Focus On God: January 2019

Monday, January 21, 2019

HOW DO WE HONOR AND GLORIFY GOD?

BARBARA E. PERKINS

There are many ways to show that we are honoring God and bringing glory to His name. A most significant way is evident in John 14:23-24 (NKJV) where Jesus exhorted us, 23 “Jesus answered and said to him, ‘If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make our home with him. 24 He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.’” We cannot deny from these Scriptures just how important it is for us to honor and bring glory to God and His Son, Jesus, by showing our sincere love for them, as well as God’s word. Jesus said, if we obey God’s word, He and His Father (God) would love us and come live inside us. A Powerful declaration! In 1 Timothy 1:5, Timothy summarizes the Scriptures in this way, “Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith.” Isaiah, the prophet, reflects on this theme. In Isaiah 43:7, God’s word says, “Everyone who is called by My name, WHOM I HAVE CREATED FOR MY GLORY; I have formed him, yes, I have made him.” God created us so that our lives would bring Him glory and honor. We are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works (Ephesians 2:10). He did not create us to do our own thing, separate from Him. God’s word in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says it this way, 19 “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” Jesus glorified God with His sacrifice on the cross for our sins, a price that we could not pay (John 17:4). God sent His Holy Spirit to dwell in us so that we can live a life pleasing to Him and as a result, we have all that we need to bring Him honor and glory. We can see from God’s word how to honor and glorify Him and it is throughout the Bible. We honor and glorify Him with a sincere heart of love, being obedient to His word, which includes our lifestyles.

Would you like to be saved and develop a relationship with God as your Heavenly Father? If you would, just invite His Son, Jesus Christ, into your heart. 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, based on Roman 10:9-10, you are saved. Welcome into God’s Family!

Sunday, January 20, 2019

MADE IN HIS IMAGE Part 2

BARBARA E. PERKINS

MADE IN HIS IMAGE

Part 2

The word of God in Genesis 1:26-28 (NKJV) declares, 26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it…” God is so absolutely wonderful, in how He cares for us, making provision for us. WE ARE MADE IN GOD’S IMAGE!!! Glory to Almighty God!!! God loves us so much that He made us just like HIMSELF. Then when it became necessary, God gave us His only Son, Jesus Christ, to redeem us from our sin. How awesome is that? In addition, He has given us all that we need for life and Godliness. God loves us that much and he is full of mercy, grace and compassion for us. We can never repay Him and God doesn’t expect us too. But, once we give our hearts to Jesus Christ, God wants us to act like we belong to His family. As a result, He says to us in 1Peter 1:13-16, 13 “Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; 15 but AS HE WHO CALLED YOU IS HOLY, YOU ALSO BE HOLY IN ALL YOUR CONDUCT, 16 BECAUSE IT IS WRITTEN, ‘BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY’” We are made in God’s image, for what??? To be like God, His representatives in this foreign country called—Earth. My parents use to always let us (all seven children) know that it was our responsibility to properly represent our family at all times. God, our Heavenly Father, (if Jesus Christ is our Savior and Lord) lets us know in His word how to properly represent Him in this Earth realm. God tells us to be holy (like Him), simply stated, be set apart (from the world’s conduct/ behavior) for Him. When we mess up, there is 1John 1:8-9 (we repent) to get us back in right fellowship with God. WE WERE MADE IN GOD’S IMAGE, NOT FOR OURSELVES, BUT, FOR A DIVINE PURPOSE.

