Keep Yourself in The Love of God

Pastor Sue’s  Pearls From Above

Jude 1:20-21; But you, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

According to v.1; Jude was writing to those that are sanctified by God the Father, those who are kept in Jesus Christ, and called.

He was writing to those who are saved, and appealing to them to contend earnestly for the faith that was handed down once for everyone. V.3

He was writing to those who were growing in faith, praying in the Spirit, and looking for the return of Jesus. He was encouraging them to Keep yourself in God’s love.  

This short letter of Jude is for everyone in this day and hour as well, who are also saved, sanctified, and called.

There are wolves in sheep clothing out to devour the sheep. There are some who came in unaware, ungodly people, changing the gospel of grace into something sensual, denying God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Because someone was saved out of Egypt, doesn’t mean they will enter into the Promised Land, unbelief will always block the entrance. 

Jude goes on to describe these people as filthy dreamers, who reject authority, and speak evil of things they don’t understand, and the things they do know, they are corrupted by them.

But YOU, beloved, you stay safe in God’s love. You dwell in Him, You hold fast to what you have been taught, You keep the faith, You stand firm against the wiles of the ungodly who change the gospel of Jesus Christ, those who preach another Jesus, those who are spots among the believers. You, beloved, you separate yourself from these mockers who walk after their own desires, complainers, fault finders, who speak flattering words to gain admiration from others. You watch out for those in opposition to the truth, use discernment and let the Spirit of God lead you. YOU watch and pray, and stay connected to the vine, and the enemy won’t be able to deceive you, or cause you to fall, because as Jude writes in his closing letter; V. 24; Now unto him that is able to keep YOU from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

God bless

ANGELS PROTECT TOO

Austin Pettit..age 10

Pearl of Great Price Tabernacle

Angels are heavenly beings sent from heaven to help humans on earth. They are Gods special messengers. Angels are not equal to God, because they were created by God. He tells angels what to do. Some of their jobs are delivering messages for God, protecting God’s people, helping the thirsty, and praising God’s name. 

Psalm 148:2; Praise ye him, all his angels, praise ye him, all ye hosts.

Psalm 148:5; Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created.

Psalm 103:20; Bless the Lord, ye his angels that excel in his strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.

Now moving on to Luke 1:13; But the angel of the Lord said unto him, fear not Zechariah, for thy prayer is heard, and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.

Daniel 3:28; Then Nebuchadnezzar spake and said, blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.

Moving on again to Genesis 21:17-19; And God heard the voice of the lad, and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven and said unto her, what ailieth thee Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the lad where he is. Arise, lift up the lad and hold him in thy hand.

For I will make him a great nation. And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water, and she went and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad a drink.

Now to Revelation 12:7-9; And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon fought and his angels, and the dragon prevailed not, neither was their place found anymore in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent called the devil and satan, which deceives the whole world. He was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

The Bible says he fell like lightning, I’m sure he hit the ground hard. Amen 

God Loves You

God Loves You

Pearl of Great Price Tabernacle 

Griffin Pettit; age 11

No matter what happens, God loves you.

Jesus died on the cross for us. That’s one example.

John 3:16; For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Romans 5:8; But God commended his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

That proves that God loves us and takes mighty good care of us and there are more verses but no matter what, God loves you.

1 John 4:8; He that loves not, knows not God; for God is love.

If you are in a bad place in your life like getting your wisdom teeth pulled, now that may hurt but going down to Hell is much worse than anything. Count your Blessings.

He wants you to go to heaven, he wants you to be his child, he doesn’t want to say “I don’t know you, Depart from me.” He wants you badly, he wants your worship.

NO matter if you have Leprosy, no matter if you have a disease, all of that will go away one day, unless you don’t know Jesus. God will be your everything like he already is. He loves the little children. 

I know the man who brought you out of that sickness, He loves you, I know a man who brought you out of jail, He loves you, and I know the Name of Jesus, There is power in the name of Jesus.

Ephesians 3:19 And to know the love of Christ , which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.

John 4:19; We love him, because he first loved us.

My favorite verse about Gods love is, John 3:16, thats probably the most popular verse.

 JOEL 2:12 THEREFORE ALSO NOW, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning. Which means Invitation to return, which is suggesting that a relationship is broken and needs to be right. I’m getting this from research.

