“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time,for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.” 1 Timothy 2:1-7 NKJV
At the end of this present year, I’d like to be able to say…
I didn’t meet or pass by a person for whom I didn’t pray.
It doesn’t have to be long…and I can quietly intercede–
even praying to God in thought, for Him to meet their most urgent need.
P. A. Oltrogge
You may already be doing this, not wanting to miss someone who may need the Lord’s help in a particular way in their lives…and for some, most importantly, to come to know Him. It is a worthy goal, for there are surely many people who don’t even realize that they are standing in the need of prayer….
Many of the followers of this blog may already be using it, but a great daily resource for more detailed prayer is: http://www.ifapray.org
I very much am blessed (you may be, too) by the Christian song, “Somebody’s praying me through,” which can be found via You Tube…
I am praying for you today, as well… Thank you for following The Porch of the Lord blog…
Somebody’s Praying Me Through:
Pressing over me like a big blue sky, I know someone has me on their heart tonight. That’s why I know it’s gonna be alright ‘Cause somebody’s praying me through… Somebody’s praying me through… It may be my Mother, it might be my Dad Or an old friend I’ve forgot I had; But whoever it is I’m so glad…that Somebody’s praying me through… Somebody’s praying me through… Through the tears, through the rain, Through the sorrow, through the pain, It keeps bringing me through Over and over again. So when you’re drowning in a sea of hurt And it feels like life couldn’t get any worse, There’s a blessing waiting to push back the curse ‘Cause somebody’s praying you through… Somebody’s praying you through… Someone got down on their knees and prayed for me; Somebody’s, somebody’s praying you through…
…I’m not entirely sure of the attribution for the writer of the song, but their work is appreciated…
To many, this topic may seem difficult or troubling, while it is, in fact, trustworthy. Perhaps you can take steps toward it if you haven’t fully done so yet. The following is presented…
by Kenneth Copeland
Give God a Way In
“And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts. And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land.” Malachi 3:11-12
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God is vitally interested in your finances. He wants to multiply and protect them. But He won’t be able to—unless you open the door for Him to do it.
How? Through tithing.
When you tithe, you give God the legal right to intervene in your financial affairs, to bless you richly, and to defend you against the destruction the devil brings. When you tithe, you lay a foundation for success and abundance. You establish deposits with God you can draw on when you need them.
But don’t wait until your back is against the wall to start. Begin now. Start developing your faith when things are going well by meditating on the blessings God’s Word promises you as a tither. Learn to act on that Word now; and when Satan tries to put you in a financial corner, he’ll fail. His power over you financially will have already been broken. Because you’ve established yourself on the covenant of God, Satan will have no chance against you. God will rebuke him for your sake.
If you haven’t yet opened the door and given God a way in to your finances, don’t wait any longer. Do it today. Then, when the pressures of tomorrow come, you’ll be prepared and protected by the special privileges that are guaranteed to those who tithe.
Reprinted with permission from Kenneth Copeland Ministries
“God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne. The princes of the people have gathered together, The people of the God of Abraham. For the shields of the earth belong to God; He is greatly exalted.” Psalm 47:8-9
“The Lord reigns, He is clothed with majesty; The Lord is clothed, He has girded Himself with strength. Surely the world is established, so that it cannot be moved.” Psalm 93:1
The Eternal Reign of the Lord
“Say among the nations, ‘The Lord reigns; The world also is firmly established, It shall not be moved; He shall judge the peoples righteously.'” Psalm 96:10
A Song of Praise to the Sovereign Lord
“The Lord reigns; Let the earth rejoice; Let the multitude of isles be glad!” Psalm 97:1
Praise to the Lord for His Holiness
“The Lord reigns; Let the peoples tremble! He dwells between the cherubim; Let the earth be moved!” Psalm 99:1
“And in that day you will say: ‘Praise the Lord, call upon His name; Declare His deeds among the peoples, Make mention that His name is exalted.'” Isaiah 12:4
“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, Who proclaims peace, Who brings glad tidings of good things, Who proclaims salvation, Who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!'” Isaiah 52:7
“Jesus answered him, ‘The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.'” Mark 12:29-30
“The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all.” Acts 10:36
“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39
“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 See all of Colossians 1
“And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, ‘Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!'” Revelation 19:6
Scriptures: NKJV
Scroll down to read the article, “Lebanon’s Earthquake: A Divine Protection?” at: http://www.ifapray.org
“Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, ‘Who is on the Lord’s side?’” …from Exodus 32:26 KJV
The one true God is on OUR side, for JESUS’ BLOOD has been applied.
No good thing will be denied… for we are standing on the GOOD LORD’S side.
The devil’s power has been defied through JESUS’ BLOOD-BOUGHT OVERRIDE.
Heaven’s windows have been opened wide… As we give, every blessing will be supplied.
Jesus, the Good Shepherd, is our faithful guide and Prince of Peace–in His peace, we abide.
Sins and sicknesses have been cast aside. By His stripes, Christ healed His church–His bride.
If the trustworthiness of God’s Word is being denied, we know and say, instead, that God has never lied.
