BLESS THE LORD, O MY SOUL!

BARBARA E. PERKINS

BLESS THE LORD, O MY SOUL!

The Psalmist David gave us some very profound reasons to bless the LORD in Psalm 103:1-5 (NKJV), “Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name!  2 BLESS THE LORD, O MY SOUL, AND FORGET NOT ALL HIS BENEFITS: 3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, 4 Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, 5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”  David tells himself, You are going to bless the LORD! He reminds himself of the LORD’S BENEFITS, the REASONS, he is blessing the LORD:

            “-Who FORGIVES ALL your iniquities/sins,

 -Who HEALS ALL YOUR DISEASES,

 -Who REDEEMS YOUR LIFE from destruction,

 -Who CROWNS you with LOVINGKINDNESS and tender MERCIES,

 -Who SATISFIES your mouth with GOOD THINGS, so that

   YOUR YOUTH IS RENEWED LIKE THE EAGLE’S.”

What the Psalmist David expressed in verses 1-5 is phenomenal!  When I look at David’s five succinct points on why he told his soul (his mind) to bless the LORD, I have to ask, why would anyone, who knows the LORD, not want to BLESS the LORD?  Why do I bless the LORD GOD?  I bless the LORD for a multitude of reasons, but for the sake of time and space I will only state a few of them.  He loves me!  The LORD sent His Son, Jesus Christ to save me from my sins.  I accepted the LORD GOD’S free-will Gift of Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior many decades ago, with no desire to turn back.  Glory to God and to Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior! The LORD provides for me.  He has given me the most beautiful family to love and they love me.  Thank YOU, LORD! He provides shelter for me to live in my own home, instead of on a park bench.  Thank YOU, LORD! He keeps me in my right mind!  HALLELUJAH!!!  He fills my spirit, soul and body so that I am not lacking any good thing.  Every day I am LIVING above ground is another testimony of why I bless the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY.  I WILL BLESS THE LORD!!!                             

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 meant it, based on Roman 10:9-10, you are saved.  Welcome into God’s Family

GO FORWARD! Part 3

BARBARA E. PERKINS

GO FORWARD!

Part 3

In Part 2, we saw how Almighty God by the power of His word and His servant Moses was able to move His people, Israel, forward into their destiny in circumstances that looked doomed for them (Exodus Chapter 14[NKJV]).  As Israel was being pursued by Pharaoh’s Egyptian army, they arrived at the Red Sea and their only viable option was to head into the midst of the Red Sea. In Exodus 14:29-31, again, we see the results of God’s miraculous rescue of His people and His awesome faithfulness.  29 “But the children of Israel had walked on dry land in the midst of the sea, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.  30 So the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians…  31 Thus Israel saw the great work which the LORD had done in Egypt; so the people feared the LORD, and believed in the LORD and His servant Moses.”  Praise the LORD!

Almighty God has a way of getting us to GO FORWARD in our lives to do His will.  Just before Jesus went back to heaven and sat down at the right hand of His Father God, He left His disciples (and us) with these vital words in Matthew 28:18-20: “18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 GO therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 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.”  Whenever and wherever we GO, we are to make disciples (give people an opportunity to invite Jesus Christ into their hearts) and teach the word.  As we GO FORWARD on assignment for God and for Jesus Christ, we can be encouraged and comforted by God’s amazing word, knowing that we are not alone because Jesus Christ is with us including all of His power and authority (verse 20).  In addition, God said, “… I will never leave you nor forsake you," (Hebrews 13:5).  No matter what is happening in our lives to try to deter us from God’s plan, even fear, we have a responsibility to pray, read, study, meditate and obey His word daily.  God will equip us for His purpose, IF we let Him by not rebelling.  Then we will be able to hear His still, small voice in our spirits that will propel us to GO FORWARD.  To God, the Father, be glory, honor and praise and to Jesus Christ my Lord!

Would you like to be saved and develop a relationship with God as your Heavenly Father?  If you would, 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 meant it, based on Roman 10:9-10, you are saved.  Welcome into God’s Family!

GO FORWARD! PART 2

BARBARA E. PERKINS

GO FORWARD!

