…from John 11 on the death and raising of Lazarus…
“Now Martha said to Jesus, ‘Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.’”
“Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus said, ‘Take away the stone.’ Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, ‘Lord, by this time, there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Did I not say to you that if you would believe, you would see the glory of God?’”
So often in life we turn to logical courses and reason; but now’s an opportune time—in fact, in any season, to trust the good Lord for help that’s supernatural, instead of leaning so heavily on mainly the factual.
In the Biblical story of Martha’s brother, Lazarus, who had died, she seemed to sense that her brother’s death could still be defied. Yet, when the Lord said that someone should open the cave tomb door, she reasoned about the time that had passed and other facts in store.
“By this time” became Martha’s very predominant thought, instead of remembering the miracles that Jesus had already wrought. Likewise, in a crisis, we know that God can come through still; but let’s be assured that healing and restoration are always His will.
P. A. Oltrogge
Postscript:
It’s sometimes thought that miracles are few and far between; but, whether instant or more gradual, they’re frequently being seen.
“Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, ‘Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.’ Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come forth!’ And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, ‘Loose him, and let him go.’” John 11:41-44 NKJV
“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 loving kindness 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 Mark 11:23-26
“Jesus said to him, ‘If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.’” Mark 9:23
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” John 15:1-5
Jesus, You are the True Vine, to which I’m blessed to have a strong connection. It’s through Your truths and the Holy Spirit You sent, that I find wisdom and direction.
Before learning to trust Your guidance, I attempted some plans of my own. But they only showed me my need to draw close–to You at Your heavenly throne.
There, You’d waited patiently for me, to learn more about You and abide…in the peace of Your presence in order to bear fruit, by which Your Father is glorified.
It’s written in Your Word, that I’m seated with You, together in the heavenly places; I’m an heir of God and a joint heir with Christ, so I receive of divine daily graces.
“Much fruit” are actually the words that this portion of scripture has detailed; You will perfect a good work in me, so I won’t be a branch that has failed.
Without You, I can do nothing; but, by drawing from the Vine, I become able…to tell of the One who changed water into wine–the best at the wedding table.
Many other miracles come to mind as I think back on all that I’ve read: Parables shared and words that were prophetic are among the things that You said.
In and through You, I’m the kind of branch that remains and continues to thrive, sharing through kind deeds and words about Jesus, our God, who is very much alive!
P. A. Oltrogge
“If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you. By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments, and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.” John 15:6-11
“You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in Me.” John 15:3-4 (New Living Translation)
“Therefore, if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature, the old things passed away; behold new things have come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17
“He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21
“But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, in order that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:4-7
“The spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him.” Romans 8:16-17
“Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105 KJV
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13
“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13 KJV
“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6
Jesus, along with His chosen disciples, came to His hometown location…
He taught in its synagogue on the Sabbath, where He was met with offense from the people, rather than admiration.
Despite the wisdom He displayed, those who were there could only think of Him as the carpenter–Mary’s son…
who’d been raised there in Nazareth, with His brothers and sisters. Those who thought higher of Him were almost none.
Jesus noted how His own household and relatives gave Him no honor, but doubted His God-given role.
He could do no mighty work there except to lay His hands on a few who were sick and healed them–always His goal.
Moving on to other villages to continue His work for God, His Father, He marveled at their unbelief.
Yet, He did move on, for He knew there would be others ahead who would be welcoming of His relief.
Expanding God’s ministry, He commissioned His twelve disciples, and sent them out two by two…
telling them that taking authority over unclean spirits was an assignment which they, also, could do.
They were to take only a walking stick, but no bread, traveling bag, or money for their journey ahead.
They could wear sandals but not take along a change of clothes. They set out, heeding all He had said.
Jesus had also shared that when they entered a house they were to stay there until they were ready to depart.
And if any place would not receive them or listen to them, they should shake the dust from their feet and make a new start.
That would be a warning to that household, as they continued to journey on to share with others of the need to repent. So the disciples cast out many demons and healed the sick, to whom they’d been sent.
P. A. Oltrogge
(the above was derived from Mark 6)
After Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection:
“Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.’
“So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.” Mark 16:14-20
Help me, Father in heaven, to be mindful of what Your Word has said–that my words shouldn’t be critical of others, but they should bless instead. If someone’s ways seem contrary to mine, or if they’ve hurt me in some way, every person is still made in Your image–I must show love towards them and pray.
A forest spring doesn’t flow with waters that are both bitter and fresh; likewise, help me in “keeping under” any wrong attitudes of my flesh. A fig tree doesn’t produce olives, and figs don’t come from a grapevine; neither should judgmental words towards others come from these lips of mine.
