Spirit Food – September 2019
September 30
Today, let’s focus on:
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: (NRSV) – “Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
One of the attractive things in life is to see others happy. To have a smile and exude an aura of peace and pleasantness when you enter a room. It enables Our Heavenly Father’s love to flow through you. You essentially become a thermostat for the room, instead of a temperature gauge, opening the opportunity to share the good news! Joy is one of the fruits of the Spirit we share as Christians. (Galatians 5:22-23)
To pray without ceasing is to be in constant communication with Our Heavenly Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. After Jesus was resurrected, He went to sit at the right hand of Our Heavenly Father, but He sent the Holy Spirit to dwell within us. We have the Holy Spirit living within us as a result of accepting Jesus as Lord, therefore, following the leading of the Holy Spirit within us and seeking His wisdom is communicating. Prayer is communicating with the Trinity, It is not a monolog where you give God your “to do list”, but a dialog where He can bestow upon you His love, grace, and mercy. It’s a relationship!
Our Heavenly Father is a Good God, and we should have a good opinion of Him! When we live in an attitude of thankfulness, praise, and worship, living our daily lives rejoicing in the blessing we have, it’s a lot easier to discuss the issues of life with Him. Many think God is standing there with a big stick ready to whack us when we do something He doesn’t approve of. That is not true. He created you, He loves you deeply, and desires the best for you. Receiving guidance and direction of what to do, and how to pray over an issue becomes relatively easy when you continue building your relationship with Him, trusting Him, and keeping your focus on Him. If you’re not already doing so, get in the habit of praying over your food and drink, medication if you take any, and of course before any major decision making. The Holy Spirit’s function within you is to comfort, teach, and guide you through life’s daily affairs. Are you receptive to Him?
Remember, the Lord is my Shepherd! (Psalm 23) He desires to lead and guide us via the Holy Spirit and His written word; to develop a deeper relationship with each one of us individually. He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)
I encourage you to build a deeper relationship with Him by persevering to keep your focus on Him.
Your Brother In Christ,
Rev. Dr. Mark Krom, Ph.D., PsyD
Mark Krom Ministries.
September 28
Today, let’s focus on:
Matthew 6:34 (NRSV) – “So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”
When we know that we have Jesus as our Lord and Savior, that he is our Good Shepherd, we have the ability to (according to 1 Peter 5:7) “Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.” This is one of the benefits that come with having your relationship with him. You can talk with him about anything!
There are so many benefits, rights and privileges, promises, blessings, whatever term you desire to use, that are available to us as believers! We just need to have them revealed to us in His Word. And we do that by finding out what His Word has to say about an issue and making it the final authority in our life. Our Heavenly Father has provided us His Word, which is commonly referred to as the Basic Instructions Before Leaving Planet Earth (BIBLE), but we have to have the desire to study it and allow the Holy Spirit to reveal how it applies to our life.
In John 16:33 it says, “I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!” We face persecution in this world because Satan roams to and fro seeking whom he may devour; however, we as believers have been redeemed from the curse of the law because Jesus has conquered the world. Therefore, when we know what The Word says about an issue, it enables us to say “It is written”, as Jesus gave example in Matthew 4:4, 7, & 10.
Understand that we have been redeemed from the curse of the law, and that we are to walk out our salvation. Philippians 2:12-13 says, “Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” The fear it is speaking of is: to be in awe and worship of our Heavenly Father to the point of our bodies are trembling because we realize how much he loves us and freely provides us his grace and mercy!
I encourage you to keep your focus on Jesus. Don’t worry about tomorrow. Plan for the future as the Holy Spirit directs, as our Heavenly Father’s is an amazing planner, (Jeremiah 29:11), but live in the present, following the guidance of the Holy Spirit within you.
Your Brother In Christ,
Rev. Dr. Mark Krom, PhD, PsyD
Mark Krom Ministries
September 27
Today, let’s focus on:
Psalm 119:105 (NRSV) – “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
The word of God provides the wisdom and knowledge on how to deal with the issues in this life. It provides our Heavenly Father’s divine inspiration and guidance on how to live. It is like a flashlight to a person in a dark night. It enables a person to see the way; it prevents the stumbling over obstacles, falling down precipices (a steep rock face or cliff), or wandering off into paths which would lead into danger. (2 Peter 1:19-21)
“and a light unto my path” – About the same idea; understand that we have the Holy Spirit living on the inside of us to teach, lead, and guide us in our day-to-day activities. When we listen, trust, and obey Him, He provides an inner peace as we take each step in what our Heavenly Father’s plan is for our life. He is a light which shines on the road or path a person travels, so the path can be seen, and any danger which may be in the path. The person who makes the word of God (the Bible) their guide, and follows its teachings with the assistance of the Holy Spirit within, is in God’s will. They will be enlightened to follow or stay on the road they should, and led to avoid distractions. They will see where those smaller paths turn off from the main path – often at a very small angle, but that would take the person off the main path. Our Heavenly Father is eager to show us any obstruction which may lie in our path; any declivity (downward slope) or precipice (a cliff) which may be near. In a dark night (a period of a trial), one need not fall or suffer loss. (Psalm 119:9).
