This week’s programming on “Fixing the Money Thing,” with Gary and Drenda Keesee, features Drenda, as spokesperson all this week for the topic covered in her new book, “Fight Like Heaven.” She details, with much research, the present anti-Biblical culture/agenda and how Christians are called to stand against it. The entire week is dedicated to the topic, but July 6 and 7 programming are a good place to start if you’re unable to take in each day’s programming.
You will find this by going to http://www.govictory.com and click on “Shows.” Then scroll down to find “Fixing the Money Thing” on the left-hand side of the screen.
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen”
Matthew 6:9-13 KJV
“Blessed are you, Lord God of Israel, our Father, forever and ever. Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power and the glory, the victory and the majesty; for all that is in heaven and in earth is yours; Yours is the kingdom, O Lord.” 1 Chronicles 29:10-11 NKJV
Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem A Song of Ascents, of David
I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” Our feet are standing Within your gates, O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that is built As a city that is compact together; To which the tribes go up, even the tribes of the Lord– An ordinance for Israel– To give thanks to the name of the Lord. For there thrones were set for judgment,… The thrones of the house of David.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they prosper who love you. “May peace be within your walls, And prosperity within your palaces.” For the sake of my brothers and my friends, I will now say, “May peace be within you.” For the sake of the house of the Lord our God I will seek your good.
Psalm 122 NASB
Blessed be the Lord from Zion, Who dwells in Jerusalem. Praise the Lord!
The Bible is widely heard of, yet many people haven’t actually “heard” of much that’s written within its pages. Lord, wake them to Your Word.
For it’s written that it’s the scriptures that make us “wise unto salvation.” Lord, we pray, You’d wake people to Your Word throughout ours and every nation.
Send laborers across the paths of those whose hearts You will have prepared to be ready to receive the Gospel invitation, which those laborers will share.
We thank You, Father, for Your great love and for the Holy Spirit’s power to draw souls to Jesus, our Savior and Good Shepherd, in this important hour.
P. A. Oltrogge
“And he (Jesus) said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” Mark 4:9 KJV
“And continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
“And that from a child thou hast learned the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”
2 Timothy 3:14-16 KJV
“Therefore, said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.” Luke 10:2 KJV
“And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there. Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul.” Acts 16:13-14 NKJV
Our prayers for them continue to go forth…and providing aid through organizations previously mentioned on this Porch blog. Of course, http://www.samaritanspurse.org would be one established by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, from which came the video on this link…shared with permission by BGEA.
If, for any reason, this link doesn’t work, simply go to http://www.billygraham.org and click on “TV & Radio,” then click on “Videos” (and “Load More”) where you will find it and other inspiring videos.
Lilian B. Yeomans, a medical doctor in the early 1900’s, told the story of a missionary, a woman who had come down with a severe case of smallpox. The following is the story of her healing from that disease.
The Lord gave this woman a vision…of two “baskets” of prayer and praise. Each of us has such baskets, to which we contribute, in either of those ways.
So, her prayer basket on problems was very full, almost to be spilling out, while her praise basket was only half full, due to neglect and, often, her doubt.
While prayer can be effective and fervent, there’s an enemy who opposes. Praise to God is also of great power; and, to Him, it’s as fragrant as roses.
Dr. Yeomans called it “The Praise Cure,” to which there is no expense. She said it would work in every case, which, by Biblical examples, makes sense.
God told the woman to fill up her praise basket, making it heavy with praise and song. As she did that, the problem basket eventually “lifted” in her life, removing what had been wrong.
Though the doctor had told her to rest quietly, she’d kept up her praises and singing. Even nurses who were attending to her decided to join in, keeping her bedroom ringing!
So if on some matter, you feel distraught, with a problem that seems very hard– turn to praise, as did that woman. The affliction ceased, and it left her unscarred.
Praise the Lord!
P. A. Oltrogge
If you do an internet search, you can find a more detailed version of this poetic account. Look for: Mark Hankins The Praise Cure Lilian B. Yeomans
I need to remember this account often myself. Praise God for His love, compassion, goodness, mercy, presence and power in our lives. Choosing a favorite worship song blesses Him and enhances our hope and trust in Him in the midst of a difficulty.
“Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! For He has done marvelous things; His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory.” Psalm 98:1
“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.” Psalm 100:4-5
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Colossians 3:16
“Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.” Hebrews 13:15
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:6 (Scriptures NKJV)
Visit http://www.moorelife.org for “101 Things God Said About Healing” and “Thanksgiving Victory.” Also, Keith Moore’s healing songs in sheet music are available there. To hear his songs, click on “Word Supply,” then, “Music.” A favorite of mine is “Healing Compassion,” which is under “Quicken Thou Me.” Be blessed by any and all of them. If you feel in need of peace, listen to his beautiful songs on the peace of God….
The Bible says that all of the Hebrew warriors’ knees were knocking at the sight and size of the giant, Goliath, an enemy who was shocking.
None were brave enough at all to finish that giant off; and when they saw him at a distance, Goliath would loudly scoff.
But there was a shepherd lad of courage who had fought a lion and bear– To him, the giant, Goliath, was really nothing of a scare,
For David had the faith of one who knew that he was guarded by the greater Lord of Hosts–and it was Him whom he regarded.
David rejected King Saul’s armor and chose to fight Goliath instead with declarations of faith, a slingshot, and a stone to knock him dead.
That’s exactly how it went–though he had brought a total of five; it took just one stone plus faith to make that giant not survive!
Today, in our lives, we may have never tackled a lion or a bear– but David’s example of facing things fearful makes us be aware
That faith in God is ample for the things that we may face– Though problems may seem looming, we can conquer them by God’s grace. _______________________________
A postscript to this Biblical record is that we might speculate that a further lesson is in the account that one could possibly state. The five smooth stones that David brought show he was quite prepared to try again, depending on how the first stone actually fared!
P. A. Oltrogge
And, like David, remembering past victories, where the Lord undertook for us, will help us in facing what may be or what seems like a greater challenge before us. So we persevere with declarations of faith in our God and His Word, and through prayer/praise on any matter.
“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
“And He spoke a parable to them, that men ought always to pray and not lose heart….” words of Jesus in Luke 18:1
“And David said, ‘The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.’ And Saul said to David, ‘Go, and may the Lord be with you.’” 1 Samuel 17:37
“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.” 1 Samuel 17:47
The encouraging books, Never Run at Your Giant with Your Mouth Shut, and The Spirit of Faith, by Mark Hankins, are available at http://www.markhankins.org
Having just gotten out of the hospital, I hereby have to say… that God uses doctors and nurses to answer the prayers we pray.
I always most want to look to God and to His supernatural power; yet the hospital is there for us, certainly, to help in a crisis hour.
I’m so grateful for the people who decided to utilize their minds for the study of medicine and care, to fight maladies of various kinds.
Many of these people are young, some older, who daily report for duty. Their zeal to serve God by serving others is truly a thing of beauty.
The hospital acts as if it is its own city–there are many personnel who support the doctors and nurses as they work to get people well.
This makes me think of the medically trained, who volunteer to share their expertise in areas of the world where there is little of such care.
Samaritan’s Purse, as an example, has set up clinics in Ukraine… thereby making the love of God, through Christ, to be so very plain.
God uses believing prayer and/or people to show forth His compassion. Either way, it’s through the prayer of faith that His miracles are fashioned.
P. A. Oltrogge
Postscript:
While there, I focused on scriptures, needing to hold up my faith shield, confessing with my own tongue, that by Jesus’ stripes I was healed.
“…who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.” 1 Peter 2:24
“…but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Proverbs 12:18
“Never Run at Your Giant With Your Mouth Shut” is a great little book by Mark Hankins at http://www.markhankins.org and also “God’s Healing Word” by Trina Hankins
“While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house who said, ‘Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?’ As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, ‘Do not be afraid; only believe.’” (from the account of the healing of the daughter of Jairus, in Mark 5:21-43.)
After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples several times–for instance, once at the Sea of Galilee. In the group were Simon Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, two other disciples, and the sons of Zebedee.
Peter announced he was going to go out to fish; and they all decided they would join him, too, on the boat. They fished all night but caught nothing; and in the morning they saw Jesus on the shore as they were afloat.
They didn’t realize this was the Master when He called to them as “friends,” asking if they had fish aboard. “No,” they said–but then took His advice, that a shift of the net to the right side shouldn’t be ignored.
When they did as He said, they came into such an abundance of fish that they weren’t able to haul in the net, which caused them to remember a previous miraculous catch–an incident they could never forget.
John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, spoke up first, saying, “It is the Lord!” They all were overwhelmed and excited. Peter, in his eagerness, threw on his tunic, and jumped into the sea for the shore–so unable to wait to be reunited.
