Focus On God: June 2019

Tuesday, June 18, 2019

HALLELUJAH

Charles H. Perkins

Sometimes, "HALLELUJAH!!!" is all you need to say.

ARE YOU DOING YOUR OWN THING? Part 2

BARBARA E. PERKINS

ARE YOU DOING YOUR OWN THING? Part 2

Are you still doing your own thing? God’s word in Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV) proclaims, “FOR WE ARE HIS (God’s) WORKMANSHIP (HIS ARTISTRY), CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS FOR GOOD WORKS, WHICH GOD PREPARED BEFOREHAND THAT WE SHOULD WALK IN THEM.” Did God’s word say that we were created to do our own thing? God’s word from Genesis 1:26-27 (NKJV) recorded the following powerful image, 26 “Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion… 27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” WHY??? Ephesians 1:3-6

Sheds floodlights on God’s plan for us, “ 3 BLESSED BE THE GOD AND FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, WHO HAS BLESSED US WITH EVERY SPIRITUAL BLESSING IN THE HEAVENLY PLACES IN CHRIST, 4 JUST AS HE CHOSE US IN HIM (SELF) BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD, THAT WE SHOULD BE HOLY AND WITHOUT BLAME BEFORE HIM IN LOVE, 5 HAVING PREDESTINED (PREPLANNED) US TO ADOPTION AS SONS (AND DAUGHTERS) BY JESUS CHRIST TO HIMSELF, ACCORDING TO THE GOOD PLEASURE OF HIS WILL, 6 to the praise of the glory of HIS GRACE, BY WHICH HE MADE US ACCEPTED IN THE BELOVED.” God, the Father, wants us for Himself—for His will. He has blessed us with everything we need to be successful. We are God’s children CREATED IN HIS IMAGE AND LIKENESS. If we could just grasp the enormity of that vivid picture! God is loving, full of mercy, grace and peace. So are we! He is just and righteous. So are we! He is faithful and can be trusted. So are we! Almighty God created us in Christ Jesus to be holy (set apart) and blameless before Him in love FOR GOOD WORKS and He is still molding and shaping us. Thank You, LORD! Glory to Almighty God! In the beginning, God walked with Adam and Eve in the garden in the cool of the of the day and they had fellowship with God before their sin/disobedience—before they were persuaded to do their own thing. If we have been redeemed by Jesus Christ, we can now commune with God as His own dear children. That’s been God’s plan from the beginning. God adopted us into His family and accepted us through Jesus Christ in love. As a result of what you know now, based on God’s word, CAN YOU REALLY CHOOSE TO DO YOUR OWN THING? Are you persuaded to do God’s will (His word is His will) and allow Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior? Know that God loves you with a special love, no matter what you have done in your life.

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!

ARE YOU DOING YOUR OWN THING? Part 1

BARBARA E. PERKINS

ARE YOU DOING YOUR OWN THING? Part 1

Are You Doing Your Own Thing? Should we be doing our own thing? The word of God in Ephesians 2:1-10 (NKJV) answers these questions for us, “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. 4 BUT GOD, WHO IS RICH IN MERCY, BECAUSE OF HIS GREAT LOVE WITH WHICH HE LOVED US, 5 EVEN WHEN WE WERE DEAD IN TRESPASSES, MADE US ALIVE TOGETHER WITH CHRIST (BY GRACE YOU HAVE BEEN SAVED), 6 AND RAISED US UP TOGETHER, AND MADE US SIT TOGETHER, IN THE HEAVENLY PLACES IN CHRIST JESUS, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 FOR WE ARE HIS WORKMANSHIP (HIS ARTISTRY), CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS FOR GOOD WORKS, WHICH GOD PREPARED BEFOREHAND THAT WE SHOULD WALK IN THEM.” Now, should we be doing our own thing based on God’s word? Take a look at Ephesians 2:10 again, (Amplified version of the Bible) which proclaims, “10 For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us]. Hallelujah!!! Proverbs 14:12 (NKJV) responds with, “There is a way that seems right to a man (or woman), but its end is the way of death.” DID JESUS CHRIST SHED HIS BLOOD, DIE ON THE CROSS, AND SAVE US JUST SO THAT WE CAN DO OUR OWN THING? Almighty God, because of His love, created us as His work of art, His own masterpiece, in Christ Jesus, to take pathways He set for our good. Praise His Holy Name!

THE LORD ASKED, “WHAT’S IN YOUR HAND?”

BARBARA E. PERKINS

THE LORD ASKED, “WHAT’S IN YOUR HAND?”

There is a wonderful example in the Bible where Moses found Himself on assignment for the LORD, yet He didn’t feel that He was equipped for the task. Moses was beginning to learn how to trust God and didn’t feel that He could convince Israel that God had sent Him to deliver them from Egyptian bondage. Whatever the LORD calls us to do, He equips us to do. In Exodus 4:1-2 (NKJV) the word of God continues in this manner, “Then Moses answered and said, ‘But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice; suppose they say, The LORD has not appeared to you.’” 2 “So the LORD said to him, “What is that in your hand?” He said, “A rod.” The rod was a symbol of the fact that the LORD can miraculously use anything to give us the confidence to do His will. Throughout the Book of Exodus, we see Almighty God encouraging Moses to use what was in his hand (his rod) and see the salvation of the LORD. Moses did and he was victorious.

