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.
Salt and Water
By Mary Pettit
Pearl of Great Price Tabernacle
In order to maintain life, there are two things that are essential: salt and water. From the book of Genesis and all the way through Revelation, the Bible consistently speaks of water. Matthew 5:13 tells us we are the salt of the earth. Salt and water are necessities. The Bible tells us in Genesis and Revelation that there is a river flowing from the throne of God.
This living water heals, restores, cleanses and changes us. Our nervous systems require salt. The book of Mark tells us to “have salt in yourselves.” It’s necessary to be salted or seasoned with fire for the believer to be purified. Salt and water purify and cleanse. When the Bible mentions leprosy, many times it doesn’t say they were “healed,” it says they were “clean.” In 2 Kings 5 Naaman was told to wash in the Jordan River 7 times and he would be clean.
In Leviticus 2:13 every oblation of meat offering had to be seasoned with salt, because there was a salt covenant with Godand it could not be lacking from the offering. Salt and water heal. John 5:2-9 speaks of a man who was by a pool known as Bethesda. When an angel moved the waters whoever stepped in the pool first was healed. The moving living water heals. This moving living water is power, and that power comes from Jesus Christ.
Salt can help heal wounds, and in 2 Kings God used salt to heal the water in a barren land. Elisha told the people to bring him a new clean bowl, and he put the salt in this clean vessel to heal the waters. Salt and water renew and restore. In John 4 we hear Jesus tell the Samaritan woman at the well that if she drinks of the living water He provides she will never thirst again, and there will be a well of water springing up into everlasting life. Salt can restore as it cleanses and heals wounds.
Facial scrubs containing salt can restore and cleanse the skin. Salt and water preserve. Revelation tells us those who have been washed in the blood of the Lamb shall live forever and be led to the fountains of water. We know salt can preserve food.
Numbers 18:19 tells us of an indissoluble salt covenant with God. But not all salts are created equal. Table salt has been stripped of minerals through processing, leaving it void of any nutrients. If we are to be the salt of the earth, how we will do this if we’ve allowed the enemy and our battles to strip us of all God gave us? Sea salt is contaminated as our oceans become contaminated. Although the package may say “natural” there’s something hidden inside that reveals otherwise. We need to have our hearts pure before God and not have anything hidden in our hearts. Pink Himalayan rock salt is the purest salt. It’s full of minerals our body needs. I pray to be like the Pink Himalayan salt, and that my speech is spoken always with grace seasoned with salt (Colossians 4:6).
Obstacles
Sis. Leatha Augustus
Obstacles— Anything that gets in the way, or to keep one from going forward.
We face obstacles in this life, and men and women in the Bible were no different, but God brought them through.
In Gen. 3:1-7; The serpent deceived Eve, and when their eyes were open, they knew they had sinned against God, they knew they were naked. Why do we allow the enemy to come into our life and convince us to do the one thing God commanded us not to do? Satan is an obstacle in our life.
In Exodus 1:16-17; the king of Egypt was an obstacle in the lives of the midwives, but they feared God and didn’t do as the king commanded, God made a way out, and dealt well with the midwives. Remember that God will bring you through any obstacle in this life.
Daniels obstacle was the lions den, but God was with him, and brought deliverance. It’s the same with the three Hebrew boys when they were cast in the burning fiery furnace, but a fourth man liken unto the Son of God showed up, and they didn’t even smell like smoke! God moved the obstacle that was placed before them, and what the enemy meant for evil, God brought forth good!
Judges 16:27-30; Samson faced obstacles that were brought through Delilah, but he ended up killing more in the end than he killed while he was alive. God heard his prayer, O Lord God, remember me and give me strength, and God helped him.
God will do the same for you, to help you gain victory and be an overcomer. God knows all things that you face, He sees it all, and will give you strength to endure, and remove them obstacles.
The enemy will tell you that you might as well give up, turn back, throw in the towel, but God has the last say, we will win!
In Luke 19:1-10; We see Zacchæus, who’s obstacle was being little of stature, but wanting to see Jesus, he ran and climbed up in a tree, and it got the Lord’s attention, so Zacchæus had fellowship with Jesus that day, and salvation came to his house, because he didn’t let being short stop him from seeing Jesus.
