…you may have already visited these; but, in case not…
Excellent message of encouragement today at http://www.givehim15.com
To learn of/explore various relevant ministries and prophetic commentaries, visit http://www.sidroth.org
(The interview and message by Jean Luc Trachsel is one such an inspiring program.)
SUNDAY WORSHIP AND LUNCHEON – BEAUTIFUL AND AMAZING DAY!
Thank you to everyone who joined us this past Sunday in Palatine!!!! Wow! As always, it was a wonderful day together with so much love in the room and overflowing food! A huge thank you to our friends from Our Savior Church who hosted the luncheon and also to everyone else who brought food and visited and served! Our friend Robert, who I met at a local car wash a few months ago, was back again serving his homemade enchiladas! I only bring him up because the story of his being a regular part of our Ministry is undeniably a supernatural work of God because I didn’t find him and his story is such a reminder that when God brings in anyone or anything, He always brings in the BEST! I believe that is how God reveals His heart to us…caring for the ‘least of these’ and ‘loving your neighbor as yourself’ and when Jesus tells us in Luke 14, “But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind (rather than people who will repay you)”. And I am so grateful to each of you because I know God brought you in for His purposes!
| Talk about God bringing in the BEST! This is just a part of our group of volunteers who show up early, set up tables, coffee, bagels, and they are part of the family all afternoon! After the beautiful worship service and luncheon, people helped themselves to clothing and we celebrated birthdays at the end of the day! Thank you to everyone who brought in clothing! We are well stocked for general clothing and I’m so grateful to a few special people who purchased lots of cleansing wipes (baby wipes) and toiletries for those who are outside and are having a hard time finding showers. Thank you also for those who sent the towels and items that Michael requested after moving into his new room at the YMCA. God bless all of you!! Our friend Stanley (who just got into a studio apartment after being outside for 10 years) had one more request from Tim’s House last week and told me that he really wanted a ‘soup pot’ because he would like to make soup. I told him, ‘no problem’ but forgot to ask anyone about it. But, God!!!!! One of our volunteers came up to me before our bus arrived with a brand new soup pot (in the box) in his hands and asked, ‘Would you know anyone who might want this soup pot?” I told Stanley the story as I handed him his new pot and explained that I had not told this man his request; and Stanley smiled and said, “Another Miracle!” Love and blessings, Marian http://www.timothysministry.org |
…Edelweiss…
A friend shared with me recently about a problem resolved, which might have seemed insignificant to those not involved.
It concerned a cherished missing item that was suddenly found. She had prayed and prayed again and had looked all around.
She thought of accepting the loss and putting it out of her mind, but then realized that there’s nothing that the Lord cannot find.
So, in time, when it was discovered, it was confirmed that He’d truly heard. That God cares about the little things is something of which we can be assured.
Then, there are other big little miracles that cross our paths–often taken for granted. It’s good to thank Him for those, too, wherever we find that He’s had them planted.
Perhaps, it’s in a smile that lifts your spirits or an encouraging word from a friend–He’s behind any act of kindness or thing of beauty, and, to His love, there’s no end….
P. A. Oltrogge
“The Lord will perfect that which concerns me….” Psalm 138:8
“Casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7
“Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered….” Luke 12:7
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in Him.'” Lamentations 3:22-23 RSV
Perhaps you’ve had an experience where something you lost has not been found. One thing we know is that the Lord knows its whereabouts; but, more importantly, He knows all about you and loves you, which is of highest importance; and He is your greatest treasure….
For prayer support on any matter, visit http://www.govictory.com
…for the Morning Prayer program, M-F, 9:30 a.m. ET (8:30 a.m. CT). To call, the number is 877-281-6297, where you can pray with and for others for their needs or submit a prayer request of your own. That number can also be reached throughout the day until 11:00 p.m. ET, (10:00 p.m. CT).
There are a number of “game shows” these days; but at Morning Prayer, they’re not playing games, but do reflect joy, in attending to the earnest prayer requests that come in, as well as sharing very encouraging praise reports….
