“The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy. I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly.” Words of Jesus in John 10:10
“Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation, or shifting shadow.” James 1:17
Dear Lord,
When life’s been less than perfect, I’ve sometimes struggled to understand. Your power could have prevented, and sent something far more grand. But then, one day, You reminded me about diamonds in the rough– How You can take and polish things that seem to be so tough.
Your love will always work to heal when things, at times, go wrong, Yet You desire to see us look to Your Word, which makes us strong. We live by faith and are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ, our Lord; And it’s in believing in Your love for us that we reap a rich reward.
P. A. Oltrogge
“The Lord will perfect that which concerns me….” Psalm 138:8 (NKJV)
“Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14
“You are from God, little children, and have overcome them, because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4
“He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” Revelation 3:21
“And they overcame him (the thief/devil) because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even to death.” Revelation 12:11
In some instances, it’s good to remember how God worked uniquely in the life of Joseph, who was sold into slavery by his brothers, later to become a great ruler in Egypt:
“And as for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.” (words of Joseph in Genesis 50:20)
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: ‘For your sake, we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.’ Yet in all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 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 8:35-39 (NKJV)
And we’re learning of and growing in the believer’s authority over the enemy’s attacks/setbacks. Search for that topic in the “Bookstore” at http://www.rhema.org
Scriptures: New American Standard Translation, The Ryrie Study Bible, or as noted.
“The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the Prophets:
“Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.” “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight.’ ”
Mark 1:1-3 NKJV
John, whose message was repentance, was clothed with camel’s hair; and locusts and wild honey were, of necessity, his taste. People throughout Judea and those from Jerusalem came out to where he was based.
They sought to be baptized by John in the Jordan river, for the remission of their sins. But he spoke of One mightier coming, who would baptize with the Holy Spirit, which is where Mark’s story (account) of Jesus begins.
At that time, Jesus from Nazareth of Galilee came, and was baptized there, also, by John. When He came up out of the water, the heavens parted, and the Spirit descended upon…
this Son of Man and only begotten Son of God. Mark wrote that the Spirit came down “like a dove.” “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” were His Father’s words from heaven above.
Immediately afterward, the Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness, where, for forty days…He was tempted by Satan, but never failed–Jesus always fully adhered to His Father’s ways.
After John was wickedly put into prison, Jesus began preaching the gospel in Galilee. He told the people to repent of their sins, and that it was through Him that they could be set free.
As Jesus walked by Galilee’s sea, he saw Simon and Andrew casting out a fishing net there. He told them He would make them fishers of men–the gospel would be theirs, as well, to share.
They left their nets to follow Him–then Jesus called James and John, two more. Leaving their father, Zebedee, and others in the boat, they joined the Lord upon the shore.
Heading into Capernaum, Jesus entered into the synagogue on the Sabbath to teach. He taught as One having authority, not as the scribes, when they would “preach.”
There was a man there, possessed with an unclean spirit, who cried out, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did you come to destroy us? I know who You are–the Holy One of God!” he said in an evil tone.
Jesus rebuked him and commanded the unclean spirit to be quiet and that it was to come out. Then the unclean spirit convulsed the man and left him, after it had made a defeated shout.
Everyone was amazed that Jesus could cause evil spirits to obey His bold command. Immediately His fame spread in Galilee–throughout all of that region’s land.
After that incident, Jesus entered the house of Simon, where Simon’s mother-in-law was lying down ill. Jesus took her by the hand and lifted her up–the fever left her, for Jesus was carrying out His Father’s will.
To Jesus, that evening, after sunset, all who were sick or demon possessed were brought. The whole city was actually gathered there, for they’d heard of the miracles that He’d wrought.
The next morning, long before daylight, Jesus went out to a solitary place to pray. So Simon and others searched for Him. “Everyone is looking for You,” they told Him; but Jesus wasn’t led to stay.
“Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth,” He said. And He preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, casting out demons in more towns that were ahead.
At one point a leper came to Jesus, saying, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” Jesus was moved with compassion and touched him, saying, “I am willing. Be cleansed.” Immediately, the leprosy was no longer seen.
Jesus warned him to say nothing to anyone but to go and show himself to the priest. But the man went out and shared his story freely–he was so happy at having been released.
Then, Jesus could no longer openly enter the city, but had to go out to a deserted place. But people kept coming to Him from every direction, having heard He was pouring out God’s goodness and wonderful grace.
Poetry by P. A. Oltrogge(after the beginning Scripture verses)
“Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness.” Psalm 107:8-9
…and the following are from the book of Acts:
“Then Peter opened his mouth and said: ‘In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all—that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: 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. And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree. Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.'” Acts 10:34-43
“And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples he said to them, ‘Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?’ So they said to him, ‘We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.’ And he said to them, ‘Into what then were you baptized?’ So they said, ‘Into John’s baptism.’
“Then Paul said, ‘John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.’ When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Acts 19:1-5
As believers, we’re aware of the importance… of following “the inward witness,” which is so vital to our well-being and to our necessary spiritual fitness.
