“Then my enemies will be turned back in the day when I call. This I know, that God is for me.” Psalm 56:9
In any situation that you may be in,
these words remind that God wants you to win.
This I know, that God is for me…
lifts you above the things that are “stormy.”
P. A. Oltrogge
Jesus loves me, this I know,
for the Bible tells me so.
Yes, Jesus loves me…
“In the same way, the Spirit helps our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” Romans 8:26-27 NASB
“With all prayer and petition, pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.” Ephesians 6:18 NASB
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 Bible is widely heard of, yet many people haven’t actually “heard” of much that’s written within its pages. Lord, wake them to Your Word.
For it’s written that it’s the scriptures that make us “wise unto salvation.” Lord, we pray, You’d wake people to Your Word throughout ours and every nation.
Send laborers across the paths of those whose hearts You will have prepared to be ready to receive the Gospel invitation, which those laborers will share.
We thank You, Father, for Your great love and for the Holy Spirit’s power to draw souls to Jesus, our Savior and Good Shepherd, in this important hour.
P. A. Oltrogge
“And he (Jesus) said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” Mark 4:9 KJV
“And continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
“And that from a child thou hast learned the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”
2 Timothy 3:14-16 KJV
“Therefore, said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.” Luke 10:2 KJV
“And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there. Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul.” Acts 16:13-14 NKJV
________________________
…in light of yet another tragedy in America, Dutch Sheets, who fervently and steadfastly prays for America, shares today from a book of his, “The Power of Hope” at: http://www.givehim15.com
And the following was shared by the father of one of the priceless little children who lost their lives: “Through tears we trust that she is in the arms of Jesus who will raise her to life once again,” Pastor Chad Scruggs said in a statement shared with reporters.
“Jesus said to her, ‘I amthe resurrectionandthelife. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.'” John 11:25
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
…We lift up in prayer the affected families, the nation, and the world….and are reminded to persevere:
“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Ephesians 6:11-13 NKJV
We read of Jesus, who was with His disciples in the garden of Gethsemane: “And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, ‘Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.’ Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” Luke 22:41-44
Jesus,
In Gethsemane’s garden, You prayed to be strong in what would overtake You in not very long.
It was for me that You were then betrayed. It was on You that the task was laid.
As filthy rags, God saw my righteousness claimed– which is why You stepped in to be defamed.
It was for my sins that You went on trial. You made the payment for everything vile.
It was for me–this undeserved attack. It was for me You bore stripes on Your back.
It was for me that You wore the thorns, and it was for me You bore merciless scorns.
It was for me You walked Calvary’s trail. It was for me that You endured each nail.
It was for me that You hung in shame. It was for me–You were taking my blame.
It was for me You painfully died. It was for me that they pierced Your side.
You did it for me, but in three days You rose. You did it for me that my case would be closed.
P. A. Oltrogge
“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” Isaiah 64:6 KJV
“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 NKJV
“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 NKJV
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1 NASB
“Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.” Romans 5:1 NLT
“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV
The enemy continues to attempt to cause fear across our nation with bank closures, political upheavals, threats of nuclear war, continued food shortages and constant new viruses. Fear is never of God. Today I want to share with you a lesson God taught me a few years ago.
“The devil needs fear to operate in your life in the same way I need faith to operate in your life.” These are the words the Lord spoke to me early one morning. Truthfully, I didn’t think a lot of it other than, “wow, that’s good!”
But then I just went on about my day.
Throughout that day, every few hours, I would hear the same words. “The devil needs fear to operate in your life in the same way I need faith to operate in your life.” I knew God was revealing something to me, however, I did not yet know why.
Later that day, my grandson, Bryson had an accident with a gas grill. He and I were trying to start it and it wouldn’t light. What we didn’t know was while we were doing this, it caused gas to become trapped in the lines. At one point Bryson leaned down to smell for propane at the same time he accidently hit the ignite button. The grill blew up in his face.
We thought he had just burned his nose because there were only a few visible signs of burns on him. Still, we took him to the hospital because he said it was very painful. We expected them to give him burn cream and send him home. Instead, after mere moments at the hospital we were informed he had extensive damage inside his nose, throat, and lungs. We were told he had to have an iv because he could stop breathing at any moment. We were told he had a 50/50 chance of survival. The doctor called an ambulance to have him transferred to the burn unit at the closest Children’s Hospital.
