“Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” 2 Corinthians 3:17 NKJV
So grateful, as we watch the fireworks being displayed, that this is a land founded by people who prayed…
So many of Amerca’s founders recognized that this world’s true King— is Jesus, the Christ—Lord above everything.
Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty; and it’s through God’s beloved Son that men are truly free.
P. A. Oltrogge
“Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’” John 8:31-32 NKJV
“Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” words of Jesus in John 8:36 NKJV
“…no man can say that Jesus is the Lord but by the Holy Ghost.” 1 Corinthians 12:3 KJV
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, and to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” spoken by Jesus in Luke 4:18-19 KJV
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” spoken by Jesus in John 3:16-17 KJV
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Be blessed to use in prayer and hear the song, “America’s Anthem,” by Rachel Shafer under “Store” at: www.timsheets.org
(Click on Digital Download for “America’s Anthem”)
“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.”
I’m so glad to have been born in the wonderful United States– a country from which came so very many “greats.”
Inventors, teachers, ministers, and those of every profession found in this blessed country great freedom of expression.
Great national leaders were strategic in guiding the nation and military “greats” led in many a wartime situation.
And diligent mothers and fathers, who were never well-known, supported the lives of young Americans until they were grown.
Great farmers have cultivated bountiful crops in America’s fertile soil, while many people have been blessed by their important toil.
And with scenic lands of “fruited plains” to mountains very high… the United States is blessed with beauty from rivers to the sky.
But what has made it greatest has been its foundation in the Lord… and our fervent prayer is that its faith in Him will be fully restored.
May all of America find in the Bible its truth that sets men free… Jesus Christ is our needed Savior and Lord…and true source of liberty!
P. A. Oltrogge
“Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” 2 Corinthians 3:17 NKJV
“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.” words of Jesus in John 10:10 NKJV
“Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’” John 8:31-32 NKJV
“Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” John 8:36 NKJV
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, and to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” spoken by Jesus in Luke 4:18-19 KJV
“This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us.” 1 John 3:23 NKJV
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!” Psalm 133:1 NASB
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” …From the Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776
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Sequoia National Park, California
O beautiful for spacious skies, For amber waves of grain, For purple mountain majesties Above the fruited plain! America! America! God shed His grace on thee… And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea!
I believe in miracles… I believe they can happen overnight.
I believe in miracles… I believe in faith over fright.
I believe in miracles… even when my faith has taken a hit.
I believe in miracles… because my God doesn’t want me to quit.
I believe in miracles… in God’s forgiveness and covering of mistakes.
I believe in miracles… and in God’s ability to heal heartbreaks.
I believe in miracles… agreeing with what’s written in scripture.
I believe in doing so, that’s the vehicle for “changing the picture.”
I believe in miracles… even if their coming seems slow as molasses.
I believe in miracles… for problems are what God’s power surpasses.
I believe in miracles… Jesus works them, and He is the Master.
I believe in miracles… Of things hoped for, faith is the confident forecaster.
I believe in miracles… They’ve been documented in so many cases.
I believe in miracles… because I believe in God’s divine daily graces.
P. A. Oltrogge
“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.” said by Jesus in John 10:10
“And Jesus answering saith unto them, ‘Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass, he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.’” Mark 11:22-24 KJV
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” said by Jesus in Matthew 7:7-8
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6
“Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart….” from Luke 18
“What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.” 1 Corinthians 14:15
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7
“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.” Psalm 103:2-4
“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
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” Luke 4:18-19 (read by and fulfilled by Jesus)
“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17
Just as any electronic device needs a steady stream of charge, so, likewise, we need charging with the Word, for matters small or large.
Keep charging your life with the Word of God until you’re powered up and full. Then “fully-persuaded” faith will bring down strongholds, by a fully-charged, dominating pull.
Thank the Lord that His powerful Word is flowing through your entire being. Remember that the Bible reveals that believing, itself, is a way of “seeing.”
Taking time to meditate on the scriptures makes for a strong connection. In doing so, we can be recipients of important revelation, wisdom, and direction.
Thanks be to God for the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ…who is the author and finisher of our faith–and whose sacrifice at Calvary for us has more than sufficed!
