A place of refreshment, the porch of the Lord…
Pull up a chair, take in spiritual air.
Jesus always has time, and His is the power–
Receive there His touch in this end-time hour.
Like Mary, take time to sit at His feet;
Come to His porch for relief from life’s heat.
Only one thing is needful and truly can please–
His Word and His presence, felt on each breeze.
He offers living water, quenching everyone’s thirst;
And that’s yours there daily, by seeking Him first.
There’s joy on His porch, with your sisters and brothers,
As you find your needs met while caring about others.
The healing and peace which only Christ can bring
Are found there at all times—an everlasting spring.
Taste there His love, so generously poured;
Your “cup will run over” on the porch of the Lord.
P. A. Oltrogge
“Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, ‘Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.’ And Jesus answered and said to her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things; But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.'” Luke 10:38-42 NKJV
Jesus Christ of Nazareth had taken His destined place
On a cruel cross upon a hill–for the task He’d been born to face.
His sinless life had made Him the chosen Lamb of God–
Though now He sits at God’s right hand and bears a Shepherd’s rod.
Three days after Christ’s burial, and just at the brink of dawn,
Some, in love, had come to the tomb and had found that His body was gone.
But the pain of their grief concerning His death had then given way
To amazing angelic tidings on that glorious Resurrection day! Jesus, the Man on the center cross, on the hill of crucifixion had been
The focus of God’s judgement upon all of mankind’s sin.
But now, with joy, the angels reminded that just as He had said, Jesus, God’s Son, had risen in victory, up from the dead!
His Father’s gracious plan of redemption for all people had been met;
And, therefore, all of their sins, a holy God could now forget!
There’s just one requirement remaining; and it’s your choice–
To believe in your heart He’s Savior, and confess it with your voice.
Angels rejoice in heaven over one sinner who’ll repent,
And put their faith in Jesus Christ–the One Whom God has sent.
P. A. Oltrogge
“…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus….” Romans 3:23-24
“For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Romans 10:10
“In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:10 (NASB)
“For He says: ‘In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you.’ Behold, nowis the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2
“Therefore, I will divide Him a portion with the great, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong, because He poured out His soul unto death, and He was numbered with the transgressors, and He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”
Isaiah 53:12
Scriptures: NKJV or as noted
Resurrection references: Matthew 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 20
Christ and the Rich Young Ruler by Pauline Voorhees Eikenberry
A rich young ruler, with eternal concerns, made a mental list–
Then sought out Christ to see if there was anything he’d missed.
In contemplating heaven, he hoped he’d done God’s will
By following His laws, from his youth, but wondered still.
He addressed Christ as a good teacher, but didn’t realize
That Christ wasn’t just a good teacher, but God before his very eyes.
He asked the Lord what he could do to aid him on eternity’s quest,
And Jesus confirmed that to keep the commandments is best.
The young man replied he’d done that from as early as he could recall–
Then Jesus told him of his need to follow Him and surrender all.
His wealth and possessions had become too strong of a hold
And kept him from seeing the purity of God’s desires–true gold.
With sadness, the ruler left because he couldn’t see the reward.
He hadn’t yet grasped the higher life offered through Christ, the Lord.
You see, making Christ your Lord doesn’t actually cost–in fact, it pays,
With dividends of God’s blessings throughout all your days.
The greatest blessing of all is getting to know God as you should–
A loving heavenly Father whose care and plans for you are good.
Then, committing your life and resources, in faith, as He leads
Will help you to reach exactly those He knows of who have needs.
God knows that when possessions become your highest treasure,
You’ll fail to find the things that He knows are of greater measure.
Christ looks for our faith and love for Him and where our loyalty lies;
Let’s not fail to see that investment in His Kingdom is certainly wise.
P. A. Oltrogge
“Now behold, one came and said to him, ‘Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?’ So He said to him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But, if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.’ He said to Him, ‘Which ones?’ Jesus said, ‘You shall not murder; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; honor your father and your mother; and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ The young man said to him, ‘All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?’ Jesus said to him, ‘If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.’ But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.”
The following scriptures on health and healing were compiled by Keith Moore and are printed out here, with permission from Keith Moore Ministries.
Keith Moore begins with:
How do we know whether it’s God’s will to heal us or not? It makes little difference what others say about it. What did He say about it? Remember that God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10: 34), and He never changes (Malachi 3:6). So what He said to them yesterday, He is saying to you today. God’s Word is God speaking to me.
