The following is from http://www.Chapelstreetchurch.com –20 Days of Following Jesus for you to browse on various topics. There is an initial video message plus others from the church, located in Illinois, USA.
https://youtu.be/MlfXbJxvC6s
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P. A. Oltrogge
Like other people, I’d heard some stories about the man named Jesus. He’d done unheard-of miracles and had lived a life that was upright and clean.
So, I never thought I’d arrive in Jerusalem at such a terrible time, of seeing Him being brutally led to His own crucifixion…that was the scene.
It seemed incomprehensible that His acts of compassion were being “rewarded” with this punishment to which He was going.
I could see that He was becoming too weak to bear the heavy cross. He’d obviously been scourged, and blood from the stripes was flowing.
Suddenly, I was pressed into service by some of the Roman soldiers. I was ordered to carry His cross, in His stead, as His strength was depleted.
Had He done something criminal that I hadn’t heard of in His recent past? I didn’t know, but the mocking and reviling were being repeated.
Of course, I didn’t appreciate being singled out for such a despicable task. It seemed obvious to me that I’d been in the wrong place at the wrong time.
But something in the eyes of this Jesus, who staggered beside me, reflected kindness; and I sensed something noble or majestic—nothing of crime.
After reaching the destination, I couldn’t bear to watch the proceedings. If He’d been wrongly accused, there was nothing I could have done to stop the event.
So I left; but, later, darkness came over the land, and an earthquake caused tombs to open. Some people were reported as having been raised from the dead after the temple curtain was rent.
After all that had happened, a centurion and other guards declared that, truly, Jesus was the Son of God. Perhaps my unchosen role in this—being singled out—had, instead, been a divine appointment.
A great many people were recipients of Jesus’ ministry, and believed that He was who He said He was. That day lives large in my memory; and His disciples are saying that His Name is God’s healing and saving ointment.
P. A. Oltrogge
One of Jesus’ disciples, Peter, regarding a man made well by the name of Jesus, spoke to the rulers, elders, and scribes gathered in Jerusalem:
“…let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by this name this man stands here before you in good health. He is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders, but which became the chief corner stone. And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:10-12 NASB
“And you shall take for yourselves on the first day the fruit of beautiful trees, branches of palm trees, the boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook; and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God for seven days.” Leviticus 23:40
“Thus I will bless you while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name.” Psalm 63:4
“Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the Lord.” Psalm 134:2
from John, chapter 12:
…six days before the Passover:
Jesus came to Bethany, where He’d recently raised Lazarus from the dead; so Martha prepared Him a supper where He, Lazarus, and others were fed. Lovingly, Mary took costly perfume of pure nard and anointed Jesus’ feet. She then wiped them with her hair, a gesture Jesus lauded as sweet.
Judas rebuked it as being wasteful; but Jesus knew that which was lying ahead–it was an anointing upon His body before His crucifixion and resurrection from the dead. A large crowd of the Jewish people came out to the town of Bethany that day, to see Jesus, and Lazarus, too–as news of his resurrection had traveled a long way.
The chief priests didn’t like this at all, and putting Lazarus to death was their thought. They were losing many because of this miracle, which Jesus’ power had wrought. The next day, those who had come for the feast learned Jerusalem was then on Jesus’ route. They took branches from the palm trees to wave–“Hosanna!” was the chorus they began to shout.
Further, they loudly cried out, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord; even the King of Israel!” They thought an earthly King was what history would record. Humble and riding on a requested donkey that had never been ridden before, Jesus entered Jerusalem, amidst their praise, knowing what was really in store.
For just outside of Jerusalem, on a hill called Golgatha, a cross would hold…the precious body of our Lord Jesus Christ, and another Kingdom’s story would unfold. There, He would sacrificially die for all mankind, bearing all of sin’s disgrace. But in three days, He would rise and return to His Father in Heaven, in order to prepare us a place.
You see, Jesus Christ IS the King of Kings, as sung in the glorifying Hallelujah Chorus. Those who are His, praise Him still with joy–both now and in the Eternal Kingdom yet before us.
