WHEN THE ENEMY COMES IN…

BARBARA E. PERKINS

WHEN THE ENEMY COMES IN…
When the enemy comes in like a flood, what do you do?  Do you handle it yourself or do you pray to get wisdom and directions from the LORD?   God’s word answers those questions in Philippians 4:6, telling us not be anxious about anything, but to pray.  Then in John 15:7, God’s word commands us to live by His word and He will answer our prayers.
 
The word of God in Isaiah 59:14-19 (NKJV), gives us a brief glimpse into our world today.  The Amplified Bible also paints a vivid picture of the following Scriptures, which I believe depict our world. “JUSTICE IS TURNED BACK, and righteousness stands afar off; TRUTH HAS FALLEN IN THE STREETS, and EQUITY CANNOT ENTER.  15 SO TRUTH FAILS, and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey.  THEN THE LORD SAW IT, AND IT DISPLEASED HIM THAT THERE WAS NO JUSTICE.  16 He saw that there was no man, and wondered that THERE WAS NO INTERCESSOR; therefore, HIS OWN ARM BROUGHT SALVATION FOR HIM; and HIS OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS, IT SUSTAINED HIM.  17 For He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on His head; He put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak. 18 ACCORDING TO THEIR DEEDS, ACCORDINGLY HE WILL REPAY, FURY TO HIS ADVERSARIES, RECOMPENSE TO HIS ENEMIES; the coastlands He will fully repay.  19 So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun; WHEN THE ENEMY COMES IN LIKE A FLOOD, THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD WILL LIFT UP A STANDARD AGAINST HIM.”  Things are out of control in our world, but THE LORD, THE GREAT I AM said, He will take care of us.  I trust Him!  He is our righteousness and our salvation just as His Son, Jesus Christ is (2 Corinthians 5:21 and John 3:16).  LORD, help us to be the intercessors You call us to be.  I trust You, LORD GOD and I trust Your Son, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Would you like to be saved and develop a relationship with God as your Heavenly Father?  If you would really like to know God, invite His Son, Jesus Christ, into your heart.  Please pray this prayer:  Dear God, please forgive me of my sins.  I believe in my heart that Jesus Christ is Your Son.  I believe that He died on the cross, shed His blood, and rose from the grave for my salvation.  I confess Jesus right now as my Savior and Lord.  God fill me with your Holy Spirit so that I can live a life that pleases You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!  If you prayed this prayer and really meant it, based on Roman 10:9-10, you are saved.  Welcome into God’s Family!

IT’S THE SECRET PLACE! Part 2

BARBARA E. PERKINS

IT’S THE SECRET PLACE!
Part 2
Where do we go to escape when there is no place to go to escape?  Where do we find that Secret Place when the world around us is falling apart?  We seek Almighty God, Who is El Shaddai’s (The All Sufficient God) Secret Dwelling Place which is in His powerful word.  We must read, meditate, pray, and believe God’s word because He causes His word to manifest in our lives.  In Isaiah 55:11 (NKJV), God’s word said, “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.”  Then in Jeremiah 1:12 God said this about His word, “Then the Lord said to me, ‘You have seen well, for I am ready (watching) to perform My word.’”  God is ready to perform His word on our behalf when we seek Him. 

The word of God in Psalms 91:9-16 declares more abundant blessings as a result of us living His Secret Place.  9 BECAUSE YOU HAVE MADE the LORD, WHO is my REFUGE, even the MOST HIGH, YOUR DWELLING PLACE, 10 NO EVIL SHALL BEFALL YOU, NOR SHALL ANY PLAGUE COME NEAR YOUR DWELLING; 11 FOR HE SHALL GIVE HIS ANGELS CHARGE OVER YOU, TO KEEP YOU IN ALL YOUR WAYS.”  Is the LORD your dwelling place?  Do you spend time with the LORD, in reading His word, in prayer and in being grateful for how He has blessed you and those you love?  If you are alive, you have something to be grateful for.  We have to make the LORD our dwelling place.  WHY?  It's because the Most High God's profound, loving protection for us.  The Mighty One, the LORD said, “No evil shall happen to us, no plague shall come near us, resulting in the LORD giving His angels charge over us to keep us...” 

