Monday, June 1, 2020
WHEN THE ENEMY COMES IN…
BARBARA E. PERKINS
WHEN THE ENEMY COMES IN…
When the enemy comes in like a flood, what do you do? Do you handle it yourself or do you pray to get wisdom and directions from the LORD? God’s word answers those questions in Philippians 4:6, telling us not be anxious about anything, but to pray. Then in John 15:7, God’s word commands us to live by His word and He will answer our prayers.
The word of God in Isaiah 59:14-19 (NKJV), gives us a brief glimpse into our world today. The Amplified Bible also paints a vivid picture of the following Scriptures, which I believe depict our world. “JUSTICE IS TURNED BACK, and righteousness stands afar off; TRUTH HAS FALLEN IN THE STREETS, and EQUITY CANNOT ENTER. 15 SO TRUTH FAILS, and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey. THEN THE LORD SAW IT, AND IT DISPLEASED HIM THAT THERE WAS NO JUSTICE. 16 He saw that there was no man, and wondered that THERE WAS NO INTERCESSOR; therefore, HIS OWN ARM BROUGHT SALVATION FOR HIM; and HIS OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS, IT SUSTAINED HIM. 17 For He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on His head; He put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak. 18 ACCORDING TO THEIR DEEDS, ACCORDINGLY HE WILL REPAY, FURY TO HIS ADVERSARIES, RECOMPENSE TO HIS ENEMIES; the coastlands He will fully repay. 19 So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun; WHEN THE ENEMY COMES IN LIKE A FLOOD, THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD WILL LIFT UP A STANDARD AGAINST HIM.” Things are out of control in our world, but THE LORD, THE GREAT I AM said, He will take care of us. I trust Him! He is our righteousness and our salvation just as His Son, Jesus Christ is (2 Corinthians 5:21 and John 3:16). LORD, help us to be the intercessors You call us to be. I trust You, LORD GOD and I trust Your Son, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
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 really meant it, based on Roman 10:9-10, you are saved. Welcome into God’s Family!
IT’S THE SECRET PLACE! Part 2
BARBARA E. PERKINS
IT’S THE SECRET PLACE!
Part 2
Where do we go to escape when there is no place to go to escape? Where do we find that Secret Place when the world around us is falling apart? We seek Almighty God, Who is El Shaddai’s (The All Sufficient God) Secret Dwelling Place which is in His powerful word. We must read, meditate, pray, and believe God’s word because He causes His word to manifest in our lives. In Isaiah 55:11 (NKJV), God’s word said, “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” Then in Jeremiah 1:12 God said this about His word, “Then the Lord said to me, ‘You have seen well, for I am ready (watching) to perform My word.’” God is ready to perform His word on our behalf when we seek Him.
The word of God in Psalms 91:9-16 declares more abundant blessings as a result of us living His Secret Place. 9 BECAUSE YOU HAVE MADE the LORD, WHO is my REFUGE, even the MOST HIGH, YOUR DWELLING PLACE, 10 NO EVIL SHALL BEFALL YOU, NOR SHALL ANY PLAGUE COME NEAR YOUR DWELLING; 11 FOR HE SHALL GIVE HIS ANGELS CHARGE OVER YOU, TO KEEP YOU IN ALL YOUR WAYS.” Is the LORD your dwelling place? Do you spend time with the LORD, in reading His word, in prayer and in being grateful for how He has blessed you and those you love? If you are alive, you have something to be grateful for. We have to make the LORD our dwelling place. WHY? It's because the Most High God's profound, loving protection for us. The Mighty One, the LORD said, “No evil shall happen to us, no plague shall come near us, resulting in the LORD giving His angels charge over us to keep us...”
12 “In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
13 You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, the young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot. 14 ‘Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him on high, because he has known My name.” In verse 13, the LORD confirms that we have victory over our enemies as a result of living in His Secret Place. Do you really love the LORD? Verse 14 said, because of our love for the LORD and because we have known His name (the power of His name), He will deliver and elevate us. Our deliverance is tied to us loving and knowing the LORD.
15 “He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. 16 With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation.’” Living in God’s Secret Dwelling Place, knowing Him and loving Him yields God’s abundant provisions for us. In verse 15, God’s word promised, when we call on the Him, then He will answer us, He will be with us in trouble, deliver us and honor us. My LORD, My LORD, My LORD, Your powerful word is our sustenance. Finally, verse 16 reveals the special love that Almighty God (El Shaddai) has for His people when He said, “With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation” (John 3:16 and Romans 10:9,13). Hallelujah to the LORD!!! God’s Secret Place is so totally awesome, but we have to choose to live there.
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 really meant it, based on Roman 10:9-10, you are saved. Welcome into God’s Family!
IT’S THE SECRET PLACE! Part 1
BARBARA E. PERKINS
IT’S THE SECRET PLACE!
Part 1
Oh, how I love God’s powerful, comforting word. It’s dessert to my heart and soul.
Have you ever wanted to escape to a place where you could feel safe and secure? Wouldn’t it be wonderful right now, to be able to get in your car, or jump on a plane, or just take a cruise to escape this Coronavirus Pandemic Era? Is there actually a Secret Place where we can hide out until this Pandemic Era has passed? There is definitely a Secret Place that we can escape too. That Secret Place is in God and His word, IF we put our trust in Him. That Secret Place is found in Psalms 91 (NKJV). 1 “He who dwells in the SECRET PLACE of the MOST HIGH shall abide under the shadow of THE ALMIGHTY.” EL ELYON is one of the redemptive names of God found in this Scripture and it means “THE GOD MOST HIGH” or “THE MIGHTY ONE.” EL SHADDAI is another redemptive name of God, also found in this Scripture and it means “THE ALMIGHTY GOD” or “He, Who is all sufficient; God, Who is more than enough to meet our need in any situation. El Elyon, The Mighty One, says if we dwell (live) in His Secret Place, we shall (can/must) abide (remain stable) under El Shaddai, Almighty God’s shadow because He is the One Who is ALL SUFFICIENT for us. There are tremendous eternal benefits to living in God’s Secret Place because God’s word promises us eternal life, IF we have made His Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord (John 3:16-17). IF we choose not to make Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord, there are regrettable consequences found in the book of Revelation 20:11-15. While we are living in God’s Secret Place, if we happen to exit this world, for whatever reason, we are assured of living throughout eternity in heaven with Almighty God and Jesus Christ (Revelation 21:1-8).
