Monthly Archives: July 2023

A Christmas Card Kept

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A friend had sent me a Christmas card–an old-fashioned scene of a neighborhood with snow. It had just enough glitter to make the snow sparkle in what looked like a winter twilight’s glow.

Cardinals rested on greenery; and a village church was prominent in the picture, which reminded of the true meaning of Christmas–written inside was a scripture.

“The Lord will perfect that which concerns me. Your mercy, oh Lord, endures forever.” We are the works of His hands–Jesus promised to forsake us never.

We know that He will always stand by us–a great thought for all the year. The serenity of the village scene evoked assurance that, with God, there’s nothing to fear.

Sometimes I may want to retreat…to a nostalgic village like that pictured on the card. But I can remember the Lord is perfecting things for me, anytime that a day may seem hard.

P. A. Oltrogge

“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

“Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.” Psalm 100:3 NKJV

“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 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. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:12-17 NKJV

“…be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” from Hebrews 13:5 NKJV

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

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

“For You will light my lamp; The Lord my God will enlighten my darkness.” Psalm 18:28 NKJV

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105 NKJV

As this post brings thoughts of Christmas (in July!), I’ll also make mention of the book, Christmas on the Porch, which is available for some very early Christmas shopping through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and http://www.christianbook.com

You can find the new book, The Awe of God, by John Bevere, at those outlets. An interview with John by Sid Roth can be found in the archives at http://www.sidroth.org

Be blessed by today’s post at http://www.givehim15.com

A Week of Focusing on God’s Word

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This week, from July 31 through August 5, the Southwest Believer’s Convention will be taking place in Fort Worth, Texas. This event was begun many years ago by Kenneth and Gloria Copeland. Find details on the schedule of speakers at http://www.kcm.org

The Truth and Freedom Tour will be featured tonight at 7 p.m. Eastern time; 6 p.m. Central time. Click on “Watch” for ways to watch at http://www.kcm.org

The Great Commission Continues Today

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“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 NASB
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The Lord, Jesus Christ, is the same today as when He walked the earth as a man. Resurrection and restoration are definitely still a resounding part of God’s plan.

Jesus made blind eyes to see, and He also brought hearing to deaf ears. He was always willing to heal, and warned men not to give in to their fears.

He touched the lepers to make them feel loved, healing them by His command. Even upon the Sabbath He healed, such as for the man with a withered hand.

Jesus healed those with long-standing illnesses, obviously hearing the heart’s cry. All of this He did by the Spirit for His Father—being the obedient Son of the Most High.

He called His friend, Lazarus, out of the tomb, and He raised a widow’s son who had died. With “Talitha cumi,” He raised a young girl; and He Himself was raised after having been crucified.

“These signs shall follow those who believe,” He told His disciples in final exhortation. Laying hands on the sick for recovery was theirs to do, too—an awesome revelation.

Casting out devils, speaking with new tongues, were part of the great commission. So today, just as in the book of Acts, laying hands on the sick is still our assigned mission.

Jesus ascended to heaven thereafter. At His Father’s right hand, He took His seat. As believers today, we follow His example and that of the early disciples—enforcing the devil’s defeat. 

Lord, when circumstances say, “It’s impossible,” give us a boldness from Your throne—and a knowing that by the authority You’ve given us and by the power of the Holy Spirit, we are never acting alone!

P. A. Oltrogge

“Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Philippians 2:5-8 NASB

“Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated. And when they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted (that it was really He). Jesus came up and said to them, ‘All authority (all power of absolute rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations (help the people to learn of Me, believe in Me, and obey My words), baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always (remaining with you perpetually—regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion), even to the end of the age.'” Matthew 28:16-20 AMP

“Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.’

“So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.” Mark 16:14-20

“Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” words of Jesus in Luke 10:19

“A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is He who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” words of Jesus in John 14:19-21

“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.” …spoken by Jesus in John 15:5-8

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” Romans 8:14-15

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.  These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and seated Him at His right hand, in the heavenly places, FAR ABOVE all rule and authority and power and dominion and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in the one to come.  And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.”  Ephesians 1:18-23 NASB

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus, in order that in the ages to come, He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.  For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast.  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”  Ephesians 2:4-10 NASB

Scriptures: NKJV or as noted

Certainly, God can work through natural means, and we thank Him for those things; but may we grow in faith regarding seeing the supernatural power of God….regarding health, protection, or any matter of life.

Clarifying the Cliché

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by Pastor Christopher Alam, titled “God is in Control”

“GOD IS IN CONTROL” is a common Pentecostal cliché, but is He actually “in control”?