12 “In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
13 You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, the young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.  14 ‘Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him on high, because he has known My name.”  In verse 13, the LORD confirms that we have victory over our enemies as a result of living in His Secret Place.  Do you really love the LORD?  Verse 14 said, because of our love for the LORD and because we have known His name (the power of His name), He will deliver and elevate us.  Our deliverance is tied to us loving and knowing the LORD.
 15 “He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. 16 With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation.’”  Living in God’s Secret Dwelling Place, knowing Him and loving Him yields God’s abundant provisions for us.  In verse 15, God’s word promised, when we call on the Him, then He will answer us, He will be with us in trouble, deliver us and honor us.  My LORD, My LORD, My LORD, Your powerful word is our sustenance.  Finally, verse 16 reveals the special love that Almighty God (El Shaddai) has for His people when He said, “With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation” (John 3:16 and Romans 10:9,13).  Hallelujah to the LORD!!!  God’s Secret Place is so totally awesome, but we have to choose to live there. 

Would you like to be saved and develop a relationship with God as your Heavenly Father?  If you would really like to know God, invite His Son, Jesus Christ, into your heart.  Please pray this prayer:  Dear God, please forgive me of my sins.  I believe in my heart that Jesus Christ is Your Son.  I believe that He died on the cross, shed His blood, and rose from the grave for my salvation.  I confess Jesus right now as my Savior and Lord.  God fill me with your Holy Spirit so that I can live a life that pleases You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!  If you prayed this prayer and really meant it, based on Roman 10:9-10, you are saved.  Welcome into God’s Family!

IT’S THE SECRET PLACE! Part 1

BARBARA E. PERKINS

IT’S THE SECRET PLACE!
Part 1
Oh, how I love God’s powerful, comforting word.  It’s dessert to my heart and soul.
Have you ever wanted to escape to a place where you could feel safe and secure?  Wouldn’t it be wonderful right now, to be able to get in your car, or jump on a plane, or just take a cruise to escape this Coronavirus Pandemic Era?  Is there actually a Secret Place where we can hide out until this Pandemic Era has passed?  There is definitely a Secret Place that we can escape too.  That Secret Place is in God and His word, IF we put our trust in Him.  That Secret Place is found in Psalms 91 (NKJV). 1 “He who dwells in the SECRET PLACE of the MOST HIGH shall abide under the shadow of THE ALMIGHTY.”  EL ELYON is one of the redemptive names of God found in this Scripture and it means “THE GOD MOST HIGH” or “THE MIGHTY ONE.”  EL SHADDAI is another redemptive name of God, also found in this Scripture and it means “THE ALMIGHTY GOD” or “He, Who is all sufficient; God, Who is more than enough to meet our need in any situation.  El Elyon, The Mighty One, says if we dwell (live) in His Secret Place, we shall (can/must) abide (remain stable) under El Shaddai, Almighty God’s shadow because He is the One Who is ALL SUFFICIENT for us.  There are tremendous eternal benefits to living in God’s Secret Place because God’s word promises us eternal life, IF we have made His Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord (John 3:16-17).  IF we choose not to make Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord, there are regrettable consequences found in the book of Revelation 20:11-15.  While we are living in God’s Secret Place, if we happen to exit this world, for whatever reason, we are assured of living throughout eternity in heaven with Almighty God and Jesus Christ (Revelation 21:1-8).   

