Don’t just know about Him only in your head,
But be “born again” as Jesus has said.
It isn’t just the date you were born on this earth
That matters as much as your spiritual rebirth.
It’s simply a gift–so easy to claim,
By praying to receive that gift in His Name.
No other Name but Jesus cancels sin;
Just open your heart and ask Him to come in.
Make sure that you’ve done this in your own heart.
It’s faith there that counts–churchgoing’s just a start.
Please don’t let pride or tradition keep
You or those you care about from a love that’s so deep.
Don’t look to “new age” or deceptive ways of thinking,
For they’re no foundation–but sand that is sinking.
And though it is good to think in positive ways,
Such thoughts without Jesus won’t get you through life’s maze.
God’s set before us such an easy choice–
Your salvation through Jesus will make angels rejoice!
And you won’t need to be concerned about daily bread–
You’ll be all right always if you’ll stay spiritually fed.
Another simple thing is to give ten percent–
God will return back to you far more than you sent.
For others are in need and churches must reach
More human beings with this Gospel we preach.
Jesus, Bread of Life, our Friend and our Guide–
Thank you, as well, for your promises to provide.

P. A. Oltrogge

“Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; this man came to Him by night, and said to Him, ‘Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.’ Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.’ Nicodemus said to Him, ‘How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?’ Jesus answered, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going, so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.'” John 3:1-8 (from John 3:1-21)

“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: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”
John 1:12-12 (King James Version)

“Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, ‘Rulers and elders of the people, if we are on trial today for a benefit done to a sick man, as to how this man has been made well, let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ, the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by this name this man stands here before you in good health. He is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders, but which became the very cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved.'” Acts 4:8-12

“But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.” Luke 11:42 (King James Version)

“And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:18

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6:33

An account from ancient Egypt…

The Bible tells of a Pharaoh who sought to kill every newborn Hebrew boy.
One woman, Jochebed, hid her baby, to weaken the plot to destroy
his valuable life, which God had ordained, for a great work He had planned–
the deliverance of the Hebrew people from out of Pharaoh’s hand.

When she no longer could hide the baby after three months had passed by,
she put him in a basket by the bank of the river, leaving him under the sky.
At that place, Pharaoh’s daughter came to bathe, never thinking she’d find
an unusual woven chest left there, with treasure of the greatest kind.

Jochebed’s daughter, Miriam, watched to see how her baby brother would fare–
she waited, staying at a distance, after they’d placed the little child there.
Not only that, she was ready to speak up when the baby, then, was found;
her courage to “find” her mother as a nurse turned the whole situation around.

Jochebed’s faith, and her daughter’s caring heart, helped save her baby that day,
when Pharaoh’s daughter beheld the child, and God turned her heart his way.
The compassion she felt caused her to want the child, to raise him as her own,
with no realization it was divine intervention of God reigning upon His throne.

For that particular child was destined to grow up to become Moses, the liberator–
hidden, at first, among reeds–but then welcomed into Pharaoh’s palace later.
Yet God put within Moses a knowing that he was no Egyptian royal;
instead, to his own Hebrew people and their God, his heart was strongly loyal.

In present times, God is pleased to find other “Jochebeds” and their assistants,
who work to save the very young and are today’s abortion trend “resistance.”
Their prayers are protective baskets for children fashioned by God’s hand–
Like Miriam, they seek to bond mother and child–or place them in the home
He has planned.

And who of us knows the destiny of any child not fully born or even grown?
It’s only by the God of the universe, that such things are surely known.
Moses was deemed a special child upon the very day of his birth;
yet to God all children are destined and special, and He counts them of
incalculable worth.

