Monthly Archives: June 2021

You’ve Never Seen Anything Like It

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“But as it is written, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.”
1 Corinthians 2:9 KJV

Verse 10 goes on to say, “But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.” So, while the text is referring to the Gospel and things revealed through the Holy Spirit, the 9th verse does make one think of the almost hard-to-comprehend beauty, glory, and peace of our heavenly home and destination. Thus, these thoughts:

Eye hath not seen, nor ear yet heard,
neither our hearts, says God’s Holy Word,
have envisioned the things which the Lord has in store
for all those who will meet Him on heaven’s shore.
A river like crystal and a Main Street of gold
are just some of the beauty that we will behold.
But, then, best of all, at last we will view—
our Savior, Jesus Christ, Faithful and True.
Though we face trials down here on this earth,
they’re nothing compared to heaven’s great worth.
You’re more than a conqueror—He gives you His grace,
both now and in eternity’s unfathomable place.

P. A. Oltrogge

“And I saw heaven opened; and behold, a white horse, and He who sat upon it is called Faithful and True; and in righteousness He judges and wages war.” Revelation 19:11 NASB

“The foundation stones of the city wall were adorned with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation stone was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald; the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprase; the eleventh, jacinth; the twelfth, amethyst. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: each one of the gates was a single pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass. And I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God, the Almighty, and the Lamb, are its temple. And the city has no need of the sun, or of the moon to shine upon it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb.” Revelation 21:19-23 NASB

“And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.” Revelation 22:1 KJV

“In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” John 14:2 KJV

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.” Romans 8:18-19 NKJV

“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:37-39 NKJV

I’m thinking today of Dodie Osteen, who despite their best efforts and prayers, lost her husband, John Osteen, the founder of Lakewood Church to illness. Yet she shares her faith in God’s desire and ability to heal in her booklet, “Healed of Cancer,” which was a major healing of her terminal liver cancer diagnosis. She’s also written an autobiography called, “If My Heart Could Talk” and a devotional book. These are available at http://www.lakewoodchurch.com

Photo/Pixabay

It is Well

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If you’ve been discouraged for a spell, then say, “It is well.”
Or if anxious and problems seem to swell, say, “It is well.”
For Christ is the Victor, and He’s passed that on to you.
Your words have power to see you through.
And cast all care upon your Lord.
Give thanks for the answers that He’ll afford.

When you’re doubtful with fears you need to quell, then say, “It is well.”
Or if dismayed ’cause bad news came to tell, say, “It is well.”
Remember the Shunammite woman, great confidence had she.
Elisha came to pray for her son, and God gave her the victory.
We may not have always seen such great things,
But we still look to our God from whom all hope springs.

And we’re growing in faith about each word,
‘Til opposing circumstances have heard–
Giving angels God’s Word on which to move,
For God desires His promises to prove.
Yes, we’re saying, “It will be well.”
Yes, it IS well!

Reference: the story of the Shunammite woman in II Kings 4; and after verse 20, when her son died–yet she said:

“…it shall be well.” verse 23

“…it is well.” verse 26

and her son was raised up. verses 33-37

P. A. Oltrogge

An inspiring true miracle of today where God Himself, by the Holy Spirit, said, “It is well…” in the second feature of the article.

https://www.awmi.net/blog/o-death-where-is-thy-sting/

The following scriptures remind about the importance of speaking in faith, (often in the midst of a “storm”). Our words of faith, especially through scriptural promises, and prayer can make a difference in a situation. And Jesus said to speak unto the mountain.

” 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 11:23-24 NKJV

“With the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach will be satisfied; he will be satisfied with the product of his lips. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Proverbs 18:20, 21

“He who guards his mouth and his tongue, guards his soul from troubles.”
Proverbs 21:23

“Are they (angels) not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” Hebrews 1:14

“…the mouth of the upright will deliver them.” Proverbs 12:6

“A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his words….” Proverbs 12:14

“…but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Proverbs 12:18

“The one who guards his mouth preserves his life….” Proverbs 13:3

“My son, give attention to My words; Incline your ear to My sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; for they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh.” Proverbs 4:20-22 NKJV

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

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the men of old gained approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.” Hebrews 11:1-3

“Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations), before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, so shall thy seed be.” Romans 4:16-18 KJV

“Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

“Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart.” Luke 18:1

Grace and Truth Came through Jesus Christ

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The Bible shares many different instances where Jesus healed–each one very compelling.  In Luke 14, we read of Jesus healing a man with “dropsy,” which is an old term used to describe abnormal swelling.