Hebrews 12:1-2; Jesus endured the cross, despising the shame, he didn’t let any obstacle stop him from doing what he was sent to do. Peter was an obstacle, “No Lord, this isn’t going to happen,” the Pharisees were an obstacle, trying to snare him in his words, his brothers were an obstacle, neither did they believe on him, but Jesus kept on the mission that God had sent him to do, for the joy that was set before him, he overcame every obstacle and endured the cross! Obstacles come to stop, to hinder your progress, to slow you down, but there’s no mountain too high, or valley too low that God will not bring us through, or out of. We can stand, no matter what we go through, stand on that solid Rock Christ Jesus!
You ARE Good Enough
By Tim Emmons
Pearl of Great Price Tabernacle
There is an enemy on the loose and we must watch out for him because he seeks to destroy us.
God’s anointed find him at their doorstep looking to disrupt their lives, cause chaos and destroy any who will let him.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:12)
A sure truth is that the enemy is relentless. He will stop at nothing to destroy you, your household, your relationship with God or the ministry God has placed in your life.
How many times in your walk with Christ have you heard the devil whisper, “You’re not going to make it”, “God doesn’t love you”, “If He was coming to help you like he said He would, He would have already done so”, “You’re not strong enough to get through this trial”, “You’ve done something wrong”, “God is mad at you”, “You’re nowhere near where you need to be in your walk with Christ”, “You’re not good enough”?
You’re not good enough was a statement devised by a serpent in the pits of hell.
I’m here to tell you, you are good enough! The Word of God says you’re good enough! We are made good enough by the blood of Jesus Christ!
The devil says, God isn’t going to heal you. He’s been saying He would for so long now. If He were going to heal you, He would have done it already. You can’t trust what God is telling you.
God says, Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
The devil says, nothing is going right in your life. You don’t have enough money to cover your bills. You and your family will be out on the streets. Fear will be your end.
God says, Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you. (Isaiah 35:4)
The devil says, All hope is lost. You don’t have the strength to withstand. The Lord isn’t with you, or you wouldn’t be going through this. This trial wouldn’t be so hard. You cannot stand any longer.
God says, Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. (Isaiah 41:10)
The devil will bring on guilt, bring up past sins, condemn you and make you believe that He will not forgive you again.
God’s Word says, Who is a God like unto thee, that pardonsiniquity, and passes by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? He retains not his anger forever, because he delights in mercy. He will turn again; he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and He will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. (Micah 7:18-19)
He has you question your dedication.
You’ve fallen back on your dedication. Look at how others are being blessed but not you. You must have really angered God this time. It won’t do any good to repent because He is upset with you. How are you going to help others if you can’t help yourself.
He has you question your faith.
He didn’t move for you because of your prayers. It was because of the prayers of others. It’s been so long since He told you He was coming to help you, heal you, bless you, change your situations. He’s not coming because you have done something wrong. You don’t deserve God’s help.
He will stop at nothing to make you feel less than, lost, depressed, oppressed, fearful, hopeless, anxious, sad.
James 4:7 says, Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Tell that snake to go on. Pack up your scales and go. You have no power over me.
Don’t let that lizard lead your mind into ruin. Give everything to God.
How is it possible to overcome the devil and all his mischief?
Luke 10:19 says, 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.
The Bible says, We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed. (2 Corinthians 4:8-9)
Jesus has made us worthy! He has made you fit to serve Him boldly in righteousness. We are worthy through His grace, salvation, righteousness, spirit. We are worthy through Him.
You are fearfully made! One with Christ, forgiven, bought with a price.
Never let the enemy tell you, you’re not good enough because Jesus’ finished work on the cross says you ARE!
Make War
By Timothy Emmons
Pearl of Great Price Tabernacle
This enemy is relentless. He will stop at nothing to destroy you, your household, your relationship with God or the ministry God has placed in your life.
He doesn’t give up. He doesn’t give in. He may leave for a season but he will return.
We must be ready! We must be prepared! We must make war!
The moment we gave our lives to the Lord, spiritual warfare began.
Have you ever had the enemy steal something from you and you didn’t realize he had taken it until it was too late?
The Word says, “then comes the wicked one, and takes away that which was sown in our hearts.”
If we do not watch and pray, he will blindside us.
He attacks when you’re tired, sad or upset. He hits you at your lowest and most vulnerable state.