When we have a good opinion of Our Heavenly Father, believe what His word says for our life and act upon it, He leads us in the way we should go! He directs our decision-making process when we keep our focus on Him! Faith cometh by hearing… (Romans 10:17). Right thinking leads to right believing, right believing leads to right decisions, right decisions lead to right actions, and right actions lead to right living.
I encourage you to deepen your relationship with Our Heavenly Father by keeping your focus on His will for your life. He has given everyone a purpose (some call it their dream) to accomplish while living here on this earth. When that “dream” is in line with His Word, and He has given you a sense of peace about pursuing it, this is the place where His blessings are for your life! He planted that seed/dream/talent within you! When you water it with His word, it will grow. Seek how and where He desires you to function in it, and He will provide the open door. He loves you so much! Please be receptive to His love and live in the blessings He has for you. You are part of His body – He desires only the best for you! You are His Beloved Child in Christ! Joint heirs with Jesus!
Your Brother In Christ,
Rev. Dr. Mark Krom, Ph.D., PsyD
Mark Krom Ministries.
September 26
Today, let’s focus on:
Mark 10:45 (NRSV) – “For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
As believers, (people who have truly accepted Jesus as the Lord of our life), we are part of the body of Christ, and therefore, a son or daughter who serves. We serve by sharing the gospel (good news) that God sent Jesus to redeem mankind from the curse of the law, giving His life as a ransom, paying the price for all of mankind’s sin (past, present, and future). He has a specific plan for each one of our lives how we are to serve. We need to seek Him to receive and act upon, what His specific plan is for each one of our individual lives, and then follow it.
When we follow our Heavenly Father’s individual plan for our life, we have the ability to function in this life according to His plan! It is our place of safety, our place of health, our place where He ensures we have the provisions in this life to accomplish what He has for us to do, regardless of the task! Psalm 23 applies, Psalm 91 applies, Deuteronomy 28:2-14 apply, as we are each, individually, a joint-heir with Jesus, making up the body of Christ (the church)!
I encourage you to build a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit within you (as a believer), to receive and believe his plan for your life, and then function in that plan. Ephesians 5:15-17 says:
15 Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise,
16 making the most of the time, because the days are evil.
17 So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
Receive His Word – receive His love, grace, and mercy, to the point where it overflows in and through you to others you come into contact with. This kind of love attracts people to you enabling you to share your story about receiving Jesus as Lord and pointing them to Him.
Your Brother In Christ,
Rev. Dr. Mark Krom, Ph.D., PsyD
Mark Krom Ministries.
September 25
Today, let’s focus on:
Psalm 103:20 (NRSV) – “Bless the Lord, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, obedient to his spoken word.”
In the KJV, it says, “Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.”
The NKJV says, Bless the Lord, you His angels, Who excel in strength, who do His word, Heeding the voice of His word.”
Notice the verse says the angles are “heeding the voice of His Word”. When we pray we are taught according to His Word, John 14:13-14 says “I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.” We give voice to God’s Word. Each time we speak God’s Word, receive and believe it as His Word, making it the final authority in our life, the angels hear His Word given voice (our voice), and they respond!
The Bible informs us in Daniel 10:12, “He said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words.” The angel Gabriel appeared to Daniel. We know it’s Gabriel because Daniel 9:21 (YLT) says “then that one Gabriel”.
Therefore, when the angels hear you saying, “Thank You, Father, that Psalm 91:10 (KJV) says, “There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling”, the angels will come to your aid because you are giving voice to God’s Word.
Understand that it is not your ability to quote an entire verse perfectly that releases God’s power, but faith (receiving and believing) in His Word and His love for you; and one word from Him spoken in faith by you is enough to enable the angels to be activated.
However, if you know God’s Word by heart but refuse to proclaim it, the power of His Word is not released. The Bible does not say that the angels heed His Word without it being spoken. It says that “His angels, Who excel in strength, who do His word.”
I encourage you to give voice to God’s Word and see His angels respond. Angels are activated for your benefit when you speak His Word!
Your Brother In Christ,
Rev. Dr. Mark Krom, Ph.D., PsyD
Mark Krom Ministries.
September 24
Today, let’s focus on:
Micah 7:7 (NRSV) – “But as for me, I will look to the Lord, I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.”
Micah was a contemporary of Isaiah. He served as a prophet in the 8th century BC. Micah is known as one of the minor prophets. Those professing to be people of God were still acting very carnal, practicing sensual pleasures in every area of their lives, and their leaders were corrupt. Micah called for repentance and announced judgment.
In Micah’s day, the evil people in authority planned wickedness during their so-called time off, to enact it and bring it to pass during the day, taking peoples land, defrauding a man of his inheritance if they could, twisting laws to please themselves, treating the poor and unfortunate like animals, just all kinds of evilness.
Sound recognizable in today’s society as we know it? With abortion laws, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (or questioning) LBGTQ laws, eminent domain laws, et cetera, many people in this world are still being carnal.
Jesus came to provide mankind with salvation! For those who will to receive it, he blesses. John 3:17-18 says, “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
As believers today we are all called to be ministers, witnesses to Christ, as we are part of His body (the church). Therefore, let us share this good news of Jesus coming to redeem us, allowing His love and provisions to flow through us, thereby attracting non-believers to Himself.
I encourage you to share your story with others of how our Heavenly Father has blessed you, and be receptive to more blessing as you deepen your relationship with Him via the Holy Spirit within you.
