Category Archives: God’s Promises

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February 12, 2014

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Faith & Hope, God's Promises, Trusting God, Wisdom & Guidance

Blind Faith

Send your light and your truth. Let them guide me. Let them bring me to your holy mountain and to your dwelling place. [Psalm 43:3 (GW)]

Have you ever seen a blind skier navigate down a mountain slope? The visually impaired skier is guided down the slope by a sighted skier who calls out to him when to turn and which direction to take. The blind skier has to have complete trust in his guide and must listen carefully to his instruction. When his guide says, “Turn right,” the skier doesn’t reply, “Do I really have to?” When told to get off the chair lift, he doesn’t try to second-guess his guide asking, “Are you sure?” When instructed to stop, the blind skier doesn’t argue saying, “But, I don’t want to!” No, he obeys. This is, indeed, a true example of “blind faith.” That is the kind of faith and trust we need to have in our life’s guide: God.

I know not the way God leads me, but well do I know my Guide. [Martin Luther]

I lead the blind on unfamiliar roads. I will lead them on unfamiliar paths. I will turn darkness into light in front of them. I will make rough places smooth. These are the things I will do for them, and I will never abandon them. [Isaiah 42:16 (GW)]

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February 8, 2014

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God's Plan, God's Promises, Prayer

He Promises

Have faith that you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer. [Matthew 21:22 (GW)]

How do we reconcile this promise to God’s frequent denials of our petitions? We ask God for what we want but what He gives us is rarely on our timetable and frequently is not what we specifically requested. God may not give us what we want right now but He will give us everything we need, not just for now, but for the future as well. He probably won’t pay our credit card bills, make our teenagers behave, fix our cars or relationships, or get us that raise; he may not even heal us. He will, however, ease our fears, give us wisdom to solve our problems, guide us in our relationships, encourage us when we are weary, strengthen our faith in a crisis, bless us with inner peace, and provide courage enough to face any challenge. We will, indeed, receive what we have asked for in prayer.

Don’t pray to escape troubles. Don’t pray to be comfortable in your emotions. Pray to do the will of God in every situation. Nothing else is worth praying for. [Samuel M. Shoemaker]

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February 6, 2014

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God's Promises, Peace of God, Prayer

Sweet Dreams at Night

In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone will keep me safe. [Psalm 4:8 (NLT)]

Father in heaven, thank you for getting us safely through the challenges of this day. May we have a peaceful night and a productive tomorrow. If it’s not too much to ask, could tomorrow also bring some sunshine, an extra dose of patience, a little laughter and lots of love.

I will give you peace in the land, and you will be able to sleep with no cause for fear. [Leviticus 26:6a (NLT)]

I found the “if I should die before I wake” part of the traditional children’s prayer a bit worrisome for my little ones and so combined various versions of the “Now I Lay Me” prayer into this evening prayer for our grands:

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.May angels guard me through the night,
And wake me in the morning’s light.
When in the morning light I wake,
Show me the path of love to take. Amen.

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January 28, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, God's Promises, Salvation: A New You, Temptation & Sin

What Does It Mean to Be Born Again?

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” “What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?” [John 3:3-4 (NLT)]

How does one get reborn? If there is going to be a rebirth or resurrection, there must be a death or crucifixion. If we are going to be reborn, to have a new life, we must get rid of the old one. We can’t become new simply by slathering on a coat of righteousness or virtue as one would a coat of paint. We need an entirely new foundation. To do that, down must come the walls of bitterness, anger, prejudice, pride and any other walls that interfere with our relationship with God and our fellow man. Rebirth is neither easy nor fun; in fact, at times it can be downright unpleasant. But, rebuild we must if we are going to have a new life: one that is right and true and good.

Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. [John 3:5-6 (NLT)]

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January 20, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, Forgiveness, God's Promises

Vengeance is His

As much as it is possible, live in peace with everyone. Don’t take revenge, dear friends. Instead, let God’s anger take care of it. After all, Scripture says, “I alone have the right to take revenge. I will pay back, says the Lord.” [Romans 12:18-19 (GW)]

Sometimes it is so difficult to forgive what seems unforgivable. Lord, don’t let us equate giving our forgiveness with approval of the deed or acceptance of the wrongdoing. Let us equate forgiveness of others with our healing and freedom from the burden of our pain and suffering. Help us to forgive and let go of past hurts. Open our hearts to the promise of a better future, confident that your righteous anger will step in when necessary. Punishment is in your job description; it’s your prerogative, not ours.

I will take revenge and be satisfied. In due time their feet will slip, because their day of disaster is near. Their doom is coming quickly. [Deuteronomy 32:35 (GW)]

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January 14, 2014

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Challenges & Difficulty, God's Promises

There Will Be Trouble

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. [John 16:33 (NLT)]

He doesn’t say we “might” have troubles; we will, indeed have difficulties. But take heart, we are never alone.

God has not promised skies always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways all our lives through;
God has not promised sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.
But God has promised strength for the day,
Rest for the labor, light for the way.
Grace for the trials, help from above,
Unfailing sympathy, undying love.
[Annie Johnson Flint]