He sows confusion, discord and doubt. He’s infiltrated families, marriages, churches, cultures, societies, races and nations where he has caused great division.
The Word says, “every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand.” (Matthew 12:25)
What better way to destroy the body of Christ than through division. Have you ever heard the term “divide and conquer’? It’s easier to conquer a smaller group than one large, unified group of believers.
Has he ever taken your joy? Your peace? Your health? Your voice? Your finances? Your hope?
Did he attack you with fear, worry, discouragement, anxiety, hopelessness, depression?
Just like a thief this snake has slithered in and taken blessings from God’s people. Your blessings, your answered prayers.
We must make war!
The fact is the devil is good at what he does. He’s been doing so for thousands of years. The same devil that led a revolt against our Father in Heaven, tempted Adam and Eve and had Judas betray our Savior is the same devil who comes at us on what feels like a daily basis.
There is a battle for your mind, heart and soul. Don’t let the enemy distract you, snare you, defeat you.
And sometimes the battle may be hot, may seem heavy and may feel like the enemy has the upper hand but he doesn’t.
2 Corinthians 4:8-9 says, “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;”
Romans 8:37 says, “As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”
Make War!
It’s time to get our fight back and take the fight to the devil.
Take back your joy, peace, hope, commitment, health, dedication and anything else the devil stole from you. Go into his camp and take it back!
If we are rooted in Christ then we’ve already won because the Word says in 2 Chronicles 20:15 – Be not afraid nor be dismayed at the great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s!
Do you know what else the Word says?
Isaiah 54:17 - “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.”
He fights for us. Who can stand against? The gates of hell won’t prevail.
When you feel the enemy attacking remember, the devil was defeated by Jesus on the cross, defeated when you gave your life to God, defeated when God answered your prayers and defeated when God moved for you.
Arise, put on your armor and prepare for battle.
Make war!
Jesus Break the Chain
By Timothy Emmons
Pearl of Great Price Tabernacle
The word chain has different meanings. The first definition is a sequence or series of connected elements.
Israel had 3 kings before the split of the kingdom. Each of these kings had different struggles in different ways.
Saul had the kingdom taken from him by God because of strict disobedience.
David had his faults but the Lord favored David because of his quickness to repent, devotion, loyalty and love in keeping God first in his life no matter what he had done.
Solomon was blessed above all men with Godly wisdom and the Bible said he followed the instructions of his father David.
Later we witness in God’s Word a total 180 from Solomon as he strayed from God’s path for him. He had many wives who worshipped many gods and at some point even erected monuments to those gods.
The flesh is fickle. Have you noticed that when a Godly prophet or Judge was alive the people were for the most part seeking God, but when they died the people were like wandering sheep without a shepherd?
After the kingdom split in two, 41 kings and one queen graced the thrones of these kingdoms combined.
Of the 42 rulers Israel had 19 kings and none of them did right in the sight of the Lord.There was a chain of evil rulers.
Of the 22 kings of Judah only 8 did right in the sight of the Lord.
Eight out of 42 rulers combined followed God’s commandments. At some point a chain of evil leadership was broken in Judah. The rulers were not perfect but somewhere along the way someone taught them the ways of the Lord and they clung to those ways.
One of those kings had no problem tearing down the high places and ridding the land of idols and the worshippers thereof.
This king was prophesied about nearly 300 years before he was born.
1 Kings 13:1-2 And, behold, there came a man of God out of Judah by the word of the Lord unto Bethel: and Jeroboam stood by the altar to burn incense.
2 And he cried against the altar in the word of the Lord, and said, O altar, altar, thus saith the Lord; Behold, a child shall be born unto the house of David, Josiah by name; and upon thee shall he offer the priests of the high places that burn incense upon thee, and men's bones shall be burnt upon thee.
Josiah was 8 when he was crowned king and ruled 31 years and according to his acts in the Bible he did what was prophesied to the letter.
He sought God at a young age and when the Book of the Law was found he took his kingship in a Holy direction.
The Word says that like unto him was there no king before him, that turned to the Lord with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him.
Although the kings who did right in the sight of the Lord had points of failure during their reign, there came a KING out of Bethlehem who did no sin, neither was no guile found in his mouth.
It took THIS KING who became sin but knew no sin to break the chain!
