promises

Woman - the pinnacle of God's creation - Genesis 2.21-23

So many of us struggle with self-worth. For many of us, we have had difficult family situations / fathers who haven't been there or no family at all. Maybe for others, we haven't had much love shown towards us and have looked for love in all the wrong places. Others of us have been hurt by people and even by our friends / families / other Christians. All of us are damaged in some way and in need of Jesus - the Great Physician, the Counsellor, the Healer - to help mend us, repair us and restore us. But if we could only grasp who we were made to be by Jesus, through Jesus, and in Jesus. If only we saw ourselves as God sees us - fearfully and wonderfully made.. (Psalm 139.14). In Genesis, God is in unbroken relationship with Adam - whom he had created in his own image (amazing, huh?!) God put man in charge of the Garden, and spoke with him. But then God looked around and said, 'It is not good for man to be alone, I will make a helper for him.'

(The word that is translated 'helper' is more than simply that. It means that woman is equal, she is a 'partner', somebody 'just right'. Woman is not inferior. As one writer says, "God is helping man through women". This writer continues, pointing out something awesome - "In Hebrews, man would be pronounced ’ish; woman would be ’ishshah. While the sounds are similar, the roots of the two words are different. Appropriately ’ish may come from a parallel Arabic root, conveying the idea of ‘exercising power,’ while the term ’ishshah may be derived from an Arabic parallel, meaning ‘to be soft’."). God created woman from the side of man - so they could work and operate side by side. (In 'Captivating' by John & Stasi Eldredge p32, they comment that when God created woman, he called her 'ezer kenegdo' - this Hebrew translates as 'lifesaver' and 'alongside').

So when God had created all of creation, after he had created man, and man was in a sinless relationship with God, the Lord looked down and said, 'man is alone, he needs woman' - and he created woman, the final act of his creation (as so well described in 'Captivating' by John & Stasi Eldredge pp.26-27). Ladies, you are invaluable and so special. Listen to the reaction of Adam when God brings Eve to him - he basically says, 'wow, at last, this is amazing!' Ladies, when God created you, he created something beautiful, someone who is needed by man (and woman), loved and created by God, made in God's image, equal yet different / complimenting man, and made for a purpose. You are no accident, but the result of God's beauty and grace.

Israel - the promises fulfilled

God makes many promises about Israel through the Bible. According to the Bible scholar called Derek Prince, there are 16 main events / prophecies made. Let's take a look at these briefly. They will remind us that God is faithful, does what he says and has a plan and purpose for Israel, for you and for me. All the first 13 prophecies were / have been fulfilled..

1: Genesis 15.13 - prophecy that Israel would be enslaved for 400 years in a foreign land (Egypt).
2: Genesis 15.14 - God would punish the enslaving nation and Israel would leave with many possessions (see Exodus 12.35-36 for fulfilment).
3: Genesis 15.18-20 - God would give Israel the Promised Land (clearly defined, note that today Israel does not yet have all this land..)
4: Deuteronomy 31.15-21 - God told Moses that Israel would turn from God to detestable idols, that God would turn his face from them bringing disaster because of their idolatry.
5: Deuteronomy 12.5-6 - God would establish Jerusalem as the centre of worship.
6: Amos 5.27, 6.14, 7.17 - That Israel would be divided and exiled from the land (Northern Kingdom was exiled by Assyria).
7: Jeremiah 16.13, 21.10 - Southern Kingdom Judah would be taken into exile by Babylon (see 2 Chronicles 36.17).
8: 2 Chronicles 7.19-22 - The destruction of the first temple prophecied (see 2 Chronicles 36.19).
9: Isaiah 10.21 - A remnant will return from Babylon (I cannot find the exact reference Derek Prince gave but this reference is a good, reliable one too).
10: Matthew 24.2 - Second temple would be destroyed. Fulfilled to the letter in AD70.
11: Leviticus 26.33-34, Ezekiel 12.15 - Scattering of Israel in many nations. Has happened.
12: Leviticus 26.36-39 - People of Israel would be persecuted and oppressed. Has happened and is still happening, sadly.
13: Isaiah 11.11-12, Zechariah 10.9-10 - Re-gathering of Israel from exile back to the land, from many nations. State of Israel was effectively formed in a day, in 1947.

