Category Archives: God’s Promises

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September 20, 2014

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Faith & Hope, God's Plan, God's Promises, Prayer, Worry

A GODSEND

We don’t know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit himself speaks to God for us. He begs God for us, speaking to him with feelings too deep for words. God already knows our deepest thoughts. And he understands what the Spirit is saying, because the Spirit speaks for his people in the way that agrees with what God wants. We know that in everything God works for the good of those who love him. These are the people God chose, because that was his plan. [Romans 8:26b-28 (ERV)]

The three of us had been trying to solve a difficult situation for most of the summer. No solution seemed quite right. Not knowing how we were going to deal with this problem, I had simply given it to God, praying that He would guide us. We didn’t know what we needed exactly but surely He would provide whatever it was. As our deadline for a decision approached, we began to fret over finding the correct resolution. Suddenly, we realized the answer was looking us in the face. God had provided exactly what we required! Some would say it was a stroke of luck to find the answer to our prayers, a person, at a time in her life when she needed us as well. Luck had nothing to do with it. This person is truly a Godsend. I have no doubt that God saw our need, and hers, and set a series of events in place over the summer that brought us all together at exactly the right time.

Thank you, Lord, for your provision and for knowing what we need far better than we ourselves do.

I am praying to you in my time of trouble. I know you will answer me. [Psalm 86:7 (ERV)]

I will answer them before they call for help. I will help them before they finish asking. [Isaiah 65:24 (ERV)]

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September 3, 2014

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Faith & Hope, God's Promises, Today: Make it Count

GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness. [Lamentations 3:22-23 (NRSV)]

Forgive us, Father for not being nearly as faithful to you and you are to us. Unfortunately, our faith tends to waver with our circumstances; thankfully, your does not! Thank you for this new day and the promise of a fresh start. Let your Holy Spirit empty our hearts of regret and fear, anger and discontent. Fill us with the love, faith and hope that comes only from you.

I will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord, forever; with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations. I declare that your steadfast love is established forever; your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens. [Psalm 89:1-2 (NSRV)] 

“Great is Thy Faithfulness”
[Thomas Chisholm (1925)]

“Great is Thy faithfulness!” “Great is Thy faithfulness!”
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—
“Great is Thy faithfulness,” Lord, unto me!

 “Great is Thy faithfulness,” O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.      

Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

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July 15, 2014

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Challenges & Difficulty, God's Promises, Prayer

JEHOVAH JIREH – GOD PROVIDES

And Abraham calleth the name of that place `Jehovah-Jireh,’ because it is said this day in the mount, `Jehovah doth provide.’ [Genesis 22:14 (YLT)]

Abraham gave that place the name “The Lord will give us what we need.” And it is said to this day, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be given.” [Genesis 22:14 (NLV)]

Since we were going away for the weekend, I carefully copied all of my devotion material (drafts, unposted drafts, meditation ideas, favorite verses, photos, etc.) onto a flash drive so I could work on my laptop. As I unpacked the laptop later that evening, the flash drive was missing. It was still resting comfortably in the slot of my PC at home! More upsetting to me was that, as I’d grabbed my briefcase on the way out, a voice in my head said, “Do you want to check for the flash drive?” Pride responded, “No need; I know what I’m doing!”

I’d counted on catching up on some writing, while enjoying the view and the birds, as I worked on a porch overlooking the peaceful lake. Everything I thought I needed, however, was in my office back home, so I did what comes naturally: I cried. Then, remembering that less than a month ago, I’d posted a prayer asking God for the wisdom to find a way around life’s obstacles, I prayed.

The following morning, God provided all I needed for a full day’s work. That day’s Bible reading led me to write three new meditations. If I count this meditation, my “disaster” led to four new messages! Not bad for a weekend’s work.

Yes, God will provide. He is our Jehovah-Jireh. We, however, have to be willing to stop our complaints (and tears) long enough not only to ask, but also to see His provision!

He gives us everything we need for life and for holy living. He gives it through His great power. [2 Peter 1:3a (NLV)]

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July 11, 2014

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God's Grace & Love, God's Promises

HE IS MINE!

The Lord is my shepherd. I am never in need. [Psalm 23:1 (GW)]

What confidence David shows in the 23rd psalm; what confidence this psalm gives me. Note that he used the pronouns “me,” “my” and “I” instead of “you,” “our” and “us.” While sharing is nice, we all want to have someone or something that is truly just our own. Psalm 23 tells me that I do: the Lord is my shepherd. He is my very own personal shepherd who will feed me, guide me, and provide me with everything I need! He refreshes, restores, revives and reassures me. He both shields and comforts me. I dwell in him and He in me; He is mine and I am his! He cares for me as if I were the only lamb in His flock. We’re all His sheep, but He knows each of us by name. He is the personal shepherd for each one and every one of us.

Thank you, God, for loving me as if I were your favorite lamb, the one most precious in your sight. Thank you, God, for loving everyone else the very same way!

I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep as the Father knows me. My sheep know me as I know the Father. So I give my life for my sheep. [John 10:14-15 (GW)]

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July 5, 2014

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God's Promises, Trusting God

THE LORD IS WITH YOU

Gabriel appeared to her [Mary] and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!” [Luke 1:28 (NLT)]

For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” [Hebrews 13:5b (NLT)]

Many of us attend churches where the liturgy includes the minister or priest saying something like, “The Lord be with you,” and the congregation responding, “And with your spirit.” That wording almost implies that God needs to be called upon to join the service. God, however, has promised that he is always with us. In fact, he leads the way and promises to never disappoint or forsake us. Perhaps we should rewrite the liturgy to reflect what the angel said to Mary: “The Lord is with you.” The congregation’s response could be, “He is with us all, now and forever!”

Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you. [Deuteronomy 31:8 (NLT)]

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise. [Methodist liturgy]

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June 25, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, God's Promises, Holy Spirit, Temptation & Sin

WHAT SHIELDS US?

He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. [Psalm 91:4 (NLT)]

When I was a girl, in the Cold War days, my school conducted fire, tornado and air raid drills. Leaving the building in case of fire made sense as did going to the basement in the case of a tornado. Cowering under our desks, however, would not have done much to save us from an atomic bomb! Do we tend to use equally flimsy defense tactics against Satan’s threats? Today, let’s choose to tap into God’s strength and put on His armor for protection.

DSC02124-Chillon-L Geneva-cropWEBBut let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation. [1 Thessalonians 5:8 (NLT)]