Breanne and I looked at each other in shock and unbelief. Then, those words came back to me. “The devil needs fear to operate in your life in the same way I need faith to operate in your life.”
That moment, I decided, no matter what I heard or saw, I would not fear. I walked out into the hallway to pray. I don’t know how many times that night I said to myself, “I refuse fear.” I refused to give the devil anything he could use to operate in my life or the life of my grandson.
John 14:27 says, “Peace I leave with you, My peace, I give to you, not as the world gives do I give you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
That day I realized I had a decision to make. I could allow the enemy to work in my life by allowing fear…or I could remain in faith and God would work in the situation.
In a situation where our first instinct is fear, is it even possible to remain in faith? YES! Absolutely yes! How? Because God is a good God. He wants us to have victory. We can trust Him in that. He will empower us to remain in faith.
Isaiah 41:10 says, “Fear not, I am with you. Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you. I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
God has made us firm promises. He does not lie. If He said it, He will do it.
And He said, when you can’t hold yourself up, I will hold you up with my righteous right hand. He has said He would strengthen us. He will help us. Oh, how I love that!
Much of that type of trust comes through knowing He loves us. Do you know how much He loves you today? 1 John 4:18 says, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out all fear, because fear involves torment.” If we know the immensity of God’s love for us and our family, we will not fear.
And if we do not fear, the enemy has nothing to work with.
God taught me two lessons that day.
1. If the enemy cannot get me to fear, he has no door into my situation and cannot work in my life.
2. God is faithful. He went before me and gave me the word I needed to hold onto knowing what weapon was being formed against us. And then He was faithful to watch over His Word to perform it. In other words, He had it all worked out before it even began. We only need to listen, heed and obey His voice.
I encourage you – refuse fear. Fear is never of God. God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind – His peace and His love. And that love…it never fails.
____________________ Kim has shared this previously…then her readers inquired as to what happened regarding her grandson, Bryson. While I don’t recall the exact details, I remember her responding that it turned out the damage was not nearly as bad as thought. It was very minimal, and that now he is getting ready to obtain his driver’s license!
She was sharing this story today and again forgot to share the outcome with Bryson–due, I’m sure, to her strong focus on the importance of the message about faith, especially in the face of fear.
“Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and overall the poweroftheenemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Luke 10:19
When the devil comes, with various fears, with which he wants to pound us…
that’s the time to remember that God and His angels are present to surround us.
Always remember your position of authority in the Lord, Jesus Christ….
whose victory over the enemy of our souls has far more than sufficed.
The name of Jesus and His blood and the spoken Word do tower…
over all of the enemy’s principalities of darkness and evil power.
Christ’s life, death, and, as Conqueror, His triumphant resurrection
have given to all of God’s children His grace and “Victory” connection.
We declare no wicked scheme or plot of the devil’s can ultimately prevail…
when we take our seat of authority “in Christ,” knowing “Love (our God) doesn’t fail!”
God has never given to the believer any spirits of fear…
We know we’re to resist them with the Word and boldly persevere.
It could be said that those in Christ are in a kind of protective bubble…
God is their very present help, on which to depend in time of trouble.
And let the words of Psalm 91 give you a sense of calm,
as it tells of dwelling with God in His secret place–a very assuring Psalm!
P. A. Oltrogge
“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.” …from Psalm 91
“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 pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and seated Him at His right hand, in the heavenly places, FAR ABOVE all rule and authority and power and dominion and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” Ephesians 1:18-23 NASB
“But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus, in order that in the ages to come, He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:4-10 NASB
“Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” James 4:7
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:10-12
“You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.” Colossians 2:13-15 NLT
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1 KJV
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7
“For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:17
“For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” 1 John 5:3-5
“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” 1 John 4:7-11
“Love never fails.” …from 1 Corinthians 13:8
“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.” 2 Corinthians 2:14
Scriptures NKJV or as noted.
