“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” Philippians 4:8
Mac and Lynne Hammond are the senior pastors of a large body of believers at Living Word, located in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota.
A wonderful healing testimony can be found if you go to:
You Tube Living Word Christian Center Minnesota woman healed after falling off ladder
…for some, during the Christmas season, they may be going through difficult times, so here is a message to encourage…
Do you feel like you are walking under a dark cloud so to speak? Does everything in your life seem to be going in the wrong direction? Well, if it does, I want you to have hope. God has a promise for you today.
If the devil can cast a dark shadow over some area of your life, then he can cause you to lose the will to even put up a fight. That’s why he works so hard at it. He wants to create such a discouraging picture that you finally just give up and quit. But why would you do that? Satan has already been defeated and you are the victor! Remember what the Word says about you – get full of the Word and see how it will change your perspective. That dark cloud will go away.
Why? Because when you get full of the Word of God, you find out a few things. You find out that you are the one with the weapons that are mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. You find out that you’re the one with the authority. You’re the one with the power through the name of Jesus. You find out that Satan has already been defeated. And when you stand up to him with the Word of God in your mouth and command him to flee, he runs away in stark terror.
Now I am not trying to deny the reality of sickness, financial problems, marital problems, or anything like that, but what I am acknowledging is a higher form of reality. Jesus said, “Thy Word is truth.” (John 17:17, KJV). The dictionary definition for truth is “the highest form of reality that exists.” Yes, sickness is real. Financial problems are real. Stress is real. Depression is real. But the Truth is a higher form of reality. When you apply a higher form of reality to a lower form, all things being equal, then the lower form must bow.
I don’t live in a fantasy world. I live in faith. I live in the Word. I live in the highest form of reality that exists. When problems come, I don’t say, “This is not really a problem.” No, I say, “Hold it right there, problem. Let’s see what the Word says about you.”
Whatever you are going through today is not the highest form of reality. No matter what shadows the devil casts at you, if you hold on to God and His Word, it will get you out of trouble. That is God’s promise. If you allow Satan’s shadows to darken you, then you lose sight of that promise. You are not remembering your covenant. God is saying, “Trust me! I will never let you down.”
Author: Jerry Savelle
…shared with permission of Jerry Savelle Ministries
“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 NKJV
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
“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
“Are they (the angels) not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?” Hebrews 1:14
“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 …and entire Psalm
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:6-9
“Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘Therefore I hope in Him!’” Lamentations 3:22-24
Scriptures: NKJV
Great encouragement on God’s faithfulness at: www.jerrysavelle.org
“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 4:16
Dear Father in Heaven,
You’ve told us that we should be bold in coming to Your throne of grace; so, Father, as Your child, I come boldly to that place.
Jesus taught us to pray, and we thank You for our daily bread; yet there’s something I’d like to add for the hours in the day ahead…
“Give us this day our daily”…miracles, is that for which I ask. You’re a miracle-working God; I know You’re more than up to the task!
“On earth as it is in heaven,” is prayed for Your will to be done, which is an appeal to see Your goodness, as stated perfectly by Your Son.
I wonder if a day went by, when Jesus was ministering on earth as a man, where His disciples didn’t see the miraculous within the day’s span.
If so, it might have been because of a lack of faith to expect. To be expectant daily of Your miracles, is something I shouldn’t neglect.
P. A. Oltrogge
“Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits, The God of our salvation! Selah” Psalm 68:19
“Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; 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 exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” Ephesians 1:15-23
“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
Matthew 6:8-13 The Lord’s Prayer
Also true is that “In due time” and “Wait for the Lord” are sometimes required.
“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7
“I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:13-14 NASB
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7
“There are only two ways you can live: by faith or by sight.” Quote/Keith Moore
His “Faith School,” where are found many enlightening Biblical teachings on living by faith, is at: http://www.faithschool.org
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Also, be blessed at “The Place for Miracles,” a live program where Richard Roberts, son of Oral Roberts, prays for anyone’s healing needs. They have seen/are seeing noteworthy healing miracles.
Thank you, Lord, for your care and even miracles in our daily lives and especially for any of your children who are going through difficult circumstances….
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.” Isaiah 43:2
“Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them, but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, ‘Let the children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God,’” Mark 10:13-14
“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you…” From Jeremiah 1:5
“You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous–how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.” Psalm 139:13-16 NLT
My son, Michael, is in Ukraine. Please pray for him and the suffering people. And please donate to help them…they need a Christmas miracle.
Russian troops continue to advance further and further into Ukraine. Some analysts now are saying that Russia controls 20% of the entire country. And they are ramping up their attacks. The people of Ukraine are suffering greatly, and they desperately need our help. To continue delivering food, medicine, clothing, and other emergency supplies to Ukraine, we must raise $75,000 immediately. So far 53 friends have given $6,425 toward this vital goal.
The Russians are deliberately targeting Ukraine’s electric grid. About 40% of all the power stations in the country have been damaged or destroyed. With the cold of winter, the lack of heat is a deadly threat. Many stores have almost nothing on the shelves. Hungry people are shivering in the cold and wondering if anyone cares for them. I’m asking you to let them know they are not alone..