(These statements are taken directly from the Bible with little or no variation. The verbs and construction have been changed to apply to you personally and to sum up the thoughts in some instances. Also, many of these statements are prefaced by phrases like, “If you walk in My commandments,” “If you believe…obey…” etc.)
Old Testament:
1. I am the Lord that healeth thee (Exodus 15:26). 2. Your days shall be one hundred and twenty years (Genesis 6:3). 3. You shall be buried in a good old age (Genesis 15:15). 4. You shall come to your grave in a full age like as a shock of corn cometh in his season (Job 5:26). 5. When I see the blood, I will pass over you and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you (Exodus 12:13). 6. I will take sickness away from the midst of you and the number of your days I will fulfill (Exodus 23:25, 26). 7. I will not put any of the diseases you are afraid of on you, but I will take all sickness away from you. (Deuteronomy 7:15). 8. It will be well with you and your days shall be multiplied and prolonged as the days of heaven upon the earth. (Deuteronomy 11:9, 21). 9. I turned the curse into a blessing unto you, because I loved you (Deuteronomy 23:5 and Nehemiah 13:2). 10. I have redeemed you from every sickness and every plague (Deuteronomy 28:61 and Galatians 3:13). 11. As your days, so shall your strength be (Deuteronomy 33:25). 12. I have found a ransom for you, your flesh shall be fresher than a child’s and you shall return to the days of your youth (Job 33:24, 25). 13. I have healed you and brought up your soul from the grave; I have kept you alive from going down into the pit (Psalm 30:1, 2). 14. I will give you strength and bless you with peace (Psalm 29:11). 15. I will preserve you and keep you alive (Psalm 41:2). 16. I will strengthen you upon the bed of languishing; I will turn all your bed in your sickness (Psalm 41:3). 17. I am the health of your countenance and your God (Psalm 43:5). 18. No plague shall come near your dwelling (Psalm 91:10). 19. I will satisfy you with long life (Psalm 91:16). 20. I heal all your diseases (Psalm 103:3). 21. I sent My word and healed you and delivered you from your destructions (Psalm 107:20). 22. You shall not die, but live, and declare My works (Psalm 118:17). 23. I heal your broken heart and bind up your wounds (Psalm 147:3). 24. The years of your life shall be many (Proverbs 4:10). 25. Trusting Me brings health to your navel and marrow to your bones (Proverbs 3:8). 26. My words are life to you, and health/medicine to all your flesh (Proverbs 4:22). 27. (My) good report makes your bones fat (Proverbs 15:30). 28. (My) pleasant words are sweet to your soul and health to your bones (Proverbs 16:24). 29. My joy is your strength. A merry heart does good like a medicine (Nehemiah 8:10; Proverbs 17:22). 30. The eyes of the blind shall be opened. The eyes of them that see shall not be dim (Isaiah 32:3; 35:5). 31. The ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. The ears of them that hear shall hearken (Isaiah 32:3; 35:5). 32. The tongue of the dumb shall sing. The tongue of the stammerers shall be ready to speak plainly (Isaiah 35:6; 32:4). 33. The lame man shall leap as a hart (Isaiah 35:6). 34. I will recover you and make you to live. I am ready to save you (Isaiah 38:16, 20). 35. I give power to the faint. I increase strength to them that have no might (Isaiah 40:29). 36. I will renew your strength. I will strengthen and help you (Isaiah 40:31; 41:10). 37. To your old age and gray hairs I will carry you and I will deliver you (Isaiah 46:4). 38. I bore your sickness (Isaiah 53:4). 39. I carried your pains (Isaiah 53:4). 40. I was put to sickness for you (Isaiah 53:10). 41. With My stripes you are healed (Isaiah 53:5). 42. I will heal you (Isaiah 57:19). 43. Your light shall break forth as the morning and your health shall spring forth speedily (Isaiah 58:8). 44. I will restore health unto you, and I will heal you of your wounds saith the Lord (Jeremiah 30:17). 45. Behold I will bring it health and cure, and I will cure you, and will reveal unto you the abundance of peace and truth (Jeremiah 33:6). 46. I will bind up that which was broken and will strengthen that which was sick (Ezekiel 34:16). 47. Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you and you shall live. And I shall put My Spirit in you and you shall live (Ezekiel 37:5, 14). 48. Whithersoever the rivers shall come shall live. They shall be healed and every thing shall live where the river comes (Ezekiel 47:9). 49. Seek Me and you shall live (Amos 5:4, 6). 50. I have arisen with healing in My wings (beams) (Malachi 4:2