So what Joel is saying through God is turn to him with all of your heart and love him so much, fast, and weep, and mourning. Mourning means sorrow, misery. When you don’t have a relationship with God, your heart is cut off from Him, your spirit man is dead. 

 Joel 2:13; And rend your hearts and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness; and repents him of the evil.

Joel is saying go back to God, really I’m thinking he is just telling the people to stay with God.

God should be first in your life. He loves you so much and if you don’t love Him with all of your heart, ask Him to help you love Him like that. He will do it. We are praying for you to love Him.

Count Your Blessings

 Pastor Sue’s Pearls From Above

IN EVERY THING GIVES THANKS, FOR THIS IS THE WILL OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS CONCERNING YOU, 1Thess. 5:18

In everything gives thanks, in other words, in spite of everything, give God thanks for his help, strength and hope.

Count your blessings, bring back to your remembrance what God has already done.

Get your focus off of what prayers haven’t been answered yet, and remember what God has already done. If He’s answered prayers, took care of you, protected you, helped you, healed you in any way at any time from anything, then He will do it again. 

Psalm 29:11; The Lord will give strength unto his people, the Lord will bless his people with peace..

Psalm 36:7-9;  How excellent is thy loving-kindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. They are abundantly satisfied with the fatness (fullness) of thy house, and you shall make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. For with thee is the fountain of life, in your light shall we see light.

Isaiah 54:10; For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from you, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that has mercy on you.

The first psalm says, we are blessed with Gods strength and peace, the next psalm says we are covered by his shadow, we are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of all that is in his house. We are blessed that we are able to drink of God’s river of pleasure, because in him is the fountain of life and light.

All this is possible because of his loving kindness towards his children, as God said in Isaiah, that his kindness and peace shall not depart or be removed from us!

Give him thanks that he loves you so abundantly, you are blessed with Gods peace, his loving kindness, his presence, his house full of goodness, rivers of living water. Count your blessings..name them one by one!

Bring back to your remembrance every time he picked you up when you fell, when his mighty hand held back evil forces, his hand stopped danger, and death, when he pulled you back to the fold when you started straying, or when you did stray from him, and he let you go your own way for a time, then left the ninety nine, and found you again, because it’s not His will that you should perish and go to Hell!

Psalm 40:1-5; I waited patiently for the LORD, and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet up on a rock, and established my goings, (steps),  and he has put a new song in my mouth, even praise  unto our God, many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord. Blessed is that man that makes the Lord his trust, and respects not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies, (your trust is in the Lord and not man). Realize that GOD has been faithful, and you will see that all along, it was the LORD by your side.

God bless.

STAND

PEARL OF GREAT PRICE TABERNACLE

Sis. Shellie Drayton 

Whatever the enemy has taken from us, we are going to take it back. All the territory the devil has taken from us, we need to take it back. We are going to stand our ground. We are going to make it. No matter what it looks like, seems like, or feels like, we will believe the report of the Lord. We all have battles, and testings, and some of it is life in general, and some is the devil, and we have to know the difference. 

Ephesians 6:11; Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles (cunning, trickery, or deceitful strategy) of the devil. 

The devil is always looking to trick or torment your mind about something. But we are not ignorant of his devices, we know when our mind is wondering too much in the wrong direction, that is why the scripture says to keep our mind stayed on the Lord, and he will keep us in perfect peace. It seems there are too many distractions to cause us to get our mind off of God but NOW is the time to Stand.

Ephesians 6:13; Wherefore take unto you, the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. V.14. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breast plate of righteousness.

Philippians 4:1; Therefore, my brethren, dearly, beloved and longed for, my Joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

So many people profess they know God, but they are not possessing anything of God. No armor of God, no Truth, no Righteousness, and they are not able to stand.

Romans 5:2; By whom also we have access by faith into this grace, where in we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

1 Thessalonians 3:8; For now we live, if you stand fast (firm) in the Lord.

2 Thessalonians 2:15; Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which you have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

Paul was encouraging them to stand fast, and hold on to what had been taught to them.

We also need to hold fast to what we have been taught of the Lord, stand firm in God, no matter what the devil does.

Galatians 5:1; Stand fast therefore, in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Don’t go back and put on anything that God has delivered you from. Stand and stay free in Christ Jesus. Stand your ground against the devil!

