Author Archives: porchofthelord

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

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“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

“Then Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate said to them, ‘Behold the Man!’ Therefore, when the chief priests and officers saw Him, they cried out, saying, ‘Crucify Him, crucify Him!’ Pilate said to them, ‘You take Him and crucify Him, for I find no fault in Him.'” John 19:5-6

“He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins…..For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.” Colossians 1:13-14 and 19-20

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.

See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.

by Isaac Watts, published 1707

“When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, ‘Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.'” spoken by Jesus in Mark 8:34-35

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” by Jesus in Matthew 5:14-16

“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His 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 of works, lest anyone 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

“Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Galatians 3:24-29

“These things that I once considered valuable, I now consider worthless for Christ. It’s far more than that! I consider everything else worthless because I’m much better off knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. It’s because of him that I think of everything as worthless. I threw it all away in order to gain Christ and to have a relationship with him. This means that I didn’t receive God’s approval by obeying his laws. The opposite is true! I have God’s approval through faith in Christ. This is the approval that comes from God and is based on faith that knows Christ. Faith knows the power that his coming back to life gives and what it means to share his suffering. In this way I’m becoming like him in his death, with the confidence that I’ll come back to life from the dead.” Philippians 3:7-11 (GW)

Scriptures NKJV or as noted

Be blessed by the video messages at: http://www.josephprince.org

Photo used with permission: Jumonville Cross

I Am Blessed

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“Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they may obey us, we direct their entire body as well. Behold the ships, also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder, wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. Behold how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity, the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.” James 3:3-6

Like a bit in a horse’s mouth directs a horse on a trail’s way,
or as a rudder turns a ship around out upon a bay,
So our words, says the Bible, create good or bad,
affecting whether we’re happy or whether we’re sad.

Three words that you can use to fight a melancholy spirit
are, “I am blessed!” Say it out loud, so your own ears hear it!
To start your day with these three words will get you on the proper track;
just don’t let circumstances cause you to take them back.

Speaking words of faith when things seem to be adverse
are that bit or rudder needed to enforce victory over the curse.
Though the tongue is small, the Bible refers to it as being like a fire,
so set it on the course of all the good that you desire!

“I am blessed!” charges the atmosphere with God’s power and light,
and leaves no room for the powers that would bring darkness and blight.
Agreement with a friend or spouse can be a powerful thing–
Just think what agreement with Almighty God Himself can bring!

So remember, “I am blessed!” when your life seems to need a lift;
such words and the promises of God can cause anything to shift!

P. A. Oltrogge

It’s been a while since the above was written. It may not always be easy or necessarily yield quick results; but the more we practice it, the stronger we can grow in it. It definitely is right to keep our thoughts and speech in agreement with God’s Word. Visit http://www.cappsministries.com for the book, The Tongue, A Creative Force.

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

“You will also decree a thing, and it will be established for you; and light will shine on your ways.” Job 22:28

“A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are the snare of his soul.” Proverbs 18:7

“Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it shall be granted him.” Mark 11:23 (See also 24-26 on forgiving.)

“The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” Proverbs 16:9

“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

“I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the Lord; and I will heal him.” Isaiah 57;19 (KJV)

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

“…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

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

Other scripture references: Proverbs 14:3, Proverbs 15:2, 4, Proverbs 16:23 and Psalm 91

“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.” Proverbs 3:5-6

“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” 2 Peter 1:2-4

“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

“…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)

Photos/Pixabay (top) and Porch of the Lord (bottom)

If I Loved You…

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“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 14:34-36

If I loved you, I would speak of the One who made earth, the stars, sun and moon…
If I loved you, I’d say, though we don’t know when, Jesus could return for us soon.

If I loved you, I would tell you to realize that there’s more than this life only…
If I loved you, I would tell you, you have “family”–we need never be lonely.

If I loved you, I would encourage you to find a church online or locally…
If I loved you, I would tell you it’s a blessing to give your heart to Jesus totally.

If I loved you, I would tell of the great importance of loving and forgiving others,
for Jesus said that those who hear and do God’s word are His mother and brothers.

If I loved you, I’d encourage you to give into God’s kingdom and reap rewards…
present and eternal ones, for the principle of “sowing and reaping” is the Lord’s.

If I loved you, I’d say that Christ is the only way to God that anyone can find…
If I loved you, I’d say that you must leave all inadequate religious traditions behind.

If I loved you, I would say that you can pray and experience Jesus, too…
If I loved you, I’d say to turn to Him as Savior–the most important thing you can do.

If I loved you, I wouldn’t let another day go by without making sure that I know…
that you’re coming along with all who are in the “family of God,” for I DO love you so!

…as, with deepest love, does God….