2 “I WILL SAY of the LORD, ‘He is my Refuge and my Fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.’” We have to SAY WHO THE LORD IS TO US. He is my REFUGE, my FORTRESS, my GOD.” He is the ONE I put my trust in. 3 “Surely, He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence.” LORD GOD, I thank You for Your word and I am trusting YOU to deliver my family and me from all the traps and pestilence of our enemies, including the Coronavirus. 4 “He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler (protection/defense).” LORD, I thank you for being our refuge, our covering and shielding my family and me with Your loving protection, as well as helping us to live in Your truth. 5 “You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, 6 Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.” My GOD, YOUR protection for us is beyond AWESOME morning, noon and night; therefore, we are not afraid, even though the world is falling apart. 7 “A THOUSAND MAY FALL AT YOUR SIDE, AND TEN THOUSAND AT YOUR RIGHT HAND; BUT IT SHALL NOT COME NEAR YOU.” LORD, although my heart cries out in agony for the lost, again, I Thank YOU, for Your DIVINE PROTECTION. HALLELUJAH!!! 8 “Only with your eyes shall you look, and see the REWARD of the wicked.” God’s word reminds us in Hebrews 11:6, that He is also a Rewarder of the Faithful.
Oh, the things you can find in God’s Secret Place. It’s a Secret Place because some people never find it. This Secret Place is carefully and strategically hidden between the Books of Genesis and Revelation. I challenge you to find and consume all you can in God’s Secret Place. “Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; for I am called by Your name, O LORD God of hosts” (Jeremiah 15:16). God has a Secret Place for us. Selah (Pause, and calmly think of that)!
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 really meant it, based on Roman 10:9-10, you are saved. Welcome into God’s Family!
HAS GOD CHANGED HIS EXPECTATIONS FOR US?
BARBARA E. PERKINS
HAS GOD CHANGED HIS EXPECTATIONS FOR US?
Has the LORD GOD changed His expectations for us? The LORD empathically confirmed His expectations for us in Malachi 3:6 (NKJV), “For I am the LORD, I do not change…” God’s word in Hebrews 13:8 said, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” God’s word declares in Romans 12:1-2 “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.” There is an account in the Old Testament Book of Judges Chapter 13-16, about a man named Samson. The LORD had very high expectations for Samson’s life; however, by the time we get to chapter 16 we find that Samson’s life had dangerously, deviated from the LORD’s plan. He was a judge over Israel for twenty years in the days of the Philistines. But, by the end of his life, Samson had strayed away from the LORD and had become ensnared in a web of deceit cultivated by his enemies, Delilah and the Philistines. It was so much so that Samson did not realize that the power of the LORD that had controlled His life and made him victorious was gone (Judges 16:20-21). We see the mercy of God in Judges 16:28 when Samson prayed and the LORD vindicated him. Does any of Samson’s life remind you of God’s Church today?
Is the LORD still looking for a Church without spot or wrinkle today? In Ephesians 5:26-26 God’s word reveals to us what He is looking for in His Church, “That He (God) might sanctify and cleanse her (His Church) with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she (the Church) should be holy (set apart) and without blemish. Is the LORD expecting us to obey His word today? God’s word in James 1:22 said, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, DECEIVING YOURSELVES.” God, in His infinite wisdom, knew at some point in our lives we would miss the mark. That’s why He gave us 1 John 1:9, so that we would REPENT, PRAY and BE FORGIVEN. Does God consider His word relevant to us today? I believe that Almighty God has a lot to say about the relevancy of His word today, as confirmed in Psalm 119:89-90, “Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven. Your faithfulness endures to all generations; You established the earth, and it abides.” In Isaiah 40:8 God’s word said it this way, “The grass withers, the flower fades, BUT THE WORD OF OUR GOD STANDS FOREVER.”
There is another example in the Old Testament in the Book of Genesis Chapter 6-9 that confirms the fact that God does not change His expectations for His people. Similar to today, yet different, this was also a time when the whole world shut down because it rained for 40 days and 40 nights. The people of that day who had a steadfast focus on God, listened to Him and climbed into God’s Ark of protection. Those who were concerned about the daily mundane routine, apparently didn’t have time for the LORD. They just waited for the rain to stop—probably to get back to their normal. During the flood there was only one way the people were going to survive. They had to listen to God’s word (as delivered by Noah, “Preacher of Righteousness,” 2Peter 2:5) and they had to obey God’s word. That was the only means of survival for them. Is that our only way of surviving this coronavirus pandemic? God’s word declared to us, “I am the LORD and I do not change...” SO TODAY, WHO DO YOU THINK WILL HAVE TO CHANGE? IT’S NOT GOD! But, God loves us so much that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to save us.
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 really meant it, based on Roman 10:9-10, you are saved. Welcome into God’s Family!