Yes, He is in control when it comes to the things in the universe that He has set into motion. The way the planets revolve around the sun, the way the earth rotates on its axis, etc. He is in control of the seasons, and the rhythm of nature, etc.

God is also in control when we obey Him, when He tells us to do the following…

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you”. 1 Peter 5:7

AND

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths”. Proverbs 3:5-6

AND

“Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved”. Psalm 55:22

But there are times when He is NOT exactly “in control.” Those are the times when He wants to use US, as His people, to take control and authority over situations. He tells US to stand on His Word and take authority over demons, diseases, and circumstances, or when He tells US to speak to the storm and command it to be still. Those are the times when He takes control, but He does so through our obedience, our faith, our speaking His Name and His Word, and through our exercising our authority as believers.

NOT exercising this authority, or NOT standing in faith and in prayer, but passively sitting down, doing nothing, and just saying “God is in Control” means absolutely zero or nothing. All it does is to hand over control of our situation to the evil one.

When God stirs us to pray, take authority and speak His Word, let us always respond to Him in faith. Let us stand strong and proclaim the victory of Jesus Christ over the devil. Let us cast our cares upon the Lord. That is when we hand over the reins to Him!

When we stand strong in faith, we shall find that God is always there with us. He always moves with the man or woman who moves!

Originally posted on Facebook by Pastor Christopher Alam

Visit http://www.dynamisworldministries.com and find more of his articles on the blog.

Easy to Share

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“Come, as a Little Child,” is one of the posts on the Porch of the Lord, which contains a plea on recognizing and receiving Jesus as one’s Lord and Savior.

I know that many of the Porch of the Lord blog followers have done that, praise God, and are Christians already; but I would like to say that if you feel so led, please feel free to forward such a post to others, or post on Facebook any such message, for the sake of those who may not yet have made that all-important decision. The scriptures on the posts are of highest value.

Thank you. Sorry that the post today listed an incorrect date….

Have a very blessed day on this July 27th!

P. A. Oltrogge

“You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11

Come, as a Little Child

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“And Jesus called a little child unto Him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, ‘Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.’” Matthew 18:2-5 (KJV)

A heart that is very tender, like that of a little child, is needed to perceive God’s chosen Lamb, who was perfect and undefiled.

Sweetly, Jesus came, long ago, as a baby on the hay; and, tenderly, He calls to each person yet today, to recognize God’s pathway to the Way, the Truth, and the Life, for eternity and, also, in this present world of strife.

Jesus laid down His life on a cross, and rose again so that we can be free, to draw from His strength in our own lives, helping others to also see–that they can be restored, to a heavenly Father who is gracious, to lead them in this life and then to a heaven, fair and spacious.

There will be room there for any person, who, like a little child, took…the gift freely offered by Jesus Christ, as recorded in God’s Holy Book.

Remember, please, its warning–not to be too “wise,” but to take of the offer that is proper in His Father’s eyes. Harden not your heart, for you’re meant to be relieved, of search for Truth by any other, than by Christ, in whom we’ve believed.

P. A. Oltrogge

“That is why the Holy Spirit says, ‘Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled, when they tested me in the wilderness. There your ancestors tested and tried my patience, even though they saw my miracles for forty years.’” Hebrews 3:7-9 NLT

“So God set another time for entering his rest, and that time is today. God announced this through David much later in the words already quoted: ‘Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts.’” Hebrews 4:7 NLT

“Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” spoken by Jesus in Matthew 11:28 NASB

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:5-7 KJV

“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” John 17:17 KJV

“And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 NKJV

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones.” Proverbs 3:5-8 NKJV

“Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them. Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’ When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.” Matthew 19:13-14 NIV

“Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world.  And this is the victory that has overcome the world–our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” 1 John 5:1-5 NKJV

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23 NKJV

The Shepherd’s Voice

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…the sheep listen to his (the Shepherd’s) voice and heed it; and he calls his own sheep by name and brings (leads) them out.  John 10:3, AMPC

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I once saw a film clip about a shepherd of today. It showed an imposter calling for the sheep to come his way.

But the sheep went on grazing, just as if they couldn’t hear. Then their true shepherd called. His voice, to them, was clear.

It was amazing to watch them immediately flock to his side. Likewise, we flock to our true Shepherd, protector, and guide.

At times, a voice that is dangerous will come to us in disguise. But the voice of our Shepherd, Jesus, and His truths make us wise.

