Monthly Archives: February 2023

Hearts Need to “Hear”

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…photo/Pixabay

It is good to give thanks to the Lord,
And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;
To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning,
And Your faithfulness every night… Psalm 92:1-2

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

“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

“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

“And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” …from 1 Corinthians 13

“I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:35

Be blessed at http://www.josephprince.org where you will be reminded that you are highly favored and deeply loved by God.

…and a few of the many outreaches of the love of God:

http://www.samaritanspurse.org
http://www.operationblessing.org
http://www.danitaschildren.org


Psalm 91, an Oasis in These Times

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He who dwells in the shelter of the Most high will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!”

For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper, and from the deadly pestilence.

He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.

You will not be afraid of the terror by night, or of the arrow that flies by day;

Of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, or of the destruction that lays waste at noon.

A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not approach you.

You will only look on with your eyes, and see the recompense of the wicked.

For you have made the Lord, my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place.

No evil will befall you, nor will any plague come near your tent.

For He will give His angels charge concerning you, to guard you in all your ways.

They will bear you up in their hands, lest you strike your foot against a stone.

You will tread upon the lion and cobra, the young lion and the serpent you will trample down,

Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name.

He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him, and honor him.

With a long life I will satisfy him, and let him behold My salvation.

Ein Gedi Oasis, Israel
Photo/Unsplash

A Slight Difference

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In putting together yesterday’s post, I should have used a different word in a particular instance. In the post, the following was shared:

“I am not afraid; I only believe…”
After I pray, I believe I receive.

In wanting to convey faith once we’ve prayed, one could use the word “after;” however, Jesus did say, “when” you pray, which was emphasized in bold on the post.

“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.”  said by Jesus in Mark 11:23-25 NKJV

So it’s important to see that at the very moment of prayer, we’re to believe we receive our answer. “After” is acceptable, too, but it might be better to say then that “After I pray, I believe I’ve received.”

Though it’s just a slight difference, it’s been changed on the blog site to “When.” And it’s hoped that this mention of the difference will further emphasize the importance of believing we receive right when we first make our request, which helps us to stay confident during the test of time.

“I am not afraid; I only believe…”
When I pray, I believe I receive.

P. A. Oltrogge

Walk by Faith, Talk by Faith

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…and whatever you do, or task you take up, do it by faith in God, for “the just shall live by faith!”

…photo/Porch of the Lord

…from the account of the raising up of the daughter of Jairus…

“When He was still speaking, someone came from the house of the synagogue official, saying, ‘Your daughter has died; do not trouble the Teacher any more.’ But when Jesus heard this, he answered him, ‘Do not be afraid any longer, only believe, and she will be made well.’” Luke 8:49-50 NASB

“I am not afraid; I only believe…”
When I pray, I believe I receive.

“I am not afraid; I only believe…”
By speaking in faith, worries are relieved.

“I am not afraid; I only believe…”
overcomes any fears that the devil may weave.

If a matter hasn’t yet come to its desired perfection,
just say, “Everything is headed in the right direction.”

Even if it seems as if all hope is gone,
remember the Lord’s mercies are new at every dawn.

Trusting God has heard and will answer your prayers,
cast upon Him, every one of your cares.

P. A. Oltrogge

“For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” Romans 1:17 KJV

“So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:6-7 NKJV

It follows that if we walk by faith, we also talk by faith! Though that’s not always easy, if faced with challenging circumstances, it’s greatly beneficial, according to the Word of God:

“The mouth of a righteous man is a fountain of life….” Proverbs 10:11 NASB

“A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man’s hands shall be rendered unto him.” Proverbs 12:14 KJV

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

“Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and healing to the bones.” Proverbs 16:24 NASB

“A man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth; from the produce of his lips he shall be filled. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Proverbs 18:20-21 NKJV

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

“But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope. The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:21-23 RSV

“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all you care upon him, for he careth for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7 KJV

“Fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 RSV

“The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, oh Lord, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands.” Psalm 138:8 NKJV

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 KJV

“Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:4 NKJV

“So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God.” Mark 11:22 NKJV

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6 NKJV

“I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4 NIV

“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” Luke 6:38 NKJV

“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.” said by Jesus in Mark 11:23-25 NKJV

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith…” from Hebrews 12:2 KJV

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” …spoken by Jesus in John 16:33 NKJV

Quote by Kenneth Copeland:
“Fear tolerated is faith contaminated.”