GETTING BACK TO NORMAL Part 2
BARBARA E. PERKINS
GETTING BACK TO NORMAL
Part 2
What is normal? Some people are asking where is God during this coronavirus pandemic? They are probably anxious to get back to normal. GOD’S WORD ANSWERS that previous question, “…I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). Numbers 23:19 declares, “GOD IS NOT A MAN, THAT HE SHOULD LIE, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or HAS HE SPOKEN, and WILL HE NOT MAKE IT GOOD?” God is right where He has always been, WAITING ON US. Since God didn’t leave us, then we must have left Him long before our nation found itself in the midst of the worse disaster in history—this coronavirus pandemic. We were possibly too caught up in our normal to realize we had rushed past the LORD, maybe months or years ago, and forgot to wait on Him. Isaiah, the prophet, said it this way in Isaiah 40:31, “But those who WAIT ON THE LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” The Psalmist David said (Psalms 37:7), “Rest in the LORD, and WAIT patiently for Him…” Now that the LORD has our attention, we need to pray and seek His face—His way of doing things and living. Our normal is lacking so much. Genesis 1:26 said, we were created in God’s image and likeness. We were not created in God’s image and likeness to develop the kind of unjust society that we are living in right now. Proverbs 3:27 shows the compassionate nature of God and what He expects of us. “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so.” 1 John 4:7, 11 says, “God is love” and “…If God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” Jesus Christ’s sacrifice is a testimony of God’s love for us (John 3:16). God’s nature is love and that should be our nature as well. Do we have the God kind of love—agape love? Do we have unselfish love for each other? Is this love part of our normal? I believe the LORD is waiting on us to repent and pray, right now, before it is too late. LORD, have mercy on the poor, needy, the widows, the fatherless and the blue-collar workers in this nation whose needs are rarely met or even considered. God’s word in Psalms 140:12 helps us to understand His concerns, “I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and justice for the poor.” LORD GOD, please forgive us and have mercy on this nation. I pray that You will give us (this nation) the desire to pursue justice for all of its people. Heavenly Father, save us (this nation) from ourselves and our poor choices, before we implode. We need You, LORD! Please have mercy on us and help us to strive to be better than our past normal. In Jesus Christ’s Powerful Name! Amen!
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 really meant it, based on Roman 10:9-10, you are saved. Welcome into God’s Family!
GETTING BACK TO NORMAL Part 1
BARBARA E. PERKINS
GETTING BACK TO NORMAL
Part 1
What is normal? What many accept as normal is not pleasing to God. All people are very important in God’s plan, but for some reason that is not what happens in our normal society. …And that’s normal. God’s word in Deuteronomy 16: 19 (NKJV) declares, “You shall not pervert justice; you shall not show partiality, nor take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous.” In the Book of James 2:1-4 God’s word is also confirmed, “My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. 2 For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, 3 and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, ‘You sit here in a good place,’ and say to the poor man, ‘You stand there,’ or, ‘Sit here at my footstool,’” 4 have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?” Then Colossians 3:25 continues with these sharp words, “But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.” Yet, we see partiality in the way people are being dealt with every day and on every level during the coronavirus pandemic. Our healthcare workers, first responders, sanitation workers, those working in meat packing companies, grocery stores, the postal service and other critical workers providing a service on the front lines during this pandemic are overworked, underpaid and understaffed. Many of them are working in unsafe conditions, putting their very lives in peril, as well as that of their families and communities. Many of the doctors and nurses are literally crying because of the coronavirus produced trauma, fatigue, inadequate working conditions, plus lack of supplies and equipment. The deadly neglect in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, across this nation, during this coronavirus pandemic is unconscionable. Thus, they need the cooperation of this entire nation and our prayers to be able to successfully do their jobs. This has become normal. Our brave veterans have dedicated years of their lives, many sacrificing their lives or limbs to protect the U. S. A. Yet, the medical and other services provided for them, so badly needed, are lacking. That’s this nation’s normal. It’s sinful!!! Another challenge, there are states in the U. S. A. where drinking water is unsafe to drink because of pollution. This has been a problem in several states for years with Michigan, California and New Jersey topping the list and it is appalling. In addition, there are so many other harmful environmental issues affecting our air, land and sea. Unfortunately, it has become our normal. Then, there are all these other little and big things that mess up our normal, like bigotry, factions and pride. I don’t believe that Almighty God is pleased with the normal that we are trying to go back too. His word 1 Cor. 3:19-20 admonishes us, “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, ‘He catches the wise in their own craftiness;’ 20 and again, ‘The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.’” We, as a nation, are in a very bad place right now, therefore we need to repent and pray to God, so that He will have mercy on us and answer our prayers (2 Chronicles 2:14). LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, we so desperately need You to heal our land and reverse the course of the coronavirus. LORD GOD, please have mercy on us and our nation. In Jesus Christ’s Powerful Name! Amen!
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 really meant it, based on Roman 10:9-10, you are saved. Welcome into God’s Family!
PLEASE, DON’T BE ANGRY WITH GOD!
BARBARA E. PERKINS
PLEASE, DON’T BE ANGRY WITH GOD!
We are living during extraordinary times on so many different levels. We absolutely need Almighty God, El Shaddai, Who is all sufficient and more than enough to meet our needs in any situation. We desperately need The LORD on our side, not just now, but always. Opposing the Creator of mankind, The King of the Universe, is not good for us. Let’s examine God’s word to try and understand why this is so important in our world today. In the word of God in Jeremiah 18:3-13 (NKJV), God takes Jeremiah, the prophet, down to the potter’s house to teach him about the ways of God’s people. “3 Then I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was, making something at the wheel. 4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter; so, he made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make. 5 Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying: 6 ‘O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter?,’ says the Lord. ‘Look, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel! 7 The instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, to pull down, and to destroy it, 8 IF THAT NATION AGAINST WHOM I HAVE SPOKEN TURNS FROM ITS EVIL, I WILL RELENT OF THE DISASTER THAT I THOUGHT TO BRING UPON IT. 9 And the instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it, 10 IF IT DOES EVIL IN MY SIGHT SO THAT IT DOES NOT OBEY MY VOICE, THEN I WILL RELENT CONCERNING THE GOOD WITH WHICH I SAID I WOULD BENEFIT IT.’ 11 ‘Now therefore, speak to the men of Judah and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Thus, says the Lord: Behold, I am fashioning a disaster and devising a plan against you. RETURN NOW EVERYONE FROM HIS EVIL WAY, AND MAKE YOUR WAYS AND YOUR DOINGS GOOD.’ 12 And THEY SAID, ‘That is hopeless! So, WE WILL WALK ACCORDING TO OUR OWN PLANS, and WE WILL EVERYONE (DO) THE DICTATES (STUBBORNNESS) OF HIS EVIL HEART.’ 13 Therefore THUS SAID THE LORD: ‘Ask now among the Gentiles, WHO HAS HEARD SUCH THINGS? The virgin of Israel has done a very horrible thing.’” The LORD, YAHWEH, I AM, The God Who Always Is (Present Tense), was not pleased with His people because they rebelled against Him. The people did not consider ALL that the LORD had done for them. So, they were angry, bitter and noncompliant with their Creator. WHO HAS HEARD SUCH THINGS AS WHAT WE ARE EXPERIENCING TODAY? God’s word in Psalms 121:2, 5-8 declares, 2 “My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.” 5 “The Lord is your keeper (Protector); The Lord is your shade at your right hand. 6 The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. 7 The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. 8 The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore.” Who is going to protect us IF we get angry with God? In 1 Peter 5:8-9 God’s word commands us, “8 Be sober (self-controlled), be vigilant(watchful); because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.” Don’t give the enemy an opportunity to devour you. James 4:7 said it this way, “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” Then John 10:10 JESUS DECLARED, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I HAVE COME THAT THEY MAY HAVE LIFE, AND THAT THEY MAY HAVE IT MORE ABUNDANTLY.” When we don’t understand what is happening around us, let’s look to God and His word (Deuteronomy 29:29). There is never a good reason to be angry with God, our Creator, or His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. God is so full of love and mercy for us.
