Look Unto the Hills

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“I will lift up my eyes to the hills–
From whence comes my help?
My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.”
Psalm 121:1-2

Lord, you are the source of my help on any given day.
You made the heavens and the earth–On you, my hope will stay.

I will look even to the hills–On their horizon, I’ll always see,
through the eye of faith, my Savior, heading down with help for me.

P. A. Oltrogge

“He will not allow your foot to be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord is your keeper;
The Lord is your shade at your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day,
Nor the moon by night.
The Lord shall preserve you from all evil;
He shall preserve your soul.
The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore.”
Psalm 121:3-8 NKJV

“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.” Psalm 91:1-2 NKJV (and entire Psalm)

“Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, the God who is our salvation. God is to us a God of deliverances; and to God the Lord belong escapes from death.” Psalm 68:19, 20 NASB

“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.” 1 Samuel 17:47 (words of David to the Philistine, Goliath)

“And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint…” words of Jesus, in Luke 18:1 KJV

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21 NKJV 

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” words of Jesus in John 14:27 NKJV

In these times of obvious good versus evil, we thank God for (and pray for) those who are standing strong against evil; and, as we feel led, we also do what we can, remembering the promise that our help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth–in whom we’ve placed our faith and who we look to, pray to, and offer our praise. Jesus is Lord!

http://www.BiblicalCivics.com

About God’s presence:
http://www.givehim15.com

Message by Lana Vawser:
http://www.elijahlist.com

A Creation/Science Collection

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For a great variety of programs for you to explore that use scientific evidence to validate the truth of God’s involvement in creation, visit “Origins” at:

http://www.originstv.org

…There, you will find discussions with and exhibits by scientifically-knowledgeable guests.

Click on “Recent Episodes” or “Watch All Past Episodes”

…photos/Unsplash

You’re “On Track” with God

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…doubts on the route…

If doubts make you think things are “off track” in your life;
and you’re feeling like you don’t know what to do,
continue to acknowledge and confess God’s Holy Word.
Then…just keep barreling on through!

P. A. Oltrogge

“Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised).” Hebrews 10:23

“Cast not away your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward.” Hebrews 10:35 

Maintaining faith in what God has said…is the right way to keep moving ahead!

“As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.” Psalm 18:30

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

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Iniquities/Diseases destroyed by what won’t return void….

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“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 NKJV

God’s Word doesn’t return to Him void, but accomplishes what He pleases….

Therefore, as repentant believers in Jesus, His Son, we can confidently say,

“He forgives all my iniquities; He heals all my diseases!”

P. A. Oltrogge

“Bless the Lord, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”

Psalm 103:1-5 NKJV

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14

“For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” Hebrews 8:12

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23

“…who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.” 1 Peter 2:24

“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 

“For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.” 1 Thessalonians 2:13 

“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.”  James 1:17

For a helpful way to find, meditate on, and quote God’s Word regarding health/healing, you can visit http://www.moorelife.org and click on “Word Supply” and then “Resources,” where you will find “101 Things God Said About Healing” (both Old Testament and New Testament).

Excellent message at Eagle Mountain International Church from Sunday, May 21, titled, “The Faith Kind” found at: http://www.emic.org

Christians readily believe in the forgiveness of their sins through Christ, our Savior… May we all grow in faith in believing God’s healing Word…that it is the Lord’s will for us to prosper in all things and be in health, just as our soul prospers…. (3 John 1:2)

Thank you, Father, for good health and for the many healings we’ve seen and for those yet to come! In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

Train Ride

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I was traveling on a train that had many stops it would be making…but I knew my destination and which stop that I’d be taking.

I thought I’d ask the traveler next to me where he was going to go; then, surprisingly, he said it wasn’t something he could know.

I thought that that was rather odd, for one needs to be quite sure, for travelers can’t ride indefinitely on a never-ending tour.

I’d researched my destination, having heard it was a beautiful place; but my fellow traveler’s plans were vague and uncertain in his case.

Eventually, he’d need to get off—there would come an end to the trail. It reminded me of those who travel equally vaguely, but on a spiritual rail.

They think that any exit will get them to a final place of peace, but they haven’t secured the ticket to where God’s love will never cease.

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life…don’t travel until it’s too dark. Secure your ticket by taking Him as Savior—then you’ll KNOW where you will disembark.

P. A. Oltrogge

“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 NKJV

“In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” John 14:2 NKJV

The Resurrected Lord Appears at the Sea of Galilee

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After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples several times–for instance, once at the Sea of Galilee. In the group were Simon Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, two other disciples, and the sons of Zebedee.

Peter announced he was going to go out to fish; and they all decided they would join him, too, on the boat. They fished all night but caught nothing; and in the morning they saw Jesus on the shore as they were afloat.