MADE IN HIS IMAGE

BARBARA E. PERKINS

MADE IN HIS IMAGE

The word of God in Genesis 1:26-28 (NKJV) stated, 26 “Then God said, ‘LET US MAKE MAN IN OUE IMAGE, ACCORDING TO OUR LIKENESS; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’ 27 SO GOD CREATED MAN IN HIS OWN IMAGE; IN THE IMAGE OF GOD HE CREATED HIM; MALE AND FEMALE HE CREATED THEM. 28 THEN GOD BLESSED THEM, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it…” Then God’s word goes on to confirm Who He was speaking to in Genesis 1:26. In Hebrews 1:1-3 God, the Creator declares, 1 “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, THROUGH WHOM ALSO HE MADE THE WORLDS; 3 who being the brightness of His glory, AND THE EXPRESS IMAGE OF HIS PERSON, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high…” In Genesis 1:2, the word of God states that the Holy Spirit was also present at creation, “… And the SPIRIT OF GOD was hovering over the face of the waters.” So, God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit were all present (Genesis 1:26) when God said, “Let us make man in OUR IMAGE, ACCORDING TO OUR LIKENESS…” How, absolutely, AWESOME it is to be made in the image of, not only GOD, but also Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Is there anything we can’t accomplish on God’s team? And how AWESOME it is to read, again, that in the beginning God intended for men and women to have equal access on the Earth regarding God’s promises /blessings (Genesis 1:26-28). Both Adam and Eve were made to look like God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Both were to have dominion and both were blessed by God to multiply, fill the Earth and subdue it. In Malachi 3:6, God’s word says, “For I am the LORD, I do not change…” Now that means that God didn’t change His mind about His promises to males and females. Each time I read God’s word, the more “HALLELUJAHS” escape from my spirit and out of my mouth. HAL-LE-LU-JAH!!! Our Father God didn’t create us to look like the birds, fish, animals, or creepy things on Earth. Oh, no! Glory to God! He even gave us dominion over everything on Earth. What mighty power God entrusted to Adam and Eve. We lost so much through Adam’s sin. But, we gained so much more through Jesus Christ’s obedience and His sacrifice. Even though we face challenges daily in the form of tribulation, or distress, or persecution, God’s word declares in Romans 8:37-38, 37 “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” Almighty God further confirms that no matter what challenges we face in life, nothing “… Shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus, our Lord (verses 38 and 39).” What faith filled promises, from our faithful God! Thank You, LORD GOD for making me in Your image, after Your likeness and for sending Jesus Christ to restore my relationship with You.

THE LORD IS SO GOOD!

BARBARA E. PERKINS

THE LORD IS SO GOOD!

As we are approaching the closing of another year, I reflect back on all of the blessings as well as the challenges that my family and I have faced. I feel like shouting, “Hal-le-lu-jah, all praise, glory and honor be to our Great God and to Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord!” The following Scriptures echo over and over again, my sentiments: Psalm 106:1 (NKJV), “Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” Psalm 105:1-6, “Oh, give thanks to the Lord! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples! 2 Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; talk of all His wondrous works! 3 Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord! 4 Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face evermore! 5 Remember His marvelous works which He has done, His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth, 6 O seed of Abraham His servant, you children of Jacob, His chosen ones (Galatians 3:26-29)!” Thank You, LORD for I see Your love, mercy and grace every second, every minute, every hour, every day, every month, and every year of my life. LORD GOD, You have been so gracious to my family and me. Your precious word in Lamentations 3:22-23 expresses more of my sincere thoughts, “Through the LORD’S mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.” Hallelujah!!! LORD, when we have no more strength, we experience Your outstretched hand (Isaiah 40:29-31). Hallelujah!!! I thank You, LORD, for being so good, so faithful!!!

CRY OUT TO THE LORD!

BARBARA E. PERKINS

CRY OUT TO THE LORD!

Why cry out to God? God’s word says He hears and answers our prayers (1John 5:14-15 (NKJV). He is our Heavenly Father, if we have made Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord (John 1:12). We cry out to God because He invites us to “come boldly to His throne of grace that we might obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). God’s word in Psalm 3:4 is my testimony, “I cried to the LORD with my voice, and He heard me from His holy hill. Selah,” (Pause and calmly think on that)! Psalm 18:6 is also my testimony, “In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, and my cry came before Him, even to His ears.” I can confirm that the LORD hears and answers our prayers when we purpose to walk in His ways and when we purpose to hear His voice. God is the perfect Father Who loves us so much and has tremendous compassion for those of us who are sincere in seeking Him in righteousness.

When do we cry out to the LORD? We cry out to the LORD anytime we need Him or anytime we want to cry out to Him in gratefulness (Psalm 145:19).

