We continue to pray for the serious situation and the innocent people on both sides of the war begun suddenly by trained terrorists upon Israel in October, 2023; and we certainly pray against evil hatred of the Jewish people.
In the midst of war, a work of God is being raised…in which you can participate. Minister Billye Brim and her partners are building this prayer and Bible study center in Israel in the Galilee. You can view photos of the construction at her “blog,” join in on regular prayer with Billye, and find out more at: http://www.billyebrim.org
These days, believers may find themselves sailing through sometimes turbulent waters, but God is ever faithful to His beloved sons and daughters.
GOD’S MERCY endures forever, and His steadfast love will never fail. Remember Emmanuel, God is with us, and His mercy endures through any stormy gale.
P. A. Oltrogge
“Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God is with us.” Matthew 1:23 KJV (New King James Version says “God with us.”)
“But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:21-23 RSV
“Then he (Jesus) arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace, be still!’ And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.” Mark 4:39 NKJV
“Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” 1 Chronicles 16:34 NKJV
“(Thanksgiving to the Lord for His Great Works of Deliverance) Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” Psalm 107:1 NKJV
“Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Let Israel now say, ‘His mercy endures forever.’ Let the house of Aaron now say, ‘His mercy endures forever.’ Let those who fear the Lord now say, ‘His mercy endures forever.’” Psalm 118:1-4 NKJV
Thanksgiving to God for His Enduring Mercy
“Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.
Oh, give thanks to the God of gods! For His mercy endures forever.
Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords! For His mercy endures forever:
To Him who alone does great wonders, For His mercy endures forever;
To Him who by wisdom made the heavens, For His mercy endures forever;
To Him who laid out the earth above the waters, For His mercy endures forever;
To Him who made great lights, For His mercy endures forever—
The sun to rule by day, For His mercy endures forever;
The moon and stars to rule by night, For His mercy endures forever.
To Him who struck Egypt in their firstborn, For His mercy endures forever;
And brought out Israel from among them, For His mercy endures forever;
With a strong hand, and with an outstretched arm, For His mercy endures forever;
To Him who divided the Red Sea in two, For His mercy endures forever;
And made Israel pass through the midst of it, For His mercy endures forever;
But overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea, For His mercy endures forever;
To Him who led His people through the wilderness, For His mercy endures forever;
To Him who struck down great kings, For His mercy endures forever;
And slew famous kings, For His mercy endures forever—
Sihon king of the Amorites, For His mercy endures forever;
And Og king of Bashan, For His mercy endures forever—
And gave their land as a heritage, For His mercy endures forever;
A heritage to Israel His servant, For His mercy endures forever.
Who remembered us in our lowly state, For His mercy endures forever;
And rescued us from our enemies, For His mercy endures forever;
Who gives food to all flesh, For His mercy endures forever.
Oh, give thanks to the God of heaven! For His mercy endures forever.”
Psalm 136:1-26 NKJV
“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
…and a quote by T. D. Jakes:
“Regardless of the obstacle in your life, there is a wind from God that can bring you out. Let the wind of the Lord blow down every spirit of fear and heaviness that would cause you to give up on what God has promised you.”
“Face the giants in your life, slay them, and move on. Do not be daunted by the mistakes and failures in your life.”
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“Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.” Psalm 50:15 NKJV
“In the day of my trouble I will call upon You, For You will answer me. Among the gods there is none like You, O Lord; Nor are there any works like Your works.” Psalm 86:7-8 NKJV
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most high will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!’” Psalm 91:1-2 and all of Psalm 91
The Bible is the only Book, whose Author is always present when you read it.Anonymous
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. 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 1:1-5
“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 the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
“And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.” Mark 16:17-19 KJV
“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
“Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 (See archived post in March on the believer’s God-given authority.)
“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 5:19-21
“For when I tried to keep the law, it condemned me. So I died to the law—I stopped trying to meet all its requirements—so that I might live for God. My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die.” Galatians 2:19-21 NLT
“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. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith.’” Romans 1:16-17
“Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” Galatians 3:13-14
“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16
“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
“Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart…” by Jesus in Luke 18:1
“Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work.”Oswald Chambers
“Then He (Jesus) spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart….” Luke 18:1
“Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen”
Pray with: www.ifapray.org
Visit this week’s messages at: www.givehim15.com
“Without God there is no virtue because there is no prompting of the conscience…without God there is a coarsening of the society; without God democracy will not and cannot long endure…If we ever forget that we are one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under.” Ronald Reagan
“The rights of man come not from the generosity of the state but from the hand of God.” – John F. Kennedy …from his Inaugural address, and:
“And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.” (Today, and always, we pray for America!)