The same lips that praise my God, should speak with His love; and I should be kind, in turn. Purity, being peace loving and gentle, willing to yield to others, are things that I must learn. With humility that’s gleaned from Your wisdom, I’ll avoid jealousy and selfish ambition, for You’ve said that disorder and evil of every kind come from either condition.
I should be full of Your mercy, showing no favoritism, and always be sincere–Planting seeds of peace, I’ll reap a harvest of righteousness–all truths that You’ve made clear.
P. A. Oltrogge
“And just as you want people to treat you, treat them in the same way.” words of Jesus in Luke 6:31
“People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water? Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? No, and you can’t draw fresh water from a salty spring.
If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.
“But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.” James 3:7-18 NLT
“Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and He will grant you His blessing. For the Scriptures say, ‘If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.’” 1 Peter 3:9-12 NLT
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” Matthew 5:9 (from 1-12)
“Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:31-32 (from 25-32) NKJV
Some people think of feeding the birds, especially in the cold of wintertime–though, for the many birds there are, it’s God’s provision that’s really prime.
Jesus said we should consider how excellently that God’s creations are supplied. This brings confidence to our lives, knowing that, for us, He will certainly also provide.
Jesus commissioned us to share the Gospel and care for others, as He leads. We’re assured that as we give unto the Lord’s work, He will supply all of our needs.
We’re to be about our Father’s business. In giving to the poor, we’re lending to the Lord. And in seeking first God’s kingdom and righteousness, His bountiful blessings on us are poured.
P. A. Oltrogge “Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?” Matthew 6:26 ….”But seek first His kingdom and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6:33 NASB (from Matthew 6:25-34)
“He who is gracious to a poor man lends to the Lord, and He will repay him for his good deed.” Proverbs 19:17 NASB
“Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.” Philippians 4:14-20
“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” 3 John 1:2
“The Lord will command the blessing upon you in your barns and in all that you put your hand to, and He will bless you in the land which the Lord your God gives you.” Deuteronomy 28:8 NASB
“’Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now on this,’ says the Lord of hosts, ‘If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.’” Malachi 3:10 NKJV
“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” Luke 6:38 NKJV
“Most people give with a consciousness of their giving rather than a consciousness of God’s generosity.” Mark Hankins
Consider reading God Owns My Business, by Stanley Tam, at: www.christianbook.com
“Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law.” Psalm 119:18 NKJV
Lord, reveal to us something more, in reading accounts from the Old… and from the New Testaments, let wondrous things be told.
Thank You for speaking to us individually by Your Holy Spirit within.. for there are many Biblical examples which say that we can win.
The man with the withered hand, the woman with the issue of blood… The man lowered from a roof, who was healed, Noah’s protection from the flood.
Lepers and those who were blind, those who were unable to hear… many received their healing, Jesus, when they believed You and drew near.
David obliterated a mocking giant by faith that the battle was Yours. And there are Biblical accounts of Your angels opening prison doors.
You cast out demons that had people bound, You stilled the angry sea. You taught and gave us authority over all the power of the enemy.
Enlighten our minds and hearts as we meditate upon Your Word… Guide us by its light–thereby, we’ll walk in faith and always rest assured.
P. A. Oltrogge
“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
“Do not envy the oppressor, and choose none of his ways; for the perverse person is an abomination to the Lord, but His secret counsel is with the upright.” Proverbs 3:31-32
“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
“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.” …words of David in 1 Samuel 17:47
“Thus says the Lord who made it, the Lord who formed it to establish it (the Lord is His name): ‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’ Jeremiah 33:2-3
“Now to Him who is able to do exceedinglyabundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21
““Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.” 2 Corinthians 2:14
“The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; By understanding He established the heavens; By His knowledge the depths were broken up, and clouds drop down the dew.” Proverbs 3:19-20
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
He strengthens me; HE strengthens me…
With each step forward, He strengthens me;
with each step up, He strengthens me.
If I suffer a setback, He strengthens me.
If I feel weak, I’ll resist being distraught…
No, “He strengthens me” must be my thought,
for that is what the scriptures have taught.
This confidence I have, for I’m blood-bought.
So, “Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might,”
just as David found strength in God for a Goliath fight!
P. A. Oltrogge
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 NKJV
“The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.” Habakkuk 3:19 NLT
“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
“Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears; Let the weak say, ‘I am strong.’” Joel 3:10 NKJV
“The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.” Psalm 29:11 NIV
“And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.” Matthew 4:23 KJV
“Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.” Acts 20:28 NASB
“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” 3 John 1:2 NKJV
“(The Armor of God) Finally, Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.” Ephesians 6:10 NASB
“Then David said to the Philistine, ‘You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted. This day the Lord will deliver you up into my hands….’” 1 Samuel 17:45-46 NASB
“For by You I can run against a troop; By my God I can leap over a wall.” 2 Samuel 22:30 NKJV
“For You will light my lamp; The Lord my God will enlighten my darkness. For by You I can run against a troop, By my God I can leap over a wall. As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.
