Wonderful young people, willing to serve America, in whatever was asked… went to the country of Afghanistan, to do that with which they were tasked.
For twenty years, Americans and others went to bring stability to that land. Then, suddenly, everything changed due to actions that weren’t wisely planned.
Now we pray for those who’ve lost precious loved ones–for them, we grieve. And we pray for the many Afghans affected due to the U.S. decision to leave.
Thank God for those who, acting on their own, rescued some from an evil fate. We’re praying for miracles yet, for those for whom it seems that it’s too late.
We pray against the deception of believing in a religion that would kill and take. Let’s keep trusting God’s Holy Spirit to awaken those deceived by this mistake.
Many Afghans have been uprooted. By God, each of their lives was planned. May they find the specific pathway now that comes from His guiding hand.
In the midst of it all, we must persevere, believing God will turn things around; and that all will find their hope in Christ–only through Him, will good be found.
We continue to pray for America’s leadership–we need leaders who are wise. We thank God for the troops, who’ve given their lives; they’ve inspired courage that never dies.
I’ve come across your path today, and I may not know your name, But though we’re not acquainted, I’d like to speak of Jesus just the same. He knows the details of your life–anything you’re going through; Yes, even if you don’t know Him, He knows all about you.
I’ve found Him to be a faithful God, Who I know in a personal way. He desires to help each person intimately–all we have to do is pray. For those who’ve put their trust in Him, guidance becomes very sure; His will is good and perfect, coming from a heart that’s loving and pure.
If you’re facing worries, never despair–the name of Jesusis a strong tower— To run into for help and wisdom, which flow richly from that Name’s power. And at the name of Jesus, one day, every knee will bow; But God’s Spirit is moving every day, seeking all who will honor Him now.
P. A. Oltrogge
“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe.” Proverbs 18:10 (NASB)
“Therefore also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11 (NASB)
Father, we pray, first of all, for those in authority, to desire your true guidance. Bring forth correction where it’s needed. Protect people from harm or, for some, from doing harm. We continue to pray for the souls of all those who need to recognize Jesus as their Savior–to find peace and the reason for living in Him. We thank you that your Holy Spirit is at work throughout the world…and that you are faithful, our strong tower… In the name of your Son, Jesus, we pray. Amen
The Lord’s great heart of compassion is at work always–at times, behind the scenes.
He answers prayer for salvation, guidance, protection, healing, and provision well beyond our means.
Let’s not limit Him by doubting that He can do more than we could ever ask or think.
Jesus came to establish the new covenant. Now, through Him, we have that blessed link.
“The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works,” the Bible’s stated.
God’s desire is to love, through His Son, to even greater measure, every person He’s created.
“If the Son, therefore, shall make you free, you shall be free indeed,” Jesus said, all because of that compassionate heart.
When you take Jesus as Savior, you can forget the past, knowing God’s given to you a fresh start.
Even if there are times when you don’t recognize that He’s working in your life right then,
He encourages you to always keep the faith. He’ll bring things to pass, though you may not know when.
Jesus told us of God as His heavenly Father. Those in Christ are children of God. Therefore…
as part of His beloved family, we can expect all of the good things that He has in store.
P. A. Oltrogge
And likewise, we want to extend loving compassion to others, through caring prayer and action…
“…to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:19-21 NKJV
“The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works.” Psalm 145:9 NKJV
“In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.’” 1 Corinthians 11:25
“…to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.” Hebrews 12:24 NKJV
“If the Son, therefore, shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:36 KJV
“But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, long suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.” Psalm 86:15 KJV
“Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.” Psalm 62:8 NASV
“Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference.” Jude 21-22 KJV
Psalm 78:38; 111:4; 145:8; Matthew 9:36; 14:14; 15:32; Mark 1:41; 5:19; 6:34; 8:2; Luke 10:33; 15:20; John 3:16; 1 John 3:17
“For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, and remain until the coming of the Lord, shall not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 NASB
At God’s appointed time, I’ll be saying goodbye. That time is getting close, and I’ve tried to explain why. I love you so much–please come along; Don’t neglect Jesus for that would be wrong. He’s preparing a party, and it will be grand. Please don’t miss out because you don’t understand. He’s made it so plain in the true Gospel story– He, the Christ, is our way to Glory. One thing’s for sure–all lives draw to a close, so it’s best to put faith in the One who arose. But we could see Jesus more quickly than we think for the Bible speaks prophetically of what’s on the brink. “In the twinkling of an eye…we shall be changed.” Take Jesus and your place in Glory that He has arranged.