P. A. Oltrogge

“And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” John 10:4-5

“I am the good shepherd; and I know my sheep, and I am known by my own.” John 10:14 

“…For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” Hebrews 13:5

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” Psalm 23:1-3

“The wise in heart will receive commands….” Proverbs 10:8 

“The law of the wise is a fountain of life, To turn one away from the snares of death.” Proverbs 13:14 

“But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.” Matthew 25:4

Recommendations on this topic, available at: http://www.rhema.org

If you’ve missed knowing of or learning from the ministry of Kenneth E. Hagin, you can learn more through the above website, as well as through some You Tube videos posted. His testimony of healing has been a great encouragement to many. Keith Moore, whose website was referenced yesterday, served in Kenneth Hagin’s ministry for many years before he launched his own ministry.

Incline Your Ear to His Word

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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.
Keep your heart with all diligence,
For out of it spring the issues of life.
Put away from you a deceitful mouth,
And put perverse lips far from you. Proverbs 4:20-24

Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? “Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:7-9

The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold,
Yea, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
Moreover by them Your servant is warned,
And in keeping them there is great reward. Psalm 19:9-11

Let God’s Word permeate your thoughts and your own speech. Find the help you need through ministries mentioned on this blog that take you through principles of the Word. One such ministry, with much teaching free of charge, is http://www.faithschool.org

Today’s message, also, is very encouraging at http://www.givehim15.com

Every Morning, Every Moment

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“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 3:22-23 RSV

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Various translations of the Bible may state a scripture in a slightly different way. Regarding the verse above, here’s what I sometimes like to think or say…

His mercies are new every moment, for He will never forsake me. To me, that’s good to recall always–that His goodness and mercy overtake me…

You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You–another encouraging verse–especially when we’ve done all that we can possibly do.

Cast your burden upon the Lord, whether it’s large or small. We belong to the faithful Good Shepherd, on Whom we’re (at all times) privileged to call.

P. A. Oltrogge

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

“Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah” Psalm 62:8

“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7

“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 understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

“…For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.'” Hebrews 13:5

“Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” Matthew 1:23 KJV

“Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.” Psalm 55:22 NASB

“What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered.” Matthew 10:29-30 NLT

“I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.” John 10:14

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.” Psalm 23 KJV

“Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing.
Know that the Lord, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
For the Lord is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations.” Psalm 100

“I love the Lord, because He has heard my voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, Therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live.” Psalm 116:1-2

What a wonderful blessing it is to pray, for our own concerns and for those of others, along life’s way….

Scriptures: NKJV or as noted

Stronger…on Your Knees

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by LuAnn Mudrak
Guest Contributor

I’m reading this devotion today about being stronger on my knees. It’s an interesting devotion by Phebe Gamata Crismo from the Philippines.

Having put all five of us children and all our belongings into the cart, my father helped my mother get onto the carabao (water buffalo) and led us back to his church assignment about five kilometers across the river. It was raining hard, and the trail was muddy, knee-deep in some places. Father prodded the carabao to go faster because we had to cross the river before it became impassable. Going up the riverbank on the steep and slippery trail was difficult. Suddenly, my younger brother cried out, “Father, look! The carabao is kneeling. It can’t pull us up anymore!” Father looked back at us in the cart. “Don’t worry, son. The carabao is strongest when it kneels.”

I watched the carabao as it struggled on the slippery trail one step at a time. It would stop, kneel, strain, get up slowly and pull, until we were over the top. The carabao’s strength came from kneeling, just as Father had said. Each time it knelt, it pulled us up farther and faster.

That was many years ago. I often think of the carabao as I pass through difficult times in my personal life. I, too, have discovered extraordinary strength when I get down on my knees.

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Now I’ve only seen pictures of a water buffalo. They are very large animals and, obviously, very strong. I can’t imagine, first of all, wading across a river with five children and belongings. I can’t imagine doing it in the pouring rain. I can’t imagine trusting a large animal to get all of us up the other side. Wouldn’t you worry that the animal would lose its footing and we’d all roll into the water? That would be my first thought.

The Father was an amazing example of trust in God and that animal. He knew the animal would kneel down and keep going, muddy, rainy or not. Can we do that in our lives? Can we trust the God we kneel down to pray to? Can we trust the God who will get us through even the rainy times in life?

The verse attached to this devotion is Daniel 6:10 “Daniel knelt down, prayed, and praised his God three times (each) day.” Some days, God is lucky to hear from me one time a day. There isn’t a legitimate reason to forget about Him. I just do. It’s easy to go to Him with problems but not as easy to praise Him. I have much to be thankful for. All of us do. 

So, today, think about that carabao and the strength it had as long as it went to its knees. Realize that nothing is impossible with God—NOTHING. Praise Him for all you have and all He will provide.