I’m hoping that this poem makes a little bit of sense– I’m reminded today that it’s not good to be tense. But it’s best to look to Jesus in situations big or small, for He’s the problem solver, we know, after all.
I’m thinking of those who race horses and know a lot about keeping a horse calm, despite the crowds that shout, and from distraction by other horses that are running in a race– they use blinders to keep the horse focused to better win first place.
I want to look to Jesus only and keep thanking the Lord, for faith pleases Him; and those who seek Him find reward. “The battle is the Lord’s” was David’s decree against the giant– faith in the Almighty made a “Goliath” problem be compliant.
P. A. Oltrogge
“Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.” David’s words to the Philistine, Goliath, in 1 Samuel 17:47
“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2
“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 comprehension shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:5-6
“And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6
(Blinders, also known as blinkers, have been shown to help some horses stay focused in a race.)
…photo by Paul Kehrer (see original archived post for photographer link)
Through the beauty of a flower, we see our great God’s creative heart. Or the birth of a baby is an expression of another awesome part…of His endless creativity and His giving to us of others to love. Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of lights above.
Praise and thanks to our beautiful Savior, Jesus, the King of Creation. We trust You, placing our hand in Your loving hand through every situation. Help us to share Your love with people who are near to us or far…telling them that You’re the Lord of all, the Bright and Morning Star.
P. A. Oltrogge
“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.” Revelation 22:16 NKJV
“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time 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….” Hebrews 1:1-3 NKJV
“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 NKJV
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 KJV
“The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all—” Acts 10:36 NKJV
“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. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.’” John 14:9-11 NKJV
…a flower, or a newborn child…both are works of God
“Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.” James 5:16-18 NKJV
…a prayer to God in heaven…
Some days, it seems difficult, Father, to be patient to see change…when there are things going on in our country (and world) that need to be rearranged.
We have asked, LORD, for Your justice to somehow come about….as we sing praises to Your name and give a glorifying shout…
We know You want us to live peaceably, as stated in Your Word. Jesus turned tables in the temple. Of Your desire for righteousness, we can be assured.
THANK YOU, You’re at work today, behind the scenes, in ways of which we don’t always know. May we do our best to help effect change, while trusting Your conquering of every evil foe.
in Jesus’ name, we pray…
P. A. Oltrogge
“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior…” 1 Timothy 2:1-6
“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
“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, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints….” Ephesians 6:14-18
“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
“He guards the paths of justice. And preserves the way of His saints.” Proverbs 2:8
“It is a joy for the just to do justice, but destruction will come to the workers of iniquity.” Proverbs 21:15
“There is no (human) wisdom or understanding or counsel (that can prevail) against the Lord.” Proverbs 21:30 AMP
“Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand all.” Proverbs 28:5
“In You, O Lord, I put my trust; Let me never be ashamed; Deliver me in Your righteousness.” Psalm 31:1
“The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He has chosen as His own inheritance.” Psalm 33:10-12 (and all of Psalm 33)
“The Lord executes righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.” Psalm 103:6
“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14
“How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings. They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures. For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light.”
Psalm 36:7-9
Through Jesus, our wonderful Messiah, we have the fountain of life. He came down here as a servant to a world that was full of strife.
The waters from this fountain are able to cleanse any soul, bringing grace to us and His promise that, through Him, we’re forgiven and made whole.
Just as watching a fountain is a refreshing thing, it’s by looking to the words and example of Jesus that renewals of faith and hope will spring.
Out of a strong fountain shoot powerful water sprays… Thank you, Lord, for your power and your love, which work within us throughout our days.
P. A. Oltrogge
Jesus’ words to the woman at Jacob’s well in Samaria…
“Jesus answered and said to her, ‘If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.’
“The woman said to Him, ‘Sir, You have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. Where then do You get that living water? Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, as well as his sons and his livestock?’
“Jesus answered and said to her, ‘Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.'” John 4:10-14
Jesus’ words to His disciples…
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35
…further New Testament scriptures…
“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
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13
“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.” Hebrews 12:1-3
“For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.
“And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight—if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.” Colossians 1:19-23
“To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:27
“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
“…for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13
“And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13
The book, “A Mighty Tempest” may no longer be in print (my copy of the book is from 1992). But it tells the story of Michelle Hamilton, of Australia, who, in the midst of a remote island vacation that she and her mother, Rachelle, had taken, clung to a capsized canoe (bunca), for three days and two nights off of the Philippine coast, drifting for a hundred miles.