14: Zechariah 12.2-3, 14.1-2 - All the nations will gather against Jerusalem (the nations that attack and hate Israel will be judged strongly by the Lord, see Joel 3 & Zechariah 14).
15: Zechariah 12.10-14 - A supernatural revelation to the Jewish people of Jesus as their Messiah.
16: Zechariah 14.3-9 - Coming of the Messiah in power & glory to fight the nations, to see supernatural signs and to establish his Kingdom on earth. One Lord - Amen!!

The Fig Tree - Mark 11

In Mark 11, we read the following:

The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. Then he said to the tree, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again." And his disciples heard him say it.. When evening came, they went out of the city. In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Peter remembered and said to Jesus, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered! "Have faith in God", Jesus answered.

Jesus was hungry. He went to a fig tree to see if it had any fruit. It didn't, so Jesus 'cursed' the fig tree and it died, despite it not being the season for figs. It sounds a bit strange on first glance, doesn't it? However, there is more than one reason why Bible scholars think this happened. Firstly, this is related in Mark just after Jesus went to the temple and cleared out the sellers, who were breaking God's rules and disgracing God's house of prayer. The fig tree was a spiritual example of this - something meant for a purpose was not fulfilling its true purpose and so had to be 'thrown out'. The same could be applied to the nation of Israel, who were supposed to be acting as God's people, but who were spiritually bankrupt too. But this also has meaning for us. Are our lives meaningful, spiritually? Do you have a faith that doesn't show itself in action? Are you like a tree that doesn't bear any fruit? A Christian who doesn't do anything much for God, doesn't see God working in you? Today God is calling you to make a change. Maybe you're a Christian who feels prayer isn't being answered. Take encouragement from this story. Jesus cursed the fig tree and death was spoken onto it. However, it wasn't until the next day until Peter saw the tree was dead. Sometimes prayer takes time for you to see it answered.

Mind Your Words - Proverbs 18.20-21

From the fruit of his mouth a man's stomach is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied.

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

These are 21 powerful statements from The Bible. If we take these together with James 3.8 which tells us that the tongue is a powerful weapon, we need to think very carefully about what we say. Matthew 12.34-37 says:

For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.

So we learn that our tongue is powerful because of the words that can come out of it, negatively or positively. Proverbs 18.20 tells us that a person's stomach will be filled with the fruit of his mouth. So, whatever comes out of your mouth, is what you will get back, what you will receive, take in. So if you speak bitterly, you will see bitterness everywhere and feel bitter. However, if you speak words of kindness and goodness, you will reap a harvest of goodness that will satisfy. We also know from Proverbs 18.21 that the tongue has the power of life and death. You can crush people or build them up with what you say. You can bring a spiritual sense of death or life, bad or good by what you choose to say. So choose life, choose goodness, choose Godliness. Don't be a critical and negative person. Be honest, speak the truth. But do it in the right way to encourage, build up and lift up. After all, God lifted us out of darkness. He wants us to do the same for others.

Get Wisdom - Proverbs 1.1-7

Proverbs is a most amazing book of the Bible. Proverbs has so much - humour, insight, wisdom.. I think one of my favourite proverbs is the one that says something like, 'it's better to spend a night on the roof than inside with a nagging wife'. Haha! But moving on swiftly.. Young person, youth leader, listen up.. Whoever you are, whatever stage of life you're in - get wisdom. I cannot stress its importance and significance highly enough, and neither can Proverbs stress it highly enough.

The beginning of wisdom and knowledge is the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 1.7). What does this mean? Well, it means getting God in his right perspective. Yes, he is our friend, but yes he is also the one who will judge the earth, the one who every knee and authority will bow to. He is the one who has a flaming sword coming out of his mouth and who is a mighty warrior. So we need to know who God is and be right with him. Then we have the foundation for growth and true learning. If we do not seek wisdom (and its brother, discipline), then we are a fool - by implication of verse 7. Wisdom is so essential that we find King Solomon asked God for it (1 Kings 3.9). Solomon had the right persepctive of God and himself. He knew that he needed God in order to rule justly and in a Godly way. In the same way, we need wisdom to live right and in a Godly way. So get wisdom. Proverbs says get wisdom, even though it costs all you have. Why? Well, just take a look at the promises in Proverbs 1-4 to see the many benefits of wisdom!

Can God do anything? 2 Timothy 2.11-13

It's a question that is valid to ask. God is all-powerful, right? So he can do whatever he wants, right?

