PROMISES - NYOBS 36.22

PROMISES

You can’t claim the prize if you don’t know you’ve won it.

This may seem unfair, but the PROMISES of God are for Believers ONLY.

This study is just for those that believe that Jesus is the ONLY begotten Son of God

and the Bible is His ONLY Errorless written message to us.

First Word

·         Wikipedia - Promise is a commitment by someone to do or not do something. As a noun Promise means a declaration assuring that one will or will not do something. As a verb it means to commit oneself by a promise to do or give.

·         It can also mean a capacity for good, similar to a value that is to be realized in the future.

·         W.E. Vine – Promise: To proclaim, announce – an undertaking to do or give something – To signify a gift.

·         Note:  If God said it; then it’s a promise, He cannot lie. – Sometimes a promise or entitlement had stipulations or is conditional upon an action; i.e. all that “believe” or if you “Keep my commandments”.

John 10:35 - The Scripture cannot be broken
³⁵ And the Scripture cannot be broken (NKJV)

Jeremiah 33:14 – The PROMISES will be fulfilled
¹⁴ Behold, the days are coming,' says the LORD, 'that I will perform that good thing which I have promised to the house of Israel and to the house of Judah:

(NKJV)

2 Peter 1:4 - PRECIOUS EXCEEDING GREAT PROMISES
⁴  Whereby he hath granted unto us his precious and exceeding great promises; that through these ye may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in that world by lust. (ASV)

Unbinding Promises

·         An unbinding promise is one that is unlawful or one made under duress, violence or fear; any such promise is made to be broken.

·         Human sacrifices were unlawful for an Israelite, and Jephthah made a terrible vow to God concerning a human life. - This vow or promise went against the divine laws of God therefore was not valid. - Thou shall not kill. - (With my warped sense of humor, I always thought Jephthah was hoping that it would be his wife who would come out of his house first.) READ IT

Judges 11:30-31 – Jephthah made an unlawful promise
³⁰  And Jephthah made a vow to the LORD: “If you give the Ammonites into my hands,
³¹  whatever comes out of the door of my house to meet me when I return in triumph from the Ammonites will be the LORD’s, and I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering.” (NIV2011)

Different Promises

·         There are two kinds of promises for THE BELIEVER.

1.     Absolute Promise – Unconditional Promise – This is a “naked agreement”, one that does not require something on the behalf of the recipient in exchange. – There is NO “quid pro quo”.

2.     Conditional Promise – A promise that cannot be obtained until certain condition have been met. -  These promises contains some “IF and THEN” Clauses.

·         Believing in the promise is the only way that we can receive them. – We must still believe even though in our eyes the promise has been delayed.

John 3:17 – Absolute Promise – A WAY provided for the world
¹⁷ For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world MIGHT be saved through Him.

 (NASB)

Josh 1:5 – Absolute Promise – I will never leave or forsake you.
⁵ No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.

(NIV2011)

Isaiah 7:14 – Absolute Promise  - The Virgin Birth of Christ
¹⁴ Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. (NIV2011)

Matthew 11:28 – Conditional Promise – You must come to God
²⁸ Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (NKJV)

2 Chronicles 7:14 – Conditional Promise – You must turn from sin
¹⁴  IF my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (ASV)

Hebrews 6:15 - Believed - Waited Patiently - Received
¹⁵ And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised. (NIV2011)

Promises TO God

·         Vows or your WORDS are synonymous with Promises; that means they are the same thing.

·         If you make a Promise to God, fulfill it without delay, you are a fool if you break your promise. It is better NOT to Promise something that to promise and not keep it.

·          Did you realize that your wedding vows are a Promise to God?  NYOBS 27.09 MARRIAGE

·          We are obligated to keep our PROMISES even if it hurts us. – Joshua was tricked into a Promise but kept it even to his own hurt.

Numbers 30:2 - You must not break your Promise
² When a man makes a vow to the LORD or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said.

(NIV2011)

Psalm 15:4 - Swears to his own hurt and does not change
⁴ But he honors those who fear the LORD; He who swears to his own hurt and does not change; (NKJV)

Deuteronomy 23:21 - Do not be slow to fulfill your promise; SIN

²¹ If you make a vow to the LORD your God, do not be slow to pay it, for the LORD your God will certainly demand it of you and you will be guilty of sin. (NIV2011)

Ecclesiastes 5:4 – You are a FOOL if you break your promise
⁴ When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; For He has no pleasure in FOOLS. Pay what you have vowed-- (NKJV)

Ecclesiastes 5:5 – It is better NOT to Promise than to not pay.
⁵ It is better that you should NOT vow than that you should vow and not pay. (NASB)

Joshua 9:19 – Keep your Promise even to your own HURT.
¹⁹ But all the leaders said to the whole congregation, "We have sworn to them by the LORD, the God of Israel, and now we cannot touch them. (NASB)

First Promises

·         Satan made his FIRST promise to Eve in the Garden of Eden which was a lie – I Promise; you will not surely die; but she did.

·         God made His very FIRST promise to Satan that He would crush his head, and at the cross He did.

·         Abraham received a promise between God, himself and his descendants. - That would be US

Genesis 2:17 – God Promise – Disobey and you will certainly die
¹⁷ But you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”

(NIV2011)

Genesis 3:3-4 – Satan Promise – You won’t surely die
³ The fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
⁴ And the serpent said unto the woman, ye shall not surely die:

(KJV)

John 8:44 – Satan’s Promises are lies
⁴⁴ You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. (NIV2011)

Genesis 3:15 – Jesus will crush the head of Satan
¹⁵ And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel."

