Garden of Gethsemane
Jerusalem, Israel

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

Visit: http://www.jerusalemprayerteam.org

by Marian Alvarado

Good Morning!

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)

http://www.timothysministry.org

..this has often been a repeated post, in the event it might benefit someone new from the many different religious persuasions…

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So many religions speak of various ways to address pleasing God all of your days.

Five times a day, you could be down on your knees, with prayers to the god you hope to please.

But, really, these things are ritual merely and can’t please Him, no matter if done so very sincerely.

But there is a way to come to God, and it’s by looking to the road that Jesus trod.

He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He paved the way for you through much strife…

released upon Him as He went to the cross, where He suffered in pain so you wouldn’t be lost

to the God who loves you and calls to you now to embrace His Son, Jesus, to Whom, one day, every knee will bow.

But only grace, through faith, is involved—all works are in vain. Through Jesus’ righteousness, our salvation is made plain.

You may want to fall to your knees when you recognize all that was done…by a God who loved so greatly, He gave His only Son.

P. A. Oltrogge

“So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.” John 1:14 NLT

“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29

“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.” spoken by Jesus in John 3:16-17

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.’” John 14:6

“And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”  spoken by Jesus in John 17:3

“But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” Romans 3:21-26

“But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Romans 6:22-23 NLT

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

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“You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

“Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

“Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:5-11 NLT

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“But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:4-7

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“In fact, according to the law of Moses, nearly everything was purified with blood. For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.

“That is why the Tabernacle and everything in it, which were copies of things in heaven, had to be purified by the blood of animals. But the real things in heaven had to be purified with far better sacrifices than the blood of animals.

“For Christ did not enter into a holy place made with human hands, which was only a copy of the true one in heaven. He entered into heaven itself to appear now before God on our behalf. And he did not enter heaven to offer himself again and again, like the high priest here on earth who enters the Most Holy Place year after year with the blood of an animal. If that had been necessary, Christ would have had to die again and again, ever since the world began. But now, once for all time, he has appeared at the end of the age to remove sin by his own death as a sacrifice.

“And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment, so also Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him.” Hebrews 9:22-28 NLT

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“In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.  In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” 1 John 4:9-11

Scriptures: NKJV or as noted

We read of Jesus, who was with His disciples in the garden of Gethsemane: “And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, ‘Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.’ Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” Luke 22:41-44

1 Go to dark Gethsemane,
all who feel the tempter’s power,
your Redeemer’s conflict see.
Watch with Him one bitter hour;
turn not from His griefs away;
learn of Jesus Christ to pray.

2 Follow to the judgment hall,
view the Lord of life arraigned;
oh, the wormwood and the gall!
Oh, the pangs His soul sustained!
Shun not suffering, shame, or loss;
learn of Him to bear the cross.

3 Calvary’s mournful mountain climb;
there, adoring at His feet,
mark the miracle of time,
God’s own sacrifice complete.
“It is finished!” hear Him cry;
learn of Jesus Christ to die.

4 Early hasten to the tomb
where they laid His breathless clay:
all is solitude and gloom.
Who has taken Him away?
Christ is risen! He meets our eyes.
Savior, teach us so to rise.

Hymn author: James Montgomery

“From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.” Matthew 16:21

“But the angel answered and said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.'” Matthew 28:5-7

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4

“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. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:4-10 NASB

“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” John 1:12 KJV

Scriptures: NKJV or as noted

by J. Vetter, Guest Contributor

Mama duck paced anxiously to and fro on the edge of our pool.  Her five babies clustered together and swam like Olympic hopefuls, unable to discover their way out.

Finally, when it seemed like they would not be able to escape on their own, we tried to scoop them out with our pool net.  However, when we approached, Mama flew off.  After a thirty minute struggle, all five babies huddled together on the grass.  Where is Mom?  Do I call DPS (Duck Protective Services) to report a mother who abandoned her children?

Sure enough, after huddling together for a while, they ended up back in the pool.  We were ready for bed, and it was ready to storm.  The thought of leaving them alone with thunder and lightning was disheartening.

“Lord, how can I pray?  Can I believe for your protection over them?”  Instantly, the scripture from Matthew 23:37 came to mind.  “O, Jerusalem…how often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.”  Also, “When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take care of me.”  (Psalm 27:10)

So I committed those little ones to Him and resisted worry as much as possible.  My husband woke me up the next morning with the news.  “The mother duck is here, and the babies are all out of the pool.”

With so much in the news to threaten our peace, this scenario affords a glimpse into the heart of God.  It is not the size of our circumstance, but the size of our God we need to consider.  Snuggle in–His wings are big enough to cover you.