When Joshua needed more time to fight the enemy, he spoke to the Lord, and said, Sun, stand still upon Gibeon, and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon, Joshua 10:12.

And the Lord God did as Joshua requested, and they won the victory! Stand on God’s Word, believe his Word, obey his Word.

1 Corinthians 16:13; Watch you, stand fast in the faith, quit (act) you like men, be strong!

Don’t let anything deter you, endure hardness as a good soldier! God is on your side!

COMFORT ONE ANOTHER

PASTOR SUE’S  PEARLS FROM ABOVE

St. John 14:16, Jesus is telling his disciples that the Father will give them another comforter, that will abide with them forever, the Spirit of Truth. 

This word Comforter means One called along side to help, an advocate, intercessor, the one who will lead them into all truth.

The word comfort has this same root, but also several different meanings, as in console, consolation, entreat, admonish.

In Acts 11; after the death of Stephen, the persecution sent the saints in Jerusalem scattered to other areas, but they continued preaching the gospel. One of the places was Antioch of Syria, and the elders sent Barnabas there to help and strengthen the saints.

Luke says in Acts 11:23; Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.

Barnabas (whose name means consolation), encouraged them to hold on to the Lord.

When Apostle Paul said to “Comfort one another,” he was exhorting to saints to encourage and strengthen one another.

Yes, there’s trouble on every side, yes, there is heartache and pain, yes, evil is everywhere,  sickness, chaos, turmoil and torment, but God is still moving, he is still working all things for our good, he is still in control, and knows all things, and as Jesus encouraged his disciples, to “Be of good cheer,” we should be lifting one another up. Helping our fellow saints to stand, praying one for another, reminding  them that God is with them, he hasn’t left them. Encourage one another to stand strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might! Hold onto Jesus! Don’t let go, don’t turn away from him, don’t ever stop trusting him! He is for you! He is our help and strength, keep going forward, cleave to him! Be encouraged and strengthened in Jesus. He will not fail you!

Isa. 40:29; He gives power to the faint, and to them that have no might, he increases strength.

Psalm 18:2; The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my strength, in whom I will trust, my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. 

Psalm 27:1; The LORD is my light and my Salvation, whom shall I fear, The LORD is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?

There is too much criticism and hurt in the Body of Christ, God has not called us to devour one another, but to stand strong and lift one another up in Christ Jesus.

Lift up the hands that hang down and strengthen the feeble knees.

When Israel was in battle against the Amalekites, Moses lifted up the Rod of God, and Israel prevailed, when he got tired and his hand started falling, the Amalekites prevailed, so Aaron and Hur lifted up the hands of Moses, and the battle was won! Do you see what encouragement and strength in the Body of Christ can do one for another?

We will fight together instead of against each other, we will win this battle, we will be a help to the hurting and bruised, we will lead the young converts in the Truth, we will pray together, sing together, worship and praise together, help one another, encourage and strengthen, console and comfort each other. We will make it to Heaven together.

God bless. 

Remain Calm

Griffin Pettit, age 11              Pearl of Great Price Tabernacle 

When the decree was made saying if you ask any petition of any god or man for thirty days, besides the king, you will go to the den of lions, Daniel still prayed three times a day to the God of Israel. He remained calm and faithful, and it turned out well for him. His friends, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, also had to face the fiery furnace because they would not bow down to Nebuchadnezzar’s statue, and they said, If God doesn’t save us from this furnace, we still won’t bow. And God saved them out of the furnace because they remained calm and faithful. Daniel got rewarded because he interpreted a dream from the king. David had confidence in God, when he faced Goliath, he remained calm because he had already fought with a lion and bear, and had defeated them. They were calm because they had confidence in God. Job also trusted in the Lord. We can remain calm because we know that God is with us, no matter what happens or what you go through, just always remember that God is with you. Every stage of your life, God is there, so remain calm and faithful in him.

PEACE

Sis. Leatha Augustus.           Pearl of Great Price Tabernacle 

Peace: Freedom, soundness, healthy, secure.

Numbers 6:26; The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

Isaiah 26:3; Thou wilt keep him in perfect (complete) peace, whose mind is stayed (steadfast) on thee, because he trusted in thee.

God will give you complete peace when your mind is stayed on him, no matter where you are.

We need peace in this day and hour, without the peace of God, we won’t make it.

