A CHURCH WITHOUT SPOT OR WRINKLE

BARBARA E. PERKINS

A CHURCH WITHOUT SPOT OR WRINKLE  

The word of God in Ephesians 5:27 (NKJV) declares, “…That He (Jesus Christ) might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.”  Lord Jesus, thank You for showing us (the Church) what our Father God expects of us.  Father God, I don’t believe that You would expect of us something that we cannot accomplish in our lives with the power of the Holy Spirit.  Your word states emphatically that You want the spots, wrinkles and blemishes (all sin) out of our lives (as spoken by Your Son, Jesus Christ).  The way to get the sin out of our lives is clearly expressed in Ephesians 5:26: “That He (Jesus Christ) might sanctify (set apart for God/holy) and cleanse her (the Church) with the washing of water by the word…”  Lord Jesus, thank You for revealing to us, the Church how to get cleansed of our sin for God.  1 John 1:8-10 further reinforces how to cleanse the spots and wrinkles from our lives: 8 “If we say that WE HAVE NO SIN, WE DECEIVE OURSELVES, and the truth is not in us. 9 IF WE CONFESS OUR SINS, HE (GOD) IS FAITHFUL AND JUST TO FORGIVE US OUR SINS AND TO CLEANSE US FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS. 10 If we say WE HAVE NOT SINNED, WE MAKE HIM A LIAR and His word is not in us.”  Father God, I am so grateful for Your love, mercy and grace for us.  Thank You for Your powerful word that cleanses the spots, wrinkles and blemishes (all sin) from our lives and prepares the Church for Jesus’ imminent return.  I want to be ready!  How awesome are You, Father God and Jesus Christ, Who is Lord!

  Would you like to know and develop a relationship with God as your Heavenly Father by inviting His Son, Jesus Christ into your heart?  If you would, please pray this prayer:  Dear God, 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 meant it, you are saved.  Welcome into God’s Family!

WHAT MAKES ONE RIGHTEOUS AND WISE?

BARBARA E. PERKINS

WHAT MAKES ONE RIGHTEOUS AND WISE?

The word of God in Proverbs 11:30 (NKJV) declares, “The FRUIT OF THE RIGHTEOUS is a TREE OF LIFE, and HE WHO WINS SOULS IS WISE.”  Lord Jesus, thank You for allowing us to walk in Your righteousness as a result of our Salvation (2 Corinthians 5:21).  Father God, thank You for the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:16, 22-25) that shapes our Christian character and produces the fruit of the righteous as a part of our sanctification after Salvation.  I am so grateful for Salvation that grants believers eternal life/the ability to live forever in Your presence, Father God and in Your Kingdom with Jesus Christ forever.  I remember Your word (Genesis 2:9, 16-17, 3:22-24) that reveals the tree in the Garden of Eden called the Tree of Life that Adam and Eve could have eaten from and lived forever, had they not sinned.  So, the fruit that the righteous possess, through Jesus Christ, is a Tree of Life that leads to eternal life.  The Amplified Bible provides insight about the second half of the Scripture in the following manner: “And he who is wise captures and wins souls [for God—he gathers them for eternity].”  I can see that the fruit of the righteous is a tree of life because the righteous is full of Your Holy Spirit and has Your heart, Father God, when we purpose to live a life that pleases You.  He (or she) is wise and deliberate about wanting to win souls for Your Kingdom while there is still time.  LORD, HELP US TO BE WISE ABOUT WINNING SOULS FOR YOUR KINGDOM.  Thank You, Lord Jesus for sacrificing Your life to win my soul, as well as the souls of others.  What a blessing to see others coming to Jesus Christ, my Savior and Lord and into Your Kingdom, Father God.  LORD GOD, thank You for revealing to us in Your word what makes one righteous and wise.  Praise Your Holy Name!

Would you like to know and develop a relationship with God as your Heavenly Father by inviting His Son, Jesus Christ into your heart?  If you would, please pray this prayer:  Dear God, 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 meant it, you are saved.  Welcome into God’s Family!

HOW’S DO I PLEASE GOD?

BARBARA E. PERKINS

HOW’S DO I PLEASE GOD?

