Why I Can Depend On God’s Promises

By: Pastor Mike Sanders

 

(Philippians 4:19 KJV)  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

 

A young man from a wealthy family was about to graduate from high school. It was the custom in that affluent neighborhood for the parents to give the graduate an automobile. “Bill” and his father had spent months looking at cars, and the week before graduation, they found the perfect car.

 

On the eve of his graduation, his father handed him a gift wrapped Bible. Bill was so angry that he threw the Bible down and stormed out of the house. He and his father never saw each other again. It was the news of his father’s death that brought Bill home again. As he sat one night going through his father’s possessions that he was to inherit, he came across the Bible his father had given him. He brushed away the dust and opened it to find a cashier’s check, dated the day of his graduation-in the exact amount of the car they had chosen together.

 

Bill realized that the promise of his father was in the Bible, so it is today for us.  We will find the promises of our Heavenly Father in the Bible.  The promises of God are fulfilled in Christ.

 

What is so wonderful is that God keeps His promises.  Some of us live as if we do not realize it.  Keeping promises is not a very popular activity in our society today. Promises are made and broken all the time, in all areas of our lives.  But you can depend on the promises of God.

How To Be An Effective Witness For God

ACTS 1:6-8

    Several years ago, all of America and the world were appalled over newspaper reports regarding public apathy and indifference toward people in trouble.  For instance, there was the case of 28 year old Kitty Genovese, who was stalked by a man in Kew Gardens, New York and stabbed to death. 

 

    The victim was attacked 3 different times before she died, twice the villain left the scene, once driving off in his car, but no one raised a finger to help or even notify the proper authorities.  Miss Genovese did not die until stabbed the third time, nearly a half hour after the first attack.  Investigating officials reported that at least 38 persons saw the slaying or heard her screams without notifying police!  One witness was quoted as saying, “I didn’t want to get involved.” Another said, “I was tired; I went back to bed.’

 

    Too often that is our excuse for not sharing our faith.  We become apathetic towards lost people and make excuses for not caring.  Yet God wants us to be effective.  To be effective it requires that I prioritize my witnessing.  Witnessing for Christ should be a major priority in my life. 

 

    One of the highest callings for a Christian is to be a witness for Jesus. The Bible says in (Daniel 12:3 NKJV) “Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever.”  The greatest work which we can do is to be a witness for the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

    The central function of the church on earth is to reach the lost.  Christ taught us in (Acts 1:8) “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”  Our life is to be a witness to those we come in contact with, because evangelism is a priority with God.  The Apostle Peter stated in (2 Peter 3:9)  “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

 

    Are we thankful the Gospel message is extended to all and for our privilege of sharing it?  Have we made it a priority in our schedule?