Simple Thoughts On Promises

[jeremiah7]

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 83

I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. (Revelation 3:8)

A promise given to the church at Philedelphia in Asia Minor. Interestingly out of the 7 churches that were given admonitions, only the churches at Philedelphia and Smyrna survived because they humbled themselves and moved forward based on the Word given by the Holy Spirit to them.

Jesus knows the spiritual strength that we have as believers. Some are more strong while some are not very. Yet he expects us to keep his Word and not deny his name in any way with whatever strength we have.

Jesus is the one who has the authority over every aspect of our lives. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. (Revelation 3:7)

The doors that the enemy shuts in your lives can be opened any moment by your Savior. He has all the keys with him.

Do you believe that? He is Almighty God. Trust in him. Praise him for he alone is your deliverer.

I pray this day that Jesus Christ may open up the doors that the enemy has shut in your lives. God bless you.

[jeremiah7]

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 84

Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. (James 3:18)

As Christians we are called to be peacemakers and not ones who create strife and discord.

Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. (Matthew 5:9)

Not only sons but also daughters. Paul the Apostle exhorts the believers in Philippi saying, "I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. (Philippians 4:2, 3)

It doesn't take much time for friends to become foes if they are not truly humble in their hearts. But some may ask, "How can I agree with someone who is not right in his/her ways?"

Well, it's better not to argue and lose the joy and peace we have (that is given by the Holy Spirit of God). Only prayer can bring about a change in the person who is wrong and it's better to wait on the Lord rather than fight and become bad examples to others who are yet young in the Lord.

Paul here is exhorting the other believers to help Euodia & Syntyche and also pleads with these ladies to agree. How about you? Are you a peacemaker?

Remember, "Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness."

As a believer always be a peacemaker and this promise will come true in your lives. God bless you.

[jeremiah7]

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 85

For in just a very little while, "He who is coming will come and will not delay. (Hebrews 10:37)

One of the things that we have to keep reminding ourselves is that Jesus is coming back for his children who have lived for him. Not the ones who have lived for themselves or for the world.

The verse before the above one in Hebrews 10 says,

You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. (Hebrews 10:36)

Perseverance is difficult, yet we have to do it. Doing the will of God is not an easy thing with all the near fatal attractions that satan brings in our lives. The Bible says,

"We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. (1 John 2:3-6)

If we do not obey the Word of God, we are liars and there is no truth in us, but if we obey his Word, his love is made complete in us.

The last part of the above verse would seem to be impossible to attain- walking as Jesus walked.

But John the Apostle urges us to do that.

If gaining heaven was as simple as some make it out to be, heaven would have been overpopulated. But Jesus said,

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. (Matthew 7:13, 14)

Only a few find it.....So what's to be done??

The Apostle John writes,

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world - the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does - comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. (1 John 2:15-17)

Are you doing the will of God? If you are, Jesus is coming back for you and for others like you who are willing to humble themselves and do his will. God bless.

[jeremiah7]

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 86

Then the LORD replied: "Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. (Habakkuk 2:2,3)

Has the Lord given you a promise for which you have prayed but not seen it's fulfillment. Is it lingering longer than you thought it would. The above verse says, "Though it linger wait for it...""it will certainly come and not delay..."

The Lord promised Abraham not just a child but a whole lot of descendants as good a number as the stars of the sky. But when the promise did not attain fulfillment soon, he chose to have a child through a maid of his and perhaps was satisfied with whatever he could acheive.

At age 99, 24 years after he had left the Ur of the Chaldeans, God again spoke to him saying,

"As for Sarai your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah. I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her." Abraham fell facedown; he laughed and said to himself, "Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?" And Abraham said to God, "If only Ishmael might live under your blessing!" (Genesis 17:15-18)

Abraham felt the situation was hilarious. Him 99 & Sarah 89. Surely God had a sense of humor.

So he replied..."If only Ishmael might live under your blessing!" meaning "Don't take all the trouble God and leave us alone. Just bless Ishmael. I'll settle for that."

Has that been your attitude lately? Are you trying to be content with whatever you have in hand even when God has promised you greater things?

Read how God responded to what Abraham said.

Then God said, "Yes, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. (Genesis 17:19)

And it did happen as God promised.

What God has promised, he will bring to fulfillment in your life too. So even though it lingers, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.

God bless you.

[jeremiah7]

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 87

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:17)

What's that gift or talent that you have? Are you putting it to use and bringing glory to God? Don't consider it as trivial. The Lord placed that in you with a purpose. And that purpose is to bring glory to his name.

The Apostle James states here very clearly that the gift that is in you has come from the Father of the heavenly lights and with him there's no changing nature as is seen with man.

The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy:

I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. (2 Timothy 1:5,6)

That's what each one of us are supposed to do. Fan into flame the gift that the Lord has given us.

Paul again exhorts him saying,

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord.....(2 Timothy 1:7, 8a)

Can you sing well? Is that the gift that the Lord has given you?Can you play musical instruments? Can you write poems or prose? Can you preach? Can you teach? Do you have the gift of helping others? Is visiting the sick and saying a word of comfort your gift from God? 100's of gifts. 100's of talents.

What's your gift from the Father of the heavenly lights?Are you willing to bring glory to God by putting your gift to use? He's waiting for you. Do it for him. Remember the price Jesus paid for you on the cross. Do not sit idle. Glorify your Master & Lord. Praise the Lord.