The word of God in Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV) declares, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” God, Who is so full of mercy and grace, tells us in His powerful word just how to please Him. I have to start with the following premise: IT’S IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE GOD WITHOUT FAITH IN HIM!!! My FAITH MUST ACCEPT that GOD DOES EXIST and that HE REWARDS THOSE THAT DILIGENTLY SEEK HIM. That’s how FAITH works if I want to please God. The benefits are limitless when I have faith in God (Philippians 4:19). Genesis Chapters 1, 2 and Hebrews 11:1-4 declares that in the beginning God (with His Son) created the Heavens and the Earth, as well as everything therein. I believe it! Genesis Chapter 3 deals with the fall of man through the sin of Adam and Eve. I believe it! John 3:16 declares that God loves us so much that He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, as our sacrifice to redeem us from our sin nature and to offer eternal life to all who have the faith to accept Jesus as Savior and Lord (Romans 10:9-10). I believe Jesus and the price He paid for me. As a result of Jesus’ sacrifice, I can also receive healing (1Peter 2:24). Yet, these are just few of the benefits of having faith in God and Jesus Christ. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE GOD WITHOUT FAITH IN HIM! BUT, Proverbs 16:7 (NKJV) proclaims, “WHEN A MAN’S (or MANKIND’S) WAYS PLEASE THE LORD, HE MAKES EVEN HIS ENEMIES TO BE AT PEACE WITH HIM.” This is God’s divine protection and it is so amazing. I please God by believing in his word and obeying it. Glory to God for the awesome power of His word to believers.

Would you like to know and develop a relationship with GOD as your Heavenly Father by inviting His Son, Jesus Christ into your heart? If you would, please pray this prayer: Dear God, 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 believe it, you are saved. Welcome into God’s Family!

IN HIS IMAGE

CHARLES H. PERKINS

IN HIS IMAGE

(Romans 8:29) “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son…”

For most of my life as a Christian I have heard people of different races and ethnic groups claim that Jesus looked the way they look.  White people, Black people, you name it, they all claim that Jesus was of their particular race. For the record, the Bible says that He came to earth as a Jew.  Also, the Bible does not say that He would be conformed to our image, but, that we should be conformed to His. 

Most sermons that I have heard over the years generally lead people to want to do the works that He did when they think of being conformed to the image of Christ.  They want the “power” and “authority”; they want the “anointing”; they want to lay hands on people and heal the sick; they want to prophesy and so on.  They use John 14:12 to justify their desire for doing powerful works: John 14:12 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and GREATER WORKS than these he will do, because I go to My Father.” This, along with the racial identify stuff, seems to be what most people mean by being in the image of Christ. They can do what He did and more. They want Jesus to look like them and they want to do great works. 

We are called to look like Jesus.  That call has nothing to do with race.  It does not stop at doing “great works.” If we really want to look like the image of Christ we should love as He loved; show the compassion He showed; walk in humility as He walked; forgive as He forgave; bring peace as He did; show grace and mercy as He did; hate sin as He did; live lives of holiness and righteousness as He did; honor our Heavenly Father as He did. Looking like Jesus has nothing to do with our physical make up. It has everything to do with the content of our character.  Lord, let us all truly seek to be conformed into the image of Christ.

Would you like to experience God’s presence and forgiveness by inviting God’s Son, Jesus Christ, into your heart? Then pray this prayer: Dear God, I believe that Jesus Christ is Your Son. I confess that I am a sinner in need of a Savior. 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!

DO YOU TRULY AGREE WITH GOD’S WORD?

BARBARA E. PERKINS

DO YOU TRULY AGREE WITH GOD’S WORD?

Almighty God asks us this vital question in His powerful word, Amos 3:3 (NKJV), “Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?” Heavenly Father I agree with Your wonderful word. There is SALVATION in Your word! There is safety, soundness of mind, healing, deliverance, peace, and so much love in Your word and that’s only the beginning. There is sweet fellowship with You when I agree with You and Your word. There is everlasting life in Your miraculous word (John 3:16). Hallelujah!!! Heavenly Father God, keep me always in step (in agreement) with You and Your word which holds the key to all of Your undeniable promises. LORD, let me never forget the joy that comes from Your powerful word and which brings life forevermore. Your word offers strength to my soul when I need it the most. LORD, when I think about all the love, mercy, and grace You have shown me over the years, I am compelled to walk in agreement with Your glorious word and Your plans for my life. Thank You, LORD!

Would you like to know the LORD GOD as your Heavenly Father by inviting His Son, Jesus Christ into your heart? If you would, please pray this prayer: Dear God, 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 believe it, you are saved. Welcome into God’s Family!