But we are still holding on because God has given us the peace to do it.

The devil, and this world tries to steal our peace, like a wild dog coming after you, to cause you trouble, but stand strong and tell that old dog to get out of here. Stand still and let God handle the dogs of this world, and he will destroy them.

Apostle Peter, in both of his epistles, sends greetings of grace and peace to the believers, let it be multiplied unto you, through the knowledge of God, and Jesus our Lord.

We can have peace through trials, we can have peace through temptations, we can have the peace of God in our lives.

God has given us peace, no matter what we face in this world.

2 Corinthians 13:11; Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace, and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

If you live in peace, our God of peace will be with you, but if you live in turmoil, you don’t know which way to turn or what to do, and there is no peace. 

St. John 14:27; Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you, not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

The world doesn’t offer peace, it can give you wealth, material things, fame, but it can’t give you the true peace that only comes from God.

Philippians 4:7; And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 

When we lose a loved one in death, God’s peace can keep our heart and mind. He can bring such a peace that we don’t quite understand it all. 

2 Thessalonians 3:16; Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.

We do get down sometimes, and overwhelmed, but we got to look up and declare, Lord, you are the God of peace, you are God of all comfort, you give me what I need. You take me through what I need to go through, you are there with me, I am not alone. All we have to do is ask God, and he will bring us such a peace that passes our understanding.

He will lift his countenance upon you and give you peace.

Remain Faithful

Griffin Pettit, age 11              Pearl of Great Price Tabernacle 

Job 1:1; There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and he was perfect and upright, and one that feared God and eschewed evil.

Job has seven sons and three daughters, and Job was very strong in the LORD, but his children did sin. 

Job 1:4; And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day, and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and drink with them.

Job 1:5, And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all, for Job said, it may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts, and thus did Job continually.

So just because someone loves the LORD, doesn’t mean their children do, because his sons and daughters feasted, and may have sinned in their heart.

In this same chapter, satan comes before God and 1:6; says Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and satan came also among them. V.7; And the LORD said unto satan, whence comes thou?, and satan answered the LORD, and said, from going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

He’s wanting to say to God that he sees Job, and he’s wanting to get him away from God, and God knows that Job will still be faithful and right, so he allows satan to hurt everything but do not kill Job.

Job lost everything, his friends turned against him, his children died, his wife told him to curse God. The devil wanted to hurt Job, to see if he would turn against God. 

In chapter 10; it seems like Job is asking, why is this happening. But after all this happens, God comes in a whirlwind, and talks to Job, (ch. 38), and Job remained faithful to God, so God gave him even more than what  he had in the beginning. When the devil attacks you, remain faithful to God.

LOOKING BACK

PASTOR SUE’S PEARLS FROM ABOVE

Every new year, we are told to leave everything in the previous year and start fresh, but I want to encourage you to LOOK back! Not on hurts, bad times, loses, failures, etc., but on how God brought you through it all! He didn’t just bring you through last year, but every year you have been on this earth. Some years were harder than others, but you still made it, because the Lord was with you.

Look back on previous years, even 20 or 30 years ago, and remember what God did for you or someone close to you, remember how he was always there, always with you, always bringing you comfort, peace, help, hope!

Remember all the times he healed sickness, diseases, hurts. Remember how he brought comfort through loss, peace through pain, salvation to hearts.

Remember how he showed up at the midnight hour and dried your tears.

Remember all the times you didn’t know how you were going to make it, or how situations were going to work out, and you called upon the name of the Lord, and he turned things around for you, he showed you what to do, he made a way that no one else could do. Remember the times he brought calm out of chaos, restored your family, brought loved ones closer together. Saved marriages, and relationships.

Remember when he saved you from car wrecks, or accidents that should have caused you great harm. Remember healings when the Dr.’s gave no hope.

Remember the food on your table, because he moved on someone to bring you groceries, or sent someone to help you in time of need! Remember that through it all, you learned to trust in Jesus, and looking back on all he has already done for you, will increase your faith, bring more assurance and hope that he will continue to bring you through even in the days ahead.

Our Father is faithful!...God bless

REJOICE

Sis. Leatha Augustus

Rejoice—to be made glad, to delight in.