The others followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, with which Jesus had just blessed–such a great haul. A fire of burning coals with fish and also bread was ready on shore, where the Lord wanted to dine with them all.
Jesus said that they should bring some of the fish just caught–153 large fish in all, and yet the net wasn’t torn. “Come and have breakfast,” was His warm greeting to His disciples there on that joyful and, to them, miraculous morn.
Have you fished all night, are you not expecting to see the Lord show up, do you think miracles are few and far between? Well, He’s the resurrected Lord, and is “ALIVE forevermore!” We can expect to see miracles yet like none we’ve ever seen!
P. A. Oltrogge
(from John 21:1-14 and reference to Luke 5:1-11)
“And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, ‘Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death. Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.’” Revelation 1:17-19
The various versions of the Bible have Jesus calling out to His disciples in this account in different terms. “Children” is written in the King James Version–which they were, beloved children of God.
In the Gospel of John, we read of John as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” Of course, all of His disciples were the recipients of His love, as we also are today!
…Richard Roberts has often said, “Much prayer, much power; little prayer, little power; and no prayer, no power.” Be encouraged by going to http://www.oralroberts.com where you can click on healing prayers of various topics or call their prayer line, 918-495-7777. Also, be blessed by the encouraging recent Podcasts and testimonies, or order Richard and Lindsay’s books and other materials.
Herod began to persecute those who believed in Jesus, it’s told in the twelfth chapter of Acts. James was martyred by the sword and Peter was seized, though there had been no criminal facts.
The church was offering up constant prayer for Peter–imprisoned by Herod Agrippa, the king. So in the dark of the night, God sent an angel to visit Peter there, who was asleep despite everything.
Four squads of soldiers had been assigned to him; and he was chained as he slept that night. A soldier on each side of him and guards were there, who were keeping the prison door barred tight.
Suddenly, the angel of the Lord stood by Peter, and a light shone inside the prison cell. The angel struck him on his side and raised him up; and from Peter’s hands, the heavy prison chains fell.
At the angel’s instruction, Peter dressed quickly to follow him–though it all seemed to be unreal. They went past the first and second guard posts. “This must be a ‘vision,’” was how it made him feel.
They came to the iron gate that led to the city, which simply opened to them of its own accord–then went out and down one street, and the angel departed. What a rescue from an angel of the Lord!
Peter came to his senses, realizing it had actually happened–he’d escaped Herod and leaders of the Jews. He proceeded on to the home of Mary, the mother of John Mark, where they’d fervently prayed for this news.
Peter knocked at the door of the gate to the house, and a girl by the name of Rhoda came to see who was there. In her joy at hearing his voice, she ran to tell the others it was Peter, and that God had answered prayer.
They just couldn’t believe her, so Peter had to continue to knock, until they opened the door themselves to see… that God, indeed, had heard their prayers for Peter, and had sent His angel–to miraculously set him free!
At dawn, back at the prison, there was a commotion among the soldiers, as to how Peter’s captivity was defied. After a search was endeavored, Herod ordered the soldiers’ deaths; but the Bible records that he, too, soon afterward died…
“But the word of God grew and multiplied!”
P. A. Oltrogge
(From the account in Acts 12)
“Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.” Acts 12:5
“Then He (Jesus) spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart…” Luke 18:1
Cleanse me of worry, oh Lord. I lay my concerns at Your feet, for it’s only in letting You solve them that these problems will meet their defeat.
When worrisome thoughts do come around, I’ll trust You to help me to stand my ground. Worry can only cause hurt in a life– It can touch others, as well, and even cause strife. For worry is a poison to resist and forsake– Instead, from God’s goodness and mercy I’ll take.
So thank You for cleansing me of worry, reminding me to turn up the PRAISE, for You are a God of deliverance and peace, and it’s only Your banner I’ll raise!
P. A. Oltrogge
“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 4:6-7 NASB
“Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, the God who is our salvation. God is to us a God of deliverances; and to God the Lord belong escapes from death.” Psalm 68:19, 20 NASB
“Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the workers of iniquity, for they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:1-4 NKJV (and the entire Psalm)
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:6 KJV
“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 14:27 KJV
“All My Life You Have Been Faithful,” an encouraging message by Pastor George Pearsons, is available at http://www.emic.org where you can view the entire service from yesterday, or scroll in to 50:00 just for the message.
The Porch of the Lord 