Category Archives: Spirituality

Psalm 27, a Psalm of David

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27 The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life;
Of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked came against me
To eat up my flesh,
My enemies and foes,
They stumbled and fell.
3 Though an army may encamp against me,
My heart shall not fear;
Though war may rise against me,
In this I will be confident.

4 One thing I have desired of the Lord,
That will I seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord
All the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the Lord,
And to inquire in His temple.
For in the time of trouble
He shall hide me in His pavilion;
In the secret place of His tabernacle
He shall hide me;
He shall set me high upon a rock.

6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me;
Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.

7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice!
Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
8 When You said, “Seek My face,”
My heart said to You, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.”
9 Do not hide Your face from me;
Do not turn Your servant away in anger;
You have been my help;
Do not leave me nor forsake me,
O God of my salvation.
10 When my father and my mother forsake me,
Then the Lord will take care of me.

11 Teach me Your way, O Lord,
And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies.
12 Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries;
For false witnesses have risen against me,
And such as breathe out violence.
13 I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
That I would see the goodness of the Lord
In the land of the living.

14 Wait on the Lord;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the Lord!

__________________________

The following is yesterday’s message by Dutch Sheets at Give Him 15 and is stated to be shared with family and friends:

I have always loved Psalm 27. The Holy Spirit, through David, shows us how to navigate between intense spiritual warfare and uninterrupted intimacy with the Lord. David declares his faith in God, speaking of the source of this faith as his intimacy with Him, yet follows this with acknowledging the real-life challenges of believing when the circumstances shout otherwise. Then, He crowns this great psalm by declaring a great promise.

David’s Decree

This was a very challenging time in David’s life–he was being pursued by King Saul and his army–but he didn’t open this psalm by complaining to God about how big his problems were. Nor did he lead with his feelings, as impactful as they were. He led with a declaration of faith. Verse 1 says: “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”

This was more than the religiosity some believers fall into when trying to maintain a “good confession,” nor was it mere wishful thinking. David knew the significance of stating what he believed in his heart. By doing so, he was allowing God’s words to define his reality rather than the adversity he was facing. David was personalizing God’s promises, declaring who God was to HIM. Notice his language: “my” light, “my” salvation, the strength of “my” life. David was laying claim to the covenantal protection promised him by Almighty God.

When David declared that the Lord was his light, he was stating that not only would God lead him, but He would also expose the enemy’s hidden traps. When he declared the Lord as his stronghold, he was announcing that those attacking him would not be able to break through and overcome the Lord’s defenses. We should do the same, declaring our faith in God’s protection over our lives, health, homes, family, businesses, and yes, our nation.

In verses 2 and 3, David got pretty graphic and spoke of evildoers advancing to “eat up my flesh” – describing an enemy intending total annihilation. He looked at Saul’s army encamped against him, yet his response is one of strong faith: “In this I will be confident.”

Where did this audacious faith come from? It came from an understanding of covenant with God, and an unshakable confidence in His faithfulness. 

The Intimacy Factor

Right after describing this intense opposition, David recorded a verse that seems completely out of place:

“One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple” (verse 4).

Naturally speaking, if a person is under siege, he or she should be watching his enemy vigilantly. If a nation is under siege, the leader should be in the war room looking at maps, conferring with military advisers, etc. But David’s strategy was different. He went into the Lord’s presence. He traded the war room for the tent of meeting, the holy of holies! This wasn’t a retreat into denial; it was an anchoring of himself to the reality that his help came from God. This was strategic!

The Hebrew word “dwell” in this verse is significant; yashab implies permanent residency, living in God’s presence.(1) When we do so, our minds become insulated from the panic our problems can bring. There in the secret place,  David said he could “behold” God. When we behold Him, the enemy loses his ability to intimidate us. Giants look like grasshoppers up against the majesty of God.

And notice the word “inquire.” David went there, not just to behold the Lord, but to inquire of Him. The temple was a place of divine counsel. David went into the presence of God to receive wisdom and revelation–the heavenly blueprint for battle, the intelligence report, the exact battle plan needed to defeat the adversary. Seeking intimacy with God is not running from spiritual warfare; intimacy is essential during our warfare.