In coming for dinner to the home of a leader of the Pharisees, Jesus well knew…that healing would be considered “work” to them–which they believed that He, on a Sabbath, shouldn’t do.

So He first put the question to them–whether, on a Sabbath, healing was permitted in the law.  After they refused to answer, He touched the man who was afflicted with dropsy; and he received of healing virtue for that bodily flaw.

He sent the man away and asked those remaining a new question–as to which one of them wouldn’t do the same.  If on a Sabbath, their son or even their animal fell into a pit, wouldn’t he work to get him, or it, out, despite their “We don’t work on the Sabbath” claim?

In other recorded accounts, too, Jesus healed on a Sabbath day, showing what God, the Father, certainly permitted–which was always extending God’s love and compassion, to which He, the Son of God, was steadfastly committed.

P. A. Oltrogge

“And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.” John 1:16-18 NKJV

“Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and forget none of His benefits; Who pardons all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases.” Psalm 103:3 God’s Word states we are healed by Jesus’ stripes…He still heals today any type of malady or disorder.

“The commandments, ‘Never commit adultery; never murder; never steal; never have wrong desires,’ and every other commandment are summed up in this statement: ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’ Love never does anything that is harmful to a neighbor. Therefore, love fulfills Moses’ Teachings.

“You know the times in which we are living. It’s time for you to wake up. Our salvation is nearer now than when we first became believers.” Romans 13:9-11 GW

See the Biblical account of the good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37.

“If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also.” 1 John 4:20-21

“And He said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and foremost commandment. And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.’” Matthew 22:37-40

“Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill.” Matthew 5:17

“And He said to them, ‘The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.'” Mark 2:27-28

“But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed.”

Isaiah 53:5 NKJV

…praying for you daily, dear follower or friend of this blog… For further help, refer to http://www.awmi.net or http://www.govictory.com for prayer ministers via telephone.

Lessons Learned by the Life of Peter

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Though it’s a little longer than usual, the message by Dutch Sheets today is one well worth your time. And below is a previously posted poetic message about Peter for some who may not have read it.

http://www.dutchsheets.org (video)

http://www.givehim15.com (written)

As Simon Peter may have remembered…

I once said to the Master, Jesus, “Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man!” Yet, I was forgiven by Him and blessed to be a part of His Father’s redemptive plan.

I remember when Andrew came to me with some news that truly amazed–that by way of John the Baptist, he had found the Messiah, who was to be praised!

Jesus became our teacher, and we left our nets to follow Him. This meant leaving our daily livelihood, so we weren’t simply doing so on a whim.

No, we knew that this was big. We began to see many miracles taking place–miracles of healing, provision, and protection were wrought by Him, revealing to all God’s grace.

The lame, the blind, and the deaf were finding that the Master was always willing. We disciples saw Him calm the sea during a storm that had been frighteningly chilling.

Another time, faith arose within me to walk towards Him upon the sea. He quickly saved me from sinking below the depths when fear had gotten the better of me.

Once, Jesus took me with James and John on a destined mountain climb, where He was transfigured before us–Elijah and Moses appeared at the time.

I suggested that three tabernacles be built for each, not knowing just what to say. Then a cloud came around us with a message from God on that remarkable day.

It was the voice of His Father in heaven, telling us that this was His beloved Son, and that we should listen to Jesus–His raiment was white as no launderer could have done.

Just as quickly as it had begun, the experience ended and we were alone. We often could expect the unexpected–such was His ministry’s tone.

HIs raising of Lazarus from the dead wasn’t envisioned by any of us disciples, though. Imagine our reaction when we saw death reversed to loose Lazarus and let him go.

I once gave the Lord the use of my boat, for Him to minister from to those on shore…only to be given back the catch of a lifetime–He gave back to us always more!

“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God!” I declared to Him one day. He said His Father in heaven had revealed that truth to me about the Son, who had taught us all to pray.

At the Passover meal, I was taken aback when Jesus came to me to wash my feet. I allowed Him, though, for He said to be a part of Him, it was a duty I needed to let Him meet.

What a blessed remembrance, to have spent that time with the Lord in the upper room…before His betrayal and crucifixion and eventual resurrection from the tomb.

Of course, I felt remorse for my own denial of Him–my boasted loyalty and support having failed. But afterwards, I came to my senses, realizing that I was one…for whom, to the cross, He’d been nailed.

We disciples were so happy when He appeared to us after His glorious resurrection–and later were so glad to spread the news that Jesus is Lord…by the promised Spirit’s direction.

I loved to tell of Him throughout the following years and was always looking toward…that time of my reunion with Him, the Master and Teacher whom we all had adored.

P. A. Oltrogge