Bible Promises

 

The Bible is full of promises from God.  Some say there are over 3,000, others say over 8,000.  There are really too many to count.  It’s all in how you look at it.  There are verses where promises are implied and some that are very specific.  Any way you look at it, there are a lot!  God’s Word is powerful and life changing.  Remember that old hymn “Standing on the Promises of God”?  Are you standing on His promises?

One of my favorite promises is found in Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” 

There are some conditional promises and unconditional promises.  Here are some other promises, but not all.  I would have to practically rewrite most of the Bible to get them all. 

Unconditional Promises

God will not destroy the earth by water ever again (Gen. 9:8-17).

God will not curse the ground any more for man’s sake (Gen. 8:21).

God will never leave you nor forsake you (Deu. 31:6, Josh. 1:5).

God has appointed physical death for all mankind, except those living at the second coming of Jesus (Heb. 9:27, 1 cor. 15:21-22).

God promised that Jesus will come again (1 Cor. 15:22-23, 1 Thess. 1:9-10).

God promised resurrection of all the dead (John 5:28-29, Acts 24:15, 1 cor. 15:12-26).

God promised a final judgment day (Rom. 2:16, 2 Tim. 4:1).

God promised that some day He will destroy the universe and everything in it by fire (2 Peter 3:10-12).

Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb. 13:8).

God does not show favoritism (Acts 10:34).

Jesus will return some day (Matt 5:13, 31-32).

We are blessed if we read His Word (Rev. 1:3).

Jesus is coming with the clouds and every eye will see Him (Rev. 1:7).

Conditional Promises

We must obey the Ten Commandments (Ex. 20:1-17).

We must obey God and follow His commands (Deut. 27:10).

If we obey God fully and keep His covenant, then you will be His treasured possession (Ex 19:5).

God will give us our desires if delight ourselves in Him (Ps 37:4)

We must trust in God and not our own understanding and He will direct our paths (Prov. 3:5-6).

If you forgive others, God will forgive you (Matt. 6:14-15).

If we give to the needy in secret, God will reward us (Matt. 6:33).

If we come to Him, He will give us rest (Matt. 11:28-30).

We must follow the Gospel of Jesus Christ:  We must hear the word of God (Rom. 10:17).

We must believe in God and His Son, Jesus (Heb. 11:6).

We must repent of our sins (Luke 13:3).

God loved us so much that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16).

We must confess Jesus (Acts 8:35-36).

We must be baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38).

We must honor our parents so it will be well with us (Eph. 6:2).

If we walk in the light, Jesus’ blood will purify us from all sin (1 John 1:7)

We must live faithfully (Rev 2:10). 

God’s promises are based on and if and then condition.  If we will do our part and remain faithful and obedient, then He will do His part.  He will send blessings our way.  We must repent and accept Jesus making us a Christian.  Then we will be freed from guilt of our past sins.  We must walk with Jesus and develop a character like that of Jesus.  We must faithfully worship God.

More Promises

Genesis 28:15 – “I am with you and will watch you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land.  I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

Exodus 14:13-14 – “Moses answered the people, do not be afraid.  Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today.  The Egyptians you see today you will never see again.  The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

Leviticus 17:11 – “For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.”

Numbers 6:24-26 – “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”

Deuteronomy 31:8 – “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Joshua 1:9 – “Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Judges 8:33-34 – “They set up Baal-Berith as their god and did not remember the Lord their God, who had rescued them from the hands of all their enemies on every side.”

Ruth 4:14 – “Praise be to the Lord, who this day has not left you without a kinsman-redeemer.”

1 Samuel 2:30 – “Those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me will be disdained.”

2 Samuel 7:16 – “Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.”

1 Kings 2:2-3 – “Be strong, show yourself a man, and observe what the Lord your God requires; Walk in his ways, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and requirements, as written in the Law of Moss, so that you may prosper in all you do and where you go.”

2 Kings 17:38-39 – “Do not forget the covenant I have made with you, and do not worship other gods.  Rather, worship the Lord your God; it is he who will deliver you from the hand of all your enemies.”

