Focus On God: September 2019

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

HE WHO WINS SOULS IS WISE!

BARBARA E. PERKINS

HE WHO WINS SOULS IS WISE!

God’s word in Proverbs 11:30 (NKJV) declares, “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.” Are you the righteous? You are if you have made Jesus Christ your Savior and Lord. “For He (God) made Him (Jesus) who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (Christ Jesus)” (2 Corinthians 5:21). So, are you the righteous? If you are the righteous, there should be fruit in your life. 22 “…The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” This fruit should be in our lives. There is no law that can prosper against us when we are full of God’s fruit because He shows up to defend us (Daniel 3:19-25). This fruit can change lives. This fruit invites God into our circumstances. This fruit causes the righteous to be a tree of life. WHY? Because we have a command to carry out God’s and Christ Jesus’ mandate to save souls which leads to eternal life (John 17:3). “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:17). Jesus said to His disciples, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:15-16). God has given us the fruit that is necessary to win souls. “…HE WHO WINS SOULS IS WISE!” Are you winning souls? He who wins souls is wise! Are you wise? He who wins souls is wise!!!

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!

IN A WORD

CHARLES H. PERKINS

IN A WORD

As we know, words are very powerful. How they are used can determine how a situation can turns out. Words can build up or destroy. As Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue…” We see God speaking life into existence in Genesis 1. We see the serpent (Satan) using words to cause Adam and Eve to doubt the integrity of God’s word in Genesis 3. As a result, sin and death came into the world. We see God’s gift of salvation written out in John 3:16. All through the bible we see the power of words or a single word when spoken at the right moment. One of the most powerful words uttered in the entire Bible is expressed in Matt. 26:39 and Luke 22:42. Both of these passages speak of Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. On the night of His betrayal Jesus says to the Father, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” In His humanity, Jesus basically asks The Father if there is another way. He is agonizing over what He is about to go through to the point that His sweat is falling like great drops of blood. Angels came to strengthen Him. After speaking to The Father of the possibility of not going through this, He utters this powerful word: “NEVERTHELESS”!!! Then He surrendered to The Father’s will. Think of what would have happened had He not uttered that one word. Think of how different mankind’s destiny would have been had He not uttered that one word. Think of the hopelessness of mankind had He not uttered that one word. After that one word was uttered, the process that brought about the forgiveness of sin and the hope of eternal life started. Thank You, Lord! Thank You, Lord! Thank You, Lord!

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!

DON’T GET EVEN—PRAY!

BARBARA E. PERKINS

DON’T GET EVEN—PRAY!

Don’t Get Even! Read, Meditate God’s Word—Pray! I have also heard it said, “Don’t Be Bitter, Be Better!” God’s word admonishes us on this subject in His Own unique way in Matthew 5:44-48 (NKJV). 44 “But I say to you, LOVE YOUR ENEMIES, BLESS THOSE WHO CURSE YOU, DO GOOD TO THOSE WHO HATE YOU, AND PRAY FOR THOSE WHO SPITEFULLY USE YOU AND PERSECUTE YOU, 45 THAT YOU MAY BE SONS (AND DAUGHTERS) OF YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” The Amplified Bible clarifies verse 48 this way, “You, therefore, will be perfect (growing into spiritual maturity both in mind and character, actively integrating godly values into your daily life), as your heavenly Father is perfect.” When we read and examine these Scriptures we tend to wonder if a lifestyle like this example is really possible. It’s possible! But are we willing to trust and do God’s word? It might not be easy for us, but God promises to assist us through prayer and His word. In Luke 1:37 (also in Jeremiah 32:27) God promises, “For with God nothing will be impossible.” God, also promises in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Almighty God is so full of love for us and He wants us to grow, mature in His word, trusting Him. He wants us to be PEACEMAKERS (Matthew 5:9). “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12). Then God the Father promises to defend us, as seen in Romans 12:18-19. “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. BELOVED, DO NOT AVENGE YOURSELVES, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,’ SAYS THE LORD.” Our loving God can handle anything to big for us to deal with and He will, IF we DON’T GET EVEN. Read, Meditate God’s Word—PRAY.

ON THE LORD’S RETURN

BARBARA E. PERKINS

ON THE LORD’S RETURN

God’s word in 2 Peter 3:9-14 and 17-18 (NKJV) provides clues of the Lord Jesus Christ’s return, to those of us who believe in Him, and guidance on how we should conduct ourselves. 9 "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. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. 14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless…” 17 “You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.” Almighty God revealed in His word that His promises will not return void, empty of His purpose (Isaiah 55:11). In addition, the LORD GOD is always ready to perform His powerful word, so He can be trusted. (Jeremiah 1:12). The LORD GOD is faithful to prepare us for the return of His Son, Jesus Christ (Savior and Lord to those of us who have invited Him into our hearts). These Scriptures are a profound example of the LORD GOD’S mercy and grace to alert us to get our lives in order before Jesus Christ’s return. Oh, the love of Almighty God to prepare us in advance for that great day. You, be ready for Jesus Christ’s return!