(NKJV)

Romans 16:20 - God will crush Satan under your feet soon
²⁰ And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

(NKJV)

Genesis 17:7 - Everlasting Covenant Me, you and your descendants
⁷  I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. (NIV2011)

Promise Mediator

·         The promises of God are in His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ who is the mediator of a Better Covenant with Better Promises.

Luke 1:31 – ABSOLUTE PROMISE of the coming Messiah
³¹ And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS.

(NKJV)

2 Corinthians 1:20 -  The PROMISES of God are in JESUS
²⁰ For all the promises of God in HIM are yea, and in HIM Amen, unto the glory of God by us. (KJV)

Hebrews 8:6 – Jesus Mediator; Better Covenant, Better Promises
⁶ But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises. (NKJV)

Isaiah 46:11 - What I have planned; I will bring about and do
¹¹ From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose. What I have said, that I will bring about; what I have planned, that I will do.

(NIV2011)

Psalm 84:11 - No good thing will he withhold from the Believer

¹¹ For Jehovah God is a sun and a shield: Jehovah will give grace and glory; No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. (ASV)

Promise Recipients

·         We are classified into three people; The Jew, The Gentile and the Church of God. – (The Gentiles, Greeks or “unclean heathen dogs” was everybody else that wasn’t a Jew.)

·         It’s not the Jew, nor the Gentile; but it’s “The Believer” that makes up the Church of God.

·         The Promises of God were for the Nation of Israel; His special people and for those “that would receive Him” who were “afar off” (not yet born) - THAT WOULD BE US.

·         God has removed the dividing wall and made the two groups one, regardless of status.  Jews and Non-Jews; One shepherd, One flock, One Church of God.

·         As we seek God, all the good things, the Promises he has stored up for us will be added.

Acts 2:39 – The Promises - for those that haven’t been born yet
³⁹ For to you is the promise, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call unto him. (ASV)

John 10:15-16 – Jews and Gentiles in the same pen.
¹⁵ In the same way, the Father knows me and I know the Father. I put the sheep before myself, sacrificing myself if necessary.
¹⁶ You need to know that I have other sheep in addition to those in this pen. I need to gather and bring them, too. They'll also recognize my voice. Then it will be one flock, one Shepherd. (MSG)

1 Corinthians 10:32 – Jews – Gentiles - Church of God
³² Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the Church of God: (KJV)

Ephesians 2:14  - God destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall
¹⁴ For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, (NIV2011)

Galatians 3:27-28 – We are all one in Christ Jesus
²⁷ For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ.
²⁸ There can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither bond nor free, there can be no male and female; for ye all are one man in Christ Jesus. (ASV)

Matthew 6:33 – Good things added as we seek God
³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (NIV2011)

Promise of Surety  

·         Until Judgment day, God has PROMISED the earth will remain as it is; with Winter and Summer, Day and Night, and Seedtime and Harvest just to benefit us.  - He is so Faithful.

·         A promise is only as good as the person that makes it. – A man’s Word is his Bond.

·         Reassurance - God gave us His promises in order to give us hope and encouragement – Not one word has failed of all of His promises. – He is our confidence.

·         God cannot lie, nor will He change His mind. – He who began a good work in us will complete it.

·         The Impossible is possible with God - nothing is too hard for Him – His arm is not short – His very breath performs miracles of life.

·         Dated – God has made many promises which the date of completion are recorded in Heaven; the ways He completes them are higher than our ways, but they will be completed. – He is faithful to keep his promises exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think to a thousand generations.

Hebrews 6:18 – It is impossible for God o lie
¹⁸ So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. (NLT)

1 Samuel 15:29 -  God will not change His mind
²⁹  He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a human being, that he should change his mind.”

(NIV2011)

Hebrews 13:8 – Christ the same; yesterday, today and forever
⁸  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

(NASB)

Malachi 3:6 – God does not change
⁶ For I am the LORD, I do not change. (NKJV)

Isaiah 40:8 - The word of our God endures forever
⁸ The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.” (NIV2011)

Proverbs 3:26 - The LORD is your confidence
²⁶ For the LORD will be your confidence And will keep your foot from being caught. (NASB)

Genesis 9:15 – I’ll remember my covenant between me and you
¹⁵ I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. (NIV2011)

Romans 15:4 – The promises were written to give us hope
⁴ For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. (NASB)

1 Kings 8:56 - Not one word has failed of all His good promises
⁵⁶ According to all that He promised. There has not failed one word of all His good promise, which He promised through His servant Moses. (NKJV)

Joshua 23:14 - Every promise will be fulfilled; not one will failed
¹⁴ Now I am about to go the way of all the earth. You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the LORD your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed. (NIV2011)

Philippians 1:6 – He who began a good work in you will complete it

⁶ Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (NIV2011)

2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise
⁹ 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 to come to repentance. (NIV2011)

Isaiah 55:9 - My ways and thoughts are higher than your ways
⁹ For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. (NLT)

Deuteronomy 7:9 – Keep his covenant to a 1,000 generations
⁹  Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments. (NIV2011)

Hebrews 10:23 – He is faithful
²³ Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. (NIV2011)

Jeremiah 32:17 – Nothing is too Hard for God
¹⁷ Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you. (NIV2011)

Numbers 11:23 – His arm is NOT SHORT
²³ The LORD answered Moses, “Is the LORD’s arm too short? Now you will see whether or not what I say will come true for you.” (NIV2011)

Mark 10:27 - All things are possible with God
²⁷ Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” (NIV2011)

Ephesians 3:20 - Exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think
²⁰  Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,

(ASV)

Psalm 77:14 - He performs miracles
¹⁴ You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples. (NIV2011)

Genesis 2:7 – The very BREATH of God breathes life
⁷ And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. (KJV)

Guide – Friend – Father Promise

·         He is our GUIDE - His Word endures forever and is a lamp that guides our feet along the path of life giving us fatherly Course Corrections even to death.