P. A. Oltrogge
“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
Excerpt from Handel’s “Messiah,” “The Hallelujah Chorus”
“For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
The kingdom of this world
Is become the Kingdom of our Lord,
And of His Christ, and of His Christ;
And He shall reign forever and ever,
Forever and ever, forever and ever;
King of kings, and Lord of lords!”
“After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.’” Revelation 7:9-10
Photo/
Archived 2016 post/Flickr Link
Scriptures: NKJV
…A remembrance, on this weekend of “Palm Sunday”….
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey.” Zechariah 9:9
We thought He would be the King of Israel, riding on a donkey, He came…
Instead, He was heading towards Calvary’s cross. There, He would be taking the blame…
for my sins and those of the entire world–God’s gift of salvation for all.
We waved our palm branches before Him–so worthy, for He was following His Father’s call.
P. A. Oltrogge
(the above from Matthew 21)
“Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name.”
“Then a voice came from heaven, saying, ‘I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.’” John 12:27-28
“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 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 3:24-17
Scriptures: NKJV
I think that I shall never see
as lovely a “bouquet” as a dogwood tree.
Pink-flowered, or purple, or snowfall white–
In the midst of a forest, they’re a breathtaking sight.
They’re reflections of the Master designer–
Of all beauty He’s created, there isn’t much finer.
They do speak of the divine, for a legend they bear–
On each flower’s center, a “crown of thorns” is there.
Like the beams of a cross, the petals connect,
having rust-colored tips–of Christ’s blood they reflect.
It flowed from His veins, pierced with a spike’s metal,
of which we’re reminded by a hole in each petal.
That dogwoods were once strong enough to be a cross is a story;
After Calvary, God took pity on them to yet speak of His glory.
But though just a story, not Biblical fact–
the legend has stuck and has made an impact.
For in springtime when blossoms of dogwoods begin,
we think, not only of their beauty, but of our Savior within.
Then, too, it can be said that, after winter, when they flower,
they remind not just of the cross, but of Christ’s resurrection power!
P. A. Oltrogge
“And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you.” Romans 8:11 AMP
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live, even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die….’” John 11:25-26 NASB
“For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, and these three are one.” 1 John 5:7 KJV
Of the Word, Jesus, it’s written: “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 KJV
“These things I have spoken to you while remaining with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and remind you of all that I said to you. Peace I leave you, My peace I give you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, nor fearful.” …words of Jesus in John 14:25-27 NASB
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen” Matthew 28:19-20 NKJV
The Bible is widely heard of, yet many people haven’t actually “heard”
of much that’s written within its pages. Lord, wake them to Your Word.
For it’s written that it’s the scriptures that make us “wise unto salvation.”
Lord, we pray, You’d wake people to Your Word throughout ours and every nation.
Send laborers across the paths of those whose hearts You will have prepared
to be ready to receive the Gospel invitation, which those laborers will share.
We thank You, Father, for Your great love and for the Holy Spirit’s power
to draw souls to Jesus, our Savior and Good Shepherd, in this important hour.
P. A. Oltrogge
“And he (Jesus) said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”
Mark 4:9 KJV
“And continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
“And that from a child thou hast learned the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”
2 Timothy 3:14-16 KJV
“Therefore, said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.”
Luke 10:2 KJV
“And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there. Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul.”
Acts 16:13-14 NKJV
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…in light of yet another tragedy in America, Dutch Sheets, who fervently and steadfastly prays for America, shares today from a book of his, “The Power of Hope” at: http://www.givehim15.com
And the following was shared by the father of one of the priceless little children who lost their lives: “Through tears we trust that she is in the arms of Jesus who will raise her to life once again,” Pastor Chad Scruggs said in a statement shared with reporters.
