The devil wants to rain down on our lives, turning what he can to be sour; but we don’t let that stop us from retaining faith in Jesus’ power.
No, by the Lord’s peace, we know that there are blue skies up ahead. Despite any storms, we trust for showers of blessing from God instead.
Jesus came and He won the battle and secured the devil’s defeat. Now we enforce it by the Word of faith, confirming that Christ’s victory is complete.
Yes, there are many showers of blessing with rainbows rolling in…We have fully-persuaded faith, embracing the truth that through Jesus Christ we win!
P. A. Oltrogge
“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in His triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.” 2 Corinthians 2:14
“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. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.” Philippians 4:6-8
“And being fully persuaded that, what He had promised, He was able also to perform.” Romans 4:21 (KJV)
“…Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.” Romans 14:5 (KJV)
“Loving God means keeping His commandments, and His commandments are not burdensome. For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith.” 1 John 5:3-4 (NLT)
“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world–our faith.” 1 John 5:4
“But what does it say? ‘The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart’–that is, the word of faith which we are preaching….” Romans 10:8
Jesus took of the sour, that we may have abundant life:
“So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, ‘It is finished!’ And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.” John 19:30 (NKJV)
Let’s consider just a few Bible accounts that give some tender words (followed by His caring action) that Jesus said:
A widow, out of Nain, came in contact with Jesus on her only son’s burial day. “DON’T CRY” were the compassionate words that she heard Jesus say.
News came to Jairus of his ailing daughter that would cause him to grieve; but Jesus encouraged him, “DON’T BE AFRAID ANY LONGER–ONLY BELIEVE.”
When a leper asked if Jesus was willing to cleanse him of that blight… Jesus said, “I AM WILLING,” and He touched him, delivering him out of his plight.
Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever, so hear Him regarding your cares:
“Don’t cry”
“Don’t be afraid any longer–only believe!”
and “I am willing”
…are words that Jesus, our compassionate Lord, still shares.
P. A. Oltrogge
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 NKJV
“When the Lord saw her, his heart overflowed with compassion. ‘Don’t cry!’ he said. Then he walked over to the coffin and touched it, and the bearers stopped. ‘Young man,’ he said, ‘I tell you, get up.’ Then the dead boy sat up and began to talk! And Jesus gave him back to his mother.” …from Luke 7:11-17 NLT
“While He was still speaking, they came from the house of the synagogue official, saying, ‘Your daughter has died; why trouble the Teacher any more?’ But Jesus, overhearing what was being spoken, said to the synagogue official, ‘Do not be afraid any longer, only believe.’” Mark 5:35-36 …and Jesus raised her up (through verse 43) NASB-Ryrie
“And behold, a leper came to Him, and bowed down to Him, saying, ‘Lord, if you are willing, You can make me clean.’ And He stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, ‘I am willing, be cleansed.’ And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.” …from Matthew 8:1-4 NASB-Ryrie
“The Lord will give strength to His people; The Lord will bless His people with peace.” Psalm 29:11 NKJV
“Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits–who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion….” Psalm 103:2-4 NIV
“I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.” John 10:14
Sometime last year, one of our prayer partners sent me an email with a word she said was from the Lord. It was Prime the Pump.
I really didn’t know exactly what it meant; therefore I looked up a simple definition of the phrase. Here is what I found.
Prime the pump – stimulate or support the growth or success of something by supplying it with money.
That definition seemed to apply to me at the time because I was facing a financial challenge. Therefore, I did what this word said, and I sowed a seed. I supplied the need with money, to stimulate its growth.
2 Cor. 9:10 says, “Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness.” Multiplication was exactly what I needed so I sowed toward the financial need, hereby, priming the pump.
Just a few days later, a much-loved partner sent me a personal gift. It said, “this may not cover the need, but I felt led to prime the pump.” Hmmm. There were those words again.
To prime the pump, I have found, can mean many things. Naturally speaking, if a well is not pumping, it is dry or has lost pressure. We must do something to get it to have enough pressure again to pump water. Most often, we must pour water in the well and then it will flow freely again.
Spiritually speaking, it can mean we need to sow a seed toward a need and expect God to honor His Word and multiply the seed sown.
Or it could mean we need to sow the Word of God into our heart to prime the pump for healing.
Is there is an area in your life that you are believing God for, maybe healing, financial security, restoration of family or even peace of mind? Does it feel your well is dry in that area? Perhaps it feels like the answer to that issue is being delayed or maybe you feel it will never be fulfilled. God is faithful. Perhaps you simply need to prime the pump.
If it is a financial issue, seek God and ask if He wants you to sow a seed. Also, look up scriptures concerning the promises of God for finances. Begin to declare them over your life. Daily speak them daily until they become a part of you. Until they freely flow out of your mouth.
If it is a health issue, search the Word of God for scriptures and promises pertaining to healing and wholeness. Declare them over yourself and your family daily. Take communion. Receive all Jesus paid for at the cross.
If it pertains to your family, your children, the Bible is filled with promises concerning your family. God is a covenant keeping God and He will save and restore your family. Dig through the Bible and find God’s promises concerning your children and your family – declare them over your children daily. Refuse to speak anything negative over them, only what God says about them.