·         He is a FRIEND that sticks closer than a brother and knows what we need even before we ask Him.

·         He is a FATHER to the fatherless - To those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become a child of God – We have been adopted by Christ and now have a new FATHER.

·         He will never leave us nor be somewhere else when we need him; He is always with us.

Psalm 48:14 - He will be our guide Even to death.
¹⁴ For this is God, Our God forever and ever; He will be our guide Even to death. (NKJV)

Psalm 119:105 - His word guides my feet and lights my path

¹⁰⁵ Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (NKJV)

1 Peter 1:25 – His word endures forever
²⁵ The word of the LORD endures forever." Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you. (NKJV)

Proverbs 18:24 – He is a friend that sticks closer than a brother
²⁴ There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (NIV2011)

Psalm 68:5 - A father of the fatherless
⁵ A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, Is God in His holy habitation (NKJV)

Romans 8:15 - We have been adopted and have a new Father
¹⁵ So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when He adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” (NLT)

2 Corinthians 6:18 - I will be a father to you
¹⁸ And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me," Says the Lord Almighty. (NASB)

John 1:12 - He gave the right to become children of God
¹²  Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—

(NIV2011)

Proverbs 3:12 – Corrects our paths like a father
¹² For whom the LORD loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights. (NKJV)

Matthew 6:8 - He knows what you need before you ask Him
⁸ For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. (NKJV)

Psalm 34:4 - I sought the LORD, and He heard me
⁴ I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. (NKJV)

Joshua 1:5 - I will never leave you nor forsake you
⁵ No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. (NIV2011)

Matthew 28:20 - I am with you always
²⁰ And teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (NIV2011)

Defend - Enemies Promises

·         He is our Defense; He is a refuge and hides us keeping us from trouble.

·         For some reason when you do the right thing, or don’t go along with the crowd, you develop enemies.

·         In a sales meeting I had asked a sales lady to refrain from using foul language citing Bible concepts and she reported me; along with praying for employees that were sick and using the Bible as a guideline for business. - I was given two weeks’ notice of termination even though our sales numbers were over the top and all my reviews were exemplary. - On the last day at 5pm, I received an unsolicited phone call to be the General Manager of another company; my salary would eventually be doubled - I had no clue God was already at work.

·         I remember one day being called to the Corporate Office; I was attacked by the entire sales staff from three different locations about my management style.  I presented the numbers that showed their policies were undermining the financial stability of the entire corporation.  One by one they left the room until the President and I were the only ones remaining.  We had a good lunch and I received a commendation; God fought my battle that day and I didn’t even know there was a war. – They had dug a pit for me, but had fallen into it themselves.

·         God has PROMISED to fight for you against those who would rise up against you. No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and the LORD declares “this is the servant’s vindication from me.”

·         God is our fortress and refuge in a time of affliction; He goes with us through the waters. His angels are encamped around us and are in charge of keeping us in our daily walk. 

·         NOTE: When we walk in His ways, God becomes an enemy to our enemies.

Deuteronomy 20:4 - God is the one who goes with you
⁴ For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.”

(NIV2011)

Isaiah 43:2 – I’m with you when you pass through deep waters.
² When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. (NIV2011)

Exodus 23:22 - I will be an enemy to your enemies
²² If you listen carefully to what he says and do all that I say, I will be an enemy to your enemies and will oppose those who oppose you. (NIV2011)

Psalm 89:18 - For the LORD is our Defense
¹⁸ For the LORD is our defense; and the Holy One of Israel is our king (KJV).

Psalm 9:9 - A refuge in times of trouble

 ⁹ The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, A refuge in times of trouble. (NKJV)

Jeremiah 16:19 – God is my Fortress and my Refuge
¹⁹ O LORD, my strength, and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction, the Gentiles shall come unto thee from the ends of the earth. (KJV)

Psalm 34:7 - His angels encamp around us and delivers us
⁷ The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them. (NKJV)

Psalm 91:11 - His angels charge over you
¹¹ For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. (NKJV)

Psalm 32:7 – We will be hidden from trouble

⁷ You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah

(NKJV)

Deuteronomy 28:7 - Enemies who rise up will be defeated
⁷ The LORD will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven. (NIV2011)

Isaiah 54:17 – No weapon that forms against you will prevail
¹⁷ No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the LORD. (NIV2011)

Psalm 57:6 - They dug a pit for me and fell into it themselves
⁶ They spread a net for my feet— I was bowed down in distress. They dug a pit in my path— but they have fallen into it themselves. (NIV2011)

Luke 1:69-71 – We are saved from our enemies
⁶⁹ And has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of His servant David,
⁷⁰ As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, Who have been since the world began,
⁷¹ That we should be saved from our enemies And from the hand of all who hate us, (NKJV)

New Heart – New Faith Promise

·         God will remove our old stubborn heart and give us a new one that is tender, compassionate and responsive and fill it with the Holy Spirit and a measure of Faith.