1 Chronicles 16:34 – “Give thanks to the Lord, for his is good; his love endures forever.”

2 Chronicles 7:14-15 – “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek by face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive them their sin and will heal their land.  Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.”

Ezra 8:22 – “The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him.”

Nehemiah 4:14 – “Don’t be afraid of them.  Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”

Job 22:21 – “Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you.”

Psalm 37:4 – “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

Proverbs 1:33 – “but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.”

Ecclesiastes 3:1 – “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven..”

Isaiah 41:10 – “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Jeremiah 33:3 – “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”

Jeremiah 29:11 – “ For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Lamentations 3:22-23 – “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

Ezekiel 36:26-27 – “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you.  I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.  And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.”

Daniel 12:1 – “There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until them.  But at that time your people – everyone whose name is found written in the book – will be delivered.”

Hosea 2:20 – “I will keep my promise and make you mine, and you will acknowledge me as Lord.”

Joel 2:28 – “And afterward, I will pour out my spirit on all people.  Your sons and daughters will prophesy, you old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.”

Amos 9:11 – “In that day I will restore David’s fallen tent.  I will repair its broken places, restore its ruins, and build it as it used to be.”

Obadiah 17 – “But on Mount Zion will be deliverance; it will be holy, and the house of Jacob will possess its inheritance.”

Jonah 2:2 – “In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me.  From the depths of the grave I called for help, and you listened to my cry.”

Micah 7:19 – “You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.”

Nahum 1:3 – “The Lord is slow to anger and great in power; the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished.”

Habakkuk 3:19 – “The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.”

Zephaniah 3:17 – “The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save.”

Haggai 2:4 – “… Be strong, all of you people of the land, declares the Lord, and work.  For I am with you, declares the Lord Almighty.”

Zechariah 1:3 – “Return to me declares the Lord Almighty, and I will return to you.”

Malachi 3:6 – “I the Lord do not change.”

Matthew 11:28 – “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Mark 16:16 – “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”

Luke 12:8 – “I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God.  But he who disowns me before men will be disowned before the angels of God.”

John 14:6 – “Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Acts 4:12 – “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

Romans 10:9 – “That if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

1 Corinthians 15:2 – “By the gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you.  Otherwise, you have believed in vain.”

2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”

Galatians 5:16 – “So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.”

Ephesians 2:8-9 – “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Philippians 4:19 – “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”

Colossians 1:13-14 – “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 – “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.”

2 Thessalonians – “But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.”

1 Timothy 4:8 – “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”

2 Timothy 4:18 – “The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom.”

Titus 1:2 – “… a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time.”

Philemon 1:6 – “I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.”

Hebrews 13:8 – “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

James 1:5 – “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”

1 Peter 4:10 – “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”

2 Peter 1:3-4 – “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.  Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”

1 John 1:7 – “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”

2 John – “Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully.”

3 John – “Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your would is getting along well.”

Jude 21 – “Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.”

Revelation 1:3 – “Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.”

A good way to learn and be aware of God’s promises is to read one a day in your daily devotion.  Maybe even type some of them on an index card and keep them in your Bible or on your bathroom mirror.  That way you can be reminded of God and His faithfulness.

God is faithful and keeps His promises.  Hold on to His Promises!

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The American Soldier

I read this someplace and wanted to share it with you.

The average age of the U.S. soldier is 19 years. He is a short haired, tight-muscled kid who, under normal circumstances is considered by society as half man, half boy. Not yet dry behind the ears, not old enough to buy a beer, but old enough to die for his country. He never really cared much for work and he would rather wax his own car than wash his father's; but he has never collected unemployment either.

He's a recent High School graduate; he was probably an average student, pursued some form of sport activities, drives a ten year old jalopy, and has a steady girlfriend that either broke up with him when he left, or swears to be waiting when he returns from half a world away. He listens to rock and roll or hip-hop or rap or jazz or swing. He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter now than when he was at home because he is working or fighting from before dawn to well after dusk.