Another definition for the word chain is that which binds, restrains, confines, or fetters; a bond.
The enemy has people bound by sin, confined, in fetters. He has many of God’s people in different bonds and fitted with different yokes. The only way to be free of those things is Jesus.
Stand fast in the liberty wherewith Jesus made us free and if He sets you free you, shall be free indeed.
The Word says that those who cry out in times of trouble and distress, He will bring out of darkness and the shadow of death and brake their bands in sunder which means into pieces.
When we were in the world, we were chained servants of the enemy that can only be broken by Jesus Christ.
Chains of hatred, fear, dissention, addictions, worry, anger need to be broken.
There is a King of Kings, sitting on the throne at this very minute Who is the greatest chain breaker of them all.
Come Ye Sinners, Lost and Hopeless
Come Ye sinners, lost and hopeless, Jesus blood can make you free; For He saved the worst among you, when He saved a wretch like me. And I know, yes, I know, Jesus blood can make the vilest sinner clean. And I know, yes, I know, Jesus blood can make the vilest sinner clean. This hymn, written in 1920, by Anna Waterman, is an invitation of salvation that only comes through Christ Jesus. For It’s only the blood of Jesus, through his death on the Cross that can totally cleanse, wash and set anyone free that is bound by the snare of sin.
In Luke 5:32; Jesus said, I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
What is Repentance? According to the Greek concordance, it’s a change of mind of those who have begun to abhor their errors and deeds, a recognition of sin and a sorrowing because of it, and a determination to turn from sin and enter a better way of life.
That is the call of Jesus, a call for sinners to see themselves as God sees them, a call for sinners to realize there is a way out of sin, a way that has already been paid for by the blood of Jesus! A call for the lost and hopeless to see the great price Jesus paid, and the love of God that covers a multitude of sin!
1 John 1:6; If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth. 7. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship, one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin.
1 John 3:5; And ye know that he (Jesus) was manifested to take away our sins, and in him is no sin. 8. He that commits sin is of the devil, for the devil sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
1 John 4:9; In this was manifested the love of God towards us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation (atonement) for our sins.....1 John 5:17; All unrighteousness is sin, and there is a sin not unto death.
Jesus also said in Luke 15:7; I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner (wicked, one who practices sin, sinful) that repents, more than over ninety nine just persons who need no repentance.
Come Ye sinners, lost, lonely, hopeless, bound, sin sick, There’s a call to Repentance!
For the precious blood of Jesus can make even the vilest sinner clean!
God bless.
Why Settle for Less
Sis. Shellie Drayton
Why settle for less, when God has given us everything. God has given us everything when He gave us His son. If you only knew who you were in Christ Jesus, if you knew the power He has given to you.
Romans 8:32; He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
The Lord has given us all things, everything we need in Jesus to defeat the devil.
Why do we settle for less and let the devil beat us down when we have what we need to overcome and conquer the enemy.
Ephesians 3:20; Now unto him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.
We don’t have to settle for less, we have the power of God working in us!
If we could comprehend that we have all that we need, we would not be defeated. We would not let the enemy whisper in our ear and tell us this and that. We know God’s word!
Philippians 4:19; But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
We know the Word of God is true. God isn’t going to tell us a lie, it’s impossible for God to lie. We’ve got to stand firm on God’s word and put it into action, and don’t settle for less! We are what God says we are in Him. We are more than conquerors, and we’ve got to remember this when we are in the battle with the enemy.
John 14:12; Verily, verify I say unto you, he that believes on me, the works that I do shall he do also, and greater works than these shall he do, because I go to my Father. We serve an awesome God, and it’s all about his power!
John 14:14; If you shall ask anything in my name, I will do it.
We don’t have to settle for less, God has given us everything!
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.
God’s Word is forever settled in heaven, we have so much to be thankful for.
Ephesians 1:11; In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who works all things after the council of his own will. Do you believe it? Then act according, and don’t let the devil keep defeating you and tormenting your mind, and act like you can’t make it. We have the Creator on our side! We have Christ in us, the hope of glory!
1 John 4:4, You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
2 Timothy 1:7; For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Luke 12:22; Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Speak God’s Word and see if He won’t bring it to pass!
Victory is ours! Don’t settle for anything less, when God has given us all things!