·         The Two Bears – Bear and Forbear – Bear with each other and forgive one another, be gentle and tenderhearted. - Forbearance is the fruit of the Spirit along with kindness, goodness, gentleness and faithfulness.

Ezekiel 36:25-26 - Promise of a new HEART
²⁵ Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. Your filth will be washed away, and you will no longer worship idols.
²⁶ And I will give you a NEW heart, and I will put a NEW spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. (NLT)

Luke 11:13 – Promise of the Holy Spirit
¹³ So if you sinful people 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.”

Colossians 3:13 - Bear with each other and forgive one another
¹³ Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (NIV2011)

Galatians 5:22-23 – Forbearance is a fruit of the Spirit
²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
²³ gentleness and self-control (NIV2011)

Ephesians 4:32 - Be kind and tenderhearted to one another
³² Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, even as God also in Christ forgave you.

(ASV)

Romans 12:3 God has given every Believer a measure of faith
³ For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. (NKJV

Temptation Promise

·         The Devil made me do it.  God has PROMISED that He will make a way of escape from every temptation to sin that comes our way – And it WILL come our way.

1 Corinthians 10:13 – PROMISE - a way out of every temptation
¹³ No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. (NIV2011)

Sin Promise

·         Sin is missing the mark; wandering from the path. – Transgression is rebellion. – Evil is bad, wicked, depraved. – Iniquity is crookedness. – It all means the SAME THING.

·         By one Man sin entered into the world and made us slaves to sin.

·         The Son of God was manifested to destroy the works of Satan. - Through Christ we have been set free from the bondage of sin. – His Blood has cleansed us.

·         If the sinner will forsake his way and his unrighteous thoughts; and accept Jesus as the Messiah; God will have mercy upon him, cleanse him from all unrighteous and will abundantly pardon and love him freely

·         Forgotten Promises - There is one thing that God has PROMISED that He will forget, and that’s the sin of the professing believer. – He will remember our sins no more - His grace is sufficient for us.

·         Jesus Christ is full of compassion, slow to anger and great in Mercy that lasts from everlasting to everlasting. Our sins have been blotted out and they cannot be found.

Romans 5:12 - Sin entered the world through one man
¹² Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned— (NIV2011)

1 John 3:8 – Jesus came to destroy the works of Satan
⁸ For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.

(NKJV)

Romans 6:14 – Sin no longer has dominion over you
¹⁴ For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace. (NIV2011)

1 Corinthians 15:3 - Christ died for our sins
³ Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, (NIV2011)

1 John 1:7 - His blood cleanses us from all sin
⁷ But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. (NKJV)

1 John 1:9 - Forgive us our sins; purify from unrighteousness
⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (NIV2011)

Isaiah 55:7 - He will abundantly pardon
⁷ let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto Jehovah, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. (ASV)

Hosea 14:4 - Love us freely
⁴ I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them. (NIV2011)

Jeremiah 31:34 – Forgive our wickedness
³⁴For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” (NIV2011)

Hebrews 10:17 – Remember our sins no more
¹⁷ Then he adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.” (NIV2011)

Isaiah 44:22 – Our sins have been blotted out
²² I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions, And like a cloud, your sins. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you." (NKJV)

Jeremiah 50:20 – Our sins cannot be found
²⁰ The iniquity of Israel shall be sought, but there shall be none; And the sins of Judah, but they shall not be found; For I will pardon those whom I preserve. (NKJV)

Psalm 103:11 - Great is His mercy
¹¹ For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; (NKJV)

Psalm 103:17 – His mercy is from everlasting to everlasting
¹⁷ But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children's children, (NKJV)

Psalm 145:8 - Full of compassion, Slow to anger; great in mercy
⁸ The LORD is gracious and full of compassion, Slow to anger and great in mercy. (NKJV)

2 Corinthians 12:9 - His grace is sufficient
⁹ But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. (NIV2011)

Wisdom and Knowledge Promise

·         The FIRE of our prayer life is FUELED by God’s Devine Promises.

·         If we seek God for Wisdom, Knowledge and Understanding like it’s a hidden treasure, He has PROMISED to give it to us generously and through the power of the Holy Spirit, lead us into the understanding of all Spiritual things. – It’s an “ongoing” seeking, growing process.

James 1:5 – Ask God for Wisdom- He will give it to you generously
⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. (NIV2011)

Proverbs 2:2-6 God Grants knowledge and understanding
² Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding.
³ Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding.
⁴ Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures.
⁵ Then you will understand what it means to fear the LORD, and you will gain knowledge of God.
⁶ For the LORD grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. (NLT)

John 14:25-26 – The Holy Spirit will teach you all things
²⁵ All this I have spoken while still with you.
²⁶ But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. (NIV2011)

Healing Promise

·          Jesus is the great physician and has PROMISED to even heal the broken hearted. – NYOBS 13.02 HEALING SCRIPTURES – NYOBS 02.07 -TROUBLED WATERS.

·         If you listen carefully to the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes; if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees you will not see any of the diseases He brought on the Egyptians.