New Testament:
51. I will, be thou clean (Matthew 8:3). 52. I took your infirmities (Matthew 8:17). 53. I bore your sicknesses (Matthew 8:17). 54. If you’re sick you need a physician. (I am the Lord your physician) (Matthew 9:12 and Exodus 15:26). 55. I am moved with compassion toward the sick and I heal them (Matthew 14:14). 56. I heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease (Matthew 4:23). 57. According to your faith, be it unto you (Matthew 9:29). 58. I give you power and authority over all unclean spirits to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease (Matthew 10:1 and Luke 9:1). 59. I heal them all (Matthew 12:15 and Hebrews 13:8). 60. As many as touch Me are made perfectly whole (Matthew 14:36). 61. Healing is the children’s bread (Matthew 15:26). 62. I do all things well. I make the deaf to hear and the dumb to speak (Mark 7:37). 63. If you can believe, all things are possible to him that believeth (Mark 9:23; 11:23, 24). 64. When hands are laid on you, you shall recover (Mark 16:18). 65. My anointing heals the brokenhearted, and delivers the captives, recovers sight to the blind, and sets at liberty those that are bruised (Luke 4:18; Isaiah 10:27; 61:1). 66. I heal all those who have need of healing (Luke 9:11). 67. I am not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them (Luke 9:56). 68. Behold, I give you authority over all the enemy’s power and nothing shall by any means hurt you (Luke 10:19). 69. Sickness is satanic bondage and you ought to be loosed today (Luke 13:16; 2 Corinthians 6:2). 70. In Me is life (John 1:4). 71. I am the bread of life. I give you life (John 6:33, 35). 72. The words I speak unto you are spirit and life (John 6:63). 73. I am come that you might have life, and that you might have it more abundantly (John 10:10). 74. I am the resurrection and the life (John 11:25). 75. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it (John 14:14). 76. Faith in My name makes you strong and gives you perfect soundness (Acts 3:16). 77. I stretch forth My hand to heal (Acts 4:30). 78. I, Jesus Christ, make you whole (Acts 9:34). 79. I do good and heal all that are oppressed of the devil (Acts 10:38). 80. My power causes diseases to depart from you (Acts 19:12). 81. The law of the Spirit of life in Me has made you free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2). 82. The same Spirit that raised Me from the dead now lives in you and that Spirit will quicken your mortal body (Romans 8:11). 83. Your body is a member of Me (1 Corinthians 6:15). 84. Your body is the temple of My Spirit and you’re to glorify Me in your body (1 Corinthians 6:19, 20). 85. If you’ll rightly discern My body which was broken for you, and judge yourself, you’ll not be judged and you’ll not be weak, sickly or die prematurely (1 Corinthians 11:29-31). 86. I have set gifts of healing in My body (1 Corinthians 12:9). 87. My life may be made manifest in your mortal flesh (2 Corinthians 4:10, 11). 88. I have delivered you from death, I do deliver you, and if you trust Me I will yet deliver you (2 Corinthians 1:10). 89. I have given you My name and have put all things under your feet (Ephesians 1:21, 22). 90. I want it to be well with you and I want you to live long on the earth. (Ephesians 6:3). 91. I have delivered you from the authority of darkness (Colossians 1:13). 92. I will deliver you from every evil work (2 Timothy 4:18). 93. I tasted death for you. I destroyed the devil who had the power of death. I’ve delivered you from the fear of death and bondage (Hebrews 2:9, 14, 15). 94. I wash your body with pure water (Hebrews 10:22; Ephesians 5:26). 95. Lift up the weak hands and the feeble knees. Don’t let that which is lame be turned aside but rather let Me heal it (Hebrews 12:12, 13). 96. Let the elders anoint you and pray for you in My name and I will raise you up (James 5:14, 15). 97. Pray for one another and I will heal you (James 5:16). 98. By My stripes you were healed (1 Peter 2:24). 99. My Divine power has given unto you all things that pertain unto life and godliness through the knowledge of Me (2 Peter 1:3). 100. Whosoever will, let him come and take of the water of life freely (Revelation 22:17). 101. Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers (3 John 2).
Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.” Proverbs 16:24 NKJV
Oh, how our souls are often in need of words that are sweet, for it’s so very easy in life to have thoughts of defeat.
Finding words of encouragement, perhaps from a Psalm, will go a long way in helping to keep our thoughts calm.
And the words that we ourselves speak should always be trained to be gracious and uplifting, as God has ordained.
Pleasant words, kind words, are words that will nourish. By them, the lives of others and our own lives will flourish.
P. A. Oltrogge
“A word filly spoken and in due season is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” Proverbs 25:11 AMP
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 NKJV
“Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have prepared for those who trust in You in the presence of the sons of men!” Psalm 31:19 NKJV
“By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:3 NASB
“Do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility, count others better than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:3-4 RSV
“Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:31-32
“But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love foroneanother, for ‘love will cover a multitude of sins.’” 1 Peter 4:8 NKJV
“But He (Jesus) answered and said, ‘It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4 NKJV
“Surely goodnesss and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:6 NKJV
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23 RSV
photo by a bee-keeper friend…
“How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way.” Psalm 119:103-104 NKJV
“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!” 1 Chronicles 16:34 RSV
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1 KJV
…from the account in Daniel 6:
Due to Daniel’s outstanding capabilities, and out of concern that the king had given thought to putting him in charge over the entire kingdom, the other officials, knowing of Daniel’s reverence for God, concocted a plan to persuade the king to make an irrevocable decree—that for thirty days, whoever would pray to any god or man other than to the king, Darius, should be cast into a den of lions. After he had signed the decree and it was brought to his attention that Daniel continued in worship of his God, the king was greatly displeased with himself for having agreed to issue it; and he sought for a way to exempt Daniel. Finding no way to do that, the account continues:
“So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, ‘Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.’” Daniel 6:16
The Bible tells of the faithfulness of Daniel, yet he was thrown into a lions’ den—but God sent His angel to foil that plot of some evil-intentioned men.
The angel shut the mouths of the lions, that normally would have killed, thereby saving Daniel’s life, which left his accusers with a plan that was unfulfilled.
That the king had fallen for their words and created the outrageous decree, was a weak moment he quickly regretted, for he respected Daniel to a great degree.
Daniel remained steadfast in his worship of God—his prayers and praise were not diminished. We read that Daniel was delivered and prospered—and that his enemies met their own death before things were finished.
Today there are those who seek to subdue our reverence for the one and only God, too. But we should recall the example of Daniel, and how strong faith in God brought him through.
Opponents of Christianity may make their strikes against us, the Bible, and Jesus’ name. But we, too, can earnestly worship the Lord, believing for His intervention, like Daniel of lions’ den fame.
Some Bible teachers have said of this account, that it points to Jesus, as well. For the plot against Him couldn’t thwart God’s plan, leaving only of Christ’s death to tell.
No, God raised His beloved Son up—to the place of victory and greatest acclaim. To this day, and forever, power and victory are synonymous with Jesus’ Name.
P. A. Oltrogge
“Then King Darius wrote:
“To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth:
“Peace be multiplied to you.
“I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel,
“For He is the living God, And steadfast forever; His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed, And His dominion shall endure to the end. He delivers and rescues, And He works signs and wonders In heaven and on earth, Who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.
“So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.”
Daniel 6:25-28
“‘No weapon that is formed against you will succeed; and every tongue that rises against you in judgment you will condemn. This [peace, righteousness, security, and triumph over opposition] is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from Me,’ says the Lord.”
Isaiah 54:17 AMP
“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Philippians 2:5-11
“For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I should not be a bond-servant of Christ.”
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17
I like to think of the butterfly, a high-flying creation of beauty…
that once was a lowly caterpillar, but was destined for the unique duty,
of submitting to the Creator’s perfect will, and a higher design.
This may be compared to the lives of believers–even yours and mine.
Once, we were living low, though we may not have thought it so…
then recognized our need to be forgiven and be transformed to grow
into new creations with a very high call–to go throughout the earth,
in order to share with others, for God, the joy of obtaining “the new birth.”
P. A. Oltrogge
” …he who loses his life for My sake will find it.” …words of Jesus from Matthew 10:39
“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 1:12-13
“Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.’” John 3:3 (NASB)
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” …by Jesus in John 3:16-17
” ..’Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.’” …Jesus’ words from Mark 16:15
“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” Galatians 2:20 (NASB)
“And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and are in him that is true, even in his Son, Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.” 1 John 5:20 (KJV)
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23 (RSV)
“And so they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in linen wrappings with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. Now in the place where He was crucified, there was a garden; and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had yet been laid. Therefore on account of the Jewish day of preparation, because the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.” John 19:40-42
a poetic account from John 20….