He has trouble spelling, thus letter writing is a pain for him, but he can field strip a rifle in 30 seconds and reassemble it in less time in the dark. He can recite to you the nomenclature of a machine gun or grenade launcher and use either one effectively if he must. He digs foxholes and latrines and can apply first aid like a professional. He can march until he is told to stop or stop until he is told to march.

He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation, but he is not without spirit or individual dignity. He is self-sufficient. He has two sets of fatigues: he washes one and wears the other. He keeps his canteens full and his feet dry. He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth, but never to clean his rifle. He can cook his own meals, mend his own clothes, and fix his own hurts. If you're thirsty, he'll share his water with you; if you are hungry, his food. He'll even split his ammunition with you in the midst of battle when you run low. He has learned to use his hands like weapons and weapons like they were his hands. He can save your life - or take it, because that is his job. He will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay and still find ironic humor in it all. He has seen more suffering and death than he should have in his short lifetime.

He has stood atop mountains of dead bodies, and helped to create them. He has wept in public and in private, for friends who have fallen in combat and is unashamed. He feels every note of the National Anthem vibrate through his body while at rigid attention, while tempering the burning desire to 'square-away' those around him who haven't bothered to stand, remove their hat, or even stop talking. In an odd twist, day in and day out, far from home, he defends their right to be disrespectful. Just as his Father, Grandfather, and Great-grandfather, he is paying the price for our freedom. Beardless or not, he is not a boy. He is the American Fighting Man that has kept this country free for over 200 years.

He has asked nothing in return, except our friendship and understanding. Remember him, always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood.  May God bless America and our American Soldiers.

"Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need.  Amen."

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What is a godly woman?

A godly woman is God-fearing, efficient, strong, knows that doing God’s will for her life is more important than doing what she wants, doesn’t take advantage of others, uses what God has given her to glorify Him, knows that she is intelligent, competent, and valuable asset to the kingdom of God.  She possesses godly wisdom, prudence, reliability, and trust.  She always speaks the truth and does not participate in gossip.

She is praised and appreciated by her family.  If she is married, she is a crowning joy to her husband.  Her husband should be a godly man with a vision and who knows how to encourage and positively influence his wife.  The two of them complement each other and their marriage is a partnership.  A true woman of God is sent by God to fulfill her roll in God’s divine plan.  She is spiritual and practical.  She applies the Word of God to her life.  She lets her light shine and does not waste time doing unproductive things or throwing pity parties.  She knows how to be content in all circumstances, how to be business-minded, and has a benevolent heart.

A godly woman thinks before she acts, knows how to comfort and encourage, accepts and give nothing less than the best, and does not let outside influences stop her or her household from achieving their full potential, because she is covered by the blood of Jesus.

Which of these characteristics describe you?

Which of these do you need to work on?

Would others say you are a godly woman?

Women of God, we are royalty!  Let’s not live beneath our stations as princesses!  We are special, because our heavenly Father cherishes us.

We should be confident that we are DORKS, Daughters of the Risen King.  God’s wants us to feel better about ourselves.  He wants us to be more excited about our future, more grateful, and more enthusiastic about our faith.  As a believer in Jesus Christ, God has given us His Holy Spirit to help us live life according to His perfect plan.

We are not perfect and all these characteristics mentioned set the bar high, but they are certainly things we are to aspire to.  Sometimes we compare ourselves with others and feel inadequate.  Here is a letter that could have been written from God that just maybe, will help change our attitudes.

Dear Woman,

When I created the heavens and the earth, I spoke them into being.  Then I created man, formed him and breathed life into his nostrils.  But you, woman, I fashioned after I breathed the breath of life into man.  Because your nostrils are too delicate, I allowed a deep sleep to come over him so I could patiently and perfectly fashion you.  Man was put to sleep so that he could not interfere with the creativity.  From one bone, I fashioned you.  I chose the bone that protects man’s life.

I chose the rib, which protects his heart and lungs and supports him, as you are meant to do.  Around this one bone, I shaped you…I modeled you.

