When it looks to you, at times, like there’s simply no way out,
let thanking God, the Father, be your sure and chosen route.

When it seems that pressing problems have no known solution,
let thanking the Lord turn any worries into a grace revolution.

Paul and Silas were imprisoned but raised their praises high–
then found they were delivered, with praise their only cry.

When the way seems very foggy and you’re tempted to despair,
just know, though you can’t yet see it, the victory is there.

A great principle of the Bible is to walk by faith and not by sight–
so thank God for His presence when it’s dark and you need His light.

Like a pilot relies on instruments through weather good or bad–
let thankfulness be the “instrument” with which your life is clad.

P. A. Oltrogge

Acts 16:23-40:
“But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them; and suddenly there came a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison house were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s chains were unfastened.” (25-26)

“But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 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. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:14-17 NKJV

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV and Hebrews 11:1

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
1 Corinthians 15:57

Find Encouragement at:
http://www.sandrakennedy.org
http://www.rhema.org

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

“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.”

Ephesians 6:10-17 NKJV

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and seated Him at His right hand, in the heavenly places, FAR ABOVE all rule and authority and power and dominion and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.”

Ephesians 1:18-23 NASB

“And He spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint….”

Luke 18:1 KJV

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?

One thing I have desired of the Lord,
That will I seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord
All the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the Lord
And to inquire in His temple.

For in the time of trouble
He shall hide me in His pavilion;
In the secret place of His tabernacle
He shall hide me;
He shall set me high upon a rock.

And now my head shall be lifted up
Above my enemies all around me;
Therefore I will offer sacrifices
Of joy in His tabernacle;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.

When You said, “Seek My face,”
My heart said to You,
“Your face, Lord, I will seek.”

When my father and my mother forsake me,
Then the Lord will take care of me.

I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
That I would see the goodness of the Lord
In the land of the living.

Wait on the Lord;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the Lord!

(…from Psalm 27, NKJV)

Father,

Your Word reveals that, as believers in Christ, we’re living under Your blessing.

So, rather than talking about problems, it’s Your promises that we should be confessing.

The hills melted like wax in Your presence, so any of our difficulties are resolved.

Casting our cares upon You, with thanksgiving, is all, for the solutions, that’s involved.

Thank You for the promise of a place for us in heaven that, one day, will be ours.

But for abundant life now and needs that are met—we thank You for Your blessing showers!

Because of Your known faithfulness, we can trust that Your plans for us are best.

We have peace and faith, knowing that it’s Your desire for us…to always enter into Your rest.

Praise the Lord!

P. A. Oltrogge

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly of heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV

“There remains therefore a rest for the people of God.” Hebrews 4:9 NKJV

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV

“…casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 NKJV

“The hills melted like wax at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.” Psalm 97:5 KJV

Don’t hold on, with anxiety, to problems, but hold on, with thanksgiving, to the Lord’s promises….

“Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows;

Yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God and afflicted.

But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities;

The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.

All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned every one, to his own way;

and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”

Isaiah 53:4-6 NKJV

“For indeed, Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.”

from 1 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV

The instructions of the Lord are perfect,
reviving the soul.
The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
The commandments of the Lord are right,
bringing joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are clear,
giving insight for living.
Reverence for the Lord is pure,
lasting forever.
The laws of the Lord are true;
each one is fair.
They are more desirable than gold,
even the finest gold.

They are sweeter than honey,
even honey dripping from the comb.

They are a warning to your servant,
a great reward for those who obey them.

For the choir director, A Psalm of David,
Psalm 19:7-11 NLT

If you’re experiencing a problem that’s keeping you from sleep,

remember, then, God’s promises, so trustworthy and deep.

In following the Lord—if you don’t despair, in due season, you’ll reap

from the seed of God’s Word planted in your heart, a harvest that’s steep.

P. A. Oltrogge

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9 KJV

“It is the blessing of the Lord that makes rich, and He adds no sorrow to it.” Proverbs 10:22 NASB

To take the devil’s thoughts of doubt will cause a faith EROSION;
but, as God’s child, believe, instead, that there will be a blessing EXPLOSION!

