Picture great crowds, coming to be taught… Picture the sick, whom others had brought. Picture them healed through miracles wrought By Jesus, God’s Son, Whom so many had sought.
Picture a day where the sun was getting low. “Hear” the disciples saying they just didn’t know… How the people would eat—and should be told to go; But picture five loaves of bread and two fish that would grow.
“Listen” to Jesus say, “Bring them here to me…” Picture the loaves and fish multiplied by His decree, With five thousand (plus) being fed, at a cost that was free, And twelve baskets left over before the disciples put out to sea.
Picture Jesus sending the multitudes away, Going up to the mountain by Himself to pray–- Then joining the disciples, through water and spray, On the fourth watch of the night, just before day.
Picture Peter bravely wanting to join the Lord, Picture him boldly stepping overboard; Then see his faith waver as sea and wind roared– Picture him sinking but, by Christ, being restored.
Picture your own life and remember these things; Remember that “greatness” to small things Christ brings. Look to the Lord for your faith to take wings, As you walk on life’s waters with the King of Kings.
P. A. Oltrogge
Reference: Matthew 14:14-31 (He fed five thousand men, besides women and children)
(In Matthew 15, Jesus again feeds many–four thousand men, plus women and children, from seven loaves of bread and a few fish, with seven baskets left over…)
Then, in Matthew 16:5-12, Jesus speaks to His disciples, warning them against the leaven, or yeast, of the doctrine of the Pharisees and the Sadducees….
“Now when His disciples had come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.’
“And they reasoned among themselves, saying, ‘It is because we have taken no bread.’
“But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, ‘O you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves because you have brought no bread? Do you not yet understand, or remember the five loaves of the five thousand and how many baskets you took up? Nor the seven loaves of the four thousand and how many large baskets you took up? How is it you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread?—but to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’ Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
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The disciples had the miracle-working Son of God to believe, as we do today! Picture Him always at work in your life…
“Do you give the horse his might? Do you clothe his neck with a mane? Do you make him leap like the locust? His majestic snorting is terrible. He paws in the valley, and rejoices in his strength; he goes out to meet the weapons. He laughs at fear and is not dismayed; and he does not turn back from the sword. The quiver rattles against him, the flashing spear and javelin. With shaking and rage he races over the ground; and he does not stand still at the voice of the trumpet. As often as the trumpet sounds he says, ‘Aha!’ And he scents the battle from afar, and thunder of the captains and the war cry.” Job 39:19-25 NASB/Ryrie
In Job, we read a reflection by God of the horse’s boldness and might–a description that can inspire us in our own lives in any spiritual fight.
“He laughs at fear and is not dismayed…” We can rely on and be confident in God, rejoicing after we’ve prayed.
“From the sword, he does not turn back–” God’s equipped us with a powerful Sword (His Word) in any attack.
We confront and resist the devil, knowing our covenant with God is in force. Laughing at fear, continuing in praise, we know that God is our source.
“As often as the trumpet sounds,” we carry on in our spiritual race–seeking to find, follow, and fulfill God’s will, for a final reward by His grace.
Always remember the Lord’s outcome at the ending of the story of Job–when he, after all, was blessed very richly, despite the devil’s probe.
P. A. Oltrogge
probe — an investigation Satan sought to investigate just how strong Job’s faith in God would be if he was visited with adversities.
“The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.” Psalm 34:15 (KJV)
“You know we call those blessed (happy, spiritually prosperous, favored by God) who were steadfast and endured (difficult circumstances). You have heard of the patient endurance of Job and you have seen the Lord’s outcome (how He richly blessed Job). The Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.” James 5:11 Amplified Bible (AMP)
“Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.” James 5:11 (NLT)
“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Ephesians 6:13 (NKJV)
We’re standing in faith in the evil day… as we continue to praise God, staying in faith after we pray.
“Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 (NASB)
1 John 5:14-15; Hebrews 4:16; Hebrews 10:23
Jesus is Lord!
How to Find, Follow, and Fulfill God’s Will CD series by Andrew Wommack at http://www.awmi.net
“Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways.” Job 22:28 KJV
“Bless the Lord, you His angels, who excel in strength, who do His word, heeding the voice of His word.” Psalm 103:20
“May the praise of God be in their mouths, and a double-edged sword in their hands.” Psalm 149:6
“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God…” Ephesians 6:17 (from Ephesians 6:10-20)
“…having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever…” 1 Peter 1:23
The name, gladiolus, comes from Latin and Greek words, meaning sword, which can remind of the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
“This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24
“I know all the birds of the mountains….” Psalm 50:11
“Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! Sing to the Lord, all the earth.” Psalm 96:1
“Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God, and keep the vows you made to the Most High. Then call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.” Psalm 50:14-15 NLT
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God knows all of the birds–both the large, majestic ones and the small. He knows us, too; and when we’re in trouble, He will rescue us when we call.