“The secret strength of a nation is found in the faith that abides in the hearts and homes of the country.” Billy Graham
“For my own part, I sincerely esteem it [the Constitution] a system which without the finger of God, never could have been suggested and agreed upon by such a diversity of interests.” – Alexander Hamilton (1787 after the Constitutional Convention)
“I therefore beg leave to move that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessing on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning…” – Ben Franklin
“It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ. For that reason alone, people of other faiths have been afforded freedom of worship here.” – Patrick Henry
“This is all the inheritance I can give my dear family. The religion of Christ can give them one which will make them rich indeed.” – Patrick Henry (Last Will and Testament)
Surrendering to God’s will, by the Holy Spirit’s leading, listening for His voice, as on the Word you’re feeding… will bring you into pastures meant specifically for you. They are “green, beside still waters,” for Psalm 23 is true. The Lord God who created you knows how to lead you best. Surrender to His Lordship, through which you’ll be most blessed.
P. A. Oltrogge
“The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all—” Acts 10:36
“When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, ‘Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?’” Mark 8:34-36
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” Isaiah 26:3 KJV
“But Jesus answered them, saying, ‘The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.” John 12:23-26
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 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 8:14-15
“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7
“The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him! Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him.” Psalm 34:7-9
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105 KJV
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways, acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6
“I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.” John 10:14
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.” John 10:27-28
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.” Psalm 23 KJV
“The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.” Psalm 29:11 NIV
“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
Artist’s depiction/Pixabay
You may be blessed by “The Power of Peace,” a recent message given by Stephanie Pitkin. Click on “Watch Online” for the message, which is currently found at: lschurch.tv
Jesus is known as, and called, “the Lion of the tribe of Judah;” and Proverbs says that the righteous are “bold as a lion.”
But a favorite thought of mine about Jesus, our Savior, is that He is our Good Shepherd–the loving Lord of Zion.
It’s a comfort to contemplate being His lamb– He makes us to lie down in pastures that are green…
and then to follow His leading beside the still waters– These words describe a peaceful, contented scene.
Yes, Jesus is God’s great, victorious Son–“a Lion!” He courageously said and did what His Father decreed.
Yet He said that He was “gentle and lowly in heart”– just the kind of attribute a caring shepherd would need.
But if, at any time, His lambs should come under attack, that gentleness is intertwined with His rescuing that’s bold.
He is ever lion-hearted in watching over His flock, and towards drawing more loved, lost sheep into His fold.
P. A. Oltrogge
postscript:
Jesus, it’s also true, was, Himself, the Lamb of God, fulfilling dual roles. He’s Shepherd of the sheep, yet became the sinless sacrificial Lamb appointed, to make the vital payment to save men’s souls.
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“But one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.’ And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth.” Revelation 5:5-6
“The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.” Proverbs 28:1
“Sing praises to the Lord, who dwells in Zion! Declare His deeds among the people.” Psalm 9:11
“Blessed be the Lord out of Zion, Who dwells in Jerusalem! Praise the Lord!” Psalm 135:21
“Behold, I lay in Zion, A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.” from 1 Peter 2:6
“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 in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
“I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf snatches them and scatters the flock. He flees because he is a hired hand and does not care about the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and I know My own, and My own know Me, just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will listen to My voice; and they will become one flock, with one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it back. No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it back. This commandment I received from My Father.” John 10:11-18 NASB
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.” John 10:27-30
“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10 KJV
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.” Psalm 32:8
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 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
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Jesus, our Advocate with the Father:
“Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.” Romans 8:34
“My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” 1 John 2:1
“…by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant. Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing. But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:22-25
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“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! TheLamb ofGod who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29
“He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak.” John 12:48-50
“Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20-21
…written of Joseph and Mary, and of Jesus, after His birth:
“So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.” Luke 2:39-40 NKJV
Joseph and Mary went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover every year. Jesus went with them–this was an observance to which the entire family would adhere.
At the time of this account, Jesus was just twelve years of age–very young. But His growth in the knowledge of the scriptures had already greatly begun.
Therefore, when they had finished the days there, Jesus lingered, though his parents began to make their return. In fact, they went an entire day’s journey before realizing He was missing, a fact of which they were shocked to learn.
