At Pentecost, your Spirit came, with the sound of a rushing mighty wind. The Comforter comes to believers yet today, a promise you’ll never rescind.
Often, your presence is apparent through a reassuring, inner voice. When problems threaten to overwhelm, you encourage us still to rejoice.
You’re blessed by the praises of your people…bless the Lord, oh my soul. I’m thankful you’ve said that on you, dear Lord, all of my cares, I can roll.
It’s good to abide in your presence, for there’s fullness of joy therein. Thank you for provision and healing, as well as for forgiving our sin.
We praise you for your creative ability, for the beauty of bird and flower, the mountains and other majestic things that speak to us of your power.
We’re so blessed you desire to visit with us, as you did first with Adam and Eve. All that you require of us to meet with you, Father, is to believe in your Son and receive.
P. A. Oltrogge
“‘Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him, the Father, God, has set His seal.’ Therefore they said to Him, ‘What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?’ Jesus answered and said to them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.’” John 6:27-29 NASB
“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him; but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” Words of Jesus in John 14:16-17 KJV
“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:26-27 KJV
“And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Acts 2:2-4 NKJV
“You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11 NKJV
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation! O my soul, praise Him, for He is your health and salvation! Come, all who hear; now to His temple draw near, join me in glad adoration.
Praise to the Lord, above all things so wondrously reigning; sheltering you under His wings, and so gently sustaining! Have you not seen all that is needful has been sent by His gracious ordaining?
Praise to the Lord, who will prosper your work and defend you; surely His goodness and mercy shall daily attend you. Ponder anew what the Almighty can do, if with His love He befriends you.
Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me adore Him! All that has life and breath, come now with praises before Him. Let the Amen sound from His people again; gladly forever adore Him.
Author Joachim Neander 1680
Translator Catherine Winkworth 1863
Loosely based on Psalm 103:1-6 and Psalm 150, with echoes from other psalms, this is a strong hymn of praise to our covenant God, who heals, provides for, and defends us. Let “all that has life and breath” sing praise to the Lord!
The last psalm in the Bible, Psalm 150, ends with this invitation: “Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.” German composer Joachim Neander gave us words to do just that when he wrote his most well-known hymn, “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty.” Hymnologist John Julian declares this to be “a magnificent hymn of praise to God, perhaps the finest production of its author, and of the first rank in its class” (Dictionary of Hymnology). And indeed, this is a hymn that has stood the test of time (over 300 years) to remain one of the most beloved praise hymns in the Church. As we sing these words, we join with the voices, in many languages, of millions who have gone before us, and those across the globe, to sing these great words of thanksgiving and honor to the God who created us, protects us, and befriends us.
During a feast of the Jews, we see Jesus at the healing pool of Bethesda, which was by the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem, that prominent city.
And He saw a certain man lying among the many others who had come to seek healing, whose infirmity had lasted thirty-eight years—and on whom no man had apparently had pity.
It was known and told that an angel came to stir the waters at a season and time at this pool of five porches, an esteemed place.
And whoever first, thereafter, made it into the water was healed of their illness—with no longer a trace.
Jesus, knowing that this individual had been crippled and infirm for a long time, asked him if he wanted to be healed.
The man replied that he had no man to help him into the waters after they were stirred. Others were always quicker, so his fate had been sealed.
Then, Jesus mercifully said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk,” stepping in for the said “no man.”
Immediately, the infirm man was made whole, got to his feet, took up his bed and walked, for health and healing have always been God’s plan.
Today, when we experience difficulties, even those long-standing, and may sometimes feel there is no one to help, not even the Lord…
remember, we still do have an advocate in Jesus, God’s Son—to get adverse things eliminated and have the good restored.
P. A. Oltrogge
”…how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.” Acts 10:38 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.” (Words of Jesus in John 10:10 NKJV)
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 NKJV
See healing and other personal testimonies, along with an insightful video message today, at http://www.josephprince.org
Poetic account, above, from John, chapter 5.