 2 “I WILL SAY of the LORD, ‘He is my Refuge and my Fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.’” We have to SAY WHO THE LORD IS TO US.  He is my REFUGE, my FORTRESS, my GOD.”  He is the ONE I put my trust in.  3 “Surely, He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence.”  LORD GOD, I thank You for Your word and I am trusting YOU to deliver my family and me from all the traps and pestilence of our enemies, including the Coronavirus.  4 “He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler (protection/defense).”  LORD, I thank you for being our refuge, our covering and shielding my family and me with Your loving protection, as well as helping us to live in Your truth.  5 “You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, 6 Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.”  My GOD, YOUR protection for us is beyond AWESOME morning, noon and night; therefore, we are not afraid, even though the world is falling apart. 7 “A THOUSAND MAY FALL AT YOUR SIDE, AND TEN THOUSAND AT YOUR RIGHT HAND; BUT IT SHALL NOT COME NEAR YOU.”  LORD, although my heart cries out in agony for the lost, again, I Thank YOU, for Your DIVINE PROTECTION.  HALLELUJAH!!! 8 “Only with your eyes shall you look, and see the REWARD of the wicked.”  God’s word reminds us in Hebrews 11:6, that He is also a Rewarder of the Faithful.

 Oh, the things you can find in God’s Secret Place.  It’s a Secret Place because some people never find it.  This Secret Place is carefully and strategically hidden between the Books of Genesis and Revelation.  I challenge you to find and consume all you can in God’s Secret Place.  “Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; for I am called by Your name, O LORD God of hosts” (Jeremiah 15:16). God has a Secret Place for us.  Selah (Pause, and calmly think of that)!

Would you like to be saved and develop a relationship with God as your Heavenly Father?  If you would really like to know God, invite His Son, Jesus Christ, into your heart.  Please pray this prayer:  Dear God, please forgive me of my sins.  I believe in my heart that Jesus Christ is Your Son.  I believe that He died on the cross, shed His blood, and rose from the grave for my salvation.  I confess Jesus right now as my Savior and Lord.  God fill me with your Holy Spirit so that I can live a life that pleases You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!  If you prayed this prayer and really meant it, based on Roman 10:9-10, you are saved.  Welcome into God’s Family!

HAS GOD CHANGED HIS EXPECTATIONS FOR US?

BARBARA E. PERKINS

HAS GOD CHANGED HIS EXPECTATIONS FOR US?
Has the LORD GOD changed His expectations for us?  The LORD empathically confirmed His expectations for us in Malachi 3:6 (NKJV), “For I am the LORD, I do not change…”  God’s word in Hebrews 13:8 said, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”  God’s word declares in Romans 12:1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”  There is an account in the Old Testament Book of Judges Chapter 13-16, about a man named Samson.  The LORD had very high expectations for Samson’s life; however, by the time we get to chapter 16 we find that Samson’s life had dangerously, deviated from the LORD’s plan.   He was a judge over Israel for twenty years in the days of the Philistines.  But, by the end of his life, Samson                                had strayed away from the LORD and had become ensnared in a web of deceit cultivated by his enemies, Delilah and the Philistines.  It was so much so that Samson did not realize that the power of the LORD that had controlled His life and made him victorious was gone (Judges 16:20-21).  We see the mercy of God in Judges 16:28 when Samson prayed and the LORD vindicated him.  Does any of Samson’s life remind you of God’s Church today?

Is the LORD still looking for a Church without spot or wrinkle today?  In Ephesians 5:26-26 God’s word reveals to us what He is looking for in His Church, “That He (God) might sanctify and cleanse her (His Church) with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she (the Church) should be holy (set apart) and without blemish.  Is the LORD expecting us to obey His word today?  God’s word in James 1:22 said, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, DECEIVING YOURSELVES.”  God, in His infinite wisdom, knew at some point in our lives we would miss the mark.  That’s why He gave us 1 John 1:9, so that we would REPENT, PRAY and BE FORGIVEN.  Does God consider His word relevant to us today?  I believe that Almighty God has a lot to say about the relevancy of His word today, as confirmed in Psalm 119:89-90, “Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven.  Your faithfulness endures to all generations; You established the earth, and it abides.”  In Isaiah 40:8 God’s word said it this way, “The grass withers, the flower fades, BUT THE WORD OF OUR GOD STANDS FOREVER.”

