Category Archives: God’s Promises

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March 20, 2014

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Fruit of the Spirit, God's Promises, Peace of God, Trusting God

HOW SAFE ARE OUR HOMES?

If the Lord does not build the house, it is useless for the builders to work on it. If the Lord does not protect a city, it is useless for the guard to stay alert. [Psalm 127:1 (GW)]

A Naples, Florida, real estate ad recently touted a house with a 35-camera security system “set up so if you travel or leave your kids with a sitter, you would have peace of mind.” Another exclusive neighborhood brags about their 24-hour private security patrols and surveillance cameras. One home in that neighborhood is notable for having doors that can withstand the force of a rocket propelled grenade. Do these people truly have security and peace of mind? What does it take for us to feel safe in our homes?

Gated communities, security patrols, alarm systems, surveillance cameras, bullet proof glass and fortified doors can’t protect anyone from Alzheimer’s, addiction, floods, heart-break, cancer, depression, the loss of a child or spouse, financial ruin, or our own death. These things will happen to believers and non-believers alike. The Book of Job makes that abundantly clear. Those who have faith, however, will be sustained through their difficulties. Only in God do we find a true guarantee of security and peace.

My people will live in a peaceful place, in safe homes and quiet places of rest. [Isaiah 32:18 (GW)]

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March 18, 2014

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Challenges & Difficulty, Faith & Hope, Fear & Doubt, God's Promises

Shine, Jesus, Shine

Later, Jesus talked to the people again, saying, “I am the light of the world. The person who follows me will never live in darkness but will have the light that gives life.” [John 8:12 (NCV)]

Oh Lord, sometimes our lives turn bleak and gloomy; the dark shadows of distress and futility hinder our view of you. Shine your light on us. Open our eyes. Help us to see you in the darkness of fear, sadness and discouragement. Free us from our prisons of despair!

You will help the blind to see. You will free those who are in prison, and you will lead those who live in darkness out of their prison. [Isaiah 42:7 (NCV)]

“Shine, Jesus, Shine” by Graham Kendrickpainted lady (american lady) -CLIL58-1WEB

 Lord, the light of your love is shining,
In the midst of the darkness, shining.
Jesus, Light of the world, shine upon us.
Set us free by the truth you now bring us.
Shine on me, shine on me.

Lord, I come to your awesome presence,
From the shadows into your radiance.
By the blood I may enter your brightness.
Search me, try me, consume all my darkness.
Shine on me, shine on me.

Shine, Jesus, shine;
Fill this land with the Father’s glory.
Blaze, Spirit, blaze;
Set out hearts on fire.
Flow, river, flow;
Flood the nations with grace and mercy.
Send forth your Word, Lord,
And let there be light.

 

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March 11, 2014

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God's Plan, God's Promises, Trusting God

He Will Provide

I have filled Bezalel with the Spirit of God and have given him the skill, ability, and knowledge to do all kinds of work. … I have given skills to all the craftsmen, and they will be able to make all these things I have commanded you… [Exodus 31:3,6b (NCV)]

The Lord instructed Moses on the construction of the Meeting Tent, the Ark of the Covenant, the lid that covered the Ark, and everything that would go into the Tent. He also assigned tasks to specific craftsmen. More important, God provided those men with the skills they needed to do their work. Sometimes, we’re hesitant to accept God’s call to a task because we doubt our abilities. It’s good to remember that when God calls us to do something, He will give us the necessary expertise to achieve His goal.

I am the Lord your God, who holds your right hand, and I tell you, “Don’t be afraid. I will help you.” [Isaiah 41:13 (NCV)]

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March 2, 2014

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God's Promises, Salvation: A New You

No Funerals for Him

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! [2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)]

My pastor pointed out that the gospels make no mention of Jesus conducting any funerals. Jesus didn’t conduct funerals because his business wasn’t death; it was life! He was in the business of resurrection! Our old selves may have died, but a new and better person was born! Thank you, God, for this new life!

Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. [John 10:9-10 (NLT)]

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February 24, 2014

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God's Promises, Trusting God

He Can’t Lie!

God is not like people. He tells no lies. He is not like humans. He doesn’t change his mind. When he says something, he does it. When he makes a promise, he keeps it. [Numbers 23:19 (GW)]

We seem to be bombarded with untruths and misinformation on all fronts. We’ve been told that we can keep our insurance, the athlete never took any drugs, the president didn’t have sexual relations, and there will be no new taxes. There are also the little lies we encounter every day: the medical test won’t hurt, it was on sale, the check’s in the mail, and the unidentifiable casserole is delicious. Because of the lies we hear and tell, we have become skeptical and cynical when promises are made. How reassuring to know that changing and lying are the two things that we do that our omnipotent God can’t (or won’t). While God can do all things, His very character keeps him from being able to lie or break a promise. Thank you, O Lord, for the truth of your message of love and redemption.

In addition, the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind, because he is not a mortal who changes his mind. [1 Samuel 15:29 (GW)]

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February 22, 2014

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God's Promises

Who Is God?

God said to Moses: I am the eternal God. So tell them that the Lord, whose name is “I Am,” has sent you. This is my name forever, and it is the name that people must use from now on. [Exodus 3:14-15 (CEV)]

God was and always has been. He is and forever will be. There is no beginning and no end to him. He is Yahweh: the great I AM. How can our small minds possibly comprehend the enormity of God? Our understanding is limited by our vocabulary and there are no words sufficient to describe Him. Oh, Lord, help us to understand.

I am God. I am who I am. … I am what some would say ‘holy, and wholly other than you.’ The problem is that many folks try to grasp some sense of who I am by taking the best version of themselves, projecting that to the nth degree, factoring in all the goodness they can perceive, which often isn’t much, and then calling that God. And while it may seem like a noble effort, the truth is that it falls pitifully short of who I really am. I’m not merely the best version of you that you can think of. I am far more than that, above and beyond all that you can ask or think. [From “The Shack” by Wm. Paul Young]