(of healing, provision, favor, love, or whatever the need)

In the last days, perilous times will come—the New Testament has warned.
Yet, those words, by nonbelievers, have been ignored or scorned.

The increase of catastrophic news events and evil deeds inflicted
should be convincing to men and women of what the Bible has predicted.

Then, there’s the focus on Israel, such a small piece of land;
yet it’s dear to the heart of God and is sustained by His mighty hand.

As believers, we can “look up,” for our redemption draws nigh…
The same resurrected Lord Jesus is coming back, who ascended into the sky.

P. A. Oltrogge

“But know this, that in the last days, perilous times will come. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people, turn away!” 2 Timothy 3:1-5 NKJV

“And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.” Matthew 24:6-8 NKJV

“And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” Luke 21:25-28 KJV

“Who has ever heard of such things? Who has ever seen things like this? Can a country be born in a day or a nation be brought forth in a moment? Yet no sooner is Zion in labor than she gives birth to her children.” Isaiah 66:8 NIV
Israel recognized on May 14, 1948

“And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed.” 2 Samuel 7:10 NIV

“And I will bring my people Israel back from exile.” Amos 9:14 NIV

“As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people from this time forth and forever.” Psalm 125:2 NKJV

“And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven. And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.” Luke 24:50-53 NKJV

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.’” Acts 1:8-11 NKJV

Though we don’t know the timing of future events, we can, in the meantime, pray and speak the peace of Christ wherever we go….

“Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” John 17:17 NKJV

Are you concerned about someone, for whom you care very much–
that they seem to be busy with just their own concerns and such?

Then, this may be a scripture to pray over their name…
Jesus prayed this for His disciples; you can also pray it, the same.

“Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” What better way
to agree with God’s Word, in faith, that they’ll comprehend what He has to say.

P. A. Oltrogge

“Good and upright is the Lord; therefore, He instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in justice, and He teaches the humble His way. All the paths of the Lord are lovingkindness and truth to those who keep His covenant and His testimonies.” Psalm 25:8-10 NASB

“So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, ‘If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.’” John 8:31-32 NASB

“Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work.”
Oswald Chambers

“Now on one of those days Jesus and His disciples got into a boat, and He said to them, ‘Let us go over to the other side of the lake.’ So they launched out. But as they were sailing along, He fell asleep; and a fierce gale of wind descended on the lake, and they began to be swamped and to be in danger. They came to Jesus and woke Him up, saying, ‘Master, Master, we are perishing!’ And He got up and rebuked the wind and the surging waves, and they stopped, and it became calm. And He said to them, ‘Where is your faith?’ They were fearful and amazed, saying to one another, ‘Who then is this, that He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him?’” Luke 8:25 NASB

Does it seem as though it’s your darkest hour?
Remember that our Mighty God is clothed with power.

He knit you together in your mother’s womb…

He can take a desert and cause it to bloom…

And by His great power, Christ was raised from the tomb!

You may have to pray in the Spirit at length;
but as you wait upon the Lord, He will renew your strength.

“Where is your faith?” Jesus asked, discouraging doubt.
He’s the same yesterday, today, and forever—

He’s still out and about!

P. A. Oltrogge

“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.”
Isaiah 9:6 NKJV

‘By awesome deeds in righteousness You will answer us, O God of our salvation, You who are the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of the far-off seas; Who established the mountains by His strength, being clothed with power; You who still the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people.” Psalm 65:5-7 NKJV

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” Psalm 139:13 NIV

“Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” Romans 8:26-27 NKJV

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31 KJV

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 NASB

Be strengthened by teachings on the Holy Spirit:
http://www.moorelife.org
http://www.awmi.net

Search You Tube, Chip Brim, Branson Tornado
for a storm story of today….
Romans 5:17, Ephesians 1:18-23,
Ephesians 2:4-10, Ephesians 6:16