The following is from yesterday’s Give Him 15, by Dutch Sheets, if you missed it:
…let me remind you that we are conducting another nationwide prayer gathering of the Ekklesia on Friday, October 30th. My brother, Tim, will once again host it in Middletown, Ohio, and the same team that participated in the similar prayer event on August 14th will join us, along with a few more. We will livestream it, as always, and thousands will participate. Together, we will exercise our authority for Jesus and His Kingdom, releasing His influence into our nation. Don’t miss it!
Colorado wonderfully displays its yearly golden glow, which is grandly reflected in the aspens before the coming winter’s snow.
Backed by the beauty of mountains, seen most everywhere, our thoughts turn to the Creator amidst the fresh but chilly air.
There’s nothing like going on a hike when golden leaves start falling down–it gives a great refreshing from the busyness of town.
To join up with a friend, as leaves on a trail crunch under our feet, is the perfect combination to make for a day that is complete.
Creating the image of a snow shower, the wind in the trees takes leaves of gold, and shakes them loose in a golden “rain”–they’re unable to keep their hold.
We’re blessed to suddenly hear the sound of a nearby flowing brook, which reminds of our thirst for the living God, as shared in His holy book.
At times, along the trail, various kinds of wildlife do cross by us. Such scenes foster the serenity which brings relief from things that try us.
All the surrounding beauty remains in our hearts when we depart–to return again to home, while we say, “My God, how great Thou art!”
P. A. Oltrogge
“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” Psalm 42:1-2 NIV
“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.” Acts 17:24-27 NIV
“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, (Jesus Christ) whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.” Hebrews 1:1-4 NKJV
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…Let’s continue to join in praying today and every day for our wonderful country, the USA. Father, deliver us from evil…as said in Your beautiful prayer. Thank You for strengthening all those who work with You to right wrongs...
“For the word of the Lord is right, and all His work is done in truth. He loves righteousness and justice; The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
“The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations.
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He has chosen as His own inheritance.
“Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name. Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, just as we hope in You.” …verses from Psalm 33
Evidence of a creative Master is seen throughout the earth;
Jesus, who was called, the Master, came to teach us of the new birth.
Unless you are born again, He said, you can’t see the kingdom of God.
His heart is that of a caring shepherd, who guides with staff and rod.
The beauties and wonders of creation amaze, seeming never to cease;
such things are divine reflections, which point to the Prince of Peace.
Jesus told us to consider the lilies and also the birds of the air—
that they could show us how to serenely rest within His Father’s care.
What a wonderful God we have; He taught us the blessing of serving—
Jesus was our example, sharing God’s love, though we were undeserving.
In Him was life, and the life was the light of men—God’s very glory revealed.
We do have a beautiful Savior, who gave us the beauty of the lilies of the field.
P. A. Oltrogge
“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.” John 1:3-4
“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
“Jesus answered and said to him, (Nicodemus) ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’” John 3:3
“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.” John 3:16-17
“…that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.” Acts 10:37-38
“Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe. The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven. This shows that the Son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God gave him is greater than their names.” Hebrews 1:1-4 NLT
“For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:6
Remembering the Hymn, Beautiful Savior
Beautiful Savior, King of Creation, Son of God and Son of Man! Truly I’d love Thee, Truly I’d serve Thee, Light of my soul, my Joy, my Crown.
Fair are the meadows, Fair are the woodlands, Robed in flowers of blooming spring; Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer; He makes our sorrowing spirit sing.
Fair is the sunshine, Fair is the moonlight, Bright the sparkling stars on high; Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer, Than all the angels in the sky.
Beautiful Savior, Lord of the nations, Son of God and Son of Man! Glory and honor, Praise, adoration, Now and forevermore be Thine!
Author Unknown, 1677 Translated by Joseph A. Seiss, 1873
“The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.” Psalm 103:13 NLT
Three years ago, Israel was attacked in a terrible act of hate,
causing us to remember this particular date,
The Bible prophesies that God will determine Israel’s fate
despite the world’s debate…
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Now the Lord had said to Abram:
“Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you. II will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
Genesis 12:1-3 NKJV
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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!
God chooses the foolish things to confound or shame the wise…yet some “wise men” had the wisdom to follow the Messiah’s star which was seen in the skies.
The ultimate in foolishness came through Adam and Eve’s failure to realize…that they had heaven on earth–but yielded to temptation, which proved to be terribly unwise.