What’s in your hand? What is it that the LORD has already equipped you to do? It may not be a rod, but He has already prepared you or is preparing you for something very special and you CAN do it. The word of God in 1 Samuel 17: 40-46, reveals what David (a youth) had in his hand when he confronted Goliath. Goliath was defying the living God and harassing God’s people. In David’s hand was his staff, five smooth stones and his sling shot. In 1 Samuel 17:45-46, we see David’s unwavering faith in Almighty God’s ability to deliver Goliath into His hands and this is expressed in the following Scriptures, “Then David said to the Philistine, ‘You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand…’” …And God did!!! The LORD used Moses, David and so many others in the Bible and during our era mightily. The LORD GOD of hosts wants to use us for His glory. The only thing stopping us is--us! What’s in your hand? Or what gift (s) has the LORD breathed into you? Use your special gift (s) for the LORD and watch Him shower you with His loving kindness.

CAN TWO WALK TOGETHER AND NOT AGREE? Part 2

BARBARA E. PERKINS

CAN TWO WALK TOGETHER AND NOT AGREE? Part 2

Now the word of God in Amos 3:1-3 (NKJV) declares, “3 Hear this word that the Lord has spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying: 2 ‘You only have I known of all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.’ 3 Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?” Can we really walk with God and not agree with His word? What are you doing that you know is not agreeing with God’s word? It is because of LORD’s mercy and grace that we have not been consumed (Lamentations 3:22). God’s word admonishes, “But exhort one another daily, while it is called ‘Today’ lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” Like with Israel, our Compassionate God gives us so many chances to govern our lives according to His word. First John 1:8-9 “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.” That’s God’s mercy and grace! Don’t frustrate the grace of God! In the Book of Revelation 3:20, God’s Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, encourages us with these affectionate words, “Behold, I stand at the door (of your heart) and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” Let Jesus Christ into your heart and let Him change your life. Can you comprehend how much Jesus loves us? He sacrificed His life for us to bring us back into right relation with His Father God. What a love! Let’s Agree with God’s word and walk with Him. Ephesians 1:5 reveals the heart of God for us, "Having predestined us to adoption as sons (and daughters) by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will." God wants us as His own dear children. How awesome is that! Can two walk together and not agree? No, we CANNOT walk with the Living God, unless agree with Him and be a doer of His powerful word. LORD GOD, thank You for your profound love for us and for sending Your Precious Son, Jesus Christ, to redeem us. My God, what a love! I am so grateful for my salvation.

CAN TWO WALK TOGETHER AND NOT AGREE? Part 1

BARBARA E. PERKINS

CAN TWO WALK TOGETHER AND NOT AGREE? Part 1

The word of God in Amos 3:1-3 (NKJV) declares, “3 Hear this word that the Lord has spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying: 2 ‘You only have I known of all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.’ 3 Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?” It is especially insightful reading the Old Testament Book of Amos because of the similarities that one can draw between God’s people then and now. Amos’ messages were during a period of unprecedented economic and political prosperity. He denounced the people for neglecting God’s word, for social injustice, seeking-pleasure, self-indulgence, and gross idolatry. Today’s idolatry examples include worshipping one’s body, education, careers, cars, homes, leaders in society, entertainment and Church leaders; instead of worshipping the LORD GOD and His Son, Jesus Christ. These sacrilegious attitudes and actions of God’s people, Israel, caused Him to severely judge them. Almighty God asked the following question, through His Prophet Amos, “Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?” God’s people, Israel, were not walking with Him and they were not agreeing with God’s word that His prophet had spoken, after all that God had done for them. What will God do today for our actions/attitudes? Will God judge us as He judged Israel? Who are you walking with and agreeing with that displeases God? Are you part of the problem or part of the solution? Are you an influence for good or do you acquiesce? How does all that is going on around us daily affect the heart of our God? Look at what is happening in our families, our schools, our communities, our cities, our states, our nation and the world. Almighty God must be so disappointed in His creation. Have mercy on us, LORD GOD, and forgive us! If each of us decided to truly repent and do better, what is it that cannot be accomplished with God on our team? Romans 8:31 says, “If God is for us, who can be against us.” In Luke 1:37 God's word says, “For nothing will be impossible with God.” Let’s do an introspection and see if we need to change teams. I want to always be on God’s team, don’t you? Can two walk together and not agree? No, I can’t walk with God and not agree with His word. Can You?

HAVE YOU BLESSED THE LORD TODAY?

BARBARA E. PERKINS

HAVE YOU BLESSED THE LORD TODAY?

The Psalmist David, in Psalm 103:1-5 (NKJV), shares some key reasons to bless the LORD in the word of God. 1 “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 WITH LOVINGKINDNESS AND TENDER MERCIES, 5 WHO SATISFIES YOUR MOUTH WITH GOOD THINGS, SO THAT YOUR YOUTH IS RENEWED LIKE THE EAGLE’S.” As I read and meditate on these Scriptures, I realized that these are the essential reasons why I bless the LORD. I owe it to the LORD, to bless the Him!!! I must bless the LORD because of His precious and very great promises to us in His word:

1. He forgives all my sins!

2. He heals all my diseases!

3. He redeems my life from destruction. He saved me!!!

4. He crowns me with His loving kindness and tender mercies.

5. He satisfies my mouth with good things, so that my youth is renewed. The LORD causes my mouth to be satisfied with what is good (not what is bad), so that I can be renewed in my body. Hallelujah!!!

I am never going to forget these awesome benefits that the LORD has provided for me—and you. Thank You, my LORD GOD and thank You, my Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. To the LORD be praise, glory and honor and to His wonderful Son, Jesus Christ, forever and ever. Amen! I have to bless the LORD for His new mercies that I see and experience every day of my life. HAVE YOU BLESSED THE LORD TODAY? BLESS THE LORD!