J. Vetter

“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 will I trust.’

Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence.  He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings, you shall take refuge. His truth shall be your shield and buckler.”

Psalm 91:1-4 NKJV

“For the Lord Most High is awesome; He is a great King over all the earth.”  Psalm 47:2 NKJV

Photo/Unsplash
Dom Kyrka, Uppsala, Sweden

When you believe in Jesus Christ and have settled that He’s the God who is true, you will not simply be believing in Him, but in the One who has sent Him, too. Jesus came into the world as God’s Light, so that darkness would be dispelled–that none should miss knowing their God, nor have their salvation withheld.

God desires to be a loving Father to all, but His justness will require judgment one day. Jesus did not come to judge but to save, and to teach us to be followers of His Way. All Jesus ever said or that He did, were things only from His Father that He’d heard. A blessed life now and eternally are the gifts of which a Christian can be assured.

P. A. Oltrogge

“Jesus shouted to the crowds, ‘If you trust me, you are trusting not only me, but also God who sent me. For when you see me, you are seeing the one who sent me.  I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark. I will not judge those who hear me but don’t obey me, for I have come to save the world and not to judge it. But all who reject me and my message will be judged on the day of judgment by the truth I have spoken. I don’t speak on my own authority. The Father who sent me has commanded me what to say and how to say it. And I know His commands lead to eternal life; so I say whatever the Father tells Me to say.’” John 12:44-50 (NLT)

“Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.” Hebrews 9:27-28 (NIV)

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” John 5:24 (NKJV)

“I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came so that they would have life, and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” John 10:9-11 (NASB)

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (NASB)

“Philip said to Him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.’” John 14:8-10 (NKJV)

“And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” John 17:3 (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 (NKJV)

After His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Jesus began to feel sorrow about what was lying ahead…

His suffering and crucifixion were imminent; however, He knew He would be raised from the dead.

“Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name.”

“Then a voice came from heaven, saying, ‘I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.'”

Some of the people said it had thundered, while others said it was an angelic voice.

By so many things Jesus was saying, God was presenting to all of the people an eternal choice.

“Jesus answered and said, ‘This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake. Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to Myself. This He said signifying by what death He would die.”

“The people answered Him, ‘We have heard from the law that the Christ remains forever; and how can You say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this Son of Man?'”

“Then Jesus said to them, ‘A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.’ These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and was hidden from them.”

See the entire chapter of John 12…

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 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.” words of Jesus in John 3:14-17

Scriptures where Jesus shares that He will be raised from the dead: Matthew 17:22-23; Mark 8:31; Luke 9:22; John 2:19-21

Posted by P. A. Oltrogge

You may have read or recall the book (and movie), “Heaven is for Real,” which was about a child’s remembrances that had extraordinary appeal.

It’s the story of a young boy, Colton Burpo, who at just under four years old, got a visit to, or vision of, heaven, while most of us can only imagine its streets of gold.

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He had need of emergency surgery due to an infection that became severe. In a near-death experience, Biblical realities became, to Colton, very clear.

He there saw some of the Bible’s saints, and some relatives of his own; and he also, with the Lord Jesus, came near to the Father’s throne.

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It seems that God is pulling out all the stops to allow everyone to see, that heaven is a very real place and that Jesus did die to set sinners free.

While in heaven, Colton learned of things that a young child couldn’t have known. Those facts, his parents knew, weren’t just imaginative tales to which he was prone.

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Ultimately, they felt that Colton’s story needed to be more widely shared–that the telling of it might convince many of how the Lord has always cared.

In fact, in the experience, Jesus told Colton that he would need to go back, in order for Him to answer his father’s prayer, for Colton to recover from the attack.

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If you, or people you know, have questioned whether the Bible is true, it certainly can be said that this story could be for them, and/or for you.

Colton also learned of a coming battle, that is yet to take place. Trust and believe that Jesus is Lord; and receive salvation by God’s grace.

P. A. Oltrogge

The book and movie are available at various book outlets and at the Burpo family’s website: http://www.heavenlive.org

“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

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 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. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” John 14:1-3 NKJV

“And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made of a single pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.” Revelation 21:21 ESV

“Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’” John 8:31-32 NKJV

“And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” John 17:3 NKJV

“…that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.  For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Ephesians 2:7-9 NKJV

“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:28

“Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:

“KING OF KINGS AND
LORD OF LORDS.” (from Revelation 19)

The delicate beauty of this Queen Anne’s Lace 
was designed by the Lord, who gives amazing grace…
Those who make Jesus their Lord, gain the gift of salvation;
and angels are assigned to minister to them in every nation.