P. A. Oltrogge

“Now a man from the house of Levi went and married a daughter of Levi (Jochebed). And the woman conceived and bore a son; and when she saw that he was beautiful, she hid him for three months. But when she could hide him no longer, she got him a wicker basket and covered it over with tar and pitch. Then she put the child into it, and set it among the reeds by the bank of the Nile. And his sister (Miriam) stood at a distance to find out what would happen to him. Then the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the Nile, with her maidens walking alongside the Nile; and she saw the basket among the reeds and sent her maid, and she brought it to her. When she opened it, she saw the child and behold, the boy was crying. And she had pity on him and said, ‘This is one of the Hebrews’ children.’ Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, ‘Shall I go and call a nurse for you?’ And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, ‘Go ahead.’ So the girl went and called the child’s mother. Then Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, ‘Take this child away and nurse him for me and I shall give you your wages.’ So the woman took the child and nursed him. And the child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. And she named him Moses, and said, ‘Because I drew him out of the water.'” Exodus 2:1-10

“Like a shepherd He will tend His flock,
In His arm He will gather the lambs,
And carry them in His bosom;
He will gently lead the nursing ewes.”

Isaiah 40:11

While shepherds watched their flocks by night,
An angel appeared, and God’s glory shone bright.
The angel told the shepherds to not be afraid
Since a proclamation of great joy was being made!
A Savior for all people was born, who was Christ the Lord!
And then more angels praised God for the Baby adored.
Straightway to Bethlehem the shepherds went
To see this One Whom God had sent.
To everyone they saw, they made known what was told
Of God’s gift, Who was cut from the shepherd’s mold.
He would have a flock–the Good Shepherd He would be-
He would die for that flock, both for you and for me.
To rescue and die for the lambs–no greater love
Could have been sent to us from above.
If you’re not yet His lamb, be aware there is danger–
We have need of the Good Shepherd, once a babe in a manger.
Just receive Him as Savior–then learn of His great care
In shepherding your life as you come to Him in prayer.
At Christ’s birth, we were blessed, and God’s message came then—
Of “peace on earth and good will toward men!”

P. A. Oltrogge

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 1:12

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

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Luke 2:14 (King James Version)

Our Lord Jesus secured Satan’s defeat,
but it’s up to us to turn up the heat, keeping Satan under our feet.
When he tries to put us through fire,
we can turn it around to our heart’s desire
by using God’s Word as the mighty sword
to put Satan to flight as we come toward.
“It is written,” said our Lord, and so should we
be imitators of Him in proclaiming we’re free.
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue,” is God’s sure Word,
so speak life and victory ’til circumstances have heard.
Remember when Jesus and his disciples got into a boat,
“Let’s cross over to the other side,” were the Lord’s words to keep them afloat.
But adverse winds caused them to fear and cry out–
“Teacher, don’t you care that we are perishing?” were their words of doubt.
Jesus rebuked the wind and said to it, “Hush, be still!”
But it was faith He then emphasized and sought to instill.
And, likewise, today winds of adversity are familiar to us all,
but when fear rears its head, we must answer with faith’s call.
So make it your confession, “I’ve crossed over to the other side–
and it’s there, in victory, that I abide!”

P. A. Oltrogge

“And, on that day, when evening had come, He said to them, ‘Let us go over to the other side.’ And leaving the multitude, they took Him along with them, just as He was, in the boat; and other boats were with Him. And there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up. And He Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they awoke Him and said to Him, ‘Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?’ And being aroused, He rebuked the wind and said to the sea,’Hush, be still.’ And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm. And He said to them, ‘Why are you so timid? How is it that you have no faith?’ And they became very much afraid and said to one another, ‘Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?'”

Mark 4:35-41

It’s a hard subject; but the truth is, it’s real.
There is a thief who is out to kill, destroy, and steal–
a being who is fallen because of his pride–
a being whose purpose is to conceal and to hide
the true God in Jesus, the Lord over all–
that’s what Satan does because of his fall.

His ways are deceptive, and he wants you to think
there isn’t heaven or hell beyond this life’s brink.
He’s supportive of “gods” of other names–
or “No God at all” is another one of his claims.
Devotion to a religion or philosophy, he’s approved–
especially those endorsing that Jesus’ Lordship be removed.

