Hey, so God's had this on my heart for a few days now and has been adding to it every day I wake up with more to share. I'll cut to the chase. Everyone wants to be loved. No one actually enjoys being hated even if they say they do. It's part of our natural human nature to want to belong. To be part of something. After all we were created as social beings that long for and enjoy the company of others. You can read it for yourself in Genesis that God said "it's not good for man to be alone". He wasn't just talking about dating and marriage here either - He meant it universally and that's reinforced through the Bible and covered many times in many different areas such as "brotherly love" and "fellowship". Now what I wanna say is this - we all want to be loved and crave that belonging and worth but unless you get it met through the right source it all goes wrong very quickly. I've seen and met many girls that weren't loved and valued by their parents and especially their Dad so as a result of this 'love deficiency' they go from guy to guy trying to fill that empty void. Sadly it's only in vain as the guy can't ever fill that God shaped hole inside and the relationship suffers and often dies as a result.


The ensuing result is a disappointed girl with a broken heart who's now seeking love again.. and so the vicious cycle repeats itself. Now don't think guys are exempt from this either. As a guy that came from a very broken home myself I know the effects of not having that love and worth being inputted into you in those extremely important adolescent years. For a guy it's different to a girl though. Instead of seeking a person to fill that hole, us guys often try to fill it with things - cars, motorbikes, accomplishments etc. The end result is the same though - emptiness. What I wanna say plainly and clearly is this... I built a pretty big and decent castle out of the stuff I did and got in life and all it did was left me even more empty than when I started. Jesus came into my life at a time when everything was literally going to hell and stepped in a saved me and changed everything. Psalm 18 in the Bible describes very well what Jesus did when He came and answered my cries and rescued me. Everything you see, know or think of me now is the complete opposite of what I used to be. The few people I call loved ones that knew me back then would gladly testify of that and are also eternally thankful to God for doing what He did. Now, what I wanna also share is this...


When I was the 'old me' there was a fairly big group of people that really didn't like me. People would always make me feel like I never measured up, wasn't good enough, wasn't smart enough, wasn't tall enough - just not enough. I assumed that when Jesus came and did what He did and changed me into what I am now - a new creation of His mercy, grace and love - that people would automatically really love me now. It only made sense hey - I was really bad before full of horrible nasty addictions, a mouth that only spoke negative things pulling people down all the time and greedy hands that just seemed to always cause trouble and pain for myself and others. So now people would love me now that I'm not those thing anymore right? No... I'll be honest with you and say this straight. I've never been hated more in my life since Jesus did what He did. I learned that the few friends I had when I was what I was before actually got a kick out of me being the social outcast, the weak addicted guy full of pain and negativity. You see - in a weird twisted and nasty way it sorta made them feel a bit better about themselves when they looked at me. They thought "well, I don't have his problems and I'm doing him and favour reaching down to his level to help him".


They made these sentiments very very clear through their words and actions when I started opening my mouth about how good God is and what He did for me to save and help me. Long story short I got told to get back in my box and shut my mouth. God showed me that this type of talk and actions only comes from self righteousness and pride and not from a heart that follows God. One by one I distanced myself from these types of people and in turn drew much closer to God. Now before you pity me what I want to finish with is this. God gave me a gift, a very very valuable gift that so many I come across also need very badly. He gave me the ability to no longer care what people think. Not in a nasty "get stuffed I don't care what you think..." type of way but in a "your opinion of me is irrelevant because I hold to what God says of me far more than what anyone down here says, thinks or does to me...". Because of this gift I can forgive and move past what people think of me and continue to do and be what God says and wants me to be. There's a verse in the Bible that sums up what I'm saying perfectly in Galatians 1:10 "Obviously, I'm not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ's servant".


In a nutshell it's saying this "Your opinion of me is irrelevant because I only seek God's approval". So whether I'm loved or hated by thousands of people down here it really doesn't matter. God loves me and that's all that matters. I doesn't matter if the highest leader of the biggest church in the world says I'm dirty, useless and not good enough. Why? Because they're wrong. They're human just like me so their opinion is one that's on the same level as mine despite how much money or power they have. I'll go with what the absolute highest opinion says and there aint no higher place to go than to ask what God the Father says. And what does He say... He says in Romans 8:38-39 that NOTHING and I mean NOTHING can separate me from the love of God. No person, No angel, No creation, No distance... Not a single thing. So that's me now... loved. And there's nothing that anyone or any opinion can do to change or even assault that. Loved...Secure...Forever. So if you're like I was - looking for love, worth, value and meaning in life but finding you luck out every time... why not jump the queue and go right to the highest rank there is? The God that made all things and sent His Son to die and rise again for you. Seek Him and you will find Him and as a result you'll find far more than you ever imagined. God loves you.  