God’s angels support us, traveling far and wide, hearkening to His Word, which is their constant guide.
For the persecuted, we pray that God will turn the tide, bringing daring help and angels to come alongside.
The world hated Jesus, and He Himself warned that believers, by the world, would also be scorned.
For the enemies of the Gospel, who’ve been deceived, we pray they’ll find the King, on whom they must believe.
From the Lord’s hand, the born-again believer can’t be snatched… Eternal life is ours by Jesus’ name and blood, which are unmatched!
P. A. Oltrogge
“And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.” …spoken by Jesus in John 10:28-30
“For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.” Psalm 84:11 KJV or Psalm 34:10
“‘Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,’ Says the Lord of hosts, ‘If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it.’” Malachi 3:10
“…it is impossible for God to lie….” (from Hebrews 6:18)
“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
“The Lord executes righteousness and judgment and justice for all who are oppressed.” Psalm 103:6
“Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.” Psalm 103:20
“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.” Isaiah 53:5
“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” …spoken by Jesus in John 15:18-19
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” …spoken by Jesus in Matthew 3:43-45
“And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and are in him that is true, even in his Son, Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.” 1 John 5:20 KJV
“Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those 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
“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12
“Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised…”) Hebrews 10:23 KJV
The poem above was inspired by poetic words written by Trina Hankins in Mark Hankins’ book, “The Spirit of Faith” available at: http://www.markhankins.org
For more on healing, view Sid Roth’s interview of Becky Dvorak at: http://www.sidroth.org
May you be blessed by this photo of phlox flowers and a gentle butterfly. The power of the Word and the beauties of creation are gifts to us from on high…
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“Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite.” Psalm 147:5
“For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater, So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:10-11
“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
“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
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.” James 1:17-18
“Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.” Psalm 1:1-3
“After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen”
“And if ye forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Matthew 6:9-15 KJV
“He turned the sea into dry land; They went through the river on foot. There we will rejoice in Him. He rules by His power forever; His eyes observe the nations; Do not let the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah
Oh, bless our God, you peoples! And make the voice of His praise to be heard…” Psalm 66:6-8 …photo/Pixabay
“Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; Whoever serves, is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:11 NASB
A Christian who needs strength relies daily on the strength which God supplies.
P. A. Oltrogge
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Our God, who is the great I AM:
“Fear not, for IAM with you, be not dismayed, for I AM your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 RSV
“”He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increases strength.” Isaiah 43:29 KJV
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” Ephesians 6:10 KJV and Ephesians 6:10-17, on the armor of God
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13
“I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies.” Psalm 18:1-3
“For who is God, except the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God? It is God who arms me with strength, And makes my way perfect.” Psalm 18:31-32
“The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, oh Lord, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands.” Psalm 138:8
“For You have armed me with strength for the battle; You have subdued under me those who rose up against me.” Psalm 18:39
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14
“Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.” …by David to Goliath in 1 Samuel 17:47
“Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven with the saving strength of His right hand.” Psalm 20:6
“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?” Psalm 27:1
“The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.” Psalm 29:11 NIV
“In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, and His children will have a place of refuge. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to turn one away from the snares of death.” Proverbs 14:26-27
“Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” …by Jesus in Luke 12:32
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah” Psalm 46:1-3
“For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—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 3:14-21
See http://www.moorelife.org for a free download–Under “Word Supply,” “Music,” and “Always” Medley (Power to the Faint—Thanks be to God)
Perhaps you may already know of her, but thanks to one of the wonderful followers of the Porch of the Lord blog, I recently learned of an excellent singer of praise in Genavieve Linkowski. You may want to do a You Tube search for some of her music. She does such songs as “Holy Forever,” “How Great is Our God,” “Battle Belongs,” “Graves into Gardens,” “Way Maker,” and others. God bless you today/always, dear followers of this blog…
P. A. Oltrogge
“But I have trusted in Your mercy; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, Because He has dealt bountifully with me.” Psalm 13:5-6
“Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises!” Psalm 47:6
“Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.” Psalm 100
“But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.” Acts 16:25-26
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Colossians 3:16
“But Elisha sent a messenger out to him with this message: ‘Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan River. Then your skin will be restored, and you will be healed of your leprosy.'” 2 Kings 5:10 …healing of Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria
“O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you restored my health.” Psalm 30:2
“The Lord nurses them when they are sick and restores them to health.” Psalm 41:3
“He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare His works with rejoicing.” Psalm 107:20-22
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Proverbs 18:21 (Therefore, speak death to sickness/disease, curse it and command it to leave…declare Jesus is Lord over your life.)
