“Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law.” Psalm 119:18 NKJV
Lord, reveal to us something more, in reading accounts from the Old… and from the New Testaments, let wondrous things be told.
Thank You for speaking to us individually by Your Holy Spirit within.. for there are many Biblical examples which say that we can win.
The man with the withered hand, the woman with the issue of blood… The man lowered from a roof, who was healed, Noah’s protection from the flood.
Lepers and those who were blind, those who were unable to hear… many received their healing, Jesus, when they believed You and drew near.
David obliterated a mocking giant by faith that the battle was Yours. And there are Biblical accounts of Your angels opening prison doors.
You cast out demons that had people bound, You stilled the angry sea. You taught and gave us authority over all the power of the enemy.
Enlighten our minds and hearts as we meditate upon Your Word… Guide us by its light–thereby, we’ll walk in faith and always rest assured.
P. A. Oltrogge
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105 KJV
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6
“Do not envy the oppressor, and choose none of his ways; for the perverse person is an abomination to the Lord, but His secret counsel is with the upright.” Proverbs 3:31-32
“Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Luke 10:19
“Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.” …words of David in 1 Samuel 17:47
“Thus says the Lord who made it, the Lord who formed it to establish it (the Lord is His name): ‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’ Jeremiah 33:2-3
“Now to Him who is able to do exceedinglyabundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21
““Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.” 2 Corinthians 2:14
“The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; By understanding He established the heavens; By His knowledge the depths were broken up, and clouds drop down the dew.” Proverbs 3:19-20
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
He strengthens me; HE strengthens me…
With each step forward, He strengthens me;
with each step up, He strengthens me.
If I suffer a setback, He strengthens me.
If I feel weak, I’ll resist being distraught…
No, “He strengthens me” must be my thought,
for that is what the scriptures have taught.
This confidence I have, for I’m blood-bought.
So, “Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might,”
just as David found strength in God for a Goliath fight!
P. A. Oltrogge
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 NKJV
“The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.” Habakkuk 3:19 NLT
“He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might, He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:29-31 NKJV
“Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears; Let the weak say, ‘I am strong.’” Joel 3:10 NKJV
“The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.” Psalm 29:11 NIV
“And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.” Matthew 4:23 KJV
“Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.” Acts 20:28 NASB
“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” 3 John 1:2 NKJV
“(The Armor of God) Finally, Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.” Ephesians 6:10 NASB
“Then David said to the Philistine, ‘You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted. This day the Lord will deliver you up into my hands….’” 1 Samuel 17:45-46 NASB
“For by You I can run against a troop; By my God I can leap over a wall.” 2 Samuel 22:30 NKJV
“For You will light my lamp; The Lord my God will enlighten my darkness. For by You I can run against a troop, By my God I can leap over a wall. As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.
“For who is God, except the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God? It is God who arms me with strength, And makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of deer, And sets me on my high places.” Psalm 18:28-33 NKJV
Photos/Pixabay
Postscript: Whatever you have to do, the Lord will see you through!
For “101 Things God Said About Healing,” Old Testament and New, put “101” into the Search bar of this blog for healing scriptures..
“Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths, reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, ‘This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.’ And some of them were persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the leading women, joined Paul and Silas.” Acts 17:1-4
This Jesus… Who suffered and died and rose again from the dead– This Jesus is the Christ, the Chief Cornerstone and Head of His Church.
Through this Jesus… our lives can take on a whole new scope… The Father has provided us new birth into a living hope.
P. A. Oltrogge
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ…” 1 Peter 1:3 NIV
“Therefore, it is also contained in the Scripture, ‘Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.’” 1 Peter 2:6 NKJV (…from 1 Peter 2:4-10)
Psalm 118:22; Isaiah 28:16; Matthew 21:42; Mark 12:10; Luke 20:17; Ephesians 2:19
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The Church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord. She is His new creation, by water and the word. From Heaven He came and sought her to be His holy bride. With His own blood He bought her, and for her life He died.
Hymn author: S. J. Stone
(Acts 20:28; Ephesians 5:25-26)
The above image of Jesus used by permission of artist, Bob Berran
“Blessed is that man who makes the Lord his trust, And does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works Which You have done; And Your thoughts toward us Cannot be recounted to You in order; If I would declare and speak of them, They are more than can be numbered.” Psalm 40:4-5
“But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I maydeclare all Your works.” Psalm 73:28
“In the day of my trouble I will call upon You, For You will answer me. Among the gods there is none like You, O Lord; Nor are there any works like Your works.” Psalm 86:7-8
“Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness.” Psalm 107:8-9
“I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.” Psalm 118:17
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When we declare the works of the Lord over any situation, we’re applying the greatest power…of the Lord of all creation!
In earth, the sky, and seas, His wonderful works are displayed… and His Word is at work within our lives the moment we have prayed.