Well, no. The thing is that God is bound by what he says, as he is faithful and his Word is the truth. So, God cannot step outside of the boundaries that he has created.

God cannot lie (Titus 1.2). God cannot break His promises (Psalm 89.6). He cannot be tempted with evil, nor can he tempt us (James 1.13). He cannot be unfaithful (2 Timothy 2.13). He cannot be any other than who he is, he cannot change & stop being God (Malachi 3.6, Psalm 90.2 etc).

Otherwise God could turn around and say stuff like, 'well actually, I've changed my mind, you can't be saved any more..' or anything else he felt like. God is bound by the boundaries he has created. Otherwise nothing would be certain.

This is pure speculation but maybe there are certain 'fundamentals' that God has as absolutes, such as truth, faithfulness etc etc. These transcend his ability to do whatever he wants. Maybe the important principle is that God has already done what he wants, it is God alone who has done this.

Mark 11.1-3 - The Appointed Time

There are times and seasons in our lives. But God is faithful and he has appointed times and places, people to meet - in our lives. Maybe some of you are thinking about which university to go to, which job to get, who you may marry, and many other important decisions. Jesus has the answer. He has already gone ahead of you and on the Cross, he has made provision for our every need. There was a time where I knew it was right to take on the youth pastor's job at a church. It was an amazing time where God brought everything together and appointed me 'for such a time as this'. (Esther 4:14,
"For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?") It was incredible as it was just so 'easy' as God used me in incredible ways. You will have these times in your life, such as the day people meet the person they will marry, God making it clear you should go on a mission somewhere etc. When we look at Mark 11, we find this amazingly illustrated in the story of a colt (donkey). This little fella had never been ridden by any person. He may have looked round at his mates and thought, 'people are riding on the back of them, why not me? I feel a bit left out!' Some of us may feel the same. But little did he know that the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Jesus himself - would one day be riding on his back as he proudly walked into Jerusalem with 100s or 1000s of people cheering and waving. That little colt had been born and appointed for that moment, that was an awesome thing. His mates may have carried others, but he carried the Son of God! The same is true for you. You were born for a purpose. Jesus chose you, he set you apart. He is using you, he will use you and he has appointed your times and places. For some of you, Jesus is saying, 'I have chosen you and your time is coming.' Don't be discouraged today but think of that little colt and know that Jesus is watching, waiting, longing, excitedly, ready to use you.

Isaiah 42.3 - He will not crush a bruised reed

Both the NIV and Amplified Versions of the Bible say this prophetically about the forthcoming Jesus (an event that was years away), "A bruised reed he will not break.." What does this mean? Well, I remember God giving me this verse for someone who was struggling with their faith a couple years back. And this is how I see it. It is God's promise that he will not break someone who is feeling vulnerable, broken, uncertain or downhearted. Maybe this explains you? Do you feel like this? If you do, then God has many promises to help you and this is one. Jesus will not break you if you are struggling, even if it's with your faith. Jesus will be there for you.

Jesus will not damage or break a reed. But we can go further. Jesus also restores us. Let's go back to the analogy of a reed. Reeds are the kinds of grass-like plants that grow up around rivers, ponds etc. To restore a reed, it needs water, it needs feeding (nourishment). It also needs sun, rain, it needs other reeds around it, it needs a bit of other elements on it so it can grow stronger. The same will be true for you. Jesus will help resotre you if you are feeling bruised, or broken or weak. But you can help. How do we do this? Well, we feed ourselves on the Word of God, especially the deep stuff (which Paul calls 'solid food' in 1 Corinthians 3.2). We can stay 'planted' in our church, with others around us to shelter us, encourage, protect, stand with us. We can allow things that happen to change us for the better (and not make us bitter). We can keep our focus on heaven, on Jesus. Hebrews 12:2 tells us, "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.." Then we can be like, "...a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. (Psalm 1.3). Today I pray that you would know God's restoration in your life.

God chooses you - 1 Samuel 16.6-13

You may not think that you are qualified for a role. But the Bible says that God doesn't look at your physical appearance but at your heart, your love for God. In this Bible passage, we see this very clearly with David. Samuel, the prophet, saw Eliab, the oldest, best looking and biggest of the sons of Jesse. Maybe you look around at others in college, school and work and think 'they're better looking than me' or think they are somehow better than you. Just as God said to Samuel, so he says to you - 'God doesn't consider how people look - he looks into the depths of who you really are and chooses people on that basis.' Looks are temporary, but an inner beauty that comes from knowing Jesus, will last a lifetime - and only grow in radiance and beauty, if you let it.

