Tag Archives: Christianity

Who would be the greatest…

Posted on by
Reply

100_0177
Photo by Porch of the Lord

“Then He came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked them, ‘What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?’ But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest. And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, ‘If anyone desires to be first, he shall be the last of all and servant of all.’ Then He took a little child and set him in the midst of them. And when He had taken him in his arms, He said to them. ‘Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me.'”
Mark 9:33-37

Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall…
Therefore, as instructed by Jesus, he who would be first
must be the last of all and servant of all.

So thank the Lord for the tasks before you because serving cheers the heart.
We’re blessed as we do what may even seem menial…blessed to do our part.

And before giving a “prominent” person of status your highest attention,
remember, it was of a humble little child that Jesus, our Lord, made mention.

P. A. Oltrogge

“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”
Proverbs 16:18 NKJV

“Therefore, if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”
Philippians 2:1-4 NKJV

“Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world in holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.” Philippians 2:14-16 NKJV

ministry opportunity:
http://www.danitaschildren.org

Heritage of Protection

Posted on by
Reply

IMG_0246
Conservatory Photos by Porch of the Lord

Like having a protective “umbrella” over my head,
You guard me, Lord, as I’m being spirit-led.
You’ve given me this heritage, for I reverence Your name.
Thank You for protection, one of the benefits I can claim.

P. A. Oltrogge

“From the end of the earth, I will cry to You,
When my heart is overwhelmed;
lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

You have been a shelter for me,
a strong tower from the enemy.
I will abide in Your tabernacle forever;
I will trust in the shelter of Your wings. Selah

For you, O God, have heard my vows;
You have given me the heritage of those who fear your name…”

Psalm 61:2-5 NKJV

“But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, and will be secure, without fear of evil.”
Proverbs 1:33

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT

“My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.” Isaiah 32:18

“I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.” Psalm 18:3 KJV

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.” Psalm 103:2

Psalm 68:19
Psalm 116:12
Psalm 23
Psalm 91

His Tender Mercies are Over You

Posted on by
Reply

IMG_0173
Conservatory Photo by Porch of the Lord

“The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.” Psalm 145:9 KJV

“Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; he crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies.” Psalm 103:4 KJV

“Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old.” Psalm 25:6 KJV

And Jesus demonstrated that tender mercy during His life and ministry and still does so today.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 NKJV

Expectation

Posted on by
Reply
img_0707

Caribbean Photo by Porch of the Lord

Recently, I heard a minister express an important thought–
which was that storms don’t last forever but eventually come to nought.

So if you’ve been walking through a storm, be encouraged by what he said.
As you continue to walk by faith, expect a rainbow to come out instead.

P. A. Oltrogge

“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. And while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.” Romans 5:1-6 NASB

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people, and His incomparably great power for us who believe.”

“That power is the same as the mighty strength He exerted when He raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under His feet and appointed Him to be head over everything for the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills everything in every way.” Ephesians 1:18-23 NIV

the name of Jesus…like the fragrance after rain…

Meditation

Posted on by
1

100_0197
Photo by Porch of the Lord

God has given us instruction that’s meant to keep us from being uptight,
which is to meditate upon His Word throughout the day and night.

If you find you’re feeling troubled, with thoughts that need to be curbed,
think, instead, upon His promises, so your peace won’t be disturbed.

Just as Jesus immediately encouraged Jairus when others said his daughter had died, we need to immediately hear His voice–over ones which say victory’s been denied.

People, thoughts, and what is felt and seen may “say” otherwise than what is said in God’s Word. If we’ve meditated upon it, however, other voices won’t discourage what, through God, we’ve already heard.

P. A. Oltrogge

“How blessed is the man…(whose) delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.” (from Psalm 1:1-3 NASB)

“Great peace have they which love Thy law: and nothing shall offend them.” Psalm 119:165 KJV

“While He (Jesus) was still speaking, they came from the house of the synagogue official (Jairus), saying, ‘Your daughter has died, why trouble the Teacher anymore?’ But Jesus, overhearing what was being spoken, said to the synagogue official, ‘Do not be afraid any longer, only believe.'” (from Mark 5: 21-24 and 35-43 NASB)
(…and Jesus went on to the home of Jairus and raised his daughter up.)

“…and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him!'” (from Matthew 17:1-8 NASB)

Like a Well-Watered Garden

Posted on by
Reply

IMG_0226
Conservatory Photo by Porch of the Lord

“Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion,
streaming to the goodness of the Lord–
For wheat and new wine and oil,
For the young of the flock and the herd;
Their souls shall be like a well-watered garden,
and they shall sorrow no more at all.”

Jeremiah 31:12 NKJV

The above portion of scripture made me think
of time spent with Jesus, our Lord and King.
Such time causes the soul to be as a garden–
well-watered from His everlasting spring.

And gardens are always in need of guidance,
or else, they will only run wild.
Look to your life’s divine Gardener,
trusting in Him, for you’re God’s beloved child.

P. A. Oltrogge

“…she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?'”

“Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, ‘Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’ She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, ‘Rabboni!’ (which means Teacher).”

John 20:14-16 NASB

Nothing Halfway

Posted on by
Reply

Our Lord Jesus doesn’t do things for us in a manner that’s halfway.
We need to keep that in mind in regard to that for which we pray.

Just as He provided Peter with a net-breaking, miraculous catch,
or made a few fish and loaves into an enough-for-a-multitude batch…

and as He healed the blind man who first saw men as trees that were moving,
Jesus went on to heal the man’s sight totally, His “completion” power proving.

Still today, He’s with us always, not doing things by half-measure;
but He desires to see us whole, for that’s always His will and pleasure.

And for any kind of “answer to prayer” that doesn’t seem quite right,
we wait upon the Lord for His very best, for His is the power and might.

Remember the wedding banquet, where the best wine served was the last.
It was Jesus’ miraculous touch that caused the first wine to be outclassed.

Let’s be assured He will answer our prayers in a way that’s truly complete,
thereby displaying to all, once again, that Jesus secured the devil’s defeat.

P. A. Oltrogge

See Mark 8 for the feeding of thousands and the instance of the blind man receiving full sight.

“But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3:8 NLT

“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you with all 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 NKJV

And Jesus’ words on the cross, “It is finished!” were words of completion of the will of God and His Father’s calling upon His life.

“But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it. In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” Romans 8:25-27 NASB

For more on praying in the spirit: http://www.awmi.net
Look for teaching articles on the Holy Spirit

The Exalted Lord Jesus

Posted on by
Reply

100_0164
Photo by Porch of the Lord, Caribbean flowers

“Yours, O Lord, is the greatness,
The power and the glory,
The victory and the majesty;
For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours;
Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and You are exalted as head over all.”

1 Chronicles 29:11

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

“And He put all things under His (Jesus’) feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church; which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.”

Ephesians 1:2 and 1:22

“…how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.”

Acts 10:38

Scriptures NKJV

All Around Us

Posted on by
Reply

100_0033
…Photos by Porch of the Lord

“The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them.” Psalm 34:7 (NASB)

“The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” Psalm 34:7-8 (NKJV)

DSC04109