“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.” John 3:16

“We love Him because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19

“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ, (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His 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 of works, lest anyone 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

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.'” John 14:6

“And it was told Him by some, who said, ‘Your mother and brothers are standing outside, desiring to see You.’ But He answered and said to them, ‘My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.'” Luke 8:20-21

“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in His love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. This is my command: Love each other.” John 15:9-17 NLT

“Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 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 6:37-38

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” Matthew 5:43-48

“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

“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all….” 1 Timothy 2:1-5

“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 5:3-5

“He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.'” Mark 16:15-16 NIV

“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work…..He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming quickly.’ Amen. Come Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.” Revelation 22:12, 20-21

Also: John 14:1-6; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Are there people we know in our lives, who come and go, but we haven’t yet fully shared with them of their need to personally know Jesus? We truly love them by sharing about Him….

Poem/P. A. Oltrogge

Visit http://www.davidjeremiah.org and/or http://www.davidjeremiah.blog

Scriptures: NKJV or as noted

Photo/Pixabay

Faith in God and His Word

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“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ….” Ephesians 1:3

When Despair is the sad song that the devil has been strumming,
remember you have God’s Word that His answers are forthcoming.

Regarding your prayer request, you have the answer NOW, in fact.
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for”–the answer is intact.

Faith is “the evidence of things not seen…”
The Lord is your Shepherd, and His pastures are green.

P. A. Oltrogge

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1

“And Peter, remembering, said to Him, ‘Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.’ So Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Have faith in God. 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 11:21-24…(and verses 25, 26 on the importance of having forgiven when you pray)

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures….” Psalm 23:1-2

“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue….” 2 Peter 1:2-3

“Jesus said to him, ‘If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.'” Mark 9:23

“Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.‘” Mark 10:27

At http://www.awmi.net you can go to “Resources,” then “Popular Teachings,” to find Andrew Wommack’s message, You’ve Already Got It! His book of the same title is available at the site’s store, along with many other insightful teachings/books, CDs, etc. And if you’ve never received Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, click on “Receive Jesus.”

A Journal–Sending a Thank You Note to God

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Something anyone could consider doing…

A friend has kept a daily journal of thanksgiving to God now for, at least, ten years. And, in her life, she’s seen many blessings and has gained freedom from unfounded fears.

I agree wholeheartedly on thanking the Lord but haven’t always been so diligent to record thanks on a daily basis. But in this world of negatives that often bombard us, keeping a journal of blessings can be an oasis.

It truly is respectful of God’s faithfulness and causes us to see beyond things that are dark. A thanksgiving journal can be begun anytime, the Lord appreciating any written, thankful remark.

P. A. Oltrogge

“Oh come, let us sing to the Lord!
Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving;
Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.” Psalm 95:1-2

“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving. And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.” Psalm 100:4

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.” Colossians 3:15

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Scriptures New King James Version

Photos/Unsplash

The One Who Sent Jesus

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Photo/Unsplash
Dom Kyrka, Uppsala, Sweden

When you believe in Jesus Christ and have settled that He’s the God who is true,
you will not simply be believing in Him, but in the One who has sent Him, too.
Jesus came into the world as God’s Light, so that darkness would be dispelled–
that none should miss knowing their God, nor have their salvation withheld.

God desires to be a loving Father to all, but His justness will require judgment one day;
Jesus did not come to judge but to save, and to teach us to be followers of His Way.
All Jesus ever said or that He did, were things only from His Father that He’d heard.
A blessed life now and eternally are the gifts of which a Christian can be assured.

P. A. Oltrogge

“Jesus shouted to the crowds, ‘If you trust me, you are trusting not only me, but also God who sent me. For when you see me, you are seeing the one who sent me. I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark. I will not judge those who hear me but don’t obey me, for I have come to save the world and not to judge it. But all who reject me and my message will be judged on the day of judgment by the truth I have spoken. I don’t speak on my own authority. The Father who sent me has commanded me what to say and how to say it. And I know His commands lead to eternal life; so I say whatever the Father tells Me to say.’” John 12:44-50 (NLT)

“Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.” Hebrews 9:27-28 (NIV)

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” John 5:24 (NKJV)

“I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came so that they would have life, and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” John 10:9-11 (NASB)

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (NASB)

“Philip said to Him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.’” John 14:8-10 (NKJV)

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

In His Presence

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To Our Great God…

At Pentecost, your Spirit came, with the sound of a rushing mighty wind.
The Comforter comes to believers yet today, a promise you’ll never rescind.

Often, your presence is apparent through a reassuring, inner voice.
When problems threaten to overwhelm, you encourage us still to rejoice.