In many places in the Bible, God chose people who didn't think they were up to the role - Moses, Jeremiah. He also chose people who weren't officially 'qualified'. He sent people to work with peoples they knew little about (Paul), to foreign lands (Joseph) and to other cultures. If your heart is right with God, you put his kingdom first and love God with all your heart, then that is the qualification God is looking for. Listen again to 1 Samuel 16.7 and let it sink in - But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

Authority - Matthew 10.1

When someone gets a job, they also get the authority to do that job. Huh?! OK, let's take an example. When a headteacher is appointed at a school, in their contract it says that they are the leader, the person in charge, the one where the buck stops. They are the head of the school, and so they are given the authority that position needs.

If you know Jesus, you, too have an authority that goes with your calling. Jesus didn't call us to work for him and say, 'get on with it, I'm off on holiday, see you in heaven..' No, Jesus not only called you, he has equipped you too. Do you realise that? In one of the sessions on this site, we take a look at the kingdom of God (here). The Kingdom of God is wherever God's ways, heart, love and power are demonstrated by him and his people.

There are 2 kinds of authority. Firstly, there is an equipping. For this purpose, God has given us his Holy Spirit - John 16.7, "When I go away, I will send the Helper to you."

There is also an authority to do things that go with the position. We read about this kind of thing here in Matthew 10.1, "Jesus called his twelve followers together and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and sickness."

It is a promise to you that, if you have accepted Jesus, you will be able to drive out evil spirits, heal diseases and sicknesses. The power and authority (which comes from God) is within you. Now, you may not choose or have chosen to use that authority, but it is there, and where it is used, the Kingdom of God comes in power.

The End Times - Matthew 24.4-8

Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ' and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumours of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains."

There have been earthquakes, wars, famines and nations fighting nations since before the days of Jesus. History is littered with all of these things. But many will say that these things are increasing, both numerically and in intensity. We know that this does not singal the end, but the end is still to come once these things have begun. But there is something else that we can notice.. 'You will hear of wars and rumours of wars.' Years ago, before the internet, television, radio and travel, we did not hear of these things, or perhaps not for years. But we live in an inter-connected world now, where news on one side of the globe is news across the globe - the difference is we now hear of wars and rumours of wars. So we need to be aware..

But we know for sure when the end will come. Not the exact time of course (Jesus tells us that only God knows this) - Matthew 24.42-43: "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him."

So how do we know? Well, it is when the Gospel has been preached to every tribe, race, nation and tongue - Revelation 7:9: After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.

You matter to God - Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Matthew 1.1-17

No, it's OK, this quiet-time doesn't require you to read through all these three books of the Bible!! But evan a simple overview of these books tell us loads about what God thinks of you and me - without reading every last detail. Why? Well, because we know that God cares. A lot. How do we know that? Well, in these books we have God giving commands to his people about every area of human life - from worship, to sexual activity, to keeping clean, rules to do with murder and so on. But how do we know God cares from that information? Well, because God provided this information for his people. Not only that, the commands he gives are very detailed, very specific. This was for the benefit of the people of Israel, it was God expressing his love for them - I love you so much, I care about every detail of your life, I want you to live the fullest lives, so here it is - the way to life.. If we look on into other books of the Bible we see similar principles. For example in Matthew 1.1-17 we find a long old list of names, the so-called, 'Genealogy of Jesus.' Genealogy means the history / ancestors / family line. God, in his written Word, The Bible, has bothered to list the names of people that to society may be long forgotten. But not to God. The same God that knows every hair (or not!) on your head is the same God who has made sure that people's names are written down in his Word. God cares so much for his people, loves them so deeply and with such an all-encompassing love, that he gave us his Word, helps us live our lives to the fullest, has promises, mentions people by name. Your name may not be in the Bible, but if you are in the Kingdom of God then your name is written in the Lamb's book of Life. Revelation 21.27 (talking about the New Jerusalem) says, 'Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life.' What a promise.