There is another example in the Old Testament in the Book of Genesis Chapter 6-9 that confirms the fact that God does not change His expectations for His people.  Similar to today, yet different, this was also a time when the whole world shut down because it rained for 40 days and 40 nights.  The people of that day who had a steadfast focus on God, listened to Him and climbed into God’s Ark of protection.  Those who were concerned about the daily mundane routine, apparently didn’t have time for the LORD.  They just waited for the rain to stop—probably to get back to their normal.  During the flood there was only one way the people were going to survive.  They had to listen to God’s word (as delivered by Noah, “Preacher of Righteousness,” 2Peter 2:5) and they had to obey God’s word.  That was the only means of survival for them.  Is that our only way of surviving this coronavirus pandemic?  God’s word declared to us, “I am the LORD and I do not change...”  SO TODAY, WHO DO YOU THINK WILL HAVE TO CHANGE?  IT’S NOT GOD!  But, God loves us so much that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to save us.

Would you like to be saved and develop a relationship with God as your Heavenly Father?  If you would really like to know God, invite His Son, Jesus Christ, into your heart.  Please pray this prayer:  Dear God, please forgive me of my sins.  I believe in my heart that Jesus Christ is Your Son.  I believe that He died on the cross, shed His blood, and rose from the grave for my salvation.  I confess Jesus right now as my Savior and Lord.  God fill me with your Holy Spirit so that I can live a life that pleases You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!  If you prayed this prayer and really meant it, based on Roman 10:9-10, you are saved.  Welcome into God’s Family!

GETTING BACK TO NORMAL Part 2

BARBARA E. PERKINS

GETTING BACK TO NORMAL
Part 2
What is normal?  Some people are asking where is God during this coronavirus pandemic?  They are probably anxious to get back to normal.  GOD’S WORD ANSWERS that previous question, “…I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).  Numbers 23:19 declares, “GOD IS NOT A MAN, THAT HE SHOULD LIE, nor a son of man, that He should repent.  Has He said, and will He not do?  Or HAS HE SPOKEN, and WILL HE NOT MAKE IT GOOD?”  God is right where He has always been, WAITING ON US.  Since God didn’t leave us, then we must have left Him long before our nation found itself in the midst of the worse disaster in history—this coronavirus pandemic.  We were possibly too caught up in our normal to realize we had rushed past the LORD, maybe months or years ago, and forgot to wait on Him.  Isaiah, the prophet, said it this way in Isaiah 40:31, “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.”  The Psalmist David said (Psalms 37:7), “Rest in the LORD, and WAIT patiently for Him…”  Now that the LORD has our attention, we need to pray and seek His face—His way of doing things and living.  Our normal is lacking so much.  Genesis 1:26 said, we were created in God’s image and likeness.  We were not created in God’s image and likeness to develop the kind of unjust society that we are living in right now.  Proverbs 3:27 shows the compassionate nature of God and what He expects of us.  “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so.”  1 John 4:7, 11 says, “God is love” and “…If God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”  Jesus Christ’s sacrifice is a testimony of God’s love for us (John 3:16).  God’s nature is love and that should be our nature as well.  Do we have the God kind of love—agape love?  Do we have unselfish love for each other?  Is this love part of our normal?  I believe the LORD is waiting on us to repent and pray, right now, before it is too late.  LORD, have mercy on the poor, needy, the widows, the fatherless and the blue-collar workers in this nation whose needs are rarely met or even considered.  God’s word in Psalms 140:12 helps us to understand His concerns, “I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and justice for the poor.”  LORD GOD, please forgive us and have mercy on this nation.  I pray that You will give us (this nation) the desire to pursue justice for all of its people.  Heavenly Father, save us (this nation) from ourselves and our poor choices, before we implode.  We need You, LORD!  Please have mercy on us and help us to strive to be better than our past normal.  In Jesus Christ’s Powerful Name! Amen!