In verse 5, David reveals that not only would he find guidance in the Lord’s presence, but protection: “For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; in the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock.”

In ancient culture, if a leader or king welcomed you into his tent or dwelling, you were protected by the strength of his military power. An enemy couldn’t touch you without first going through the king. By dwelling in the secret place of the Most High, David was in a place of protection and strength.

The Good Fight of Faith

In verses 7, 9, 12, and 13, the tone of the psalm shifted once again. Holy Spirit motivated David to share with us not just his faith-filled decrees but also the emotional struggle he was facing.

Some commentators believe this represented a breakdown in David’s faith. I completely disagree. This pictured the reality of the fight of faith. This is what it looks like to share our frustration and feelings with the Lord, while also standing firm in faith. When doing so, David affirmed his connection with the Lord: “When You said, ‘Seek My face,’ my heart said to You, ‘Your face, Lord, I will seek’” (verse 8).

David wrapped up this great psalm by once again referencing the tension every believer faces: the time between the promise and its fulfillment. In verse 13, he stated: “I would have fainted (lost heart), unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” 

David was stretched, but maintained a stubborn, unyielding faith that God was going to give him the breakthrough…here…now…not just in heaven one day. 

Then David issued a final command to himself and to all of us: “Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!”

Many misunderstand this word “wait.” In our language, waiting means sitting around doing nothing. But the Hebrew word here is qavah. It is a word meaning to braid, to bind together by twisting.(2) It is used to braid hair or make a rope from multiple threads of cord.

When we qavah on the Lord, we are braiding ourselves to Him. His strength becomes ours. We are infusing His infinite power into our finite strength, enabling us to make an expectant, aggressive stance. We can stand our ground, refusing to waver, holding fast to our faith until the promise manifests.

In summary, Psalm 27 encourages us to declare our faith, enter the secret place of God’s presence, receive His strategy, be strengthened with His power, and then stand our ground with tenacity until we see His goodness manifest.

Pray with me:

Father, it is impossible to live life without experiencing great challenges. Help us, by the power of Your Spirit to maintain the right perspective. Help us to keep our faith anchored in You and Your promises, even in dark times. And remind us that a strong heart connection with You is the key to overcoming.

We pray for those struggling, whether it be over personal issues or struggling to believe for Your turnaround in our nation. Give them strength to believe that they will see Your goodness in their lives and in our nation.

And we pray for our governmental leaders, as You commanded us. Give them strength when they face adversity. Remind them that victory is guaranteed in Your presence. Give us leaders like David who seek Your face and trust in You. Teach them Your ways, and how to hear Your voice. Keep them from deception and from harm. We pray all this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Our decree:

We decree that the Lord is our light and salvation; we will not fear!

Come, you blessed of My Father

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“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” John 13:34

Did you learn to love (as I’ve loved you) in your daily walk; or was it not really genuine, but, instead, merely talk?

That could be a question Jesus will ask one day in separating His sheep and removing the goats away.

If you took care of others, even “one of the least of these,” He’ll say you did it to Him, and will have found that to please.

Kindnesses done for others in His Name, with sincerity of heart, are implied to be noted by Jesus, as if on a heavenly chart.

The righteous will ask, “When did we do these things for You?” while the unrighteous will insist that they did them, too.

Faith in Jesus saves us through His service, highest of all; but we serve Him, out of love…it’s our heavenly call.

“Works” left undone or devoid of Him won’t carry any weight. Make Jesus your Savior and Shepherd, for the hour is getting late.

P. A. Oltrogge

“All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’

“Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You? And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

“Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry and you game Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’

“Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You? Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Matthew 25:32-46

“But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.” Luke 6:35

“Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.” Romans 12:9-13

We can share the love of Jesus through our local church or other ministries previously mentioned on this blog…

Photo by Karen Roe/Flickr
See archived post for direct link.

Cultivate Faith

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“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” spoken by Jesus, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, in John 16:33

If you don’t cultivate faith,
you’ll likely reap a harvest of fear.
So cultivate a “crop” of faith…
and, as Jesus said, be of good cheer.