“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
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
…We lift up in prayer the affected families, the nation, and the world….and are reminded to persevere:
“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Ephesians 6:11-13 NKJV
We read of Jesus, who was with His disciples in the garden of Gethsemane: “And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, ‘Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.’ Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” Luke 22:41-44
Jesus,
In Gethsemane’s garden, You prayed to be strong
in what would overtake You in not very long.
It was for me that You were then betrayed.
It was on You that the task was laid.
As filthy rags, God saw my righteousness claimed–
which is why You stepped in to be defamed.
It was for my sins that You went on trial.
You made the payment for everything vile.
It was for me–this undeserved attack.
It was for me You bore stripes on Your back.
It was for me that You wore the thorns,
and it was for me You bore merciless scorns.
It was for me You walked Calvary’s trail.
It was for me that You endured each nail.
It was for me that You hung in shame.
It was for me–You were taking my blame.
It was for me You painfully died.
It was for me that they pierced Your side.
You did it for me, but in three days You rose.
You did it for me that my case would be closed.
P. A. Oltrogge
“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” Isaiah 64:6 KJV
“But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” Romans 3:21-26 NKJV
“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 NKJV
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1 NASB
“Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.” Romans 5:1 NLT
“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV
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By Kim Potter, http://www.anewthingministries.com
The enemy continues to attempt to cause fear across our nation with bank closures, political upheavals, threats of nuclear war, continued food shortages and constant new viruses. Fear is never of God. Today I want to share with you a lesson God taught me a few years ago.
“The devil needs fear to operate in your life in the same way I need faith to operate in your life.” These are the words the Lord spoke to me early one morning. Truthfully, I didn’t think a lot of it other than, “wow, that’s good!”
But then I just went on about my day.
Throughout that day, every few hours, I would hear the same words. “The devil needs fear to operate in your life in the same way I need faith to operate in your life.” I knew God was revealing something to me, however, I did not yet know why.
Later that day, my grandson, Bryson had an accident with a gas grill. He and I were trying to start it and it wouldn’t light. What we didn’t know was while we were doing this, it caused gas to become trapped in the lines. At one point Bryson leaned down to smell for propane at the same time he accidently hit the ignite button. The grill blew up in his face.
We thought he had just burned his nose because there were only a few visible signs of burns on him. Still, we took him to the hospital because he said it was very painful. We expected them to give him burn cream and send him home. Instead, after mere moments at the hospital we were informed he had extensive damage inside his nose, throat, and lungs. We were told he had to have an iv because he could stop breathing at any moment. We were told he had a 50/50 chance of survival. The doctor called an ambulance to have him transferred to the burn unit at the closest Children’s Hospital.
Breanne and I looked at each other in shock and unbelief. Then, those words came back to me. “The devil needs fear to operate in your life in the same way I need faith to operate in your life.”
That moment, I decided, no matter what I heard or saw, I would not fear. I walked out into the hallway to pray. I don’t know how many times that night I said to myself, “I refuse fear.” I refused to give the devil anything he could use to operate in my life or the life of my grandson.
John 14:27 says, “Peace I leave with you, My peace, I give to you, not as the world gives do I give you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
That day I realized I had a decision to make. I could allow the enemy to work in my life by allowing fear…or I could remain in faith and God would work in the situation.
In a situation where our first instinct is fear, is it even possible to remain in faith? YES! Absolutely yes! How? Because God is a good God. He wants us to have victory. We can trust Him in that. He will empower us to remain in faith.
Isaiah 41:10 says, “Fear not, I am with you. Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you. I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
God has made us firm promises. He does not lie. If He said it, He will do it.
And He said, when you can’t hold yourself up, I will hold you up with my righteous right hand. He has said He would strengthen us. He will help us. Oh, how I love that!
Much of that type of trust comes through knowing He loves us. Do you know how much He loves you today? 1 John 4:18 says, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out all fear, because fear involves torment.” If we know the immensity of God’s love for us and our family, we will not fear.
And if we do not fear, the enemy has nothing to work with.
God taught me two lessons that day.