Rejoice is found in the Bible over 450 times. If it’s recorded that many times, then God must want us to do it. God wants us to rejoice in him, praise him, magnify his name. He told us that we would have some hard times, but he’s with us, and rejoice that he will bring us through. God told israel to rejoice when they were going into battle, because he would fight for them. Let’s rejoice about what God has done, and what he is going to do.

Deuteronomy 26:11a; And thou shalt rejoice in every good thing which the Lord thy God has given unto thee, and unto thine house...30:9; And the Lord thy God will make thee plenteous in every work of thine hand, and in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy land, for good, for the Lord will again rejoice over thee for good, as he rejoiced over thy fathers.

God rejoices over us, delights in us, we are his children. We can thank him for all his goodness, and rejoicing over us. We know the Lord is going to take care of it.

1 Samuel 2:-2; And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoices in the Lord, mine horn is exalted in the Lord, my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies, because I rejoice in thy salvation. There is none holy as the Lord, for there is none beside thee, either is there any rock like our God.

Who is our greatest enemy? We all know it’s the devil! The adversary! But God will not let him destroy us. Without God’s help, where would we be!

Psalm 58:10; The righteous shall rejoice when he sees the vengeance, he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.

Psalm 63:7; Because thou has been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.

Psalm 68:3; But let the righteous be glad, let them rejoice before God, yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.

Are you righteous? Then be glad and rejoice before God your Father, he is faithful that called you unto himself!

Philippians 4:4; Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say Rejoice!

Saint of God, praise him, worship him, and rejoice in the Lord your God.

We Have Seen His Star

Pastor Sue             
Pearls From Above

It has always been assumed that the wise men from the east were Persian, or Babylonian pagans. Matthew 2 gives us this story, Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of Herod, the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying “Where is he that is born King of the Jews,  For we have seen his star in the east and are come to worship him.”

Is it very probable that they were Jews descended from the Babylonian captives.

We know from scripture that there were many Jews who chose to stay in Babylon and the east when Cyrus released them to go back to Judah and Jerusalem. We know that Daniel was called a wise man whom Nebuchadnezzar relied on during his reign. Jewish wise men (scholars) would know this also, and that Balaam (Numbers 24) prophesied there shall come a Star out of Jacob. They knew a messiah was coming, according to scripture. The Jews followed Judaism, studied the Jewish calendar for feast days, sun, moon, and stars for times and seasons, they knew the Old Testament scriptures concerning the birth of a coming king. The phrase king of the Jews was in reference to the Messiah. They said they came to worship this newborn king, something only a Jew would do. They knew scripture said he would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). They brought gold (referencing his kingship), frankincense, used in the tabernacle of Moses and Solomons temple by the high priest in worship (referencing to his high priest hood after the order of Melchizedek ), and myrrh (referencing to his future death and burial). All these are something only Jews would know concerning the coming Messiah. So then why did they go to Jerusalem instead of Bethlehem? Because it had taken them several months or more to travel from the east to Jerusalem, and they were probably expecting to see this new king of the Jews already in Jerusalem, and we notice in v.2, that the wise men made it clear that they were there to worship the one that was BORN King of the Jews. Herod was put on the throne over the Jews by the Romans, he was from the lineage of Esau, that’s why he was troubled, and why he sent soldiers to kill the children age two and under. If we are saved and Born again of the Spirit, we have also seen his star, for Jesus is the root and offspring of David, and the bright and morning star (Revelation 22:16)…God bless.

A Prepared Place for a Prepared People

Sis. Shellie Drayton.                  

Pearl of Great Price Tabernacle 

PREPARE: To make ready in advance, for a particular purpose, event, or occasion. 

People prepare for everything except eternal life. They just don’t think about where will they spend eternity! People don’t realize that they are one breath away from heaven or hell! 

But we are going to talk about the good places in Jesus Christ. We’ve got to prepare ourselves for what lies ahead. 

1 Corinthians 2:9; But as it is written, Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither has it entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love him.

There is a place in God with your name on it, that he has prepared just for you. In every trial and test we go through, God prepares us for that place. Enter in to the place he has for you. Prepare our hearts and he will bring us into the place he has prepared for us. Even In our struggles, he is preparing us to stand strong in him. 

Going into the military, they will train you and prepare you to fight. It’s the same way in God, he is preparing his people to come into the place he has prepared for you, for his kingdom. 

Rejoice in your trials and tests, for God is counting you worthy, he’s preparing you for heaven. He will equip you with what you need to prepare yourself for any ministry or calling he places on your life.