Rock it out LOUD because the King broke you out of prison and set you free! Now the smart thing for an escapee to do would be to hide and lay low - to keep a low profile and stay off the radar - but call me a glutton for punishment or maybe I was just made for this... but that's me outside the prison walls of others still locked inside screaming out the way to freedom. Telling them there is a way and His Name is Jesus. Standing unafraid of what giants they send out of the gates to meet me. Will the prison guards attack me? most definitely. Do I fear their dark swords and fiery arrows? Not when I'm behind the Kings shield. So sons and daughters of the King... it's time to make some noise. It's time to make those prison walls shake once more like they did in the days of old. It's time to show those stones that words hold more weight. It's time to break down the walls... So Turn It Up.... FOR FREEDOM AND FOR THE KING!!! 

Faith... So what is faith? Faith is standing at the back of a B52 that's circling at 30,000 feet. The rear door opens and the wind and air pressure rushes in like a hurricane. You reach for that parachute pack and His voice says "You won't need that..." And so you stand there... On the edge. Heart racing. Logic says "No" but He says "I've got you". And so you take that first step into freefall. Tumbling like a crumpled piece of paper in the wind. But His voice echoes over the wind "Relax... Let go... Trust me" And so you release your muscles and begin to embrace the decent. Before long you're enjoying what you first feared. In fact... You wish it will never end. But the ground is closing fast. The landscape is magnifying every second you drop through the atmosphere. Then you remember His Words... "Call out to me and I will save you..." Moments before impact you whisper His Name and in a thunderous entry His strong arms catch you. "Got you!" He says. As you gently and effortlessly ascend carried by the Lord of the Storms you ask "Can we go again...?" His reply "Child, You were made for this" 

God's asked me to talk about this and I have to say it's not a topic I really enjoy or am very good at. And that's precisely the reason God's asked me to do it. I'm certainly not perfect and never claim to be - as a matter of fact I wouldn't even consider myself a good person. The simple truth is the only thing that's good in me in Jesus. Left alone and to my own devices I have a tendency to corrupt pretty much every thing around me. Jesus is the only reason that there's anything good in my life and I have no problem admitting to that. So... forgiveness hey. Yeah. 

The thing is in life stuff is gonna happen. People are going to lie about you, slander you, hurt you and abuse you - it's just a fact. We live in a corrupted world. Thinking you're not going to get hurt is naive. The sad truth is... it's going to happen. So what do you do when someone hurts you? Is finding out dirt on them and trying to destroy their character in public the answer? Is slandering them behind their back with twisted half truths the way to go about it? How about an all out MMA style fist fight? I jest. Obviously we know this sort of thing isn't the answer but so often we start to tread down those paths. The answer is seeking God and doing what He tells us to do. 

The English poet Alexander Pope from the 1700's penned it like this... "To err is to be human, but to forgive is divine". What He meant was simply this - Humans fail and hurt each other, but forgiveness is a quality of God himself. We don't of ourselves have the ability to truly forgive in our human nature - it's a choice of ours to align with the paths of God and to let go of an offence. In Greek as the New Testament of the Bible was originally written the word forgive "aphesis" simply means "to pardon, to release, to let go". The example God gave me is an inflated balloon but instead of the end being tied off as it normally is - it's you holding the end closed. But it's you thats the balloon and the pressure is inside of you. 

When you choose to "let go" you release yourself of the pressure of the offence and the pain it causes you. Now I will stop here and clarify something - just because you forgive doesn't mean the other party involved will automatically reconcile with you. We all have choices as humans and they have a choice to either accept or reject your forgiveness. Put very simply God wants us to release that person of the crimes and pain they caused you in your heart first and to adopt an attitude of willingness to reconcile should that person choose to. If the offence continues then wisdom would instruct you to do your best to avoid further incidents while making all attempts for peace. 

The Bible says it this way in Romans 12:18 "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all." Peace is something we should all strive to live in and bring wherever we go. Does that always happen? No. But should it be our goal? Absolutely. So today, if there's something that's hurt you - no matter how bad it is - choose to start down God's path of forgiveness and let it go. God never asks you to pretend the offence never happened but instead He asks you to objectively look at the offence and then take His hands and choose to let it go. Trust Him and that His paths lead to peace and all the poison and pain of what happened will drain away. Because I'm writing this does it mean I have this all sorted, boxed up and am a professional at forgiveness? I wish. I need God's help with this more than ever. But with His help I know I'll do a whole lot better job than trying to do it on my own. I pray this helps you and leads you to a path that brings peace into your life. God loves and values you. Have a great day. 