“Lord, your discipline is good, for it leads to life and health. You restore my health and allow me to live!” …by Hezekiah king of Judah, in Isaiah 38:16
“For I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds,’ says the Lord…” Jeremiah 30:17
“Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?” Jeremiah 32:27
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“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
“Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” Matthew 11:4-6 “Then he said to the man, ‘Hold out your hand.’ So the man held out his hand, and it was restored, just like the other one!” Matthew 12:13
“Then great multitudes came to Him, having with them the lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others; and they laid them down at Jesus’ feet, and He healed them.” Matthew 15:30
“But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the paralytic, ‘I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.’ Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, ‘We never saw anything like this!'” …from Mark 2:1-12
“He looked around at them angrily and was deeply saddened by their hard hearts. Then he said to the man, ‘Hold out your hand.’ So the man held out his hand, and it was restored!” Mark 3:5
“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 they were astonished beyond measure, saying, ‘He has done all things well. He makes both the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.'” …from Mark 7:31-37
“Then Jesus placed his hands on the man’s eyes again, and his eyes were opened. His sight was completely restored, and he could see everything clearly.” Mark 8:25
“He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Mark 16:16-18
“And He came down with them and stood on a level place with a crowd of His disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear Him and be healed of their diseases, as well as those who were tormented with unclean spirits. And they were healed. And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all.” Luke 6:17-19
“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
“At that very time, Jesus cured many people of their diseases, illnesses, and evil spirits, and he restored sight to many who were blind.” Luke 7:21
“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
“When those around Him saw what was going to happen, they said to Him, ‘Lord, shall we strike with the sword?’ And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus answered and said, ‘Permit even this.’ And He touched his ear and healed him.” Luke 22:49-51
“Now a certain man was there (at the pool of Bethesda) who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, ‘Do you want to be made well?’ The sick man answered Him, ‘Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk.’ And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked.'” John 5:5-8
“Jesus said to her, ‘Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?’ Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, ‘Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.’ Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come forth!’ And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, ‘Loose him, and let him go.'” John 11:40-44
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“…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 10:38
“(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and called those things which be not as though they were.” Romans 4:17 KJV
“For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son.” Romans 5:10
“But if the spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” Romans 8:11 KJV
“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
“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8
“Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” James 4:7
“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 5:6-11
“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4
On repentance and redemption:
“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.” …by Jesus in John 3:16-17
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.” Romans 5:8-9 “But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 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 3:8-9
Scriptures: NKJV or as noted
Enter “101 Things God Said About Healing” or “101” in the Porch search bar for more scriptures on health/healing.
“Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, streaming to the goodness of the Lord– For wheat and new wine and oil, For the young of the flock and the herd; Their souls shall be like a well-watered garden, and they shall sorrow no more at all.”
Jeremiah 31:12 NKJV
The above portion of scripture made me think of time spent with Jesus, our Lord and King. Such time causes the soul to be as a garden– well-watered from His everlasting spring.
And gardens are always in need of guidance, or else, they will only run wild. Look to your life’s divine Gardener, trusting in Him, for you’re God’s beloved child.
P. A. Oltrogge
“…she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?’”
“Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, ‘Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’ She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, ‘Rabboni!’ (which means Teacher).”
John 20:14-16 NASB
“The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.” Isaiah 58:11 NIV
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105 KJV
Jesus distinguished the state of people’s hearts in receiving God’s Word, as seed sown….in the following way. A sower goes out to plant his seed….
The seed falls sometimes onto the roadside, or onto where mostly rocks are found. At times, it falls among thorns; but, at other times, it falls on the good ground.
So those hearts considered as “the roadside,” hear the Word but the devil snatches it away. Therefore, as it’s sown, we must pray that people really “hear” what God has to say.
Some do hear it with joy, (“rocky soil”) but their grasp of the gospel isn’t of great duration….for in time of temptation or trial, their belief has no depth for either situation.
The seed that’s fallen among thorns exemplifies those who let other things…such as cares, riches, or pleasures of life choke the Word, and they lose the benefits it brings.
But when the Word falls onto good ground–these are hearts where it will endure…to bring about fruit that will last. Their hearts are earnest, virtuous, and favor what’s pure.
So help us, Lord, daily, to attend to Your Word, thereby giving it firmer root…and then find Your opportunities to serve, with Your love, bringing forth precious fruit.
P. A. Oltrogge
…shared in best detail by Jesus in Luke 8:4-15 NASB (also in Matthew 13 and Mark 4)
Now when a large crowd was coming together, and those from the various cities were journeying to Him, He spoke by way of a parable: “The sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell beside the road, and it was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the sky ate it up. Other seed fell on rocky soil, and when it came up, it withered away because it had no moisture. Other seed fell among the thorns; and the thorns grew up with it and choked it out. And yet other seed fell into the good soil, and grew up, and produced a crop a hundred times as much.” As He said these things, He would call out, “The one who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
Now His disciples began asking Him what this parable meant. And He said, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest they are told in parables, so that while seeing they may not see, and while hearing they may not understand.”
“Now this is the parable: the seed is the word of God. And those beside the road are the ones who have heard, then the devil comes and takes away the word from their heart, so that they will not believe and be saved. Those on the rocky soil are the ones who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and yet these do not have a firm root; they believe for a while, and in a time of temptation they fall away. And the seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked by worries, riches, and pleasures of this life, and they bring no fruit to maturity. But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word with a good and virtuous heart, and hold it firmly, and produce fruit with perseverance.
And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there. Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. Acts 16:13-14
My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life. Proverbs 4:20-23
The Porch of the Lord 