Your Brother In Christ,
Rev. Dr. Mark Krom, Ph.D., PsyD
Mark Krom Ministries.
September 23
Today, let’s focus on:
Galatians 4:7 (NRSV) – “So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.”
We know that when we received and believed that Jesus and choose to make Him the Lord of our life, that our old self was crucified with Him, so that our body of sin might be destroyed. Therefore, we might no longer be enslaved to sin. For whoever has died is freed from sin. (Romans 6:7)
Remember, all of us who have been baptized by immersion into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death. Therefore we have been buried with Him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, as a public display of obedience, we also were raised out of the watery grave (of immersion baptism), symbolizing us being raised from the dead with Him, so we too might walk in newness of life.
“and if a child then also an heir, through God.” My point is this: Even though we are joint-heirs with Jesus, we need to build our relationship with Him enabling us to learn what our rights, privileges, and His plan is for our individual life. We do this by listening, trusting in, and obeying the Holy Spirit within us to teach, train, and guide us in our daily walk with Him. Because you have chosen to be His child, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”
We have a Heavenly Father who loves us! Glory to God! And He said through the Prophet Jeremiah, “For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.”
I encourage you to deepen your relationship with our Heavenly Father by seeking out in His Word what His plan is for your life; finding out in His Word what all your rights and benefits are, being a joint heir with Jesus!
Your Brother In Christ,
Rev. Dr. Mark Krom, Ph.D., PsyD
Mark Krom Ministries.
September 21
Today, let’s focus on:
Hebrews 11:6 (NRSV) – “And without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”
Most people only quote the first part of this verse “without faith it is impossible to please God”, yet it goes on to say, “for whoever would approach him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” In other words, the faith that pleases our Heavenly is the kind of faith that believes that He exists and that He is a rewarder.
In Hebrews 11:1 it says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” So even in times of difficulty, when we don’t see good things happening in our circumstances, we are to believe that our Heavenly Father will turn things around and reward us. As Romans 8:28 says, “We know that all things work together for good[u] for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.”
Examples of this can be found in the Bible. Look how God turned things around for Ruth, the Moabite widow, when she believed the Lord and made Him God (Ruth 1:16). Then in Ruth 2:12 it says, “May the Lord reward you for your deeds, and may you have a full reward from the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge!” Not only did He give her protection, but He also gave Ruth abundant provision, exceeding favor and a glorious redemption! Ruth 2:9-17, 3:11, and 4:10-13)
Another example is Rahab, the harlot of Jericho. Though Rahab had not personally witnessed the miracles, she believed God and hid the Jewish spies from their pursuers in Joshua chapter 2, and because of her faith, she not only did not perish with those who did not believe (in Joshua 6:25), but she was also given a place in the “hall of faith in Hebrews 11:31.
God was so pleased with the faith of these two Gentile women that He not only blessed them in their lifetimes, but He also put them into the genealogy of His Son Jesus Christ, the great Redeemer and rewarder.
I encourage you to come to the Lord with your needs, believe and receive His love for you. Accept that He is a rewarder for those who diligently seek Him.
Your Brother In Christ,
Rev. Dr. Mark Krom, Ph.D., PsyD
Mark Krom Ministries
September 20
Today, let’s focus on:
1 Peter 3:15 (NRSV) – “but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you”
The Apostle Peter was encouraging Christians to set themselves apart from other people in regards to their thoughts and actions. Christians (true believers) have the Holy Spirit residing within them and therefore they can resist being carnally minded; remembering that they’d accepted Jesus as Lord and to keep their focus on Him. Be ready to share with others why you have made the conscious decision to do good and not evil. Share that we are spirit beings and that our spirits are going to last forever; it’s their choice on where they spend eternity, as God created them with a free will. (Deuteronomy 30:15-20) Inform people that you have a personal relationship with the creator of the universe and He doesn’t condone activity not meant for good (sin).
People are attracted to the display of the fruits of the Holy Spirit that we exude listed in Galatians 5:22-23. Many desire to understand why we have a joyful countenance and have an inner peace when the world we live in has so many things displeasing. It enables us to share the good news about Jesus with them, and how He has changed our life. How when we pray, we pray from victory, not for victory, as we know He listens to our prayers, sees our faith and brings to pass His will in our lives! It is exciting to be His child, one of His redeemed, receiving His love on a daily, hourly, minute by minute basis! We are blessed enabling us to be a blessing to others! He has provided us so many promises in His Word – these are promises to live by. When we keep our focus on Him, following the leading of the Holy Spirit, the blessings in Deuteronomy 28:2-14 come to pass in our life.
I encourage you to deepen your relationship with Him, and receive more of His love, grace, and favor. You are His beloved child and He desires to bless you!
Your Brother In Christ,
Rev. Dr. Mark Krom, Ph.D., PsyD
Mark Krom Ministries
September 19
Today, let’s focus on:
Genesis 1:31 (NRSV) – “God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.”
Think about this – we were created in the likeness and image of God! (Genesis 1:27) Therefore, everything we touch, are involved with, or a part of, should be blessed! Our Heavenly Father created us with a free will to make choices in life. When we are rooted and grounded in His Word (which is His will), good things come to pass!