If a “storm” comes up furiously,
tell God, you take His Word seriously!
He’s given you His peace amid the world’s discord–
Your strength is in the joy of the Lord!

Cultivate faith–keep it protected…
Reap faith’s reward, instead of what fear has projected.
“Stop the fear!” with faith as your shield.
To the Word and Jesus’ blood and His name,
the enemy must and will yield.

“A thousand may fall at your side, 
and ten thousand at your right hand; 
but it shall not come near you…”
Use the Word of God, making the devil fear you.
Jesus cursed a fig tree–you can do the same…
through the power of the Word, Jesus’ blood, and His mighty name!

P. A. Oltrogge

“Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. And Peter, remembering, said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.”

“So Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.’” Mark 11:20-24

“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7

Psalm 91:

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.”

Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler
And from the perilous pestilence.
He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,
Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.

A thousand may fall at your side,
And ten thousand at your right hand;
But it shall not come near you.
Only with your eyes shall you look,
And see the reward of the wicked.

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.
You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra,
The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.

“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him on high, because he has known My name.
He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him,
And show him My salvation.”

(Psalm 91)

“…for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10

“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

“…God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.” Romans 12:3 

“And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy….” Luke 24:52

“But one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.’” Revelation 5:5

As one minister of the gospel has said, she heard in her spirit, “At the roar of the Lion, the enemy flees.” 

Be bold, for the Lion of Judah is within you! 

_________________________

Visit Keith Moore’s Faith School at: http://www.faithlife.org

There, are found many topics, such as “Faith is Being Sure”

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the men of old received divine approval. By faith we understand that the world was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was made out of things which do not appear.” Hebrews 11:1-3 RSV

Psalm 91, an Oasis in These Times

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Visit:
Latest Message at:  www.oasiswired.org
and www.givehim15.com

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!”

For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper, and from the deadly pestilence.

He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.

You will not be afraid of the terror by night, or of the arrow that flies by day;

Of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, or of the destruction that lays waste at noon.

A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not approach you.

You will only look on with your eyes, and see the recompense of the wicked.

For you have made the Lord, my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place.

No evil will befall you, nor will any plague come near your tent.

For He will give His angels charge concerning you, to guard you in all your ways.

They will bear you up in their hands, lest you strike your foot against a stone.

You will tread upon the lion and cobra, the young lion and the serpent you will trample down,

Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name.

He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him, and honor him.

With a long life I will satisfy him, and let him behold My salvation.

(New American Standard Translation, The Ryrie Study Bible)

Ein Gedi Oasis, Israel
Photo/Unsplash

The Beauty and Benevolence of God

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…through Jesus Christ, His Son….

Evidence of a creative Master is seen throughout the earth;

Jesus, who was called, the Master, came to teach us of the new birth.

Unless you are born again, He said, you can’t see the kingdom of God.

His heart is that of a caring shepherd, who guides with staff and rod.

The beauties and wonders of creation amaze, seeming never to cease;

such things are divine reflections, which point to the Prince of Peace.

Jesus told us to consider the lilies and also the birds of the air—

that they could show us how to serenely rest within His Father’s care.

What a wonderful God we have; He taught us the blessing of serving—

Jesus was our example, sharing God’s love, though we were undeserving.

In Him was life, and the life was the light of men—God’s very glory revealed.

We do have a beautiful Savior, who gave us the beauty of the lilies of the field.

P. A. Oltrogge

“All things were made through Him, and without Him, nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.” John 1:3-4 

“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 

“Jesus answered and said to him, (Nicodemus) ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’” John 3:3 

“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

“…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.” Acts 10:37-38

“Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe. The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven. This shows that the Son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God gave him is greater than their names.” Hebrews 1:1-4 NLT

“For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:6 

Remembering the Hymn,
Beautiful Savior

Beautiful Savior, King of Creation,
Son of God and Son of Man!
Truly I’d love Thee,
Truly I’d serve Thee,
Light of my soul, my Joy, my Crown.

Fair are the meadows,
Fair are the woodlands,
Robed in flowers of blooming spring;
Jesus is fairer,
Jesus is purer;
He makes our sorrowing spirit sing.

