trust

The Promises of God

February 16, 2024 by Bill 25 Comments

It is said that there are between 3000 and 8000 promises in the Bible. Here are ten that will encourage you.

Eternal Life – (John 2:25) “And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life.”

You’re never alone – (Matthew 28:20) “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”

Forgiveness – (1 John 1:9) “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

The Holy Spirit – (Luke 11:13) “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”
To meet our needs – (Matthew 6:33-34) “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things.”

Healing – (Exodus 15:26) “For I am the Lord who heals you.”

Wisdom – (James 1:5) “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

Peace – (John 14:27) “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

Protection – (Psalm 91: 4-6) “He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.”

Jesus is coming again! – (John 14:2-3) “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were notso, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”

It’s a promise and, “For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.” (2 Corinthians 1:20)

It’s Up To You

September 8, 2023 by Bill Leave a Comment

“How often I have wanted to gather your, (Jerusalem’s), children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me.” (Luke 13:34)

As Christians, we have a free will. God will not force anything on us. But what He offers us is amazing beyond belief. “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’” (Jeremiah 33:3). I know many people who want to lose weight or athletes who want to get stronger or someone who has a tough decision to make. But in these cases, and with many others, it will take effort…with prayer. They have to make the decision to go for it. It’s up to them. A famous line in the TV show, Mission Impossible, stated, “Your mission, if you choose to accept it.” It was up to them. Jesus told the rich man who wanted to inherit eternal life, “Sell your possessions, give to the poor then come, follow me.” (Mark 10:21). It was up to him. Then there were the people who were invited to a great banquet but gave all kinds of excuses why they couldn’t attend, (Luke 14:15-24). It was up to them but they missed a great feast.

So, what about us? Are we willing to give or go out of our way to help someone, deny the things of this world, sacrifice our time and effort for God, stand up for Godly principles, accept God’s plan for us? And, most importantly, are you willing to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior? The enemy will do all he can to dissuade you. But, ultimately, it’s up to you!

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24). It’s up to you.

Traffic Light

June 10, 2023 by Bill Leave a Comment

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

I got a revelation recently when I was approaching a traffic light. If it‘s red as I approach; I know it will change to green before I get there or a few seconds afterward. I know it’s going to change, I have faith. However when I approach a green light, I’m anxious because I fear it might change to red before I get there. If it does, I’m aggravated and have to WAIT. But why is that light there? It’s to direct and protect me from traffic coming in the opposite directions. If I pay no attention to the red light, I may get hit from oncoming traffic who are obeying their light. We must acknowledge the traffic light and it will direct our path. Do you see the revelation?

If we’re Christians, God is taking us down the Path of Life and He will direct us when and where to go and when to stop. We all love to go especially knowing that God is with us. He told Joshua, “the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9). It’s great to be able to go with God on the Way because we know there’s a great destination up ahead. But, sometimes we have to wait. Sometimes God will change the light to red and have us wait because there’s danger up ahead or He needs to handle something before we can go on. And then, sometimes, there is the yellow “caution” light. Another sign that God is warning us to be aware of our surroundings and stay close to Him.

I know some of you are at that red light and God is having you to wait. He knows what He’s doing and it’s for your good. “All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose: (Romans 8:28).Trust Him in the waiting, and He will let you move forward when the time is right. His time. Wait on God and thank Him.

Faith

February 1, 2023 by Bill Leave a Comment

“Without faith, it’s impossible to please God.” (Hebrews 11:6)

The Bible says we all have been given a measure of faith,( Romans 12:3) and that faith can be as small as a mustard seed, (Matthew 17:20). That’s not much faith but great things can be done with just a little faith. Sometimes, I feel like my faith I non-existent, can anyone relate? But we do have an option when our faith is weak.

Reference the story in Luke 8:22-25. Jesus had told His disciples the get into the boat and let’s go on the other side of the lake. They did and Jesus went to sleep. A bad storm came up and the boat was ready to sink. The disciples, in fear, ran to Jesus saying, “Master we’re going to drown!” Jesus got up, rebuked the storm by saying, “Peace, be still.”, and the wind and waves calmed down. Then Jesus turned to His disciples and demanded, “Where is your faith?” (Luke 8:25)

Don’t you think they would have had more than mustard seed faith after being with Jesus? But they were scared and confused so what did they do? They went to the One who they know had strong faith, Jesus.

That’s what we can do too. When our faith is weak, call out to Jesus. When we’re confused, cry out to Jesus. When we don’t know what to do, go the Jesus. He is always faithful. Sometimes we won’t understand what He’s doing, but, “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28).

So, “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)” (Hebrews 10:23.) And, when we feel our faith slipping, reach out for the faith of Jesus.

Don’t Go There!

September 11, 2021 by Bill 1 Comment

“Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:9).

God is always wanting to speak to us. He wants to show us, “great and mighty things, which you do not know.” (Jeremiah 33:3), but we must be willing to listen and be in a place where we can hear. I frequently “hear” things from God and it’s almost always when I’m in a quiet place: doing morning devotions, driving, in the bathroom or walking. I want to expound on something I “heard” recently. I was walking around the end of my bed going to open the window shades one morning and heard this, ”Don’t set foot.” As I thought about that, I got a picture of a person on a street facing a satanic church and God was saying, “Don’t set foot in there, don’t go there!” Well, how many of us would actually consider going into a church of Satan? None, I hope. But where are the places God is telling us to, “Don’t set foot!”? Think about it, the devil is always trying to tempt us to “set foot” in places God is not pleased with and we all know where those places are for us. If we are walking with God and are attentive to His voice, He will warn us, “Don’t go there.” Some places are obvious but others are not. “Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.” (2 Corinthians 11:14), he’s always trying to deceive us. We need to listen to God.

Another picture I got once was related to the phrase, “That caught my eye.”, something you noticed and looked at. There are things we shouldn’t look at. I thought, ”For something to catch my eye, I would have to first cast my eye on it.” Before someone can catch a ball, you first have to throw it toward them. “Your eyes are too pure to look on evil;” (Habakkuk 1:13). Don’t look!

One more vision about “Don’t go there!” is in a large train station. There are trains coming and going all the time to different destinations. Think of these as “trains of thought”. Which thought train are you going to board? Again, the devil will offer you great deals to get on his train but…don’t go there! Reminds me of Josh Turner’s song, “Long Black Train”. “We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,” (2 Corinthians 10:5).

So, don’t set foot, don’t look and don’t get on the wrong thought train. Listen to the Voice that is with you. “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” (Isaiah 30:21). Be blessed!