Get Past Your Past
Every day starts a new day, yesterday is past, tomorrow isn’t here. What can you change today, what can you leave behind from yesterday, what can you look forward to tomorrow?
Too many dwell in the shadow of yesterday’s that hinder their today’s. Thoughts, emotions, actions. Sometimes it’s hard to move past hurt, anger, frustration, unforgiveness, painful memories, broken relationships, fears, sorrows, disappointments.
But in order to go forward and grow in God, we must leave everything that is hindering our growth in the past, we must bury it, and stop resurrecting it. Whatever brings you down, leave it in the past.
After the devastation of Jerusalem, and all Jeremiah endured, he said, “This I recall to mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning, great is thy faithfulness.. Lamentations 3:21-23.
What did Jeremiah recall to mind that gave him hope? V.18-20; Jeremiah says “my strength and my hope is perished from the LORD,” he was remembering his affliction and his misery, they were as wormwood (bitterness) and gall to him, but somehow his mindset changed. Why? Because he recalled to mind the mercy of the LORD, his compassions that don’t fail! His faithfulness that brought Jeremiah through all his afflictions and heartaches, his troubles and sorrows! And they are new every morning! Each sunrise comes with a new supply of God’s mercies and compassions. He is a faithful Father!
Recall to mind what God has brought you through, rejoice in it and close the door to the past disappointments, upsettings, turmoil, fears, torments. Change your mindset! Apostle Paul said in Philippians 3; “This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before. And Philippians 4; “Think on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report.
Let go of the past and grab hold of today in God! A day of peace, joy, hope, strength, faith. Jeremiah found that the LORD is his portion, and the LORD is good, therefore he had hope, because our Father is faithful!
God bless.
The Everlasting Arms of Jesus
St. John 13:23; Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.
We know by reading the book of John, that he was speaking of himself, but read this verse again, and with full faith and assurance, say “I am leaning on the bosom of Jesus, and he loves me.”
If you are a disciple of Jesus, born again of the Spirit, washed, cleansed, forgiven, and on your way to heaven, then you have a place at His table, you have throne room rights, you have the arm of the Lord around you at all times!
Deuteronomy 33:27; The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee, and shall say, destroy them.
Isaiah 26:4; Trust ye in the LORD for ever, for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength. Isaiah 40:28; Hast thou not known? Hast thou not heard? That the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, faints not, neither is weary? There is no searching of his understanding.
Isaiah 53:1; Who has believed our report, and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?
The arm of the LORD was revealed to this world, in the form of a baby born in Bethlehem.
The Savior of the world, the Lamb of God, our help, hope and strength. Our refuge in troubled times, our healer in sickness, our strong tower from the enemy.
Jeremiah 31:3; The LORD has appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love, therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee.
2 Thessalonians 2:16; Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which has loved us, and has given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, 17. Comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.
If you are troubled, lean on Jesus, if you need a friend, lean on Jesus, if you are heartbroken, weary, anxious, lean on Jesus.
What a fellowship, what a joy divine, leaning on the everlasting arms. What a blessedness, what a peace is mine, leaning on the everlasting arms!
God bless.
A Way in the Wilderness
Isaiah 43:19; Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.
From the beginning of this world, God, our Father, made everything that man would need to survive and live in this world. That’s why Adam wasn’t created until the sixth day. God planned it all out, from day one, and knew what would be needed to sustain humanity. He had everything placed and prepared in this world for the coming creation of man. When a woman learns she is expecting a baby, she starts planning and making preparations for the day that baby will enter the world. Our Father did that at the beginning. Everything Adam needed to live in this world was already here when God breathed the breath of life in him.
When God called Israel out of Egypt bondage, and placed them in the wilderness, He provided everything they needed to sustain them for forty years. Manna from heaven, water flowing from the Rock, he made sure their shoes that didn’t wear out, clothes that didn’t get threadbare, their feet did not swell, healing that came when needed, protection from the scorpions, fiery serpents, drought. Deuteronomy chapters. 8 & 28.
This is the same in our spiritual walk with the Lord. He has prepared the way for us from the time we are brought out of sins grip (Egypt bondage), until we take our last breath. He has already paved the way through the strait gate that leads to life eternal, if we dare to enter in. God has given us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, and great and precious promises, that by these promises, we might be partakers of His divine nature. And with these things, we are to add to our faith... 2 Peter 1:1-8
Our Lord has already made the way for us. A way of life, a way of peace, a way of joy, salvation, forgiveness, holiness, mercy, compassion, grace, eternal life. He has made for us, a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.