[ Psalm 34:14 - Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.]

Jesus, you are my guide - my light - my peace - my hope and my destination.

Because of you and who you are - I am never in lack. I have you and you have me and when I'm in that place I have all I need.

You lead me Lord into places well watered with plenty for me and enough to share of your goodness with others in need.

Your voice leads me through the fog and emptiness of this world into paths of light for your Kingdom and Glory. In your Majestic Name and for your Kingdom I forge on despite all odds

It's you alone that heals, redeems and completes me. You are the place I bring my broken heart to be mended by the hands of The Master.

Even when I tread the very path of death and it's foul stench surrounds me like a relentless flood - you are there. Even when ten thousand fall beside and all around me - not once does your ever watchful and devoted gaze shift from my frame. Who have I to fear when The Holy One walks this road with me?

You never leave my side and in the darkest shades of night your eternal Word comforts and reinforces your undying love for me.

Because I seek not my own glory but yours and your Kingdom - you lift me up and make of me a spectacle of your immeasurable love, mercy, grace and truth to all those who scorned and betrayed me. You choose to use the foolishness of this world that is me to confound the lofty and proud ones.

My very own brothers and sisters who sank their knives of hate into me while I only served them in love will marvel at the power you hold to redeem the broken. It is you alone that humbles and exalts. You are ever faithful and always pure when you judge. I will not avenge as this world teaches me to. Instead, I rest in your perfect justice Lord.

By the power and authority of your Name, I am sent to speak of your goodness, truth and freedom.

You give me more than my portion and it's your love that flows out from me into all that I come in contact with. I am your willing vessel. Fill me and use me as you see best.

I can never escape the intensity and fervor of your love and mercy no matter how far I run. Your peace surrounds me as a royal cloak and your gifts of goodness from above fill my house. My life is a testament of your faithfulness O God.

And when my time of this mortal plane expires and you at last call me home - I will live and serve in the courts of My King forever and ever.

Thankyou Jesus. It's all because of you. You are the I AM to my I need.  

YouTube Video Link > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKiWhqwysLY

God is good. Far better than I deserve. Seriously. Never forget that money is just numbers and God reigns far above all that. Have the best day guys! :)

God gave me this song after meeting a teenage girl who was severely struck down with a horrible and rare disease of unknown origins that rendered her mute and incoherent for days at a time. Her very life would be robbed from her and there was no way anyone could reach her when she was in that state. Her parents would just watch and pray for her to return to normal while she lay there for days unresponsive. God revealed to me the true nature and origin of her sickness as well as the horrible abuse that happened to her as a very young girl. I was given a message for her that one day she would sing and affect thousands of people with a new song. Her value had been robbed from her by others. God then also started to stir a song in me about her and all the countless other people I come across in my life that are told lies about their worth from a very young age and who live believing they are far less than God intended them to be. I myself came from a broken home and was told those same lies... that "you're worthless... you're useless...you're dirty... you'll never amount to anything". The mirror told me lies every single day and I couldn't even look myself or anyone else in the eye because of the immense pain of rejection and abandonment that existed in me. Then one day after my pride had died Jesus found me and told me something very powerful. He said "Mark... you've been told a whole lot of lies... it's time you knew the truth... it's time you woke up..." My life changed forever after that day. He woke up the real me that was inside smothered under years and years of pain. He set me free. I hope and pray this song speaks to your heart and also helps to break those lies and wake up the true value that is inside you. You are worth far more than what you have, what you do, what's been done to you or where you've come from...It's time you knew the truth too. The truth is God loves you and wants only the very best for you. In the Bible it says "For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."

(Jeremiah 29:11). If you know of someone else this video may help, please feel free to share it with them. I pray it helps them too. Have an awesome day

****LYRICS****

Mirror's tellin you lies
Don't believe a word it says
Only sees the outside
smallest part of you
Oh, you gotta realise
that you're worth more than all of this
more than shame and regret
priceless in His eyes
Mirror's tell you lies
it's tellin you lies...

