Being encouraged by the word of God is important in our christian walk. In order to allow God's word to encourage us, we first have to be in His word and know what His word says. One way to be encouraged by His word is to read and to know the promises of God. God's promises are written throughout the entire bible. So it's important that we spend time in the Word of God and in God's presence. We also need to be able to recognize a promise in the bible.
Promise: a legally binding declaration that gives the person to whom it is made a right to expect or to claim the performance or forbearance of a specified act
-- Merriam-Webster Dictionary
When reading that definition and relating it to the Word of God, my spirit rejoices. That is so rewarding to me to know that I can expect to have whatever God says I will have. I can claim that my God is an on-time God and He will come through for me.
If you aren't sure how to recognize promises in the bible, look for the two words "will" and "shall". Nine times out of ten, when you see those two keywords, it means that verse is a promise of God. Try to be more mindful of promises during your study time in the Word.
Here are a few examples of popular verses that are promises of God:
Galatians 6:9 - In this verse God is saying we WILL reap a harvest if we do not give up. In the KJV, it says we SHALL reap a harvest if we faint not. God wants to encourage us to keep pushing, stay in His word, stay in His presence, keep the fire alive. And if we do, we will reap a harvest, a harvest of love, of peace, of favor, and ultimately, eternal life.
1 John 2:24-25 - God clearly says that he promises us eternal life! Isn't that amazing?! He actually says the word 'promise' in this verse. That excites my spirit so much! When God gives us eternal live, salvation, it's irrevocable. That means it cannot be taken away.
1 John 3:1 - This verse is saying how we are called children of God. That's so awesome to know that God calls us his children and since we are promised eternal life, we are his children, forever! We are under his protection forever, loved by him forever, forgiven by him forever! That's so encouraging to know.
Proverbs 1:33 - God is promising to give us peace, if we just listen to Him. God is not asking much of us. Think of how much peace we would have in our lives if we just listen to God and allow Him to lead us.
Matthew 7:7-8 - God is saying that if we believe in Him, whatever we ask for and seek Him for, we WILL have. We will find Him. If we knock, expecting to get an answer from Him, he WILL open the door to us.
Joshua 24:25 - Every single promise that he made to Israel, came to pass. We serve a consistent God. He is the same yesterday, today and forever! If he kept ALL his promises that he made to Israel back then, he will do the same for us!
Be encouraged. Stay in your Word. Stay in the presence of God. Know his promises. Learn his promises. God loves each and every one of us and wants us all to be encouraged by his Word.
If you aren't sure how to recognize promises in the bible, look for the two words "will" and "shall". Nine times out of ten, when you see those two keywords, it means that verse is a promise of God. Try to be more mindful of promises during your study time in the Word.
Here are a few examples of popular verses that are promises of God:
Galatians 6:9 - In this verse God is saying we WILL reap a harvest if we do not give up. In the KJV, it says we SHALL reap a harvest if we faint not. God wants to encourage us to keep pushing, stay in His word, stay in His presence, keep the fire alive. And if we do, we will reap a harvest, a harvest of love, of peace, of favor, and ultimately, eternal life.
1 John 2:24-25 - God clearly says that he promises us eternal life! Isn't that amazing?! He actually says the word 'promise' in this verse. That excites my spirit so much! When God gives us eternal live, salvation, it's irrevocable. That means it cannot be taken away.
1 John 3:1 - This verse is saying how we are called children of God. That's so awesome to know that God calls us his children and since we are promised eternal life, we are his children, forever! We are under his protection forever, loved by him forever, forgiven by him forever! That's so encouraging to know.
Proverbs 1:33 - God is promising to give us peace, if we just listen to Him. God is not asking much of us. Think of how much peace we would have in our lives if we just listen to God and allow Him to lead us.
Matthew 7:7-8 - God is saying that if we believe in Him, whatever we ask for and seek Him for, we WILL have. We will find Him. If we knock, expecting to get an answer from Him, he WILL open the door to us.
Joshua 24:25 - Every single promise that he made to Israel, came to pass. We serve a consistent God. He is the same yesterday, today and forever! If he kept ALL his promises that he made to Israel back then, he will do the same for us!
Be encouraged. Stay in your Word. Stay in the presence of God. Know his promises. Learn his promises. God loves each and every one of us and wants us all to be encouraged by his Word.