Thanks to the help of friends like you we have been touching the lives of poor Jewish people in Ukraine for more than a decade before the Russian invasion. Since the war started, we have done even more to help, but the needs continue to grow. The sacred call of Isaiah 58:7 to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, and not to divert our eyes from the suffering remains before us as we join hands to care for those in dire need in Ukraine.
Your support of the Jerusalem Prayer Team today allows us to reach out in Christian love to the suffering Holocaust survivors of Ukraine, even as we continue to comfort the people of Israel who are suffering because of the war, to continue to operate the Friends of Zion Museum, to stand up and speak out for Israel, and to meet urgent humanitarian needs among the poor Jewish people living in Israel. Thank you so much for being part of this vital worldwide prayer movement.
“Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”Matthew 1:23 KJV
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A simple book of poems appeared a few short years ago, and that book reappears at the time of the winter’s snow.
Christmas on the Porch is Biblically-based research…on the birth of Jesus Christ, who is the head of His blood-bought church.
“Come, they told me, pa rum pum pum pum, to see the newborn King”…a carol tells of a little boy coming to play for Him on his drum.
Oh come, oh come…Jesus came, not just for some–God wants the WORLD to know … Emmanuel has come!
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“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” Luke 2:10-12 KJV
“All nations whom You have made shall come and worship before You, O Lord, and shall glorify Your name. For You are great, and do wondrous things; You alone are God.” Psalm 86:9-10 NKJV
Oh come, oh come Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here, until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel…shall come to thee, oh Israel.
Oh come, Thou Wisdom from on high, who orders all things mightily. To us the path of knowledge show, and teach us in her ways to go. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel…shall come to thee, oh Israel.
Oh come, Thou Branch of Jesse’s tree, free men from Satan’s tyranny…from depths of hell, by Thy power to save, and give them victory o’er the grave. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel… shall come to thee, oh Israel.
Oh come, Thou Dayspring from on high, and cheer us by Thy drawing nigh. Disperse the gloomy clouds of night and death’s dark shadows put to flight. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel…shall come to thee, oh Israel.
Oh come, Thou Key of David, come, and open wide our heavenly home. Make safe the way that leads on high, and close the path to misery. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel…shall come to thee, oh Israel.
Oh come, Desire of nations bind, in one the hearts of all mankind. Bid Thou our sad divisions cease, and be Thyself our King of Peace. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel…shall come to Thee, oh Israel.
J. M. Neale/C. W. Douglas
Jesus came–He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life of servanthood, yet died through crucifixion as a sacrifice for our sins, but was resurrected, and then ascended to His Father in heaven…and Jesus is coming back again:
“Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.’” Acts 1:9-11 NKJV
“For with God nothing will be impossible.”Luke 1:37 (said to Mary, by the angel Gabriel)
Those who revered God anticipated a Savior, as foretold by the prophets of old. Today, we anticipate celebrating Jesus’ birth in these days of the winter’s cold.
And we anticipate the return of the Lord, as He Himself prophesied. Until that day, we’re to be about God’s business, with His Holy Spirit as our guide.
It’s a time to consider the needs of others–those for whom Christ came. Because of His birth in Bethlehem, the world has never been the same.
It’s a time to reflect on God’s goodness–all He has done and will do. So we praise Him in the midst of the darkness, for His love keeps shining through.
P. A. Oltrogge
“Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, ‘Iamthelightoftheworld. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” John 8:12
“Jesus said to him, ‘If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.’” Mark 9:23
“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him, who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.” 1 Peter 2: 9-10
“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. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.
“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” Romans 5:1-5 NLT
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16
“Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.” Philippians 2:14-16
“For Godso 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
“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 4:9-11
Scriptures: NKJV or as noted
Since it’s said to be “Giving Tuesday,” we’re reminded to pray for and help those ministries (previously mentioned on the blog or others of which you’re aware) that are reaching out to bless others. The popular “Operation Christmas Child” might be one suggestion, or click on the Christmas Gift Catalog, found at: http://www.samaritanspurse.org
“The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26
“When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” Psalm 61:2
My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus’ name. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand.
When darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace; In every high and stormy gale, My anchor holds within the veil. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand.
His oath, His covenant, and blood, Support me in the whelming flood; When every earthly prop gives way, He then is all my Hope and Stay. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand.
When He shall come with trumpet sound, Oh, may I then in Him be found; Clothed in His righteousness alone, Faultless to stand before the throne! On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand.
Written, 1834 by Edward Mote Composed, 1873 by John Stainer
“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope, to Timothy, a true son of the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.” 1 Timothy 1:1-3
…a great hymn to sing, no matter what you may be going through…
To many, Christmas is about finding that special gift and tying it up with a bow; but JESUS is the true “Reason for the Season” amidst the winter’s snow.
Today is the day that Christmas shopping officially seems to start… Giving Christmas on the Porch as a gift can be an expression of God’s heart.
