lord.

      Make the most of your opportunities, nothing happens by chance. The temptations you have are tests to see how you are progressing in your faith and how Jesus is becoming more integrated into your life. The days that we live in are evil. Hollow and deceptive philosophies and the teachings of demons are being proclaimed from some pulpits, most public schools, and the mainstream media. Everywhere we look we see evil, but we must stand against it: we must stand for the Lord. Amidst the overwhelming flood of voices screaming that we are stupid, baist crazies, racist or even insane radicals we must stand. In all the hardships, we are to endure because of Christ who set us the example by enduring the Cross for us, for the sake of His Gospel and the Gracious Gift of Salvation.

Jesus had and intimate communion with God despite all the hard times He went through and He died on the Cross, an extremely hard thing to do because of His love for us.

     As you go through this week, this life, this chapter of your eternal walk with the Lord: seek the Lord, make the most of the opportunities that you have, and allow Him to radiate His truth from your being. And above all else, seek Christ, standing firm against our evil flesh, the demonic powers in high places and the domain of Satan, the world.

 

Thought 296: False Prophets from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts

Thought 296

 False Prophets

“The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the Lord, and say, Is not the Lord among us? none evil can come upon us.” Micah 3:11 KJV

 

    Jesus (Matt. 7:16, 24:24) and Paul (Acts 20:13-38)  both warned us that false prophets, deceptive teachers, would come among us and deceive many. We are told that we can recognize them by their fruit (Matt 7:16). For example, the verse above clearly shows that the motivation of these judges and ministers was money, not God. They were fakes! Similarly, in churches around the world today, many false prophets are followed and revered. Why, you ask? How can so many follow a false prophet? Because they are wolves in sheep’s clothing (Matt. 7:15): they look like Christians on the outside—they say the right things and subtly weave their lies in so that many don’t “notice.” Scripture says that inwardly these people are ravenous wolves (Matt. 7:15). Just like Satan seeks to devour us, so these hungry wolves want to tear apart and draw away many from the flocks of sheep.

     You may know of some false prophets; but if you fully follow Christ, you will be able to hear the voice of the Master Shepherd, of Jesus Christ, and He will lead you. His sheep know His voice (John 10:27), but for those who aren’t His sheep or have fallen astray to some other gospel, let us pause now and spend some time in prayer for them: that the wolves may be exposed for who they are and that the sheep that have been captured will be redeemed.

 

Thought 286: The Birth of a Ministry from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts

Thought 286

The Birth of a Ministry

  God has given me these dreams: The Timothy Commission (originally the Timothy Foundation), Focusing on the Mark Ministries (originally Pressing Towards the Mark Ministries), writing and designing books and literature, studying the Word and History, teaching, mentoring, and preaching. Very few of these ‘dreams’ have come into being at the time of this writing, but they are dreams.

I have desired to start the dreams that God has put in my heart. But waiting on HIS timing is key. If I don’t wait, I will just be operating in my own strength and not the Lord’s blessing; so, I wait until God makes the way.

Has the Lord given you an idea that has or has not come to fruition? Are you trying to rush God or are you waiting on the Lord?

Thought 262: Spiritual Chainmail & Persecution from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts

Thought 262

Spiritual Chainmail & Persecution

“Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.” John 15:20 KJV

 

         Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

            Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

               But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things: Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts. Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.   —Ephesians 6:10-24 KJV

Thought 247: Scripture from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts

Thought 247

Scripture

“A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.” Proverbs 28:20 KJV

Thought 237: 2009 Clarity. . . . 2010 Moving Forward from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts

Thought 237

2009 Clarity…. 2010 Moving Forward

 A previous pastor at my church, Pastor Brock, preached a couple of sermons, each at the beginning of separate years in which he testified to what God had spoken to him about the coming year. God revealed to Pastor Brock that the year of 2009 would be a year of CLARITIY in our decisions, dreams, and desires; the truth was that it was a year of clarity for me. When I look back to 2009 I remember the joy of rededicating my life to the Lord, of being called into the ministry, of being told to write this book, of water baptism, of the birth of my second sister, and of much more. It was a year of clarity! Is all this a big coincidence? No, this is God simply using a servant of His to spread His word to His people and it was proved true over the course of that year!  Nothing happens by accident, because God reigns over all. God still speaks today, He is not silent and uninvolved!

In 2010, a few months before God moved him to a different state, Pastor Brock again had a message. This time the message was Moving Forward in faith, future, favor, and finances. Well, it is only September 9^th as I am writing this, but yet again this message has rung true in my life. This year hasn’t been as clear as last year was and I have had to exercise faith much more. Likewise, financially, God has blessed me with work and monetary gifts, my average income per year, based on a rough estimate will be doubled by the end of 2010.  In terms of favor (grace), God has been raining down many blessings this year: from completing my Gold Medal of Achievement (like Eagle Scout) to the blessing of being self-taught in 11^th Grade (except for Spanish and geometry)—I am also doing better and developing self-teaching skills that are bound to prove beneficial over the course of my life. In addition, God has helped me to realize that my work with young men isn’t about helping them earn a Gold Medal of Achievement that is simply a benefit. The ultimate goal is for me to continue to be faithful to Christ and mentor the young men that God allows me to serve. God also led me to start teaching a Young Adult Bible Study which has had some pretty neat results.

To keep this short, I won’t go on about the many other ways the Lord has blessed and helped me Move Forward this year, but I pray the Holy Spirit will reveal to you some of the things that He has done in your life over the course of a years’ time.

  I have found that writing a list or article about what God has taught me throughout a year to be a source of encouragement. Perhaps if you develop a similar compilation it will be an encouragement to you.

Thought 234: Fire refines from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts

Thought 234

Fire refines

  Fire removes impurities. In a like manner, hard times, those times that life feels like Hell are actually going to refine us. Not only do we learn what our character really is, but we learn what we need to work on. For example, if we cower easily when trouble comes, then we probably need to search our Bibles about humility, perseverance, and standing strong.

Daily Devotion from Ryan Marks book Thoughts

Thought 140

Endurance: Standing Your Ground

Read Ephesians 6:10-20 (When you read verses 19 and 20 please pray those things for me, I need your prayers).

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood. . . .Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”

Ephesians 6:12,13 (NIV1984)

    Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but it feels like it sometimes. However, let’s examine that feeling for a minute. When people just seem to get your nerves is it really them that you are frustrated with or is it something about them or something that they do? Read Ephesians 6:12 for the answer to what are struggle is with.

    I have been going through tremendous pressures recently. Not just a week or a few days, but months. At times, it feels like I hear so many lies and don’t see anyone sharing truth. It’s frustrating, but it is an opportunity to get to draw near to the Lord.

    I can’t say that it’s easy to stand and endure, but I can say that the Lord is with us! In the midst of the fight—yea the struggle!—stand firm! Let’s look at some Scripture and place our confidence in the Lord. Take courage in these, hold fast to them:

“So if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 (NIV1984)

“Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long . . . .Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenant. . . .The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them. My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only he will release my feet from the snare.” Psalm 25:4-5,8-10,14-15 (NIV1984)