When you pass through the waters I'll be with you says God - Isaiah 43.1-7

There are times in life when things just don't seem to make sense. Maybe we've done something wrong, maybe we haven't. But life just seems to be a struggle. Some people even begin to question where God is or struggle with their faith. If you're in that place today, do not fear. God has a message of real hope for you. He says:

'Fear not, for I have redeemed you [ransomed you by paying a price instead of leaving you captives]; I have called you by your name; you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned or scorched, nor will the flame will not set you ablaze.'

These verses were spoken by the prophet Isaiah to Israel. But they apply to you and I today. Israel was redeemed (purchased) by the Lord giving Egypt as a ransom. But we have been redeemed (purchased) by the blood of Christ. 1 Peter 1.18-19 says, 'For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.'

So God has paid the ultimate price for you - Jesus, giving his life freely. It also means that you are not a captive in these situations - in fact, the other people are! But God goes on to make more promises. 'When you go through the water, the rivers, the fires, God will be with you - you won't drown or burn. What does this mean? There are different levels of struggle?

Have you ever tried walking through water? It's more difficult than on land. That's a bit of a struggle. But not as difficult as trying to wade through a deep river, especially when the water threatens to overwhelm you (as we saw in the Asian Tsunami). Alone, we cannot hope to get through. But with God we can. There are also times where you really 'feel the heat' and I don't mean in Summer! These are the times when you feel alone, persecuted, laughed at, or under stress. God has PROMISED these things will NOT harm you, that he is with you, that he will never leave you.

You may have spent a lot of money buying something - clothing, jewellery, a watch, DJ decks, a car. These things are precious to you, so you will look after them (if you are wise), treat them well. You use them but carefully. God thinks you are far more precious than all of this. He will look out for and look after you! TRUST!!

Isaiah's prophecies fulfilled - Luke 3.4-6

In Luke 3.3 we find that John the Baptist, who God had called, went around the Jordan River preaching a baptism of changed hearts and lives for the forgiveness of sins.

If we snap back to Isaiah 40.3-5, we find that 700 years before, Isaiah had made a prophecy regarding John the Baptist. We find these verses from Isaiah quoted in Luke 3.4-6.

We find that John the Baptist was in the desert when the word of God came to him (Luke 3.3). Isaiah 40.3 predicted that a way would be prepared in the desert. John the Baptist then went on to prepare a way for Jesus, just as the prophet Isaiah had spoken all those years before. Isaiah also made many accurate predictions about Jesus (see for example Isaiah 61).

If you've ever wondered if God is faithful or whether the Bible is accurate, here is one of many 100s of Bible prophecies (predictions) that have been fulfilled. Hebrews declares that God is faithful and cannot lie when he makes a promise - Hebrews 6.16-18. So we know that God is a faithful God and his promises stand. This is as true today as it ever was.

David and leadership - 1 Samuel 24 (chapters 18 and 19 for further reading)

On more than one occasion David had chance to kill Saul. But he didn't. Saul was God's anointed and David would not lay a hand on him or allow someone else to kill him. He had plenty reason to want to kill Saul. After all, through Saul's jealousy he brought an evil spirit upon himself that caused him to try and kill David (1 Samuel 18, 19, 23). But David did right in not touching God's appointed King (1 Sam 24.6). Let's not forget that Jesus, Son of David, told us to love our enemies.
You know what, many times we bitch about and diss people behind their back. It's a disease in churches and life generally. No wonder the Bible talks so much about controlling our tongue.
The key from these verses is that we do not have the right to 'kill off' our leaders before God's appointed time. You see, in 1 Chronicles 11 we read that David became King of Israel. Even though it was clear God had his hand on David a long time before Saul's death and despite Saul's rages and murderous attempts on David's life, David did not waste Saul.
Many churches and Christians are guilty of forcing out leaders they have appointed before God through biting and gossip and spiritual abuse. But that's not how it's meant to be. God is Sovereign and until God calls you to step up and someone else to step down, your position is in one of obedience to God's appointed unless they stray far from God. Then, like David in 1 Samuel 24, your job may be to confront for the glory of God and not for self. Your time will come if you are faithful and obedient..
Matthew 25:21- His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'

Philippians 4.19 - God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus

Today, we were wondering quite how we were going to transport a group of over 30 young people and leaders to Spring Harvest. Our Safe To Grow rules (strictly interpreted by our church) meant that certain people could not give lifts even though they were experienced drivers (yeh, we can all relate to this madness). I saw this verse on a Bible calendar at my parent's house - 'And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.' I felt God would provide something.
Around 2 hours later we found that we were able to borrow the minibus of a local Christian school. God delivered. Thanks God!
Yet I need to apply this to every area of my life. So do you. If you're worried about school, college, not having a girlfriend or boyfriend, if you don't know what's going on in your family life - there is a promise. God will meet all your needs through the depth of riches (of every kind) that is found in and through Jesus. The Amplified Bible says that God will 'fill to the full' your every need. So don't worry. Like me, we have to step back from looking at things through human eyes and start seeing through God's eyes in faith, according to what the Bible says that God will do, and be thankful too.