P. A. Oltrogge
…We charge our lives also through prayers/praises to the Source of all power…
“God has spoken once, Twice I have heard this: That power belongs to God.” Psalm 62:11
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“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
“Bless the Lord, you His angels, who excel in strength, who do His word, heeding the voice of His word. Bless the Lord, all you His hosts, you ministers of His, who do His pleasure.” Psalm 103:20-21
“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.” Proverbs 4:20-22
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.” Proverbs 18:21 (…which is why speaking the Word, agreeing with God’s Word, is so important)
“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
“Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?” Jeremiah 32:27
“But He answered and said, ‘It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4
“Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.” Mark 1:35
“Jesus said to him, ‘If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.'” Mark 9:23
“So Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.'” Mark 11:22-24
“Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.” Luke 6:12
“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
“Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart…” Luke 18:1
“You have heard Me say to you, ‘I am going away and coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, ‘I am going to the Father,’ for MyFatherisgreaterthan I. words of Jesus in John 14:28
“Then He said to Thomas, ‘Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.’ And Thomas answered and said to Him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him, ‘Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.'” John 20:27-29
“…for in Him we live and move and have our being…” Acts 17:28
“He (Abraham) staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.” Romans 4:20-22 KJV
“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57
“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
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ…” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20
“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
“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
“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 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 2:5-11 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.” Hebrews 11:1-3
“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2
“Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.” Hebrews 13:15
“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
I’m surrounded by angels and loved by my Father God. He’s given me a Good Shepherd who guides me with staff and rod.
His sure Word and blood covenant keep me from destruction. I listen for the Holy Spirit’s voice and heed every instruction.
The blood of Jesus is my defense to keep plagues and trouble out. I refuse any worries and close the door on fear and doubt.
As Jesus is in this world, so then also are we. The Greater One is within–we can command demons to flee.
“But it can’t be that simple,” may be your thought. Just realize the truths that Jesus spoke of and what He bought.
So great a salvation and redemption is ours. We’re seated in the heavenly places amidst God’s highest powers.
P. A. Oltrogge
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” spoken by Jesus in John 3:16-17
“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.” …by Jesus in John 10:10
“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.” …by Jesus in Luke 10:19
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23
“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
“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
“Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.” 1 John 4:17
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7
“Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 NASB
“He sent His Word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.” Psalm 107:20
“No evil will befall you, nor will any plague come near your tent. For He will give His angels charge concerning you, to guard you in all your ways.” Psalm 91:10-11 NASB (see entire Psalm)
“…to shepherd the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.” (from Acts 20:28) NASB
“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 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 2:5-11 “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, in order that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:4-7 NASB
Believe you receive all that God has for you….
“Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you.” Jesus spoke these words in Mark 11:24 NASB
Don’t just know about Him only in your head, but be “born again” as Jesus has said. It isn’t just the date you were born on this earth that matters as much as your spiritual rebirth.
It’s simply a gift–so easy to claim, by praying to receive that gift in His Name. No other Name but Jesus forgives sin; just open your heart and ask Him to come in.
Make sure that you’ve done this in your own heart. It’s faith there that counts–churchgoing’s just a start. Please don’t let pride or tradition keep you or those you care about from a love that’s so deep.
Don’t look to non-Biblical, deceptive ways of thinking, for they’re no foundation–but sand that is sinking. And though it is good to think in positive ways, such thoughts without Christ won’t really give you better days.
God’s set before us such an easy choice– your salvation through Jesus will make angels rejoice! And you won’t need to be concerned about daily bread– you’ll be all right always if you’ll stay spiritually fed.
Another simple thing is to give ten percent– God will return back to you far more than you sent. For others are in need and churches/ministries must reach more human beings with this Gospel we preach.
Jesus, Bread of Life, our Friend and our Guide– thank you, as well, for your promises to provide.
P. A. Oltrogge
“Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; this man came to Him by night, and said to Him, ‘Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.’ Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.’ Nicodemus said to Him, ‘How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?’ Jesus answered, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going, so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.’” John 3:1-8 (from John 3:1-21)
“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: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 1:12-12 KJV
“Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:10 “Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, ‘Rulers and elders of the people, if we are on trial today for a benefit done to a sick man, as to how this man has been made well, let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ, the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by this name this man stands here before you in good health. He is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders, but which became the very cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved.’” Acts 4:8-12
…the blessing that is in giving:
“Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings [you have withheld]. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, this whole nation! Bring all the tithes (the tenth) into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test 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 [so great] a blessing until there is no more room to receive it. Then I will rebuke the devourer (insects, plague) for your sake and he will not destroy the fruits of the ground, nor will your vine in the field drop its grapes [before harvest],” says the Lord of hosts. Malachi 3:8-11 AMP “But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.” Luke 11:42 KJV
“Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” Luke 6:37-39
“And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:18
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6:33
We’ve all heard this familiar term…sometimes things are “against all odds.” Against natural law or against all odds–these define miracles, and miracles are God’s.