If we believe in the goodness of God and that our Shepherd knows what’s best, then it follows that by praying and following His lead, we’ll be on the highest and most certain quest.
To put it in God’s words, you are His son, when you’re someone who is Spirit led. Make it your desire to do the will of the Father; and, with the faith food of His Word, be fed.
Wait for His peace regarding decisions; never go against what God has said in His Word. It’s a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path, whereby your success is established and assured.
If our lives, in some instances, seem to be off course, and that things aren’t turning out right, it could be that we’ve not been walking by faith, but, instead, just by our own sight.
Wise men (and women and even children) still seek the Lord today, it’s said. Thankfully, He’s the God of another chance– so seek Him strongly in the days ahead.
P. A. Oltrogge
Currently, at http://www.capps.tv, you can hear Annette Capps on this topic. Her message is “God’s Third Choice.”
“Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near.” Isaiah 55:6 NASB
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV
“For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” Romans 8:14 NASB
“But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His Name.” John 1:12 KJV
“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 NKJV
“Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105 KJV
“The entrance of Your words gives light…” Psalm 119:130 NKJV
“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. Galatians 4:4-7 KJV
“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:12-14 NKJV
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.’” Lamentations 3:22-24 NRSV
More on the inward witness at http://www.rhema.org Search Faith/Health Food Devotionals, under Study Center
“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3
How do I love Thee? Let me count the ways… I love Thee for giving me breath to praise. I love Thee for all that you’ve done for me… In deepest love, you bore my sin penalty. And through what you have done on a cruel cross, I can pray in faith and you’ll still “come across” with answers to prayer as I continue to trust. Your power has a loving and faithful thrust. You provide shelter, food, and clothing to wear, and commission me to the challenge with others to share of the things of this life and that which is enduring– the Gospel of Christ, our eternal, strong mooring. I love Thee for causing your goodness to reflect through family, friends, and teachers I respect. I love Thee for your Word, which teaches right and wrong; and my soul is pointed to you through beautiful song. I love Thee for showing me your artistic impression as seen in what you’ve created with gifted expression. I love Thee for giving me the Holy Spirit, my Comforter–not an audible voice, yet I can hear it. I love that I can trust that by you I’m being led, so intimately I’m known, even the number of hairs on my head. I love Thee for your compassion–the goodness of your ways… I love Thee that you promise to be with me all of my days.
P. A. Oltrogge
“…He Himself has said, ‘I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.’” Hebrews 13:5 NASB
“Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” Luke 12:6-7
“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
“Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” Psalm 103:1-5
“Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree’), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Brethren, I speak in the manner of men: Though it is only a man’s covenant, yet if it is confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it. Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, ‘And to seeds,’ as of many, but as of one, ‘And to your Seed,’ who is Christ.” Galatians 3:13-16
“For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.” Galatians 3:26-29
“If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; 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.” John 14:15-17 KJV
“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
“Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
“When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
“And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13
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 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
“Then Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate said to them, ‘Behold the Man!’Therefore, when the chief priests and officers saw Him, they cried out, saying, ‘Crucify Him, crucify Him!’ Pilate said to them, ‘You take Him and crucify Him, for I find no fault in Him.'” John 19:5-6
“He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins…..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.” Colossians 1:13-14 and 19-20
When I survey the wondrous cross On which the Prince of glory died, My richest gain I count but loss, And pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, Save in the death of Christ my God! All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood.
See from His head, His hands, His feet, Sorrow and love flow mingled down! Did e’er such love and sorrow meet, Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were a present far too small; Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all.
by Isaac Watts, published 1707
“When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, ‘Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his lifewill lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.'” spoken by Jesus in Mark 8:34-35
“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 lampstand, 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.” by Jesus in Matthew 5:14-16
“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 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. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:4-10
“Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Galatians 3:24-29
“These things that I once considered valuable, I now consider worthless for Christ. It’s far more than that! I consider everything else worthless because I’m much better off knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. It’s because of him that I think of everything as worthless. I threw it all away in order to gain Christ and to have a relationship with him. This means that I didn’t receive God’s approval by obeying his laws. The opposite is true! I have God’s approval through faith in Christ. This is the approval that comes from God and is based on faith that knows Christ. Faith knows the power that his coming back to life gives and what it means to share his suffering. In this way I’m becoming like him in his death, with the confidence that I’ll come back to life from the dead.” Philippians 3:7-11 (GW)
“Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they may obey us, we direct their entire body as well. Behold the ships, also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder, wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. Behold how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity, the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.” James 3:3-6
Like a bit in a horse’s mouth directs a horse on a trail’s way, or as a rudder turns a ship around out upon a bay, So our words, says the Bible, create good or bad, affecting whether we’re happy or whether we’re sad.
Three words that you can use to fight a melancholy spirit are, “I am blessed!” Say it out loud, so your own ears hear it! To start your day with these three words will get you on the proper track; just don’t let circumstances cause you to take them back.
Speaking words of faith when things seem to be adverse are that bit or rudder needed to enforce victory over the curse. Though the tongue is small, the Bible refers to it as being like a fire, so set it on the course of all the good that you desire!