Having received permission to share via http://www.savedatsea.com, the following is a brief excerpt from Michelle’s book, about the night of her encounter, of visibly seeing God’s mighty protective angels. Her entire testimony can be found at the mentioned website or on You Tube and in the archives of this blog, where it’s titled, “Lost at Sea.” Her testimony IS better called “Saved at Sea,” as there, she cried out to and found God, who she recalled something of from an occasional visit to a Sunday school as a child.She dedicates her message to Jesus, the One who the wind and waves of the sea obey….
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Without warning, I sensed something near me. Swiveling around in every direction, I was confronted with only the dense blackness of the night. Suddenly surrounding me was an aura of magnetic, vibrating forces that electrically charged the air around me, so much so that I could tangibly feel it! Terrified, I tried to shrink into obscurity under the surface of the ocean. Up to my neck in water, with the acid taste of abject fear in my mouth, I waited, instinctively knowing I was about to experience a spiritual encounter.
Suddenly, before my eyes the vibrating energy took form, an effervescent movement massing together like molecules of light and materializing into the visible images of three angels, not more than five feet from my bunca. Absolutely stunned, I was unable to move. I wanted to swim away from these intimidating spiritual beings. Closing my eyes, I tried to eliminate this vision, truly hoping that when I opened my eyes again, the angels would be gone and I would realize that this was just an apparition, a figment of my haunted mind.
Opening my eyes again, I was assaulted with the truth: It was no apparition–I was in the presence of three angels. Angels from God, sent from heaven to protect me. I’d heard of people having heavenly visitations before, but I had dismissed these people as having overactive imaginations. Would my friends do the same to me? I experienced an eerie sensation as if the meeting of physical and spiritual beings was forbidden. Pure, blinding white light emanated from these three angels which stood together on the surface of the ocean. Towering above the surface, they appeared to be about nine feet tall. Coming from the area of their shoulders was the rounded protrusion of clearly defined feathery wings. With my mouth open in awe and fear, I looked on at these angels that stood on the ocean in a very stoic stance until the white aura of light from them diffused and disappeared. After several minutes, the visual sight of the three angels had dissolved, yet I continued to feel surrounded by what I can only describe as an electromagnetic force.
A tingling sensation rippled up and down my back as I felt a fourth angel directly behind me. Like a cloak, it spread its wings and wrapped them around my body, totally enveloping me. Looking down, I could see the clearly defined, but translucent, wings of the angel, looking very much like those of an enormously large bird. I was completely swathed in a protective covering. The angels were my defensive shield against the murderous ocean. I consciously knew their God-given mission was to keep a vigil throughout the night and guard me from the jaws of death.
Although initially it was a chilling sensation to be in such close proximity to supernatural beings, the eerie feeling soon dissipated, and for the first time since the ordeal began, I felt safe! I felt an overwhelming sense of relief and comfort to know that God was watching over me. The thundering seas continued to pound my body mercilessly, and yet I felt cocooned by the angelic covering God had provided. As if encased in a glass screen box, I viewed the stormy tempest around me with a calm instilled in me that went beyond all human comprehension.
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“Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.” Psalm 91:9-12
“Bless the Lord, you His angels, who excel in strength, who do His word, heeding the voice of His word.” Psalm 103:20
“I sought the Lord and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears… The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them.” Psalm 34:4, 7 NKJV
The story of a “different” duckling was one that, as children, most of us had read…This duckling was ridiculed because of his appearance–so much so, that he finally fled.
He then went through various experiences, away from the home he originally knew; but all of those experiences were bitter and caused him to keep feeling “blue.”
As the story progressed, he came upon a flock of magnificent swans, while downcast, who welcomed him as a most beautiful swan; and there he found happiness at last.
We learn, in reading the Bible, that God doesn’t look at how you outwardly appear–You may feel you haven’t much value, yet you’re a distinctive “swan” in His mirror.
And if blessed with what man defines as great beauty, God still looks within to start…His search for a person who is devoted to Him, humble, but courageous of heart.
Remember, too, that when God sees you, He sees the righteousness of His own Son; and He has promised to perfect the good work in you that, through Christ, He has begun.
P. A. Oltrogge
“For Thou didst form my inward parts; Thou didst weave me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to Thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Thy works, and my soul knows it very well.” Psalm 139:13-14 KJV
“But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him, for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’” 1 Samuel 16:7
“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6
“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
“But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.” Romans 3:21-26 NIV
You may have read or recall the book (and movie), “Heaven is for Real,” which was about a child’s remembrances that had extraordinary appeal.
It’s the story of a young boy, Colton Burpo, who at just under four years old, got a visit to, or vision of, heaven, while most of us can only imagine its streets of gold.
