KNOWING GOD

BARBARA E. PERKINS

KNOWING GOD

If prayer and God’s word are our last option and we employ them only when something bad happens, we need to ask ourselves, “Do I really know God?” God’s word in Hebrews 13:5-6 says, “…I will never leave you nor forsake you. So that we may boldly say: The LORD is my helper; I will not fear.” Then in Romans 8:28, 31, 35-39 God’s word says “28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” “35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written: ‘For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.’ 37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 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.” God is love! He loves us. My Heavenly Father, God, is really good all the time and so is Jesus Christ, His Son. I love God and I love Jesus Christ, my Savior and Lord. I can count on them all the time, in everyday situations in my life—large or small. I thank God for the power of His word and prayer because they have worked in my life and the lives of my family countless times. We truly get to know God through HIS WORD and PRAYER (talking to Him about what concerns us). God has proven HIMSELF and His Son, Jesus, to be everything we will ever need. HE is an AWESOME GOD!!!

BLESS THE LORD!

BARBARA E. PERKINS

BLESS THE LORD!

Psalm 103 was written by the David, the Psalmist. In this Psalm David commands his soul to bless the LORD because he had a personal knowledge of God’s goodness, mercy and grace. In Psalm 103:1-2 God’s word speaks through the Psalmist David. “Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits…” When I look back over my life and all that the LORD has done for me, I, like David, begin to bless the LORD. I command my soul to bless the LORD. I have to thank Him and praise Him. How can I not bless the LORD, my Redeemer? How can I not thank the LORD, my Healer? How can I not bless Him, my deliverer? The LORD has blessed me with a beautiful family. How can I, not bless the LORD for all that He has done for me? The LORD is truly AWESOME and I bless His Holy name.

A FEW OF THE LORD'S REMINDERS

CHARLES H. PERKINS

A  FEW OF THE LORD'S REMINDERS

(Jeremiah 1:8) Do not be afraid of their faces, For I am with you to deliver you,” says the Lord.
(Ezekiel 16:62) And I will establish My covenant with you. Then you shall know that I am the Lord,
(Haggai 1:13) Then Haggai, the Lord’s messenger, spoke the Lord’s message to the people, saying, “I am with you, says the Lord.”
(Matthew 28:20) …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.
(Hebrews 13:5)…For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
(John 10:10) 10 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.
(John 10:27-30) 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. 30 I and My Father are one.”
(Ephesians 4:30) 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
(Philippians 1:6)… 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;
(Matthew 11:28) Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
(Psalm 91:14-16) 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. 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.”
(Romans 8:37-39) 37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 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.
(Philippians 4:6-7) 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

MY LORD AND MY GOD

Charles H. Perkins

MY LORD AND MY GOD
(Proverbs 3:5-6) “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.”

Lord, there are those times in my life when in feel so inadequate; so empty and unconnected to You and Your will. There are times when I just don’t know what to do. I thank You, Lord for those times. It is in those times that You remind me to trust in You. You remind me that You are always with me. You remind me that when I don’t know what to do, You do know what to do. You remind me that what is impossible for man is possible for You. In my weakness, You are strong. You remind me that my connection with you, my salvation, is not based on how I feel. It is based on the truth of Your Word and Your love for me. I thank You for all that You are and all that I am because of You. I love You, Lord. I love YOU!!!