You’re blessed by the praises of your people…bless the Lord, oh my soul.
I’m thankful you’ve said that on you, dear Lord, all of my cares, I can roll.

It’s good to abide in your presence, for there’s fullness of joy therein.
Thank you for provision and healing, as well as for forgiving our sin.

We praise you for your creative ability, for the beauty of bird and flower,
the mountains and other majestic things that speak to us of your power.

We’re so blessed you desire to visit with us, as you did first with Adam and Eve. All that you require of us to meet with you, Father, is to believe in your Son and receive.

P. A. Oltrogge

“‘Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him, the Father, God, has set His seal.’ Therefore they said to Him, ‘What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?’ Jesus answered and said to them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.’” John 6:27-29 NASB

“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him; but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” Words of Jesus in John 14:16-17 KJV

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:26-27 KJV

“And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Acts 2:2-4 NKJV

“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 NKJV

No Accident

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…just a little encouragement regarding the many trails we all take each day….

We can apply our faith against accidents (of any kind) on any given day. On this, I appreciate the words that a wise minister of faith had to say.

He told how his mother had worried for his safety, as he traveled on the road;
but he, himself, did not, for he’d given over to the Lord that worry load.

Then, he told her that God’s Word had become such a part of him,
that he trusted it completely—no fear could cause his faith in it to dim.

He relied on Psalm 91 as he traveled in ministry throughout the nation;
and, “No accident shall overtake thee,” he’d heard, was a Swedish translation.

I don’t personally know that language, but it seems like the truth to me.
To declare that, agrees with my Bible, which says, “There shall no evil befall thee!”

Sure, we’ve all heard of accidents sustained by others or ourselves to some degree, but it’s logical that our loving God would want us to live lives that are accident-free.

We also read (Proverbs 21:31) the declaration that “Safety is of the Lord.”
We can claim the covering of Jesus’ blood and use God’s Word, the trusted sword.

Of course, we should be listening for guidance from the Lord as we go throughout the week. It’s by the inward witness (peace to proceed or not) that He will often speak.

So whether we’re at home or are away—whether in the air, on land or sea or in a storm—let’s keep our faith out for the protection that God and His angels are so well able to perform.

P. A. Oltrogge

“Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?” Hebrews 1:13-14 NKJV

“For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.”
Psalm 91:11 NKJV (And all of Psalm 91)

“The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the Lord.” Proverbs 21:31 KJV (also “victory” in other Bible translations)

Because we’ve all heard of accidents, some very serious, it was easy to hesitate about posting this. But the thought was that perhaps we can all learn to be more trusting in this area. If, for whatever reason, an accident was in your past, don’t let fear of such cloud the future, but focus on God’s Word….

The Lord bless you and keep you…

The minister referenced in this poem was Kenneth E. Hagin,
Founder, Rhema Bible Church and Rhema Bible Training College, Tulsa, OK.

Angels on Assignment

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The delicate beauty of this Queen Anne’s Lace
was designed by the Lord, who gives amazing grace…
Those who make Jesus their Lord, gain the gift of salvation;
and angels are assigned to minister to them in every nation.

When Joseph, betrothed to the virgin Mary, learned that she was pregnant, a situation troubling for him to understand,

an angel in a dream revealed to him that the child had been conceived by the Holy Spirit, for the Savior’s birth, which God had planned.

At Jesus’ birth, in Bethlehem, then, the skies were filled with rejoicing angels of great number,

appearing to shepherds, keeping watch over their flock, amid people’s nighttime slumber.

Again, in a dream, an angel spoke to Joseph, to flee to Egypt to escape Herod’s attack,

until he would tell him, at a later time, when and where it would be safe for them to come back.

As an adult, and after His baptism by John, Jesus experienced a time of temptation.

He fasted in the wilderness and withstood the devil’s taunts. Then angels ministered to Him after its duration.

Much later, at prayer in Gethsemane’s garden, Jesus began to feel very great distress

about fulfilling His Father’s will at the cross. So His Father sent an angel there to bless,

strengthen, and comfort Him…as the time for His trial and crucifixion had begun to loom.

Perhaps the angel reminded Jesus that He would be raised up—in victory over the tomb.

Scripture states that Jesus endured the cross because, ahead, He could see the joy—

He would be loved as our Redeemer…from the devil’s works, which He had come to destroy.

Upon His resurrection, heaven sent angels to greet early mourners at the tomb’s site,

to tell them that Jesus had been raised from the dead, dispelling any sorrow they’d had or fright.

Then, we read in Acts, of when Simon Peter, the Lord’s disciple, had been wrongfully jailed,

that God sent an angel to work a jailbreak, proving that Peter’s brethren’s prayers hadn’t failed.

