A Portion of Daily Bread

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“Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing. For the Scriptures say,

‘If you want to enjoy life
and see many happy days,
keep your tongue from speaking evil
and your lips from telling lies.

Turn away from evil and do good.
Search for peace, and work to maintain it.

The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right,
and his ears are open to their prayers.
But the Lord turns his face
against those who do evil.'”

1 Peter 3:8-12 NLT

“Now Christ has gone to heaven. He is seated in the place of honor next to God, and all the angels and authorities and powers accept his authority.”

1 Peter 3:22 NLT

Compassion at the Pool of Bethesda

During a feast of the Jews, we see Jesus at the healing pool of Bethesda, which was by the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem, that prominent city.

And He saw a certain man lying among the many others who had come to seek healing, whose infirmity had lasted thirty-eight years—and on whom no man had apparently had pity.

It was known and told that an angel came to stir the waters at a season and time at this pool of five porches, an esteemed place.

And whoever first, thereafter, made it into the water was healed of their illness—with no longer a trace.

Jesus, knowing that this individual had been crippled and infirm for a long time, asked him if he wanted to be healed.

The man replied that he had no man to help him into the waters after they were stirred. Others were always quicker, so his fate had been sealed.

Then, Jesus mercifully said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk,” stepping in for the said “no man.”

Immediately, the infirm man was made whole, got to his feet, took up his bed and walked, for health and healing have always been God’s plan.

Today, when we experience difficulties, even those long-standing, and may sometimes feel there is no one to help, not even the Lord…

remember, we still do have an advocate in Jesus, God’s Son—to get adverse things eliminated and have the good restored.

P. A. Oltrogge

”…how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.” Acts 10:38 NKJV

“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (Words of Jesus in John 10:10 NKJV)

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 NKJV

Poetic account, above, from John, chapter 5.

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Ministering to the Lord

Life presents situations that sometimes are very tough,
so these words might seem simplistic amidst things so rough.

But when circumstances are trying, it’s wise that we bring out
the “BIG GUNS” of our PRAISES, adding their spiritual clout.

You may be hurting badly, and it might, at the time, seem hard–
but you’ll be ministering to the Lord, and giving the problem less regard.

Thank the Lord for His goodness and for all that He’s already done.
Tell Him that if anyone can help you now, you know that He’s the One.

Consider giving an hour…Jesus said, “Could you not watch with Me one hour?”
Many have been amazed by the results and the outflow of His power.

Even if you don’t see things change right away after doing such,
keep praising and praying with the spirit, both of which will avail much.

It’s our praises that stop the adversary, as Biblical examples have told,
and there’s something about being loud and something about being bold….

But even if you can only offer praise with a voice that’s faint,
you’re doing the right thing, so persevere, dear saint.

P. A. Oltrogge

“Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; and to him who orders his conduct aright, I will show the salvation of God.” Psalm 50:23 NKJV
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“But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” words of Jesus in John 4:23-24

“For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.” 1 Corinthians 14:14-15 NKJV

“Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, ‘What! Could you not watch with Me one hour?’” Matthew 26:40
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I well remember when a young woman in my church, who had had a pelvic fracture due to an accident was healed at a morning service during praise. She suddenly realized she was standing normally. Later, x-rays confirmed the miracle.

The following are from the booklet, “Confessions for ‘Whole’ Life” by Sandra Kennedy Ministries. These regard pain…

Isaiah 53:4 The Lord bore this pain in His own body. Therefore, I don’t have to bear it.

1 Corinthians 10:13 God is faithful and has made a way of escape out of this pain.

Mark 4:39 I speak to the pain center of my brain and the nerve endings and I say, “Peace, be still.”

Mark 11:23 I speak to the mountain of pain and I say to you, “Be thou removed.”

Song of Solomon 1:3 Your name, Lord, is as ointment that soothes my pain.

Psalm 103:3 The Lord heals all my diseases and all associated pain.

Psalm 40:17 The Lord is my God and my Deliverer, and He will deliver me from this pain.

and others, including scriptures for many other afflictions. The booklet is available at http://www.sandrakennedy.org

Joseph Prince speaks often on the benefit of daily communion,
http://www.josephprince.org

From Out of the Miry Clay

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“He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay; and He set my feet upon a rock, making my footsteps firm.” Psalm 40:2

…just a little contemplation on what I envision the Lord might say to someone who just placed their faith in Him…

To My mind, your life without Me was like being in miry clay;
But I kept My hope that you’d respond to My love one day.
Where you had been didn’t matter so much,
For I knew that you were in need of My touch.
Ever so gently I drew you away–
I knew this would happen if you would just pray.
By the power of My Spirit you opened your heart,
And now, through My grace, you have gotten a new start.
That person you were has actually died;
A new life’s begun due to “Christ crucified.”