CAN TWO WALK TOGETHER WITHOUT AGREEING?

BARBARA E. PERKINS

CAN TWO WALK TOGETHER WITHOUT AGREEING?

God’s word in Amos 3:3 (NKJV) challenges us with this defining question, “Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?” That’s God’s word! What do you think? “Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?” Are you walking with and agreeing with someone who is a distraction to your focus on Your God and on His Son, Jesus Christ (John 17:3)? Who are you walking with that you that you can’t share God’s life-saving word with? “Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?” God loves us too much to just let us moonwalk (walking backwards) through life. He wants us always walking into our blessed destiny, not towards our past mistakes. God’s word offers so many wonderful possibilities, if we choose to embrace it. Jesus pleads with us, John 14:15, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” Jesus continues pleading in the following Scriptures, John 14:21,23, “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” 23 “Jesus answered …, ‘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.’” Jesus loves us and is concerned about us, like His Father God. Agree to walk with God! Agree with what He says about you. God’s word in Jeremiah 29:11-13 says this about you, “11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” Proverbs 5:5-6 has these encouraging words, 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.” Agree to walk with God and keep His word. Agree to be blessed by God! He loves you so much!

GOD IS LOVE!

BARBARA E. PERKINS

GOD IS LOVE!

In the Epistle of 1 John 4:7-11 (NKJV) the word of God emphatically declares the preeminent aspect of His multifaceted nature which is love. 7 “Beloved, let us love one another, for LOVE IS OF GOD; and EVERY WHO LOVES IS BORN OF GOD AND KNOWS GOD. 8 HE WHO DOES NOT LOVE DOES NOT KNOW GOD, for GOD IS LOVE. 9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.“ If we love one another we are born of God. GOD SAYS THAT IF WE DON’T SHOW LOVE, WE DON’T EVEN KNOW HIM. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to ever hear THE LORD SAY (as in Matthew 7:21-23), “…I NEVER KNEW YOU; DEPART FROM ME…” He is saying we are not saved, no matter what we profess or how pious we act. The highlight of God’s love for us was manifested and demonstrated by the fact He sent His only Son to be the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world, to bring us into right relationship with His Father God. That’s a real special love that can’t be matched. God loved us first! He said we should love one another. Plain and simple, not complicated! God is love, that’s His nature! We are love because that should be our new nature if we are born again. God’s mercy and grace are also key attributes. But I believe God’s Love is unsurpassed by any of His other attributes, yet, they are all great and essential in order for us to live the successful Christian life. The Fruit of God’s Holy Spirit, which is extremely important in the development of Christian character, in Galatians 5:22-23, begins with, what else but, LOVE. 22 “But the fruit of the Spirit is LOVE, JOY, PEACE, LONGSUFFERING, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, 23 GENTLENESS, SELF-CONTROL. Against such there is no law.” God’s wonderful attributes are like examining a lovely, brilliant stone. Every way you turn the stone and examine it, you see another aspect of God’s amazing brilliance through these attributes that are necessary to transform our lives. But it is God’s most awesome attribute of LOVE that gave us Jesus Christ, Savior of the world. God is love! He wants us to show that we have LOVE for one another.

GOD’S PRIORITY IS SALVATION, IS IT OURS?

BARBARA E. PERKINS

GOD’S PRIORITY IS SALVATION, IS IT OURS?

God’s word in 2 Peter 3:9 (NKJV) gives us significant insight into His priority when it comes to salvation. “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.” When it comes to salvation, God does not delay about His promise to us. Salvation is a promise from God to us. God is so patient with us and He doesn’t want any of us to die in our sins, but He wants us to repent. Salvation as a priority with God is vividly illustrated in the Gospel of John 3:17-18. “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.” Almighty God felt such an urgency for the world to be saved that He sent His only, sinless, Son to redeem us. Who would send his only, beloved son to save an evil, sin sick world? God did! Thank You, LORD! God, in His infinite mercy towards us, did not send His Son to condemn the world, but to save the world. Jesus Christ’s response to His Father’s urgency regarding salvation is summed up in Hebrews 10:5-7, “Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: ‘Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You have prepared for Me. 6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure. 7 Then I said, Behold, I have come—In the volume of the book it is written of Me—to do Your will, O God.’” God, The Father, was honored by His Son, Jesus’ obedience, to redeem the world. God declared (paraphrased), “You’re not condemn if you believe in Jesus Christ, but if you don’t believe in Jesus and His name, you’re already condemned because He is the only begotten Son of God. Words can’t convey the importance and urgency of salvation. Someone can be here today and gone tomorrow, to be in the glorious presence of the Lord Jesus Christ and Almighty God or in the lake of fire. Revelation 20:12, 15 clearly states, “12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.” 15 “And anyone not found written in the BOOK OF LIFE was cast into the lake of fire.” Salvation is the difference between eternal life for someone or eternal death. God views salvation as a major priority! Do you?