God bless.
Hide And Seek
Sis. Leatha Augustus
What are we hiding from, and what are we seeking for? We are not the only one seeking, God is seeking, satan is seeking.
I Peter 5:8,; Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour.
Satan is seeking to see if you are going to let him in, and God is seeking those that will serve him with all their heart.
This world today thinks they can hide, but God has an all seeing eye, there is nothing that escapes Him. There is no place to hide down here where God cannot find you.
Jeremiah 16:7; For mine eyes are upon their ways, they are not hidden from my face, neither is their iniquity hid from mine eyes.
Sometimes people think they have gotten away from committing a crime, because they didn’t get caught, but God seen it, even if no one else did. And there will be an account given when they stand before God.
Psalm 27:4; One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after, that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in His temple.
Psalm 27:8; When you said, seek ye my face, my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.
Do we seek the Lord as He desires us to seek Him? He said to seek Him while He is near. Seek Him while He may be found.
In a game of hide and seek, the seeker responds with, ready or not, here I come. Right now, God is giving this world a chance to get ready, He’s giving His church time to get prepared for one day the LORD will descend from heaven, Ready or not, He is coming back like He said. Proverbs 8:17; I love them that love me, and those that seek me early shall find me.
Seek the LORD early in your life, while you are still young, seek Him while He may be found of you!
Jeremiah 29:13; And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
The LORD is there to help you, to take you through whatever you go through. Sometimes whatever we face makes it seem like there is no tomorrow, no light, no hope, but God is there at all times, He is that light shining around you. He loves you so much that He laid down His life for you.
Matthew 6:33; But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these other things will be added unto you.
Matthew 7:7; Ask, and it shall be given you, seek, and you shall find, knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
In Luke chapter 15, The woman searched for that lost coin until she found it, she didn’t give up. She kept seeking and it paid off. If we keep seeking after Him, it will pay off, we will find Him. Luke 19:10; The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Jesus is also searching for a lost coin. Are you are that lost coin?
As it is Written, So Shall it Be
Sis. Shellie Drayton.
Has anyone ever got a summons to sit on the jury? There’s instructions written on the summons informing you what you are to do. No one can deviate from it. It is written, and so shall it be.
Psalm 102:18; This shall be written for the generation to come, and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD.
What people? The ones created to praise the LORD.
Why? Because it’s already written in His word what is going to take place. All we have to do is follow the instructions. Like a jury summons, follow the instructions. God’s word has already been written. His word is still telling us today from generations past, when God wrote His laws with His finger, this is your instructions to obey. If we keep God’s word, God will keep us.
The children of Israel were rebellious at times, even as people are today. We will take heed to God’s word for awhile, then go astray. But God always brought them back. God instructed Moses to tell the children of Israel to follow His laws and His word, and God still wants His children to follow His word.
God’s word is established and written in Heaven, and He will not be change it for anyone. Psalms 40:7; Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book, it is written of me.
The Word of God was written by the hand of God, and it will not change. Jesus said, he that hungers and thirsts after righteousness shall be filled. If we hunger for Gods word, He will fill us with His word, because His covenant is with us today also.
Luke 4:8; And Jesus answered and said unto him, get thee behind me, Satan, for it is written, thou shall worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shall you serve.
We need to follow the Lord’s example and quote the Word of God to the devil, and he will flee. Belshazzar used the gold vessels taken from the temple for his feast, then he seen the hand appear and write on the wall. Wouldn’t it be something if God chose to do that again!
Luke 18:31; Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man, shall be accomplished.
A lot of Gods word has come to pass, and it’s still coming to pass.
Things written in the prophets, scriptures written in ancient times.
1 Corinthians 2:9, But as it is written, Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither has it entered the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love him.
Jesus said, I go to prepare a place for you, and I will come again and receive you unto myself. This is written, and so shall it be, Jesus is coming, and if we are obedient to the Word of God, we will be in that number. If our name is written in the Lamb’s book of Life.
God has given us a road map to follow, from earth to heaven, no deviating from it, no detours. We can’t add to it or take away from it. God’s word is true, established, and forever settled.