He draws those he can to reject Christ’s light,
causing more darkness over any spiritual sight.
We all need to leave old things we’ve been taught
when we realize that, through Christ, our souls have been bought.
It’s simply a gift—but you must take and receive it.
Don’t listen to the naysayer, but simply believe it.

Of all time, the Bible is the best selling book–
if you think it’s inaccurate, then take a deeper look.
Please consider studies by Christians who aren’t slacking
in showing us the evidence that gives it absolute backing.
And to be the all-time best seller of books you can buy,
it must have the backing of Someone very high.

Be sober, be vigilant, the Bible warning is strong–
Jesus is The Way—any other way is wrong.

P. A. Oltrogge,

“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

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary, the devil, walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.  Resist him, steadfast in the faith….”  1 Peter 5:8-9 (New King James)

“I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy: I came that they might have life and might have it abundantly.” John 10: 9, 10

If God had waited when He’d been wronged,
When His creation was altered from the way it belonged,
We wouldn’t have seen Him immediately begin
To set forth His plan to atone for man’s sin.
In our terms, it “hurt” that man disobeyed,
Ruining the perfection that He had made.
But stubborn resentment is not recorded–
No, provision and care were quickly afforded.
For their sin He would send them a righteous Savior
To gain back for them unmerited favor.
And until the promise of that was fulfilled,
He cared for mankind so that trust would be instilled.
Taking offense isn’t what we should do,
But returning with love is tried and true.
So why do you now in your life wait so long
For an apology for what you feel has been wrong
That another may have done to you–
Just forgive and forget right away and start new.
Or perhaps it’s you who should apologize;
Remember, waiting breaks fellowship and is really unwise.
Jesus said, “Whenever you stand praying, forgive.”
You’ll find that it’s freeing and the best way to live.

P. A. Oltrogge

“And Jesus answered saying to them, ‘Have faith in God. Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it shall be granted him. Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they shall be granted you. And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your transgressions. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions.'”

Mark 11:22-26

There are things in this world that may grab your attention,
But give greater thought to what Jesus did mention–
That life more abundant can be yours every day;
And that will increase if you take time to pray.
Give it your heart and give it your all–
Remember that, for you, there’s no greater call.
The things of this world–its gadgets and inventions,
Can never compete with all of God’s intentions,
Which are wrought by you through prayers effective and fervent,
Impacting lives–through prayer, you’re His servant.

P. A. Oltrogge

“Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.”

James 5:16-18 (New King James)

First Easter by Pauline Voorhees Eikenberry

Jesus Christ of Nazareth had taken His destined place
On a cruel cross upon a hill–for the task He’d been born to face.
His sinless life had made Him the chosen Lamb of God–
Though now He sits at God’s right hand and bears a Shepherd’s rod.
Three days after Christ’s burial, and just at the brink of dawn,
Some, in love, had come to the tomb and had found that His body was gone.
But the pain of their grief concerning His death had then given way
To amazing angelic tidings on that glorious Resurrection day!
Jesus, the Man on the center cross, on the hill of crucifixion had been
The focus of God’s judgement upon all of mankind’s sin.
But now, with joy, the angels reminded that just as He had said,
Jesus, God’s Son, had risen in victory, up from the dead!
His Father’s gracious plan of redemption for all people had been met;
And, therefore, all of their sins, a holy God could now forget!
There’s just one requirement remaining; and it’s your choice–
To believe in your heart He’s Savior, and confess it with your voice.
Angels rejoice in heaven over one sinner who’ll repent,
And put their faith in Jesus Christ–the One Whom God has sent.

P. A. Oltrogge

“…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….”  Romans 3:23-24

“For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”  Romans 10:10

“In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”  Luke 15:10 (NASB)

“For He says: ‘In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you.’ Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”  2 Corinthians 6:2

“Therefore, I will divide Him a portion with the great, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong, because He poured out His soul unto death, and He was numbered with the transgressors, and He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”
Isaiah 53:12

Scriptures:  NKJV or as noted

Resurrection references: Matthew 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 20