Your history doesn't matter - Judges 11.1-11

What a family - Jephthah had an unusual family history. His dad was called Gilead (a son of a King called 'Manasseh') and therefore had a kind of important history. However, in verse 1 we learn that his mum was a prostitute. This means his old man had been a naughty lad - getting up to stuff he shouldn't have been!

So, as a result of this, Jephthah's brothers (these guys had the same, but a different mum) dissed him and forced him out. Jealousy may have had something to do with it too - as the Bible says Jephthah was 'a strong soldier..'

We also find out that the brothers didn't like him because he had a different mum and warned him off, saying 'you're not gonna get any of our dad's property cos you're not one of us.'

So off he went, away. But then stuff went wrong for Israel and the elders came to him to ask him to lead Israel and help defeat an army from the Ammonites. Jephthah was like, 'hang on bro, you told me where to go and now you want me back? What's with that?'

But despite this, Jephthah agreed to lead Israel and through his leadership the Ammonites were defeated. It must have taken great humility to agree to come back when he had been kicked out and treated so badly.

So here's the encouragement - you are a son or daughter of God, called by name, time, place and by gifting. God believes in you, has a perfect plan for you and nothing can stop it, no matter who you are. I was in an estate last week and a teenager said 'you wouldn't like me if you knew my past.' I told him that it didn't matter what his past was, God still loved him. The same is true for you. Now feel that release.. it doesn't matter who you are or where you've come from, God loves and wants you as part of his crew. He's given you the character (just as Jephthah was 'a strong soldier..' and will give you the role in time (just as Jephthah did).

Life is a planting field - Galatians 6.7-9

In an interview, a top Christian blokey said that if he knew he had 25 years to live, he'd spend 20 of those years in preparation! Quite a commitment. Yet when we look at people like Joseph, Abraham, Moses, we find that their real Christian ministry and purpose didn't start until they and the time had been prepared by God. When life is a struggle, or maybe we feel like we ain't gettin no younger, we need to remember that!
Let's look at these 3 verses and drag out what Paul is on about. First, you get what you give. You don't get what you don't give. If you've given out for God, you'll get back from God. If you ain't given none, you won't get anything much back. The principle is the same in life. What you put in, you get out. Second, if you plant bad stuff, you'll only get back ruin. If you plant what the Spirit of God tells you to, you'll get back eternal life if you don't give up. This shows, thirdly, that the Christian life means being a full-on disciple with all its ups and downs 24/7. It's no Sunday job.
Fourthly, you can work your booty at a job, even at churches, and feel like you get little back. But God works differently. He sees all you do, even when no-one else does. And he WILL reward you for it. Guaranteed.

God has opened a door for you - Revelation 3.8

If you're feeling discouraged today then take hope because God has a plan for your life. The famous place where God says this is in Jeremiah 29.10-14 especially verse 11.
However, God makes his promises through the whole Bible, both Old and New Testament. In Revelation 3, Jesus is talking to the church at Philadelphia. This may represent an actual church, a place, a time or a general principle for all churches in all times. No-one is quite sure. However, we know that the Bible used in the right context can give us great principles for our own lives as Christians.
So Jesus says, 'I know what you do. I have put an open door before you, which no-one can close. I know you have a little strength, but you have obeyed my teaching and were not afraid to speak my name.'
Jesus knows what is going on in your life, he knows the hurt, the weakness, the hopes and dreams you have. He sees what you have done - in fact, he keeps a record. One day you will be rewarded in heaven! Jesus says he's opened a door, a way. If you can't see a way through or a way ahead right now, don't worry because Jesus does and he'll reveal it to you. He won't let anyone take it away, he won't let the door close. The message of the Gospel is one of hope - hope of Jesus, hope of heaven. We're called to preach this message but sometimes we need to hear it to. Jesus is the way, the truth, the life.
Today, the life-giver is encouraging you. Lift your eyes up. Trust him. He'll never let you go.