PART 2

In Part 1, in the Book of Exodus 14:13-15 (NKJV), we saw how Almighty God promised to protect His people from an adversary more powerful than they were, if they would dare to trust and obey His word as delivered by Moses.  That word was “… Don’t be afraid.  Stand still and see the salvation of the LORD…  The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.  … Moses, Tell the children of Israel to GO FORWARD.”  Now Israel had every reason to be afraid.  Pharaoh had an army and Israel (former slaves) did not.  The children of Israel were composed of men, women and mostly children, unable to defend themselves.  Pharaoh’s army was probably composed of the most able men in his country.  Then God offered these words of grace, “Your enemy is not going to bother you anymore because I will (continue) to fight for you (see 10 plagues in Chapters 7-12).”  Hallelujah!!!  God said, “YOU SHALL HOLD YOUR PEACE.”  Translation: “I AM going to take care of everything.  You will not have to act ungodly or curse anyone.  You will be at peace.”  Sensational, beyond measure!!!  Finally, God said, “GO FORWARD!”  But, how do you GO FORWARD when the ONLY place to go moving forward was into the Red Sea?  It meant the Israel had to trust God for a miracle or turn back towards Pharaoh’s army and slavery or even the possibility of death.  Though some of them had already considered turning back, they chose to trust God because of these additional comforting words from Exodus 6:6-7, 6 “Therefore say to the children of Israel: ‘I AM the LORD; I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, I will rescue you from their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments. 7 I will take you as My people, and I will be your God. Then you shall know that I AM the LORD your God…’”  Pharaoh’s bitterness and disobedience caused God’s judgment, which resulted in devastation to his family, his people, as well as his country.  But, in the most miraculous circumstances, God’s people were able to GO FORWARD into the Red Sea that actually paused on their behalf, allowing their entire group to walk through midst of the sea on dry ground.  AWESOME, AWESOME, AWESOME!!!  The LORD still provides for His people and He still expects obedience also.  Praise be to Almighty God for His love, faithfulness and compassion. 

Would you like to be saved and develop a relationship with God as your Heavenly Father?  If you would, 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 meant it, based on Roman 10:9-10, you are saved.  Welcome into God’s Family!

GO FORWARD! PART 1

BARBARA E. PERKINS

JESUS SAID, “I AM…!”

This is Who Jesus is to those of us who would dare to believe Him.  This is Who Jesus, the Son of the Living God, is to me.  He is my Salvation!  He is the way to the Father God, the GREAT I AM.  Jesus said, “He who has seen Me, has seen the Father…” (John 14:9, NKJV).  Then Jesus emphatically declared, “I and My Father are one”, (John 10:30 and 17:21).  My Savior and Lord continues to confirm Who He is: “I AM THE BREAD of LIFE. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst,” (John 6:35).  “Then Jesus spoke … again saying, ‘I AM the LIGHT of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the LIGHT of LIFE,’” (John 8:12).  “I AM THE TRUE VINE, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit,” (John 15:1-2).  “I AM THE WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE. No one comes to the Father except through Me,” (John 14:6).  “I AM THE DOOR. If anyone enters by Me, HE WILL BE SAVED…,” (John 10:9).  “I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD. The Good Shepherd gives His life for the sheep,” (John 10:11).  “Jesus said to her, I AM THE RESURRECTION and THE LIFE. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live,” (John 11:25).  Jesus said, “…I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS, even to the end of the age,” (Matthew 28:20).  “I AM THE ALPHA and THE OMEGA, THE BEGINNING and THE END,” “WHO IS and WHO WAS and WHO IS TO COME, the ALMIGHTY,” (Revelation 1:8).  Hallelujah!  Praise the Lord Forever!  

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, 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 meant it, based on Roman 10:9-10, you are saved.  Welcome into God’s Family!

JESUS SAID, “I AM…!”

BARBARA E. PERKINS

JESUS SAID, “I AM…!”

This is Who Jesus is to those of us who would dare to believe Him.  This is Who Jesus, the Son of the Living God, is to me.  He is my Salvation!  He is the way to the Father God, the GREAT I AM.  Jesus said, “He who has seen Me, has seen the Father…” (John 14:9, NKJV).  Then Jesus emphatically declared, “I and My Father are one”, (John 10:30 and 17:21).  My Savior and Lord continues to confirm Who He is: “I AM THE BREAD of LIFE. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst,” (John 6:35).  “Then Jesus spoke … again saying, ‘I AM the LIGHT of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the LIGHT of LIFE,’” (John 8:12).  “I AM THE TRUE VINE, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit,” (John 15:1-2).  “I AM THE WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE. No one comes to the Father except through Me,” (John 14:6).  “I AM THE DOOR. If anyone enters by Me, HE WILL BE SAVED…,” (John 10:9).  “I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD. The Good Shepherd gives His life for the sheep,” (John 10:11).  “Jesus said to her, I AM THE RESURRECTION and THE LIFE. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live,” (John 11:25).  Jesus said, “…I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS, even to the end of the age,” (Matthew 28:20).  “I AM THE ALPHA and THE OMEGA, THE BEGINNING and THE END,” “WHO IS and WHO WAS and WHO IS TO COME, the ALMIGHTY,” (Revelation 1:8).  Hallelujah!  Praise the Lord Forever!  

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, 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 meant it, based on Roman 10:9-10, you are saved.  Welcome into God’s Family!

IF LORD SAID, “FLEE!” WOULD YOU?

BARBARA E. PERKINS

IF LORD SAID, “FLEE!” WOULD YOU?