Some versions of the Bible leave out the verse about an angel stirring the waters due to uncertainties about original texts. It’s included in the poem as found in the King James and New King James versions, The Passion Translation, Amplified Bible, J. B. Phillips New Testament, and others.
with thanks to God, that He’s making things right.
For God, there is nothing that is too hard.
Rely on that truth in any regard.
Pray and obey, as the Lord leads;
meditate on His Word, from which wisdom proceeds.
It may take some time to see right come about…
Just remember He’s faithful and reject any doubt.
There are times in our lives that seem dark and bad,
but keep trusting God, our Father. He’s the very best Dad!
P. A. Oltrogge
But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir. Galatians 4:4-7 NLT
“Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?” Jeremiah 32:27
I believe in the God of miracles, is a good thing to frequently say, especially when we know the Lord wants us to have confidence after we pray.
I believe in His miracles, though things can seem contrary or dark. I believe in miracles, even when the “kindling” isn’t showing a spark.
I believe in God’s miracles…of provision, protection, and to see healings. I believe in His miracles, shows we’re not giving in simply to feelings.
I believe in miracles, as shown in the Bible through and through. I know that miracles still happen–that they’re meant for believers today, too.
I believe in God’s miracles, though afflictions can be harsh and persistent. I believe in miracles; therefore, my faith in Him can be equally insistent.
I believe in seeing miracles, even when patience is sometimes needed. Believing in God and His power and love can keep us strong until adversity’s receded.
I believe in miracles, because I’ve had some God-given ones prior. I believe in miracles, are words that encourage and lift us higher.
And I believe in Jesus, the miracle worker, who was called a Nazarene. With our expectation in Him, and what He’s already done, miracles are sure to come on the scene.
P. A. Oltrogge
“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. ….And the Word became 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 1:1-5, 14
“…how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.” Acts 10:38
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 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
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.” …words of Jesus in John 14:1
“So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11
“For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.” 1 Thessalonians 2:13
“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 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 4:14-16
“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
“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:9-10
“Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart.” Luke 18:1
“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4
“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 3:20-21
“And Peter, remembering, said to Him, ‘Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.’ So Jesus answered and said to them,‘Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.'” Mark 11:21-26
“Philip said to Him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.’” John 14:8-10 (NKJV)
“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.” John 15:7-8
“And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” John 17:3 NKJV
“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
“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
May one particular scripture or all add a “spark” to your thoughts and faith today….
“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in times 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 New King James Version
The God’s Word translation reads “He holds everything together by His powerful words….”
Does something in your life need to be upheld or held together? Trust the One, who holds all things together….
“Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 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, praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit….”
(from Ephesians 6:10-20 on the whole armor of God)
After Jesus had fasted for forty days and forty nights… (From the account in Matthew 4)
The devil tempted Jesus, in the wilderness, to turn some stones into bread; then he tempted Him to leap from the temple pinnacle, plotting for Him to be dead.
Finally, he tempted Jesus to fall down and worship him–the vilest being. But Jesus used three important words and scripture to send the devil fleeing.
“It is written,” Jesus rebuked him and sent him off through the use of scripture. And we must do the same today, so the devil gets the picture–
that we stand by our God’s Word as the truth that’s absolute. “It is written,” plus God’s Word, is Biblical rule the devil can’t refute.
He may, as he did with Jesus, use scripture himself in a twisted way; but resist him and he will flee–God’s Word tells us that he won’t stay.
Satan couldn’t get Jesus to fall in one matter, so he presented a second and third; but Jesus defeated the temptations through the authority of God’s Word.
P. A. Oltrogge
“Then Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’” Matthew 4:10
“Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” James 4:7
“Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 18:18
“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
“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4
“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
“Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:19-20 ____________________________
“So He (Jesus) came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written:
‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.’
“Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. And He began to say to them, ‘Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.’” Luke 4:16-21
“…having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God, which lives and abides forever….” 1 Peter 1:23
To obtain an excellent CD of health/healing scriptures, go to the store (put “Healing Scriptures CD” in the search bar) at http://www.markhankins.org
If you feel the need for extra agreement on any matter, visit “Morning Prayer,” M-F, 9:30 a.m. ET (8:30 a.m. CT), for viewing that program at http://www.govictory.com
The number will be 877-281-6297, where you can pray with and for others for their needs or submit a prayer request of your own. You can also submit a prayer request at http://www.govictory.com/pray
(Scriptures NKJV)
Temptation account recorded in Matthew 4, Mark 1, Luke 4
I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them…. they are fallen under my feet.
– Psalm 18:37-38
by Kenneth Copeland
If you’ve been standing around wringing your hands and worrying about what the devil is doing, it’s time you made a switch. It’s time you put that devil under your feet!
Jesus has already given you all the power and authority you need to do it. He’s given you the keys of the kingdom. He’s promised you that whatever you declare locked on earth is locked in heaven and whatever you declare unlocked on earth is unlocked in the heavenlies (Matthew 16:19). That means you can speak the Word and bind wicked spirits. You can speak the Word and loose the angelic forces of God to work in your behalf.
What’s more, you’ve been given the power of attorney that enables you to use the mighty Name of Jesus. A Name that’s above every other name. A Name which will cause every knee to bow—in heaven, in earth, and under the earth (Philippians 2:9-10)!
So, don’t waste time worrying about the devil. Take authority over him. Bind the evil spirits that try to destroy your home, your church and your nation. Loose God’s Word in the earth and enforce it with the Name of Jesus.
You hold the keys. Learn to use them and before long the devil will be wringing his hands worrying about you!
Reprinted with permission from Kenneth Copeland Ministries
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.'” John 14:6
…if you’ve not already done so….
After you’ve acknowledged that you, like all, have sinned, then repent and simply receive the free gift of salvation by grace through faith in Christ, to become one of God’s own children….
“…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….” from Romans 3:21-26
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23
Dear Heavenly Father,
I come to you in the name of Jesus…
who said, “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out” (John 6:37), so I know You won’t cast me out, but You take me in and I thank You for it.
It’s written in Romans: “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
I am calling on Your Name, so I know you have saved me now.
I believe in my heart that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. I believe that He was raised from the dead for my justification, and I confess Him now as my Savior and Lord.
Because Your Word says, “With the heart, one believes unto righteousness,” and I do believe with my heart, I have now become the righteousness of God in Christ…and I am saved! “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)
Thank You, Lord!
“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
“Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?’” Matthew 16:24-25
“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
“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.” Ephesians 2:8-9
“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe.” Proverbs 18:10 NASB
Whenever there’s a “darkest hour,”
the name of Jesus is our strong tower.
When things are rough and are looking bleak,
it’s then that faith must confidently speak.
All things are possible with our God…
He makes flowers to rise through the stubborn sod.
God hasn’t given us a spirit of fear–
the message from Him is to be of good cheer!
We often want to be able to see the victory first,
but faith sees a good outcome when things seem at their worst.
Look past any image that speaks of defeat.
See (and say) it as God sees it–your victory’s complete!
P. A. Oltrogge
“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
“But Jesus looked at them and said to them, ‘With men this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible.’” Matthew 19:26
“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.” …spoken by Jesus in John 16:33
“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 we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7
“…looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith….” …from Hebrews 12:1-3
“So Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.’” …from Mark 11:20-26
“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” Acts 2:36
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:1-5
“Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. 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 5:1-5
“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)
Scriptures NKJV or as noted
Be blessed to watch Terri and George Pearsons this week, at “Today on TV,” “Freedom from Fear,” encouraging us to keep our eyes on Jesus, standing against any fear, at http://www.kcm.org
The Porch of the Lord 