If there’s One who can do the impossible, it’s Jesus, the Lord of all. Peter, the fisherman, received of His power, when he netted and brought in a huge fish haul.
Later, Peter was called upon to go and raise Tabitha, (or Dorcas), who had died. Other miracles, too, he did–through the name of Jesus, the King who’d been crucified, (but glorified).
Lazarus, Jairus’ daughter, and the only son of a widow out of the city of Nain…were also raised up by the Messiah, while many others were cured of sickness and pain.
When thousands came for healing and to hear Jesus teach, He even provided them with a meal. He blessed five loaves and two fish to feed them all, looking to God, His Father, in a miracle appeal.
Jesus walked on turbulent waves of the sea and caused a storm there to cease. He Himself was raised from the dead, and now He reigns as our Prince of Peace.
He turned mere water into wine at a wedding, causing the best wine to be served last. He knew of tax money inside the mouth of a fish, caught by a hook that He’d told Peter to cast.
He made the deaf to hear, and those who were blind were freely given their sight. Miracles today still occur through His name–Jesus Christ is the world’s great Light.
And, talk about a miracle…how about when He came to earth as a baby in a manger? He was born to die as the Lamb of God–all who receive Him are rescued from danger.
Teaching that He was the way, the truth, and the life was the most miraculous truth He taught. May many still receive the pardon and gift of life…that His death and resurrection have bought.
We were lost–unable to work our way back to God–but, then, against all odds, the Father in heaven provided a way through His Son–such a brilliant miracle plan could only be God’s.
P. A. Oltrogge
“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
Peter spoke the following to the people after the healing of a lame beggar at the temple gate: “The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus, the one whom you handed over and disowned in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release Him. But you disowned the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, but put to death the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, a fact to which we are witnesses.” Acts 3:13-15 NASB
…sharing this event from scripture, as mentioned in Dutch Sheets’s prayer/post:
Teach us to wait when we need to wait, and to only move when You tell us to move. Crossing the Jordan when it’s in flood stage doesn’t seem right, but sometimes You want to demonstrate Your power by cutting it off (Joshua 3). Your time is the only right time for crossing into the new. So, in all of our ways, we acknowledge You, and trust You to direct our paths (Proverbs 3:5-6).
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Early the next morning Joshua and all the Israelites left Acacia Grove and arrived at the banks of the Jordan River, where they camped before crossing. Three days later the Israelite officers went through the camp, giving these instructions to the people: “When you see the Levitical priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord your God, move out from your positions and follow them. Since you have never traveled this way before, they will guide you. Stay about half a mile behind them, keeping a clear distance between you and the Ark. Make sure you don’t come any closer.”
Then Joshua told the people, “Purify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do great wonders among you.”
In the morning Joshua said to the priests, “Lift up the Ark of the Covenant and lead the people across the river.” And so they started out and went ahead of the people.
The Lord told Joshua, “Today I will begin to make you a great leader in the eyes of all the Israelites. They will know that I am with you, just as I was with Moses. Give this command to the priests who carry the Ark of the Covenant: ‘When you reach the banks of the Jordan River, take a few steps into the river and stop there.’”
So Joshua told the Israelites, “Come and listen to what the Lord your God says. Today you will know that the living God is among you. He will surely drive out the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites, and Jebusites ahead of you. Look, the Ark of the Covenant, which belongs to the Lord of the whole earth, will lead you across the Jordan River! Now choose twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one from each tribe. The priests will carry the Ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth. As soon as their feet touch the water, the flow of water will be cut off upstream, and the river will stand up like a wall.”
So the people left their camp to cross the Jordan, and the priests who were carrying the Ark of the Covenant went ahead of them. It was the harvest season, and the Jordan was overflowing its banks. But as soon as the feet of the priests who were carrying the Ark touched the water at the river’s edge, the water above that point began backing up a great distance away at a town called Adam, which is near Zarethan. And the water below that point flowed on to the Dead Sea until the riverbed was dry. Then all the people crossed over near the town of Jericho.