Be blessed by a small booklet, “The Authority of the Believer and How to Use It” by Billye Brim. Available in the “Store” at http://www.billyebrim.org
You can explore the site for commentary on today’s world events and also find her list of healing scriptures. Dr. Billye Brim has a regularly featured program, The Prophetic Witness, at http://www.govictory.com
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” John 10:27
By J. Vetter Guest Contributor
A brief encounter with a young couple visiting our church led me to a joyous venture down memory lane. The wife shared how they were ready to move within the month and requested prayer for their house to sell. This brought to mind the testimonies of God’s faithfulness in each of the various moves my husband and I and our family had made over the years.
In John 14:3, Jesus announces that He is going to prepare a place for us. Of course, He is speaking of heaven; but I realize now that in every move we’ve made, He truly was faithful to lead us to the house he had prepared for us. That is if, and then as, we allowed Him to direct us.
When we moved from Tampa, Florida, to Arlington, Texas, the Lord directed us to sell our home by owner. That didn’t seem too risky since He said that He really was the owner.
My husband, Ted, was already working in Texas, and we had gone out to look for a house. After an unsuccessful week, I returned home. At that point, I had this God-inspired idea to write out a list of what I wanted in a home and, then, to let the Lord lead Ted to the right house.
One Sunday, as he was driving around, he saw a home that was “for sale by owner.” After looking at it, he excitedly called me. As he began to describe the home, I realized it had everything in it that I had put on my list (which I had not shared with Ted)! My list included even rose bushes and fruit trees, so when I heard him mention those, I felt pretty sure this house was it!
The clincher was that the interest rate was so high at that time, and the Christian couple who owned the house were willing to hold the mortgage at a lower interest rate. I had put that on my list, but really did have my doubts. I thought, perhaps, I was asking too big. But then I thought of the scripture in Ephesians 3:20, where God says that He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.
So we decided to go ahead and purchase that home. However, our house in Tampa needed to sell now! I returned to the Lord with my question. “Did I hear You right?” My answer came as I was reading Hebrews 10:35. “Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.” And verse 37, as well. “…And He who is coming will come and will not tarry.”
Shortly, a former neighbor arrived with a contract for us, which was so perfect. He was a realtor who knew the desirability of our home model. He had the contract fully filled out, even with the closing date, which fit perfectly with the closing date on our home in Texas.
So, this sheep was very grateful for the blessing of learning to hear the voice of Jesus, my Good Shepherd!
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Psalm 23:1
“Jesus answered and said to her, ‘If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.’” John 4:10
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.
He is like a tree planted by streams of water, that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.
The wicked are not so, but are like chaff which the wind drives away.
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
Scripture: Psalm 1 RSV
…Continuing in prayer for all those who find themselves in difficult circumstances in these times. We are trusting you, Lord, to draw many to find in you, the living water; and we agree with your Word, that you know the way of the righteous….
“On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and proclaimed, “If any one thirst, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.’” Now this he said about the Spirit, which those who believed in him were to receive; for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” John 7:37-39 RSV
“Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, ‘If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. The one who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” But this He said in reference to the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” John 7:37-39 NASB (in the KJV, verse 38 reads “out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water”)
“If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.” John 14:15-17 NKJV
“Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant…
“But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.”
1 Corinthians 12:1: 7-11 NKJV
Tongues/Interpretation by Trina and Mark Hankins at Eagle Mountain International Church, March 19, 2023, which service can be viewed at: http://www.emic.org
For there is a river that flows from the very presence of God–right out of God Himself. And that river brings joy and healing and blessing. And that river flows continually, throughout eternity, flowing. And that river now flows even in the spirit and the heart of the believer–that out of your belly shall flow rivers of living water. Will you yield to the Spirit of God and let that river flow today? Let that river flow today out of your belly–rivers of life, rivers of healing, and overflow of the life of God, and full of joy, and full of victory, and full of blessing, out of your innermost being, rivers of the Holy Spirit shall flow, and flood your life with the goodness of God. Yield to the Holy Spirit and let those rivers flow today. And stir up yourself and the gift of God that’s on the inside of you; and the Spirit of God shall bring a fresh anointing, and fresh oil, and fresh revelation, and fresh joy and new strength and new life shall flow out of your belly–continually flowing day after day after day so that you will be filled…full of joy, full of the Holy Ghost. Be filled and filled again, and that joy shall flow and shall be a demonstration of the very triumph and victory that is yours. So yield to the Holy Ghost today and yield to the Spirit of God and that river shall flow, and rivers shall flow, and there shall be an overflow of the blessing of the Lord…more than you can contain–more than you can contain, so yield to the Holy Ghost…open your mouth wide and drink from the presence of the Lord and be filled today. Hallelujah!
