MASTERPIECE
Pearl of Great Price Tabernacle
Sis. Mary Pettit
Masterpiece -A work of outstanding artistry, skill, or workmanship.
Artisan - a worker in a skilled trade, especially one that involves making things by hand.
God is the first and ultimate Artisan, and we are His masterpiece.
Genesis 2:7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
We also find in Genesis, Isaiah, Ecclesiastes, Proverbs, and Colossians that God created heaven and earth and everything in heaven and earth, and He made them all for a purpose. We are made in His image and HE even gives man the ability to make or create things.
Ephesians 2:10; For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
God didn’t make a mistake when He made you, He had a purpose, and He had a plan in mind when He created you.
I will give this one the ability to sing for my glory. And this one the gift of knowledge, and they will be able to help so many. I will put the desire of prayer in this one, and he will become a prayer warrior to fight for those who can't fight for themselves. I will give this one the gift of prophecy to edify and build up the church. I will make this one a pastor, and give them extra strength and courage.
Since we are made in His image, we are a masterpiece, and that must mean we have “A piece of the Master.”
So how do we resemble God? Do we have His eyes of love, His pure heart, serving hands, gentle voice, arms of strength, feet that brings peace wherever He goes? Do we feel what He feels?
In troubled times, are our eyes filled with tears, because it hurts to see people suffer? Is our heart broken because many are lost and unsaved, our feet tired because we continually follow Jesus, our hands blistered because they serve others? Is our voice pained at times because we are under attack? The world hates that part of us, because our voice is used to spread the gospel.
You are a masterpiece! You are the original, and that makes you very valuable and irreplaceable.
The original painting is more expensive than the prints because of the time, care, and materials that go into creating them. The original work of art is the only one of it’s kind and it’s usually signed by the artist.
In Revelation 22, John says, “His name shall be in their foreheads.”
Isaiah 43:7; Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.
Philippians 2:5-8 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men; And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. You are a masterpiece of God. Amen
Love Covered It All
Pearl of Great Price Tabernacle
Sis. Shellie Drayton
The Bible tells us all the things that will come to pass on this earth, and God wants us to walk in love. If we only realized how much God loves us, and that His love covers it all.
John 3:16; For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
There isn’t anything in this life that we go through that God’s love won’t cover.
God is Love, that’s who He is. Jesus said, in the last days, because sin shall increase, the love of many will grow cold. We see this happening more each day. God is looking for someone who will show forth His love.
John 13:34-35; A new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another, as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one to another.
This command came straight from Jesus, to love one another as He has loved us, but too many Christian’s are carnal, too many are easily provoked and offended. Many walk in the flesh, and if someone rubs them the wrong way, they are ready for a fight. This isn’t showing love one to another as Jesus commanded.
1 John 3:11; For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
1 John 4:7-8; Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone that loves is born of God, and knows God. He that loves not, knows not God; for God is love.
We need to change our attitude, we need to think before we speak, before we say something that will cause hurt and pain to someone else. Some people are labeled hard to love, but we still have to make the effort, Jesus is our example. Jesus loved us into the kingdom of God, he drew us, and loved us in spite of our sin. And we can do the same with others.
1 John 4:16-18; And we have known, and believed the love that God has to us. God is love; and he that dwells in love dwells in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment, because as he is, so, are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear. Because fear has torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love.
Romans 12:10; Be kindly affectionate one to another with brotherly love, in honor preferring one another.
Galatians 5:14; For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; you shall love your neighbor, as thy self.
1 Corinthians, chapter 13, is a perfect example of how to walk in the love of God.
1 Peter 4:8; And above all things have fervent charity, among yourselves, for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
God doesn’t throw us away when we mess up, but He throws our sins in the sea of forgetfulness when we truly repent, because Love covers it All
Bond with Peace
Pearl of Great Price Tabernacle
Sis. Mary Pettit
BOND- to be joined securely to something else, to secure, attach, fuse together.
There are things happening in the world that can instill fear inside. Wars, rumors of wars, natural disasters, evil trying to overtake every area of our lives. People turning against their family, gangs uprising, people disappearing or getting taken.
Matthew 24:6 says you shall hear about wars and rumors of wars; see that you be not troubled, for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
The Lord told us these things will happen. It’s no surprise to us. He commands us see that you be not troubled.
In Matthew chapter 10, Jesus warns us that, because you are My disciple, you should expect pushback and persecution. However, He gives us instructions on how to deal with this uncomfortable situation.
Jesus warns us not to fear those who would, or could, kill them for their faith, but rather fear the one who has the power to destroy both body and soul in hell.
