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STT: Promises, Promises

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Standing on the RockOne of the greatest joys in Bible study is discovering the promises that Almighty God has made to us as His children. The promises aren't hard to spot – watch for God's "I will" statements.

For example, yesterday morning, I read in Hebrews where the writer quoted Jeremiah. God says, "I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more." In context, this happens when God institutes the New Covenant with Israel, (and with us, too) the one that rests on the work of Jesus Christ. Go back and read that last part again. "…their sins… I will remember no more." God promises He will not remember our sins, will not bring them up again, will not use them against us ever again. They are gone. We are free. He promises. Wow!

The Gospels are full of promises in Jesus' own words- "I will come again and receive you to Myself."
"Whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven."
"Come to Me all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest."

And the list goes on and on.

As you read and study, watch for the promises God makes to you, and savor each one. Of course, not every promise has the explicit "I will" form, but catching those will help get you in the habit of spotting them. You may even want to devote a section in your notebook, or a blank page in your Bible, for keeping track of them.

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It Counts

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Blur Ribbon"God is not so unjust as to overlook your work, and the love that you showed for His sake in serving the saints, as you still do." Hebrews 6:10 ESV

It counts. All those little things you do. The things you think don't matter. The things that go unnoticed. God sees them. Every single one.
 

  • Studying that Sunday school lesson for just a handful of students.
  • Driving somebody to the doctor's office because their car was in the shop.
  • Breathing a prayer while you're stopped at a red light.
  • Stuffing those dollars in an offering envelope to help somebody you'll never meet.
  • Showing up for worship week in and week out.
  • Carrying a meal to a neighbor.
  • Being a babysitter in a pinch.
  • Dropping that card in the mail.
  • Smiling at your pastor.

It all counts. Keep it up.

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How to Win the Battle

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At a lossOne of my favorite quotes is from Plato – "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." Jesus promised us as much. (John 16:33) In Psalm 76:2-3 there is an important principle for fighting those battles.

"In Salem [Jerusalem] also is His tabernacle
And His dwelling place in Zion.
There He broke the arrows of the bow,
The shield and sword of battle." (NKJV)

Did you see it?

It was in the tabernacle, the temple, His dwelling place in Zion, that the victory was actually won. The prayer, the worship, the offerings and consecration the soldiers underwent before they ever took the battlefield was what sealed their ultimate triumph.

The battle is won in worship.

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STT: Seeing Ourselves

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Little princessWe've discussed how our study time should reveal God in some way, drawing us closer, and highlighting His character. Scripture also serves as a mirror, showing us our true selves.

Sometimes, we learn about mankind in general. Like in Psalm 8, we find out God crowned us with glory and honor. Human beings were the pinnacle of His creation. In Hebrews 2:17, we find out Jesus had to become a human, like us, in order to be a proper High Priest for us.

However, there are also verses that get more personal. For example, Psalm 94:19 says, "In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul." This one tells me that when I'm feeling stressed, or worried or concerned (or whatever other synonym) I'm not alone. David, the man after God's own heart, felt them too. It also tells me, I can feel one hundred and eighty degrees different- comfort and delight. Comfort, God's personal comfort, is available, and there is room for it, even in the middle of the anxiety.

So- as you study, look for things the Scripture may be telling you about yourself. Do you see yourself mirrored in the verses or in the people and their situations? Is it encouraging, or maybe convicting?

On a more personal note- Psalm 65:11 says "You crown the year with Your goodness." I'm thankful and humbled by His grace and goodness for these 43 years.

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Cleaning

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trash bagLately, I've been cleaning out my office. It's amazing (and disappointing) how much stuff accumulates in such a short time. Once I'm through carrying out bags of junk, and vacuuming and dusting, I'll have neater, more functional space. All the stuff I need will be close by making it easier and faster to accomplish what I need to each day.

It's not just my living spaces that need periodic cleaning- my hearts does, too. I know I've picked up a lot of junk- a box of frustration there, a folder or two of fear stacked on the bookcase, a bad attitude cluttering up my workspace. Sometimes things like joy and peace are hard to find underneath all that other mess, (I know they're in here somewhere… I remember bringing 'em in and putting them right over there by that big pile of doubt…)

For a packrat like me, determining what needs to go is often a challenge, but in the right mood, I can toss out with the best of them. However, when it comes to de-junking my heart, I need outside help.

I have to rely on God and His word to identify the junk in the first place. (Search me, O God… and see if there be any wicked way in me. Ps. 139:23)

I have to make the effort to let go of the stuff. (Let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily ensnares us… Heb. 12:2)

Finally, I need Him to vacuum and clean out the place, so He has room to work. (Create in me a clean heart, O God… Ps 51:10)

Therefore if anyone cleanses himself… he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master 2 Timothy 2:21

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