Psalm 145:13 (NIV) Trustworthy in all He promises
Isaiah 38:7 (NIV) will do what He has promised
Luke 1:45 (NIV) believed that the Lord would fulfill His promise to her (Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, believed everything the angel told her God would do)
Numbers 23:19 (NIV) God is not a human, that He should lie, not a human being that He should change his mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?
2 Corinthians 1:20 (NIV) No matter how many promises God has made, they are “yes” in Christ. And so through Him the “amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.
HOW TO RECEIVE GOD’S PROMISES
2 Peter 1:4 (NIV) Through THESE He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
THESE
2 Peter 1:1-3 (NIV)
- Righteousness of God
- Faith
- God’s Power
When we believe in Jesus Christ, that he died for our sins and rose from the dead, we're born again. Jesus Christ is our Lord. We're waiting for his return. In Jesus we are the righteousness of God. Jesus has reconciled is with our Abba Father.
God has given us faith in him. We actually believe Jesus Christ is alive and God is real. The faith in our heart knows God is real even though we can't see him. He actually answers our prayers and we enjoy his presence. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are one.
Before Jesus ascended into heaven he told his disciples to wait in Jerusalem to receive the promise of the Father, the power of the Holy Spirit. The disciples needed to be empowered by God before going out to spread the good news.
Because we are righteous before God (in Jesus Christ), we have faith in God, and we have the Holy Spirit, we can receive the promises of God. There are many promises in the word of God.
The big question is, "How do we appropriate His promises?"
The first promise - remember that day so cleary - in 12th grade a classmate prayed with me to accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior. It really happened! Jesus really did come into my heart! I really was born again! All things became new!
The second promise - was reading the Bible and a verse jumped out at me (a promise). Jesus said, "Whatever you ask of me, when you pray, I will do it." Right then and there, I prayed a super simple prayer, asking the Lord to do a very specific thing for me. The next day, he answered my prayer (the answer was so perfect and clear).
So, as we go to God with a particular promise, we actually believe He will do what He promised. Answers to prayer can come immediately, some after many minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, or even years. As children of God, we learn to wait patiently for answers to prayer (which is the fulfillment of promises we bring to God's attention).
2 Peter 2:9 (NIV) The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone come to repentance.
As we appropriate God's promises, they become a part of our life. It's as if a small part of God's nature permanently resides in our spirit. It's also like we have digested some of God's word. The more promises we appropriate, the more of God's nature melds with our heart - from faith to faith, from glory to glory, we become more and more like Jesus.
Some of God’s Promises
1st John 2:25 (NIV) And this is what He promised us – eternal life.
John 14:14 (NIV) You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
Revelation 3:20 (NIV) …I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in…
Luke11:13 (NIV) How much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?
Philippians 4:19 (NIV) And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.
Isaiah 53:5 (NIV) By His wounds we are healed.
James 4:7-8 (NIV) Submit yourselves, then to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and He will come near to you.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to him and He will direct your paths.
Matthew 6:33 (NIV) But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Mark 16:17 (NIV) And these signs will accompany those who believe; in my name they will drive out demons…they will lay hands on the sick and they will recover…they will speak in new tongues.
James 1:5 (NIV) If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given you.
John 7:38 (NKJV) He who believes in Me, as the scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.
1 John 4:4 (NIV) Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.
Mark 13:26 (NIV) People will see the son of man coming in clouds with great power and glory.
Hope this post is helpful to you. God bless you.