I created you perfectly and beautifully.  Your characteristics are as the rib, strong yet delicate and fragile.  You provide protection from the most delicate organ in man, his heart.  His heart is the center of his being; his lungs hold the breath of life.  The rib cage will allow itself to be broken before it will allow damage to the heart.  Support man as the rib supports the body.  You were not taken from his feet, to be under him, nor were you taken from this head, to be above him.  You were taken from this side, to stand beside him and be held close to his side.

You are my perfect angel…You are my beautiful little girl.  You have grown to be a splendid woman of excellence, and my eyes fill when I see the virtues in your heart.  Your eyes…don’t change them.  Your lips…how lovely when they part in prayer.  Your nose…so perfect in form.  Your hands…so gentle to touch.  I’ve caressed your face in your deepest sleep.  I’ve held your heart close to mine.  Of all that lives and breathes, you are most like me.

Adam walked with me in the cool of the day, yet he was lonely.  He could not see me or touch me.  He could only feel me.  So everything I wanted Adam to share and experience with me, I fashioned in you; my holiness, my strength, my purity, my love, my protection and my support.  You are special, because you are an extension of me.  Man represents my image, woman my emotions.  Together, you represent the totality of God.

I love you,

God

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I Hate Cell Phones!

Do you have a cell phone?  If you don’t, you’re not living in the modern world.  Cell phones are nice to have, but sometimes I HATE Cell Phones!  It may not be the cell phone’s fault.  People who have them may be the problem.  Let me explain. 

When talking to someone face to face and all of a sudden their cell phone rings, what happens?  Do they continue to give you their full attention and check their phone later?  No, they don’t.  What do they do?  They answer their phone and leave you standing there.  They continue to talk for several minutes as if you were not important at all.  It is the same when they get a text. 

You’re eating in a restaurant with your friends and everyone is constantly on their phone.  They’re playing games, checking emails, texting, etc.  Again, you are left sitting there as if you were not important at all.  Whatever happened to face to face communication?  I thought it was bad when we started emailing instead of writing letters.

Since some people don’t have a home phone and only have a cell, they carry the cell phone around as if it were attached to them.  It’s always in their pocket or right beside them on a table.  They even take it to the bathroom with them.  They cannot miss a call!  How important can a phone call be that you can’t miss a call for a few minutes?

Young people and yes, older ones, too talk for extended periods of time.  This is wasteful time and of course money if you’re paying for your minutes.

When driving on my way to work, I see people on their phones.  What do you need to talk about that early in the morning?  What is that important that you can’t wait until you park your car?

Cell phones used when driving is very dangerous.  It only takes a second to lose control of your car when dialing your phone and even more dangerous is texting while driving.  Texting while driving is unlawful in some states.  They also emit some radiation and can be harmful to our health.  They have linked cancer and brain tumors to cell phone use.

People never leave home without it.  What did we do before cell phones?  We live in a time of instant access to communication, business and entertainment. 

Some people violate other peoples’ privacy.  Cell phones are misused when people use the camera to take pictures without others permission.  They can record conversations, too. 

There are places you should not use your cell phone - movies, bathrooms, churches, elevators, hospitals, meetings, funerals and weddings, planes.  You get the idea. 

When you talk on your phone, people tend to talk louder than usual.  This is very disturbing to others.  AND don’t put your phone on speaker!  Don’t multi-task by talking on your phone when shopping, banking or waiting in line in the grocery store.  This is VERY annoying to others.

As you can see, I get very agitated about cell phones and those who rudely use them.  Yes, they are useful in cases of emergencies.  But come on people, use them responsibility.   I hope this makes you stop and think when and how you use your cell phone.  AND – heaven forbid, if you forget to charge it!  You might have to wait 30 minutes for it to charge before you can use it again.

NOTE:   Wouldn’t it be great if we treated our Bible like our cell phones - Carried it with us everywhere, turned back if we forgot it, checked it for messages all throughout the day, used it in case of emergencies, and spent an hour or more a day using it?

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