Truth for Life - April 28, 2017
April 28
Claiming God's Promises
Remember your word to your servant, in which you have made me hope. - Psalms 119:49
Whatever your particular need may be, you will find some promise in the Bible related to it. Are you faint and feeble because your way is rough and you are weary? Here is the promise--"He gives power to the faint."1 When you read such a promise, take it back to the great Promiser and ask Him to fulfill His own word. Are you seeking for Christ and thirsting for closer communion with Him? This promise shines like a star upon you--"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied."2 Take that promise to the throne continually; do not plead anything else, but go to God over and over again with this--"Lord, You have said it; do as You have said."
Are you distressed because of sin and burdened with the heavy load of your iniquities? Listen to these words--"I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins."3 You have no merit of your own to plead why He should pardon you, but plead His written promises and He will perform them. Are you afraid that you might not be able to hold on to the end and that after having thought yourself a child of God you should prove a castaway? If that is your condition, take this word of grace to the throne and plead it: "The mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you."4
If you have lost the sweet sense of the Savior's presence and are seeking Him with a sorrowful heart, remember the promises: "Return to me . . . and I will return to you."5 "For a brief moment I deserted you, but with great compassion I will gather you."6 Feast your faith upon God's own Word, and whatever your fears or wants, take them to the Bank of Faith with your Father's note, which reads, "Remember your word to your servant, in which you have made me hope." 7
1) Isaiah 40:29
2) Matthew 5:6
3) Isaiah 43:25
4) Isaiah 54:10
5) Zechariah 1:3
6) Isaiah 54:7
7) Psalm 119:49
Family Bible reading plan
verse 1 Numbers 5
verse 2 Psalms 39
The Fruitful Life
As we become serious followers of Christ, our desire is to live loving, joyful, anxiety-free lives. Yet, loving our enemies most always seems impossible. Even being patient with family members can be a challenge. So, how do we put on the gentle garments of grace when we’re so busy battling our old behavior patterns?
The Fruitful Life by Jerry Bridges explores the nine aspects of the “fruit of the spirit” described by the Apostle Paul in the book of Galatians (5:22-23): love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Bridges explains how to practice the fruit in real life as we look to the Holy Spirit to mark our character by devotion to God-centeredness and God-likeness.
Click here to learn more about Truth For Life
From Morning & Evening revised and edited by Alistair Begg copyright © 2003. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, www.crossway.org.