Fair is the sunshine,
Fair is the moonlight,
Bright the sparkling stars on high;
Jesus shines brighter,
Jesus shines purer,
Than all the angels in the sky.

Beautiful Savior,
Lord of the nations,
Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honor,
Praise, adoration,
Now and forevermore be Thine!

Author Unknown, 1677
Translated by Joseph A. Seiss, 1873

“The Lord is like a father to his children,
tender and compassionate to those who fear him.” Psalm 103:13 NLT

Scriptures: NKJV or as noted

Consider the Birds and the Lilies

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“In His Constant Care” by Greg Olsen. Used with Permission: http://www.GregOlsen.com

Look at the birds of the air…
They don’t sow, reap, or gather
Their needed food into barns—
But are dependent upon God, rather.

Consider how the lilies are clothed—
They toil not, nor do they spin,
But to the heavenly Father’s care
They’re blessed to give in.

Yes, consider these,
And consider giving in,
To the message of Christ’s love
Above this world’s din.

Partake, through the Bible, from God’s table
Of spiritual food fit for a King’s heir,
And be clothed in the love of Jesus,
The finest thing you could wear.

Consider the children,
So gentle and so tender—
What kind of faith
To them will you render?

One that speaks dislike
And contempt of others—
Or one that speaks love
And draws all men to be brothers?

The heavenly Father gave Jesus
To tell of God’s care and to guide.
When we take Him as Savior, He gives love
For all others for whom He has died.

So just like the lilies
Or the birds of the air,
May people of all nations be blessed to give in
To Jesus—the way to the Father God’s care…

P. A. Oltrogge

“But I say to you who hear, love your enemies….” Luke 6:27

“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

“For this reason I say to you, do not be anxious for your life, as to what you shall eat, or what you shall drink, nor for your body, as to what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body than clothing?

“Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And which of you by being anxious, can add a single cubit to his life’s span? And why are you anxious about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory did not clothe himself like one of these.

“But if God so arrays the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more do so for you, O men of little faith? Do not be anxious then, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink’ or ‘With what shall we clothe ourselves?’ For all these things the Gentiles eagerly seek; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:25-34

“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

“We love Him because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19

“I know all the birds of the mountains….” Psalm 50:11

A Father’s Love

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The Prodigal Son, a parable Jesus told….

Once there was a man who had two sons fully grown, and the younger asked for his inheritance to go off on his own. So the father divided his wealth and the younger son went away, while the older one was loyal to his father and knew that he would stay.

In a distant land, the younger squandered all of his part of the estate. He lived in a wild and unwise manner, and poverty became his fate. A famine occurred in that country, and he couldn’t get ahead; he was hired to take care of swine and longed to eat what they were fed.

At that time, he came to his senses and remembered his father’s care–even his father’s servants had always had meals that were generous fare. So he thought out what he would say about the restoration he desired. “I’m no longer worthy to be my father’s son–I’ll just ask to be one who’s hired.”

He then traveled back to his home, and the father saw him when still far away–then ran to embrace and kiss him, before even hearing what he had to say. The son repented of all he’d done, telling all that had been on his mind; and there he found compassion and a heart that was only kind.

The father called to his servants to clothe the young man with all of the best–the best robe, ring, and sandals—even with a banquet, he’d be blessed. A celebration was called for everyone, for this was a time to rejoice! But out in the fields, the older son stopped, having heard his father’s voice.

At the sound of the merriment, he inquired of the servants of what had just transpired. They told him that his brother was home, and that a celebration was what his father desired. He became angry then and wasn’t willing to even go inside, but his father came out to entreat him–he wanted him to be alongside.

The older son said, “…For so many years I’ve been serving you, and I’ve never neglected a command….” He complained that he felt what his brother deserved was his father’s reprimand. “My child, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours,” the father said. But they needed to rejoice for this son now lived. “This brother of yours was dead–

He was lost and has been found,” he said–much like a Shepherd rejoices to find…a lost sheep that had strayed far from the fold but had always remained on His mind.