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 really meant it, based on Roman 10:9-10, you are saved. Welcome into God’s Family!
WHEN CIRCUMSTANCES LOOK DIRE… Part 2
BARBARA E. PERKINS
WHEN CIRCUMSTANCES LOOK DIRE…
Part 2
In Numbers 21:4-9, the word of God denounced still another group, “Then they journeyed from Mount Hor by the Way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the soul of the people became very discouraged on the way. 5 And THE PEOPLE SPOKE AGAINST GOD AND AGAINST MOSES: ‘Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and our soul loathes (detests) this worthless bread.’ 6 SO THE LORD SENT FIERY SERPENTS AMONG THE PEOPLE, AND THEY BIT THE PEOPLE; AND MANY OF THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL DIED. 7 Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, ‘WE HAVE SINNED, for we have spoken against the LORD and against you; pray to the LORD that He take away the serpents from us.’ SO, MOSES PRAYED FOR THE PEOPLE. 8 Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live.’ 9 SO MOSES MADE A BRONZE SERPENT, AND PUT IT ON A POLE; and so it was, IF A SERPENT HAD BITTEN ANYONE, WHEN HE LOOKED AT THE BRONZE SERPENT, HE LIVED.’” In this second example, of Numbers chapter 21, the behavior of God’s people was so much worse. The Children of Israel were so unappreciative of all that The LORD had done for them. In spite of so many miracles that the LORD had performed for the Children of Israel in the wilderness, after their deliverance, God’s people complained incessantly about everything. They rebelled against God and Moses and their actions resulted in a plague-like situation where deadly venomous snakes were killing them. In spite of Moses’ negative treatment from the Children of Israel, he interceded for them. A true Man of God! Thus, Almighty God fulfilled His plan that allowed His people to live, even if they were bitten. As instructed by God, Moses made a fiery bronze serpent, placed it on a pole, and he lifted it up. Now when the people were bitten, IF they beheld the serpent on the pole, with a steadfast gaze, THEY LIVED. The serpent on the pole was a shadow and type of Jesus Christ, in the New Testament when He was lifted up on the cross and Crucified (John 12:32). God is our source of life (our lifeline), so why would anyone get angry with Almighty God, our only means of salvation, deliverance, preservation, safety, soundness of our minds and healing for our bodies? Without God, there is no hope (Isaiah 41:10) (Psalms 71:5). Moses and Aaron interceded to Almighty God for the people and God, in His mercy and grace, changed the deadly outcome. God’s word said of Moses, “…Moses was VERY HUMBLE, more than all men on the face of the earth” (Numbers 12:3). So, why would anyone get angry with Moses or God? Why? What can we gleam from God’s word? Unfortunately, and far too often, many people get hurt for the mistakes of a few people or by following the wrong crowd. Praise God for His mercy and grace (1 Corinthians 10:13). However, we will never know the answers to all of the “WHYS” on this side (Deuteronomy 29:29). But, does either of these circumstances in the Book of Numbers remind us of today? When circumstances look dire what will you do? We can all pray for a better tomorrow because the generations that are following us deserve our prayers (Isaiah 1:19-20), (Isaiah 65:24), and (John 14:13-14).
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 really meant it, based on Roman 10:9-10, you are saved. Welcome into God’s Family!
WHEN CIRCUMSTANCES LOOK DIRE… Part 1
BARBARA E. PERKINS
WHEN CIRCUMSTANCES LOOK DIRE…
Part 1
I love God’s word because it infuses believers with the faith and ability to rise above our circumstances, even when those circumstances look dire. God’s word, prayer, faith and obedience are critical lifelines that keep God’s people connected to Him. There are two passages of Scripture in the Old Testament Book of Numbers that appear to show some similarities between the Children of Israel and what is happening in our world today. In these vivid examples, God’s people broke their lifeline to God which resulted in devastating consequences for them. But, in spite of those consequences that the people faced, the LORD showed them compassion and delivered them from their destruction. The first passage of Scripture in Numbers 16:42-48 (NKJV), God’s word declared, 42 “Now it happened, when THE CONGREGATION HAD GATHERED AGAINST MOSES AND AARON that they turned toward the tabernacle of meeting; and suddenly the cloud covered it, and the glory of the LORD appeared. 43 Then Moses and Aaron came before the tabernacle of meeting. 44 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 45 ‘Get away from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.’ And they fell on their faces. 46 So Moses said to Aaron, ‘Take a censer and put fire in it from the altar, put incense on it, and take it quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them; for wrath has gone out from the LORD. The PLAGUE has begun.’ 47 Then Aaron took it as Moses commanded, and ran into the midst of the assembly; and already the PLAGUE had begun among the people. So, he put in the incense and made atonement for the people. 48 And he stood between the dead and the living; so, the PLAGUE WAS STOPPED. 49 Now those who died in the PLAGUE were fourteen thousand seven hundred, besides those who died in the Korah incident.” Take a look at verse 42 again! The congregation of the Children of Israel were blatantly defiant towards Moses and Aaron, right in the face of God, in front of the tabernacle of meeting. (They took their defiance to Church)! Has anyone ever seen that degree of disrespect in today’s Church? Appalling!!! That congregation of leaders harbored bitterness toward Moses and Aaron because of the Korah incident (Numbers 16:1-38) where God had just pronounced swift judgment on a previous group of over 14,700 leaders who had also rebelled against Moses and Aaron questioning their leadership. This current group of leaders were another part of that same congregation and it appears that God had heard and seen enough before the plague began. Fortunately, Moses’ and Aaron’s quick thinking, intercession, and atonement for the people caused the plague to stop before they were all consumed. In this first example, the Children of Israel rebelled against Moses and Aaron, the two men, charged with the task of leading God’s people to freedom from Egyptian bondage. That was tantamount to rebelling against God (1Samuel 15:23), causing the plague.
