Category: God’s Promises

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God’s Love – Promises of God

God is love. There is neither hatred nor envy in him. His love is inestimable. It is more than and beyond any human comparisons. To understand it thoroughly we may need a lifetime. In our earthly relations parental love is considered as the highest and unparalleled form of love. Psalmist says, even if the parents forsake me the lord will receive me (Psalm 27: 10). The Lord’s compassion on his children is also compared to the earthly father’s compassion (Psalm 103:13). God also says that, though a mother may forget you, I will not forget you (Isaiah 49:15). The earth and its elements, the world and its relationships cannot offer the kind of love that god showers on his children.  God has great plans for his children. Plans to prosper you and me and not to harm us. (Jeremiah  29:11) The Psalmist says, How precious  are your thoughts about me, O God! They cannot be numbered!

The parental love, the love of the spouse, siblings, our children and friends is short lived and a shadow of the real love that we are going to experience forever in the bosom of God. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. (John 15:13). He sacrificed his everything to redeem us from the pit and bondage of sin and to set us free, free indeed! He paid the price as a ransom and purchased us and how can He possibly abandon us.    

GODS PROMISES ON LOVE

  • For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.(John 3:16)
  • But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
  • We love because he first loved us. (1 John 4:19)
  • Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13)
  • So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. (1 John 4:16)
  • The Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you. (Jeremaiah 31:3)
  • In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.(1 John 4:10)
  • But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. (Psalm 86:15)
  • And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. (Matt 22:37-39)
  • Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations, (Deut 7:9)
  • Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” (John 14:21)

PRAYER: Lord, your love has no limits.The earthly love that I experience here is only a shadow with all its limitations and shortcomings. You understand, you care and you persevere with us. You give, give and give everything all the time to our unsatisfied souls. If all the sky were paper and all the ocean is ink, to write about the greatness of your love soon the ocean would drain dry. Help us to prioritise and value the love you have for us and to the whole world.  

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Rejoice – Gods Promises

REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS

Paul’s letters from prison are considered the most joyful books in the bible. He urges Philippians to Rejoice in the Lord always. The word Joy is mentioned 16 times in the letter to Philippians. In spite of the sufferings he endured in the roman prison, he encouraged believers to rejoice in the Lord.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:4-7)         

A man who needs encouragement is giving encouragement to others. In addition to his prison sufferings for four years, Paul also encountered storms and three times ship wreck, beaten with rods thrice, faced whippings for five times, stoned once, carried the agonising pain of aching ribs and muscles and scars on back for his life. History indicates many have died due to these roman beatings. Every incident of painful encounter yielded amazing results and conversions for the glory of God.    

How is it possible to remain peaceful and joyful while suffering and enduring pain? What are the reasons for Pauls happiness and joy? How can he say that even if I am being poured out like a drink offering…I am glad and rejoice with all of you?  (2:17,18). How is it possible to be content whatever the circumstances? (4:11)

Paul is always mindful of the future glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. (Romans 8:18). He is also sure that the inner man is being strengthened despite all sufferings. 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. (2 Cor 4:16-17)

Paul understood the magnificent generosity of God’s grace.But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Cor 12:9)

Pauls joy depended on knowing Christ. He explains it clearly in the 3rd chapter of Philippians. When Christ himself is the reason for our joy and happiness, no one can snatch it away from us. He concluded everything in saying, for me to live is Christ and to die is gain (1:21)

GODS PROMISES ON JOY

  • This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24)
  • May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (Romans 15:13)
  • Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. (romans 12:12)
  • So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. (John16:22)
  • Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, (1 peter 1:8)
  • Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:20)
  • These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. (John 15:11)
  • Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. ( Luke 15:7)
  • For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. (Psalm 30:5)
  • Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. (James 1:2-3)
  • But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. (1 peter 4:13)
  • Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 thess 5:16-18)
  • When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul. (psalm 94:19)
  • Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy! (psalm 47:1)

Prayer: Lord, you have brought me everlasting joy and happiness through your supreme sacrifice on the cross. My heart is filled with praise, worship, adoration and honour for your inestimable love, awesome purity and endless wisdom. show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.

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Word of God – God’s Promises

MEDITATE ON GODS WORD

Psalm 119 is a love poem to God’s law. We find the psalmists great desire to meditate the statutes and commands. It’s a sheer craving and longing for the word of God by staying awake through the watches of the night. David delighted in the decrees and they became the theme of his sojourners life.  They are more precious than pure gold and sweeter than honey than the honey from honeycomb. (Psalm 119:10) I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word. (Psalm 119:16) Your decrees are the theme of my song wherever I lodge. (Psalm 119:54). The number of times we meditate on God’s word the sweeter it becomes. God’s word is compared to ‘hidden treasure’. The deeper we go into the study the wealthier we become with the discovery of more precious gold and diamonds. God’s word has the power to transform lives. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 timothy 3:16-17). It hurts God to see his children neglect the word. I wrote for them the many things of my law, but they regarded them as something foreign. (Hosea 8:12). He is furious and judges the children of Israel.. because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children. (Hosea 4:6. We may encounter dry seasons and the word of god appears dry and unappealing but that should not be the reason to spend less time or to stop reading the bible altogether. God speaks to us in unexpected ways and times. We should ask Gods help to open our eyes that we may see the love and concern of God. Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. (Psalm 119:18)

They stood where they were and read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for a quarter of the day, and spent another quarter in confession and in worshiping the Lord their God. (Nehemiah 9:3) Paul instructed Timothy to read carefully Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. (1 Tim 4:13). Lord Jesus also read the scriptures and everyone listened attentively. (Luke4:16-20).

