“And without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6
It’s recorded that the apostle Paul received a vision—of a man putting forth a request, that Paul should come over to Macedonia, so that the people there could be blessed.
So Paul, and those with him, pursued the vision, setting sail on the Aegean Sea–landing at Neapolis, they went to Philippi, a leading city of Macedonia in which to be.
On the Sabbath, they went out to a riverside, where some women were who customarily prayed. Prayer and worship were woven as fabric in Lydia’s life, while selling fabrics of purple was her trade.
She listened to that which Paul spoke to them about Jesus Christ being the Lord—then took heed in her heart that it was through Jesus, that true relationship with God is restored.
Embracing what Paul said, she went from reverencing God to knowing Him in a personal way. God had opened her heart to respond to the good news, just as anyone can do today.
Then she and her entire household were baptized, representing their being washed from sin. With joy, she invited the missionaries to her home to stay, prevailing upon them to come in.
This woman, Lydia, who sold fabric of a royal color, had found peace at the riverside that day. Through the Prince of Peace, her Lord, Jesus Christ, she’d been welcomed into His royal family to stay.
P. A. Oltrogge
“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9
A reference to baptism by Peter in Acts 2:38-39: “…Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and your children, and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God shall call to Himself.”
“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace..” Isaiah 9:6
(The poetic account is based on Acts 16:9-15 about Lydia from Thyatira)
Some references to purple’s use in the Bible:
“Moreover you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twisted linen and blue and purple and scarlet material; you shall make them with cherubim, the work of a skillful workman.” Exodus 26:1 (for the Tabernacle)
“And now send me a skilled man to work in gold, silver, brass and iron, and in purple, crimson, and violet fabrics, and who knows how to make engravings, to work with the skilled men whom I have in Judah and Jerusalem, whom David my father provided.” 2 Chronicles 2:7 (for Solomon’s Temple)
You may want to do an internet search to locate “Psalm 91 New Creation Worship” to hear thoughts from Psalm 91 in a worship song…
Protection from plague, pestilence, and peril is proclaimed in this Psalm, 91:
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”
3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence. 4 He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. 5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, 6 Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you. 8 Only with your eyes shall you look, And see the reward of the wicked.
9 Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, 10 No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; 11 For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. 12 In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone. 13 You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.
14 “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. 15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. 16 With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation.”
“Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day.” Genesis 1:31
Dear Lord,
Sparkling with dew in the early morning sunlight, the bountiful blooms upon this tree….
caused me to stop and take a picture. I was blessed by your sharing it with me.
Obviously, you love flowers and do decorate some trees… with variations of them–artistically designed to please.
Jesus, you said that if men didn’t praise you, then, the stones would immediately cry out. We, as living stones, (true believers), and all creation, participate in that glorifying shout!
P. A. Oltrogge
At Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem:
“Then, as He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, saying:
“’Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!’
“And some of the Pharisees called to Him from the crowd, ‘Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.’
“But He answered and said to them, ‘I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out.'”
Luke 19:37-40
“Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture,
“Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.”
1 Peter 2:4-6
“Oh come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.” Psalm 95:1; “Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth; Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises.” Psalm 98:4; “Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!” Psalm 100:1
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.”
John 1:1-5
“…giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. 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.
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.
“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 1:12-20
“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.”
Hebrews 1:1-4
There are many commentaries on what Jesus meant about the stones or rocks crying out. The following is by Dr. Joseph R. Nally, Jr., D.D., M.Div.
And Matthew 28:2 records, “And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it.” Did you catch that? Before Jesus’ resurrection and the stone covering the entrance of his tomb was rolled out of the way, there was not just a mere earthquake, but a “great earthquake.” And what happens during an earthquake? Science tells us earthquakes are usually caused when underground rock suddenly breaks along a fault. The rocks move and shift. They were saying, or “crying out” very loudly that Jesus had risen from the dead!
Scriptures: NKJV or as noted
…and it can be said that all creation…even these small stones, tell of the Creator….
“For ever since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through His workmanship [all His creation, the wonderful things that He has made], so that they [who fail to believe and trust in Him] are without excuse and without defense. For even though they knew God [as the Creator], they did not honor Him as God or give thanks [for His wondrous creation]. ” Romans 1:20-21 AMP
“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
“But what does it say? ‘The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart’ (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, ‘Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.’ For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For ‘whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.'” Romans 10:8-13
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.
To see the interview, visit the program dated the 9th of June at:
The Flashpoint gatherings are excellent to watch (or attend) in full; however, if you’re unable to view it all, you can scroll in to about 30 for the movie trailer and then the interview.
“The wicked flee when no one pursues, but therighteousareboldasalion.” Proverbs 28:1
As part of the evening, Pat Robertson was honored and a superb performance of the National Anthem was sung by Kenneth Copeland, founder of KCM (Kenneth Copeland Ministries) and the Victory Channel, along with an inspiring message on faith for America.
A second meeting there takes place this evening at 8:00 p.m. ET, 7:00 p.m. CT. To view it:
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
“This, too, shall pass” isn’t exactly a scriptural quote…
but they’re words that can certainly help to keep your faith afloat,
for they do convey a similar thought to what God’s Word has said…
He will move you through rough waters to better things up ahead.