God's Work, Ways and the Promises - Psalm 19.6-14

I counted at least 12 promises and consequences contained in Psalm 19 that come from reading and following the teachings of the Lord. Have a look through and see how many you can find..

Interesting that the first half of the Psalm talks about the physical works of the Lord on the earth. We see that God is displayed in his Creation. As Romans 1.20 says, creation reveals the Creator. In Psalm 19.6 we see the connection with the rest of the Psalm when David (the author) says that the sun rises at one end of the day and follows its path through sunset. Nothing hides from its heat. So it is with us and our God. We have a path that God has laid out for us to follow from our early days as a Christian through to our sunset. Like with the sun, we know that nothing we do, think or say is hidden from the Lord - read Psalm 139.1-12.

So what about the promises and consequences in Psalm 19 about the teachings of the Lord?

1. they give new strength.
2. they make ordinary people wise.
3. they may people happy.
4. they give guidance.
5. God will always be worshipped.
6. God's judgments are always right.
7. God's decisions are more valuable than gold, sweeter than honey.
8. they warn and advise us.
9. keeping them brings a great reward.
10. It brings an awareness of our own sin and brings us to ask for forgiveness
11. It brings us to a place where we desire purity and holiness in our lives
12. It brings us under the authority of God where we desire all our words and actions to be pleasing to God

Waiting for the promise to be fulfilled - Nehemiah 7.4

In Nehemiah 7.4 we read that the city was large and roomy but there were few people in it. Nehemiah had to take action to get these places filled.

God had spoken to Nehemiah by moving him to want to return to rebuild the city of Jerusalem. It must have been a bit strange for Nehemiah to find the city wall rebuilt and yet many of the houses inside it empty or even not yet rebuilt. Had Nehemiah misheard God? It's the kind of question we'd be forgiven for thinking in his position. I think there's 3 lessons here..

First, God will often call us to do something but it will take time for the promise to be fulfilled. It may not even be in our lifetime but God will do it. Our job is to hear and then fully obey God's call on our life.

Second, Nehemiah did not waver from what God had appointed for him to do. He had achieved the rebuilding of the walls but there was still work to do. We read in verse 5 that Nehemiah gathered the people so he could register the people who were there. Nehemiah just got on with it.

Third, Nehemiah had only achieved stage one. God will give us promises but often we have to achieve it in stages. I love the wisdom of God when he advised that taking the Promised Land would be step by step. God has his time and way, just let God be.

God is faithful

Take some time to think about one of God's greatest servants, one of our Bible heroes. You may have heard of him, he's called Abraham

In Genesis 15.5-6 the Lord promised Abraham he would have as many descendants as there are stars in the sky. God did this in 2 ways. First, we are descendants of Abraham. In fact the Bible is the fulfillment of this. Secondly, God's people are like 'shining stars' in a dark world! Two ways God's promise came true

God has made many promises through the Bible. He promised to be with Joshua and never leave him (Joshua 1.9). He promised to speak through Moses even though Moses felt he was unskilled with words (Exodus 4). God promised to save Rahab because she helped the spies from Israel (Joshua 6.17-25)

If God has promised something to you, believe me he will fulfill his promise. How do we receive God's promises? Listen to the words of Jesus. 'Believe that you've received the things you have prayed for and they will be yours.'

Real Promises

God sometimes says something to us that's really definite. It's something we can't shake off, do you know what I mean? When I became a Christian in 1996 God gave me 3 specific visions that I knew would be fulfilled. I have seen 2 of those visions fulfilled completely and way beyond what I imagined (it must be God not me!). The other I know God will make true.
Other times we hear a real word from God. God spoke to me once and said, "I will protect and bless you and your family.' I have claimed that promise almost daily since God spoke, through the hard times as well as the easy times.
Has God spoken to you? Do you need to hear some words from God? Do you need to speak out verses from the Bible into a situation? It's different for each of us.. Derek Prince, a respected Bible teacher said that when he was in the British Army and was ill, God led him to Proverbs 4.20-22 which talks about God's Word bringing health to your body. So, he used God's Word to speak healing over his body, 3 times a day, just like taking medicine. It took a while but God did gradually restore him to full health. What's God said or got to say to you today?