…during this Lenten season, we can look back to when Jesus’ birth was revealed to Mary..then proclaimed at His birth….
“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.” (from the message to the shepherds in Luke 2:10-12)
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23
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Someone divine, Someone bringing great grace…came, for a time, to join the human race.
Sharing God’s love, doing nothing but good, Jesus taught of the Father and of sweet brotherhood.
Beautiful Savior, Son of God and Son of Man…God was represented within His life’s span.
Born in a lowly place, He came one special night. Later, He would proclaim that He was the world’s Light.
That He was the way, the truth, and the life…was believed by many, but caused, for others, “religious” strife.
So a corrupt “trial” pronounced death over Him, an innocent Man…Yet, He accepted this role in His Father’s redemptive plan.
A Savior, a Redeemer, was proclaimed at His birth…Christ is the Messiah–the angel told of His great worth.
Once cradled by Mary, she watched Him suffer on the cross. She must have remembered the angel’s words of greatness, not loss.
Of this One she gave birth to, who was destined to die–the grave couldn’t hold Him–He’s the Son of the Most High!
P. A. Oltrogge
And in the sixth month, the angel, Gabriel, was sent from God unto a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, ‘Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.’ And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her:
‘Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the SON OF THE HIGHEST: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.’
Then said Mary unto the angel, ‘How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?’ And the angel answered and said unto her, ‘The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible.’ And Mary said, ‘Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.’ And the angel departed from her.” Luke 1:26-38 KJV
“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
“Offer to God thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High.” Psalm 50:14
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 NASB
“Then Pilate entered the Praetorium again, called Jesus, and said to Him, ‘Are You the King of the Jews?’
“Jesus answered him, ‘Are you speaking for yourself about this, or did others tell you this concerning Me?’
“Pilate answered, ‘Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered You to me. What have You done?’
“Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.’
“Pilate therefore said to Him, ‘Are You a king then?’
“Jesus answered, ‘You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.’
“Pilate said to Him, ‘What is truth?’ And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, ‘I find no fault in Him at all.’” John 18:33-38
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“Now it was the Preparation Day of the Passover, and about the sixth hour. And he said to the Jews, “Behold your King!”
“But they cried out, “Away with Him, away with Him! Crucify Him!”
“Pilate said to them, ‘Shall I crucify your King?’
“The chief priests answered, ‘We have no king but Caesar!’
“Then he delivered Him to them to be crucified. Then they took Jesus and led Him away.” John 19:14-16
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“And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Placeof a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center. Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And the writing was:
JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS
“Then many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin.
“Therefore the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, ‘Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but, ‘He said, ‘I am the King of the Jews.’
“Pilate answered, ‘What I have written, I have written.’” John 19:17-22
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Pontius Pilate saw no reason for Jesus to be condemned to die, but eventually he did give in to the chief priests’ and the crowd’s insistent outcry.
A profound focus in the account during which the Lord was stricken and smitten, were the words on the sign that was put on the cross, of which Pilate said, “What I have written, I have written.”
JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS
God used a flawed ruler, who didn’t know the depth of what he was saying… to write out the very truth, which those words would be fully displaying.
P. A. Oltrogge
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“…Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” Matthew 1:1
“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
“While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is MybelovedSon, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” Matthew 17:5
(Son of God, Son of Man)
“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
“He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:3-5 KJV
“For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups. Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death.” Ephesians 2:14-16 NLT
…and another version:
“For He Himself is our peace and our bond of unity. He who made both groups—[Jews and Gentiles]—into one body and broke down the barrier, the dividing wall [of spiritual antagonism between us], by abolishing in His [own crucified] flesh the hostility caused by the Law with its commandments contained in ordinances [which He satisfied]; so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thereby establishing peace. And [that He] might reconcile them both [Jew and Gentile, united] in one body to God through the cross, thereby putting to death the hostility.” Ephesians 2:14-16 AMP
“And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OFKINGS AND LORDOFLORDS.” Revelation 19:16
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35
Jesus Christ…Lord of all and Lord of love…
See also Luke 2 on Jesus’ the Savior’s birth; John, chapter 3; Revelation 1:4-6
…a day to reflect on the trinity of God, once again…
“For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one.” 1 John 5:7 NKJV
“Top of the morning” to you, on this St. Patrick’s Day! May all of God’s wonderful blessings graciously come your way.
It’s said that St. Patrick used the shamrock, which has leaves of three, as an illustration to the Irish people of God’s holy Trinity.
Just as a shamrock is composed of three separate leaves, yet is one– the almighty God of the Bible is the Father, Holy Spirit, and the Son.
Shamrocks have been associated with “luck,” but God’s promises are sure. While shamrocks cannot last, God’s loving kindness will forever endure.
Today is a day when many will turn to thoughts of the Emerald Isle; but may we daily be sure to turn our thoughts to the Lord for a while.
And on a day when some may be thinking of “wearing the green,” may the people of God reflect His joy, which is the best thing to be seen.