Hebrews 11:16; But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city. 

Not only has he prepared us a place in him in this life, but he has also prepared us a heavenly place that we shall forever be with the Lord! A city, a mansion, whose builder and maker is God!

Luke 1:17; And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. 

All through the Bible, God was preparing a people, his chosen, his elect, to fight, to go to battle, to proclaim the Word of the Lord.

Every day people prepare to go to work, kids for school, prepare for exams, prepare for appointments, prepare meals, prepare for holidays, so why can’t we prepare for a place in God? God is looking for a strong people that will stand on his word, and believe him for anything and everything. 

Matthew 25:34; Then shall the king say unto them on his right hand, Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

From the beginning of time, God already had it in his plans. 

Proverbs 30:25; The ant are a people not strong yet they prepare their meat in the summer. 

If God gave the ant sense enough to prepare, to make ready, then we have no excuse. Don’t let the Lord catch you unprepared, don’t let the Lord have to say Depart from me. Get prepared and stay prepared, for there is a place in God.

My Heart Won’t Fail

In Luke 21, Jesus gives events that will happen before his return, v. 24-25 he says, And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars, and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and waves roaring., men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

Men’s hearts, humanity, fainting from fear, passing away because their heart can’t take what they are seeing, hearing, or the events taking place. Fear of the known as well as the unknown. According to the American Heart Association, a person can literally be scared to death, die from fear, and we know that to be true because Jesus said two thousand years ago that it would happen. 

1 John 4:18, Apostle John said fear has torment. Fear is a spirit that will control a person’s mind, and life, but God does not give a spirit of fear, he gives us a healthy mind. It is normal to be startled or shook up when something suddenly happens, it is normal to feel some kind of fear in certain circumstances, that is human nature, but then the fear will lift and we go on as normal. But a spirit of fear takes over and latches on to someone, and they have no control over it.  Apostle John also said, there is no fear in love, but complete love casts out fear, and anyone who lives in a constant state of fear has not been made complete in love.

This love is God’s love for us, not how much we love him. If saints of God could truly see and realize just how much God, the Father loves them, they would live completely in His love and walk in His peace that passes all our human understanding, and be filled with joy to overflowing. All through the Bible, we read the words ‘Fear Not.’  Jesus said he would never leave us nor forsake us. His peace he left with the apostles, also belongs to us. He said don’t let your heart be troubled or afraid. He said don’t worry about anything. He knows us so well, that he knows how much hair we have. He said we are more valuable than sparrows to him. He said he is preparing a place for us, that where he is, we will be also. 

Men’s hearts failing them because of fear, but my heart won’t fail, as Apostle Paul said, for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. 

God has me, he loves me with an everlasting love.

You drew near in the day that I called upon you, you said “fear not.” Lamentations 3:57.

My heart won’t fail, because my Father does not fail!

God bless.

God’s Goodness

Pastor Sue’s Pearls from Above

Goodness- loving kindness, compassion, kindness, favor shown, completeness.

God isn’t good sometimes, He is good at ALL times, because goodness is his nature.

Jesus said in Luke 6:35; God is even kind to the unthankful and evil.

Psalm 107:1; O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good, for his mercy endures for ever. Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he has redeemed from the hand of the enemy. 8. Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, for his wonderful works to the children of men! For he satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness.

Exodus 34:6; And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, long suffering, abundant in goodness and truth…this is the LORD himself proclaiming how good he is! God himself is proclaiming that He is merciful, that He is gracious, that He is long suffering, and there is abundance in His goodness and truth!

What a precious LORD God, who fills our hungry souls with His goodness!

Psalm 31:19-20; Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou has laid up for them that fear thee, which thou has wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men! Thou shall hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man, thou shall keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues. 

Psalm 33:5; He loves righteousness and judgement (justice), the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD…34:8; O taste and see that the LORD is good, blessed is the man that trusts in him.

Psalm 65:11; Thou crown the year with thy goodness, and thy paths drop fatness.

Isaiah 63:7; I will mention the loving kindness of the LORD, and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD has bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he has bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his loving kindness.

Psalm 100:4-5; Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise, be thankful unto him and bless his name. For the LORD is good, his mercy is everlasting, and his truth endures to all generations.