Today, I believe God is urging us to prime the pump, in whatever ever area it needs priming. Perhaps it is pouring the Word of God into your heart until only the Word flows forth and that it flows forth with such pressure it removes everything standing in your path.
John 7:38 says, “He who believes in Me [who cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me] as the Scripture has said, from his innermost being shall flow [continuously] springs and rivers of living water.” (Amp.) Prime your pump today and let His living water flow continuously through you – to the very point of breakthrough.
Confession to speak over your life:
While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest will not cease. I have seed in the ground. I sow seeds of love, peace, harmony, forgiveness, compassion, and money; and declare that I reap what I sow. I pray to the Lord of Harvest and expect a harvest on every seed sown. I give to the poor, and I know that God will repay me. I sow into the kingdom, for the gospel’s sake, and I expect a hundred-fold return. I am a giver therefore I walk daily, under an open heaven. God makes all grace, every favor and earthly blessing come to me in abundance so that I always, under all circumstances, no matter the need, am self-sufficient, I possess enough to require no aid or support and I am fully furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation.
Gen 8:22, Gal 6:7, Mat 9:38, Proverbs 19:17, Mark 10:30, Mal 3:10, 2 Cor. 9:8
The war Israel is fighting to survive continues to spread. This week the warning sirens sounded in Haifa—far away from Gaza. That is because the threat Israel faces is not just in the south. To the north, Hezbollah forces in Lebanon are increasing their attacks on the Jewish people. We must prepare in advance to meet the urgent needs that will follow, and we must raise $250,000 to provide food, medicine, clothing, and more to those impacted by the war. So far 55 friends have given $4,010 toward this goal, so we still need $245,990.
Iran is using its terror proxies to tie Israel’s hands as a way of protecting its nuclear weapons program. The mullahs in Tehran hope to exhaust both Israel and the West, and they also hope to influence the election in November. Above all, they are trying to stall any action against their nuclear program until they can complete their deal with Russia to have a shield Israel will not be able to attack. Any day they could order an attack from the north, telling Hezbollah to use the 150,000 missiles and 100,000 terrorists in a strike on Israel that would leave half the nation living in bomb shelters.
Everything we are seeing in the news is part of prophecy. And God is calling us to take a stand like Esther of old to deliver His Chosen People. I will be traveling to the north of Israel as soon as we have the funds in place to launch this new effort. The chairman of our board of directors, retired General Yossi Peled is there right now. We must not fail to answer God’s call. We must act now.
At the Christmas season, with decorations inside and out, the poinsettias reflect what it’s all about. Clean as the whiteness of a lamb or a dove– the purity of ivory petals speaks of the Child sent from above.
Pink reflects cheer and the joy that was proclaimed by the angels about the Christ child–Jesus, He’s named. Crimson red speaks of blood that was shed for mankind by Jesus Christ upon the cross–our salvation defined.
The lives of those who receive Him gain a new lease in finding faith for living through this Prince of Peace. So, in seeing the poinsettias, rejoice for the reason that His birth in Bethlehem is what gave us this season.
P. A. Oltrogge
“And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:9-11 KJV
“But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His Name.” John 1:12 KJV
“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His Name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
You may want to be sure to take in the message by Dutch Sheets today on persevering prayer at http://www.givehim15.com
And, as always, yesterday’s service at Eagle Mountain International Church was a blessing. If you’re not able to view it in its entirety, you could scroll in to about 11:00 for a beautiful rendition of “Oh Come All Ye Faithful.” At about 31:50 is a segment sharing what EMIC and Kenneth Copeland Ministries are doing to help their contacts in Israel. The message by Pastor George Pearsons on “The Foretold King” that follows told of Simeon and Anna, who were looking for the birth of the Messiah, just as we, today, are in expectation of His return…
These things can be found under “Latest Service,” Dec. 3, at http://www.emic.org
…from Luke 2, when Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple to present Him to the Lord:
“Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout [carefully observing the divine Law], and looking for the Consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed).” Luke 2:25-26 AMP
“There was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old, and had lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage, and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She did not leave the [area of the] temple, but was serving and worshiping night and day with fastings and prayers. She, too, came up at that very moment and began praising and giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all who were looking for the redemption and deliverance of Jerusalem.” Luke 2:36-38 AMP
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For prayer support, visit www.govictory.com (morning prayer M-F, 9:30 a.m. ET (8:30 a.m. CT), for viewing the program). To call, the number is 877-281-6297, where you can pray with and for others for their needs or submit a prayer request of your own. That number can also be reached throughout the day until 11:00 p.m. ET, (10:00 p.m. CT).
I’m one of the earth’s many notable designs… of a workmanship the Bible so clearly defines.
We birds first appeared in Genesis, chapter one– just after God made the moon and the sun.
Creatures of the sea and winged birds of the sky, He said were good and should multiply.
Cattle and other living things, trees for shade… and man and woman, also, by Him were made.
So birds are just one kind of creativity to see, fashioned by God, who caused all things to come to be.
