Whether posted on a tree in the Midwest or hung from a Colorado rooftop,
love for our country, America, and its great flag, doesn’t stop!
We thank the Lord for His blessings, praying on this Independence Day…
We’re ever dependent upon Yourguidance, Lord, over our beloved U.S.A.
P. A. Oltrogge
God Bless America!
God bless America, land that I love; Stand beside her and guide her through the night with Your light from above.
From the mountains to the prairies to the oceans white with foam. God bless America, my home sweet home!
…parade watchers on the 4th of July in Telluride, Colorado
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“God Bless America!”, by Irving Berlin, was written during World War I in 1918 and revised by him in the run up to World War II in 1938. It was first sung by Kate Smith and began with the following words:
While the storm clouds gather far across the sea, let us swear allegiance to a land that’s free.
Let us all be grateful for a land so fair as we raise our voices in a solemn prayer…
(Father, thank You for hearing our prayer yet today for America; and may its citizens be truly grateful for it, and to You, for Your guidance and preservation of it. We pray for leadership that desires and seeks to rule according to Your wisdom and to be on Your side. We look to Your Spirit to turn the hearts of the people towards You and Your goodness, as shown in many ways to them, and written of in Your book, the Holy Bible. In the name of Your Son, Jesus, we pray…)
For a most encouraging message, “America, Remember Your Covenant,” see the latest service from July 2, at http://www.emic.org
“It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible.”
“The propitious smiles of heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right, which heaven itself has ordained.”
Quotes by George Washington
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I’m so glad to have been born in the wonderful United States–a country from which came so very many “greats.”
Inventors, teachers, ministers, and those of every profession, found in this blessed country great freedom of expression.
Great national leaders were strategic in guiding the nation, and military “greats” led in many a wartime situation.
And diligent mothers and fathers, who were never well known, supported the lives of young Americans until they were grown.
Great farmers have cultivated bountiful crops in America’s fertile soil, while many people have been blessed by their important toil.
And with scenic lands of “fruited plains” to mountains very high…the United States is blessed with beauty from rivers to the sky.
But what has made it greatest has been its foundation in the Lord…and our fervent prayer is that its faith in Him will be fully restored.
May all of America find, in the Bible, its truth that makes men free…Jesus Christ is our needed Savior and Lord…and true source of liberty!
P. A. Oltrogge
“Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” 2 Corinthians 3:17 NKJV
“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” words of Jesus in John 10:10 NKJV
“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
“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
“This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us.” 1 John 3:23 NKJV
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!” Psalm 133:1 NASB
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” …From the Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776
O beautiful for spacious skies, For amber waves of grain, For purple mountain majesties Above the fruited plain! America! America! God shed His grace on thee… And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea!
“As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God.” Psalm 42:1 NLT
Dear Father,
Your Word reveals that, as believers in Christ, we’re living under Your blessing.
So, rather than talking about problems, it’s Your promises that we should be confessing.
“The hills melted like wax in Your presence,” so any of our difficulties are resolved.
Casting our cares upon You, with thanksgiving, is vital for problems to be solved.
Thank You for the great promise of a place for us in heaven that, one day, will be ours.
But for abundant life now and needs that are met—we thank You for Your blessing showers!
Because of Your known faithfulness, we can trust that Your plans for us are best.
We have peace and faith, knowing that it’s Your desire for us…to always enter into Your rest.
Praise the Lord!
P. A. Oltrogge
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly of heart, and you will find rest for your souls.For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
“There remains therefore a rest for the people of God.” Hebrews 4:9
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
“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
“…casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7
“The hills melted like wax at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.” Psalm 97:5 KJV
“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
“I will be glad and rejoice in Your mercy, For You have considered my trouble; You have known my soul in adversities…” Psalm 31:7
“Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” Romans 8:26-27
“For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. 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.” 1 Corinthians 14:14-15
“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.” Colossians 3:16
“You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind (both its inclination and its character) is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You.
“So trust in the Lord (commit yourself to Him, lean on Him, hope confidently in Him) forever; for the Lord God is an everlasting Rock (the Rock of Ages).” Isaiah 26:3-4 AMPC
Led by God’s Word and the Holy Spirit, Christians are a formidable “team.” Some “players” are led, at times, by God speaking to them through a dream.
Some are led to start and pastor churches, and some are called to teach… Some become evangelists or missionaries to the souls God wants them to reach.
Then, too, many serve the Lord in other of the various walks of life–as businessmen and women, or as lawyers or judges who settle strife.
Doctors and nurses, builders, those who work on roads or out on a farm…firemen, police, and soldiers–all serve God, some keeping us from harm.
Every Christian is called to pray and, with humility, to serve others…especially those of the household of faith–their “sisters and brothers.”
Many Christians have great courage, and they’re quick to meet critical needs. Having studied the Word of God, their faith is developed for noble deeds.
As good Samaritans, the love of Jesus, is the believer’s guiding light. It’s that love that keeps TEAM JESUS glowing in the midst of the darkest night.
Our “Coach” is Jesus Christ, whose words and example keep us strong. If you’ve not signed on to TEAM JESUS–it’s the winning team to which YOU can belong!
P. A. Oltrogge
There are numerous ministries that serve on the team, many of which have been mentioned on this blog, and then, of course, your local church.
Reminderof an important Team Jesus effort:
If you watched the Flashpoint presentation of June 9, you learned more about the movie to be released on July 4th called “Sound of Freedom.” At the Flashpoint meeting, Eduardo Verástegui, the producer of the movie, Jim Caviezel, who acts in it, and Tim Ballard, on whose work the movie is based, are interviewed by Gene Bailey. They discussed some of the details behind making the movie, but mostly its subject–rescuing children from the evil of child trafficking.
