Category Archives: Faith

Under His Wings

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19BBDE92-CBE5-4FAC-935C-8713FC47DA40
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by J. Vetter, Guest Contributor

Mama duck paced anxiously to and fro on the edge of our pool.  Her five babies clustered together and swam like Olympic hopefuls, unable to discover their way out.

Finally, when it seemed like they would not be able to escape on their own, we tried to scoop them out with our pool net.  However, when we approached, Mama flew off.  After a thirty minute struggle, all five babies huddled together on the grass.  Where is Mom?  Do I call DPS (Duck Protective Services) to report a mother who abandoned her children?

Sure enough, after huddling together for a while, they ended up back in the pool.  We were ready for bed, and it was ready to storm.  The thought of leaving them alone with thunder and lightning was disheartening.

“Lord, how can I pray?  Can I believe for your protection over them?”  Instantly, the scripture from Matthew 23:37 came to mind.  “O, Jerusalem…how often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.”  Also, “When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take care of me.”  (Psalm 27:10)

So I committed those little ones to Him and resisted worry as much as possible.  My husband woke me up the next morning with the news.  “The mother duck is here, and the babies are all out of the pool.”

With so much in the news to threaten our peace, this scenario affords a glimpse into the heart of God.  It is not the size of our circumstance, but the size of our God we need to consider.  Snuggle in–His wings are big enough to cover you.

J. Vetter

“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 will I trust.’

Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings, you shall take refuge. His truth shall be your shield and buckler.”

Psalm 91:1-4 NKJV

The Trustworthy One

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100_3735…photo by Porch of the Lord

This is the day that the Lord has made…

May His perfect peace be yours as your mind is stayed

upon the Lord Jesus, and His great love for you.

In an imperfect world, He’s always faithful and true.

P. A. Oltrogge

“This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.”  Psalm 118:24 NKJV

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”  Isaiah 26:3 KJV

“Your mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.”  Psalm 36:5 NKJV

“I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.”  Psalm 27:13 NKJV

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope, without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.”  Hebrews 10:23 NKJV

“God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”  1 Corinthians 1:9 NKJV

Reference to Jesus, called, “Faithful and True” in Revelation 19:11

…above photo taken at Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands

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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…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