…the anointing of the Holy Spirit…the fresh anointing and fresh oil…that anointing shall destroy every yoke. It shall be explosive in energy and shall ignite the gift of God on the inside of you. So now the anointing and a fresh oil and a greater measure of anointing shall come upon you for this time and for this season. It comes from the very presence of the Lord and the Spirit of God dwelling on the inside of you and fresh oil. And your vision shall increase, and your vision shall be clear, and the things and the dreams of the Spirit of God shall come to pass, even while you’re yielded to the oil of joy…the anointing, the oil of joy shall fill your heart; and it shall cause you to break out of a small place and bring you out into a larger place. So yield to the Holy Ghost and yield to the anointing. It’s the anointing that does the work. It’s the anointing that does the work, so allow the anointing to do a new work in your spirit, in your soul, and in your body, for such a time as this. And the anointing shall increase, and your latter days shall be greater than your former days. Thank you, Lord.
then Mark Hankins continued:
Fresh anointing, do you want it? Yes… Drink from the presence of the Lord…filling us, strengthening us…fresh oil…fresh anointing, the supernatural life and the power… resurrection power, explosive power…filling our soul, filling our life. Thank you, Lord, for the Holy Ghost.
Thank you, Lord, for the Holy Ghost… Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah… Thank you, Lord, for the Holy Ghost. He’s our helper, our strengthener, our intercessor…He’s the Greater One that lives on the inside of us. The same spirit that raised Christ from the dead…lives in us, dwells in us. Thank you, Lord, for rivers, rivers…we let those rivers flow. We let those rivers flow…the very life and the Spirit of God. We thank you for that today. In the name of Jesus, Hallelujah!
(Then, followed Mark’s message, “Turn Up Your Joy”)
“And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’” Matthew 25:37-40
If any of us knew that the Lord was hungry, we would do anything and everything that was needed to make sure He had something to eat. If we knew He was cold, we would give up any of our own clothing to give Him warmth. Today “the least of these” in Israel urgently need our help, and I’m asking you to join us in reaching out to them in Christian love to bless them while there is still time.
There are some 13,000 Ukrainian Jewish refugees now living in Israel. Your love and generosity made it possible for us to help some of them make that trip. But most came with almost nothing…often a single suitcase held everything they have left. We are going to reach out to show them comfort and love as well during the wonderful celebration of Passover this year. But we can’t do it without your help.
In addition to delivering food to the homes of poor Holocaust survivors and Ukrainian refugees, we will be holding special events during Passover both at your Friends of Zion Center in Jerusalem and across the country. Your gift today will let them know that they are not alone and will bring joy into their lives.
Your support of the Jerusalem Prayer Team today allows us to purchase food, medicine, clothing, and other necessities of life for the poor Holocaust survivors, as well as to continue to operate the Friends of Zion Museum, to stand up and speak out for Israel, and to meet urgent humanitarian needs among the poor Jewish people in Israel and Ukraine. Thank you so much for being part of this vital worldwide prayer movement.
“Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good…” Genesis 1:31
I think that flowers in a window box so very beautifully display the creative ability and joy of the Lord on any given day.
The flowers call to us to give them attention if we’re inside or out… they give a cheerful greeting as we view them on a daily route.
Many homes have actual gardens, but those with limited space… can still enjoy floral beauty, which “speaks” of God’s love and amazing grace.
P. A. Oltrogge
…March 20, first day of spring…
“For lo, the winter is past, The rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; The time of singing has come, And the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.” Song of Solomon 2:11-12
“For this reason I say to you, do not be anxious for your life, as to what you shall eat, or what you shall drink, nor for your body, as to what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body than clothing?
“Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And which of you by being anxious, can add a single cubit to his life’s span? And why are you anxious about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory did not clothe himself like one of these.
“But if God so arrays the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more do so for you, O men of little faith? Do not be anxious then, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink’ or ‘With what shall we clothe ourselves?’ For all these things the Gentiles eagerly seek; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:25-34
“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.” Acts 17:24-27 NIV
“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:4-10
“But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:4-7
“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.” Isaiah 40:8
The Porch of the Lord 