Today I have responsibilities that call; I may not be able to get to them all.
I like to think back on visits I’ve made to peaceful wooded paths or a quiet glade.
At such places, it’s natural to pause and reflect on the Lord, our Creator, and give Him respect.
But amidst crowded sidewalks or busy streets, I can praise you, God, and remember our “retreats.”
P. A. Oltrogge
“And He (Jesus) said to them, ‘Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.’….” Mark 6:31 NKJV
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29 NKJV
“The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.” Psalm 29:11 NIV
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee.” Isaiah 26:3 KJV
“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39 KJV
“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 NKJV
Exodus 33:14; Psalm 23; Psalm 91; Psalm 119:105; John 14:27; John 20:21
“And it came to pass in those days, that he (Jesus) went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
“And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;
“Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew,
“Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes,
“And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.
“And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases;
“And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed.
“And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.” Luke 6:12-19 KJV
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“And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any,
“Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched. (stopped)
“And Jesus said, ‘Who touched me?’ When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, ‘Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?’
“And Jesus said, ‘Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.’
“And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately.
“And he said unto her, ‘Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.'” Luke 8:43-48 KJV
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Notice, in these accounts, it’s said that (healing) virtue went out from the Lord. Healing can be as simple as accepting or taking the Lord’s gift, thanking Him, saying, “Thank You, Lord…I receive of Your healing virtue.”
“Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8
“Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”
Claim the name of Jesus and the blood of Jesus that was shed. Enforce His victory over the devil–say, all his schemes are dead. Use the Word, “NO weapon formed against me shall prosper (or succeed).” “Jesus, the Son, has made me free; and I am free indeed!”
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, Proverbs has stated. That, and our God-given authority have largely been underrated. More widely now these things are taught, with an emphasis on praise. Trust God’s goodness and mercy to follow you, throughout all of your days.
P. A. Oltrogge
“NO weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from Me,” says the Lord.” Isaiah 54:17
“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.’ They answered Him, ‘We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’? Jesus answered them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.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 8:31-36
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Proverbs 18:21
“Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and overallthepoweroftheenemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Luke 10:19
Excerpt from Acts: “Now as the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch which is called Solomon’s, greatly amazed. So when Peter saw it, he responded to the people: ‘Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go. But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses. And His name, and faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.’” Acts 3:11-16
“And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth.” Philippians 2:8-10
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:6.
“…knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver and gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” 1 Peter 1:18-19
“If we say we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:6-7
“So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 NLT
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases,” from Psalm 103:1-5
“I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Psalm 34:1
“Praise the Lord! Praise, O servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord! Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and forevermore! From the rising of the sun to its going down, the name of the Lord is to be praised. The Lord is high above all nations, His glory above the heavens.” Psalm 113:1-4
“I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live….” Deuteronomy 30:19
“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
“I have been crucified with Christ” is my Biblical decree….“and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.”
I need have no fear of death, for I’ve already “died.” Thanks be to God for eternal life through His Son crucified!
Not only that, but abundant life is mine today as well, for Jesus rose from the dead in victory over all the power of hell.
And by the Holy Spirit, He guides me day and night. In our God is the fountain of life; in His light, we see light.
P. A. Oltrogge
“I have been crucified with Christ; and 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 up for me.” Galatians 2:20 (NASB)
“I have been crucified with Christ [that is, in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body I live by faith [by adhering to, relying on, and completely trusting] in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” (AMP)
“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4
“Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham. Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.” Hebrews 2:14-18
“For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light, we see light.” Psalm 36:9
“Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” John 8:12
“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
“And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.” 1 John 5:11-12
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.’” John 11:25
“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
“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
“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:1-2
“And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.” Revelation 1:17-18 KJV
Psalm 116:15 Isaiah 25:8 Matthew 10:28 Luke 10:19 John 3:16 John 5:24-30 John 14:1-3 Romans 6:1-14 1 Corinthians 15:51-58 Philippians 3:20-21 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 1 John 3:14 1 John 5
“How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. And he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither, and in whatever he does, he prospers.” Psalm 1:1-3 NASB
Like a tree firmly planted by streams of water–
that’s what each of us will become, as God’s son or daughter,
when we meditate, continually, in God’s written Word.
Our growth in Christ will increase–it can’t be deterred.
Jesus reminded us that man doesn’t live by bread alone–
It’s by regular feeding on God’s Word that we will have grown
to be strong trees in a mighty “forest,” the planting of the Lord–
rooted in God, our mighty fortress, our faith having soared.
P. A. Oltrogge
“The Lord is my rock and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.” Psalm 18:2 KJV
“For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore, for thy name’s sake, lead me, and guide me.” Psalm 31:3 KJV
“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!’” Psalm 91:1-2 and all of Psalm 91
You may enjoy visiting Covenant Family Church for “church” via conference call on Sundays at 10:50 a.m., (Eastern Standard Time). Just make the call and enjoy the “live” message. The telephone number is (609) 663-1557. Website: http://www.covenantfamily.cc
Though I don’t post them, I do receive and read comments which, at times, come in. Regarding one that was recent, please know that I do pray for those who follow The Porch of the Lord blog and will pray for the particular needs you mentioned. This blog was begun to share the gospel and to encourage one’s faith regarding the trials of life–somewhat, through the poetic messages, but mainly through the truth of the scriptures, meditating upon them and declaring them.
God bless today and always,
P. A. Oltrogge
“The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26
The Porch of the Lord 