Cos' you're worth more
than all this pain
You're worth more
than all the shame
oh You're worth more
Please believe it
You're worth more
Oh just receive it
You're worth more
I wish you could see...
You're worth more
 He died to set you free yeah
You're worth more
You're worth more
You're worth more

 YouTube video link > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5bKKasXetc

The funny thing about the wilderness is that when God calls you away to it we so often start off kicking and screaming and complaining about the things that have been taken away. The seclusion and the isolation. The soft things of comfort removed. But then after some time and if we choose to let go He leads us and shows us the purpose of the wilderness... Training, refinement, focus, relationship, trust, faith, the exposure of weakness. With all the distractions of life removed and in that unique type of surrender we see ourselves for what we are... 

Deficient. A puzzle in need of the lost pieces. It's so often in the wilderness that we truly find God and He does His best work. Work that can't be done in the hectic bustle of life. So whatever your wilderness is... Don't fear it. Because God is there in the wilderness. And when His training is complete you'll come out of the wilderness very different indeed. Trust in Him, He uses the wildernesses in our lives powerfully for His Kingdom if we take His hand and follow His paths.  

Hey, God put this on my heart to share with you guys firstly because I genuinely care about each one of you that reads this and your Father in Heaven cares for you so, so much more. This comes from a broken and heavy heart at the state of what is called "The Church" of today. I've been a church goer since I was very young and have seen some good things and also some very, very bad things happen in the church and in done in the Name of God. I'm not here today to sling mud at anyone or to judge - but more to give a warning as a brother who cares for you. We live in dangerous times, far more dangerous than many realise.


Many of the things that Jesus said would happen in the end times are now coming into place. For those whose eyes are not opened it may seem like things are just progressing along as they always were but sadly that's not the case. We live in an age where people who call themselves Christians can justify just about anything from outright adultery and hatred in the Name of God while abusing the concept of God's grace as an excuse to harm others and gain for themselves and their own selfish agendas of fame and riches. I know this probably isn't sounding very positive but stick with me to the end ok? It seems the whole world is looking for another man to follow, someone to lead them like little lost sheep but the truth is we were already given a man to lead us - His Name is JESUS. Jesus is enough.


We don't need another 30 something year old figurehead leader of religion to lead the masses to God - Jesus already was that. We don't need to be part of some thronging mindless crowed mass singing programmed repetitious songs over and over to get closer to God. Riches and fame are not a measure of the presence of and a relationship with God. Jesus said himself "where two or three are gathered... There I am in the middle". Think about that for a minute. Two or three. Why did Jesus say that I wonder... Was it because often those who truly follow God aren't in the big crowds but are instead somewhere quiet, somewhere small, somewhere humble... Just seeking God and wanting to honour Him and not themselves?


What God's led me to say is this... "test all things". Don't just swallow and believe everything you're fed. Just because there's a crowd there don't think that it's trustworthy. Just because you're friends say its all ok - doesn't mean it is. Just because your family always did it - doesn't mean it is either. Test things. Use your brain and pray and ask God for wisdom because not everything you read, see and experience is what it is on the surface. James 1:5 says "If anyone needs wisdom, ask of God and He will generously give it to you".  The greatest deceptions in mankind are the ones that are hidden in plain sight among the crowds of followers. You've heard the saying "A crowd draws a crowd..." Keep that in mind. Why are you doing what you're doing? Do you really know? Are you desperately trying to be part of what's going on but you don't really know what's going on? Be careful. Hype is a very powerful manipulating force.


Some simple wisdom that God gave me is this.. "look for the money trail..." The Bible says that "The love of money is the root of all evil". What that means is that where the love of money is, then there will naturally be money flowing from there. And if its the root of all evil that means that there's going to be a whole lot of really bad stuff that you really don't wanna be a part of there - even if you can't see it yet. My brothers and sisters, look at Jesus and see what He was. People said to Him "We'll follow you anywhere Jesus!" and His reply was "Foxes have holes and birds have nests but I don't even have a house or a bed - will you still follow me?" Keep that picture of Jesus in mind when you see religious leaders standing up in front of you collecting your tithes and offerings and building bigger and bigger temples of ambition and greed justifying it all in God's Name.


Keep in mind Jesus didn't even have a house and the "church" they met in was a borrowed room when you look at the exalted leaders whose lives flow with lavish excess. I'm not here to attack anyone or name names - I just implore you to open your eyes and your ears and see what's really going on. What's happening right now in the world is a precursor for what's to come. Save yourself the pain and seek God instead of mans ways. There will come a world leader soon that will gather a crowd like never before and show signs and wonders never seen here on earth. This leader is most certainly not from God even if He claims to be. Be careful, the crowd is often wrong in who they follow. Jesus said to the woman at the well... "You worship God at this mountain that you call sacred, the Jews worship at the temple in Jerusalem.. but there is coming a time when the Father seeks those who worship Him in Spirit and in Truth".