When Joseph, betrothed to the virgin Mary, learned that she was pregnant, a situation troubling for him to understand,

an angel in a dream revealed to him that the child had been conceived by the Holy Spirit, for the Savior’s birth, which God had planned.

At Jesus’ birth, in Bethlehem, then, the skies were filled with rejoicing angels of great number,

appearing to shepherds, keeping watch over their flock, amid people’s nighttime slumber.

Again, in a dream, an angel spoke to Joseph, to flee to Egypt to escape Herod’s attack,

until he would tell him, at a later time, when and where it would be safe for them to come back.

As an adult, and after His baptism by John, Jesus experienced a time of temptation.

He fasted in the wilderness and withstood the devil’s taunts. Then angels ministered to Him after its duration.

Much later, at prayer in Gethsemane’s garden, Jesus began to feel very great distress

about fulfilling His Father’s will at the cross. So His Father sent an angel there to bless,

strengthen, and comfort Him…as the time for His trial and crucifixion had begun to loom.

Perhaps the angel reminded Jesus that He would be raised up—in victory over the tomb.

Scripture states that Jesus endured the cross because, ahead, He could see the joy—

He would be loved as our Redeemer…from the devil’s works, which He had come to destroy.

Upon His resurrection, heaven sent angels to greet early mourners at the tomb’s site,

to tell them that Jesus had been raised from the dead, dispelling any sorrow they’d had or fright.

Then, we read in Acts, of when Simon Peter, the Lord’s disciple, had been wrongfully jailed,

that God sent an angel to work a jailbreak, proving that Peter’s brethren’s prayers hadn’t failed.

And the apostle, Paul, was on a ship to Rome, sailing in a turbulent storm at sea—

when an angel appeared to him with a message, that no loss of life would there be.

Angels are noted throughout scripture. They minister to the heirs of salvation.

As believers, we are recipients of their aid, and they serve throughout every nation.

I thank the Lord for their service, for their presence as we walk life’s many trails.

I can think of times past when I sensed their protection. Through faith, prayer, and their help, God’s Kingdom never fails.

P. A. Oltrogge

References: Matthew 1:18-24; Matthew 2; Luke 2:1-20; Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:9-12; Luke 22:41-44; Hebrews 12:2; 1 John 3:8; Matthew 28:1-10; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-12; John 20:11-13; Acts 12; Acts 27:23-25; Hebrews 1:13-14

“I sought the Lord and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears…
The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them.” Psalm 34:4, 7 NKJV

“Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.” Psalm 103:20 KJV

“Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, You are very great: You are clothed with honor and majesty, Who cover yourself with light as with a garment, Who stretch out the heavens like a curtain. He lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters, Who makes the clouds His chariot, Who walks on the wings of the wind, Who makes His angels spirits, His ministers a flame of fire.” Psalm 104:1-4 NKJV

“Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ, the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.’” Luke 2:10-12 NKJV

“Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven. For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.” Matthew 18:10-11 NKJV

“…looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2 NKJV

”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 NKJV

“Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?” Hebrews 1:13-14 NKJV

“For He shall give His angels charge over you , to keep you in all your ways.” Psalm 91:11 NKJV

“Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; Praise Him in the heights! Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts! Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him, all you stars of light!” Psalm 148:1-3 NKJV

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Find several excellent books on angels in the “Store” at: http://www.timsheets.org

See today’s message by Dutch Sheets at: http://www.givehim15.com

We’re meant to be family, I pray you can see,
that the Jewish Teacher, Jesus, was from your family tree.
Of the house and lineage of David, as Jewish as you yourself;
yet He was God and Messiah, not a name in a Book on a shelf.

Your Torah, too, speaks about the sacrifices
necessary for what a holy God saw as mankind’s vices.
God’s people couldn’t come to the priest with righteousness of their own,
but through the slaying of an animal, a cleansing was shown.

Your devotion to God is very commendable,
yet your system of belief is not dependable
before the God of Israel’s holy face.
You see, you must recognize the Lamb sent in your place.

No, there won’t be a Messiah by any other name
than the revealed Jesus Christ of worldwide fame.
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son–
There’s no need to look for another Messiah to do what Jesus has already done.

P. A. Oltrogge

“Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.'” Luke 2:10-12 NKJV

“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 NKJV

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“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29 NKJV

“You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews.” Jesus’ words to the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4:22

“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

“But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” John 1:12 KJV

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“Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand, witnessing both to small and 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

“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

“And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.” Hebrews 9:22 NASB

“…knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with  the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.  He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.” 1 Peter 1:18-20 NKJV

Visit: http://www.jewsforjesus.org

http://www.oneforisrael.org