Excellent book, “Faith to Faith”
available at http://www.kcm.org

See also http://www.faithschool.org with Keith Moore

Soar by faith:

“But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31 NKJV

Porch Correction

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Many of you already realized the error, failing to add “.com,” but the websites of Dutch Sheets are:

http://www.dutchsheets.org (video)

http://www.givehim15.com (written)

…a few faith confessions, as a believer:

I have the victory through Jesus, God’s Son…
Inside me is the power of the Greater One!

Death and life are in the power of the tongue…
Songs of praise and of victory are the songs to be sung!

Whatever I bind or loose on earth is bound or loosed in heaven above.
Worries are defeated–fear is cast out, because of God’s perfect love!

I’m strong in the Lord and in the power of His might…
His power works within me each day and every night.

I put on the whole armor of God, but what I look towards…
is the fact that every battle is the Lord’s!

The Word, Jesus’ name and His blood–these three…
keep me, indeed, permanently “set free”!

____________________

“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 

“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4

“Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.” 1 Samuel 17:47

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen” Ephesians 3:20-21 

“But Jesus looked at them and said to them, ‘With men this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible.'” Matthew 19:26

“Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” said by Jesus in Matthew 18:18-20

“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.” Ephesians 6:10-11

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” …spoken by Jesus in John 16:33

“And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” John 8:35-36

“Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:17-19


The Life of God in You

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“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 have been crucified with Christ; 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 for me.” Galatians 2:20 

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

Perhaps you’ve heard these words from the Christian song, “I’ve Got the Life of God in Me”…

I’ve got the life of God in me…

I’ve got the life of God in me…

I’ve got His life, His nature, and His ability…

I’ve got the life of God in me!

(The song continues, supplementing the word, “life” with the additional words of “joy,” “faith,” “love,” “peace,” and “strength.” It can be found on You Tube, as sung by the Rhema Singers and Band.)

God goes with His children wherever they go. He gave us Jesus, for He loved us so.

Being confident of His presence, we live our lives. Through His Word, prayer, and indwelling Spirit, the believer thrives!

P. A. Oltrogge

“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 14:16-17

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.

“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” John 15:1-12

“…for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’” Acts 17:28

“But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” Romans 8:11

“I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Psalm 34:1

Matthew 1:23; Acts 4:10; Acts 17:28; Romans 6:4; Hebrews 13:5

Scriptures New King James Version

Dutch Sheets continues his study of Gilgal, redemption, and the cross today at: http://www.givehim15

God and Country

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What every country needs is leadership by those who do pray–
and that would also be those who follow what the Bible has to say.
The beginning of wisdom, it states, comes by the fear of the Lord;
therefore, leaders of any country should want Him to be on board.

So, as we pray for the U.S.A., we intercede for God’s protection
from our enemies and from legislation that wouldn’t be of His direction.
We pray that the light of Christ will shine into every person’s heart–
especially those in leadership roles, so that our liberties won’t depart.

P. A. Oltrogge

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments.  His praise endures forever.”  Psalm 111:10 NKJV; also Proverbs 1:7 and Proverbs 9:10

“Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”
2 Corinthians 3:17 NKJV

The following were the words of Dwight D. Eisenhower at his first Presidential inauguration in 1953: 

My friends, before I begin the expression of those thoughts that I deem appropriate to this moment, would you permit me the privilege of uttering a little private prayer of my own. And I ask that you bow your heads.

“Almighty God, as we stand here at this moment, my future associates in the executive branch of government join me in beseeching that Thou will make full and complete our dedication to the service of the people in this throng, and their fellow citizens everywhere. Give us, we pray, the power to discern clearly right from wrong, and allow all our words and actions to be governed thereby, and by the laws of this land. Especially we pray that our concern shall be for all the people regardless of station, race, or calling. May cooperation be permitted and be the mutual aim of those who, under the concepts of our Constitution, hold to differing political faiths, so that all may work for the good of our beloved country and Thy glory. Amen.” 

During his first term, Eisenhower signed the federal law inserting the phrase “under God” into the Pledge of Allegiance. Why? According to Eisenhower: In this way we are reaffirming the transcendence of religious faith in America’s heritage and future: In this way we shall constantly strengthen those spiritual weapons which forever will be our country’s most powerful resource in peace and war.

