I may not mention it every day, but in these times, you may want to be sure to pray with Dutch Sheets, often referenced here, and also with those who pray at: http://www.ifapray.org
God bless…
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Category Archives: Bible
The Provider
…God bless you today!
Some people think of feeding the birds, especially in the cold of wintertime–though, for the many birds there are, it’s God’s provision that’s really prime.
Jesus said we should consider how excellently that God’s creations are supplied. This brings confidence to our lives, knowing that, for us, He will certainly also provide.
Jesus commissioned us to share the Gospel and care for others, as He leads. We’re assured that as we give unto the Lord’s work, He will supply all of our needs.
We’re to be about our Father’s business. In giving to the poor, we’re lending to the Lord. And in seeking first God’s kingdom and righteousness, His bountiful blessings on us are poured.
P. A. Oltrogge
“Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?” Matthew 6:26 ….”But seek first His kingdom and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6:33 NASB (from Matthew 6:25-34)
“He who is gracious to a poor man lends to the Lord, and He will repay him for his good deed.” Proverbs 19:17 NASB
“Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.” Philippians 4:14-20
“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” 3 John 1:2
“The Lord will command the blessing upon you in your barns and in all that you put your hand to, and He will bless you in the land which the Lord your God gives you.” Deuteronomy 28:8 NASB
“’Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now on this,’ says the Lord of hosts, ‘If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.’” Malachi 3:10 NKJV
“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 6:38 NKJV
Books of interest: Power of the Tithe, by Bill Winston, under “Store” at: http://www.billwinston.org
and God Owns My Business, by Stanley Tam, at: http://www.christianbook.com
Financial help: http://www.garykeesee.com
(Photo by betancourt/Flickr…for info on above photo, see original archived link.)
All’s right with my world…
“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 3:22-24 RSV
All’s right with my world, my life every day,
because You are in it, dear Lord, to stay.
When storms crash around me, I command them to cease;
and if faith takes some battering, I still have Your peace.
Whatever the circumstances, I count it all joy;
I’m more than a conqueror whom this world can’t destroy.
The blessing of God is mine now and forever;
I’m secure in a covenant that cannot be severed.
The Lord is my Shepherd, the pastures are green…
With my mind stayed on Jesus, my life is serene.
P. A. Oltrogge
“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” Hebrews 13:5
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” James 1:2-4
“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: ‘For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.’
“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 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 8:31-37
“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. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.” John 10:27-29
“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters….Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:1, 2, and 6 NASB
“He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those who are with young.” Isaiah 40:11
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee; because he trusteth in Thee.” Isaiah 26:3 KJV
“But now Jesus, our High Priest, has been given a ministry that is far superior to the old priesthood, for he is the one who mediates for us a far better covenant with God, based on better promises.” Hebrews 8:6 NLT
“And He said to them, ‘I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.'” Luke 10:18-20
“I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; the humble shall hear of it and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.” Psalm 34:1-3
Scriptures: NKJV or as noted
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When God appeared to Abram, He told him, “I am (El-Shaddai) the Almighty God.” (Genesis 17:1). Translated from the original Hebrew, El-Shaddai means “I am the God who is more than enough.” He is everything we need!
He went on to explain the covenant He was cutting with Abram: “I will make a covenant with you, by which I will guarantee to give you countless descendants” (verse 2, New Living Translation). Yes, God’s Word, the Bible, is His covenant with us. When we read, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else…and He will give you everything you need” (Matthew 6:33, NLT)—that’s just ONE of His covenant promises to us! Once we realize the Bible is a Book FILLED with His unbreakable covenant promises, our faith will activate in our covenant-keeping God!
…the above quoted paragraphs are reprinted with permission from Kenneth Copeland Ministries…
Angels on Assignment
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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Today is Tim Sheets’s birthday and Dutch sends a message by Tim. Find it at: http://www.givehim15.com
You can find Tim’s books on angels in the “Store” at: http://www.timsheets.org
They Hearken Unto the Voice of His Word
…Bless the Lord, ye his angels, thar excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word. Psalm 103:20 KJV
Thank you, Lord, for the angels, though I can’t see them with my eyes.
Thank you that in using your word, I can thereby cause them to arise…
to minister on my behalf as I’m an heir of God’s wonderful salvation.
He gives His angels charge over me, to keep me in any situation.
The devil and his cohorts, as they typically do, may try to alarm me;
but with my God-given authority and angelic help, they’re unable to harm me.
P. A. Oltrogge
“Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Luke 10:19 NKJV
“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
“For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.” Psalm 91:11 NKJV
“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
“Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?” Hebrews 1:13-14 NKJV
“Do not neglect to extend hospitality to strangers [especially among the family of believers—being friendly, cordial, and gracious, sharing the comforts of your home and doing your part generously], for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.” Hebrews 13:2 AMP
“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
…There have been encounters with angels who were seen visibly as men…only later did the believer realize that a miracle had happened then…
…for such an angelic encounter, search: You Tube Jerry Savelle Supernatural Intervention
“Little Heaven”/Unsplash
Train Ride
I was traveling on a train that had many stops it would be making…but I knew my destination and which stop that I’d be taking.