P. A. Oltrogge
“Behold, I tell you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and the mortal must put on immortality. But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, ‘Death is swallowed up in victory.’” 1 Corinthians 15:51-54 NASB
“In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” words of Jesus in John 14:2-3 NKJV
Recommended reading: “The Last Hour, An Israeli Insider Looks at the End Times” Book by Amir Tsarfati, available at http://www.christianbook.com and other book sources
On the ocean, full of shining light, changing the colors of waves– Oh light, where did you come from and where will you go? From the hands of God into the deep of human souls.
In a grassland, full of dancing light, which heightens the colors of flowers– Oh light, where did you come from and where will you go? From the hands of God into the height of human souls.
M. Kimura
This inspirational poetry came from friends in Japan, one of whom was visiting her uncle who lived by the sea. There on the beach, she noticed beams of light over the ocean, which reminded her of the creation account in the Bible. The other friend shared the poetry with me in the form of a written song and that is how this post came about. P. A. Oltrogge
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth, and the earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep; and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. Then God said, ‘Let there be light!’; and there was light.” Genesis 1:1-3
“And God called the dry land earth, and the gathering of the waters He called seas; and God saw that it was good.” Genesis 1:10 (account of creation, Genesis 1 and 2).
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. 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. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” John 1:1-5 NKJV
“Again therefore Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life.’” John 8:12
In Jerusalem, there was a devout man named Simeon, in early New Testament days, who’d been waiting for the promised Messiah, in order to give Him praise.
The Holy Spirit was upon Simeon and had revealed that he wouldn’t die until he would get to see that One, who was the object of his heart’s cry.
One day the Spirit led him to the Temple and there he saw a Child, whom he knew, by the Spirit’s prompting, to be the One born undefiled.
Mary and Joseph were amazed to hear what Simeon then said about their boy– Jesus would cause many in Israel to fall, but to many others He would bring joy.
Simeon warned that many would oppose Him–the deepest thoughts of hearts would be revealed; A sword would pierce Mary’s very soul–a reference to the cross, to which He’d yield.
Simeon said Jesus was sent as a sign from God, to reveal Himself and be a light to every nation upon the earth — “the glory of God’s people Israel” was His birthright.
Just as Simeon was speaking with Mary and Joseph, another given to prophecy came by–Anna, who never left the temple, but stayed day and night, raised her praises high….
How about you? Have you “seen” the Savior, as these people did who were old? Assurance and peace was theirs, having seen Jesus, whose life became the greatest story ever told!
P. A. Oltrogge
“Now Lord, Thou dost let Thy bond-servant depart in peace, according to Thy word; For my eyes have seen Thy salvation, Which Thou has prepared in the presence of all peoples. A light of revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel.” Luke 2:28-32
(Luke 2:21-38 for the entire account of Simeon and Anna)
Thank You, Jesus, that because of You, I’m up on the mountaintop, where faith, hope, love, and amazing miracles never stop.
You don’t want me to be downcast, as if stuck in a valley below. You’re seated at God’s right hand, from which all blessings flow.
I’m seated with You, too, You’ve said about me in Your Word— far above the devil’s dominion. My victory has been assured.
You always lead me in triumph—You’re the Way Maker, for sure. Your goodness and mercy, dear Good Shepherd, will forever endure.
P. A. Oltrogge
“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and seated Him at His right hand, in the heavenly places, FAR ABOVE all rule and authority and power and dominion and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” Ephesians 1:18-23 NASB
“But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come, He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in 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 as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Ephesians 2:4-10 NASB
“Jesus said to him, ‘If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.'” Mark 9:23
“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21 NKJV
“Now thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.” 2 Corinthians 2:14 NKJV
“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 NKJV
The poem was written after reading a message by Rev. Kenneth E. Hagin, Founder, Rhema Bible Training College http://www.rhema.org “Come Out of the Valley,” Book written by his son, Rev. Kenneth W. Hagin
In this account, Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues; and it was on a Sabbath day.