P. A. Oltrogge
“…for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10
“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
Of the Word, Jesus, it’s written: “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 KJV
“Jesus answered him, ‘The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.’” Mark 12:29-31 NKJV
“These things I have spoken to you while remaining with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and remind you of all that I said to you. Peace I leave you, My peace I give you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, nor fearful.” …words of Jesus in John 14:25-27 NASB
“And on that day you will not question Me about anything. Truly, truly I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you. Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.” …words of Jesus in John 16:23-24 NASB
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23 RSV
“How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.” Psalm 36:7 NKJV
“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen.” Matthew 28:18-20 NKJV
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” John 1:1-5 NKJV
“Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness….’” Genesis 1:26 NKJV
Genesis 1:1-2; John 14:6-9; John 15:10-12; 1 Peter 1:2; 1 John 1:1-4
“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17
Just as any electronic device needs a steady stream of charge, so, likewise, we need charging with the Word, for matters small or large.
Keep charging your life with the Word of God until you’re powered up and full. Then “fully-persuaded” faith will bring down strongholds, by a fully-charged, dominating pull.
Thank the Lord that His powerful Word is flowing through your entire being. Remember that the Bible reveals that believing, itself, is a way of “seeing.”
Taking time to meditate on the scriptures makes for a strong connection. In doing so, we can be recipients of important revelation, wisdom, and direction.
Thanks be to God for the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ…who is the author and finisher of our faith–and whose sacrifice at Calvary for us has more than sufficed!
P. A. Oltrogge
…We charge our lives also through prayers/praises to the Source of all power…
“God has spoken once, Twice I have heard this: That power belongs to God.” Psalm 62:11
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“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.” Psalm 1:1-3
“Bless the Lord, you His angels, who excel in strength, who do His word, heeding the voice of His word. Bless the Lord, all you His hosts, you ministers of His, who do His pleasure.” Psalm 103:20-21
“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
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.” Proverbs 18:21 (…which is why speaking the Word, agreeing with God’s Word, is so important)
“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
“Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?” Jeremiah 32:27
“But He answered and said, ‘It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4
“Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.” Mark 1:35
“Jesus said to him, ‘If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.’” Mark 9:23
“So Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.’” Mark 11:22-24
“Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.” Luke 6:12
“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 He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart…” Luke 18:1
“You have heard Me say to you, ‘I am going away and coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, ‘I am going to the Father,’ for MyFatherisgreaterthan I. words of Jesus in John 14:28
“Then He said to Thomas, ‘Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.’ And Thomas answered and said to Him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him, ‘Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’” John 20:27-29
“…for in Him we live and move and have our being…” Acts 17:28
“He (Abraham) staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.” Romans 4:20-22 KJV
“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57
“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
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ…” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
“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
“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 3:20
“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
“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 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 As one minister reminds, “Stop the fear!”
“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in times past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds, who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.” Hebrews 1:1-4
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.” Hebrews 11:1-3
“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 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 12:1-2
“Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.” Hebrews 13:15
“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
Jesus Christ gave us the basics of believing on Him for salvation…
and indicated that God desires our fellowship…each person, His special creation.
Sadly, though, some will spend time with Him barely just once a week,
which makes us want to remind them…there’s more that they should seek.
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There will be rewards in heaven for what we’ve done in regard…
to contributing to His kingdom, which doesn’t have to be hard.
We can open up our wallets, helping many established outreaches.
We can pray or serve in some way…not having to be one who “preaches.”
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If they’ve believed in Jesus Christ, confessing Him as the Lord of Lords,
that’s wonderful, but they must realize He wants to also give rewards.
And, in giving, with love, to others, we receive during this life, too…
Doing for our “neighbor,” not living just for ourselves, is a fulfilling thing to do.
P. A. Oltrogge
Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 22:37-40
Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:11-12
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21
Read Matthew 25
And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last. Revelation 22:12-13
There are many established Christian outreaches which have been mentioned on this blog, and you may be aware of others as well. Samaritans Purse is often looking for volunteers. Of course, as Christians, we are serving the Lord, too, in our daily workplace. But I wrote the above poetic text out of concern for those who think they’re right with God, but may not actually be born again, since they don’t really commune with Him, and attend church very infrequently.
Father, please awaken those who need to take things a step further–from knowing of You, to knowing You and serving You, as You lead them… You want them to receive reward. Help us all to follow as You lead… in Jesus’ name, we pray…Amen
…author unknown, but the meaningful thoughts are appreciated…. P. A. Oltrogge
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23
“How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings. They drink their fill of the abundance of Your house; And You give them to drink of the river of Your delights. For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light.” Psalm 36:7-9
“Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4
“They who dwell in the ends of the earth stand in awe of Your signs; You make the dawn and the sunset shout for joy.” Psalm 65:8
“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
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:1-5 “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13
“But now faith, hope, love abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13
“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
“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
The Porch of the Lord 