·         As a righteous Believer, there will be many afflictions, but we will be delivered out of them.

Exodus 15:26 – If you Listen, Pay attention and Do right
²⁶ He said, “If you listen carefully to the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you.” (NIV2011)

Psalm 34:19 – We will be delivered out of afflictions.
¹⁹ Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all. (NKJV)

Luke 4:18 – Heal the broken hearted.
¹⁸ The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; (NKJV)

Food and Stuff Promises

·         He will make us the head and not the tail; to be on top and not on the bottom; IF we pay attention to His commands and FOLLOW them.

·         We have been promised FOOD, but it’s for the WORKING Believer, one who works and shares what he has with others. – Don’t let your hands be idle; labor increases wealth.

·         One who honors God with a portion of what he has will find his WINE vats running over and his barns full of GRAIN with so much that what the mice and insects eat won’t even be noticed.

·         The Lord is our Shepherd we will not want. - If we are willing to work and are OBEDIENT to His Word, we will have more than enough to eat with a bunch left over to give away.

Psalm 23:1 - The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.  
¹ The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

(KJV)

Isaiah 1:19-20 - If you are willing and obedient, you will eat
¹⁹ If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land;
²⁰ but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

(NIV2011)

2 Thessalonians 3:10 - If you don’t work you will NOT eat
¹⁰ For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”

(NIV2011)

2 Chronicles 15:7 – Don’t your hands be idle
⁷ But be ye strong, and let not your hands be slack; for your work shall be rewarded.

(ASV)

Proverbs 28:19 - If you work, you will have plenty
¹⁹ Work your garden—you'll end up with plenty of food; play and party—you'll end up with an empty plate.

 (MSG)

Proverbs 10:4 – If you work diligently you will obtain wealth
⁴ Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth. (NIV2011)

Proverbs 13:11 - Those who gathers by labor increases in wealth
¹¹ Wealth obtained by fraud dwindles, But the one who gathers by labor increases it.

(NASB)

Deuteronomy 28:13 – He will make you the head, not the tail
¹³ The LORD will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom.

(NIV2011)

Malachi 3:10-11 – Pour out Blessings of more than food
¹⁰ Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.
¹¹ I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the LORD Almighty.

(NIV2011)

Proverbs 3:9-10 - Barns will be filled – Wine Vats will run over
⁹  Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops;
¹⁰  then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

(NIV2011)

Peace - Rest – Refreshed Promises

·         We are not immune to trials, sorrows and afflictions just because we are Christians.

·         Charles Spurgeon said, “I owe more to the fire, hammer and chisel than to anything else in my Lord’s workshop”. – We are continually being shaped into what God would have us to be. – The unpolished pearl can never shine - Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but All these things work together for good for the Believer; one that has been called according to “God’s plan and His Purpose”. – It takes a lot of rough polishing to give a diamond its luster.

·         Cast your burden on the Lord and the load will be lifted from your shoulders and He will sustain you.

·         God has PROMISED rest and peace for the weary. - Jesus made peace for us through His blood at the cross, even for those who have not yet even been born.

·         Our sleep will be sweet and we will be rested and REFRESHED because the God that watches over us does not slumber nor does He sleep. – We will be abundantly SATISFIED.

·         If we will just TRUST Him, He will keep us in “perfect peace” which will drive out fear from a troubled heart.

·         He puts a new song in our mouth, a hymn of praise on our lips and contentment in our heart.

Psalm 34:19 - Many are the afflictions of the righteous
¹⁹ many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all.

(NKJV)

Psalm 55:22 - Cast your burden on the LORD
²² Cast your burden on the LORD, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.

(NKJV)

Isaiah 10:27 - The burden will be lifted from your shoulders
²⁷ In that day their burden will be lifted from your shoulders, their yoke from your neck; the yoke will be broken because you have grown so fat. (NIV2011)

Psalm 23:1-3 The Lord has promised rest and restoration
¹ The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
² He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.
³ He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake.

(NKJV)

Matthew 11:28 – I promise to give you rest
²⁸ Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (NKJV)

Isaiah 14:3 God will give rest from sorrow, trouble and service
³ And it shall come to pass in the day that Jehovah shall give you rest from thy sorrow, and from thy trouble, and from the hard service wherein you were made to serve,

(ASV)

Proverbs 3:24 – Your sleep will be sweet
²⁴ When you lie down, you will not be afraid; Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet. (NKJV)

Psalm 121:4 – God shall neither slumber nor sleep
⁴ Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

(NKJV)

Judges 6:24 - The LORD Is Peace
²⁴ So Gideon built an altar to the LORD there and called it The LORD Is Peace. To this day it stands in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.

 (NIV2011)

Isaiah 26:3 – God Promises to keep US in perfect peace
³ Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee.

(ASV)

John 14:27 - We have been given PEACE
²⁷ Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.

(NASB)

John 20:21 - PEACE be with you
²¹ Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”

(NIV2011)

Colossians 1:20 – Made peace through the blood of His cross
²⁰ And by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.

(NKJV)

Ephesians 2:17 – PEACE for those not yet born.

¹⁷ And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near.

(NKJV)

Psalm 36:8 - Abundantly SATISFIED
⁸ They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures.

(NKJV)

Job 6:27-28 - CONTENTMENT
²⁸ Now therefore be content, look upon me;

(KJV)

Philippians 4:11 - Be content in every circumstance
¹¹ Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.