I'm here today to tell you that time is coming. Don't just buy into everything that's put in front of you. Just because someone has one million views on YouTube doesn't mean they are speaking the truth. Just because someone has authored 30 books, doesn't mean you can trust their every word. Test everything. Hey, don't even take everything I say as gospel. I'm certainly not beyond fault and I'm a human that sins and falls just like you. We have to test things against something that is infallible. Something immovable. Something that's perfect and complete. The great news is we've been given exactly that. It's called the Bible. If you don't read your Bible, now's a great time to start. If reading isn't your thing - give an audio Bible a try (http://www.bible.is). Test what's being said against the character of God, test the teaching by comparing it to Jesus teaching in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Test whether what's being said and done goes contrary to the examples in the Bible.


I've seen truly horrible atrocities done in the Name of God while crowds and crowds of people flocked week after week giving thousands of dollars to aid in it's growth. Why do people do this? Because they are lost sheep. Aimless souls looking for someone to lead them. Someone to guide them by the nose by giving them sweet words and the promise of exactly what they seek... money, fame and fortune. The truth is much worse though... They're actually cattle being milked of all their worth and led through the gates of a meat factory. Wake up and see what's going on my brothers and sisters because you're worth so much more than that. You're not just a face in a crowd. You were created unique with a specific skill set to be used for a deigned purpose by your Creator. You are not a number. You are not a database entry. You are known and loved by God and He has amazing plans for you.


Can I encourage you lastly with this simple thought... What if there are no "special" people that God speaks to...? What if each one of us are equally special and all have the ability to speak to God and hear from Him? What if that was His plan all along...? What if He doesn't want you to be ruled and influenced by some exalted leader but instead wants to have a powerful, fulfilling, intimate and trustworthy relationship with you. The Bible says "In the last days I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh...". No distinction on age, family heritage, qualifications, experience or anything by which we measure ourselves. God is no respecter of persons and as such neither should we be. God looks on the heart and so should we. Test the fruit that comes from people... not just their words or the fact that there's a crowd there. I write this because I care about you. God loves you and you're worth more than being deceived and hurt.

[ Matthew 7:13- "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. ] 

Thankyou Father for my family. Thankyou for my job. Thankyou for my health. Thankyou for the sunshine. Thankyou for my freedom because of you. Thankyou for the food you provide. Thankyou for skateboarding. Thankyou for loving me. Thankyou that you always listen and care. Thankyou Jesus for dying and rising again to save me. Thankyou for finding me - a poor lost and broken little boy - for waking me up and showing me your path for me. Thankyou for my home in Heaven. Thankyou for all the awesome things you do but even more than that - Thankyou God for just how awesome you really are. Without you I truly can't do anything... But with you I can do all things. Thankyou for the gift called life. You are the Life Explosion in me.  

I don't normally answer the taunts of my enemy but today I do... The last time you tried to kill my My King and you and your vile horde paraded and danced around His cross chanting your evil misguided cries of so called victory - the very sky created by Him went black in disgust, the earth itself cried out in pain and writhed at the sheer madness of its origin being unjustly murdered before it. Then... In such fury and power My King decended to the darkness in an indescribable blaze of light and plundered the very bowels of Hell itself, depositing my sins there and snatching back the keys to Death and Hades from you. His love and power then led a train of your prisoners out of the gloomy mist now under His rightful command. You were defeated once - yet you keep coming back for more. You afflict, steal, kill and destroy but I've read of your end. It all happens so suddenly. He speaks in thunderous unmatched authority and you and all your mighty armies of evil cease. The armies of light triumph under the strong arm of the one whose eyes burn like twin suns and on His thigh the Name "King of Kings and Lord of Lords". My King wins. His Name is JESUS! 

Hey you, you're so much more than how you feel right now. Don't let your feelings dictate your identity today. It doesn't mean what you feel isn't real and doesn't hurt - but what's more important and far more powerful than your feelings is The Truth. Here's how powerful the Truth is... Even if you don't feel it or believe it....The Truth remains the Truth. It's immovable, immutable and invincible. And the Truth is this - You are loved by God. You are worth far more than you know. Far more than what's happening around you and far more than how you feel. You have such immense untapped potential far more than you could possibly ever dream or imagine. Rise above how you feel and take hold of the Truth with both hands. God loves you.