When you accepted Jesus as the Lord of your life, the Holy Spirit came to live on the inside of you. The Holy Spirit is the part of the Trinity (God – Our Heavenly Father, God the Son – Jesus, and God – the Holy Spirit). In Deuteronomy 28:8 it says, “The Lord will command the blessing upon you in your barns, and in all that you undertake; he will bless you in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” You are a blessing of God going somewhere to happen, when you have a mindset of doing so – and Almighty God is your source in doing so!
In the Jewish way of life, the day starts at what non-Jewish people think of as the day before, at 6 p.m. They believe that rest should come before work. They are following God’s example. This is why Jews start their holidays beginning at 6 p.m. It also reminds them they are set apart from the rest of the world. Here’s something you may not have thought of before: When you made the decision to accept Jesus as the Lord of your life, you became an heir of a Jewish God – you are adopted! You are part of His family – the church is the Bride of Christ! The Bible says, “There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28) We all are a part of His body and have a significant calling, important for His will to be accomplished on this earth.
I encourage you to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit within you to be where He has called you to be (if you’re not there already), doing what He has blessed you to do. He has placed a desire within you to pursue (some call it a dream), that lines up with His Word. This is your happy, healthy, wealthy place in this life; where you are blessed to be a blessing to others.
Your Brother In Christ,
Rev. Dr. Mark Krom, Ph.D., PsyD
Mark Krom Ministries
September 18
Today, let’s focus on:
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NRSV) – “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God.”
Unfortunately, hurt and pain are inevitable (almost certain to happen; and sometimes unavoidable) in this world because mankind has lived in a fallen world since the fall of man in the garden. Jesus informed us that we would face persecution in this world, but that we can take heart because He has overcome the world! (John 16:33) He has redeemed us!
Through scripture we can be comforted by knowing that God is faithful, and is always looking over us. He is truly interested in our well being, and is our protector and comforter in times of need. Whatever the circumstance may be, we can, according to Romans 8:28-30: “…know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.”
To console is to draw near. Our Heavenly Father desires an intimate relationship with each and every one of His children. He desires us to draw near to Him. When we do draw near to Him, He fills us with His overflowing love, peace, and joy; to the extent that it exudes from our human aura, enabling us to share His love with others. They are comforted by us drawing near to them with the possibility which exists that we can alleviate some of the grief, sense of loss, or trouble they are dealing with.
I encourage you to keep your focus and put your trust in Him, it is the Lord who will go before you. He will be with you; He will not fail you or forsake you. After Jesus ascended into heaven, He sent us the Holy Spirit. He is our comforter, our teacher, our counselor, our guide, and our advocate. Be dependent on Him!
Your Brother In Christ,
Rev. Dr. Mark Krom, Ph.D., PsyD
Mark Krom Ministries
September 17
Today, let’s focus on:
Matthew 21:22 (NRSV) – “Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive.”
So, what does it mean “with faith”? You can see it happening, first in the Spirit realm, and then in the physical realm. Look at the context of the events in this chapter. Jesus had seen a fig tree in the distance with leaves on it. Any mature fig tree with leaves on it would at least have immature (not ripe) fruit on it, and this tree had no fruit. Therefore, Jesus said “May no fruit ever come from you again!”
How many believers pray (speak a prayer) in or with faith – meaning, when they pray, they see it coming to pass in not only in their Spirit, but they can see it coming to pass in the natural. When Jesus spoke the curse on the tree, it took effect immediately, but it was not visible to the human eye until the next day. When Jesus spoke the curse, it had an immediate impact, as the nutrients the tree was supposed to acquire from the earth, could no longer be received by the tree and that fig tree withered at once.
So, how do we as believers develop this kind of faith – where when we speak in faith, we see the results in this physical realm we live in? By receiving and believing that what His Word says is true. That we receive, believe, and act upon His Word, being led by the Holy Spirit which lives on the inside of us.
Remember, when we accepted Jesus as the Lord of our life, we became part of His body! As we build our relationship with and in Him, He enables us with more power in our words, so when we speak words with and in faith, they come to pass. The Holy Spirit will teach, lead, and guide us in this process.
I encourage you to continue building your relationship with Him (The Trinity), seeking His plan for your life, and obeying what He instructs you to do. The result will be that you reign in this life.
Your Brother In Christ,
Rev. Dr. Mark Krom, Ph.D., PsyD
Mark Krom Ministries
September 16
Today, let’s focus on:
Psalm 16:8-9 (NRSV) – “I keep the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices; my body also rests secure.”
Our Heavenly Father has created me with a free will. Therefore I can choose to think thoughts of good and not evil. To assist me in keeping my focus on Jesus, and not the negative situation or circumstances around me, I will meditate on a verse of scripture. Saying (speaking) a verse of scripture keeps my focus on Jesus; as I understand my mind will temporarily stop with those wrong thoughts and listen to what my mouth is saying. The result will be my having a change of mindset and becoming refocused on Jesus and how good He is; and I will not be moved to do negative actions, contrary to the plan our Heavenly Father has for my life.
In the Old Testament the Holy Spirit could only rest on people for a period of time, but today, because believers have a reborn Spirit after accepting Jesus as the Lord of their life, believers have the Holy Spirit living within them. We have a New Covenant! Hebrews 8:10 says, “This is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” Because we have accepted Jesus as the Lord of our life, we are a part of Jesus, as He is within us via the Holy Spirit (remember the Trinity). Therefore, we have joy, knowing that we are Spirit beings, who temporarily occupy a three-dimensional body to reside on this earth enabling us to accomplish what His plan is for our life. My soul (my mind, my will, and my emotions) rejoice in Him (even in a negative situation and circumstance) because my body rests in Him (is part of Him).