Would you like to be saved and develop a relationship with God as your Heavenly Father?  If you would really like to know God, invite His Son, Jesus Christ, into your heart.  Please pray this prayer:  Dear God, please forgive me of my sins.  I believe in my heart that Jesus Christ is Your Son.  I believe that He died on the cross, shed His blood, and rose from the grave for my salvation.  I confess Jesus right now as my Savior and Lord.  God fill me with your Holy Spirit so that I can live a life that pleases You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!  If you prayed this prayer and really meant it, based on Roman 10:9-10, you are saved.  Welcome into God’s Family!

GETTING BACK TO NORMAL Part 1

BARBARA E. PERKINS

GETTING BACK TO NORMAL
Part 1
What is normal?  What many accept as normal is not pleasing to God.  All people are very important in God’s plan, but for some reason that is not what happens in our normal society.  …And that’s normal.  God’s word in Deuteronomy 16: 19 (NKJV) declares, “You shall not pervert justice; you shall not show partiality, nor take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous.”  In the Book of James 2:1-4 God’s word is also confirmed, “My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. 2 For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, 3 and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, ‘You sit here in a good place,’ and say to the poor man, ‘You stand there,’ or, ‘Sit here at my footstool,’” 4 have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?”  Then Colossians 3:25 continues with these sharp words, “But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.”  Yet, we see partiality in the way people are being dealt with every day and on every level during the coronavirus pandemic.  Our healthcare workers, first responders, sanitation workers, those working in meat packing companies, grocery stores, the postal service and other critical workers providing a service on the front lines during this pandemic are overworked, underpaid and understaffed.  Many of them are working in unsafe conditions, putting their very lives in peril, as well as that of their families and communities.  Many of the doctors and nurses are literally crying because of the coronavirus produced trauma, fatigue, inadequate working conditions, plus lack of supplies and equipment.  The deadly neglect in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, across this nation, during this coronavirus pandemic is unconscionable.  Thus, they need the cooperation of this entire nation and our prayers to be able to successfully do their jobs.  This has become normal.  Our brave veterans have dedicated years of their lives, many sacrificing their lives or limbs to protect the U. S. A.  Yet, the medical and other services provided for them, so badly needed, are lacking.  That’s this nation’s normal.  It’s sinful!!!    Another challenge, there are states in the U. S. A. where drinking water is unsafe to drink because of pollution.  This has been a problem in several states for years with Michigan, California and New Jersey topping the list and it is appalling.  In addition, there are so many other harmful environmental issues affecting our air, land and sea. Unfortunately, it has become our normal.  Then, there are all these other little and big things that mess up our normal, like bigotry, factions and pride.  I don’t believe that Almighty God is pleased with the normal that we are trying to go back too. His word 1 Cor. 3:19-20 admonishes us, “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, ‘He catches the wise in their own craftiness;’ 20 and again, ‘The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.’”  We, as a nation, are in a very bad place right now, therefore we need to repent and pray to God, so that He will have mercy on us and answer our prayers (2 Chronicles 2:14).  LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, we so desperately need You to heal our land and reverse the course of the coronavirus.  LORD GOD, please have mercy on us and our nation.  In Jesus Christ’s Powerful Name!  Amen!

Would you like to be saved and develop a relationship with God as your Heavenly Father?  If you would really like to know God, invite His Son, Jesus Christ, into your heart.  Please pray this prayer:  Dear God, please forgive me of my sins.  I believe in my heart that Jesus Christ is Your Son.  I believe that He died on the cross, shed His blood, and rose from the grave for my salvation.  I confess Jesus right now as my Savior and Lord.  God fill me with your Holy Spirit so that I can live a life that pleases You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!  If you prayed this prayer and really meant it, based on Roman 10:9-10, you are saved.  Welcome into God’s Family!

