Well, my introductory paragraph last week was extolling the Cardinals for winning game two of the NCLS. This week, I’m sorry to say, the Cardinals are out of the World Series picture…but life goes on. I still have a cup of hot coffee in front of me (but today it’s in my Saint Louis Wind Symphony mug instead of last week’s Cardinals mug); and Glenn and Cliff, my two faithful companions, are again stretched out on the floor beside me. But best of all, I get to write about one of my favorite topics: the promises of God. Because today’s posting is part two of a three part series, I would encourage you to take about five minutes and read part one, “Christ-Followers Are Heir to All of God’s Promises!” found at www.meetpastordan.com
As a Christ-follower, the more we grow in the truth of God’s Word and experience His promises coming alive in our life, the more we build a solid spiritual platform on which we can stand. This is how our faith grows and how we step out in faith…knowing that we ARE standing on the truth and promises of God. It is also how we rise above the world around us to live the life we are called to live. Therefore, the way to stand strong while living in this fallen world; in these fleshly bodies; and against the schemes of satan is to know the truth about who we are in Jesus Christ.
As Christ-followers, this IS WHO WE ARE in Christ: our sins are forgiven; we inherit eternal life; we can come boldly before God without any fear of condemnation; we have been grafted into God’s family and we are his Child; we are worthy and acceptable (regardless of “who you are or what you have done”. Romans 3:22); we are the righteousness of Christ; we are loved unconditionally; and we are heir to every promise to Abraham and every other promise in the Bible. Ephesians 1: 3 tells us we are also “heir to every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realm.” These are promises from God. They are free to us as Christ- followers and they are true and unconditional! How’s that for hope?
But knowing the promises of God is only the beginning. Our faith continues to grow and develop as these promises move from our head to our heart and begins to affect the way we live our life. When we know – not only in our head, but in our heart! – that we are standing on the truth of God’s promise, we will experience a peace and serenity that has here-to-fore alluded us.
I enumerated earlier the many blessings (promises) that come from being a follower of Jesus Christ, but now I will share with you spiritual promises (“scriptural facts” according to Watchman Nee) that will give us hope and comfort during life’s trials and tribulations. When these become the spiritual platform on which we build our life, we will begin experiencing the abundant life Christ promised us.
(Remember: as Christ-followers, we have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to EMPOWER US to live the life God has called us to live. Therefore, ask Him to give you wisdom, revelation, courage, strength, patience, perseverance, whatever it is you need, to become the person he created you to be, and to handle life’s situations in a way that brings honor and glory to Him.)
ACCEPTANCE: Does God really accept me?
Romans 3:22-24 “We are made right in God’s sight when we trust Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we can all be saved in the same way, no matter who we are or what we have done. For all have sinned; all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet now God in his gracious kindness declares us NOT GUILTY. He has done this through Jesus Christ, who has freed us by taking away our sins.”
Romans 8:1 “For now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. For the power of the life-giving spirit has freed you through Christ Jesus from the power of sin that leads to death.”
Galatians 3:24 “…so now, through faith in Christ, we ARE made right with God.”
ADDICTION
Romans 12:2 “Do not conform to the customs of this world, but let God transform you by changing the way you think…then you will know how good and pleasing and perfect His will really is.”
Philippians 4:13 “For I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”
1 John 5:4-5 “For every Child of God defeats this evil world by trusting Christ to give the victory.”
1 John 4:4 “You have already won your fight with the evil one, because the Spirit who lives in you (the Holy Spirit) is greater than the spirit who lives in this world.” (satan)
James 4:7 “So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw close to God and God will draw close to you.”
ANGER
Ecclesiastes 7:9 “Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, for anger resides in the bosom of fools.”
James 1:19-20 “My dear brothers and sisters; be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Your anger can never make things right in God’s sight.”
Matthew 5: 22-25 “But I say, if you are angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! So if you are standing before the altar in the Temple, offering a sacrifice to God, and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there beside the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God. Come to terms quickly with your enemy before it is too late…”
BELIEF
Romans 10:9 “For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, he gave his only begotten son. Whosoever believes in Him will not perish, but will have eternal life.”
John 6:35 “Jesus said, ‘I am the bread of life. No one who comes to me will ever be hungry again. Those who believe in me will never thirst.”
John 6:47 “Jesus said, ‘I assure you, anyone who believes in me already has eternal life.”
CONTENTMENT
Proverbs 15:15 “For the ungrateful, every day brings sadness; for the grateful heart, life is a continual feast.”
2 Corinthians 12: 8 “My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness.” (in other words…get out of the way and let ME work through you.)
Philippians 4:12-13 “…I have learned how to get along happily whether I have much or little. For I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4: 6-7 “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand.”
Next week I will continue this series and look at depression, doubt and fear, forgiveness, grief, guilt, loneliness, obedience, rebellion, stress, suffering, temptation and worry. (humm…this might be the next two weeks). I hope I will see you again next week.
May God bless ya, and feel free to respond to this posting. Also feel free to share this with your social media friends.
Dan Presgrave (a.k.a. Pastor Dan)
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