Yet God isn’t any loser and had plans to redeem mankind. The first Adam would be surpassed by Jesus, the last Adam–the great Redeemer God had in mind.
We see in Genesis, God took a foolish act done by Joseph’s brothers…to fulfill Joseph’s great destiny. Through him, God saved the lives of so many others.
David committed adultery and devised other foolish plots regarding another man’s wife; but he repented thoroughly to God for having caused such strife.
It may seem foolish to some, that God’s Son was born and laid in a manger so low…but God knew He would be exalting Jesus as King since He would defeat every foe.
Such a lowly place to be born, for Jesus, was only the humble way that He would begin. One day, He would walk in even further humility to the cross, to redeem and free men from the death penalty for sin.
For Jesus to eat with sinners and tax collectors seemed foolish to some. The pharisees and sadducees didn’t understand His invitation for all to “Come!”
Foolishly, the disciples were concerned a second time when thousands needed to be fed. They’d forgotten the previous miraculous feeding of a multitude with so few fish and loaves of bread.
Peter was willing to do a foolish thing, by man’s way of thinking. He stepped out of a boat to walk on the water to Jesus–perhaps, with certainty, that He would save him from sinking.
Of course, when Jesus had been arrested, Peter was foolish to deny three times the Master. But, when the Lord was resurrected, having forgiven him, He asked him three times to feed His sheep thereafter.
The Bible declares that the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing…but to us, who are being saved, it is the power of God and that which we’re cherishing.
Jesus warned us to be wise and not be foolish–to have our lamps lit for His return. That is certainly an up-to-date lesson…one He wants all of those who love Him–and those who don’t yet–to learn.
P. A. Oltrogge
“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.” …from the parable in Matthew 25:1-13
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us, who are being saved, it is the power of God. For it is written:
‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent, I will frustrate.’
“Where is the wise person? Where is the leader of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God, the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified; a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
“Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things–and the things that are not–to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God–that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: ‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.’” 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 NIV
“But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.” 1 Corinthians 15:20-22
“And so it is written, ‘The first man Adam became a living being.’ The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.” 1 Corinthians 15:45
“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
“Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous actthe free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous. Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 5:18-21
This was written some years ago for a young child whose parents were divorced. These were simply my thoughts on what I felt the Lord might say to a young person in that circumstance. You might want to share it with a child you know of who is growing up in the same way. You could insert their own name after “Dear,” as I did in the original poem. (P. A. Oltrogge)
My love for you is very deep– I gave you a kiss while you were asleep. That funny feeling you felt on your cheek was from My kiss, but you couldn’t peek. You were sound asleep as I was standing there, which I love to do because I care.
I died on the cross for you, dear one, and for your Dad and for your Mom. I send My blessings wherever you go– to Mom’s or Dad’s, come rain or snow. I love to give you sunny days, and I’m glad when you learn about My ways.
“Jesus loves me, this I know,” is good to remember as you grow. Share it with others who don’t realize that having faith in Me is really wise. Remember I always hear you when you pray, and I’m with you always, wherever you stay.
Reading Bible stories will help you be strong, and a song praising Jesus is the vey best song.
The historic country of Israel is where Jesus once walked and taught, as well as having been the place where His many miracles were wrought.
Today, His followers make pilgrimages there, believing that they will find, a sensing still of His presence and memories of a very special kind.
They want to walk where the Lord Jesus walked and sail on Galilee’s sea, visit Calvary’s site—then go to where His empty tomb is said to be.
They picture Jesus turning water into wine or observing the Passover feast, teaching the Beatitudes on the mountain, or causing fish and loaves to be increased.
This land is where the Lord healed lepers or those who were blind or lame; and Jerusalem is where He told His disciples to wait to receive of the Holy Spirit’s flame.
The city of Jerusalem, over which Jesus wept, was a prominent city of His day; and its importance to the heart of God has certainly not diminished today.
Jesus wept for those who didn’t recognize that, through Him, scripture was being fulfilled. God had sent Him to be the solid rock of one’s life, upon which every believer should build.
Today, many of Jewish descent are returning to make their home in this land, all of which has been foretold in prophecy, fulfilling what God has planned.