On a deeper level, on the topic of loss, if you’ve not taken Jesus as your personal Savior yet, consider His words:
“For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” Matthew 16:26
“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
…receiving Him as Savior and Lord is the very greatest miracle!
photo/Pixabay
“I will praise the Lord according to His righteousness, and will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.” Psalm 7:17
“For the Lord Most High is awesome; He is a great King over all the earth.” Psalm 47:2
“Offer to God thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High.” Psalm 50:14
_________________________
…I’ll admit, this poetry was written after I’d shed some tears over a situation. I felt the Lord said to me…
“After you cry enough,
ask yourself if you’ve been thinking high enough….”
_________________________
Start thinking high, and glorify…the God of the universe–“the Most High!”
Glorify Jesus, His Son, who arose, triumphing over all of God’s foes.
Realize, those who are with you are more than those who oppose.
_________________________
By the power of the Holy Spirit…not an audible voice–yet we can hear it,
keep thinking high…and glorify…our God who reigns from very high…
far above the visibly seen sky.
P. A. Oltrogge
“The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, than the mighty waves of the sea.” Psalm 93:4
“O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth! Your glory is higher than the heavens.” Psalm 8:1 NLT
“The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice; Let the many islands and coastlands be glad.” Psalm 97:1 AMP
“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
“So he answered, ‘Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’ And Elisha prayed, and said, ‘Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.’ Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” 2 Kings 6:14-16
“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
“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4
“His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him—though he is not far from any one of us.” Acts 17:27 NLT
“Though the Lord is on high, yet He regards the lowly; But the proud He knows from afar.” Psalm 138:6
“Seek the Lord while He may be found,
Call upon Him while He is near.
Let the wicked forsake his way,
And the unrighteous man his thoughts;
Let him return to the Lord,
And He will have mercy on him;
And to our God,
For He will abundantly pardon.
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.
“For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,
And do not return there,
But water the earth,
And make it bring forth and bud,
That it may give seed to the sower
And bread to the eater,
So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:6-11
“Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!” from Psalm 107, verses 8, 15, 21, 31
“Then my enemies will be turned back in the day when I call. This I know, that God is for me.” Psalm 56:9 Think of that–God, the Most High, is for you!
Scriptures: NKJV or as noted
A cross on a hillside beckons for our attention, and can bring to mind something that Jesus Christ mentioned, when He and His disciples launched out for a sail–“Let’s cross over to the other side,” were His words that didn’t fail.
Have you been on the side with those who have apprehensions, or reject that Christ is Lord or doubt God’s intentions? Look thoughtfully to the cross, for a strong message it bears–God wants you to cross over to knowing that He cares.
Any other “religion” hasn’t the cross’s personal touch. God sent His Son to die for you because He loved you that much. There, Jesus made the sacrifice for your well-being and sins–so you could cross to the place where new life in Him begins.
Despite a storm, His words didn’t fail in that Biblical account recorded. They won’t fail in your destiny either, but you’ll be greatly rewarded, as you come under the shadow of the Almighty and cross to the other side. You’ll be so thankful you heeded the message of the wonderful cross as your guide.
P. A. Oltrogge
“On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, ‘Let us cross over to the other side.’ Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, ‘Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?’
“Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace, be still!’ And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, ‘Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?’ And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, ‘Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!’”
Mark 4:35-41
“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears My Word and believes Him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.”
John 5:24 (NIV)
“…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
“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 1:19-20
Scriptures: NKJV or as noted
“For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’ In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.’ For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.” 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 NKJV
The following is a testimony from the ministry of Joseph Prince:
I have been partaking of the Holy Communion every morning for a year and a half, and my health has started to improve in many areas.
One day, I started experiencing extreme pain in the heels of my feet. After much agony and many attempts to find relief, I prayed and visualized my condition nailed to the cross in my daily partaking of the Communion. Not long after, my heels were completely healed! Hallelujah!
Jesus also progressively strengthened my immune system. Even though I am sixty-eight years old, I am not worried about aging. I look to Him every day and marvel at His gift whenever I partake of the Communion every morning. Praise Him!