A woman was there who, for eighteen years, had had an infirmity caused by a spirit—she was bound by satan that way.
She was bent double and was totally unable to straighten up at all.
But she made her way over to Jesus, upon His invitation and call.
“Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity,” He said, laying His hands upon her—immediately she became erect.
She began to glorify God that Jesus’ ministry had had such a powerful effect!
But due to rigid adherence to the Torah, a synagogue official could only “see” the Law.
Jesus should not have healed on the Sabbath, he indicated. All he could see was this “flaw.”
In the face of such a miracle, he still, obviously, wasn’t persuaded.
His only desire seemed to be that Jesus’ act of love should be degraded.
Jesus then called him a hypocrite, saying that he, and the other synagogue officials, would untie their own oxen or donkeys on the Sabbath to lead them to some waters.
How much more, then, was it right for Him to heal, even though on a Sabbath, this woman, who was one of Abraham’s daughters.
After Jesus had said these things, his opponents were put to shame…
while, for the glorious things He was doing for others, the people were giving Him great acclaim.
As believers, we, too, are heirs of Abraham; and on any night or day…
the Lord, who never slumbers or sleeps, will hear and answer us whenever we pray.
P. A. Oltrogge
“And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise.” Galatians 3:29 NASB
“…He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” Psalm 121:3-4 NASB
At times, we err in feeling as if God and His Word have let us down. Instead, we must persevere in faith on earth before obtaining our crown.
We KNOW of and have seen times in our lives when God’s promises prevailed; but we must trust the Lord even when it SEEMS as though they’ve “failed.”
For “LOVE NEVER FAILS,” and God, who is love, will always undergird us. Keep the faith, knowing that when we prayed, He certainly heard us.
“Underneath are the everlasting arms” is an assuring promise to realize. “To whom shall we go?” Peter asked of Christ. He believed in Him, the Son of the living God, and that keeping faith in Him was truly wise.
P. A. Oltrogge
“Then Jesus said to the twelve, ‘Do you also want to go away?’ But Simon Peter answered Him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.'” John 6:67-69 NKJV
“Love never fails….” 1 Corinthians 13:8 NKJV
“The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms….” Deuteronomy 33:27 NKJV
“Then my enemies will be turned back in the day when I call. This I know, that God is for me.” Psalm 56:9 NASB
“O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies! Where is there anyone as mighty as you, O Lord? You are entirely faithful.” Psalm 89:8 NLT
“Blessed (happy, to be envied) is the man who is patient under trial and stands up under temptation, for when he has stood the test and been approved, he will receive (the victor’s) crown of life which God has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, I am tempted from God; for God is incapable of being tempted by (what is) evil and He Himself tempts no one.” James 1:12-13 AMPC
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21 NKJV
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23 RSV
GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME! Don’t give up, certainly not on faith in God, for it’s never His desire to give up on you. And we’re living in days where staying close to and hearing from Him is essential. Remain strong in your prayers and praise.
For inspirational reading: “From Faith to Faith” is a daily devotional book available at http://www.kcm.org
“Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds.” Psalm 36:5 NLT
“I bow before your holy Temple as I worship. I praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness; for your promises are backed by all the honor of your name.” Psalm 138:2 NLT
“As for God, His way is perfect; The Word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield for all who trust in Him.” Psalm 18:30
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.” Psalm 32:8
“Thomas said to Him, ‘Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.’
“Philip said to Him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father….'” John 14:5-9
“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” Proverbs 14:12
“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.” …spoken by Jesus in John 10:10
There is a way that seems right to a man, but the Bible says it ends in death… Then it tells of the Way, the Truth, and the Life, provided by our loving God, who gives us breath.
Oh, the peace of knowing and following the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ… His sacrificial death on the cross, and resurrection, for us, has eternally sufficed.
P. A. Oltrogge
“And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.” 1 John 5:20