For his second inauguration, Eisenhower was actually sworn in twice. Because the legally designated inaugural day fell on a Sunday, Ike refused to have a public ceremony; the official oath was administered to him on the Sabbath in private. The following day, however, he had a public ceremony and was sworn in (again) before large crowds at the Capitol, taking his oath on his West Point Bible as he had at his first inauguration.

Info on President Eisenhower from: http://www.Wallbuilders.com

Dutch Sheets has “A Word of Hope” today, with insight on Gilgal, at:

http://www.givehim15.com

Called to forgive, to love, to serve…

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What have you called me to, dear Lord?
You’ve called me to live in one accord
with You, my God, and with my fellow man.
To this I’m called—it’s Your “new command.”

To forgive, to love, and, of course, to serve…
to encourage and to bless ‘round every curve
in traveling the path on which You lead.
To this I’m called, in both word and deed.

P. A. Oltrogge

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

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

“And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, ‘If anyone desires to be first, he should be last of all and servant of all.’” Mark 9:35 

“And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.” Mark 11:25-26

“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:23-25

“‘So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?’ And he said, ‘He who showed mercy on him.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’” Luke 10:36-37

“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 25:40

“And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13

Serving through prayer:

“Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months.” James 5:16-17

“But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” Jesus’ words from Matthew 6, where He goes on to share “The Lord’s Prayer”

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

(All scriptures NKJV)

Parable of the Good Samaritan: Luke 10:25-37; Acts 2:1 and 46 (“with one accord”); Matthew 5:43-48; Matthew 25:31-46; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

for opportunities to serve/support: http://www.samaritanspurse.org

…one’s local church, or other ministries previously mentioned on this blog or of which you’re aware, as the Lord leads…

The Creator versus the Atheists

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Even within a city or out on a rural farm, we’re blessed to always enjoy the vast creation’s charm.

To say, then, as some do, that there is no God, is a kind of blindness that seems, to me, so odd.

For there are many masterpieces on which our eyes can feast–from the starting of a snowfall to the landscape when it’s ceased.

From the city to the beauty of the peaceful countryside, the signature of the Creator is something atheists cannot hide.

P. A. Oltrogge

“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities–his eternal power and divine nature–have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” Romans 1:20 NIV

“For he (God the Father) has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son (Jesus) he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible….” Colossians 1:13-16 NIV written by the apostle Paul to the Christians in Colossae

A Very Present Help

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“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
Psalm 46:1 KJV

…in these times, this Bible account is a powerful one to recall…about our very present help in trouble….

Troubles come to all of us, trials are an unsolicited part of life;

but there is One who is a very present help in the midst of any kind of strife.

He’s not only present, but He’s VERY present amidst things which can be dire–

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, remember, weren’t burned though engulfed by fire.
__________

The men had refused to worship the gold idol, as King Nebuchadnezzar had decreed–

Such a decree to these men of faith was something they simply wouldn’t heed.

Anyone who disobeyed would be cast into a fiery furnace that had been stoked very hot–

At the sound of the horn, flute, harp, or lyre, all were to bow down, but these
three men would not.
__________

Called before the king, he gave them another chance to obey, but they bravely made it clear…

that their God could deliver them; yet if not, they served Him only and had nothing to fear. 

Then, thrown into the furnace, divine intervention left them without even the smell of fire–

Their hair wasn’t singed, nor their clothes affected, because no other “god” was higher.
__________

In the midst of the fiery furnace, a fourth “Man” had appeared, among the other three.

His appearance was “like the Son of God;” and He’d loosed them and had set the men free.

Though they’d initially been bound together, Nebuchadnezzar saw them unhurt and walking separately around–

This miraculous event became proof to him that there was no God but theirs to be found.
__________

God has promised to be our sure refuge, whom we can run to for shelter from any storm–

If the “winds” of life become threatening or cold, under His wings, we’ll be protected and warm.

He’s the strength upon which we’ve come to depend; and we’re blessed by the love He supplies.

Keep looking to Jesus, your very present help. In every circumstance, that will prove to be wise.

P. A. Oltrogge

(The poetic account is derived from Daniel 3)

…trials sometimes come, but confidence in God’s love and care for us (Psalm 91) and the presence of His Holy Spirit within strengthen those who believe….

Jesus said, “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not behold Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you, and will be in you.” John 14:16-17 (and through 26)

Acts 1:8 and Acts 2:1-4