The Anchor Holds
ANCHOR: In a figurative sense, that which gives stability or security, that on which we place dependence for safety. The word is used metaphorically in Hebrews 6:19, for that which supports or keeps one steadfast in the time of trial or of doubt. It is an emblem of hope.
Hebrews 6: 18-20; That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters into that within the veil, Wither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
Two immutable (unchanging) things, God’s counsel will never change, and His promises are steadfast. He is God, and cannot lie, and because we make God our refuge, we have great consolation, and are encouraged to take hold of the hope set before us. We know God is faithful, we know God cannot lie, we know our hope is in Him, who made heaven and earth. We know if He said, it shall come to pass, if He promised it, He will fulfill it. And this hope in Him is as an anchor for our soul, firm and unmovable. This hope takes us past the veil and into the Most Holy Place with Him, into that place where only the High Priest was allowed to go only once a year, and there we meet Jesus, who has already gone in before us, and has became our High Priest forever, and our King of Righteousness.
Hebrews 4:16; Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Psalm 46:1; God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Isaiah 26:3-4; Thou will keep him in perfect (complete) peace, whose mind is stayed (steadfast) on thee, because he trusted in thee. Trust ye in the LORD forever, for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength.
The Anchor Holds, tho this ship is battered, the anchor holds tho these sails are torn. I have fallen on my knees, as I face the raging sea, the anchor holds in spite of the storm.
We have an anchor of the soul, all our hope is in Jesus, steadfast and firm.
God bless.
God’s Promise to Bless
Numbers 6:22-27; And the Lord spoke unto Moses, saying, Speak unto Aaron and to his sons, saying, On this wise, you shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, the Lord bless thee, and keep thee, the Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee. The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. And they shall put my Name upon the children of Israel, and I will bless them.
This is what is called the Aaronic blessing. Aaron, being the High Priest, was to say this blessing over the children of Israel. And as Aaron repeated these words, this blessing didn’t come from Aaron, or even Moses, the words came from the mouth of God!
God said, On this wise, you shall bless My children. This is how I want My children blessed, these are the words I want you to say over them. God spoke it and ordained it, straight from heaven! And it all starts with the LORD.
The LORD bless you, keep you, shine His face on you, be gracious to you, look upon you, and give you peace. The LORD will do all this, the LORD spoke it, ordained it and fulfilled it!
V. 27; And they (the priests) shall put my Name upon the children of Israel, and I will bless them.
God’s name had to be applied on Israel first before the blessing would come. The children took on the LORD’S name! The word LORD means The Existing One, or Eternal One, Yahweh or Jehovah.
JEHOVAH- ETERNAL ONE, LIFE-GIVER, HE WHO BRINGS TO PASS, ONE WHO IS EVER LIVING AND UNCHAINABLE.
The LORD bless you—To supply or bestow something upon someone, benefits, bring gifts. Deuteronomy 28:2-6; JEHOVAH-JIREH- The LORD will see to it, or provide it.
The LORD keep you—To protect, guard, sustain, preserve, to care for. Psalm 121:5-8; JEHOVAH-NISSI-The LORD is my Banner.
The LORD make His face shine upon you—The face of God, the part that sees, that beholds and looks upon you. His presence that illuminates whoever is in the direction of His gaze, and darkness has to flee. Psalm 17:15; JEHOVAH- TSIDKENU -The LORD our Righteousness. The LORD be gracious to you—To show kindness, mercy. Isaiah 30:18; JEHOVAH- SHAMMAH- The LORD is there.
The LORD lift up his countenance on you—To look upon you with favor. Psalm 4:6-8; 89:15; also JEHOVAH-TSIDKENU; the LORD our Righteousness.
The LORD give you peace—Health, soundness, safety, prosperity, to make whole, make complete. Psalm 29:11; Jeremiah 29:11; JEHOVAH- SHALOM- The LORD is Peace.
Aaron, the High Priest was to put the name of the LORD on Israel, and speak these words. Now JESUS is our High Priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek! And He forever lives to make intercession for us. Hebrews 7:24-25.
We have His Name applied to our heart, mind, soul and spirit. For neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12.
If you belong to Jesus, saved, forgiven, born again of the Spirit, then you have His promises of blessings. The LORD bless you and keep you.
God bless.