Category Archives: God’s Promises

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November 12, 2013

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Bible Stories, Faith & Hope, God's Promises, Miracles, Trusting God

Expect a Miracle (Part 1)

2013-11-12Toward the end of the day, the twelve apostles came to him. They said to him, “Send the crowd to the closest villages and farms so that they can find some food and a place to stay. No one lives around here.” Jesus replied, “You give them something to eat.” They said to him, “We have five loaves of bread and two fish. Unless we go to buy food for all these people, that’s all we have.” [Luke 9:12-13 (GW)

Over 5000 people had followed Jesus and evening was approaching. The disciples saw the massive crowd and they knew they had a predicament. How could they possibly feed all of those hungry people? Although all four gospels report this story, none mention any of the disciples saying something like, “Jesus, we’ve got a problem; we need to pray!” or “Do you think we could find a way to feed this crowd? Could a miracle be possible?” No! Knowing they didn’t have enough money to purchase that much food, they simply suggested sending the crowd away. Jesus and his disciples had been healing the sick and lame. Jesus had freed people from demons, calmed a storm and even brought a young girl back to life. The disciples probably knew about the wine making miracle at Cana. Did it not occur to them that yet another miracle could occur?

Lord Jesus, forgive me when I don’t bring you my problems and trust you with a solution.

Jesus said to him, “As far as possibilities go, everything is possible for the person who believes.” [Mark 9:23 (GW)]

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November 10, 2013

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Attitudes & Behavior, Challenges & Difficulty, God's Promises

Spiritual Muscle Building

These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. [1 Peter 1:7 (NLT)]

Comfort and serenity are wonderful (and I prefer them), but tranquility doesn’t help us mature into the people God wants us to be. Difficulties are His way of building our spiritual muscles. It’s in times of hardship, adversity and pain that the qualities of honor, integrity and courage develop. Lord, may we have thankful hearts and willing spirits, not just in times of plenty and peace, but in times of pain and hardship, as well.

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through trial and suffering is the soul strengthened. [Helen Keller]

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November 8, 2013

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God's Promises, Prayer, Wisdom & Guidance

Who Ya Gonna Call?

The Lord declares, “How horrible it will be for those rebellious children. They carry out plans, but not mine. They make alliances against my will. They pile sin on top of sin. … These people are rebellious and deceitful children, children who refuse to listen to the Lord’s teachings. They say to the seers, ‘Don’t see the future.’ They say to those who have visions, ‘Don’t have visions that tell us what is right. Tell us what we want to hear. See illusions. Get out of our way! Stop blocking our path! Get the Holy One of Israel out of our sight.’” [Isaiah 30:1, 9-11 (GW)]

God is our personal help line and yet we often refuse to use it. It’s usually not because we’ve forgotten about Him. More often, it’s because we really don’t want to hear what He has to say or do what He might tell us to do. As a result, we search for advice from everyone else, hoping to hear the answer we want. Like the rebellious children of Judah, we often prefer lies and illusions to the truth. When we seek God, we may not always like His advice, but we can be sure that it will be faultless and true. God’s way is rarely the easy way, but we can trust that it will be the right way!

This is what the Almighty Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: You can be saved by returning to me. You can have rest. You can be strong by being quiet and by trusting me. But you don’t want that. [Isaiah 30:15 (GW)]

 

 

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November 6, 2013

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Bible Stories, God's Promises, Trusting God

Do His Work (Haggai – part 2)

But now don’t be discouraged, any of you. Do the work, for I am with you. When you came out of Egypt, I promised that I would always be with you. I am still with you, so do not be afraid. [Haggai 2:4-5 (GNT)]

Within twenty-three days of Haggai’s first message regarding the rebuilding of the Temple, the people of Jerusalem began construction. But, they were discouraged; this new building was inferior to the previous great temple built by Solomon. God reassured them, telling them simply to do the work. He doesn’t expect perfection; just our best effort. If we do God’s work, He will be with us. With God’s assurance that He was always with them, they knew that what would really bring glory to the temple wasn’t its structure; it was the presence of God in it.

Father, I want to do my best for you. Thank you for the reassurance that my best is good enough for you, even if it isn’t great. Thank you for reminding me that it is your presence in my work that gives it true value.

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November 4, 2013

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Faith & Hope, God's Promises, Miracles, Prayer

Prayer Can Move more Than Mountains

Jesus said to them, “Have faith in God! I can guarantee this truth: This is what will be done for someone who doesn’t doubt but believes what he says will happen: He can say to this mountain, ‘Be uprooted and thrown into the sea,’ and it will be done for him. That’s why I tell you to have faith that you have already received whatever you pray for, and it will be yours.” [Mark 11:22-24 (GW)]

We need faith to pray, but as we pray we gain faith. True faith, however, includes faith in God’s will, not ours. God can do the impossible but he isn’t going to perform miracles to prove his existence to us. Am I disappointed because I haven’t moved a mountain by prayer? No, because there is no need for me to move any mountains. But, when I have prayed in faith, God has moved people, changed lives, and healed troubled souls. He has, indeed, performed miracles in response to prayers offered in faith.

Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.” [Mark 10:27 (NLT)]

 

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November 1, 2013

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Faith & Hope, God's Promises, Prayer

Ask and Receive

So I tell you to ask, and you will receive. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened for you. Everyone who asks will receive. The one who searches will find, and for the person who knocks, the door will be opened. [Luke 11:9-10 (GW)]

Everyone who asks will receive, but they may not always receive what they asked for. When I look back, I find that God’s denials of my requests have resulted in far better gifts than I ever could have imagined. They have led me to new and better places. His refusals have, indeed, opened doors, just not the ones I expected!

Grantor of all good things, give me a thankful heart when my prayers aren’t answered the way I’d hoped. Keep me mindful that you have promised to always provide and that you know far better than I what needs to be done and how it can be accomplished.