P. A. Oltrogge

From Luke 15:11-32

“I am the good shepherd and I know My own, and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father, and I lay down My life for the sheep.” words of Jesus in John 10:14-15

Visit: http://www.givehim15.com

Enter Into God’s Kingdom

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Yes, Christians, in every walk of life, are working to persuade…that “the way” to eternal life for every person has been made.

Because of Jesus’ life, ministry, death and resurrection–through Him, our Father God sees any believer in perfection.

And you don’t have to take one Christian’s word alone, for there’ve been many testimonies that conclusively have shown…

that Jesus is alive! His Father is still giving time to decide, to accept His invitation, which is going out worldwide…

to be a part of His kingdom through Jesus, His spotless Lamb–an invitation very graciously extended by the great “I AM.”

Please respond as soon as you can; one thing unknown is the exact date–of when things will come to a close, so it’s very wise not to wait.

There are really just two kingdoms, one of darkness and one of light. Come into the kingdom of God’s dear Son, the only choice that’s right.

P. A. Oltrogge

“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.” Jesus’ words, John 3:16-17

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” Jesus’ words, John 5:24

“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

“Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: ‘Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.’” John 17:1-3

“And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.” 1 John 5:11-12 NIV

“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

“Therefore, since we know the fear of the Lord [and understand the importance of obedience and worship], we persuade people [to be reconciled to Him]. But we are plainly known to God [He knows everything about us]; and I hope that we are plainly known also in your consciences [your God-given discernment].” 2 Corinthians 5:11 AMP

(“Because we understand our fearful responsibility to the Lord, we work hard to persuade others. God knows we are sincere, and I hope you know this, too.” 2 Corinthians 5:11 NLT)

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 

“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.” Jesus, Matthew 24:36-37

“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

“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.” Colossians 1:13-14

Scriptures: NKJV or as noted

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The Only True God

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Christ the Redeemer statue, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

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“And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” John 17:3

Regarding Christians, Muslims, and Jews, some say that the God they all worship is the same. But the Bible is clear that the only true God is the One who is known through faith and belief in Jesus’ name.

Realize it’s a fallacy that knowing God is the same to all three…for Jesus said that “No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)

His words hold true for other “faiths,” too, whichever they may be. Again, “No one comes to the Father,” Jesus emphasized, “except through Me.”

There aren’t “many paths to God,” but He has provided a blessed one–opened for us by way of Calvary’s cross through Jesus Christ, His beloved and only begotten Son.

P. A. Oltrogge

…by the power of the Holy Spirit, many Jewish people are coming to know and believe in Jesus, the Jewish Messiah. Muslims and others are also finding faith in Jesus Christ for eternal salvation and for living a blessed life now.

“For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” John 1:17

“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

“He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” John 3:36

“All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.” John 6:37

“You know neither Me nor My Father. If you knew Me, you would know My Father also.” John 8:19

“I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 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. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” John 10:9-11

“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 this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” John 17:3 (and all of John 17)

“And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ.” Matthew 1:16

“While he (Peter) was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!’” Matthew 17:5

“Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess…coming in that instance, she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him (Jesus) to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.” From Luke 2:36-38

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation to everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also to the Greek.” Romans 1:16

“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

“And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.” 1 John 5:11-13

“Seek the Lord while He may be found. Call upon Him while He is near.” Isaiah 55:6

Scriptures NKJV

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by Robert Nyman

To obtain a Bible and other Christian books, visit: http://www.christianbook.com

Oh Happy Day!

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“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.” Psalm 100:1-3 NIV

Dear Porch blog readers:

For a special Sunday musical blessing, go to Eagle Mountain International Church’s website: http://www.emic.org

There, scroll over to the right of the screen and then down to the bottom, where you’ll see “Latest Service,” (Championship Faith) of February 16, 2025. The entire service is always a blessing; but if you are pressed for time, scroll in to about 56 or so to hear briefly the history of the gospel song, “Oh Happy Day!” and then the Eagle Mountain choir’s rendition of the song…

Be blessed…

P. A. Oltrogge

“…We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20-21 NIV

“For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” Colossians 1:19-20 NIV