They didn’t realize this was the Master when He called to them as “friends,” asking if they had fish aboard. “No,” they said–but then took His advice, that a shift of the net to the right side shouldn’t be ignored.

When they did as He said, they came into such an abundance of fish that they weren’t able to haul in the net, which caused them to remember a previous miraculous catch–an incident they could never forget.

John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, spoke up first, saying, “It is the Lord!” They all were overwhelmed and excited. Peter, in his eagerness, threw on his tunic, and jumped into the sea for the shore–so unable to wait to be reunited.

The others followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, with which Jesus had just blessed–such a great haul. A fire of burning coals with fish and also bread was ready on shore, where the Lord wanted to dine with them all.

Jesus said that they should bring some of the fish just caught–153 large fish in all, and yet the net wasn’t torn. “Come and have breakfast,” was His warm greeting to His disciples there on that joyful and, to them, miraculous morn.

Have you fished all night, are you not expecting to see the Lord show up, do you think miracles are few and far between? Well, He’s the resurrected Lord, and is “ALIVE forevermore!” We can expect to see miracles yet like none we’ve ever seen!

P. A. Oltrogge

(from John 21:1-14
and reference to Luke 5:1-11)

“And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, ‘Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death. Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.’” Revelation 1:17-19

The various versions of the Bible have Jesus calling out to His disciples in this account in different terms.  “Children” is written in the King James Version–which they were, beloved children of God.

In the Gospel of John, we read of John as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” Of course, all of His disciples were the recipients of His love, as we also are today!

Mount Arbel/Sea of Galilee

Many of the websites noted on this blog help us to walk blessed with the Lord–even believing for the miraculous. For extra encouragement, you may want to read the devotional today at:

http://www.jerrysavelle.org

(On You Tube can be found the amazing story of the restoration of Jerry’s daughter’s fingertips…look for Jerry Savelle, Terri’s Fingers)

…praying for you, a follower or friend of the Porch of the Lord….

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Lord of all Creation

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“The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works.” Psalm 145:9 NKJV

Sometimes a part of creation may catch your eye…
creatures that are bold or others that are shy.

Some keep us company, like a good dog or cat…
they can be a calming friend with whom to “chat.”

The flowers of the field, the birds of the air…
Jesus noted over all of them His Father’s care.

The Lord is so creative, and YOU are His design…
unique and special to Him and, through Him, you shine!

P. A. Oltrogge

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do men light a lamp, and put it under the peck-measure, but on the lampstand; and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 NASB

“For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear; but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’” Romans 8:15 NKJV

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” Psalm 34:18 NLT

“Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in him.” Proverbs 30:5 NIV

“But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: Ye are of more value than many sparrows.” Luke 12:7 KJV

“By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?

“My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” 1 John 3:16-18 NKJV

Tim’s House

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I’ve previously shared about this ministry to the homeless in Chicago, Illinois….the following is a recent post:

Good Morning Everyone!

What an incredible week last Wednesday and Friday! Wow! We have a front-row seat in seeing a glimpse of God’s heart not only in seeing people walk in with arms filled up with overflowing food, clothing, and cooking and helping, but also in the way people experience God’s love in this place! There are no coincidences with God! Thank you to everyone who has allowed God to use you to love and care for our friends who struggle with homelessness including those of you have have financially supported us because we are able to help and provide in so many ways because of you (including helping three people with rooms this past week). Thank you to each of you who has helped us in any way.

As I was getting out of my car in front of Tim’s House last Friday morning, a couple of people asked if they could help carry some of the food inside. I didn’t recognize an older man who quickly reached to help with food, and I asked him his name and introduced myself to him. As he walked in front to open the door, he looked back at me with tears in his eyes as he softly asked, “Is this what this place is called, Tim’s House?”

After he got his breakfast and a cup of coffee, I sat next to him and he told me, “I am homeless and people have been inviting me to come here for the last few years and telling me what a nice place it is. I only knew the address of this place, but when I looked at the door, I knew this was a sign from God.” He went on to say, “My son Tim, Timothy, passed away 2 months ago” and then he just cried as he shared, “I feel so numb and although I’ve gone through very hard things and a LOT of losses in my life, this is something I don’t think I can ever get through. The pain in my heart is nothing like anything I’ve ever known and it took everything for me to get here today.

I looked at him and told him, ‘This place is called ‘Tim’s House’ because God brought this ministry from the loss of my son, Tim, 20 years ago… He looked at me and said, “Wait, you’re Tim’s Mom?” “So you mean that name on the sign is your son’s name?” He then continued to cry as he said, “Now, I know I’m suppose to be here!” We talked for a long time and I shared my own journey and how we cannot with our human minds imagine surviving such a tragedy, but that God never let’s us go; and he could see the picture of God’s promises with his own eyes as he sat around the Tim’s House table. Two hours later as we were opening up our Bibles with the whole group and praying together, this man said in front of the group, “I know that it was God who brought me here, and I’m so grateful to be here with you all.” People applauded and welcomed him and encouraged him!