John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
So even though you are IN the world, where there is tribulation, He tells us there is one way to not be bound by the grip of fear and terror, he says in ME you have peace. Who better to speak to you on this matter than the Prince of Peace himself.
Philippians 7; And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
John 14; Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Philippians 4:9; Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
Isaiah 26:3; Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed (steadfast) on thee: because he trusts in thee.
All the peace you need is available to you. If you do not feel peace today, I have good news. All you have to do is reach out and take it.
Isaiah 26:12; says Lord, thou wilt ordain peace for us: for thou also hast wrought all our works in us.
How do you know when you are bound with peace? YOU HAVE NO FEAR!
God told Joshua to be of good courage. Don’t be afraid. When God told Joshua to do something, he did it. Because he knew God was fighting for him.
If you have fear in this life, you are not bonded with peace.
When David had to make a decision for his army to go to war, he went before God and asked Him. Do I go up and fight or not? If God said yes, he went, if He said no, David didn’t. He remembered the times God saved him from the lion, the bear, the giant, and even King Saul, and he trusted God. If God be for us who can be against us!
If you are fearful of the future, or fearful of what people may do, or even fearful that God will forsake you, then you have not bonded with peace. Please read Proverbs 29:25; Psalm 118:6; Duet. 31:6; Isaiah 41:10; 2 Timothy 1:7.
Bond with peace and allow God to keep your heart and mind completely through Christ Jesus.. Amen
HOPE DEFERRED WILL SICKEN YOU
Pastor Sue’s Pearls From Above
Proverbs 13:12; Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when the desire comes, it is a Tree of Life.
Hope—expectation, anticipate, to wait on.
Deferred—postponed, long drawn out, a delay in what is hoped for. When what you are expecting isn’t coming quickly.
There seems to be a feeling of hopelessness going through the body of Christ. So many Saints feel like their prayers are not going anywhere. Many keep praying, hoping, and waiting, but some answers don’t come, situations don’t change, some prayers seem to go unanswered.
There is a delay in God’s response, and after awhile, it makes the heart sick. Discouragement sets in, followed by downhearted, depression, doubt, worry, feeling anxious, then hopeless.
Hebrews 11 says, Faith is the substance of things hoped for. Faith is the confidence we have in God, that what we are hoping for, what we are expecting, He will bring it to pass.
But so many things being hoped for seem to be lingering, taking longer than expected, delayed. Then Saints start wondering what is the holdup, what is the reason healing don’t come. Where is the answer? Where is God?
More questions come up, Have I angered God? Is He displeased with me? Why are the Heavens silent? How much longer do I have to go through this trial! Why aren’t things getting better.
Agitation may set in, impatient, feeling more hopeless, then the enemy takes this opportunity to start messing with our mind. He brings thoughts of accusations, You really messed up this time, God has left you. You failed again, He can’t be pleased with you. God doesn’t care that you are suffering, if He really loved you, He would have answered your prayers by now. You might as well give up, things aren’t going to change. Hope deferred makes the heart sick!
One thing we can NEVER allow the enemy to do is steal our Faith and Hope!
Now abides Faith, Hope and Love, they work together. Faith and Hope work together, through the Love God has towards us. Apostle Paul said these three Abide. That means that they continue on, they remain, endures, won’t perish…
If we lose faith, it still endures, if we lose hope, it will still exist, if we lose heart, God is still the God of Love. And His love is the greatest of the three! If He tarries, continue to wait on Him, for in our waiting, He will renew our strength, and we shall mount up with wings as eagles, (Isaiah 40:31). The Hebrew word for wait in this verse is qavah, which implies hope and trust. Waiting on the Lord is an act of faith and trust in God, and an expectation that He will show up and move in our petitions.
Psalm 27:14; Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart, wait, I say, on the Lord.
Psalm 71:14; But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more.
Psalm 33:22; Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in you.
The rest of Proverbs 13:12 says, when the desire comes, (what is hoped for), it is a Tree of Life.
It brings help, strength, healing, more assurance in God, joy, peace, life! What a great promise!
Continue to hold on, to hope in the Lord your God, and praise Him, for truly the answers you seek will come to pass.
Gos bles
WHAT GOOD IS IT
Sis. Leatha Augustus
Pearl of Great Price Tabernacle
People are looking for so much in this world today. People serve God for a long time, then they get older and think they don’t need God anymore. They turn their back on God and walk away, but still believe they are going to heaven. How is anyone going to heaven that has turned from God, and stopped serving him?
Job 27:8; For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he has gained, when God takes away his soul?
They are hypocrites, and God will take away their soul. People are not realizing that what good is it if they win the lottery, they cannot buy their way into heaven. They can do everything in this world that they want to, but what good is it if they lose their soul.