How do we cry out to the LORD? We cry out with a pure heart and clean hands (1 John 1:8-10). It is so wonderful knowing that God shows no partiality (Acts 10:34). What He continues to do for me, He will certainly do for you as well. Trust Him—seek His face. Cry out to Him! Sometimes we stand in the way of God fulfilling His promises in our lives, by living our lives our own way, instead of God’s way—which is the best way. Purpose to live God’s way, CRY OUT TO HIM and see if He won’t answer you (Joshua 1:8).

WHY JESUS WAS BORN AND DIED?

BARBARA E. PERKINS

WHY JESUS WAS BORN AND DIED?

God’s word sheds light on why Jesus Christ was born (actually came in the flesh) in 2 Peter 3:9 (NKJV), “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” Dear God, thank You for being longsuffering toward us, not wanting us to die in our sin (nature), but Your promise is to call us to repentance and in right relationship with Yourself through Jesus Christ. In 1 Timothy 2:4-6 God’s word reiterates His desire for us and why Jesus came in the flesh and died for us, “4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time…” Heavenly Father, thank You for sending the only One that could that could redeem us back to Yourself—The Man, Christ Jesus! Why was Jesus born and why did He die? God’s word says it again in John 3:16-18, a very familiar Scripture passage, “16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 ‘He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.’” How awesome is our God!!! Jesus Christ is truly the reason for the Christmas season. What a love, to lay down Your life for humanity!!! He was born and died for you and me. Won’t you accept JESUS, God’s Son and precious gift, into your life?

IF GOD SAID, “FLEE!”

BARBARA E. PERKINS

IF GOD SAID, “FLEE!”

If God said flee, would you obey? In Genesis chapters 6/7 (NKJV), God told Noah to prepare an ark so that he and his family could flee the flood that was going to consume the Earth because of sin. Noah obeyed God and his family fled in the ark and their lives were spared. In Genesis 11:27-32 and chapter 12:1-6 Abram, whose name was later changed to Abraham, was told by God to “Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you.” Abram obeyed the LORD. The LORD GOD made Abraham’s name great, made him a great nation, made him a blessing, multiplied his offspring, and blessed Abraham and his offspring exceedingly. In Genesis 19:1-29 the LORD sent His word to Lot and his family to flee because of sin in the land (verses 17/22), “Escape for your life…” Lot obeyed God’s word, his daughters and his life were spared. That was the Old Testament! There is an account in Matthew 2:7-20 of Jesus, as a young child under the supervision of Joseph and Mary. The angel of the LORD warned Joseph in a dream to flee to Egypt from Herod the king who sought to destroy Jesus. Joseph obeyed the angel of the LORD and fled until those who sought the young child’s life were dead. In 1Corinthians 6:18-20 (reference verse 13-20 (KJV) and 1Corinthians 3:16-17) the word of God says, “FLEE FORNICATION. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore, glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.” LORD GOD, thank You for Your word. In John 8:32 (NKJV) Jesus said, “If you abide in My word, you are my disciples in deed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” SINCE GOD SAID FLEE FORNICATION, WILL YOU OBEY HIM? God's heart cries out to us.

THREE THINGS YOU DON’T WANT GOD TO SAY!

BARBARA E. PERKINS

THREE THINGS YOU DON’T WANT GOD TO SAY!

1. ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips,

but their heart is far from Me.’ (Matthew 15:8 NKJV)

2. “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of

heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. (Mat. 7:21)

3. “Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” (Matthew 7:22-23)

There is a final day coming for each of us when we will have to stand before God and give an account for how we have lived here on Earth. God’s word vividly describes that day in the Book of Revelation 20:11-15. When that day comes for me, I want to hear my God say, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord (Matthew 25:21).” Until that day comes, I have to live like the Fruit of the Spirit is real in my life (Galatians 5:22-26). God is love (1John 4:8)! Therefore, I (we) must love God and give Him preeminence in our lives (Mat. 6:33), likewise we must recognize the loving sacrifice that Jesus made for us. Jesus declared in John 13:34-35, 34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” I hope no one wants God to utter any of the opening statements over them. The fact is, no one has to hear those doomed words because God has given us the way out.

If you would like to be saved and develop a relationship with God as your Heavenly Father, just invite His Son, Jesus Christ, into your heart. 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!