Meanwhile, the priests who were carrying the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant stood on dry ground in the middle of the riverbed as the people passed by. They waited there until the whole nation of Israel had crossed the Jordan on dry ground.
Joshua 3, New Living Translation
When all the people had crossed the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua, “Now choose twelve men, one from each tribe. Tell them, ‘Take twelve stones from the very place where the priests are standing in the middle of the Jordan. Carry them out and pile them up at the place where you will camp tonight.’”
So Joshua called together the twelve men he had chosen—one from each of the tribes of Israel. He told them, “Go into the middle of the Jordan, in front of the Ark of the Lord your God. Each of you must pick up one stone and carry it out on your shoulder—twelve stones in all, one for each of the twelve tribes of Israel. We will use these stones to build a memorial. In the future your children will ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ Then you can tell them, ‘They remind us that the Jordan River stopped flowing when the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant went across.’ These stones will stand as a memorial among the people of Israel forever.”
So the men did as Joshua had commanded them. They took twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan River, one for each tribe, just as the Lord had told Joshua. They carried them to the place where they camped for the night and constructed the memorial there.
Joshua also set up another pile of twelve stones in the middle of the Jordan, at the place where the priests who carried the Ark of the Covenant were standing. And they are there to this day.
The priests who were carrying the Ark stood in the middle of the river until all of the Lord’s commands that Moses had given to Joshua were carried out. Meanwhile, the people hurried across the riverbed. And when everyone was safely on the other side, the priests crossed over with the Ark of the Lord as the people watched.
The armed warriors from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh led the Israelites across the Jordan, just as Moses had directed. These armed men—about 40,000 strong—were ready for battle, and the Lord was with them as they crossed over to the plains of Jericho.
That day the Lord made Joshua a great leader in the eyes of all the Israelites, and for the rest of his life they revered him as much as they had revered Moses.
The Lord had said to Joshua, “Command the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant to come up out of the riverbed.” So Joshua gave the command. As soon as the priests carrying the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant came up out of the riverbed and their feet were on high ground, the water of the Jordan returned and overflowed its banks as before.
The people crossed the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month. Then they camped at Gilgal, just east of Jericho. It was there at Gilgal that Joshua piled up the twelve stones taken from the Jordan River.
Then Joshua said to the Israelites, “In the future your children will ask, ‘What do these stones mean?’ Then you can tell them, ‘This is where the Israelites crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’ For the Lord your God dried up the river right before your eyes, and he kept it dry until you were all across, just as he did at the Red Sea when he dried it up until we had all crossed over. He did this so all the nations of the earth might know that the Lord’s hand is powerful, and so you might fear the Lord your God forever.”
As I post this, it is presently available on line to view the message by Joseph Prince on walking in divine health and life through partaking of the holy communion.
“For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’ 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.’ For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.” 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
In the message, Joseph Prince explains scripture, such as:
“Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep.” 1 Corinthians 11:27-30
I hope/pray you’ll find time to listen to Joseph’s complete encouraging message. I’ll only briefly share a few of his points. He notes that “examining” ourselves means that we’re to examine whether we understand/discern that Jesus’ body was broken for our healing, in addition to His blood being shed for the forgiveness of all our sins. It means judging ourselves in the light of Jesus’ finished work, which brought/brings us into all of the wonderful blessings Jesus purchased for us.
During the message, some powerful testimonies are shared.
And Joseph speaks of how God uses what may seem weak or simple to confound the wise. He refers, at one point, to the story of the Gentile woman who sought the Lord’s help for her afflicted daughter–how God can use even a crumb, (something as simple as taking communion), to accomplish His will, which is your healing. It is a supernatural way…
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“Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, ‘Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.’
“But He answered her not a word.
“And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, ‘Send her away, for she cries out after us.’
“But He answered and said, ‘I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.’
“Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, ‘Lord, help me!’
“But He answered and said, ‘It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.’
“And she said, ‘Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.’
“Then Jesus answered and said to her, ‘O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.’ And her daughter was healed from that very hour.” Matthew 15:21-28
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“But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence. But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption—that, as it is written, ‘He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.'” 1 Corinthians 1:27-31
The Porch of the Lord 