We should spend prayer time daily along with the family for at least half an hour. It includes singing, bible reading and prayer. Children in the family should be allowed to read the scripture portions aloud as assigned to them which follows discussion and prayer time. This will help them to know the importance of the scriptures and the family altar to overcome any issue arising in their personal lives as they grow into maturity. Bible is the God’s amazing book and it has the solutions for all the problems faced by mankind. God’s word and Gods invisible hand is clearly evident in the history and in the progress of human race.

GOD’S PROMISES ON SCRIPTURES

  • All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever.”(1 peter 1:24-25)
  • As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth:  It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:10-11)
  • This is what the Lord says: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be?Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?”declares the Lord. “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word. (Isaiah 66:1-2)
  • He sent out his word and healed them;  he rescued them from the grave. Psalm 107:20)
  • This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.” (Matt 8:17)
  • “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” (matt 7: 24-27)
  • See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven?  At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain. (Hebrews 12: 25-27)
  • Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts. (Jeremiah 15:16)
  • He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction. (Psalm 107:20)
  • All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.(2 Tim 3:16-17)
  • For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)
  • So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:17)
  • In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John1:1)
  • The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. (Isaiah 40:8)
  • Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.(Matt 24:35)

PRAYER: Lord as the Psalmist says “Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path”. It is an anchor in the trials and storms of life and a compass in our perplexed journey. You have offered manifold blessings to those whose delight is in your word and who meditates on it day and night. Help us Lord to hide your word in our hearts, heed it and herald it for the expansion of your kingdom.

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Prayer – God’s Promises

PRAY WITHOUT CEASING.

God taught us to pray irrespective of the situation. The storms may rage furiously and the fires may engulf us but there should be a prayer on the lips all the time. Prayer should become a lifestyle. Daniel prayed three times a day as usual in spite of the issued decree. ..three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. (Daniel 6:10). Nothing happens to us without the permission and approval of God, he is in control and he is an ever present help in times of trouble. David prayed earnestly in the mornings, In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly. (Psalm 5:3) David occasionally spent time with God 7 times a day.

When speaking about the end times, Jesus instructed us to be alert in prayer.  Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. (Mark 13:33, Matt 25:1-3). The world is in a hurry these days and for every one of us there is very less time for prayer. We have invented gadgets to relieve us from work stress and to save time but we are not having any extra free time than the previous generations. We became still busier these days and the victim in all this is the prayer time.  Satan trembles when he sees the weakest saint on his knees.  And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. (Mark 1:35) Jesus set an example of daily early morning prayer time alone in an undisturbed place.   

GODS PROMISES 

  • Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. (Mark 11:24)
  • Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groaning too deep for words. (Romans 8:26)
  • But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. (Matt 6:6)
  • Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. (Jeremiah 33:3)
  • When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. (psalm 34:7)
  • If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. (2 chr 7:14)
  • Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. (Jer 29:12)
  • And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. (1 John 5:14-15)
  • Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:6-7)
  • Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. (James 5:13-18)
  • The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfils the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them. (Psalm 145:18-19)

PRAYER: Father teach us how to pray. Thank you for listening to our heart cries, agony and the unuttered words. Even when we are still pondering over the issues we are facing and trying to articulate the words in prayer, the answer is on its way. You are the first to take initiative, you intervene, you intercede and you get involved till the matter is resolved.  

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Training In the hands of God – God’s Promises

Training in the hands of god is a wonderful experience. God trains those he loves. The sole intention of God in training his children is to see them grow in spiritual maturity. We are called to run a race of endurance. Can we stay calm and peaceful when we face unforeseen situations that bring despair and darkness to our lives? God uses our trials and tribulations to strengthen us. The sufferings and hardships are part of Gods bigger plan to help us, discipline us and to teach us life’s valuable lessons. He disciplines us for our own good. Are we listening? Are we taking this discipline seriously?

Its painful and hard to go through the process of discipline but it’s worth it. It is difficult to face insults, being look down and criticism from the loved ones, friends and neighbors during the process of training.  But our god is a trustworthy god, who can sail us through the troubled waters.

It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure. Psalm 18:32

This is what the LORD says– your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. Isaiah 48: 17

God tests us in the furnace of affliction. See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. (Is 48:10) It is god who allows everything in our life, good times and bad times, light and darkness, prosperity and disaster that are meant only to refine us and not to harm us.

GODS PROMISES ON TRAINING

  • When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other. (Ecclesiastes 7:14)
  • I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the Lord, do all these things. (Isaiah 45:7)
  • Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word. (Psalm 119:67)
  • It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees. Psalm (119:71)
  • Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle; (Psalm 144: 1)
  • Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. (1 timothy 4:7-8)
  • Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. (1 cor 9:24-27)
  • I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Phil 4:13)
  • For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. (Hebrews 12:11)
  • A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher. (Luke 6:40 )

PRAYER: Dear Lord, help me to understand that all your refining processes and pruning is for our better yields. You prune every branch that does bear fruit so that it will be even more fruitful. The process may be painful and hurting, but I trust you, as the ultimate goal is to reflect your image in me. Teach me to rejoice in your discipline as you discipline those you love.