by Elizabeth Burgard Fulgaro (c) 2012 www.holyspiritpress.org www.eaglesnestfoundation.org
Below are a few of God’s promises to revel in today, to be reminded how much He loves us, that we can hear from Him and that He will use us for great purpose every day – if we will let Him.
God’s Word (the Bible) encourages us because it is filled with His promises. We call these promises, because what God says in His Word, He will fulfill. God is Truth. Therefore He cannot lie. He is also unchanging. Therefore, what He spoke through His Word in times gone by can still be relied on today.
The exterior of how we live our lives might change from one generation to the next. But the interior of who we are as human beings and how God relates to us remains the same. Here are a few promises to revel in:
6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6 NIV)
6 I the LORD do not change…. (Mal. 3:6 NIV)
8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Heb. 13:8 NIV)
2 “This is what the LORD says, he who made the earth, the LORD who formed it and established it—the LORD is his name: 3 ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’ (Jer 33:2-3)
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. (Jer. 29:11-13)
8 Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. 9 He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. (Ps. 25:8-9 NIV)
21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” (Isa. 30:21 NIV)
31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matt 6:31-34)
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. (1 Peter 5:6-9)
28 We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose. (Rom. 8:28 Amplified)
7 ….. These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. (Rev. 3:7 NIV)
3 The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. 4 I will build you up again, and you, Virgin Israel, will be rebuilt. Again you will take up your timbrels and go out to dance with the joyful “ (Jer. 31:3-4 NIV)
What a delight to be reminded that because He is God and Lord, we do not have to worry. He is in control. He will use all things for good in light of eternity. ALL THINGS. This does not make suffering easy, but we know that through the trials, suffering and obstacles we encounter, God will use these for great purpose.
Nowhere does He promise us an easy life. Our physical lives will never become heaven on earth. But through how He uses us in these difficult places others will experience the reality of the living all-good, loving God through our lives and seek Him in turn for themselves. In this way, through all our circumstances, God weaves a plan that accomplishes His overall objective that more find Him, so they can be with Him in eternity, and our lives become lives of great purpose to have His effect on others which can have everlasting consequences.
What joy to know that if we seek Him, He will allow Himself to be found! How humbling to know if we will follow where He leads, He will use us to have an eternal impact on others! How amazing to be reminded that He has the plan (so we don’t have to) and will speak to us, guiding us in the way we are to go!
No, His voice most often will not sound like a human voice resounding in our ear, because He is Spirit. Instead it will be like a whisper, a whiff of a thought which drops into our minds from seemingly out of nowhere. Initially we may wonder if is our own or His. He tells us to test it to make sure it is not from the adversary. But even in this we are not to worry. God looks at the heart. He is the perfect Father. If we are truly seeking His will, if we really want to hear from Him, then He will not let us get off His narrow path. He will hold our hand. He will guide us in the way we are to go. He will shut doors before us where we think we ought to go, but He knows are not His plan for us.
May we have the courage to listen for His Holy Spirit nudges and to follow when what we “hear” may not seem to make sense, but does not contradict His character and way. May He use us for His eternal purposes again and again for the growth of His Kingdom and our blessing.
Selah! [Pause and calmly think of that!]
END
Elizabeth Fulgaro is a wife, mother, writer, inspirational speaker, worship leader, composer, singer & recording artist. She is also a Certified Financial Planner and Accredited Financial Counselor with a heart for helping Christians understand and steward their finances God’s way.
For books, worship cds, Bible studies and teachings written by Elizabeth Fulgaro or to schedule her to come speak to your group please visit www.holyspiritpress.org Worship music audio clips can be found at www.cdbaby.com/Artist/ElizabethFulgaro For information on her work for the military and their families please visit www.eaglesnestfoundation.org Eagles Nest Foundation is a 501(c)3 corporation. Contributions are tax-deductible.