There is an account (Genesis Chapter 19) of a man named Lot, Abraham’s nephew, who found himself and his family living in Sodom, a city deeply immersed in sin—in particular sexual immorality.  The LORD GOD in His mercy and grace sent two angels to rescue them before the city was destroyed.  Upon being led out of the city, Lot and his family were told (verse 17 and 22), “Hurry escape for your life!  Do not look behind you…”  That sounds very much like, FLEE!  They fled to safety, but Lot’s wife looked back (probably longing for what she was leaving behind) and was turned into a pillar of salt (verse 26).  What would have happened had Lot not obeyed the LORD and fled?  We only need to look at the result of Lot’s wife and the city of Sodom and Gomorrah where the LORD rained down brimstone and fire (verse 24).  WHAT IF THE LORD TOLD YOU TO FLEE, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?  The word of the LORD GOD in 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 (NKJV) says, 18 “FLEE SEXUAL IMMORALITY. Every sin that a man (or woman) does is outside the body, but he (she) who commits sexual immorality sins against his (her) own body. 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 paid the ultimate price when He sacrificed His body for our salvation. In 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 God’s word says it this way, 5 “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God.”  Romans 12:1-2 declares, “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.”  THESE SCRIPTURES ARE NOT A SUGGESTION!  Almighty God, in His compassion and love for us (His people) wants to save our lives—save us from ourselves and from destruction.  So, SINCE the LORD GOD said, "FLEE SEXUAL IMMORALITY!" WILL YOU? 

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, 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 meant it, based on Roman 10:9-10, you are saved.  Welcome into God’s Family!

THE SPIRIT AND LIFE OF GOD’S WORD

BARBARA E. PERKINS

THE SPIRIT AND LIFE OF GOD’S WORD

The word of God in John 6:63 (NKJV) Jesus declares, “IT IS THE SPIRIT WHO GIVES LIFE; the flesh profits nothing.  THE WORDS THAT I SPEAK TO YOU ARE SPIRIT, AND THEY ARE LIFE.” I am so grateful that Jesus makes known to us (God’s people) that God’s Holy Spirit gives life to what God is telling us in His word. If not, how will we ever understand His word?  But the flesh will not profit, unless we use God’s word to MAKE our flesh obey.  WE MUST RULE OUR FLESH, NOT ALLOW IT TO RULE US!!!  God’s word in John 14:26 informs us of one of the functions of the Holy Spirit, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My (Jesus’) name, HE WILL TEACH YOU ALL THINGS, AND BRING TO YOUR REMEMBRANCE ALL THINGS THAT I SAID TO YOU.”  God’s Spirit speaks to our Spirit, if we have made Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord (we’re born again).  If we are not born again, we will not understand God’s word, no matter how hard we try, because His word is spiritually discerned.  God’s word in 1 Corinthians 2:14 says it this way, “But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”  Now, if we are born again, God is going to spiritually impart vital, life-changing information to us (His people), if we will accept His powerful word and obey it.  However, if you are not born again, God’s word will have no effect on you who read and hear it.  When we READ, MEDITATE, AND HEAR God’s word, His Spirit speaks to our spirits giving life to our situations.  Thank You, Lord, for your awesome, life-changing word.

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, 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 meant it, based on Roman 10:9-10, you are saved.  Welcome into God’s Family!

YOUR GLORY

CHARLES H. PERKINS

YOUR GLORY

Your glory, O Lord surrounds me.

Your love gives meaning to my life

You infill me with Your peace, in You do I rest

Your joy is my strength, Your presence is my joy

You cover my faults with Your grace

Your provision meets all of my needs

In Your mercy I have no condemnation in Christ Jesus

Your glory, O Lord surrounds me.

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 and meant it, you are saved. Welcome to God’s Family!

WHOSE REPORT WILL YOU BELIEVE?

BARBARA E. PERKINS

WHOSE REPORT WILL YOU BELIEVE?

The word of God in Isaiah 53:1 (NKJV) declares, “Who has believed our report?  And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”  The answer to these questions should be, we believe God’s report and His power has been revealed to all of us who believe in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.  Whatever situation we happen to be dealing with in our lives, we have to believe the report of the LORD (believe God’s word), if we want to walk in victory.  Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  The first thing that we must realize is that we can do all things through Christ which includes changing for the better in our lives.  Praying and reading God’s word daily helps us to believe God’s report about us.  1 John 1:8-9 says, 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 is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  If we have sin in our lives, we must believe God’s word and repent.  If we confess our sins and pray, God will forgive us, then help us to change our ways so that we can live a life that is pleasing to Him.  Whose report will you believe, when dealing with your health?  1Peter 2:24 says, “Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.”  I have to believe God’s word and pray His word over my body and so do you.  God said He would watch over His word to perform it and He said His word would not return void (Jeremiah 1:12 and Isaiah 55:11).  We do not ignore the doctors, but we do continue to pray God’s word over our bodies, no matter what report we have been given.  2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (NKJV) helps us to stay focused on God, 17 “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”  Whose report will we believe?  I will believe the report of the LORD and I hope you will too.  LORD, thank You for Your dynamic, encouraging, life-changing word.

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!