P. A. Oltrogge
Hold on to what God says; keep saying it, and this will keep you on course. . . WHILE IT RELEASES HIS POWER! (Quote from a message by Dutch Sheets)
“The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry.” Psalm 34:15
“He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3:8
“In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Himthrough faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.” Colossians 2:11-15
“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ…” Philippians 1:3-6
“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13 KJV
“For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13 AMP
“Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” words of Jesus, in Luke 10:19
“Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” James 4:7
“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4
“The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing; It is marvelous in our eyes.” Psalm 118:22-23 (Jesus is our Cornerstone!)
“For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth.” Psalm 139:13-15 NASB
“For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think,according to the power that works in us,to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:14-21
“And he (Jesus) saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!” Matthew 8:26-27 KJV
“But I have a greater witness than John’s; for the works which the Father has given Me to finish—the very works that I do—bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me.” words of Jesus in John 5:36
“So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11
What have you called me to, dear Lord? You’ve called me to live in one accord with You, my God, and with my fellow man. To this I’m called—it’s Your “new command.”
To forgive, to love, and, of course, to serve… to encourage and to bless ‘round every curve in traveling the path on which You lead. To this I’m called, in both word and deed.
P. A. Oltrogge
“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
“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32
“And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, ‘If anyone desires to be first, he should be last of all and servant of all.’” Mark 9:35
“And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.” Mark 11:25-26
“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 12:30-31
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:23-25
“‘So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?’ And he said, ‘He who showed mercy on him.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’” Luke 10:36-37
“And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’” Matthew 25:40
“And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13
Serving through prayer:
“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.” James 5:16-17
“But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” Jesus’ words from Matthew 6, where He goes on to share “The Lord’s Prayer”
“Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart….” Luke 18:1
(All scriptures NKJV)
Parable of the Good Samaritan: Luke 10:25-37; Acts 2:1 and 46 (“with one accord”); Matthew 5:43-48; Matthew 25:31-46; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Picture great crowds, coming to be taught… Picture the sick, whom others had brought. Picture them healed through miracles wrought By Jesus, God’s Son, Whom so many had sought.
Picture a day where the sun was getting low. “Hear” the disciples saying they just didn’t know… How the people would eat—and should be told to go; But picture a lad with loaves and fish that would grow.
“Listen” to Jesus say, “Bring them here to me…” Picture loaves and fish multiplied by His decree, With five thousand being fed, at a cost that was free, And full baskets left over before the disciples put out to sea.
Picture Jesus sending the multitudes away, Going up to the mountain by Himself to pray–- Then joining the disciples, through water and spray, On the fourth watch of the night, just before day.
Picture Peter bravely wanting to join the Lord, Picture him boldly stepping overboard; Then see his faith waver as sea and wind roared– Picture him sinking but, by Christ, being restored.
Picture your own life and remember these things; Remember that “greatness” to small things Christ brings. Look to the Lord for your faith to take wings, As you walk on life’s waters with the King of Kings.
P. A. Oltrogge
Reference: Matthew 14:14-31 (He fed five thousand men, besides women and children)
(In Matthew 15, Jesus again feeds many–four thousand men, plus women and children, from seven loaves of bread and a few fish, with seven baskets left over…)
Then, in Matthew 16:5-12, Jesus speaks to His disciples, warning them against the leaven, or yeast, of the doctrine of the Pharisees and the Sadducees….
“Now when His disciples had come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.’
“And they reasoned among themselves, saying, ‘It is because we have taken no bread.’
“But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, ‘O you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves because you have brought no bread? Do you not yet understand, or remember the five loaves of the five thousand and how many baskets you took up? Nor the seven loaves of the four thousand and how many large baskets you took up? How is it you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread?—but to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’ Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
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The disciples had the miracle-working Son of God to believe, as we do today! Picture Him always at work in your life…
“Again therefore Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life.’” John 8:12
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Father God…evil events in this world point to our need to continually pray
for those who walk in the darkness–who haven’t found Your Son and the Way.
Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life–truly, this world’s light.
Christians are also “lights,” He said, here to direct other souls to what’s right.
Sin has darkened the minds of many people, to not recognize their need…
“Man doesn’t live by bread alone,” but on Your Word, we all must feed.
Jesus gives life abundant and eternal life–when a believer dies, yet he’ll live.
He taught us of Your love, Father–and that we’re to love others and to forgive.
Your Son went about healing, demonstrating Your compassion and grace.
He said to “Have faith in God,” that You’d be with us in whatever we’d face.
So, we believe in Your goodness, Father God, in the midst of evil’s blight.
We keep our trust in Your Word, holding onto it, with a grip of faith that’s tight.
Help us, Father, to be aware of those who are living without Christian hope–
and to tell them of Your love, with an offer of friendship, to help them cope.
