Ministering to the Lord

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Life presents situations that sometimes are very tough,
so these words might seem simplistic amidst things so rough.

But when circumstances are trying, it’s wise that we bring out
the “BIG GUNS” of our PRAISES, adding their spiritual clout.

You may be hurting badly, and it might, at the time, seem hard–
but you’ll be ministering to the Lord, and giving the problem less regard.

Thank the Lord for His goodness and for all that He’s already done.
Tell Him that if anyone can help you now, you know that He’s the One.

Consider giving an hour…Jesus said, “Could you not watch with Me one hour?”
Many have been amazed by the results and the outflow of His power.

Even if you don’t see things change right away after doing such,
keep praising and praying with the spirit, both of which will avail much.

It’s our praises that stop the adversary, as Biblical examples have told,
and there’s something about being loud and something about being bold….

But even if you can only offer praise with a voice that’s faint,
you’re doing the right thing, so persevere, dear saint.

P. A. Oltrogge

“Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; and to him who orders his conduct aright, I will show the salvation of God.” Psalm 50:23 NKJV

“But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” words of Jesus in John 4:23-24

“For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. 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 14:14-15 NKJV

“Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, ‘What! Could you not watch with Me one hour?'” Matthew 26:40

Jesus’ statement about one hour was made to the disciples at a critical point in His life, and He said to “keep watching and praying.” However, it (and the example of others) has also caused me to think of giving Him an hour of praise. But your praises of any duration will be making a difference and often can help you to have greater hope and peace. We have much to praise Him for! “Surely goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives and we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever!” (from Psalm 23)

http://www.moorelife.org
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The Big “Little Miracles”

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A friend shared with me recently about a problem resolved,
which might have seemed insignificant to those not involved.

It concerned a cherished missing item that was suddenly found.
She had prayed and prayed again and had looked all around.

She thought of accepting the loss and putting it out of her mind,
but then realized that there’s nothing that the Lord cannot find.

So, in time, when it was discovered, it was confirmed that He’d truly heard.
That God cares about the little things is something of which we can be assured.

Then, there are other big little miracles that cross our paths–often taken for granted.
It’s good to thank Him for those, too, wherever we find that He’s had them planted.

Perhaps, it’s in a smile that lifts your spirits or an encouraging word from a friend–
He’s behind any act of kindness or thing of beauty, and, to His love, there’s no end….

P. A. Oltrogge

“The Lord will perfect that which concerns me….” Psalm 138:8

“Casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

“Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered….” Luke 12:7

When you Need Strength

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photo by P. A. Oltrogge

photo by P. A. Oltrogge

His Strength is Our Strength

Thank you, God, for sending Jesus for us all…
To pay the ransom for our souls–redeeming us from man’s fall.

Thank you, God, for good strong angels that are mine;
And thank you–for this earthly body made so fine.

Thank you, Father, for my heart’s strong and steady beat;
And thank you for strong health–from my head down to my feet.

Thank you that you’re there, if I come under attack;
Thank you, Good Shepherd, that you’ve always got my back.

Thank you that I can look for miracle answers to come my way
For problems that seem difficult, for you hear me when I pray.

Thank you, Jesus, for your promise of a blessed, abundant life;
Thank you, too, that you taught us to keep from strife.

Thank you for giving servants who teach your Word for these days;
Thank you for their anointing and that they emphasize your praise.

Thank you, Lord, that as I sow Kingdom seeds to you,
A goodly harvest is produced in everything I do.

P. A. Oltrogge

This poem can be used as a confession of faith, along with many encoraging scriptures:

“The Lord God is my strength, and He has made my feet like hinds’ feet, and makes me walk on my high places.” Habakkuk 3:19

“Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded.” 2 Chronicles 15:7 KJV

“Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.” Joel 3:10 KJV

“He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might, He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:29-31 NKJV

“The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace.”
Psalm 29:11 NIV

“I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.” Psalm 139:14 NKJV

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart exults, and with my song I shall thank Him. The Lord is their strength, and He is a saving defense to His anointed. Save Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance; be their shepherd also and carry them forever.” Psalm 28:6-9

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks, let him speak, as it were, the utterances of God; whoever serves, let him do so as 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 4:10-11

“My flesh and my heart may fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26

“With a long life I will satisfy him, and let him behold My salvation.” Psalm 91:16

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 NKJV

“Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might.” Ephesians 6:10

“The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” John 10:10-11

“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” Psalm 1:1-3 KJV

Living in God’s Light, not fright

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“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 NKJV

Fright — the very word speaks of darkness and night…
It’s a place the devil would sway us to give up the fight.