At a new tomb, a garden tomb, a great stone had been rolled away–just to show that the victorious Jesus Christ didn’t stay! Briefly, His body, in linen, with spices, had been placed therein, but lasting death, for this Man, was not destined to win!
That morning, Mary Magdalene came while it was not yet dawn–then ran to get Simon Peter when she found that Christ’s body was gone. Upon hearing this, Peter and John went out and came unto the tomb. Only the linen wrappings were lying there within its room.
They went away then after they’d seen for themselves what she had said. They hadn’t understood Jesus’ words, that He would rise again from the dead. But Mary remained outside the tomb, and while she was weeping, she looked inside again to find two angels, their posts keeping.
“Woman, why are you weeping?” was the question they put to her. She replied that her Lord’s body was taken–by whom or where, she wasn’t sure. Turning around, she saw a “gardener,” but didn’t yet recognize, that standing there was the beloved Christ, before her very eyes.
When He said, “Mary,” her eyes were opened to every familiar feature of the One she loved, and for whom she’d wept, “Rabboni,” the Master and Teacher. He had yet to ascend to His Father–so, therefore, He bid Mary go, to tell the brethren of His ascension–He wanted them all to know!
We, too, can go from the garden tomb, a place that had seen God’s glory, to tell all the world of what Christ has done–this world’s greatest love story. “I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God,” Jesus said. They’re still words that speak of “Family” to those who’ll believe that He rose from the dead.
At that garden tomb, a much greater “stone” had actually been rolled away…of death and darkness, now removed, to reveal the Light of Jesus Christ’s Way!
P. A. Oltrogge
“So the other disciple who had first come to the tomb then also entered, and he saw and believed. For as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead.” John 20:8-9
“For He was teaching His disciples and telling them, ‘The Son of Man is to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill Him; and when He has been killed, He will rise three days later.’ But they did not understand this statement, and they were afraid to ask Him.” Mark 9:30-32
Other references: Matthew 16:21; Matthew 17:22-23; Matthew 27:62-64; John 2:16-22; John 10:17-18
“And from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the first-born of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us, and released us from our sins by His blood, and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father; to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” Revelation 1:5,6
“And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.” John 20:30-31 NKJV
“I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.” Revelation 1:18
Scriptures: NASB or as noted
…Be blessed by Friday’s message, with video, Passion Conference 2024, at: http://www.givehim15.com
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” spoken by Jesus, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, in John 16:33
If you don’t cultivate faith, you’ll likely reap a harvest of fear. So cultivate a “crop” of faith… and, as Jesus said, be of good cheer.
If a “storm” comes up furiously, tell God, you take His Word seriously! He’s given you His peace amid the world’s discord– Your strength is in the joy of the Lord!
Cultivate faith–keep it protected… Reap faith’s reward, instead of what fear has projected. “Stop the fear!” with faith as your shield. To the Word and Jesus’ blood and His name, the enemy must and will yield.
“A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you…” Use the Word of God, making the devil fear you. Jesus cursed a fig tree–you can do the same… through the power of the Word, Jesus’ blood, and His mighty name!
P. A. Oltrogge
“Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. And Peter, remembering, said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.”
“So Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.’” Mark 11:20-24
“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7
Psalm 91:
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”
Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes shall you look, And see the reward of the wicked.
Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone. You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.
“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation.”
(Psalm 91)
“…for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10
“Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 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, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—” Ephesians 6:14-18
“…God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.” Romans 12:3
“And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy….” Luke 24:52
“But one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.’” Revelation 5:5
As one minister of the gospel has said, she heard in her spirit, “At the roar of the Lion, the enemy flees.”
There, are found many topics, such as “Faith is Being Sure”
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the men of old received divine approval. By faith we understand that the world was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was made out of things which do not appear.” Hebrews 11:1-3 RSV
…after His suffering, Jesus presented Himself to the apostles alive. Thus, with any doubtful thoughts in their hearts, they’d no longer have to strive.