Ezekiel 22:12; In thee (Jerusalem), have they taken gifts (bribes) to shed blood, thou has taken usury (interest) and increase (profits), and thou has greedily gained of they neighbors by extortion (oppression), and have forgotten me, saith the Lord God.
What good is it if people do all the ungodly things, and still don’t have anything to show for it, not even the salvation of the Lord.
V.13a; Behold, therefore I have smitten mine hand at thy dishonest gain which thou has made. Though you gained it, God can take it away. It’s like putting your money in pockets with holes in them. You may have some now, but you can’t take it with you. Once you leave this world, everything you had is left behind.
So strive for what is good, strive for things that will get you to Jesus, not these things that the world is seeking after. Seek for the things that be of God. The enemy is fighting, trying to get Saints to turn against God, and if they do, they have no hope, no help. Hold on to God no matter what the enemy brings your way. Put your trust in God, let him lead you, guide you, and walk the strait and narrow.
Matt. 16:26; For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
There are people who sell their soul to the devil, some for fame, fortune, some for all the pleasures of this world. But what good is it when they die lost and go to a burning Hell, where the fire is not quenched, and the worm never dies.
Matt. 25:24; Then he which received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee, that you are a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not strewn.
He knew his Master was a hard man, and the Master said, “Why didn’t you use the talent I gave you.” What good is it if we don’t use what God has given us.
Matt. 6:33; But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.
People are looking for everything this world has to offer, but Jesus said we are to seek first the kingdom of God. He will give you what you need, what good is to keep adding things in this life, but don’t have God, or to store up everything here and lose your soul as the rich man in Luke 12:15-20. God called him a fool! What good did it do him to store up and do all that labor just to miss out on God.
We have got to get it right on this earth, before we stand before God. We’ve got to be obedient to Him and His Word. If we lose our soul, What good was all this?
HUMBLE
AUSTIN PETTIT
PEARL OF GREAT PRICE TABERNACLE
Humble: not proud, not arrogant, it can also mean not thinking of yourself.
Exodus 10:3; And Moses and Aaron came unto Pharaoh and said unto them, Thus saith the Lord God of the Hebrews, how long will thou refuse to humble thyself before me? Let my people go, that they may serve me.
2 Chronicles 7:14; If my people which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from thy wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
This means that people are supposed to be turning from their wickedness, and ask the Lord for forgiveness, and the Lord will forgive and heal, but people have to humble themselves before God first.
God created us to be humble, to respect each other, and to respect God. So remember to always stay humble before the Lord, and do what is right.
Walk By Faith
Pearl of Great Price Tabernacle
Sis.Shellie Drayton
Faith: confidence, belief in the truth, belief not based on logical proof or material evidence.
God has given every man a measure of faith, so you have faith. God has a people that will believe His word, no matter how crazy this world gets. We walk by faith and not by sight. The enemy will try to distract you, look what’s going on before you, but all this stuff is temporary.
Don’t worry about what you see happening in the world, walk by faith.
Hebrews 11:1; Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
We’ve got to believe, even when we can’t see anything changing. We walk by Faith, not what we can see, not what we can feel, we walk believing God and what His word says. The Lord
knows what lies ahead of each one of us, He knows all and sees all, so why are we so fretful and fearful. God is a big God, and He knows the end from the beginning, He knows where we
are going to be, what we are going to do, what we are going to go through, and what our children are facing. Put your children in Gods hand, let Him direct their path, and draw them.
He knows how to pull on their heart, and draw them, and turn them around, so just walk by faith in everything and let God have his way in your life.
James 1:3; Knowing this that the trial of your faith works patience.
There are witnesses all through the Bible, that were tried, Joseph was cast in prison, Abraham was told to sacrifice Isaac, and we are tried as well.
James 2:17; Even so Faith, if it has not works, is dead, being alone. V. 20; But will thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? V. 26; For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead.
James told it like it was. Faith is an action word, we got to put some works with our faith. We are surrounded with such a cloud of witnesses who have already gone on before us. They all walked by Faith and died In Faith, still trusting God.
Romans 5:1; Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus, Christ.
Matthew 17:19-20; Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, why could not we cast him out? And Jesus said unto them, because of your unbelief, for verily, I say unto you, if you
have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you shall say, unto this mountain, remove hence to yonder place, and it shall remove, and nothing shall be impossible onto you.
Romans 10:8; But what says it? The word is near you, even in your mouth, and in your heart, that is, the word of faith, which we preach.
Exercise your faith, believe God for anything and everything, put your faith in action! Build up your faith by praying in the Holy Ghost.