(NASB)

Psalm 40:3 – He put a NEW SONG in our mouth
³ He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in him.

(NIV2011)

Romans 8:28 - All things works for the good of the Believer
²⁸ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

(NIV2011)

Redeemed – Rescued Promises

·         We have been sealed by the Holy Spirit of PROMISE

·         We have the promise of being delivered, rescued and redeemed and from our enemies.

·         He will not leave us and will watch over us until His PROMISES have been completed. – He will be with us up to the very end of this age. - He is an ever present help.

·         We have the promise, that our “Redeemer Lives” and that in the end time, He will stand on this earth mediating the PROMISE that we will be kept from the hour of trial.

·         No one can take us out of His hand nor separate us from His love whether demons or angels visible or invisible; not even death.- NOTHING – He will rescue us from every evil attack and bring us safely into the Heavenly kingdom.

Acts 1:4 - Wait for the PROMISE of the Father,
⁴ Wait for the Promise of the Father, "which," He said, "you have heard from Me; (NKJV)

Ephesians 1:13 – You’re sealed with the Holy Spirit of PROMISE
¹³ In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of PROMISE, (NKJV)

Psalm 136:24 - He delivers, rescues, redeems us our enemies
²⁴ And hath delivered us from our adversaries; for his loving-kindness endures forever: (ASV)

Job 19:25 – We know that our Redeemer lives
²⁵ I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. (NIV2011)

Psalm 46:1 – God is an ever present help
¹ God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

Genesis 28:15 - I will not leave you – It’s a Promise
¹⁵ I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” (NIV2011)

Matthew 28:20 – I’m with you always to the very end of the age
²⁰ And teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (NIV2011)

Romans 8:38-39 – Nothing can separate us from God’s love
³⁸  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,
³⁹  nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

John 10:28 -No one can snatch you out of my hand
²⁸ And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand. (ASV)

Revelation 3:10  - I will keep you from the hour of trial
¹⁰ Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. (NIV2011)

2 Timothy 4:18 – Bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom
¹⁸ The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (NIV2011)

PROMISES - The Other Side of Death

THE BELIEVER’S BILL OF RIGHTS – ENTITLEMENTS

·         We will not be hurt by the second death and we can never die again.

·         We will witness the glorious appearance of the “Morning Star”; who is Jesus Christ.

·         Christ will confess our name before God the Father and before His angels.

·         Our Name is Promised to be in the “Book of Life”.  I think it’s noteworthy to say that scripture indicates that EVERYONE’S name is already written in the Book of Life; our decisions on this side of life determines if it stays there or is blotted out.  Life is Choice Driven.

·         He will wipe away every tear from our face.

• There will be Crowns; the Imperishable Crown for those who have victory over their old spirit man – Crown of Righteousness for those that are longing for His appearance – Crown of Life for those that have been tested unto death which is the Martyr’s Crown - Crown of Glory for the Overseers or Elders who serve the flock - Crown of Rejoicing which is the Soul Winners Crown  - The more crowns that we are given, the more we have to cast at the feet of Jesus - NYOBS 07.53 - ESCHATOLOGY; CROWNS

·         We will be given “The Right” to sit at the throne of Christ. - Note: We will sit at the throne of Christ; but Jesus alone sits at the right hand of the Throne of God the Father.

·         There will be Rewards according to what each Believer has done.

·         We will taste some “Hidden Manna” and our strength will be renewed. (There was a jar of manna hidden within the Ark of the Covenant; it was called Angel’s Food and we will get to taste it)  NYOBS 25.10 - MANNA

·         We will eat from the “Tree of Life” in Paradise, the healing fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

·         We will be given a “White Stone” - NOTE: In Society; Black was considered days of calamity; white was days of festivity. – In the courts of justice; a black stone meant condemned and a WHITE stone meant acquittal.  – Our White Stone declares NOT GUILTY.

·         We will be privileged with “God’s name” written upon us.

·         Jesus will also write HIS “new” name upon us.

·         We too will receive a “New Name” carved in stone known only to the recipient; we are a NEW creation.

·         We will put on a “White Robe” symbolizing our perfect purity, without speck or stain - An undefiled Priestly garment. – A conquerors array.

·         We will become citizens of the New Jerusalem when it comes down from Heaven.

·         We will have our own place to live and it will be where Jesus lives

·         We will be made like a “Pillar” in Heaven; permanent, stable, stately, strong; never having to leave.

·         We will be where Jesus is and we will be like Him and see Him as He is

Revelation 2:11 – Not hurt by the SECOND DEATH
¹¹ Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death. (NIV2011)

Luke 20:36 – We will never die again
³⁶ nor can they die anymore, for they are equal to the angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. (NKJV)

Revelation 2:28 – Give to us the morning star
²⁸ and I will give him the morning star. (NASB)

Revelation 22:16 – Jesus is the bright and Morning Star
¹⁶ I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star."  (NASB)

Titus 2:13 – The appearance of His Glory of Jesus Christ
¹³ looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, (NASB)

Isaiah 25:8 - Wipe away tears from all faces
⁸  He will swallow up death forever, And the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces; The rebuke of His people He will take away from all the earth; For the LORD has spoken.

(NKJV)

Revelation 2:17 – Hidden Manna – White Stone – NEW NAME
¹⁷  Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.