They had assumed He was with the company; but among their relatives and acquaintances, they couldn’t find Him anywhere. This situation caused them to head back to Jerusalem to search further for Him there.
They must have been terribly concerned about this son, over whom angelic proclamations had been made. It was after three days that they finally found Him in the temple, which was where He’d stayed.
There, Jesus was seated among the teachers–listening to them and asking them questions on His own. All who’d heard young Jesus were astonished at the understanding and answers that He had shown.
Mary and Joseph’s first reaction was amazement at this scenario involving their son. But then Mary asked Jesus how he could have put them through such anxiety by what He had done.
Jesus asked why they had even sought Him, for being about His Father’s business was prime to Him–didn’t they know? But they didn’t understand or fully perceive yet of His destiny and how it would grow.
Jesus was subject to them, however, and went with them for the return back to Nazareth, then. Mary “kept all these things in her heart”…deeply there, she must have remembered that Jesus would be special among men.
After that, Jesus’ wisdom and stature and favor with God and men only increased….but His being the Son of Man and Son of God had visibly arisen…and was seen at the time of that Passover Feast.
P. A. Oltrogge
(…from Luke 2:41-52)
“And in the sixth month, the angel, Gabriel, was sent from God unto a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, ‘Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.’ And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, ‘Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.’
Then said Mary unto the angel, ‘How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?’ And the angel answered and said unto her, ‘The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible.’ And Mary said, ‘Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.’ And the angel departed from her.” Luke 1:26-38 KJV
“…behold an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for that which has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins.’ Now all this took place that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet might be fulfilled, saying, ‘Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,’ which translated means, ‘God with us.’ And Joseph arose from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took her as his wife, and kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus.” Matthew 1:20-25 NASB, Ryrie
“…for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10 NKJV
“Six days later, Jesus took with Him Peter and James, and his brother John, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Peter responded and said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good that we are here. If You want, I will make three tabernacles here: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him!’” Matthew 17:1-5 NASB
The first Passover was held in Egypt as the death angel stalked the land. This year’s Passover was held in Israel as deadly missiles rained down from the skies in yet another demonstration of the demonic hatred directed toward God’s Chosen People. We are helping widows and orphans, those who are still homeless from both the north and south, wounded IDF soldiers, families of the hostages, terrified and impoverished Holocaust survivors, and so much more. We must raise $130,000 for these urgently needed outreaches. So far 377 friends have given $37,028, so we still need $92,972. Please send your most generous gift today and share this with everyone you know.
Your Friends of Zion Center in Jerusalem is a bright light of Christian love in action. Together we are having a powerful impact on the Jewish people at a time when they are suffering and isolated. Together we are telling them—and more importantly, showing them—that they are not alone in this hour of crisis. Together we are answering the command of God, “Comfort ye My people.”
Everything we are seeing in the news is part of prophecy. And God is calling us to take a stand like Esther of old to deliver His Chosen People. The Jerusalem Prayer Team is doing everything we can to speak out on behalf of Israel, to pray for God to turn the hearts of our nation back toward Israel, and to meet the most urgent needs of the suffering Jewish people. We must not fail to answer God’s call. We must act now.
“And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” Matthew 25:40
“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, theyshall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18
Every morning, decree over your day a positive forecast. Don’t cloud it by thoughts of sins or mistakes from the past.
Let it be a day of experiencing happiness of heart. Ask the Lord for His joy, to give your day the best start.
Whether it’s thoughts about foolishness from the days of your youth…or simply not having realized, in a matter, how to apply God’s truth…
His grace and peace be with you…for you’re a child of the King. You’re the righteousness of God in Christ despite any regretful past thing.
P. A. Oltrogge
“And when He (Jesus) had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.” Matthew 26:27-28, also Mark 14:24; and Luke 22:20
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
“For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.” Romans 5:1-11
“For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.
“Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the 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 5:17-21
“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” Romans 8:1
“You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.” Colossians 2:13-15 NLT
“Not that I have already obtained it (this goal of being Christlike) or have already been made perfect, but I actively press on so that I may take hold of that (perfection) for which Christ Jesus took hold of me and made me His own. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider that I have made it my own yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the (heavenly) prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:12-14 AMP
“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” Philippians 4:4
Be sure to read the very special narrative by Dutch Sheets regarding Peter today: http://www.givehim15.com
The Porch of the Lord 