Pray for the sick, believe God to heal, and save, set free and deliver. Without faith, it’s impossible to please God, we must believe that he is God, and he rewards them who diligently seek Him! Continue to Walk by Faith
HOLD ON
Sis. Leatha Augustus
Pearl of Great Price Tabernacle
No matter what we face, or go through, just hold on, knowing that Jesus said I am the same, yesterday, today and forever. I do not change. I will never leave you nor forsake you.
Hold on to His words, hold on to Jesus, know that he is there with us, and he’s there for us.
Hold-- to take or keep in the hands or arms. To keep in a certain place. Not lose or let go of.
We are to quick to let go of what God has done for us. Battles come, and we wonder what are we going to do. Not looking or holding on to the one that says “I will take you through all of this.”
We don’t have to worry, we just got to hold on to the Lord. His hand is outstretched, grab ahold of his hand and hold on. No storm, no trial, no battle, or nothing can take you away if you hold on and hang on.
Isaiah 26:3; Thou will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusts in thee.
If we walk in perfect peace, nothing will bother us, we can overcome anything that comes our direction.
Psalm 139:10; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
It seems like the battles are getting harder, and we don’t know what each one is going through, but we know that we have got to hold on! We can’t give up, and we pray one for another, and God does answer prayers, and he will take care of us. If you have to walk through the fire, hold on, don’t bow to the wiles and lies of the enemy.
Hebrews 4:14; Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession (confession).
Revelation 2:25; But that which you have already, hold fast till I come.
Hold fast to what God has already given you, he’s given you life, peace, a mind to serve him.
He’s helping us, he’s holding on to us, there’s nothing too hard for God.
God moves by faith, trust him and hold on to him!
Matthew 24:12-13; And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold, but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
James 5:11; Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord, that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
The enemy will come to your mind when things get so hard and tell you that God isn’t going to do this for you, but we know that the devil is a liar. God will do what he said, he is faithful. Just hold on,
What a mighty God we serve, hold on to his hand, don’t let go. When it seems like there is no end to the road you are on, just continue to walk this straight and narrow and hold on to God’s hand, he will lead you, and walk with you. Don’t let anything get in the way between you and God. HOLD ON!
The Disciple Whom Jesus Loved
Griffin Pettit age 12 Pearl of Great Price Tabernacle
John was a disciple of Jesus. He wrote five books of the New Testament. He talks a lot about love. St. John is a perspective of the life of Jesus, 1-3 John are instructions, and Revelation, which is a lot of future events. John was taken to the island of Patmos because of his testimony of Jesus. This is where he wrote the book of Revelation. But my favorite book is the gospel of St. John, it has the most popular verse, John 3:16; 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.
Revelation 1:4; John to the seven churches in Asia, grace to you and peace from Him who IS, and who WAS, and who IS to come. And from the seven Spirits who are before His throne. John is writing letters to seven churches in Asia and Jesus told him what to say.
St. John 1:1; In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
1 John 1:1; That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our own eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word.
It’s cool how John got Revelation and how he got to see all these things that will come to pass. We have the Bible to know what will happen at the end, and since we are his people, we will rejoice!
In Matthew, Jesus called four men to follow him, and immediately they left their boats, and their father and followed him, one was John, who would become his disciple and Apostle. John portrays Jesus as deity, the Son of God. His gospel is really good to read.
We need the Old Testament and the New Testament. We need to tell everyone about Jesus, because we are just nobody trying to tell everybody about somebody that can save their soul. Let’s make heaven crowded, Amen?
Get Down from that Tree
Griffin Pettit age 12 Pearl of Great Price Tabernacle
Jesus was passing through Jericho. There was a chief tax collector there named Zacchaeus, who was rich. Zacchaeus was a short man, and wanted to see Jesus, so he climbed a sycamore tree. This man was a Tax collector. Tax collectors were not popular with the people because they took their money to pay taxes to Rome. Zacchaeus was very short and didn’t have the advantage of seeing over people, so when he heard that Jesus was coming, he started trying to find a way to see Jesus when He passed by.
Luke 19:1-7; And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. 2 And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. 3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little
of stature. 4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. 5. “And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.”6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. 7. And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, that he was gone to be a guest with a man that is a sinner.
Jesus really cared for him, that he would tell a sinner that he is eating at his place. Because Jesus sees what’s in our heart.
For God so loved this world, he gave His only son. Jesus came to die on that cross and to heal and save lost souls. Jesus is the one who you worship.
V.8; And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. 9. And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he is also a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which is lost.
Jesus knew Zacchaeus was hated by many, but Jesus got him saved. When you see people like Zacchaeus being curious about the Lord, do what Jesus said,“Go tell the world about me.”
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