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 really meant it, based on Roman 10:9-10, you are saved. Welcome into God’s Family!
RISE
Matthew 28:6 He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
RISE
By Charles H. Perkins
They stretched out His arms and forced Him to the ground.
As they drove the nails through His hands and feet
His flesh made a tearing sound.
They stripped off His clothes and He hung there in shame
As they raised Him from the ground while the crowd mocked His pain.
In the heat of the day as He hung on the cross,
“I thirst” were the words from His weakening voice.
The hours slowly passed and He looked to the sky
And with a loud anguished voice, I heard my Savior cry,
“MY God! My God! Why have You forsaken Me?”
The air was quite still and approaching was Death
“It is finished,” He said with His last dying breath.
And I watched as the soldier drove the spear into His side.
From the wound gushed blood and water.
He hung His head and He died.
They took Him from the cross, placed His body in a cave.
With a huge stone they covered the mouth of His grave.
The sun set that day with my hope nearly lost.
I believed in my Lord, but He had died on the cross.
For three days and three nights He lay in the ground
And His followers cried out in disparaging sounds.
In the bright morning sun, the first day of the week
New hope filled my heart when I heard Mary speak.
“He has risen! Our Lord has RISEN!!!”
And my heart filled with joy as He stood in our midst.
And my life was renewed as my sin He dismissed.
He ascended into the sky saying what we must do
And my heart filled with love as He faded from view
HE HAS RISEN!!!
HALLELUJAH
REPENT AND PRAY!
BARBARA E. PERKINS
REPENT AND PRAY!
Why should we Repent and pray? The main reason we should repent and pray is because we want God to always listen to us when we pray, as well as answer our prayers. In Psalms 66:18 (NKJV) the word of God declares, “If I regard iniquity (sin) in my heart, the LORD will not hear (me).” Then in 1 John 1:9, God’s word reminds us, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” You might think that there is nothing that you need to repent and pray about. So, the following are some other things we might need to repent and pray about. Have you ever taken for granted Jesus Christ’s profound gift of eternal life? We can receive salvation and a relationship with God because of Jesus’ unparalleled sacrifice of His own blood and body for mankind so that we don’t have to go to hell. Do you seize every opportunity to invite others to receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord? If you have not, repent and pray! “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). “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” (2 Peter 3:9). Are you walking in pride? Repent and pray! “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth I hate.” (Proverbs 8:13). “But He (God) gives more grace. Therefore, He says: ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble’” (James 4:6). Have you ever taken advantage of someone just because you had the power to do so? Repent and pray! “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so” (Proverbs 3:27). Are you too busy for God’s people? Repent and pray! 2 “I know your works, your labor… 3 And you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. 4 Nevertheless I have this against you, THAT YOU HAVE LEFT YOUR FIRST LOVE. 5 REMEMBER therefore FROM WHERE YOU HAVE FALLEN; REPENT AND DO THE FIRST WORKS, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—UNLESS YOU REPENT” (Revelation 2:2-5). Is what you are doing taking you away from what God told you to do? Repent and pray! “You are the salt of the earth; BUT, IF THE SALT LOSES ITS FLAVOR, HOW SHALL IT BE SEASONED? IT IS THEN GOOD FOR NOTHING, but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men” (Matthew 5:13). Have you neglected to pray for our leaders? Repent and pray! 2 “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a QUIET and PEACEABLE LIFE in all godliness and reverence” (1 Timothy 2:1-2). Have you forgotten to pray for the body of Christ? Repent and pray! “PRAYING ALWAYS with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for ALL the saints—" (Ephesians 6:18). If you answered yes to any of these questions, it is essential that you repent and pray to put yourself in a right relationship with God so that He will hear and answer your prayers. Praise God for His forgiveness and for His loving kindness.
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 really meant it, based on Roman 10:9-10, you are saved. Welcome into God’s Family!
The Loneliest Night
The Loneliest Night
By Charles H. Perkins
For Him, it was loneliest night in the history of the world. At the last supper that He would share with the 12 men who followed Him. He was betrayed by one—Judas. Later that night, when He was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, all of His followers abandoned Him. He was alone. As the guards were taking Him to the courtyard of the Temple to be accused and tried, Peter, one of His disciples, followed Him at a distance. One other disciple who knew one of the guards also came and managed to get Peter inside of the gate. When asked if he was a disciple, Peter denied Him three times adding to the loneliness. The other disciple apparently faded into the background. All He heard from the crowd was the shout of “Crucify Him!!!” He was alone. He was beaten, flogged, slapped, spit on, beard ripped out. While being forced to carry His own cross for His crucifixion, He fell and was helped for a while by Simon the Cyrenian. And then, again, alone as they nailed Him to the cross. As He was dying on the cross, He took on the sins of the world, yours and mine. His loneliest moment came when, for a moment, He was separated from The Father and cried out, “My God! My God! Why have You forsaken Me?” More alone than anyone in the history of human kind, He died on the cross. Yes, He died alone on that cross so that you and I could spend eternity with Him. Thank You, Jesus, my Lord and my God.
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 dead for my salvation. I confess Him right now as my Savior and Lord. Now, Heavenly Father, 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!
LET’S CROSS OVER TO THE OTHER SIDE!