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.” John 3:16-17 NKJV
“For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.” Romans 1:16 NKJV
“Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand, witnessing both to small and to great, saying no other things than those which the prophets and Moses said would come—that the Christ would suffer, that He would be the first to rise from the dead, and would proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.” Acts 26:22-23 NKJV
“But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one, and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.” Ephesians 2:13-16 NASB
…prophecies on the return of the Jewish people to Israel:
“Therefore, behold, days are coming,” declares the Lord, ”when it will no longer be said, ‘As the Lord lives, who brought up the sons of Israel out of the land of Egypt,’ but ‘As the Lord lives, who brought up the sons of Israel from the land of the north and from all the countries where He had banished them.’ For I will restore them to their own land which I gave to their fathers.” Jeremiah 16:14-15 NASB
“Then it will happen on that day that the Lord will again recover the second time with His hand the remnant of His people, who will remain, from Assyria, Egypt, Pathros, Cush, Elam, Shinar, Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. And He will lift up a standard for the nations, and will assemble the banished ones of Israel, and will gather the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.” Isaiah 11:11-12 NASB
“And I will multiply upon you man and beast; and they shall increase and bring fruit: and I will settle you after your old estates, and will do better (unto you) than at your beginnings: and ye shall know that I (am) the Lord… For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you unto your own land.” Ezekiel 36:11; 24 KJV
…the land of Israel will bloom:
”In days to come, Jacob will take root; Israel will bud and blossom and fill all the world with fruit.” Isaiah 27:6 NIV
I just wanted to share a story about a man I had never seen before who was walking through the doors of Timothy’s Ministry last week. Because we have always had the goal of keeping Timothy’s Ministry a safe place like a family, I stopped him and asked “Hi, what is your name? Did someone invite you here?” (I immediately felt bad as I said those words but, we have always had a simple rule: anyone is welcome to invite someone new, but it needs to be someone they know and would feel comfortable bringing into their own home. Many of our friends are constantly in situations and in places (even soup kitchens and shelters in Chicago) where they have had to be on guard and have told me how stressful it is in other places because of unsafe people. When they walk through our doors, I want them to be able to fully rest in knowing that they are safe here and experience the peace of God, and throughout all these years, we have been incredibly blessed that we have never had a serious incident at Timothy’s Ministry and I know that is God protecting us.
So as I was outside and this man whom I didn’t recognize was walking through the door, I did what I have done before. I stopped him and asked his name and whether someone there knew him.
He looked at me and quietly said, “I’m a human being too.”
I have to tell you that unlike never before, those words just hit my heart. I just knew from the sadness in his voice that he probably experienced this before and it was heartbreaking to hear his voice. I explained that of course he was welcome but that I only needed to know that someone knew him for safety reasons. Almost immediately, one of our friends spoke up: “I know him. He’s a good guy.”
But something happened in my heart when he said those words, “I’m a human being, too”. I believe God allowed me, for just a moment, to see this man the way He sees him. God knew his name before I ever asked it. God knew his whole story. God had seen every night he had slept outside, every hurt, every regret and every lonely moment, and God loved him.
I noticed that he walked with a limp, and he was living outside, pushing a shopping cart containing his belongings, and his clothes were worn. I asked him his name again and asked if he was okay (because he had a bad limp) and he kind of hung his head and said that when he was 16, he had made a bad decision and joined a gang. He said that he had been shot in the leg and in the head. I encouraged him that he had been just a kid, and that I was so sorry for all that he had gone through and told him that I believed God brought you here. He looked tired and shared he has chronic pain.
I asked one of the men who also struggles with homelessness but has been a part of Tim’s House for years to help him find whatever he needs and he took him downstairs to our clothing room and found clothes that fit him perfectly, along with a warm brand new green raincoat with a hood. ‘Bernard’ expressed more gratitude that I don’t have words to describe. I just felt this love toward him (which has to be God) and instead of having him go get his own food, we asked him to sit down and brought him a plate of food and a cup of coffee. His whole face lit up. He just kept quietly saying, ‘thank you so much”.
But those words, “I’m a human being too” have stayed with me and I don’t think I will ever forget those words going forward.
He is a man created in the image of God. A man God sees and knows and loves and I believe God brought him to us.
That is what I pray Timothy’s Ministry will always be: a place where people who may feel invisible to the rest of the world discover that they are not invisible to God. A place where they can feel safe enough to put their guard down and know they are among family. God sees them (and each of us). God knows their story and God loves them. This man was wonderful and he also opened up during our Bible Study/sharing time and told everyone around the table, “I really feel love here and feel God”.
Blessings,
Marian
“When you put on a luncheon or a banquet, don’t invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors. For they will invite you back, and that will be your only reward. Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. Then at the resurrection of the righteous, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you.” (Luke 14: 12-14)