“For who is God, except the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God? It is God who arms me with strength, And makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of deer, And sets me on my high places.” Psalm 18:28-33 NKJV
Photos/Pixabay
Postscript: Whatever you have to do, the Lord will see you through!
For “101 Things God Said About Healing,” Old Testament and New, put “101” into the Search bar of this blog for healing scriptures..
“Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths, reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, ‘This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.’ And some of them were persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the leading women, joined Paul and Silas.” Acts 17:1-4
This Jesus… Who suffered and died and rose again from the dead– This Jesus is the Christ, the Chief Cornerstone and Head of His Church.
Through this Jesus… our lives can take on a whole new scope… The Father has provided us new birth into a living hope.
P. A. Oltrogge
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ…” 1 Peter 1:3 NIV
“Therefore, it is also contained in the Scripture, ‘Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.’” 1 Peter 2:6 NKJV (…from 1 Peter 2:4-10)
Psalm 118:22; Isaiah 28:16; Matthew 21:42; Mark 12:10; Luke 20:17; Ephesians 2:19
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The Church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord. She is His new creation, by water and the word. From Heaven He came and sought her to be His holy bride. With His own blood He bought her, and for her life He died.
Hymn author: S. J. Stone
(Acts 20:28; Ephesians 5:25-26)
The above image of Jesus used by permission of artist, Bob Berran
“Blessed is that man who makes the Lord his trust, And does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works Which You have done; And Your thoughts toward us Cannot be recounted to You in order; If I would declare and speak of them, They are more than can be numbered.” Psalm 40:4-5
“But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I maydeclare all Your works.” Psalm 73:28
“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
“Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness.” Psalm 107:8-9
“I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.” Psalm 118:17
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When we declare the works of the Lord over any situation, we’re applying the greatest power…of the Lord of all creation!
In earth, the sky, and seas, His wonderful works are displayed… and His Word is at work within our lives the moment we have prayed.
P. A. Oltrogge
Hold on to what God says; keep saying it, and this will keep you on course. . . WHILE IT RELEASES HIS POWER! (Quote from a message by Dutch Sheets)
“The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry.” Psalm 34:15
“He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3:8
“In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Himthrough faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.” Colossians 2:11-15
“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ…” Philippians 1:3-6
“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13 KJV
“For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13 AMP
“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.” words of Jesus, in Luke 10:19
“Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” James 4:7
“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4
“The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing; It is marvelous in our eyes.” Psalm 118:22-23 (Jesus is our Cornerstone!)
“For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth.” Psalm 139:13-15 NASB
“For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think,according to the power that works in us,to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:14-21
“And he (Jesus) saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!” Matthew 8:26-27 KJV
“But I have a greater witness than John’s; for the works which the Father has given Me to finish—the very works that I do—bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me.” words of Jesus in John 5:36
“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 55:11
Picture great crowds, coming to be taught… Picture the sick, whom others had brought. Picture them healed through miracles wrought By Jesus, God’s Son, Whom so many had sought.
Picture a day where the sun was getting low. “Hear” the disciples saying they just didn’t know… How the people would eat—and should be told to go; But picture a lad with loaves and fish that would grow.
“Listen” to Jesus say, “Bring them here to me…” Picture loaves and fish multiplied by His decree, With five thousand being fed, at a cost that was free, And full baskets left over before the disciples put out to sea.
Picture Jesus sending the multitudes away, Going up to the mountain by Himself to pray–- Then joining the disciples, through water and spray, On the fourth watch of the night, just before day.
Picture Peter bravely wanting to join the Lord, Picture him boldly stepping overboard; Then see his faith waver as sea and wind roared– Picture him sinking but, by Christ, being restored.
Picture your own life and remember these things; Remember that “greatness” to small things Christ brings. Look to the Lord for your faith to take wings, As you walk on life’s waters with the King of Kings.
P. A. Oltrogge
Reference: Matthew 14:14-31 (He fed five thousand men, besides women and children)
(In Matthew 15, Jesus again feeds many–four thousand men, plus women and children, from seven loaves of bread and a few fish, with seven baskets left over…)
Then, in Matthew 16:5-12, Jesus speaks to His disciples, warning them against the leaven, or yeast, of the doctrine of the Pharisees and the Sadducees….
“Now when His disciples had come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.’
“And they reasoned among themselves, saying, ‘It is because we have taken no bread.’
“But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, ‘O you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves because you have brought no bread? Do you not yet understand, or remember the five loaves of the five thousand and how many baskets you took up? Nor the seven loaves of the four thousand and how many large baskets you took up? How is it you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread?—but to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’ Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
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The disciples had the miracle-working Son of God to believe, as we do today! Picture Him always at work in your life…
The Porch of the Lord 