1. If the enemy cannot get me to fear, he has no door into my situation and cannot work in my life.
2. God is faithful. He went before me and gave me the word I needed to hold onto knowing what weapon was being formed against us. And then He was faithful to watch over His Word to perform it. In other words, He had it all worked out before it even began. We only need to listen, heed and obey His voice.
I encourage you – refuse fear. Fear is never of God. God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind – His peace and His love. And that love…it never fails.
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Kim has shared this previously…then her readers inquired as to what happened regarding her grandson, Bryson. While I don’t recall the exact details, I remember her responding that it turned out the damage was not nearly as bad as thought. It was very minimal, and that now he is getting ready to obtain his driver’s license!
She was sharing this story today and again forgot to share the outcome with Bryson–due, I’m sure, to her strong focus on the importance of the message about faith, especially in the face of fear.
Jesus told His disciples to go ahead of Him to the other side of the sea.
He had sent the crowds away and, for a time of prayer, He needed to be free.
When Jesus came walking upon the water in the fourth watch of the night,
the disciples, in their boat, thought they were seeing a ghost and cried out in fright.
They had already been disturbed that night, having been battered by waves—
the wind was contrary. Here, we’ll see another instance where “Jesus saves!”
Jesus told them to take courage—that it was Him and that there was nothing to fear.
Some translations of this account say that He told them to be of good cheer!
Having witnessed the Lord’s miracles, Peter wanted to be a disciple of faith, as Jesus had taught,
and join the Lord on the water. Stepping out of the boat, he actually walked on the sea, but then became distraught.
Initially, his confidence had been high, so when the Lord told him to come, he boldly went ahead.
The Bible indicates, though, that he took his eyes off of Jesus by noticing the wind, instead.
It says that he “saw” the wind, meaning that it was whipping up the water to a greater degree.
Looking away from Jesus, the Fearless One, even for just that moment, caused Peter’s courage to flee.
Jesus reached out quickly and rescued Peter, but questioned him as to why he had succumbed to doubt.
As they entered the boat, the wind stopped; and the disciples, in awe, worshiped the Lord as they continued on their route.
We, too, today, must ever look to Jesus, remembering His great love for us and the mighty miracles that He can perform.
We have testimonies today—as well as those told in the Bible—of His ability to bring us out, in victory, through any kind of storm.
P. A. Oltrogge
(From Matthew 14:22-32)
..in the cross of Christ, I glory….
“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
When the devil comes, with various fears, with which he wants to pound us…
that’s the time to remember that God and His angels are present to surround us.
Always remember your position of authority in the Lord, Jesus Christ….
whose victory over the enemy of our souls has far more than sufficed.
The name of Jesus and His blood and the spoken Word do tower…
over all of the enemy’s principalities of darkness and evil power.
Christ’s life, death, and, as Conqueror, His triumphant resurrection
have given to all of God’s children His grace and “Victory” connection.
We declare no wicked scheme or plot of the devil’s can ultimately prevail…
when we take our seat of authority “in Christ,” knowing “Love (our God) doesn’t fail!”
God has never given to the believer any spirits of fear…
We know we’re to resist them with the Word and boldly persevere.
It could be said that those in Christ are in a kind of protective bubble…
God is their very present help, on which to depend in time of trouble.
And let the words of Psalm 91 give you a sense of calm,
as it tells of dwelling with God in His secret place–a very assuring Psalm!
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.” …from Psalm 91
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17
“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
“Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” James 4:7
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:10-12
“You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.” Colossians 2:13-15 NLT
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1 KJV
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7
“For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:17
“For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”
1 John 5:3-5
“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” 1 John 4:7-11
“Love never fails.” …from 1 Corinthians 13:8
“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
Scriptures NKJV or as noted.
Be blessed by a small booklet, “The Authority of the Believer and How to Use It” by Billye Brim. Available in the “Store” at http://www.billyebrim.org
You can explore the site for commentary on today’s world events and also find her list of healing scriptures. Dr. Billye Brim has a regularly featured program, The Prophetic Witness, at http://www.govictory.com
The Porch of the Lord 