I encourage you to see yourself as being in Jesus, sitting on the throne with Him (next to our Heavenly Father), while in the physical, we are temporarily on assignment here, to share the gospel with others about His redemption plan for mankind. Let us rest in Him and share His love with people, providing them the opportunity to choose wisely concerning their relationship with their Creator.
Your Brother In Christ,
Rev. Dr. Mark Krom, Ph.D., PsyD
Mark Krom Ministries
September 14
Today, let’s focus on:
Psalm 119:44-45 (NRSV) – “I will keep your law continually, forever and ever. 45 I shall walk at liberty, for I have sought your precepts.”
Under the Old Covenant, the Israelites were under the Law of Moses. John 1:17 says, “The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” Today’s verses reflect the good intentions and promise of mankind to keep the law, but the violation of the Law of Moses, due to mankind’s carnal nature since the fall of Adam in the Garden of Eden, resulted in the curse under that law. The Law of Moses (The Ten Commandments) in the Old Testament were given to mankind to show them that they needed a Savior.
Jesus came and brought grace and truth – but a price had to be paid for the transgression of the law, because God is a just and holy God. Jesus paid that price. Understand that it would take a perfect man to be that sacrifice and pay that price. In 2 Corinthians 5:21 it says, “ For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” Paul, a man of intelligence, said that Jesus knew no sin.
In 1 Peter 1:22 it says, “Now that you have purified your souls by your obedience to the truth so that you have genuine mutual love, love one another deeply from the heart.” Peter, a man of action, said that Jesus did no sin.
And in 1 John 3:5 it says, “You know that he was revealed to take away sins, and in him there is no sin.” John, a man of the heart, said that in Jesus, was no sin.
The price being paid by Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice, the New Covenant of grace was establish. This New Covenant was between Almighty God and Jesus (the first perfect man to enter heaven). Hebrews 8:10-13 says:
10 This is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
11 And they shall not teach one another or say to each other, ‘Know the Lord,’
for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest.
12 For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.”
13 In speaking of “a new covenant,” he has made the first one obsolete. And what is obsolete and growing old will soon disappear.
It does not say there will be no consequences for sin, as in the natural, if you jump into the water, you will get wet. Therefore, keep your focus on Jesus and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit within you.
I encourage you to obey His commandment of love, as John 13:34 says, “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.”
Your Brother In Christ,
Rev. Dr. Mark Krom, Ph.D., PsyD
Mark Krom Ministries
September 13
Today, let’s focus on:
Matthew 4:19 (NRSV) “And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.”
Jesus was calling his first disciples. In the NIV it reads “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” When you read the context of this verse in the chapter, these men called to follow him were fisherman. Jesus was going to use the skill set he’d provided (or graced) them with as fishermen, to fish for people, instead of fish.
Notice the men’s response. Immediately (at once) they left their nets and followed Jesus. As believers today, we are called to be witnesses for Christ (our Redeemer) Jesus. In Mark 16:15 – And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation.” How do we do that? By sharing with someone your story about how good our Heavenly Father has been to you. It is not complicated, as everyone has a story. Just share your story, preferably with someone outside the walls of the church, to a non-believer. Yes, we can and should tell our story inside the four walls of the church to build one another up in faith and practice telling it. This enables us, to be comfortable telling it to non-believers outside of the church, attracting them to our Heavenly Father’s loving-kindness. Unfortunately, many non-believers have the impression that God is just waiting with a big stick to whack them when they do something wrong. People need to hear how good our Heavenly Father is and what Jesus has accomplished for us on the cross.
I encourage you to share your story with someone as the Holy Spirit who resides within you prompts you. Share how you are blessed and have been blessed in the past, knowing that it is by the grace of our Heavenly Father that you even take your next breath. Allow your essence as a person to be overflowing with praise and thanksgiving for our Heavenly Father’s goodness and mercy towards you, and allow your body to reflect it with a smile and a pleasant demeanor as you share your story.
Your Brother In Christ,
Rev. Dr. Mark Krom, Ph.D., PsyD
Mark Krom Ministries
September 12
Today, let’s focus on:
1 Samuel 15:22 (NRSV) – “And Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obedience to the voice of the Lord? Surely, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams.”
In the Old Testament, the Lord rejected Saul as the King of Israel because Saul would not obey what God had instructed him to do. In verse 3, God had instructed through the Prophet Samuel: “Now go and attack Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have; do not spare them, but kill both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.”
Well, the people kept the best of the spoils of the battle to bring back and make sacrifices to the Lord. This act of disobedience was evil in the sight of the Lord. Therefore, God withdrew Saul’s anointing to be king. Saul’s disobedience, “missing the mark”, under the Old Covenant had cost him the loss of God’s anointing.
Today, as believers, we live under the New Covenant which states in Hebrews 8:12: “For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” Therefore, under the New Covenant, when we “miss the mark”, because we have taken our focus off of what our Heavenly Father, through the Holy Spirit and His written Word, has instructed us to do, he is merciful and doesn’t remove our reborn Spirit. We still have our salvation, but if we continue intentionally in sin, we will not be pleasing to Him and will not live as victorious a life as we were planned to live by Him, because of our disobedience.