“I am blessed!” charges the atmosphere with God’s power and light, and leaves no room for the powers that would bring darkness and blight. Agreement with a friend or spouse can be a powerful thing– Just think what agreement with Almighty God Himself can bring!
So remember, “I am blessed!” when your life seems to need a lift; such words and the promises of God can cause anything to shift!
P. A. Oltrogge
It’s been a while since the above was written. It may not always be easy or necessarily yield quick results; but the more we practice it, the stronger we can grow in it. It definitely is right to keep our thoughts and speech in agreement with God’s Word. Visit http://www.cappsministries.com for the book, The Tongue, A Creative Force.
“Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever, Amen.” Ephesians 3:20, 21
“You will also decree a thing, and it will be established for you; and light will shine on your ways.” Job 22:28
“A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are the snare of his soul.” Proverbs 18:7
“Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it shall be granted him.” Mark 11:23 (See also 24-26 on forgiving.)
“The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” Proverbs 16:9
“With the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach will be satisfied; he will be satisfied with the product of his lips. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Proverbs 18:20, 21
“He who guards his mouth and his tongue, guards his soul from troubles.” Proverbs 21:23
“I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the Lord; and I will heal him.” Isaiah 57;19 (KJV)
“The mouth of a righteous man is a fountain of life….” Proverbs 10:11
“…the mouth of the upright will deliver them.” Proverbs 12:6
“A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his words….” Proverbs 12:14
“…but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Proverbs 12:18
“The one who guards his mouth preserves his life….” Proverbs 13:3
“Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” Proverbs 16:24
Other scripture references: Proverbs 14:3, Proverbs 15:2, 4, Proverbs 16:23 and Psalm 91
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6
“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” 2 Peter 1:2-4
“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
“…Fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 (RSV)
Photos/Pixabay (top) and Porch of the Lord (bottom)
“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.” John14:34-36
If I loved you, I would speak of the One who made earth, the stars, sun and moon… If I loved you, I’d say, though we don’t know when, Jesus could return for us soon.
If I loved you, I would tell you to realize that there’s more than this life only… If I loved you, I would tell you, you have “family”–we need never be lonely.
If I loved you, I would encourage you to find a church online or locally… If I loved you, I would tell you it’s a blessing to give your heart to Jesus totally.
If I loved you, I would tell of the great importance of loving and forgiving others, for Jesus said that those who hear and do God’s word are His mother and brothers.
If I loved you, I’d encourage you to give into God’s kingdom and reap rewards… present and eternal ones, for the principle of “sowing and reaping” is the Lord’s.
If I loved you, I’d say that Christ is the only way to God that anyone can find… If I loved you, I’d say that you must leave all inadequate religious traditions behind.
If I loved you, I would say that you can pray and experience Jesus, too… If I loved you, I’d say to turn to Him as Savior–the most important thing you can do.
If I loved you, I wouldn’t let another day go by without making sure that I know… that you’re coming along with all who are in the “family of God,” for I DO love you so!
…as, with deepest love, does God….
“For God so loved the world that He gave Hisonly begotten Son, that whoever believes in Himshould not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
“We love Him because He firstloved us.” 1 John 4:19
“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ, (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 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. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:4-10
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.'” John 14:6
“And it was told Him by some, who said, ‘Your mother and brothers are standing outside, desiring to see You.’But He answered and said to them, ‘My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.'” Luke 8:20-21
“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in His love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. This is my command: Love each other.” John 15:9-17 NLT
“Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 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 6:37-38
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” Matthew 5:43-48
“And He said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and foremost commandment. And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.'” Matthew 22:37-40
“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, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all….” 1 Timothy 2:1-5
“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 5:3-5
“He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.'” Mark 16:15-16 NIV
“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work…..He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming quickly.’ Amen. Come Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.” Revelation 22:12, 20-21
Also: John 14:1-6; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Are there people we know in our lives, who come and go, but we haven’t yet fully shared with them of their need to personally know Jesus? We truly love them by sharing about Him….
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ….” Ephesians 1:3
When Despair is the sad song that the devil has been strumming, remember you have God’s Word that His answers are forthcoming.
Regarding your prayer request, you have the answer NOW, in fact. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for”–the answer is intact.
Faith is “the evidence of things not seen…” The Lord is your Shepherd, and His pastures are green.
P. A. Oltrogge
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1
“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 sayswill 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.” Mark 11:21-24…(and verses 25, 26 on the importance of having forgiven when you pray)
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures….” Psalm 23:1-2
“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue….” 2 Peter 1:2-3
“Jesus said to him, ‘If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.'” Mark 9:23
“Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.‘” Mark 10:27
At http://www.awmi.net you can go to “Resources,” then “Popular Teachings,” to find Andrew Wommack’s message, You’ve Already Got It! His book of the same title is available at the site’s store, along with many other insightful teachings/books, CDs, etc. And if you’ve never received Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, click on “Receive Jesus.”
The Porch of the Lord 