Thank you to everyone who helps us !!! Update – Stanley was able to sign the papers for his apartment, but the building manager said it might be a couple of weeks before he can move in. I’ll keep you posted.

Love and Blessings,

Marian

“We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purposes.” (Romans 8:28)

You can visit at http://www.TimothysMinistry.org

Powerful Aspect of Prayer

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…we read this, said by Jesus after His resurrection:

“And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 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 16:15-18

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Yesterday’s post by Kim Potter, at A New Thing Ministries, told of an instance related some years ago by a mother who was interviewed on a morning television show. Her seven-year old son had been playing alone out in the yard one day when he was attacked by a mountain lion. Immediately, upon hearing the ruckus, she ran out to separate them; but her strength wasn’t powerful enough against the lion. As a believer in Christ and the believer’s ability to pray in tongues, or pray in the Spirit, she began to do so. She shared, “Three sentences into praying in the Spirit, the lion released my son and ran away.” What a demonstration of the power of praying in tongues….

Kim’s article shared these scriptures:

1 Corinthians 14:2: For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.

John 16:13: Jesus said, However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

Ephesians 6:18:  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit….

Romans 8:26: Paul said, For when we do not know what to pray, the Holy Spirit makes intercession for us. 

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The following are simple notes that I took from a message on praying in tongues given at Covenant Family, a church listed below. It explains…

Praying in tongues helps you to pray longer…to pray much…without ceasing….to pray without words…. (Remember, Jesus wanted His disciples to pray with Him one hour…)

tongues are a strong avenue for prayer, communicating with God

helps you in overcoming the flesh….

praying in tongues causes you to pray beyond your own thinking….the Holy Spirit does perfect praying….

In John 7, Jesus’ brothers did not believe in Him… They basically were saying “Go to Judea and prove Yourself there…” but Jesus only was guided by His Father’s direction and timing…

God’s plans for our lives are timing dependent… We must seek the Lord on it… Praying in tongues helps us synchronize with God’s timing….

In Acts 16:6-10, the Holy Spirit forbade or blocked certain routes… Some translations say “the Spirit of Jesus”… That night Paul had a vision…directing him to go to Macedonia… The vision gave him the map or plan…

Holy Ghost prayer will get you to where you’ll know for sure….(God’s direction in any matter of life)

Praying in tongues makes us sensitive to God’s plan(s)….

You dictate when the utterance comes… It will give us boldness in sharing the Lord…

In Acts 2:14, Peter, on the day of Pentecost, shared with the people regarding the filling of the Holy Spirit… “This is that, which was spoken by the prophet Joel.” (Acts 2:17-21) The people had said, “We hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.” A wonderful work of God is praying in tongues… (3,000 came to know the Lord, Acts 2)

In Acts 3, the man at the Beautiful Gate was healed….(5,000 came to the Lord). Peter and John were taken into custody, then were released and came to their own companions and prayed… Acts 4:29-31: “‘Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.’ And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.” 

We are to be overflowing with the Holy Ghost. The end time is a prophesying generation…

Matthew 26:69-75 relates Peter’s denial about knowing Jesus. But he went on to win souls after he was filled with the Holy Spirit…

Praying in tongues is getting drunk in the new wine (the Holy Ghost)…

Drink the Spirit of God… Use “draws” of Him…from the well, through speaking/praying in tongues… You’ll start feeling His presence….

In Acts 19:1-7, Paul at Ephesus found some disciples and asked them “‘Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?’ So they said to him, ‘We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.”… And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. Now the men were about twelve in all.”

Preachers with most notable miracles (of healing) are certainly always baptized in the Holy Ghost.

Praying in tongues…from 1 Corinthians 14:15-17… spirit and understanding… you’re blessing God… “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.”

Colossians 3:16 “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.”

Commune with the Lord daily…speaking in other tongues… Purpose in your heart to start praying in tongues…..

Then (after the message) came a Word from the Lord on how He has ordained, by such, to work through His people…

The notes above are from a message given at Covenant Family Church, pastored by Keith Eggert. It was given by Dan Walter, who has been much involved in the healing ministry. Further messages on the ministry of the Holy Spirit or other topics are available in the website archives. http://www.covenantfamily.cc

For reading material, you could visit http://www.rhema.org and browse their bookstore (recommend “Why Tongues” booklet) or other teaching books and articles.

The Kim Potter article referenced above was featured at: http://www.anewthingministries.com

While we may not always see the power behind praying in the Spirit, as in the lion account above, we can be sure it is a powerful aspect of prayer to use and grow in.

P. A. Oltrogge

Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem, Israel

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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.”

Proverbs 4:4-9 NKJV

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Teaching this week on Spirit, Soul, and Body at http://www.awmi.net