THE BATTLE IS NOT YOURS!

BARBARA E. PERKINS

THE BATTLE IS NOT YOURS!

I love the wisdom that comes from God’s word and it is always a special delight, as well as inspirational reading 2Chronicles Chapter 20 (NKJV). When up against unbelievable odds, King Jehoshaphat of Judah, SOUGHT the LORD. The King put himself (and his people) in a position to hear from the LORD. In 2 Chronicles 20:14-18, 22 God’s word says, 14 “Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel… 15 And he said, ‘Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat!’ Thus says the LORD to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, FOR THE BATTLE IS NOT YOURS, BUT GOD’S. 16 Tomorrow go down against them… 17 YOU WILL NOT NEED TO FIGHT IN THIS BATTLE. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem! Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the LORD is with you.’ 18 And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem bowed before the LORD, worshiping the LORD.” 22 “Now when they began to sing and to praise, THE LORD SET UP AMBUSHES AGAINST THE PEOPLE of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; AND THEY WERE DEFEATED.” What are we going to do when the odds are great against us and we need an answer from the LORD? We must seek the LORD (YAHWEH, the same God that ALWAYS IS!). We must position ourselves to hear from Him for the answers that we need, then we must trust the LORD for His faithfulness, mercy and goodness. Oh, the comfort in knowing that the LORD GOD can handle our battles and He doesn’t want us fearful nor worried. Thank You, LORD!

Would you like to know God as your Heavenly Father and come to know His Son, Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord? If you would, please pray this prayer: Dear God, I believe in my heart that Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe that Jesus died on the cross, shed His blood, and rose from the grave for my salvation. I confess Him 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 you are saved. Welcome into God’s Family!

IN PURSUIT OF GOD’S FAVOR!

BARBARA E. PERKINS

IN PURSUIT OF GOD’S FAVOR!

In Proverbs 3:1-4 (NKJV) God’s word compassionately commands us in the following manner, “My son (or daughter), do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; 2 For length of days and long life and peace they will add to you. 3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, 4 AND SO FIND FAVOR AND HIGH ESTEEM IN THE SIGHT OF GOD AND MAN.” How can I understand how to live my life according to what is pleasing to God, IF I DON’T READ HIS WORD? How can we understand how to live our lives according to what is pleasing to God, IF WE DON’T READ HIS WORD? How do we pursue God’s favor? Almighty God says empathically, “Don’t forget my law (His word), but keep my commands (whatever I have told you to do).” Knowing God’s word and living by His word has tremendous benefits. God says, “Length of days, long life and peace will be added to you (us).” Then He says WE MUST BE GUIDED BY MERCY and TRUTH, (hang them on your neck and write them on your heart, in other words, keep them before your face. Memorize them so that we will know what to believe, as well as how to act and react. God has just briefly outlined for us how to pursue—find favor and high esteem in His sight, as well as man. God is so AWESOME!!! Are you willing to be in pursuit of God’s favor? I am!

Would you like to know God as your Heavenly Father and come to know His Son, Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord? If you do, pray this prayer: Dear God, I believe in my heart that Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe that Jesus died on the cross, shed His blood, and rose from the grave for my salvation. I confess Him 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 you are saved. Welcome into God’s Family!

WHAT TO DO DAILY, WHILE TRUSTING GOD!

BARBARA E. PERKINS

WHAT TO DO DAILY, WHILE TRUSTING GOD!

 God’s word admonishes us daily on what to do while trusting Him and we see the answer in Proverbs 3:5-8 (NKJV), 5 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil. 8 It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones.” While trusting God, I have to believe that what He said in His word is true, in spite of the circumstances. I have to acknowledge that God has all the answers to whatever I am dealing with and start thanking Him for the answers that I need, even before they manifest. I have to thank God for His love, mercy and grace, as well as for all the nuggets that I find in His word that are guiding me down the right paths. I have to purpose to be humble and living a life that is pleasing to God, honoring Him with respect at all times because I don’t want to ever become a reproach to His name. God says that if I do these things, I can be healthy. It does not mean that I can’t come under attack by the enemy. It means that whatever circumstances should come my way, God’s word will takeover just as the example in verse 8 promises, “IT WILL BE HEALTH TO YOUR (MY) FLESH, AND STRENGTH TO YOUR (MY) BONES.” Hallelujah, all glory and honor to my FAITHFUL GOD!!! While trusting God daily for the answers to my prayers, I am going to READ His POWERFUL WORD, MEDITATE on His POWERFUL WORD and BELIEVE His POWERFUL WORD. God is FAITHFUL and TRUSTWORTHY!

Would you like to invite God’s Son, Jesus Christ, into your heart and experience a wonderful relationship with God and with Jesus Christ? If you do, pray this prayer: Dear God, I believe in my heart that Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe that Jesus died on the cross, shed His blood, and rose from the grave for my salvation. I confess Him 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 you are saved. Welcome into God’s Family!

WHO IS GOD, “I AM,” TO ME?

BARBARA E. PERKINS

WHO IS GOD, “I AM,” TO ME?

The LORD GOD is “I AM” to me—YAHWEH. He “always is” what I need in the midst of any situation. The following familiar Scriptures give a glimpse into some of the powerful attributes of this magnificent, incredible GOD that I love and serve. The word of God in Psalm 18:1-3 (KJV) proclaims, “I will love thee, O Lord, my strength. 2 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. 3 I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.” Then Psalm 91:1-2 boldly declares, “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, He is my REFUGE and my FORTRESS: my GOD; in him will I TRUST.” Who is the LORD GOD, “I AM,” to me? As the Scriptures attest to the LORD GOD—YAHWEH is everything to me and in any situation! He is my Rock, my Fortress, my Deliverer, my God, my Strength, my Buckler (protection), my Refuge, my Salvation and my High Tower (protection). The LORD GOD can be all of these things in your life also, and so much more.

Would you like to invite God’s Son, Jesus Christ, into your heart and experience a wonderful relationship with God and with Jesus Christ? If you do pray this prayer: Dear God, I believe in my heart that Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe that Jesus died on the cross, shed His blood, and rose from the grave for my salvation. I confess Him 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 you are saved. Welcome to God’s Family!