Category Archives: Faith

A Mighty Forest and The Mighty Fortress

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“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

“I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust.'” Psalm 91:2 NKJV

Photo by VASTATEPARKSSTAFF

Photo by VASTATEPARKSSTAFF

The Winter is Past

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img_0726

…Caribbean Photo by Porch of the Lord

“For lo, the winter is past, The rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; The time of singing has come, And the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.”  Song of Solomon 2:11-12 NKJV

“This, too, shall pass” is a statement often quoted,

which lines up with the words of our Lord, so devoted,

to our well-being through any winter-like season

or storms of life, which seem to arise without reason.

The wintry blast shall pass, so keep listening to hear

for the sound of the turtledove…there’s nothing to fear.

P. A. Oltrogge

Jesus said, “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 NKJV

…and He said, “Fear not, little flock,; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”  Luke 12:32 KJV

also, “This is my commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.” John 15:12 NKJV

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.”  (from Psalm 23…verse 4) KJV

“Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.” Psalm 34:19 NKJV

“And now I exhort you to be of good cheer….” Acts 27:22 KJV

“…the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10 KJV

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Conceived in Prayer, Birthed Through Faith

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The best things in life, the amazing things
are direct results of what prayer brings.
Call out to God, reminding Him of His Word,
Know that He’ll answer and that He has heard.

After you’ve done this, keep standing your ground.
God’s Word is the “ammo” to do round after round.
Let it dwell richly within your heart;
There’s no end to His supply, so keep doing your part.

Realize, through Christ, you’re an empowered saint–
The Word says you’ll reap if you just don’t faint.
Praying in the spirit impacts with clout
any situation that has caused fear and doubt.

Another kind of ammo is praising God in song,
which assists in a battle and keeps faith going strong.
Petitions with thanksgiving will help you see the final light
at the end of the tunnel in any kind of fight.

Conceived in prayer, birthed through faith–remember each phrase–
to see good come to pass all of your days.

P. A. Oltrogge

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16

“I love the Lord because He hears my voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live.” Psalm 116:1-2

1 Samuel 7:9; 1 Samuel 12:8; Psalm 40:1; Psalm 50:15; Psalm 86:7; Psalm 145:18; Isaiah 55:6; Jeremiah 33:3; Galatians 6:9; Colossians 3:16

Yours is a Wonderful Life

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If your world seems to be in turmoil, and you’re experiencing trouble or strife, it would be beneficial to remember the Christmas tale, “It’s a Wonderful Life!”

Is there a “Mr. Potter” in your days, who has been greedy and domineering, while you’ve been working hard to do what’s right…and to be God-fearing?

If things have come to a head, and you think there’s no way through, remember how the angel, Clarence, showed George Bailey a thing or two.

George had to rescue him from drowning, which took his mind off his own woes.  Then Clarence “showed” him Bedford Falls, if it hadn’t had him to fight its foes.

Instead of a family-friendly town, it had become degraded, far below…the standard of a great place to live, through which good things could flow.

And the people who were important to him had lives that weren’t complete, simply because he hadn’t been there in Bedford Falls for them to meet.

At the end of the visitation by the angel, George realized the joy of just being alive.  Likewise, we’ve got God and the angels despite problems with which we strive.

George’s friends came through, as well, with appreciation for things he’d done.  As the Bible says, God will complete the work in us that He’s already begun.

P. A. Oltrogge

“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun  a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”   Philippians 1:3-6 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.”  John 10:10 NKJV

“Are they (the angels) not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?”  Hebrews 1:14 NKJV

“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 NKJV

The Safe Harbor

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Caribbean Photo by Porch of the Lord

Caribbean Photo by Porch of the Lord

“The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the Lord.”
Proverbs 21:31 KJV

“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 8:38-39 NKJV

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23 KJV

In Everything Give Thanks…

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When it looks to you, at times, like there’s simply no way out,
let thanking God, the Father, be your sure and chosen route.

When it seems that pressing problems have no known solution,
let thanking the Lord turn any worries into a grace revolution.

Paul and Silas were imprisoned but raised their praises high–
then found they were delivered, with praise their only cry.

When the way seems very foggy and you’re tempted to despair,
just know, though you can’t yet see it, the victory is there.

A great principle of the Bible is to walk by faith and not by sight–
so thank God for His presence when it’s dark and you need His light.

Like a pilot relies on instruments through weather good or bad–
let thankfulness be the “instrument” with which your life is clad.

P. A. Oltrogge

Acts 16:23-40:
“But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them; and suddenly there came a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison house were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s chains were unfastened.” (25-26)

“But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 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. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:14-17 NKJV

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV and Hebrews 11:1

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
1 Corinthians 15:57 NKJV

http://www.moorelife.org
Series List under Free Downloads:
“Thanksgiving Victory”

Life’s Goodbyes

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Over the years, life brings to us many goodbyes, which is why it’s so important that we become wise, gaining life and death perspectives, as seen through Jesus’ eyes.  He’s Savior, Lord, and King–and He never lies.