And Jesus Christ spoke of us birds of the air… Turn from Old Testament to New to read of Him there.
He said the Father in heaven wants more new creations to come forth before Him from all of the nations.
He shared God’s requirement, telling women and men… that because of their sin, they must be “born again.”
The way to the Father is through Him, God’s Son; and there aren’t “many ways to God,” but there is only One.
Through Christ, there’s abundant life, for God is good– and it’s His desire for people to live in loving brotherhood.
Owls are said to be wise, so here is my view… I say, thoughts that deny God as Creator aren’t true.
Without looking to the Bible, some theories have been told; but it’s the brilliance of God that caused the galaxies to unfold.
If you haven’t done much study, it’s time to give a “hoot,” and explore the Holy Bible, which no man can refute.
Can God use an owl to tell the gospel story? In a way, because all of creation speaks of His glory.
P. A. Oltrogge
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1: 1
“Then God said, ‘Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years; and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth’; and it was so. Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also. God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth, and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. So the evening and the morning were the fourth day.” Genesis 1:14-19
“Then God said, ‘Let the waters abound with an abundance of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the face of the firmament of the heavens.’ So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters abounded, according to their kind, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. And God blessed them, saying, ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.’ So the evening and the morning were the fifth day.” Genesis 1:20-23 (and see all of Genesis 1)
“Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished. And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.” Genesis 2:1-3
“The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork.” Psalm 19:1
“By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, And all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.” Psalm 33:6
“Of old You laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands.” Psalm 102:25
“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
“Then He said to His disciples, ‘Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds?’” Luke 12:22-25
“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.” Romans 1:20
“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
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a newcreation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17
…passing these on, from Mike Evans, of the Jerusalem Prayer Team:
I’m with Israel Defense Force soldiers. They’re asking for our help. They’re fighting the most wicked enemy Israel’s ever fought since the Nazis. Just today, (at time of writing) 15 soldiers lost their lives (now, many more). What they’re asking for is a survival knife that can attach to their vest and can be used to repair and reinforce their combat equipment and deal with the restraints on their weapon and in case of emergency for self-defense.
They’re also asking for CIT tourniquets. About 70% of the causes of death in battle are due to blood loss. Each soldier could put it on himself quickly and effectively along with Body Glide, which is used for abrasions and destroying bacteria because they do not have access to proper sanitation in the field. We’re in the middle of a battle. There’s no water for washing their hands.
They also need energy bars that have protein, amino acids, sodium, vitamins, and electrolytes, and energy gels that can sustain them when solid food is ineffective. Marathon runners use these gels. The soldiers are under massive stress and urgently need these products to save their lives.
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I’ve hosted a prayer event for the victims of the hostages in which hostage families were here. My heart is broken because I held a mother and father in my arms whose precious darling daughter was taken hostage into Gaza. Among those I met:
A young big sister whose little sister has been taken hostage into Gaza.
A woman whose husband and two children have been taken hostage into Gaza.
A young man whose grandmother, a Holocaust survivor, has been taken hostage into Gaza.
We need to do everything humanly possible to help the suffering nation. But we can’t do it without your help. I am asking you today to be the hands and feet of God’s love in action and reach out to bring comfort to those who mourn in Zion.
We are working to raise $200,000 to give vouchers to victims, their families, and the surviving family members of those who were slaughtered. This will allow them to buy food, clothing, medicine, and other supplies to replace what they have lost, and it will be a precious light of Christian love in action.
Your support of the Jerusalem Prayer Team today allows us to purchase food, medicine, clothing, and other necessities of life for the poor Holocaust survivors, as well as to continue to operate the Friends of Zion Museum, to stand up and speak out for Israel, and to meet urgent humanitarian needs among the poor Jewish people in Israel and Ukraine. Thank you so much for being part of this vital worldwide prayer movement.
Yesterday, the Porch of the Lord referred its readers to a message by Sid Roth, which was given on Sunday, October 29. It also could have been mentioned, that at the very beginning of the service, an encouraging prophetic word for 2024 by Kenneth Copeland was featured….
Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, Who delights greatly in His commandments.
2 His descendants will be mighty on earth; The generation of the upright will be blessed. 3 Wealth and riches will be in his house, And his righteousness endures forever. 4 Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness; He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. 5 A good man deals graciously and lends; He will guide his affairs with discretion. 6 Surely he will never be shaken; The righteous will be in everlasting remembrance. 7 He will not be afraid of evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. 8 His heart is established; He will not be afraid, Until he sees his desire upon his enemies.
9 He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever; His horn will be exalted with honor. 10 The wicked will see it and be grieved; He will gnash his teeth and melt away; The desire of the wicked shall perish.
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!
Psalm 135:21 NASB
And continue to pray for true wisdom from God for leadership in America and that of nations throughout the earth, with a reversal of policies that oppose His word and wisdom…
He also taught me, and said to me: “Let your heart retain my words; Keep my commands, and live. Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; Love her, and she will keep you. Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding. Exalt her, and she will promote you; She will bring you honor, when you embrace her. She will place on your head an ornament of grace; A crown of glory she will deliver to you.”
The Porch of the Lord 