BARBARA E. PERKINS
LET’S CROSS OVER TO THE OTHER SIDE!
There is a passage in the New Testament that I want us to focus on, where the faith of God’s people is challenged as they learn to trust Jesus, God’s Son. In Luke 8:22-25 (NKJV) Jesus said, “Let us cross over to the other side of the lake.” He spoke these dynamic, faith filled words and it changed the circumstances that were about to destroy His disciples. 22 “Now it happened, on a certain day, that He got into a boat with His disciples. And He said to them, ‘Let us cross over to the other side of the lake.’ And they launched out. 23 But as they sailed He fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water, and were in jeopardy. 24 And they came to Him and awoke Him, saying, ‘Master, Master, we are perishing!’ Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And they ceased, and there was a calm. 25 But He said to them, ‘WHERE IS YOUR FAITH?’ And they were afraid, and marveled, saying to one another, ‘Who can this be? For He commands even the winds and water, and they obey Him!’” Jesus’s disciples’ lives were being threatened, and He asked them about their faith, as if it were a vehicle that could save them. God’s word in Hebrews 11:6 declares, “But WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE HIM (God), for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that HE IS A REWARDER of those who diligently seek Him.” When Jesus’ disciples got into the boat with Him, Jesus stated, “Let us cross over to the other side.” That was Jesus’ plan and His plan didn’t change, even though the sea was raging and threatening their lives. Jesus didn’t ask His disciples about the raging sea. No!!! Jesus asked, “WHERE IS YOUR FAITH?” His disciples were expected to do something to change their circumstances, because they were not suppose to drown. They were expected to cross over to the other side of the sea and nothing less. We can get further insight into what Jesus expects of His FAITHFUL followers in John 14:12-14, “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. 13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 IF YOU ASK ANYTHING IN MY NAME, I WILL DO IT.” When I read, meditate, and pray God’s word, I am energized to believe that I can make it to the other side of very difficult, almost impossible circumstances, IF I have FAITH in God’s word. In spite of the circumstances we face, God hears and answers our prayers. God word confirms this fact in 1John 5:14-15, 14 “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that IF WE ASK ANYTHING ACCORDING TO HIS WILL, HE HEARS US. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE THE PETITIONS THAT WE HAVE ASKED OF HIM.” Can God’s faith filled words rescue us from our daunting circumstances of today? Yes!!! I believe we can cross over to the other side of whatever situation we are facing, IF we trust God, His word and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Thank You, LORD GOD for your love and faithfulness. Thank You, Lord Jesus for Your overwhelming compassion for us.
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 really meant it, based on Roman 10:9-10, you are saved. Welcome into God’s Family!
THE LORD, OUR STRONG TOWER
BARBARA E. PERKINS
THE LORD, OUR STRONG TOWER
Those of us who put our trust in the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY can find peace and comfort in His word. God’s word in Proverbs 18:10 (NKJV) is very encouraging, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” We desperately need a strong tower that we can count on during times like today and I am grateful that the LORD is that Strong Tower. The LORD reiterates His promises in Psalms 61:2-4 so that we will trust Him, 2 “…When my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the Rock that is higher than I. 3 For You have been a Shelter for me, a Strong Tower from the enemy. 4 I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings. Selah!” There are times when we can be so fearful, but Almighty God speaks comfort to us through His word as in Isaiah 41:10 and 13, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’’ The LORD does not want us consumed by fear and in 2 Timothy 1:7, He says to us, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” God’s word continues to encourage us in Psalm 46:1, 10-11 with, “God is our Refuge and Strength, a very present help in trouble.” 10 “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! 11 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our Refuge. Selah!“ In Psalms 91:1-2, 9-11 , our safety in God is evident because, “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, ‘He IS my Refuge and my Fortress; My GOD, in Him I will trust.’” 9 “Because you have made the LORD, who is my Refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, 10 No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; 11 For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.” At times like these, God’s word has the ability to lift us out of the depths of despair. The LORD, our High Tower, also lifts us up with these blessed words in Psalms 18:1-3, “I will love You, O LORD, my Strength. 2 The LORD is my Rock and my Fortress and my Deliverer; my God, my Strength, in whom I will trust; my Shield and the Horn of my Salvation, my Stronghold. 3 I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised...” Remember God’s many promises to us, also in Isaiah 26:3-4, “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he (believers) trusts in You. 4 Trust in the LORD forever, for in Yah, the LORD, is everlasting strength.” Trust the LORD GOD, our High Tower and trust His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
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 really meant it, based on Roman 10:9-10, you are saved. Welcome into God’s Family!
ENTERING GOD’S ARK OF PROTECTION
BARBARA E. PERKINS
ENTERING GOD’S ARK OF PROTECTION
There is this story in the Old Testament of a man named Noah who put his trust in God to build an Ark that afforded him and His family God’s protection. This was a time period when God was quite disappointed in the people that He had created because of their wickedness (Genesis 6:5). But there was also this very heartwarming statement that God made about Noah in Genesis 6:8-9 (NKJV), “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. 9 This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God.“ God’s word in Genesis 6:22 also shared additional facts about Noah that reveals why he was able to enter God’s Ark of protection: “Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did.” As a result, Noah was rewarded because of his integrity and faithfulness to the LORD GOD. “Then the Lord said to Noah, “Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation (Genesis 7:1).” The fact that this story is from the Old Testament does not preclude us being able to vividly see the heart of God for today. In Malachi 3:6, the word of God says, “For I am the Lord, I do not change…” God does not change in what He expects of us yesterday, today or tomorrow. In John 14:21, 24 God’s word affirms, 21 “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.” 24 “He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and THE WORD YOU HEAR ME SPEAK IS NOT MINE BUT THE FATHER’S WHO SENT ME.” The word also said in Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Finally, God’s word asks of us in James 1:22, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. God is not deceived by what we say, He watches what we do. God is carefully watching the behavior of His creation today. What He sees and hears must be absolutely appalling—heartbreaking. Noah pleased God. Noah’s behavior, his faithfulness led God to command him to build an Ark. When completed, Noah and his family entered God’s Ark of protection and their lives were saved. God is faithful to His promises. This story is an example of how God expects us to be obedient to His word (His will), if we want to enter God’s Ark of protection, (figuratively) today. LORD GOD, please forgive us. LORD, we desperately need Your mercy and Your grace. In Jesus Christ powerful Name! Amen!