(NIV2011)

Hebrews 9:3-4 –Manna hidden in the Ark of the Covenant
³ And behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All,
⁴ which had the golden censer and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the golden pot that had the manna, Aaron's rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant; (NKJV)

Revelation 22:14 - Eat the fruit from the Tree of Life
¹⁴ Blessed are those who wash their robes. They will be permitted to enter through the gates of the city and eat the fruit from the tree of life. (NLT)

Galatians 5:22-23 – Fruit from the Tree of Life
²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
²³ gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law

(NASB)

Isaiah 40:31 - Our strength will be renewed
³¹ but they that wait for Jehovah shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint.

(ASV)

Revelation 3:5 - Clothed in White Garments
⁵ He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

(NKJV)

Revelation 3:12a - Become Pillars in the Temple - Citizens
¹² All who are victorious will become pillars in the Temple of my God, and they will never have to leave it.

Revelation 3:12b – Write the name of God on them

12 And I will write on them the name of MY GOD,

Revelation 3:12d – Write the NEW name of Jesus on them

12 And I will also write on them MY new name. (NLT)

Revelation 3:12c – Become Citizens of the News Jerusalem

12 and they will be citizens in the city of my God—the New Jerusalem that comes down from heaven from my God.

John 14:3 – A place prepared for us
³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

(NIV2011)

Revelation 3:21 - We will be given “The Right” to sit with Jesus
²¹ To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. (NIV2011)

1 John 3:2 - We will be like Him and see Him as He is
² Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. (NIV2011)

Matthew 5:12 - Great is your reward in heaven
¹² Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (NIV2011)

Revelation 22:12 - Reward according to what we have done
¹² Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.

(NIV2011)

Revelation 3:11 – You have a crown
¹¹ I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. (NIV2011)

1 Peter 5:4 - Crown of glory
⁴ And when the chief Shepherd shall be manifested, ye shall receive the crown of glory that fades not away. (ASV)

1 Corinthians 9:25 - Incorruptible crown
²⁵And every man that strives in the games exercises self-control in all things. Now they do it to receive a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. (ASV)

2 Timothy 4:8 - Crown of righteousness
⁸ Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to me at that day; and not to me only, but also to all them that have loved his appearing. (ASV)

1 Thessalonians 2:19 - Crown of rejoicing
¹⁹ For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? (NKJV)

Revelation 2:10 - Crown of life
¹⁰ Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. (NKJV)

Revelation 4:10 - Cast their crowns before the throne
¹⁰ and shall cast their crowns before the throne, saying, (ASV)

Our Part of the Promises

·         Come out from the way the world walks and be obviously different. – We have been set apart to God.

·         Handle His Word - Because of the promises of God we should endeavor to walk in the wisdom and knowledge that He has given us; to not forget His teachings and to keep His commandments. - Studying God’s word becomes a “Course Corrector” so our prayer life and our asking will be with the right motives. – Handle Jesus Christ, the Word of Life with care.

·         Seek the Kingdom of God – Keep His ways; Ask, Seek and Knock in prayer - He will hear us when we call to Him.

·         We must Teach our children by our life: by our words, our demeanor, our love, our faith, and by our integrity.

·         When we Believe, Persevere and DO the Will of God, we will receive the Promises.

2 Corinthians 6:16-18 - Come out from them and be separate
¹⁶ What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.”
¹⁷ Therefore, “Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”
¹⁸ And, “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”

(NIV2011)

Psalm 4:3 – We are set apart for God
³ But know that the LORD has set apart for Himself him who is godly; The LORD will hear when I call to Him.

(NKJV)

Matthew 6:33 - Seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness
³³ But seek FIRST the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (NKJV)

Luke 24:39 – HANDLE Jesus Christ
³⁹ Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. HANDLE ME and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have." (NKJV)

1 John 1:1 – HANDLE the Word of Life
¹  That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have HANDLED, concerning the Word of life-- (NKJV)

2 Corinthians 4:2 - Don’t HANDLE the Word of God deceitfully
²  but we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor HANDLING the word of God deceitfully; but by the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. (ASV)

Proverbs 3:1-2 – Remember His teachings- Keep His commands
¹ My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart,
² for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity. (NIV2011)

Psalm 91:11-12 - Keep in HIS ways
¹¹ For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways.
¹² In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone. (NKJV)

Matthew 7:7-8 – We are to Ask, Seek and Knock
⁷ Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
⁸ For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. (NKJV)

1 Timothy 4:11-12 - Teach by demeanor, love, faith, integrity
¹¹ Get the word out. Teach all these things.
¹² And don't let anyone put you down because you're young. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity. (MSG)

Luke 1:45 – BELIEVE and receive
⁴⁵ Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” (NIV2011)

Acts 1:4 – WAIT for the Promise
⁴ Wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. (NIV2011)

Hebrews 10:36 – Persevere and DO the will of God.
³⁶ You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. (NIV2011)

James 4:3 – Have the right Motives when you ask
³ And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure. (NLT)

Two Legs of the Promises

·         The Believer has two legs, one is called FAITH and the other is called OBEDIENCE – We need both legs to walk into God’s PROMISES.

·         A PROMISE becomes of none effect through disobedience; it can become a CURSE.

·         It’s not enough to know the Word, but we must DO IT, practice it and teach it.

·         A Make-Believer KNOWS the Word of God; the Believer not only knows the Word of God, but DOES the Word of God.

