Day 12: God's ATM Machine: Too Good to be True

Day 12:  God's Promises to Live By

“Don’t tell people to get off of dope, if you are not ready to offer them HOPE!” Those were his words. He was a bible teacher in his fifties, who had been divorced, and had a heart and passion of God like I have never met before. I was just seventeen and eighteen years old. Wow! It’s hard to believe that time flies to fast. That was 1994-1995, now we are in the year 2011. How much more his words ring true in my ears.

This statement about offering people hope, those who are in despair, suffering, pain, hopelessness, or even suicidal, without hope and without God in this world, is a statement that is based not on man’s word, but on God’s Word. The reason why as Bible believers and God-Worshippers we can have assurance of hope is because of God’s precious promises found in the Bible, God’s Love Letter to us. The hope we can offer others today, is not a temporary or human type of hope. Oh no, it is a far better hope. It is a hope that is secure and steadfast because it comes from the mouth of the Almighty God, the Creator of Heaven and Earth. Notice what the apostle Peter writes in 2 Peter 1.

“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”

There it is as clear as day. God has given to us “Exceedingly Great and Precious Promises” so that through these we may be partakers of the divine nature. In fact, Peter writes how “His divine power has given to us “All Things that pertain to life and godliness.” Amazing! Everything that we need in this life, to make us more like Our Lord Jesus Christ each day, to attain to Christlikeness in our life, is available to us through God’s Precious Promises. So what are those promises? Here are a few to live by today.

God’s Precious Promises – Too Good to Be True

God’s Promises are like at ATM. Through Prayer, we can go and withdraw as many as we need to encourage and help us throughout our day, pain, or suffering. God’s promises and blessing are inexhaustible, therefore let us approach God’s throne with confidence. God is more willing to answer and give us what we need, than we are willing to ask.

When you are WEAK, God promises YOU:

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

When you are TIRED, God says to YOU:

“But those who wait on the LORD
      Shall renew their strength;
      They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
      They shall run and not be weary,
      They shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

When you are ANXIOUS, God reminds YOU:

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

When you are FEARFUL, God promises YOU:

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
         I will fear no evil;
         For You are with me;
         Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4

Did you know that there are 366 promises in the Bible that command us not to be afraid? There is one for every day of the year, including every leap year! Hallelujah! 

When you are AFRAID, God promises YOU:

“Fear not, for I am with you;
      Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
      I will strengthen you,
      Yes, I will help you,
      I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

When you are WEARY, The Savior says to YOU:

⁸ Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

When your ENEMIES SURROUND YOU AND ARE VAST AND MANY, God promises YOU:

“I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
         From whence comes my help?
 ² My help comes from the LORD,
         Who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2

And,

“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” Romans 8:37

When you feel that NO ONE CARES, The God reminds YOU that you bring joy to His Heart:

“The LORD your God in your midst,
      The Mighty One, will save;
      He will rejoice over you with gladness,
      He will quiet you with His love,
      He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17

When TEMPTATION seems to overcome you, God promises You:

“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling,
      And to present you faultless
      Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy.” Jude 24

God’s Endless Promises

If we had more time, the list would continue.

When you are TIMID, remember 2 Timothy 1:7: “ For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.”

When you need DIRECTION AND GUIDANCE in you life, remember Matthew 6:33: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

When you need A PRAYER TO BLESS YOU AND TO BLESS OTHERS in your life and ministry, remember the PRAYER OF JABEZ and make it your own prayer.

“Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.” Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.” 2 Chronicles 4:9-10.

1) Pray that God will bless you in the area of your life where you most need His help right now.

2) Pray that God will expand your territory and ministry. Pray for more people to witness to and to have a greater influence and impact for Jesus in your circle of influence.

3) Pray that His hand will be with you, and keep you from harm and evil. Ask God to be a part of your life today, and to keep evil at bay and far from you. Make a covenant with your eyes, like Job did, to only purpose and focus on what is godly.

4) Pray that God will grant your request.

Conclusion

God’s Promises are too many to pass up on. If you have been living your life so far this year without God’s Promises, it is time to remember them and to start living by today! So get your Prayer ATM ready, and start withdrawing God’s Promises today! God is waiting to give you more than you can imagine!

Practical Steps

First, Get on Your knees and in the dirt. All great spiritual battles and victories have been won on all fours. Fall prostrate on your face and recognize that the God of the Universe wants to bless you today.

Second, Do anything in your life that you know that God would want you to do. If you have been living in sin or disobedience, repent of your sins and confess them to God, then purpose to live for God’s Glory alone!

Third, Start praying the promises of God. As you are on your knees is spiritual battle and victory, pray through God’s promises. Personalize them. Remind God what He has promised you in the Bible. Sue God for the Holy Spirit and His Promises.

Fourth, Write your prayer requests on the back of your Bible like a checklist. Give God glory when He answers your prayers. Give God kudos when He answers your prayers. Don’t keep answers to prayers to yourself. Share them and bless others.

Fifth, Have a limitless prayer life with God. When you pray, ask God for difficult and impossible things. If God was looking for one person to draft for a special mission on earth, may your “camel knees” like the apostle James be a sign to God that you are the right and only person for that mission. Stretch God in prayer. Ask Him to change your heart and your mind for Him.

Be Blessed! And as you go today, “Tell those you meet to get off of dope, because you something better to offer them … God’s Hope!”

~ Pastor Salvador Garcia