[RebekahDavid]

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 87

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:17)

What's that gift or talent that you have? Are you putting it to use and bringing glory to God? Don't consider it as trivial. The Lord placed that in you with a purpose. And that purpose is to bring glory to his name.

The Apostle James states here very clearly that the gift that is in you has come from the Father of the heavenly lights and with him there's no changing nature as is seen with man.

The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy:

I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. (2 Timothy 1:5,6)

That's what each one of us are supposed to do. Fan into flame the gift that the Lord has given us.

Paul again exhorts him saying,

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord.....(2 Timothy 1:7, 8a)

Can you sing well? Is that the gift that the Lord has given you?Can you play musical instruments? Can you write poems or prose? Can you preach? Can you teach? Do you have the gift of helping others? Is visiting the sick and saying a word of comfort your gift from God? 100's of gifts. 100's of talents.

What's your gift from the Father of the heavenly lights?Are you willing to bring glory to God by putting your gift to use? He's waiting for you. Do it for him. Remember the price Jesus paid for you on the cross. Do not sit idle. Glorify your Master & Lord. Praise the Lord.

thank you brother jeremiah.

love your sister in Christ,

Rebekah David

[jeremiah7]

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 88

Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place?

He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. He will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God his Savior. (Psalm 24:3-5)

Very similar to Psalms 15 where the Psalmist asks and then answers:

LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill?

He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman, who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the LORD, who keeps his oath even when it hurts, who lends his money without usury and does not accept a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken. (Psalm 15:1-5)

And in the book of Revelation we read,

But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars - their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death." (Revelation 21:8)

Even liars are out...Some would say that's not a sin that equals idolatory or murder or sexual immorality. Well, one can't change what's written in the Word of God.

In Psalms 15 we read the same...who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue....

For some believers, lying is a habit and they do it for small things and for big. They do not realize that the Spirit of God who resides in them is the Spirit of Truth and that he abhors lying.

Jesus prayed to the Father for his disciples:

Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. (John 17:17)

Jesus wants each one of us to sanctify ourselves with his Word and the Holy Spirit. Why?? Only for 1 reason...He prays,

"Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. (John 17:24)

May the Lord help us all to join him and see his glory when the time comes. Praise the Lord.

[jeremiah7]

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 89

For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come. (Hebrews 13:14)

Some people love the place that they live in so much that they keep bragging about it. How about you? How much ever one may love it, as a believer one must remember the above verse. The places that we live in are our temporary homes. We are to look forward to the city that is to come.

There are others who have to live in different places because of financial problems or because of their jobs. Sometimes frequent shifting becomes a pain and people despair. For such people, if they are believer's, the above verse is a source of comfort because they will finally be staying at one place which they can finally call home.

And the places that we live in may not be the ideal ones as some would testify. Uncertainites loom large because of strifes, conflicts, job insecurities, financial calamities and personal problems.

The Word of God exhorts us in this matter and I quote:

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. (2 Corinthians 4:17)

So how do we overcome in this matter?

It's best for us to take the advice that the Apostle Paul gave the Corinthian believer's:

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. (2 Corinthians 4:18)

Like Abraham, let us look forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. Praise the Lord.

[jeremiah7]

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 90

So I will stretch out my hand and strike the Egyptians with all the wonders that I will perform among them. After that, he will let you go. (Exodus 3:20)

Has the enemy, satan, taken possession of anything that you own? Are you tormented by evil powers? As a believer are you always restless/confused/jittery/fearful/unsteady/irresponsible/unapproachable/angry/stressed???

Think about it. If it's a regular happening, it's not from Jesus who said,

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)

Do you experience this "rest" that Jesus promised?

He also promised, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27)

And remember, Jesus gave this caution and promise,

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10)

Is satan stealing your peace and joy? Is he killing the peace & joy in your family life or married life. Is he destroying the goodness inside you? Don't give in to him. Stand firm.

The Bible says, Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7)

Remember what God promised Moses & the Israelites in the title verse here."So I will stretch out my hand and strike the Egyptians with all the wonders that I will perform among them. After that, he will let you go." (Exodus 3:20)

The enemy that is tormenting you or your family may be stubborn but believe that Jesus is all powerful and all authority in heaven and earth is in his hands. He will set you free.

Resist the devil by continual prayer, worship and praise. The enemy will let you go because Jesus will destroy his power. Praise the Lord.

[jeremiah7]

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 91

He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done. (Proverbs 19:17)

It's not right to accuse a believer who is poor or finacially stressed by saying that it's because of his/her sins that they are suffering like that. If we can put ourselves in the situation that they are in and imagine the pains that they have to undergo, we will surely be more understanding.

The above verse sounds strange but is true and those who do help the poor regularly have seen that the Lord has rewarded them bountifully. The ones who do it do it because they love the Lord and his people and not because they will receive a reward.

Jesus also said,

"When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." (Luke 14:12-14)

If we are looking at eternal rewards, these acts of kindness will come to us naturally and it would be a pleasant sacrifice in the sight of the Lord. So let us take a decision and follow what Jesus said. Paul the Apostle also affirms this by saying,

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Galatians 6:9, 10)

The good that you, especially for the poor will never go unrewarded. May Jesus bless you now and always for doing that.