The Holy Spirit resides within us (as believers) to teach, lead, and guide us in our daily affairs in this life. We need to listen and obey. Should you feel the loss of peace regarding an issue, stop and seek our Heavenly Father’s wisdom (which dwells within you via the Holy Spirit), and have a change of mindset on the issue before you proceed, following His prompting.
I encourage you, as you deepen your relationship with Jesus, follow the principles written in our Heavenly Father’s Word and leading of the Holy Spirit within you, enabling you to live a quiet and peaceable life
Your Brother In Christ,
Rev. Dr. Mark Krom, Ph.D., PsyD
Mark Krom Ministries
September 11
Today, let’s focus on:
Acts 2:42 (NRSV) – “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”
In the early church, believers devoted themselves to other people who were teaching the gospel (good news). Celebrating because of what Jesus had accomplished on the cross, and the results of the New Covenant. (Hebrews 8:10-12) They enjoyed fellowshipping with like-minded believers, partaking of the Holy Communion, and prayer.
Look at the message that the Apostle Paul preached in Acts 13:13-44. It is this type of information we should be sharing with people, in fact, Paul said in Galatians 1:8-9:
8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should proclaim to you a gospel contrary to what we proclaimed to you, let that one be accursed!
9 As we have said before, so now I repeat, if anyone proclaims to you a gospel contrary to what you received, let that one be accursed!
So, as believers, we need to keep our focus on Jesus, feeding on our Heavenly Father’s word, and following the guidance of the Holy Spirit within us.
I encourage you to deepen your relationship with Him and share the “good news” with others. Allow His love to flow through you enabling it to attract others to Himself. You are highly favored, richly blessed, and deeply loved by our Heavenly Father – received it, believe it, and act upon it!
Your Brother In Christ,
Rev. Dr. Mark Krom, Ph.D., PsyD
Mark Krom Ministries
September 10
Today, let’s focus on:
Philippians 4:6 (NRSV) – “Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
To worry is to have a negative care about something or someone. The Young’s Literal Translation says “for nothing be anxious”. 1 Peter 5:7 instructs us to “Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.” We are to do that by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving. This is indicating we need to communicate with Our Heavenly Father through prayer (speaking words) in faith, with a thankful heart and mind, understanding He has the ability to grant our requests.
Our Heavenly Father provides us with the desires that line up with His written Word. When He puts that seed or desire in your heart, He provides the resources for it to come to pass; it brings us a joy, and an inner peace to accomplish it. These resources I’m referring about include knowledge, wisdom, cooperation from others when needed, all while being thankful for His grace and mercy.
Many people bow to the pressure of time. Look at our world advertisement realm, e.g. “This is a limited time offer”, “Limited, while supply lasts”, “Sale Ends”, and many others. We need to remember that Our Heavenly Father loves us and He is our source. He will provide. (Philippians 4:19) When Our Heavenly Father supplies “it” (regardless of what “it” is), He provides the resources to maintain “it”. When we jump out there and do something without having His peace about the issue, we are responsible for maintaining “it”. Yes, we can repent (have a change of mindset) and request Him to intercede on our behalf, but we still have “the Ishmael” to deal with until it is out of our life.
The point is for us to live in the peace and mercy Our Heavenly Father desires us to live in. During the period of time we are living here on this earth, our commission is to spread the good news about Jesus’ life, His finished work on the cross, and what it means for mankind. We don’t need to bring undue stress and self-condemnation on ourselves by making bad decisions. When we believe and receive His love and provision, in His timing for our life, we are able to have the kind of peace that surpasses all understanding.
I encourage you to keep your focus on Him and His will for your life. Receive His direction and follow His leading. You are His beloved child and He desires you to be blessed!
Your Brother In Christ,
Rev. Dr. Mark Krom, Ph.D., PsyD
Mark Krom Ministries
September 9
Today, let’s focus on:
Ephesians 3:12 (NRSV) – “in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him.”
When we accepted Jesus as the Lord of our life, our human spirit was reborn and the Holy Spirit came to live on the inside of us. Remember the Trinity – God (our Heavenly Father), Jesus (our Redeemer), and the Holy Spirit (our Comforter, our internal teacher, leader, and guide in this life).
When Jesus walked the earth, he was 100% man and 100% God! When our Heavenly Father raised him from the dead and he ascended into heaven to sit at the right had of our Heavenly Father, he became the first of mankind to be in heaven. Jesus has been appointed High Priest for mankind forever; as Hebrews 6:19-20 says, “We have this hope, a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters the inner shrine behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus, a forerunner on our behalf, has entered, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.”
Therefore, by faith, as Hebrews 4:14-16 says, “Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
In John 16:33 Jesus is recorded as saying “I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!” When you accepted Jesus as the Lord of your life, you became part of the body of Christ. That is now your position in him. You have the ability to reign in this life, in him.
I encourage you to deepen your personal relationship in him, by following the Holy Spirit’s instructions, leading, and guidance within you, enabling you to fulfill the plan he has for you here on this earth.