For those who have a reverence for God, may Your Holy Spirit open their eyes….
to see Christ throughout the Bible, wherein is the truth that makes us wise.
in His Name, we pray….
Amen
“Then He said to them, ‘O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?’ And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.” Luke 24:25-27 (This Jesus did, while on His walk with Cleopas and another disciple on the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus after His resurrection from the dead…)
ThefearoftheLordisthe beginningofwisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.” Psalm 111:10
“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 (Jesus’ words during the temptation in the wilderness)
“And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 3:15 KJV
“But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:14-17 NLT
“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” John 10:10-11
“So Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Have faith in God.’” Mark 11:22 (faith that can even move mountains…)
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.” John 11:25
“Thomas said to Him, ‘Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life.No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.’ 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. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.’” John 14:5-11
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” words of Jesus in Matthew 5:14-16
“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.” 1 Peter 2:9-10
“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
“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39 KJV (and all of verses 31-39)
Scriptures: NKJV or as noted
Depiction of Jesus, with Cleopas and another disciple on the road to Emmaus…
“Therefore he sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city. And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, ‘Alas, my master! What shall we do?’
“So he answered, ‘Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’ And Elisha prayed, and said, ‘Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.’ Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” 2 Kings 6:14-16
When troubles surround, look to the beauty of a flower. Its magnificence reminds us of our creative God of power, who stands with us against those who would seek to defeat us. At the point of our need, God and angel armies meet us!
There are more who are with us than those who oppose– and our deliverer is the King. From the grave, He arose! There’s no other name under heaven higher on which to call. Jesus Christ is our Redeemer, Mighty God, and Lord of all!
P. A. Oltrogge
“The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my strength, in whom I will trust, my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.” Psalm 18:2 KJV
“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
“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
“Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.
“And He put all things under His 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 1:15-23
“Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them…let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. Thus is the stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone. Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” from Acts 4:8-12
“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
“And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS” Revelation 19:16
Scriptures: NKJV or as noted
“So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” words of Jesus in Matthew 6:28-29
…we earnestly pray for those living in areas of war or persecution, Lord, trusting you to be their deliverer…
“The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord is enthroned as King forever. The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.” Psalm 29:10-11 NIV
Lord, help me to have a thankful heart, even if things seem to have gone wrong, For it’s only by trusting in Your love, that the faith in my heart will remain strong.
Help me to see what’s been good, and how You have touched my days; Then, in thinking upon such things, my words will be given to praise.
Help me to thank You, in faith, for any specific blessing I might desire. Let thankfulness be my “prayer” always, for it’s that which will lift me higher.
And I should thank You in front of problems–there’s benefit and healing in laughter—believing in Your solutions before they’re seen, not waiting to have joy ’til after.
Keep me from forgetting to count blessings, or of thinking only of my own concerns; for it’s in considering the various needs of others, that any discontent turns.
Remind me to look to Your finished work and Your victory for us through the cross. As the Israelites looked at the serpent on a pole, only then were they kept from loss.
Thank You for giving me the example, of earnestly seeking Your Father’s will, so that I may do the same with my own life, seeking His plan to follow and fulfill.
Yes, even if I’ve gone through something hard or have come to a difficult place, help me to thank You for being there with Your presence, Your love, and Your grace.
P. A. Oltrogge
“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.” Psalm 100:4 NKJV
“Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.” Hebrews 13:15 NASB
“I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the Lord.” Psalm 116:17 RSV
“A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.” Proverbs 15:13 NKJV
“All the days of the afflicted are evil, but he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.” Proverbs 15:15 NKJV
“A merry heart does good, like a medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.” Proverbs 17:22 NKJV
“The Lord your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 NKJV
“And the Lord said to Moses, ‘Make a fiery serpent (of bronze) and set it on a pole; and everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live.’” Numbers 21:8 AMP
“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, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13
…in Matthew 15 and Mark 7, we read of a woman whose daughter was demon-possessed:
Great crowds of people came to see Jesus and to hear His every word…
and to possibly receive of the mighty miracles of which they all had heard.
In Matthew 15, we read of a Gentile woman of Tyre and Sidon who came.
Great was her hope to receive, for her daughter, even of crumbs, through Jesus’ name.
When Jesus said that He’d been sent only to the sheep of Israel who were lost,
she spoke with courage–refusing the thought that her daughter should remain storm-tossed.
“Oh, woman, great is your faith. Let it be to you as you desire,” Jesus said.
Likewise, in a trial, we can believe…to see God’s grace to help us through instead.
P. A. Oltrogge
Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, help me!” But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.”
And she said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.
Matthew 15:25-28
Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus….
Hebrews 3:1
Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:14-16
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful….Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.
Hebrews 10:23, 35-36
We walk by faith, not by sight…keep looking to God for things to be made right.
When what you see does not agree with what He has promised, then “be like a tree…”
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8
The Porch of the Lord 