PLEASE, DON’T BE ANGRY WITH GOD!

BARBARA E. PERKINS

PLEASE, DON’T BE ANGRY WITH GOD!
We are living during extraordinary times on so many different levels.  We absolutely need Almighty God, El Shaddai, Who is all sufficient and more than enough to meet our needs in any situation.  We desperately need The LORD on our side, not just now, but always.  Opposing the Creator of mankind, The King of the Universe, is not good for us.  Let’s examine God’s word to try and understand why this is so important in our world today.  In the word of God in Jeremiah 18:3-13 (NKJV), God takes Jeremiah, the prophet, down to the potter’s house to teach him about the ways of God’s people.  “3 Then I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was, making something at the wheel. 4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter; so, he made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make.  5 Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying:  6 ‘O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter?,’ says the Lord. ‘Look, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel! 7 The instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, to pull down, and to destroy it, 8 IF THAT NATION AGAINST WHOM I HAVE SPOKEN TURNS FROM ITS EVIL, I WILL RELENT OF THE DISASTER THAT I THOUGHT TO BRING UPON IT. 9 And the instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it,  10 IF IT DOES EVIL IN MY SIGHT SO THAT IT DOES NOT OBEY MY VOICE, THEN I WILL RELENT CONCERNING THE GOOD WITH WHICH I SAID I WOULD BENEFIT IT.’  11 ‘Now therefore, speak to the men of Judah and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Thus, says the Lord: Behold, I am fashioning a disaster and devising a plan against you. RETURN NOW EVERYONE FROM HIS EVIL WAY, AND MAKE YOUR WAYS AND YOUR DOINGS GOOD.’ 12 And THEY SAID, ‘That is hopeless! So, WE WILL WALK ACCORDING TO OUR OWN PLANS, and WE WILL EVERYONE (DO) THE DICTATES (STUBBORNNESS) OF HIS EVIL HEART.’  13 Therefore THUS SAID THE LORD: ‘Ask now among the Gentiles, WHO HAS HEARD SUCH THINGS?  The virgin of Israel has done a very horrible thing.’”  The LORD, YAHWEH, I AM, The God Who Always Is (Present Tense), was not pleased with His people because they rebelled against Him.  The people did not consider ALL that the LORD had done for them.  So, they were angry, bitter and noncompliant with their Creator.  WHO HAS HEARD SUCH THINGS AS WHAT WE ARE EXPERIENCING TODAY?   God’s word in Psalms 121:2, 5-8 declares, 2 “My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.”  5 “The Lord is your keeper (Protector); The Lord is your shade at your right hand.  6 The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.  7 The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul.  8 The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore.”  Who is going to protect us IF we get angry with God?  In 1 Peter 5:8-9 God’s word commands us, “8 Be sober (self-controlled), be vigilant(watchful); because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.  9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.”  Don’t give the enemy an opportunity to devour you.  James 4:7 said it this way, “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”  Then John 10:10 JESUS DECLARED, “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.”  When we don’t understand what is happening around us, let’s look to God and His word (Deuteronomy 29:29). There is never a good reason to be angry with God, our Creator, or His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.  God is so full of love and mercy for us.

Would you like to be saved and develop a relationship with God as your Heavenly Father?  If you would really like to know God, invite His Son, Jesus Christ, into your heart.  Please pray this prayer:  Dear God, please forgive me of my sins.  I believe in my heart that Jesus Christ is Your Son.  I believe that He died on the cross, shed His blood, and rose from the grave for my salvation.  I confess Jesus right now as my Savior and Lord.  God fill me with your Holy Spirit so that I can live a life that pleases You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!  If you prayed this prayer and really meant it, based on Roman 10:9-10, you are saved.  Welcome into God’s Family!