So rejoice in My love as I do in yours.
Share it with others despite troubles or wars,
For I have room for so many through heaven’s open doors.
And from out of heaven’s windows, My love surely pours–
Down to the miry clay–or wherever it may
Find people and lead them out to My way.

P. A. Oltrogge

“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
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“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

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!”
Matthew 23:37 (New King James)

Be willing to come to Christ and be blessed….

Our Refuge and Shield—Abba, Father

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“Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in him.” Proverbs 30:5

“Jesus said, ‘Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’” Matthew 19:14

“Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father.’” Galatians 4:6

Scriptures NIV

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The God of Another Chance

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We should be trained about the importance…
of following “the inward witness,”
which is so vital to our well-being
and to our spiritual fitness.

If we believe in the goodness of God
and that our Shepherd knows what’s best,
then it follows that by praying and following His lead,
we’ll be on a most certain quest.

To put it in God’s words, you are His son,
when you’re someone who’s Spirit led.
Make it your desire to do the will of the Father;
and, with the faith food of His Word, be fed.

Wait for peace regarding decisions;
never go against what God has said in His Word.
It’s a lamp to your feet and a light to your path,
whereby your success is established and assured.

Does your life seem to be off balance,
and that things aren’t turning out right?
Could it be that you’ve not been walking by faith,
but, instead, just by your own sight?

Wise men (and women and even children)
still seek the Lord today, it’s said.
Thankfully, He’s the God of another chance,
so seek Him strongly in the days ahead.

P. A. Oltrogge

“Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near.”
Isaiah 55:6 NASB

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV

“For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.”
Romans 8:14 NASB

“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

“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

“Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
Psalm 119:105 KJV

“The entrance of Your words gives light…” Psalm 119:130 NKJV

“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. Galatians 4:4-7 KJV

“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:12-14 NKJV

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.’”
Lamentations 3:22-24 NRSV

More on the inward witness at http://www.rhema.org
Search Faith/Health Food Devotionals

Hearts Need to “Hear”

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Love, with no definite expression of outward action or word,
isn’t love at all–since, by our hearts, nothing is “heard.”
Kind words, loving service, time spent together, a gift, or a tender touch–
without these things tangible, we can’t really feel love much.

Just like most plants need regular sunshine and water,
we need regular caring expression from friend, spouse, son, or daughter.
Mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters can affirm and encourage–
we all can, for this world holds much that can discourage.

Friends and family are meant to uplift us and be a fortress in life;
and when loving gestures abound, there will be little, if any, strife.
When love is firmly founded thereby, we’ll be ready to reach out
to those needing love from us whom we may meet on a daily route.

Jesus also said that we should love those who don’t love us back;
sometimes, such love can move relationships onto the right track.
At times, we must look past the things in some that seem odd–
we may need to pray for the grace of the unconditional love of God.

For that love has been found to lead others to tangibly feel
the love of the heavenly Father in a way that is real.

P. A. Oltrogge

“And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:5

“These things I command you, that you love one another.” John 15:17

“Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” Philippians 2:4

“Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another, not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.” Romans 12:9-11

“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32

“And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful just as your Father also is merciful.” Luke 6:31-36

“Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” 1 John 4:11

The Precious Blood of Jesus

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Nothing but the blood of Jesus, shed for us by grace
Will make us stand in righteousness before His Father’s face.

P. A. Oltrogge

“The next day he (John the Baptist) saw Jesus coming to him, and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is He on behalf of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me, and I did not recognize Him, but in order that He might be manifested to Israel, I came baptizing in water.’ And John bore witness saying, ‘I have beheld the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him. And I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the one who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen, and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.’” John 1:29-34

“And when He (Jesus) had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.” Matthew 26:27-28, also Mark 14:24; and Luke 22:20

“The Jews therefore began to argue with one another, saying, ‘How can this man give us His flesh to eat?’ Jesus therefore said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For My flesh is true food and My blood is true drink. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. As the living Father sent Me and I live because of the Father, so he who eats Me, he also shall live because of Me. This is the bread which came down out of heaven, not as the fathers ate, and died; he who eats this bread shall live forever.’ These things He said in the synagogue, as He taught in Capernaum.’” John 6:52-59

“Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.” Acts 20:28

“But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness because in the forbearance of God, He passed over the sins previously committed; for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” Romans 3:21-26

“Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.” Romans 5:9

“Is not the cup of blessing which we bless a sharing in the blood of Christ? Is not the bread which we break a sharing in the body of Christ?” 1 Corinthians 10:16

“For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, ‘This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’ In the same way He took the cup also, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.’ For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.” 1 Corinthians 11:23-26