God bless you, Pastor Prince, for staying close to God and allowing Him to express Himself through you.
…by a viewer of that programming from Texas, United States
For further thoughts on this topic, read the devotional today and see other testimonies at: http://www.josephprince.org
I recall healing testimonies, through the various ministries mentioned on this blog, where family members all took communion during a bout of illness of another member of the family who was too ill at the time to join in communion. In addition to testimonies regarding communion, there is a wonderful praise report presently at the Joseph Prince site of a young daughter healed of severe eczema through memorizing/speaking the promises in Psalm 91.
Though some situations are rough, we still look to our God who is more than enough….
…with caring thoughts and prayers, God bless you
“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.” …from Psalm 23
Always, for God’s guidance, we must listen to hear His voice,
so that we might have God’s best…and the wisest choice.
Jesus, you said Your sheep hear what Your voice has to say…
Help us to, ever more clearly, hear You after we pray.
Your voice is heard through Your Word, and by Your Holy Spirit.
As Your sheep, we’re given the ability…to be able to hear it.
But if there are some times when we’re prone to get off course,
we trust that You will redirect us, as our divine guidance source.
We simply can’t afford to go down any unapproved trails;
we’re relying on Your love, Lord–You are love, (Who) never fails.
P. A. Oltrogge
“Love never fails….” 1 Corinthians 13:8
“He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” 1 John 4:8
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 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 10:1-5
“I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.” John 10:14
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105
“…but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.” …from 1 Kings 19:11-12
“When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to.” Acts 16:7 NIV
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.” John 10:27-28
“Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face evermore!” Psalm 105:4
“Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left.” Isaiah 30:21
“Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments….” Deuteronomy 7:9
“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” James 4:8
“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
…photo/Pixabay
Scriptures: NKJV or as noted
“The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice;
Let the many islands and coastlands be glad.” Psalm 97:1 AMP
“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. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.” James 5:16-18 NKJV
This week, Terri and George Pearsons are talking of “bulldog” and “fully-persuaded” faith at: http://www.kcm.org
And, if you’ve been reading the Give Him15 posts by Dutch Sheets, he is offering a new prayer feature at the site. Click to read about it, “Paint Your State,” at http://www.givehim15.com
“Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”
2 Corinthians 3:17 NKJV
So grateful, as we watched the fireworks displayed,
that this is a land founded by people who prayed…
So many who recognized that this world’s true King—
is Jesus, the Christ—Lord above everything.
Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty;
and it’s through God’s beloved Son that men are truly free.
P. A. Oltrogge
“Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’” John 8:31-32 NKJV
“Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” John 8:36 NKJV
“…no man can say that Jesus is the Lord but by the Holy Ghost.”
1 Corinthians 12:3 KJV
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, and to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” spoken by Jesus in Luke 4:18-19 KJV
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” spoken by Jesus in John 3:16-17 KJV
Scriptures to contemplate…
“The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He has chosen as His own inheritance.” Psalm 33:11-12
“This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.” John 15:12-14
“By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?” 1 John 3:16-17
“For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous; With favor You will surround him as with a shield.” Psalm 5:12
“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:2
“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” Proverbs 14:34
“But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.” John 17:13-19
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I will praise Him.” Psalm 28:7
“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.” Psalm 84:11
“He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.” Psalm 91:4
So that freedom could be maintained, many in our military gave their all. In the various historic conflicts, they answered their country’s call.
They went forth to be a protective shield, against evil from taking hold. Today, in America, we must stand, too, for truth, being brave and bold.
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord”–He is our strong shield. In God we trust, and thereby prosper, as our country’s history has revealed.
At this time of independence, we still stand firm with Jesus Christ, the King. He is our sun and shield, no matter what opposing voices try to bring.
P. A. Oltrogge
For a most encouraging message, “America, Remember Your Covenant,” see the latest service from July 2, at http://www.emic.org
As always, a great message is posted today at http://www.givehim15.com
We pray for all believers, especially those in countries where severe persecution for their faith in Christ is occurring. See http://www.aclj.org
photo/Unsplash
The Porch of the Lord 