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 really meant it, based on Roman 10:9-10, you are saved. Welcome into God’s Family!
IS SALVATION STILL A PRIORITY WITH GOD? Part 2
BARBARA E. PERKINS
IS SALVATION STILL A PRIORITY WITH GOD?
Part 2
Is salvation still a priority with God? One of the most familiar Scriptures, John 3:16-17 (NKJV) answers that question forever and indisputably, 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.” The most important reason to accept Jesus Christ into your heart and receive salvation is to be granted eternal life—to live forever in the presence of Almighty God and Jesus Christ. So, when you leave this earth realm you know exactly where you are going. No if, and or buts!!! John 14:6 also confirms our need for salvation because Jesus Christ is the ONLY WAY we can be saved and develop a right relationship with God. Salvation is so very important that God’s word says in Luke 15:7, 10, “… There is joy in the presence of the angels of God, over ONE SINNER WHO REPENTS.” The word also declares in 2Peter 3:9, “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.” God is so loving and compassionate that He gives us chances to come to Him by accepting His Son, Jesus Christ. You and/or I might be the laborers that God uses to pray with them. Another paramount reason for getting saved is in Revelation 21:8, “8 But the COWARDLY, UNBELIEVING, ABOMINABLE, MURDERERS, SEXUALLY IMMORAL, SORCERERS, IDOLATERS, and ALL LIARS shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” “…The LORD IS NOT WILLING THAT ANY SHOULD PERISH, BUT ALL SHOULD COME TO REPENTANCE.” So, is salvation still a priority with Almighty God? An emphatic, YES!!! Why is salvation a priority with Almighty God? It is because of all of the above reasons and without salvation you would die and go to hell, with absolutely no chance of ever getting out. We can be here today and gone tomorrow! That would be devastating! Remember the angels in heaven rejoice when one person is saved. We should always make provisions to allow that one person or the many to invite Jesus Christ into their lives because it is a priority with Almighty God and should be with us. Let’s do God’s will and always make salvation a priority because “He is not willing that any should perish, but all should come to repentance.” Are we willing that any should perish and go to hell? LORD GOD, please have mercy on us, your people, and forgive us for the souls that we didn’t invite to Jesus Christ with an urgency. LORD GOD, please help us to grasp the magnitude of SALVATION as Your priority for us.
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 really meant it, based on Roman 10:9-10, you are saved. Welcome into God’s Family!
IS SALVATION STILL A PRIORITY WITH GOD? Part 1
BARBARA E. PERKINS
IS SALVATION STILL A PRIORITY WITH GOD?
Part 1
Is salvation still a priority with Almighty God? Is salvation still a priority with us, the body of Jesus Christ? Is it a major priority or is it moving toward the bottom of our list of priorities? When are we excused for not having time for salvation? Do we really need to always make sure people have an opportunity to be saved? There seems to be so many different ideas about when we should invite the various people that we come in contact with to be saved. How do we know if there will be another opportunity for that person? Tomorrow is not guaranteed for anyone! So, what does God’s word say about the importance of salvation? In Galatians 3:26-28 and 4:4-7 (NKJV) God’s word declares, “26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. In Galatians 4:4-7 God reveals, 4 “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, ‘Abba, Father!’ 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” The blood of bulls and goats could never take away man’s sin. But Jesus obeyed His Father’s will when He sacrificed His own body for the sin of the world; thereby, establishing a new covenant. As a result, His sacrifice paid for our salvation and brought us back into right relation with His Father, God. In Hebrews 10:5-7, Jesus answered His Father God’s call with the following response, 5 “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.’” Jesus Christ gave up His royal robe and came down to earth to fulfilled His Father God’s plan to save mankind. Is Jesus’ personal sacrifice enough to convince you that you need a Savior? Are you persuaded that salvation is still a priority with God? LORD GOD, please have mercy on us, your people, and forgive us for the souls that we didn't invite with an urgency to come to Jesus Christ.
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 really meant it, based on Roman 10:9-10, you are saved. Welcome into God’s Family!
AN URGENT CALL FOR PRAYER!!!
BARBARA E. PERKINS
(Repost From January 21, 2018)
AN URGENT CALL FOR PRAYER!!!
God’s familiar word in 2Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV) has an urgent call for us to pray for our nation for such a time as this New Year, this month, this week, this day, this very hour. Almighty God’s word for us right now IS, “IF My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, THEN I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” The LORD is speaking directly to US, HIS PEOPLE, in this passage of Scripture. Father God, thank You for giving us YOUR KEYS for getting our prayers answered. You have reminded us to #1 BE HUMBLE, #2 PRAY, #3 SEEK YOUR FACE (SEEK YOU/YOUR WAY OF DOING…), #4 TURN FROM OUR WICKED WAYS (REPENT). These KEYS ARE NOT A SUGGESTION FROM GOD TO ANSWER OUR PRAYERS, they are an URGENT COMMAND FROM HIM. THEN, GOD’S WORD says, I will: #1 HEAR (you) from heaven, #2 FORGIVE your sin, and #3 HEAL your land. Father God Your word also tells us in John 14:13-14, Whatever we ASK IN JESUS’ NAME, HE WILL DO so that YOU, Father God, are glorified... LORD, thank You for YOUR IMPORTANT KEYS to answering our prayers. Help us to be doers of your word and not hearers only, deceiving ourselves and hindering the answers to our prayers. Many of us have already been praying a very long time for this nation and other issues. LORD help us to remember Your word for us in Galatians 6:9, “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” Thank You, LORD for showing us (Your people) how to grow closer to You and Jesus Christ, to read Your word, to get answers to our prayers in our personal lives, as well as for every aspect of our nation. Father God, thank You for the encouragement that comes from Your word, as in 2Corinthians 4:17-18, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 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.” Father God, thank You for revealing to us the urgent need for prayer for such a time as this. All Glory, honor, praise, and gratitude to our Great God and to Jesus Christ because of their love for us and Their desire to answer our prayers.