Nahum 1:7; The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, and he knows them that trust in him.

James said in 1:17;  that every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness (no changing), neither shadow of turning.

God’s goodness leads us to repentance, his goodness follows us along with his mercy all the days of our life, his goodness is in abundance. I will sing of the goodness of God.

God bless.

Are you Sinking?

Sis. Leatha Augustus

When you feel that you’re going down for the third time

Just remember, Jesus is always around. He will give you the life line.

The devil will tell you the you are sinking, Cause he’ll lie to you without even blinking. Trust God and ride the waves.

His voice will tell you, you are saved.

Just hold onto Jesus hand,

He’ll bring you thru on dry land.

A land that flows with milk and honey, Where you can buy of Him without money. Jesus Christ is your sail,

So you know, your ship will never fail. The world we’re living in is not thinking, Look! world can’t you see your sinking! Trust God and never stop!

His children are standing on that solid rock. We will never sink!!!!

JOY JOY JOY

Sis. Shellie Drayton

How can we rejoice when we are going through so much? Because Joy is a fruit of the Spirit! We forget about that little three letter word! J-O-Y! A lot of God’s children don’t have any Joy in their Salvation. But we all need to be walking in Joy, Peace and Righteousness!

Lord help your people, we should be overflowing with Joy, look at all the Lord has done for us! How He died for us, how He came to give us life, and life more abundantly.

Joy comes in the morning, the fruit of the Spirit, Joy is part of our Salvation, rejoicing in the Lord! Other people should be able to see the Joy flowing from us, rejoicing in Jesus.

The word Joy is found in the Bible 430 times, God wants us to rejoice! Rejoice in all things, because He is our creator and maker, He knows what we need. Trust Him and rejoice in Him. Joy- A feeling of great pleasure and happiness.

When someone has Joy, nothing seems to bother them, or bring them down.

Acts 13:52; And the disciples were filled with Joy and with the Holy Ghost.

Romans 5:11; And not only so, but we also Joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have received the atonement.

Psalm 30:5b; Weeping may endure for a night, but Joy comes in the morning.

Galatians 5:22; But the fruit of the Spirit is love, Joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, against such there is no law.

We need the Joy of the Lord in our life, the fruit of Joy to grow more in our life.

We need to rejoice that our names are written in the Lambs Book of Life! We need everlastingly Joy!

Psalm 100:1-2; Make a Joyful noise unto the LORD, All ye lands, serve the LORD with gladness, come before His presence with singing.

Sing upon your beds, and a lot of your troubles would go away.

Hebrews 12:2; Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the Joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set at the right hand of the throne of God.

Isaiah 12:3; Therefore with Joy shall you draw water out of the wells of Salvation.

Habakkuk 3:18; Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will Joy in the God of my Salvation.

Nehemiah 8:10b, For this day is holy unto our Lord, neither be ye sorry, for the Joy of the LORD is your strength.

Romans 14:17; For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, and peace, and Joy in the Holy Ghost.

We’ve got to have that Joy, that fruit of the Spirit manifesting through us.

James 1:2; My brethren, Count it All Joy when you fall into various temptations, knowing this, that the trying of your faith works patience.

Colossians 1:24; Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for His body’s sake, which is the church.

Paul counted it a Joy to suffer for Christ, that the church may be brought forth.

John 15:11; Jesus said “These things have I spoken unto you that my Joy may remain in you and that your Joy might be full.”

Saints, Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say Rejoice!

Are You At Wits End?

Pastor Sue
Pearls from Above 

Have you heard someone say, “I’m at my wit’s end?” 

It’s a phrase that means someone is very overwhelmed, someone who don’t know what to do next in their troubles. They’ve tried every option they know and things just aren’t working out like it should. Situations aren’t getting better, and frustration sets in, anxiety, worry, exhaustion from dealing with the same problems day after day, and it feels like the whole world is crashing in on them.

Someone at their wits end can lose hope. They may feel like God has forgotten about them, like they are all alone, like the storms of life are carrying them away.

Psalm 107:25-27; For he commanded, and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves thereof. They mount up to the heavens, they go down again to the depths, their soul (those in the ship) is melted because of trouble. They reel to and fro and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their Wits end…..this scripture is a storm at sea, the wind and waves seem to be taking the ship down, the men in the ship are losing control, no matter how much knowledge they have of the sea, or steering the vessel, or how many trips they have made across the waters, they are at the mercy of the sea!

