The Assurance Of Faith

I don’t know what I will face tomorrow, but I know that when all my tomorrows are finished, I have a future secured in the Lord Jesus Christ, John 14:1-3.

I am encouraged because faith calms my fears. I’m not sheltered from bad things, but in the midst of them I have His promises - - -

• And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose – Rom 8:28 
• But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ – 1 Cor. 15:57     
• For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory – 2 Cor. 4:17     
• Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus – Phil 4:6-7

God’s will is that we live by faith. Faith is a deep settled assurance that what God has said He will do, He is more than able and willing to do.

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him -- Heb 11:6

Answered Prayers

The Spirit of God will teach believers to pray for those things which honor God. He knows the mind of God. "Teach me, Lord."

1 Corinthians 2:11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

The Spirit of God will also make us more submissive to the Father.

When we get to the place where we want nothing but what God wants --  when His will becomes our will --  when we are willing to surrender all our plans, goals, wants and wishes to Him --  then we are ready to see God move in answer to our prayers.

Blessings And Sweet Fellowship

I’ve had some dry spells in my Christian life. I guess most believers have. But I’ve also rejoiced in God’s blessings and sweet fellowship. The Psalmist tells us how to live in blessings and sweet fellowship.

Psalm 1:1-2 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

Over the years I learned to live in God’s blessings and sweet fellowship by feeding on God’s Word, by  delightfully meditating on it every day.  

The Bible is never better than when it’s read and lived out.

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Power In The Blood Of Jesus

There’s something compelling about the cross when it finally dawns on the lost sinner that Jesus hung there bleeding for them -- when the Spirit of God shows them it’s no longer a thing to be scoffed at.

1 Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

Today the truth of that brutal day at Calvary doesn't move many who claim to have been touched by its awesome life changing power.

But I'd like you to know that Jesus still specializes in taking ruined, broken lives and renewing them by His power -- by giving them eternal life when they believe in Him.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Love And Devotion

If the born again children of God learn nothing else, let us grasp the truth that we serve a risen Lord who is worthy of all the love and devotion we can muster.

How much love and devotion is adequate? Actually, our love and devotion will never balance the scale of the worthiness of Jesus. God knows our hearts and gracefully loves us in sprite of ourselves.

Jesus makes it sound simple.

John 14:15  If ye love me, keep my commandments.

Adequate love won't have to say, "I love the Lord.”
• it will shine through everything we do
• It will be seen in our prayer life
• In our attention to Scripture
• In our attendance to worship
• In our witnessing
• In our manner of life

When we are whole heartedly in love with Jesus it will show.

Facing Fear

A few years ago I memorized Psalm 18:2.

Psalm 18:2 The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

On my own I’m not so bold, sometimes a wimp.  Psalm 18:2 emboldens me – assures me that I can face anything with The Lord my Rock, because He is my - - -
• Fortress
• Deliverer
• God
• Strength
• Buckler  
• Salvation
• High tower

I faced cancer last Friday and felt the tender arms of my Rock, wrapping me in love, peace, and strength. Don’t pity me. The Lord is with me. Whatever happens, I’ll be OK.

Isaiah 43:2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

A New Song

Thank God for good biblical singing. I love it. I hope you do too because it will be one of the few things that will accompany us into Heaven.

When believers exchange the earthy for the heavenly -- when we stand perfected in His presence in glory -- we’ll be singing a new song of praise.

Revelation 5:9  And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

I’m not sure what the words will be, but I do know that I’ll leave this world behind, and I'll stand in the presence of the blessed Lamb of God, open my mouth and sing that new song to Jesus in pure worship.

I look forward to that glorious day.