Sing to the Lord a new song–the birds know how to do it… If you are facing a trial, praising our almighty God will get you through it.
Let’s thank Him for the many blessings that we often take for granted– and trust He has destroyed, for us, and rooted out that which He hasn’t planted!
We’ve been redeemed through Jesus Christ, our Lord!
P. A. Oltrogge
“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 NKJV
“Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered.” Matthew 10:38-30 NLT
“Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 NKJV
…of Jesus, it’s written: “Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53:4-6 NKJV
“But I will sing of Your power; Yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning; For You have been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble. To You, O my Strength, I will sing praises; For God is my defense, my God of mercy.” Psalm 59:16-17 NKJV
“Sing out the honor of His name; Make His praise glorious.” Psalm 66:2
SUNDAY WORSHIP AND LUNCHEON – BEAUTIFUL AND AMAZING DAY!
Thank you to everyone who joined us this past Sunday in Palatine!!!! Wow! As always, it was a wonderful day together with so much love in the room and overflowing food! A huge thank you to our friends from Our Savior Church who hosted the luncheon and also to everyone else who brought food and visited and served! Our friend Robert, who I met at a local car wash a few months ago, was back again serving his homemade enchiladas! I only bring him up because the story of his being a regular part of our Ministry is undeniably a supernatural work of God because I didn’t find him and his story is such a reminder that when God brings in anyone or anything, He always brings in the BEST! I believe that is how God reveals His heart to us…caring for the ‘least of these’ and ‘loving your neighbor as yourself’ and when Jesus tells us in Luke 14, “But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind (rather than people who will repay you)”. And I am so grateful to each of you because I know God brought you in for His purposes!
Talk about God bringing in the BEST! This is just a part of our group of volunteers who show up early, set up tables, coffee, bagels, and they are part of the family all afternoon!
After the beautiful worship service and luncheon, people helped themselves to clothing and we celebrated birthdays at the end of the day! Thank you to everyone who brought in clothing! We are well stocked for general clothing and I’m so grateful to a few special people who purchased lots of cleansing wipes (baby wipes) and toiletries for those who are outside and are having a hard time finding showers. Thank you also for those who sent the towels and items that Michael requested after moving into his new room at the YMCA. God bless all of you!!
Our friend Stanley (who just got into a studio apartment after being outside for 10 years) had one more request from Tim’s House last week and told me that he really wanted a ‘soup pot’ because he would like to make soup. I told him, ‘no problem’ but forgot to ask anyone about it. But, God!!!!! One of our volunteers came up to me before our bus arrived with a brand new soup pot (in the box) in his hands and asked, ‘Would you know anyone who might want this soup pot?” I told Stanley the story as I handed him his new pot and explained that I had not told this man his request; and Stanley smiled and said, “Another Miracle!”
You may want to do an internet search to locate “Psalm 91 New Creation Worship” to hear thoughts from Psalm 91 in a worship song…
Protection from plague, pestilence, and peril is proclaimed in this Psalm, 91:
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”
3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence. 4 He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. 5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, 6 Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you. 8 Only with your eyes shall you look, And see the reward of the wicked.
9 Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, 10 No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; 11 For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. 12 In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone. 13 You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.
14 “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. 15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. 16 With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation.”
“The Lord executes righteousness And justice for all who are oppressed.” Psalm 103:6
…thank you, Lord, that your Word doesn’t return unto you void but accomplishes the thing for which you sent it…
We believe in the almighty, supernatural power that is God’s…
We believe that He can succeed for us “against all odds.”
We know that He’s instructed us to use His powerful Word–
that it can change those things that have adversely occurred.
Jesus gave us kingdom authority over all the enemy’s power…
So we take authority and plant the Word, for righteousness to flower.
Many wrongs have been occurring over our beloved U.S.A.,
but we use the sword of the Spirit against them continually after we pray.
P. A. Oltrogge
(“…faith without works is dead,” from James 2:20–A minister has shared that affirming the Word of God by saying it IS doing a “work”). Jesus said, “It is written” and quoted the Word.
“Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Luke 10:19
“Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints….” Ephesians 6:14-18
“He guards the paths of justice. And preserves the way of His saints.” Proverbs 2:8
“It is a joy for the just to do justice, but destruction will come to the workers of iniquity.” Proverbs 21:15
“There is no (human) wisdom or understanding or counsel (that can prevail) against the Lord.” Proverbs 21:30 AMP
“Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand all.” Proverbs 28:5
“In You, O Lord, I put my trust; Let me never be ashamed; Deliver me in Your righteousness.” Psalm 31:1
“The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He has chosen as His own inheritance.” Psalm 33:10-12 (and all of Psalm 33)
“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14
.,,Scriptures: NKJV or as noted
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Remember ever, and always, that your country was founded…by the stern, old Puritans who made the deck of the Mayflower an altar of the living God, and whose first act on touching the soil of the new world was to offer on bended knees thanksgiving to Almighty God. Henry Wilson, 18th U.S. Vice President under Ulysses S. Grant
God would graciously pour out His Holy Spirit on us to bring us to a thorough Repentance and effectual Reformation that our iniquities may not be our ruin; that He would restore, preserve and secure the Liberties of this and all the other British American colonies, and make the Land a mountain of Holiness, and Habitation of Righteousness forever. Jonathan Trumball, American Poet
While we give praise to God, the supreme disposer of all events, for His interposition on our behalf, let us guard against the dangerous error of trusting in, or boasting of, an arm of flesh….If your case is just, if your principles are pure, and if your conduct is prudent, you need not fear the multitude of opposing hosts. John Witherspoon, A Signer of the Declaration of Independence
Never forget, Americans, that yours is a spiritual country. Yes, I know you’re a practical people. Like others, I’ve marvelled at your factories, your skyscrapers, and your arsenals. But underlying everything else is the fact that America began as a God-loving, God-fearing, God-worshipping people. General Romulo, General of the Philippines
Direct my thought, words and work, wash away my sins in the immaculate Blood of the Lamb, and purge my heart by Thy Holy Spirit… Daily frame me more and more into the likeness of Thy Son Jesus Christ. George Washington, 1st U.S. President
Remember that God is our only sure trust. Mary Washington, George Washington’s Mother
If we work on marble, it will perish; if on brass, time will efface it; if we rear up temples, they will crumble into dust; but if we work upon immortal minds and imbue them with principles, with the just fear of God and the love of our fellow men, we engrave on those tablets something that will brighten to all eternity. Daniel Webster, American Politician
Oh, Lord, Thou hast told us how to pray. Help us to shut the door, shutting out the world, and the enemy and any fear or doubt which spoils prayer. May there be no distance between our souls and Thee. John Wanamaker, American Merchant and U.S. Postmaster General from 1889-93
There are a good many problems before the American people today, and before me as President, but I expect to find the solution to those problems just in the proportion that I am faithful in the study of the Word of God. Woodrow Wilson, 28th U,S. President
We all can pray. We all should pray. We should ask the fulfillment of God’s will. We should ask for courage, wisdom, for the quietness of soul which comes alone to them who place their lives in His hands. Harry Truman, 33rd U.S. President
“I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
Quotations from “Pray for Our Nation,” available at: www.faithandflame.com
On this Mother’s Day, Mary’s life came to mind as an example of trusting in God, as she learned of being chosen by Him to give birth to His Son, Jesus, Lord of all….
Mary changed the course of this entire earth, by accepting God’s plan for the virgin birth. Her agreement with the angel’s words affirmed God’s will, and the words that she spoke are often quoted still. She declared herself to be God’s handmaid or servant; in her, the Lord had found a heart that was fervent. She had faith the Lord loved her and all of mankind; she trusted in God’s heart and not her own mind. She was just a young woman of a tender age, but she stepped out in faith onto the world’s center stage. Though startled at first by the angelic visitation, her faith in God was strong enough to take up her station. Likewise, it’s wise today to ask the Lord to help us find the plans and purposes for our lives that He has in mind. By doing so, we ensure that we’re on His sure quest, for our loving Designer knows which plans are the best. Jesus called His disciples to leave earthly pursuits to follow Him and put down strong spiritual roots. What He has for our lives can be discerned by His Word; and through the power of the Holy Spirit, He also can be heard. The more that we listen to Him, the more we obey, the brighter the dawn grows to the full day.
P. A. Oltrogge
“But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines brighter and brighter until the full day.” Proverbs 4:18 NASB
“And in the sixth month, the angel, Gabriel, was sent from God unto a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, ‘Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.’ And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, ‘Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.’ Then said Mary unto the angel, ‘How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?’ And the angel answered and said unto her, ‘The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible.’ And Mary said, ‘Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.’ And the angel departed from her.” Luke 1:26-38 KJV
(Later, at a visit to Elisabeth, her cousin)
“And Mary said:
‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; for behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty. He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever.’” Luke 1:46-55 NKJV
The Porch of the Lord 