P. A. Oltrogge
You will “pass through!”
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” Isaiah 43:2
“So Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Have faith in God.’” Mark 11:22
“Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.” Psalm 42:11 and 43:5
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13
“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
And, often, it may be that, “Somebody’s praying me through….” (Be blessed to find and hear the words to that Christian song via You Tube.)
…praying here for the followers and friends of this blog….
We see, from almost every conceivable angle throughout the Scriptures, that there is no doctrine more clearly taught than that healing is God’s will to all who have need of it, and that they may fulfill the number of their days, according to His promise.
F. F. Bosworth
The right to pray and receive the answer is given to every believer. (John 14:13,14.)
The ministry of healing was given to “the seventy” who represent the future workers of the Church. (Luke 10:1,9,19.) It was given to all “them that believe” the Gospel, them that act on the Gospel, and the doers of the Word.
It is committed to “the elders” of the Church. (James 5:14.) It is bestowed upon the whole Church as one of its ministries and gifts until Jesus comes. (1 Corinthians 12:9,10.)
Jesus never commissioned anyone to preach the Gospel without including healing for the sick. He said, “Whatever city you enter, heal the sick that are there.” (Luke 10:8,9.) That command still applies to Gospel ministry today.
T. L. Osborn
Greek and Hebrew Word Studies:
Old Testament–RAPHA
“Heal (rapha) me, O Lord, and I shall be healed (rapha); save me, and I shall be saved….Jeremiah 17:14
New Testament–THERAPEUO
“There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed (therapeuo) every one. Acts 5:16
“Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we having died to sins, might live for righteousness–by whose stripes you were healed.” 1 Peter 2:24
“Get into (and stay in) agreement with God’s Word,”
is the best advice, I believe, that I have ever heard.
For instance, when the Word says that we’ve already been healed,
why do we, at times, feel that those words have been repealed?
Jesus said to speak to the mountain to see a change occur,
so He knew that we could do so, though we feel unsure.
Jesus was our example. He even spoke to the sea that roared.
The disciples were amazed thereafter when calmness was restored.
Proverbs says that in the power of the tongue are both death and life,
so speaking the Word of God will guard against trouble and strife.
To steal, kill, and destroy are the devil’s wicked desires,
but agreement with God’s Word will put out Satan’s “fires.”
Don’t look to situations where things seem to have fallen through;
but look, instead, to the Word. We can trust it to be true.
For, in life, we’re in a battle of great spiritual dimensions—
Hold fast to your faith that God always has for you only the best intentions.
P. A. Oltrogge
“…above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” Ephesians 6:16-17 NKJV
For actual encouraging healing accounts, click on “Watch,” then, “Video Stories,” and then “Healing Journeys” at http://www.awmi.net
Their phone for agreement in prayer is: 719-635-1111
This program is on 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.
“Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity, and honor.” Proverbs 21:21 NIV
(“He who follows righteousness and mercy Finds life, righteousness, and honor.” in the New King James Version)
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33 NASB
“Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8 NLT
“My son, if you receive my words, and treasure my commands within you, so that you incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding; Yes, if you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding, if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly; He guards the paths of justice, and preserves the way of His saints. Then you will understand righteousness and justice, equity and every good path.” Proverbs 2:1-9
“My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; for length of days and long life and peace they will add to you. Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, and so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man.
“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.
“Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase; So your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.” Proverbs 3:1-10 and all of Proverbs 3
“In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, and His children will have a place of refuge. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to turn one away from the snares of death.” Proverbs 14:26-27
“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” 1 John 3:1-3
“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? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” 1 John 3:16-18
“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.” Matthew 3:43-45
“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
“Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
“When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
“And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13
“Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.” Ephesians 5:1-2
“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 100:4-5
If something has occurred in your life that may not have been God’s perfect will, keep faith in His supernaturalpower to come to your aid still.
God’s plans for us are good–we can come boldly to His throne. When involved in something troubling, we’re never in it alone.
We’re living in an hour when His help is needed all the more. Believe that the Father of lights has your total wellbeing in store.
At those times when you’re tempted to have anxiety, worry, or doubt–believe, instead, for the good that God is bringing about.
To some, these thoughts might sound simplistic, but they’re based on words that are God’s. “…but with God, all things are possible.” He can help us, against all odds.
P. A. Oltrogge
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” James 1:17
“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.” Psalm 103:1-5
“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV
“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
“Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?” Jeremiah 32:27
“But Jesus looked at them and said to them, ‘With men this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible.’” Matthew 19:26
“For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
“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 3:14-21
“And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” Mark 16:17-18 KJV
“Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Luke 10:19 KJV
“Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in you.” Psalm 56:3
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 KJV
“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1 and the entire Psalm
“Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling…” Psalm 91:9-10
“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 1 Peter 3:12
“Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!”…throughout Psalm 107
“I will praise the Lord according to His righteousness, and will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.” Psalm 7:17
The Porch of the Lord 