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 really meant it, based on Roman 10:9-10, you are saved. Welcome into God’s Family!
WHO DO YOU PUT YOUR TRUST IN? Part 2
BARBARA E. PERKINS
WHO DO YOU PUT YOUR TRUST IN?
Part 2
Who do you put your trust in? Put your trust in Almighty God the Creator of heaven, earth and all mankind. No matter what situation we are facing, Almighty God requires and expects us to put our trust in Him. In Psalms 146:3-6 (NKJV), the word of God declares, 3 “Do not put your trust in princes, nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help. 4 His spirit departs, he returns to his earth; in that very day his plans perish. 5 Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God, 6 Who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; Who keeps truth forever…“ Almighty God lets us know that we cannot put our trust in mankind. Why? Mankind disappoint us. Mankind is fallible. He is NOT WITHOUT sin. The LORD GOD keeps truth forever and we know that we can put our trust in Him. Plus, we are happy when we put our trust in the LORD. As we read God’s word in Psalms 62:5-8, we can understand more fully why we should put our trust in Him. 5 “My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him. 6 He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved. 7 In God is my salvation and my glory; the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. 8 Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah!” In 1Peter 5:6-7, God’s speaks of us trusting Him in this way, “6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.“ We can also be encouraged by God’s word on trusting Him in Philippians 4:4-7, 4 “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.“ We can rejoice in trusting the LORD because He doesn’t disappoint us. The LORD GOD is our Salvation, our Strength, our Peace, our Refuge and our Defense. So, who will you put your trust in when the foundations of your world begin shaking, crumbling? Almighty God loves you more than you can ever imagine (John 3:16-17). Will you put your trust in Him?
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!
WHO DO YOU PUT YOUR TRUST IN? Part 1
BARBARA E. PERKINS
WHO DO YOU PUT YOUR TRUST IN?
Part 1
Who do you put your trust in when your world turns upside down? You might have endured a devastating tragedy in your family. It might be that your job has decided to terminate you because work is slow. It might be that the month lasts longer than your pay check. It might be that your government is on a collision course and you don’t know what to do. Or, it might be that your doctors have offered you very little hope in your diagnosis. All of these situations are unimaginable for anyone to navigate through without help. But, who do you put your trust in during times like these? In Psalm 118:8-9 (NKJV) the word of God offers a definitive answer to that profound question. 8"IT IS BETTER TO TRUST IN THE LORD THAN TO PUT CONFIDENCE IN MAN. 9 IT IS BETTER TO TRUST IN THE LORD THAN TO PUT CONFIDENCE IN PRINCES.” Again, in Psalm 146:3-6 God’s word declared, 3 DO NOT PUT YOUR TRUST IN PRINCES, NOR IN A SON OF MAN, IN WHOM THERE IS NO HELP. 4 His spirit departs, he returns to his earth; in that very day his plans perish. 5 Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, WHOSE HOPE IS IN THE LORD HIS GOD, 6 Who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them…” The word of God says to put your trust in the Him. Proverbs 28:26 declares, “He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but whoever walks wisely will be delivered.” Mankind (no matter who he or she is or what position of power they possess) have a way of disappointing the people who are counting on them. THE LORD does not! The LORD GOD has declared in His powerful word (Hebrew 13:5), “…I will never leave you nor forsake you.” The LORD will never disappoint us. We disappoint Him too often, but when we sincerely repent the LORD forgives us, restores us, heals us, mends our broken hearts, and meets our needs because He loves us. God can also allow Health Care Providers to provide a service for us. It is so important to cover all our situations through prayer, inviting God to oversee our family members’ and our care with His blessings. Psalms 146:1-2 admonishes us to, “Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! 2 While I live I will praise the Lord; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.” If we sincerely look back over our lives in introspection, we should be able to see the LORD’S hand of mercy and grace in our lives. When we recognize the experiences of the LORD’S loving kindness; it makes praising and worshipping Him such a tremendous joy, as exemplified in Psalm 146:1-2 and throughout the Bible. Who do you put your trust in?
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!
CREATED IN GOD’S IMAGE Part 3
BARBARA E. PERKINS
CREATED IN GOD’S IMAGE
Part 3
God’s word declared that we are made in His image, according to His likeness (Genesis 1:26-27 [NKJV]). But, why did He create us? In Part 2, we saw from God’s word why He created us—to do good works, to bring Him glory, to offer spiritual sacrifice to God, and to offer Him praise. Dominion was lost by mankind in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve were deceived by the serpent (satan), committing the ultimate sin, instead of obeying God who had given them everything. But, in spite of all that was lost in the Garden, Jesus came to Earth and restored everything that satan had taken away, making it possible for mankind to get back into a right relationship with God. This was something that man could never do (Hebrews 10:5-10). Now through Jesus Christ, we are able to fulfill God’s plan for our lives. An equally significant Scripture is in Matthew 28:18-20 that sums up another very important reason why God created us. “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.” Jesus Christ said, GO, MAKE DISCIPLES for Almighty God and teach them everything I have taught you. We are God’s ambassadors on assignment (2 Corinthians 5:20). But, to do what God created us to do requires us to walk in love (Ephesians 5:2). Jesus said it this way in John 13:34-35, “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.” Then later, Jesus made a declaration to one of His disciples in John 14:9, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father (God)…” We should be able to say the same thing, especially, since God created us in His image and His likeness—with godly character. We have to continually strive to be like Jesus Christ, like God—our Creator. However, we cannot be all that God wants us to be without inviting Jesus Christ (redeemer of mankind), God’s Son, into our hearts to be our Lord and Savior (John 3:16). Praise God because our story is continuing to unfold in the Book Revelation 4:11, where we see the twenty-four elders fall down (showing homage) before Almighty God and worshipping Him saying, “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.” It was Almighty God’s loving will to create man and woman in His image, the purpose was and still is today, for us to live our lives in such a way that brings glory, honor and praise to Him. PRAISE 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!
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