Ezra 7:10 – Study it and DO IT.

¹⁰ For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the LORD and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel (NASB)

Romans 10:21 – A Promise can be rendered non effect
²¹ But concerning Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.” (NIV2011)

Deuteronomy 11:26-28 – A Promise can turn into a Curse
²⁶ See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse—
²⁷ the blessing if you obey the commands of the LORD your God that I am giving you today;
²⁸ the curse if you disobey the commands of the LORD your God and turn from the way that I command you today by following other gods, which you have not known. (NIV2011)

1 Samuel 15:22 - To OBEY is better than sacrifice
²² Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams.

1 Samuel 15:23 - CURSE - Reject God’s Word – God rejects you
²³ For rebellion is as the sin of divination, And insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has also rejected you from being king."

(NASB)

1 John 2:3 - A Believer will keep His commandments
³ Here's how we can be sure that we know God in the right way: Keep his commandments.

(MSG)

Promissory Note

·         We have been given a Promissory Note, a CHECK; it’s up to us to BELIEVE that it’s real and in FAITH Endorse it with our own name and then take it to the bank and Cash it; the DEPOSIT has already been made.

·         A check has no value if you just look at it and put it in a drawer; one day it CANNOT BE CASHED – The PROMISSORY NOTE will still be good, but the bank will be closed forever.

2 Corinthians 1:21-22 – We have a Deposit that’s in the Bank
²¹ Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us,
²² set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. (NIV2011)

Pardon Promise

·         Absolute Promise - This may sound crazy, but we live in a condemned world, filled with condemned people.  In short WE are all destined to eternity in hell fire. – EVERYBODY.

·         Conditional Promise - We are all in prison on DEATH ROW and have been given the “Good News” of an opportunity, if we want it, to get a personalized individual “GET OUT OF JAIL FREE” card and receive a PARDON.

·         Some will NOT BELIEVE the offer and chose to stay in the darkness of the Jail.

·         Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Him.

Romans 3:23 – ABSOLUTE - All have Sinned
²³  for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God; (ASV)

Romans 2:11 – God does not show partiality to your status
¹¹ Being a Jew won't give you an automatic stamp of approval. God pays no attention to what others say (or what you think) about you. He makes up his own mind. (MSG)

John 3:16 – CONDITIONAL – You’ve got to WANT the Pardon
¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (NIV2011)

John 14:6 – Jesus is the only way
⁶ Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

(NKJV)

READY

·         The New Preacher hollered down to the old farmer plowing with his mule and asked; “WHAT WOULD YOU DO if you knew the Lord was coming back tomorrow”; the farmer answered, “I reckon I’ll just plow another row; I’m ready.”

·         If terrorism strikes with a suicide bomber at your favorite Walmart store, is your next thought; “Wait a minute, I’m not ready yet” or do you just remember the scripture “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord”. – Death is coming; READY OR NOT.

·         Everybody will live forever somewhere, the choices that you make on this side of death determines where you will spend your eternity. – Are you a Believer or a Make Believer?

2 Corinthians 5:8 - Absent from the body; present with the Lord
⁸  We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. (NKJV)

My Song

·          There was a song that I sang in my youth called “Take my Life”.  When I sang it, I didn’t realize that I was making a PROMISE to God. – Here’s how it goes -  (Frances R. Havergal – A.H.C.Malan)

Take my LIFE and let it be, consecrated Lord to thee

Take my HANDS and let them move, at the impulse of Thy love

Take my FEET and let them be, swift and beautiful for Thee

Take my VOICE and let me sing, always only for my King

Take my LIPS and let them be, filled with messages from Thee

Take my SILVER and my GOLD, not a mite would I withhold

Take my MOMENTS and my DAYS, let them flow in ceaseless praise

Take my INTELECT and use, every power as you choose.

·         This song promises God that I am offering Him my hands, my feet, what I sing, what I speak, what I think, what I own and every moment of every day to use at His good pleasure.

·         Today, I find it hard to sing this song, because now I understand that it’s a PROMISE; a VOW to almighty God in which I have been oh so SLACK. – Can you sing it?

The United States was founded on Godly principles; the more that Christians gathered together the more the blessings multiply.

The third world countries where Voo Doo and the Black Arts

are practiced have the least prosperity.   

There is a war going on for the Soul; pray for those that were born into darkness that live in fear and hunger every day.

Pray for America, that we will turn back to God.

 Pray for the peace of Israel.

The Holy Spirit is the one who plants the seed of Faith,

God is the one who brings in the Harvest

Our responsibility is to water the seed.

That’s our job; to Water.

In the multitude of counselors,

 there is wisdom.

Prov 11:14

I am grateful to those that went before me providing concepts, ideas, historical information, and scripture verses.  Because of them I can stand on their shoulders and see further that I otherwise ever could have.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

A Commentary; Critical, Experimental, Practical – Eerdmans

All the promises of the Bible – Herbert Lockyer

Baker’s Commentary on the Bible – Walter A. Elwell

Bible Commentary – F.B. Meyer

Expositor’s Bible Commentary; The – Frank E. Gaebelein

Gospels Interwoven; The – Kermit Zarley

Holy Spirit; The – Billy Graham

Master Study Bible – KJV

Matthew Henry’s Commentary - Zondervan

Thru the Bible Commentary – J. Vernon McGee

Wycliffe Bible commentary; The – Charles F. Pfeiffer