He wants us to understand before our lives are done, that there’s a heaven to gain and a hell to shun.  He said heaven could be ours–that it’s a beautiful place–reserved for those who trust in Him and is offered by God’s grace.

“Absent from the body…present with the Lord” is the promise and future that we can look toward, for when the time comes for us to leave the earth.  This is for anyone who has received Him through “the new birth.”

Life in this world is certainly a temporary thing; but, thank God, through Christ’s redemptive work, death has lost its sting.  Seeing Jesus face to face and reunions with loved ones gone…will, one day, follow our own “goodbyes,” a glorious new dawn!

P. A. Oltrogge

“So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”  Psalm 90:12 (NKJV)

“…in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago, but at the proper time manifested, even His Word, in the proclamation with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior; to Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.” Titus 1:2-3 (NASB)

“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)

“And Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.'” Luke 23:43 (NKJV)

“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate.  The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way.”  Matthew 7:13 (NLT)

See the story of Lazarus and the rich man in Luke 16.

“Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.'” John 3:3 (NASB)

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born not of blood, not of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”  John 1:12-13 (NASB)

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.”  Ephesians 2:8 (NKJV)

“We are confident, I say, and willing to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”  2 Corinthians 5:8 (NKJV)

“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”  1 Corinthians 15:55 (NASB)

Without a Prayer

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How can anyone make the decision not to pray unto the great “I AM,”

who wants to be their Good Shepherd and care for them as His lamb?

Jesus humbly came to earth, as told in the cherished Christmas story,

simply to share God’s love, leaving His home up in Glory

He demonstrated unconditional love, serving those upon earth

and told all of us about our need to experience “the new birth.”

Likewise, we can be blessed…by serving as He leads,

knowing we have peace with God through Him–not by our own deeds.

For by grace we have been saved–His grace has been poured out.

Please don’t be deceived by demonic spirits who spread doubt.

The thief (who is the devil) comes only to kill, destroy, and steal…

Jesus came to die for our sins and, as  Divine Physician, to heal.

I can’t imagine the void in a life of one who can’t seem to pray

to the Father in heaven through Jesus Christ, who had so much to say…

on the goodness of God and how, just like lambs, we can always depend–

upon the Good Shepherd’s love for us, from beginning of life to its end.

So don’t be caught without a prayer, one day, before the throne of God–

Put your faith in our Savior and Shepherd, who bears both staff and rod.

Jesus not only was God’s sacrificial Lamb but also trusted, as a lamb,

his Father in heaven, who, from a burning bush had said to Moses, “I AM
THAT I AM.”

P. A. Oltrogge

During His ministry, Jesus called Himself “I AM”…John 8:58 and that He and the Father are one…John 17:11 and “He who has seen me has seen the Father.” John 14:9

“I am the door.  If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.  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.  I am the good shepherd.  The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.”  John 10:9-11 NKJV

“For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16 KJV

“And God said unto Moses, ‘I Am That I Am,’ and He said, ‘Thus shall thou say unto the children of Israel, I Am hath sent me unto you.'”  Exodus 3:14 KJV

“Jesus said to them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” John 8:58 NKJV

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.”  Ephesians 2:8

“Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Truly, truly I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.  That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.’  Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’  The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it,but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”  (From John 3:1-21) NASB

The Towering Name

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Lake photo by Porch of the Lord

Photo by Porch of the Lord

I’ve come across your path today, and I may not know your name,
But though we’re not acquainted, I’d like to speak of Jesus just the same.
He knows the details of your life–anything you’re going through;
Yes, even if you don’t know Him, He knows all about you.

I’ve found Him to be a faithful God, Who I know in a personal way.
He desires to help each person intimately–all we have to do is pray.
For those who’ve put their trust in Him, guidance becomes very sure;
His will is good and perfect, coming from a heart that’s loving and pure.

If you’re facing worries, never despair–the name of Jesus is a strong tower—
To run into for help and wisdom, which flow richly from that Name’s power.
And at the name of Jesus, one day, every knee will bow;
But God’s Spirit is moving every day, seeking all who will honor Him now.

P. A. Oltrogge

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe.”
Proverbs 18:10 (NASB)

“Therefore also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Philippians 2:9-11 (NASB)

What Time Is It?

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“I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth.”
Psalm 34:1

When troubles disappoint, overwhelm, or sometimes shock,
Remember, then, what time it is: it’s always Praise o’clock!

As much-loved members of the Good Shepherd’s flock,
His goodness makes us praise Him all around the clock.

After praise and a mighty shout, the walls of Jericho fell down flat…
The people followed Joshua’s instructions, and that was that!

When Daniel faced the lions in their den til morning light,
An angel at Praise o’clock came there to keep their jaws shut tight.

Paul and Silas were imprisoned; their feet were placed in stocks.
But they just sang with all their hearts, and made that prison rock!

If your prayer is for a miracle, but it seems to be “out of stock,”
Don’t give up, don’t give in–look at the time, it’s still Praise o’clock.

Surely when the way seems hard, there’s an answer to any “block,”
For continually and forever, the correct time is Praise o’clock!

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

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