But it’s a “good fight of faith,” according to God’s Word,
so ignore all the night sounds that you may have heard.

Keep in mind that your angels are looking out for your best.
Believe all God’s promises about a way that is blessed.

With the Lord as our Shepherd and angels standing guard,
a walk through a “dark” place can’t be so very hard.

Is what looks dark financial or a personal or healing need?
Trust God for His “light” and wisdom to help you proceed.

P. A. Oltrogge

“Again therefore Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life.'” John 8:12

“All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” John 1:3-5 NKJV

“For He will give His angels charge concerning you, to guard you in all your ways.”
Psalm 91:11

“When I am afraid, I will put my trust in Thee. In God, whose word I praise, in God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me?” Psalm 56:3-4

“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” 1 Timothy 6:12 NKJV

“The Believer’s Authority” by Kenneth E. Hagin:
http://www.rhema.org – Bookstore
http://www.covenantfamily.cc
http://www.lenmink.com

Strengthened by Grace

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Photo by P. A. Oltrogge

Photo by P. A. Oltrogge

“...for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace….” Hebrews 13:9

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we exult in hope of the glory of God.” Romans 5:1-2

“You, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 2:1

Peace, love, and joy

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IMG_0209

Conservatory photo by Porch of the Lord

Words of Jesus:

“I am leaving you with a gift–peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27 NLT

“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in His love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. This is my command: Love each other.” John 15:9-17 NLT

In the Twinkling of an Eye

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“For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, and remain until the coming of the Lord, shall not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17

At God’s appointed time, I’ll be saying goodbye.
That time is getting close, and I’ve tried to explain why.
I love you so much–please come along;
Don’t neglect Jesus for that would be wrong.
He’s preparing a party, and it will be grand.
Please don’t miss out because you don’t understand.
He’s made it so plain in the true Gospel story–
He, the Christ, is our way to Glory.
One thing’s for sure–all lives draw to a close,
so it’s best to put faith in the One who arose.
But we could see Jesus more quickly than we think
for the Bible speaks prophetically of what’s on the brink.
“In the twinkling of an eye…we shall be changed.”
Take Jesus and your place in Glory that He has arranged.

P. A. Oltrogge

“Behold, I tell you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and the mortal must put on immortality. But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, ‘Death is swallowed up in victory.’” 1 Corinthians 15:51-54

The Ship of Faith. . .

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A sail ship of today…
Photo by Porch of the Lord

“Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat. When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, ‘Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.’ But Simon answered and said to Him, ‘Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.’ And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.” Luke 5:3-7 NKJV

“JESUS IS MY HEALER”–four words that please the Lord;
“Jesus is my healer” shows Him my faith’s “on board.”

“JESUS IS MY PROTECTOR,” against life’s waves and winds.
“JESUS IS MY REDEEMER,” Who’s forgiven all my sins.

“JESUS IS MY PROVIDER,’–At His word, I let down my “nets;”
With each provision, Jesus reminds that I’m one whom He never forgets.

“JESUS IS MY ENCOURAGER,” against fear, unbelief, or doubt;
As in Peter’s walk on the water, I can trust the Lord’s hand will be out.

“JESUS IS MY EXAMPLE OF LOVE”–His love fills my heart’s sails,
So I may serve others, as He has said, showing that “Love never fails.”

“JESUS IS MY PEACE AND JOY”–His joy has become my strength.
“JESUS IS MY SHEPHERD,” guiding throughout my life’s length.

Or I might call him MY CAPTAIN, on watch for any rocky shoal;
And Jesus is the STRONG ANCHOR of my very soul.

“JESUS IS MY TEACHER;” May I strive to follow in His steps–
To rescue those whose lives have sunk, even to the depths.

For there isn’t anybody, who’s not welcome to come aboard;
Take Christ as Savior and join the crew of the SAIL SHIP OF THE LORD.

P. A. Oltrogge

“Bless the Lord, oh my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and forget none of His benefits; Who pardons all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from the pit; Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; Who satisfies your years with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle.” Psalm 103:1-5

And JESUS IS MY ETERNAL HIGH PRIEST:

“So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. Jesus has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 6:18-20 NLT

Photo by B. Oltrogge

Photo by B. Oltrogge

“When I remember Thee on my bed, I meditate on Thee in the night watches, for Thou hast been my help, and in the shadow of Thy wings I sing for joy. My soul clings to Thee; Thy right hand upholds me.” Psalm 63:6-8

“My eyes anticipate the night watches, that I may meditate on Thy word.” Psalm 119:148