Gathering them together, the Messiah commanded that they shouldn’t leave…but stay in the city of Jerusalem, for, in not many days, they were about to receive…
what they had heard of from Him–the Holy Spirit’s power! Upon receiving, they would be the Lord’s witnesses from Jerusalem and beyond, from that very hour.
After Jesus had shared this, He was lifted up from them and was received into a cloud in the sky. As they watched, two men in white clothing stood beside them and asked the apostles why they were gazing so intently on high.
The two men went on to say that this Jesus, who was taken up from them in such a way, would come again in just the same manner, a reference to a future day.
The apostles, upon returning to Jerusalem, went to the upper room where they were staying. With one mind, they, and some women, including Jesus’ mother and His brothers, were all continually praying.
At that time, Peter stood up in the midst of the brethren, about one-hundred, twenty in all. He shared about the fate of Judas. After that was said, it was determined that Matthias would, instead, answer the Lord’s call.
And when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. Suddenly, there came from heaven a noise like a violent, rushing wind, which filled the house in every space!
Next, what looked like tongues of fire came to rest upon each one. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in tongues of various languages before that first outpouring was done.
Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men, from every nation all around. “The multitude” of them came together, bewildered, at this unusual sound.
They noted that all who were speaking in their language were Galileans by birth. Then Parthians and Medes and residents of many other areas joined in questioning it all, as well as visitors from Rome and other parts of the earth.
They were impressed, hearing them speak of the mighty deeds of God, “in a language that is mine.” But some others mocked them, saying, “They’re just drunk with sweet wine.”
This made Peter, taking his stand with the eleven, raise his voice in a bold declaration–that they were not drunk so early in the day, but this was a phenomenon of God’s own preparation.
Peter referenced the prophet, Joel:
“‘And it shall be in the last days,’ God says, ‘that I will pour forth of My Spirit upon all mankind; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even upon My bondslaves, both men and women, I will in those days pour forth of My Spirit and they shall prophesy. And I will grant wonders in the sky above, and signs on the earth beneath, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and glorious day of the Lord shall come. And it shall be that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’” Acts 2:17-21 and Joel 2:28-32
Then Peter addressed them, saying, “Men of Israel, listen to these words,” and he related the account of Jesus, the Nazarene–reminding them of the many miracles, wonders, and signs that many of them had actually seen.
Yet, by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, He was put to death by them through the hands of godless men. However God, Himself, raised Jesus Christ, the Messiah, up again.
Peter made reference to Jesus as the promised descendant of David, who had looked ahead…to the resurrection of Christ and His exaltation to God’s right hand after that raising from the dead.
Of that resurrection, Peter said, he and the apostles were witnesses to all that had taken place; and the promise of the Holy Spirit, of which Jesus had spoken, was further evidence of God’s grace.
And all of Israel should know for certain that God made Him both Lord and Christ–this Jesus, whom they’d crucified. Greatly moved, they asked Peter and the rest what they should do…their hearts were open wide.
Peter then told them to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins. They would also receive the Holy Spirit…all part of how a new life in Christ begins.
So those who received his message and were baptized that day were about three thousand souls. Further teaching from the apostles, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayer now were their devoted goals.
Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe…and many wonders and signs were taking place, through the apostles, that the people saw.
The believers had all things in common, sharing with one another where there was a need. In the temple and from house to house, gladness and sincerity of heart was shared in both word and deed.
The Lord was adding daily souls being brought into His fold, as He is doing still, if truth be told. The book of Acts continues to this day, so that “multitudes” may find the love of Jesus, as today’s Christ followers share and pray.
P. A. Oltrogge
(Best, of course, is to read this account in its fulness in the Holy Bible…this is just a poetic sketch of Acts 1 and 2)
Also referenced by Peter, Psalm 16:8-11 and Psalm 110:1
…praying God’s blessings upon you today…
“The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” John 1:12 KJV
“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” Galatians 2:20 (NASB)
“I have been crucified with Christ [that is, in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body I live by faith [by adhering to, relying on, and completely trusting] in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” (AMP)
This beautiful rose of white and red reminds of the precious blood Jesus shed. Those who’ve received Him as Savior know that He’s made their sins to be white as snow.
Now Christ lives in me–an amazing thought…. The Father sent His Son, and I’m blood bought.
P. A. Oltrogge
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” John 3:16-17
“’Come now, and let us reason together,’ Says the Lord, ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.'” Isaiah 1:18
“But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” Romans 3:21-26
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17
“Fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 RSV
The Porch of the Lord 