PROMISES OF GOD CAN BE YOURS
We have seen in the past that God always keeps His promises either with someone or a group of people.
It is important for us to realise that all men, underneath the surface, feel insecure and weak. Reactions as far apart as striking out against others and crying out for help, both come from the same source that is fear. Peter in the water. See Matthew 14:27–31, it says, but Jesus immediately said to them, take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid. Lord, if it’s you, Peter replied, tell me to come to you on the water. Come, He said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, Lord, save me! Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him. You of little faith, He said, why did you doubt?
The life and witness of many Christians show that they have not really learned yet how to use God’s promises.
God gave some people promises calling them right out by name. God promised Abraham that He would make him a great nation in Genesis 12:2, it says, I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. God promised King Hezekiah that He would add 15 years to his life in Isaiah 38:5, go and tell Hezekiah, this is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says; I have heard your prayer and seen your tears ; I will add fifteen years to your life. God promised Peter and other disciples when they follow Him. All of His promises were fulfilled to them
Even though you do not find your name in the Bible, God still has some promises for you.
He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. See Ephesians 3:20, it says, now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.
ABOUT THE CHALLENGES: Paul writes in 2nd Corinthians, he feels enormous responsibilities. Enemies plague his life and work, as proved again by severe trials. 2nd Corinthians 1:8–10, Paul says, we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us. On Him we have set our hope that He will continue to deliver us. In the same 2nd Corinthians 2:14–17, Paul says, but thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to others, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task? Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God. Again in 2nd Corinthians 3:5–6, It says, not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant – not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
Like Paul, we are not competent in ourselves. We cannot rely on our own ability. The demands and pressures would overwhelm us. But our competence comes from God.
Looking to God and eternal realities, our spirits rise above our bodily troubles. Even the worst illness cannot change our exalted position with Christ in the heavenly realms. See Ephesians 2:6, it says, and God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus. In 2nd Corinthians 4:16–18, Paul says, therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Truly, “those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint » says Isaiah 40:31.
When we say that God is Sovereign, we mean that He has absolute authority over everything. The one who controls everything is GOD.
So, God not only shows His Sovereignty in protecting those who are His, but also in PROVIDING for all their needs. Ephesians 1:11 says, in Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will.
The saying of King David “My times”, in Psalm 31:15 says, My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me. The Bible refers to all the events in our lives like the moment of birth, the moment for making decisions, the moment of death, e.t.c. King David trusted in God, so let us do also.
God bless you, till next time.
We have seen in the past that God always keeps His promises either with someone or a group of people.
It is important for us to realise that all men, underneath the surface, feel insecure and weak. Reactions as far apart as striking out against others and crying out for help, both come from the same source that is fear. Peter in the water. See Matthew 14:27–31, it says, but Jesus immediately said to them, take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid. Lord, if it’s you, Peter replied, tell me to come to you on the water. Come, He said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, Lord, save me! Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him. You of little faith, He said, why did you doubt?
The life and witness of many Christians show that they have not really learned yet how to use God’s promises.
God gave some people promises calling them right out by name. God promised Abraham that He would make him a great nation in Genesis 12:2, it says, I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. God promised King Hezekiah that He would add 15 years to his life in Isaiah 38:5, go and tell Hezekiah, this is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says; I have heard your prayer and seen your tears ; I will add fifteen years to your life. God promised Peter and other disciples when they follow Him. All of His promises were fulfilled to them
Even though you do not find your name in the Bible, God still has some promises for you.
He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. See Ephesians 3:20, it says, now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.
ABOUT THE CHALLENGES: Paul writes in 2nd Corinthians, he feels enormous responsibilities. Enemies plague his life and work, as proved again by severe trials. 2nd Corinthians 1:8–10, Paul says, we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us. On Him we have set our hope that He will continue to deliver us. In the same 2nd Corinthians 2:14–17, Paul says, but thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to others, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task? Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God. Again in 2nd Corinthians 3:5–6, It says, not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant – not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
Like Paul, we are not competent in ourselves. We cannot rely on our own ability. The demands and pressures would overwhelm us. But our competence comes from God.
Looking to God and eternal realities, our spirits rise above our bodily troubles. Even the worst illness cannot change our exalted position with Christ in the heavenly realms. See Ephesians 2:6, it says, and God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus. In 2nd Corinthians 4:16–18, Paul says, therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Truly, “those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint » says Isaiah 40:31.
When we say that God is Sovereign, we mean that He has absolute authority over everything. The one who controls everything is GOD.
So, God not only shows His Sovereignty in protecting those who are His, but also in PROVIDING for all their needs. Ephesians 1:11 says, in Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will.
The saying of King David “My times”, in Psalm 31:15 says, My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me. The Bible refers to all the events in our lives like the moment of birth, the moment for making decisions, the moment of death, e.t.c. King David trusted in God, so let us do also.
God bless you, till next time.
WHAT DO YOU DO?
2nd Timothy 3:13 says evil men will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
As God revealed the truth to Peter, He grew in his understanding of the scriptures and grew in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Let’s ask God to make us grow as Peter did, so that we will be better able to share the truth of Jesus, true man and true God, with many other people.
False Prophets are out today have a little of the Bible but they always emphasize more on the things which cannot be found in the Bible. But these cults say that they believe the Bible ; but they also say that they have a special revelation from the « that and that or so and so » of their particular group.
Little God’s revelation in the Bible plus the special revelations by a false prophet is un-holy. See 1st Timothy 4:1–3 says, the Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth.
In Galatians 5:16-17, Paul describes this constant struggle in the life of a believer, between our own will and that of Christ.
Our own self-will, the sinful nature, the will of Christ the Spirit. So you can see that as members of Christ’s Kingdom we are engaged in a spiritual battle. Sometimes we can fall by letting SELF- WILL get the upper hand again. But if I fall into this trap, what steps should I take to correct it? How can I keep it from happening again? (1) Say to the Lord that I am sorry and ask Him to forgive me, and restore me, believing that He will. (2) Ask, and make sure, that Jesus comes back on the throne of my life, and is ruling over everything again not false Pastor or false Prophet revelations. (3) Try not to let self – will get the upper hand again. (4). Lift the shield of faith; faith in God’s great love (to forgive) and power (to keep). (5) If I have wronged someone else, be ready to say I am sorry and make amends.
Matthew 6:33 says, but seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Jesus gives us some very good advice. He says: “Seek first His Kingdom”
God’s growing children keep their eyes and ears open. Like all little children they are eager to learn more. We should listen to the true doctrine of Christ not the false one that promised un-holy miracles. See John 10:3-4 and verse 27, it says, the watchman opens the gate for Him, and the sheep listen to His voice. He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out. When He has brought out all His own, He goes on ahead of them, and His sheep follow Him because they know His voice. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
Reflection Questions.
1. How does Jesus describe His sheep? See John 10:3–4 and 27. “The watchmen open the gate for Him, and the sheep listen to His voice. He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out. When He has brought out all His own, He goes on ahead of them, and His sheep follow Him because they know His voice. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”
2. How does Jesus define a true disciple? See John 8:31. “To the Jews who had believed Him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.”
May you be blessed in Jesus name.