God has a remedy for anyone who is at their Wit’s end.

David knew this when he cried out to God in Psalm 61:1-3; Hear my cry, O God, attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the Rock that is higher than I, for thou has been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. 

Again in Psalm 69:1-3; Save me , O God, for the waters are come in unto my soul. I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing, I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me. I am weary of my crying, my throat is dried, mine eyes fail while I wait for my God. 

And again in Psalm 18:6; In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God, he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even unto his ears. V. 16-17; He sent from above, He took me, He drew me out of many waters. He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me, for they were too strong for me.

The men in the ship at their wits end also knew, when all hope seemed lost, this is what they did: again in Psalm 107:28; Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, 

and this is what God did:  And He brings them out of their distress. He makes the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad (the men in the ship), because they be quiet (the waves are calm), so He brings them unto their desired haven. 

If you feel hopeless, in distress, at your wit’s end, know that Jesus is your help! Cry out to him in your trouble, when you’re at the end of your rope, and see if He won’t calm the storm and get you safely to your desired haven!

God bless.

Don’t Stop Asking

Matthew 7:7-11; Ask, and it shall be given you, seek, and you shall find, knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For everyone that asks, receives, and he that seeks, finds, and he that knocks, it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you whom if his son asks bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, HOW MUCH MORE shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him?

Jesus, teaching the multitude, makes it clear to them, that they have to do the asking, seeking, and knocking. This means that we must go before God, and enquire of Him, even though Jesus also said that our Father knows what things we need even before we ask, Matthew 6:8. Jesus said don’t worry about what to eat, drink or wear, (these are three necessities of life), and God already supplies it to this world. Matthew 6:25. 

Ask, and it shall be given to you, the meaning of this verse, is to keep on asking, until it’s given, keep on seeking, until you find it, keep on knocking, until the door is opened to you. This is the same as John 3:16, that whosoever believes, (Keeps on Believing, and endures unto the end) will not perish, but have eternal life. 

St. John 15:7; If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you. 

Mark 11:24; Whatever things you desire when you pray, believe that you will receive them, and you shall have them.

1 John 5:15; This is the confidence (assurance, boldness) that we have in him, that if we ask anything according to His will, he hears us, and if we know that He hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desire of him. 

HOW MUCH MORE will your Father give good things to them that ask Him! 

Don’t you realize you are more important than the birds of the air? But God sees every one that falls. Don’t you know if God brings a blanket of grass and flowers to cover the fields, that will get roasted in the hot sun, that He knows how to take care of you? Don’t you realize He knows how to calm every storm, bring peace to every heart, heal ALL manner of sickness and disease, break every form of Addiction, bring deliverance in all areas of your life!

Don’t Stop Asking..Don’t Stop Seeking.. Don’t Stop Knocking on heavens door! How Much More will your Father give good things simply by you asking Him, and believing He will do it.

God bless.

These Signs Shall Follow the Believers

Sis. Shellie Drayton

Signs— miracles and wonders by which God authenticates the men sent by Him.

These signs shall follow them that believe, the Bible doesn’t say it has to be pastors, preachers, or prophets, but simply those that believe! Those with faith in Christ Jesus, to believe Him for miracles, and for the impossible.

Acts 5:12; And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people.

The apostles were ordinary people, full of the Holy Ghost, with power and faith to believe God. V.15; Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds, and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. We’ve got to have that same faith, to be used of God, put our faith into action and see miracles take place.

Mark 16:17-18; And these signs shall follow THEM that believe, in my name shall they cast out devils, they shall speak with new tongues. They shall take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. V.20; And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following.

It’s all by the power of God! The same power that the apostles had, the same power that fell on the day of Pentecost!

Mark 11:24; Therefore I say unto you, What things so ever you desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

Mark 9:23; Jesus said unto him, if thou can believe, all things are possible to him that believes. Luke 10:19; Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

Saints, we are protected, we are surrounded, we are loved, and God has given us everything we need to go forth in him.

Luke 4:32; And they were astonished at his doctrine, for his word was with power.

1 Corinthians 2:4; Paul declares, and my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

Romans 15:19; Through many signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem, and round about illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

Exercise your faith, take God at his word, and see if He won’t do it.