And the apostle, Paul, was on a ship to Rome, sailing in a turbulent storm at sea—

when an angel appeared to him with a message, that no loss of life would there be.

Angels are noted throughout scripture. They minister to the heirs of salvation.

As believers, we are recipients of their aid, and they serve throughout every nation.

I thank the Lord for their service, for their presence as we walk life’s many trails.

I can think of times past when I sensed their protection. Through faith, prayer, and their help, God’s Kingdom never fails.

P. A. Oltrogge

References: Matthew 1:18-24; Matthew 2; Luke 2:1-20; Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:9-12; Luke 22:41-44; Hebrews 12:2; 1 John 3:8; Matthew 28:1-10; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-12; John 20:11-13; Acts 12; Acts 27:23-25; Hebrews 1:13-14

“I sought the Lord and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears…
The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them.” Psalm 34:4, 7 NKJV

“Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.” Psalm 103:20 KJV

“Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, You are very great: You are clothed with honor and majesty, Who cover yourself with light as with a garment, Who stretch out the heavens like a curtain. He lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters, Who makes the clouds His chariot, Who walks on the wings of the wind, Who makes His angels spirits, His ministers a flame of fire.” Psalm 104:1-4 NKJV

“Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ, the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.’” Luke 2:10-12 NKJV

“Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven. For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.” Matthew 18:10-11 NKJV

“…looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2 NKJV

”He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3:8 NKJV

“Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?” Hebrews 1:13-14 NKJV

“For He shall give His angels charge over you , to keep you in all your ways.” Psalm 91:11 NKJV

“Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; Praise Him in the heights! Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts! Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him, all you stars of light!” Psalm 148:1-3 NKJV

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Notes on the Benefits of Praying in Tongues

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The following are simple notes taken recently from a message on praying in tongues:

Praying in tongues helps you to pray longer…to pray much…without ceasing….to pray without words…. (Remember, Jesus wanted His disciples to pray with Him one hour…)

tongues are a strong avenue for prayer, communicating with God

helps you in overcoming the flesh….

praying in tongues causes you to pray beyond your own thinking….the Holy Spirit does perfect praying….

In John 7, Jesus’ brothers did not believe in Him… They basically were saying “Go to Judea and prove Yourself there…” but Jesus only was guided by His Father’s direction and timing…

God’s plans for our lives are timing dependent… We must seek the Lord on it… Praying in tongues helps us synchronize with God’s timing….

In Acts 16:6-10, the Holy Spirit forbade or blocked certain routes… Some translations say “the Spirit of Jesus”… That night Paul had a vision…directing him to go to Macedonia… The vision gave him the map or plan…

Holy Ghost prayer will get you to where you’ll know for sure….(God’s direction in any matter of life)

Praying in tongues makes us sensitive to God’s plan(s)….

You dictate when the utterance comes… It will give us boldness in sharing the Lord…

In Acts 2:14, Peter, on the day of Pentecost, shared with the people regarding the filling of the Holy Spirit… “This is that, which was spoken by the prophet Joel.” (Acts 2:17-21) The people had said, “We hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.” A wonderful work of God is praying in tongues… (3,000 came to know the Lord, Acts 2)

In Acts 3, the man at the Beautiful Gate was healed….(5,000 came to the Lord). Peter and John were taken into custody, then were released and came to their own companions and prayed… Acts 4:29-31: “‘Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.’ And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.”

We are to be overflowing with the Holy Ghost. The end time is a prophesying generation…

Matthew 26:69-75 relates Peter’s denial about knowing Jesus. But he went on to win souls after he was filled with the Holy Spirit…

Praying in tongues is getting drunk in the new wine (the Holy Ghost)…

Drink the Spirit of God… Use “draws” of Him…from the well, through speaking/praying in tongues… You’ll start feeling His presence….

In Acts 19:1-7, Paul at Ephesus found some disciples and asked them “‘Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?’ So they said to him, ‘We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.”… And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. Now the men were about twelve in all.”

Preachers with most notable miracles (of healing) are certainly always baptized in the Holy Ghost.

Praying in tongues…from 1 Corin 14:15-17… spirit and understanding… you’re blessing God… “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.”

Colossians 3:16 “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.”

Commune with the Lord daily…speaking in other tongues… Purpose in your heart to start praying in tongues…..

Then (after the message) came a Word from the Lord on how He has ordained, by such, to work through His people…

The notes above are from a message given at http://www.covenantfamily.cc pastored by Keith Eggert. The message above was given by Dan Walter, who has been much involved in the healing ministry. Further messages on the ministry of the Holy Spirit or other topics are available in the website archives.

For reading material, you could visit http://www.rhema.org and browse their bookstore (recommend “Why Tongues” booklet) or other teaching books and articles.