Your Brother In Christ,
Rev. Dr. Mark Krom, Ph.D., PsyD
Mark Krom Ministries
September 7
Today, let’s focus on:
1 Corinthians 1:28-29 (NRSV) – “God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, 29 so that no one might boast in the presence of God.”
Regardless of your past position or performance in life, all believers are called to be ministers/witnesses’ of the “good news” that Jesus came to redeem mankind from the curse of the law; which is death, meaning permanent separation from our Creator. In 2 Timothy 2:15 it instructs believers to “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth.” Approved by him because he has redeemed you from the curse and made you to be in “right standing” with himself. Never forget your position in him. Keep your focus on him, and your performance will fall in line with your position. Right believing leads to right living.
When you keep your focus on him and his plan for your life (what he has called you to do), you will have his peace in your life concerning your activities, and not be ashamed of your proclaiming the good news that our Heavenly Father is a Good God! To rightly explain the word of truth is to explain to others that we have been redeemed from the curse of the law written in stone, (The Ten Commandments, given by Moses), and live under the New Covenant of grace (documented in Hebrews 8:7-13)!
Our Heavenly Father chose each one of us individually to have a divine relationship with himself, regardless of our background and/or our past performance, enabling us to share his love and grace with the world. We don’t boast in ourselves because he is the one who made us to be in “right standing” with himself by sending Jesus to redeem us!
I encourage you to grow in this individual relationship you have with him, by studying his Word and listening to the Holy Spirit within you, enabling him to release his wisdom and power behind the words you speak, bringing good to happen in your life and those you come in contact with.
Your Brother In Christ,
Rev. Dr. Mark Krom, Ph.D., PsyD
Mark Krom Ministries
September 6
Today, let’s focus on:
1 John 1:9 (NRSV) – “If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
The first chapter of 1 John was not written to believers. It was written to people who did not believe that Jesus came in the flesh, they were called Gnostics. The Gnostics believed that they had no sin. So the apostle John was telling them that if they would acknowledge and confess their sins, God would forgive them and cleanse them from all unrighteousness.
Notice that there was no greeting to believers in John’s opening chapter, unlike what we find in his second and third epistles. Instead, the apostle John opens up his first epistle with a direct address to the serious heresy of the Gnostics – “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled.” John is telling them that Jesus had indeed come in the flesh,!
It is only in chapter 2 of John’s first epistle that you see the phrase “My little children” for the first time, indicating that the apostle John was now beginning to address believers.
Those who believe that 1 John 1:9 is instructing believers to confess their sin every time they sin need to realize that every sin would need to be recognized and confessed (otherwise, based on that verse, one is still unrighteous). You cannot pick and choose what to confess or confess only the sins you remember. And it is not humanly possible to confess every sin in thought, word, and deed.
That’s why 1 John 1:9 is primarily a salvation verse, one that encourages the sinner to acknowledge and confess his sinful state or “sinnerhood,” get born again by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and have his sinful state through Adam replaced with a new righteous state through Christ.
Because of our Lord Jesus and what He has accomplished at the cross, we have forgiveness of sin and we still stand righteous before God even when we’ve missed it. John reminds us of who we are in Christ and who we have representing us at God’s right hand. Remember, your position of being righteous is different from your performance. When you fail today, know that you can talk to God honestly about your failing, but do it with a revelation of the cross of our Lord Jesus. See your sins punished in His body and receive afresh His forgiveness and unmerited favor to reign over your sins.
I encourage you to be free from the self-condemnation of being sin conscious and attempting to confess every sin. Keep your focus on Jesus and receive His Shalom peace. Allow the Holy Spirit to instruct, lead, and guide you.
Your Brother In Christ,
Rev. Dr. Mark Krom, Ph.D., PsyD
Mark Krom Ministries
September 5
Today, let’s focus on:
Isaiah 43:13 (NRSV) – “I am God, and also henceforth I am He; there is no one who can deliver from my hand; I work and who can hinder it?”
Our Heavenly Father is a God of restoration and protection! Regardless of the events true believers in his Word see in this world, our Heavenly Father is still on the throne. John 16:33 says “I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!” and Psalm 91:7 says “A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.” Remember, 1 Peter 5:8 instructs believers to “Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour.”
Notice, it does not say the devil is a roaring lion, it just says he is “like a roaring lion”. Jesus defeated the devil! Believers are in Christ, part of his body! Remember (be aware of and focused on) your position in him! If our Heavenly Father is your God, you are no longer sick, because he is your healing! If our Heavenly Father is your God, you are no longer poor, because in him, provisions are available to you!
Use your faith in our Heavenly Father’s Word to believe what it says, and resist the devil by saying “It is written” like Jesus did in Matthew 4:4, 7, & 10. Become aware of your inheritance – as you are a joint heir with Jesus! Following the leading of the Holy Spirit within you – he is within you to instruct, lead, and guide you in your daily affairs in this life. Listen and obey him! Allow that inner peace within you he provides to be your comfort.
I encourage you to deepen your relationship with our Heavenly Father. Allow yourself to receive his love, grace (undeserved, unmerited, divine favor), and mercy, which is renewed every morning. (Lamentations 3:23)
Your Brother In Christ,
Rev. Dr. Mark Krom, Ph.D., PsyD
Mark Krom Ministries
September 4
Today, let’s focus on:
Romans 7:25 (NRSV) – “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with my mind I am a slave to the law of God, but with my flesh I am a slave to the law of sin.”