I thought I’d ask the traveler next to me where he was going to go; then, surprisingly, he said it wasn’t something he could know.
I thought that that was rather odd, for one needs to be quite sure, for travelers can’t ride indefinitely on a never-ending tour.
I’d researched my destination, having heard it was a beautiful place; but my fellow traveler’s plans were vague and uncertain in his case.
Eventually, he’d need to get off—there would come an end to the trail. It reminded me of those who travel equally vaguely, but on a spiritual rail.
They think that any exit will get them to a final place of peace, but they haven’t secured the ticket to where God’s love will never cease.
Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life…don’t travel until it’s too dark. Secure your ticket by taking Him as Savior—then you’ll KNOW where you will disembark.
P. A. Oltrogge
“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 NKJV
“In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” John 14:2 NKJV
A Song in the Snow
“I know all the birds of the mountains….” Psalm 50:11
“Offer to God thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High. Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.” Psalm 50:14-15
There isn’t any situation of which God, the Father, doesn’t know. He cares for the little birds in the midst of the winter snow.
Right in the midst of worrisome trouble, He’s the One upon whom to call. Deliverance is ours through prayer to Him, in the name of Jesus, who is Lord of all.
Let every care be cast aside–it’s in the shelter of the Most High that we abide.
P. A. Oltrogge
“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.’” Psalm 91:1-2 (Protection from plague, pestilence, and peril is proclaimed in the entire Psalm)
“I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4
“So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7 NLT
“What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.” Matthew 10:29-31 NLT
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.” John 14:13-14
“And in that day, you will ask Me nothing, Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” John 16:23-24
“Never worry about anything. But in every situation let God know what you need in prayers and requests while giving thanks.” Philippians 4:6 GW
“Turn all your anxiety over to God because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 GW
“But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ–He is Lord of all–that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached.” Acts 10:35-37
“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” Galatians 6:9
“Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He delivered them out of their distresses.” Psalm 107:6
“The Lord upholds all who fall, and raises up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look expectantly to You, and You give them their food in due season. You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.” Psalm 145:14-16 (and all of Psalm 145)
“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.
The Lord executes righteousness
And justice for all who are oppressed.” Psalm 103:1-6
“Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it, with thanksgiving.” Colossians 4:2
Scriptures: NKJV or as noted
Divine Intervention
…in your own life…
When the going gets tough, the tough get going…
Ever more diligently, God’s Word be sowing!
When it seems to you to be your darkest hour,
it’s THEN that your attitude must NOT turn SOUR.
Instead, keep trusting in God’s supernatural PLANS and POWER!
Do not fret; don’t be glum…believe that the best is yet to come!
P. A. Oltrogge
“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
“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
“But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.” Acts 16:25-26
“I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips.” – Psalm 34:1
…for encouragement in these times, visit: http://www.govictory.com
“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
Jesus, Closer than a Brother
“A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24 NKJV
Dear Lord Jesus,
You thought of the lowly, the forgotten, the oppressed…
You thought of us all; and, through You, we are blessed.
You’re always the Good Shepherd, our Savior and friend.
If any setbacks befall us, you help things to mend.
You’re closer than a brother; and we can draw near
to You for Your assurance that there’s nothing to fear.
You loved the little children and do to this day.
For the unborn, young, or old, You’ve taught us to pray.
And also our enemies, You’ve said, are in great need
of prayers to be enlightened, that Your Word they might heed.
Obedient to Your Father, You went to Calvary’s hill.
You prayed that cup might pass, but accepted Your Father’s will.
Yes, what a friend we have in Jesus, as the hymn goes…
You died for all of mankind, and, praise God, You then arose.
P. A. Oltrogge
“He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, ‘O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.’” Matthew 26:39
“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
“Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead.” Acts 10:40-41
What a Friend
What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer! Oh, what peace we often forfeit–oh, what needless pain we bear. All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.
Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer. Can we find a Friend so faithful, who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness. Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care? Precious Savior, still our refuge–take it to the Lord in prayer. Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer. In His arms, He’ll take and shield thee–thou wilt find a solace there.
Amen
Joseph Scriven/author
Charles C. Converse/composer
“You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.” John 14:15-16
With You Always
“…For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” from Hebrews 13:5
May this scripture encourage you today… Jesus never leaves you; Jesus never forsakes you…
And don’t miss today’s message by Dutch Sheets–a history lesson from the Bible, and a reminder for continued prayer yet regarding the U.S.A. and the election…found at: http://www.givehim15.com
The Porch of the Lord 