“…Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of Hosts.” Zechariah 4:6 NKJV
It’s not by might, nor by power, but by the Lord’s Spirit…As a spring shower causes the sprouting of seeds in the earth— so, also, by His Spirit, comes the “new birth.”
We look to you, Lord, for those for whom we pray… It’s by your awakening, that they’ll find the Way. We trust, Lord, for your Spirit to fall afresh… You’ve said you would pour it out upon all flesh.
P. A. Oltrogge
“But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
“And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy.” Acts 2:16-18
“Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: ‘Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.’” John 17:1-3
“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” …from Acts 4:8-12, on Jesus Christ of Nazareth
“Sanctify them by Your truth. Your Word is truth.” spoken by Jesus in John 17:17
“Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!” words of Jesus in John 4:35
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“…and the Feast of Harvest, the firstfruits of your labors which you have sown in the field; and the Feast of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you have gathered in the fruit of your labors from the field.” Exodus 23:16 NKJV
…presently, Blessed Shavuot, the Feast of Harvest, May 25-27
“Jesus said to him, ‘If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.’” Matthew 19:21
Have you met up with Jesus? He’s your kind of Man… Came down here from heaven, carrying out God’s mighty plan.
He’s still here today, capturing hearts, lives, and souls, giving all whom He touches much worthier goals. He doesn’t actually show up in visible form, but you’re aware of His presence when prayer becomes norm.
And some have had visions or have seen Him in dreams, and what they remember is the love that He beams. That’s also reflected in the words of His book; the renowned Holy Bible is the right place to look.
You might think you know what could give you life’s best; but those who follow His lead are on a sure quest. He wants to increase your every potential, but living for Him and others is essential.
Dedicating all that you have to Him is not loss– The best in mind for you is why He died on the cross.
P. A. Oltrogge
“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time….” 1 Timothy 2:1-6
“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
“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
“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
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep….My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” John 10:11, 27
“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
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11
“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.” John 3:16
“For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.” Matthew 18:11
“…but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:26-28
“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:5-11
Scriptures from the New King James Version of the Bible
“The Lord executes righteousness And justice for all who are oppressed.” Psalm 103:6
…thank you, Lord, that your Word doesn’t return unto you void but accomplishes the thing for which you sent it…
We believe in the almighty, supernatural power that is God’s…
We believe that He can succeed for us “against all odds.”
We know that He’s instructed us to use His powerful Word–
that it can change those things that have adversely occurred.
Jesus gave us kingdom authority over all the enemy’s power…
So we take authority and plant the Word, for righteousness to flower.
Many wrongs have been occurring over our beloved U.S.A.,
but we use the sword of the Spirit against them continually after we pray.
P. A. Oltrogge
(“…faith without works is dead,” from James 2:20–A minister has shared that affirming the Word of God by saying it IS doing a “work”). Jesus said, “It is written” and quoted the Word.
“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.” Luke 10:19
“Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints….” Ephesians 6:14-18
“He guards the paths of justice. And preserves the way of His saints.” Proverbs 2:8
“It is a joy for the just to do justice, but destruction will come to the workers of iniquity.” Proverbs 21:15
“There is no (human) wisdom or understanding or counsel (that can prevail) against the Lord.” Proverbs 21:30 AMP
“Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand all.” Proverbs 28:5
“In You, O Lord, I put my trust; Let me never be ashamed; Deliver me in Your righteousness.” Psalm 31:1
“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.” Psalm 33:10-12 (and all of Psalm 33)
“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14
.,,Scriptures: NKJV or as noted
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Remember ever, and always, that your country was founded…by the stern, old Puritans who made the deck of the Mayflower an altar of the living God, and whose first act on touching the soil of the new world was to offer on bended knees thanksgiving to Almighty God. Henry Wilson, 18th U.S. Vice President under Ulysses S. Grant
God would graciously pour out His Holy Spirit on us to bring us to a thorough Repentance and effectual Reformation that our iniquities may not be our ruin; that He would restore, preserve and secure the Liberties of this and all the other British American colonies, and make the Land a mountain of Holiness, and Habitation of Righteousness forever. Jonathan Trumball, American Poet
While we give praise to God, the supreme disposer of all events, for His interposition on our behalf, let us guard against the dangerous error of trusting in, or boasting of, an arm of flesh….If your case is just, if your principles are pure, and if your conduct is prudent, you need not fear the multitude of opposing hosts. John Witherspoon, A Signer of the Declaration of Independence
Never forget, Americans, that yours is a spiritual country. Yes, I know you’re a practical people. Like others, I’ve marvelled at your factories, your skyscrapers, and your arsenals. But underlying everything else is the fact that America began as a God-loving, God-fearing, God-worshipping people. General Romulo, General of the Philippines
Direct my thought, words and work, wash away my sins in the immaculate Blood of the Lamb, and purge my heart by Thy Holy Spirit… Daily frame me more and more into the likeness of Thy Son Jesus Christ. George Washington, 1st U.S. President
Remember that God is our only sure trust. Mary Washington, George Washington’s Mother
If we work on marble, it will perish; if on brass, time will efface it; if we rear up temples, they will crumble into dust; but if we work upon immortal minds and imbue them with principles, with the just fear of God and the love of our fellow men, we engrave on those tablets something that will brighten to all eternity. Daniel Webster, American Politician
Oh, Lord, Thou hast told us how to pray. Help us to shut the door, shutting out the world, and the enemy and any fear or doubt which spoils prayer. May there be no distance between our souls and Thee. John Wanamaker, American Merchant and U.S. Postmaster General from 1889-93
There are a good many problems before the American people today, and before me as President, but I expect to find the solution to those problems just in the proportion that I am faithful in the study of the Word of God. Woodrow Wilson, 28th U,S. President
We all can pray. We all should pray. We should ask the fulfillment of God’s will. We should ask for courage, wisdom, for the quietness of soul which comes alone to them who place their lives in His hands. Harry Truman, 33rd U.S. President
“I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
Quotations from “Pray for Our Nation,” available at: www.faithandflame.com
“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!
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:
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
“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, fullofgrace andtruth.” 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 giftofGodis 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!
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
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:
“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
The Porch of the Lord 