Monthly Archives: March 2014

He, a Rose

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Photo by Audrey J.M.

Photo by Audrey J.M.

“I am the rose of Sharon, the lily of the valleys.” Song of Solomon 2:1

“Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; but I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.” Luke 12:27

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The variety of flowers God created are such a feast for our eyes–
And, besides their beauty, most have a pleasing fragrance that will arise.

No wonder Jesus said that we should consider the lilies of the field–
Their essence is a tribute to His Father’s care to which they yield.

Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross arose, as a pleasing fragrance, to the Father’s throne–
An aroma so pleasing that Christ now, as the rose of Sharon, is known.

Yes, like a rose, that was crushed and associated with thorns upon His head,
Jesus paid for our redemption through scourges and His sacred veins that bled.

All who are in Christ give sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him as well,
To remind those who are saved of heaven, and to warn those unaware of hell.

So consider how the lilies are clothed, and therefore put on the Lord Jesus Christ,
For His sacrifice on your behalf is the one that the Bible says sufficed.

P. A. Oltrogge

“But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.” Romans 13:14

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.” Ephesians 5:1-2

“But thanks be to God, Who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things?” 2 Corinthians 2:14-16

“You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good, and healing all who were oppressed by the devil; for God was with Him. And we are witnesses of all the things He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. And they also put Him to death by hanging Him on a cross. God raised Him up on the third day, and granted that He should become visible, not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen beforehand by God, that is, to us, who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. And He ordered us to preach to the people, and solemnly to testify that this is the One who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead. Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.” Acts 10:38-43

Praise God, it was for you that He arose!

Shalom, Always

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Completeness, or Shalom, means nothing missing–nothing broken;
And Shalom will always prevail where the Word of God is spoken.
As the Word dwells richly within us, and we trust the God who’s good,
Any strife will be extinguished as we love as He says we should.

By the Holy Spirit’s direction, we go beyond our homes to share
Christ’s love with many others, since we have love to spare.
We’re confident in living life as we trust the Lord to guide–
Blessed going out and coming in from any place where we reside.

Our homes will be an oasis of contentment all our days,
For we know that the Father is faithful to keep us in all of our ways.
And, surrounded by His Love, we’re “at home” when we’re away;
We’re sheltered under His wings, with His protection every day.

Even if circumstances would cause some outward things to shatter,
With Jesus reigning in our hearts, those things won’t really matter.
For He, truly, is our life; and He’s our guaranteed peace–
With our eyes kept fixed upon Him, our Shalom will never cease.

P. A. Oltrogge

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Colossians 3:16 KJV

“And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” Romans 5:5 KJV

“The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore.” Psalm 121:8 NKJV

“But godliness with contentment is great gain.” 1 Timothy 6:6 KJV

“Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2 New American Standard

“He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you may seek refuge: His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.” Psalm 91:4 NASV

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee.” Isaiah 26:3 KJV

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at its swelling pride.” Psalm 46:1-3 NASV

“For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.” Isaiah 54:10 KJV

http://covenantfamily.cc/sermons/?enmse=1&enmse_mid=58

Seek the Lord and Lack Nothing

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“The young lions lack and suffer hunger; But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.” Psalm 34:10

As a lion cub depends upon its mother,
So, for the Christian, there is no other
To look to for sure protection and provision
Or for right guidance on any decision
Than Jesus Christ, the Lord of hosts–
Who reigns over lands and seas and coasts,
Throughout this earth of His own making–
Yet to His children, He’s never-forsaking.

“Seek the Lord, while He may be found,”
Is good instruction to make your way sound.
And if you’ve strayed or not yet come to God’s “den,”
There’s room still for you, no matter where you’ve been.
The Lion of Judah is also His Name–
This Lord and Savior whom we proclaim.

P. A. Oltrogge

“Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts. Let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.”
Isaiah 55:6-7

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling.” Psalm 46:1-3

“The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah” Psalm 46:7

“Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah”
Psalm 24:10

“…Behold, the lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David…” Revelation 5:5

“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.” Hebrews 1:1-4

(scriptures NKJV)