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He had need of emergency surgery due to an infection that became severe. In a near-death experience, Biblical realities became, to Colton, very clear.
He there saw some of the Bible’s saints, and some relatives of his own; and he also, with the Lord Jesus, came near to the Father’s throne.
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It seems that God is pulling out all the stops to allow everyone to see, that heaven is a very real place and that Jesus did die to set sinners free.
While in heaven, Colton learned of things that a young child couldn’t have known. Those facts, his parents knew, weren’t just imaginative tales to which he was prone.
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Ultimately, they felt that Colton’s story needed to be more widely shared–that the telling of it might convince many of how the Lord has always cared.
In fact, in the experience, Jesus told Colton that he would need to go back, in order for Him to answer his father’s prayer, for Colton to recover from the attack.
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If you, or people you know, have questioned whether the Bible is true, it certainly can be said that this story could be for them, and/or for you.
Colton also learned of a coming battle, that is yet to take place. Trust and believe that Jesus is Lord; and receive salvation by God’s grace.
P. A. Oltrogge
The book and movie are available at various book outlets and at the Burpo family’s website: http://www.heavenlive.org
“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
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 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. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” John 14:1-3 NKJV
“And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made of a single pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.” Revelation 21:21 ESV
“Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.'” John 8:31-32 NKJV
“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
“…that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His 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 of works, lest anyone should boast.” Ephesians 2:7-9 NKJV
“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:28
“Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:
“KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” (from Revelation 19)
“And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint…” Luke 18:1 KJV
“Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart…” NASB
“It is not enough to begin to pray, nor to pray aright; nor is it enough to continue for a time to pray; but we must patiently, believingly, continue in prayer until we obtain an answer; and further we have not only to continue in prayer unto the end, but we have also to believe that God does hear us, and will answer our prayers. Most frequently we fail in not continuing in prayer until the blessing is obtained, and in not expecting the blessing.” – George Müller
“Think of what He can do, and how He delights to hear the prayers of His redeemed people. Think of your place and privilege in Christ, and expect great things!” – Andrew Murray
“Prayer is not overcoming God’s reluctance, but laying hold of His willingness.” – Martin Luther
“Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?” – Corrie Ten Boom
“What wings are to a bird and sails are to a ship, so is prayer to the soul.” – Corrie Ten Boom
“…for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’” Acts 17:28 NKJV
Father…
I’ve come to a situation that’s difficult to face, so I ask of you, God, to sustain me with your grace.
Thank you for your grace…much of it may be needed before this problem’s “flooding” will have receded.
But if it’s prolonged, I’ll keep drawing from your supply of divine grace upon grace to help me get by.
Thanks for bountiful grace, poured into my being. I’ve found it’s your grace (and Word) that is absolutely freeing.
…in and through your Son, Jesus’ name, I pray….
P. A. Oltrogge
“I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” Psalm 91:2 NKJV
“For out of His fullness (the superabundance of His grace and truth) we have all received grace upon grace (spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing, favor upon favor, and gift heaped upon gift).” John 1:16 AMP
“But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.” Romans 3:21-26 NIV
“Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” John 8:36 NKJV
“I know how to get along and live humbly (in difficult times), and I also know how to enjoy abundance and live in prosperity. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret (of facing life), whether well-fed or going hungry, whether having an abundance or being in need. I can do all things (which He has called me to do) through Him who strengthens and empowers me (to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.)” Philippians 4:12-13 AMP
“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.” …words of Jesus in Luke 10:19 NKJV
Be reminded today of the believer’s new and righteous identity in Christ and declare it regularly.
…and thank you, Father, for your very special comfort, grace, and protection upon those living in areas of conflict, and upon those going to assist the people. Though we’ve read and heard of adverse reports, we thank you for those that are encouraging; and we pray, trust, and know that you and the angels are greatly at work to answer prayers….
“Fresh as a dewdrop,” My Word is to you. Go to it daily and find things new. You’ll find the familiar in it as well– Of comfort, wisdom, and truth it will tell. At times, for direction, it gives a faith hint, Bringing light to your path like a dewdrop’s glint. Fresh as a dewdrop, I want to impart More of its treasures into your heart. Like finding the dewdrops, you can depend On My being there always to instruct and befriend.
P. A. Oltrogge
“Thy Word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105
“I will never forget Thy precepts, for by them Thou hast revived me.” Psalm 119:93
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort….” 2 Corinthians 1:3
“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5
“Sanctify them in the truth; Thy word is truth.” John 17:17
“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 1:14 NKJV
“…I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20
The Porch of the Lord 