In this verse of scripture, Paul is thankful to our Heavenly Father because Jesus, our Redeemer and Lord came to this earth as a baby and grew to be 100% man and 100% deity, to redeem mankind from the wages of sin, which is death. Because of what Adam’s sin in the Garden of Eden, the Spirit God breathed into Adam died. With that Spirit dying, man’s soul (mind, will and emotions) took over, and mankind’s conscience became in control (his carnal nature).
Today, as a result of mankind not being born having the Holy Spirit of our Heavenly Father within, but by living by our own conscience, mankind needed a Savior. Therefore, God implemented the plan of salvation by sending Jesus; that through Jesus, our Christ (Redeemer), we can choose to be redeemed.
Once redeemed by Jesus’ blood and the word of our testimony (Revelation 12:11), we can still have this internal conflict between our conscience and our reborn Spirit. However, when we keep our focus on Jesus, his Word, and the plan our Heavenly Father has for each one of our individual lives, by following the leading of the Holy Spirit within us, we have the ability to reign in this life, and fulfill that plan. As you can read in verses 14-24 in this chapter, the Apostle Paul understood this internal conflict. This is why we need to keep our focus on Jesus.
I encourage you to deepen your relationship with our Heavenly Father, enabling his love, grace, and peace to flow through you to others, attracting them to him. Continue to discover your divine rights and privileges of being a joint-heir with Jesus, receiving them and acting upon them in your life.
Your Brother In Christ,
Rev. Dr. Mark Krom, Ph.D., PsyD
Mark Krom Ministries
September 3
Today, let’s focus on:
Luke 11:9-10 (NRSV) – “So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.”
The word that comes to my mind when I read these scripture verses, is the word perseverance. In the society we live in today, most people are looking for instant gratification. They don’t stop or even pause to consider Our Heavenly Father’s Word or His Will for their life.
We are children of the Most High God (El Shaddai), He lives inside of us (as part of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit)! Therefore, let us ask Him for His wisdom in how to live in this current society, let us search His Word to know, believe and act on the principles He has provided us, and listen to the Holy Spirit within us to hear specific instructions in detail, on how we are to accomplish what He has called us to do.
Once you know His principles and listen to His direction for your life, you will know what to ask for and have the proper motivation. Perhaps currently you ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, in order to spend what you get on your pleasures. Jesus understands our struggle in this life, as He was in every respect was tempted as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:15)
Keep your focus on Jesus, and His way of doing things; for the gate is wide and the road is easy (to go into debt, feed on inappropriate things on the internet, and live a lascivious lifestyle), for those who choose to go that way, but it leads to destruction of the body and results in living less of a blessed life. If you have truly accepted Jesus as Lord, you won’t desire to live like that. Christians are not to be judges of one another (as we leave that to Our Heavenly Father), but we are to be fruit inspectors. As His children, we have the right and ability to live in the blessings of Deuteronomy 28:1-14.
I encourage you to meditate on His Word, both written and that received within your reborn spirit, that doors will be opened to you in this life on this earth and the windows of heaven will be open for you and His blessings will be poured down upon you!
Your Brother In Christ,
Rev. Dr. Mark Krom, Ph.D., PsyD
Mark Krom Ministries
September 2
Today, let’s focus on:
Leviticus 2:1 (NRSV) – “When anyone presents a grain offering to the Lord, the offering shall be of choice flour; the worshiper shall pour oil on it, and put frankincense on it.
The grain offering in the Old Testament speaks of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. Choice flour is fine flour, and the oil in the Bible speaks of the anointing of the Holy Spirit. So the grain offering of fine flour, which had oil poured on it, speaks of Jesus’ humanity being anointed by the Holy Spirit.
Remember, when Jesus was born on this earth, he was 100% God and 100% human being. He had emptied himself, taking on the form of a servant. Philippians 2:7 says, “but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form,” That is why Jesus needed to be anointed of the Holy Spirit before he could begin his ministry. (John 1:33) Though fully God, Jesus accomplished things by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus was anointed to bring the blessings of God into the lives of people. It is recorded in Luke 4:18, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free,”
Today, believers, according to 1 John 2:20 says, “But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and all of you have knowledge.” Jesus’ anointing has come upon you! How is this anointing in you released? When you call upon Jesus’ name. In Song of Solomon 1:3, the virgins, representing the church, love His name, which is like ointment poured forth when spoken. When they called upon Jesus’ Name, fragrance was released and the anointing was poured forth.
So when you call upon the name of Jesus, you are releasing His anointing. Call upon His name when you are feeling down and His anointing will lift your spirit up. If you are feeling dry and empty, just say, “Jesus, Jesus” from your innermost being, and receive a river of refreshing peace will come over you as his anointing flows. Call upon Jesus when you need a breakthrough and his anointing will release it to you. Romans 10:13 says that “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” So call on Jesus’ name and watch His anointing release your deliverance, healing, protection and provision, and make you whole!
I encourage you to offer Jesus praise for what he has accomplished on cross to redeem us, and receive the blessings he has for you. Allow the fragrance of your worship to fill his nostrils, building a deeper relationship with him.
Your Brother In Christ,
Rev. Dr. Mark Krom, Ph.D., PsyD
Mark Krom Ministries