Monthly Archives: November 2015

Thanks Be to God

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“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute; if there be any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.” Philippians 4:6-8 NASV

Photo by Porch of the Lord

Photo by Porch of the Lord

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
1 Corinthians 15:57

“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

“And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted.” John 6:11 “…other boats came from Tiberias, near the place where they ate bread after the Lord had given thanks.” John 6:23

(Scriptures above, NKJV)

White as Snow

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Photo by Phil Roeder

Photo by Phil Roeder

“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18

“Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.”
These are gracious words that the Lord has said, and only He would know
whatever sins have been in your life that you have come to regret.
What peace it is to know that God will forgive…and will also forget.

We read in the Bible of Peter, James, and John being led up by Jesus on a mount,
where His clothing became radiant–white, like snow, it’s told in that account.
This spoke of His glory and was a demonstration that He was the Holy One–
God’s voice, coming out of a cloud, said to listen to Jesus, His beloved Son.

This brings to my mind the garment of salvation that makes us white as snow.
In Him, we become new creations–sinners cleansed by His blood’s outflow.
To any who take Him as Savior, the One who died for sin on the cross in their place–
any guilty stains are thoroughly lifted; no sinful spot can leave a trace.

P. A. Oltrogge

“Now after six days, Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves, and He was transfigured before them. His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them. And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus.” Mark 9:2-4 NKJV

“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 NKJV

“I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.”
Isaiah 61:10 NIV

“Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.'” Matthew 26:27-28 NKJV

“For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” Hebrews 8:12 NKJV

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 NASV

“For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:17 NASV

Psalm 103:12
John 1:29
Hebrews 1:1-4
1 John 2:1-2

This is Eternal Life…

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Photo by Jason

Photo by Jason

“And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” …spoken by Jesus in John 17:3 NKJV

“And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.” 1 John 2:25 KJV

“And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.”
1 John 5:11 KJV

“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

Like a Tree Firmly Planted by Streams of Water

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Photo by Porch of the Lord

Photo by Porch of the Lord

“How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
But His delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
And he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season,
And its leaf does not wither,
And in whatever he does, he prospers.”
Psalm 1:1-3

The tree pictured above is not a fruit-bearing tree,
but its stature is great and is inspiring to me,
along with the words found in the very first Psalm–
that meditating on God’s Word can keep us strong and calm.

In addition, the Spirit’s living water will help us to bear fruit,
as we share the Gospel truths, which no man can refute.
In trials, we hold on, as this oak tree’s leaves cling,
throughout a cold winter, to be renewed suddenly in spring.

The fellowship and counsel of those who love Jesus, the Lord,
is advised in this Psalm and will bring God’s reward.
If we prosper in all we do, then our prayers profit much;
and, in following His leading, we’re assured of the Master’s touch.

P. A. Oltrogge

“This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it, for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.” Joshua 1:8

Matthew 4:4
Luke 4:4
John 7:37-39
Acts 10:44-45
Ephesians 1:13-14
Hebrews 10:23-24

The oak tree in the photo, turned red in autumn, is among some oaks which keep most of their leaves until spring.

Scatter Genuine Love

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A clanging cymbal, a noisy gong,
That’s how a life is without love–so wrong!
If you speak of the future, possessing that gift;
Know mysteries and knowledge, but don’t show love, you’re adrift.

Even if you have faith that seems to be heaping,
In God’s eyes–without love–nothing is what you’ll be reaping.
If you have faith that could remove a mountain,
Without love, your life can be compared to a dried up fountain.

If you give all your possessions to feed the poor
But have not love, you’ll always be unsure
Of the mark you’ve made in this world that needs
Your true love and compassion scattered as seeds.

If you give even your life, with your body being burned–
Without love in your heart, there’s nothing you’ve earned.
Be patient, be kind–don’t be jealous or brag–
Nor be arrogant or act unbecomingly–those things bring a snag.

Don’t let yourself be provoked, and forsake insisting upon your own way;
Don’t take into account wrongs suffered in a fray.
Don’t be glad about things unpleasing to God, but be glad about what’s good.
In love–bear, believe, hope and endure all things as He would.

Other gifts will cease, but real love is enduring;
The partial will give way to a full maturing.
Now things in the mirror are dimly seen,
But one day all will be clear with a crystal sheen.

Faith, hope, and love–these three you can rate,
But love will always be the greatest of the great.
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Gentleness, self-control–
Scatter these seeds and be a contented soul.

P. A. Oltrogge

(poetic thoughts from 1 Corinthians 13)

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” words of Jesus in John 13:34-35

“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. 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 4:32-5:1-2

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Photo by Porch of the Lord

The Prodigal Son

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A parable Jesus told….

Once there was a man who had two sons fully grown,
and the younger asked for his inheritance to go off on his own.
So the father divided his wealth and the younger son went away,
while the older one was loyal to his father and knew that he would stay.

In a distant land, the younger squandered all of his part of the estate.
He lived in a wild and unwise manner, and poverty became his fate.
A famine occurred in that country, and he couldn’t get ahead;
he was hired to take care of swine and longed to eat what they were fed.

At that time, he came to his senses and remembered his father’s care–
even his father’s servants had always had meals that were generous fare.
So he thought out what he would say about the restoration he desired.
“I’m no longer worthy to be my father’s son–I’ll just ask to be one who’s hired.”

He then traveled back to his home, and the father saw him when still far away–
then ran to embrace and kiss him, before even hearing what he had to say.
The son repented of all he’d done, telling all that had been on his mind;
and there he found compassion and a heart that was only kind.

The father called to his servants to clothe the young man with all of the best–
the best robe, ring, and sandals, and even with a banquet, he’d be blessed.
A celebration was called for everyone, for this was a time to rejoice!
But out in the fields, the older son stopped, having heard his father’s voice.

At the sound of the merriment, he inquired of the servants of what had just transpired.
They told him that his brother was home, and that a celebration was required.
He became angry then and wasn’t willing to even go inside,
but his father came out to entreat him–he wanted him to be alongside.

“…For so many years I’ve been serving you, and I’ve never neglected a command….”
He complained that he felt what his brother deserved was his father’s reprimand.
“My child, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours,” the father said.
But they needed to rejoice for this son now lived. “This brother of yours was dead–

He was lost and has been found,” he said–much like a Shepherd rejoices to find
a lost sheep that had strayed far from the fold but had always remained on His mind.

P. A. Oltrogge

From Luke 15:11-32

“I am the good shepherd and I know My own, and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father, and I lay down My life for the sheep.” words of Jesus in John 10:14-15