From: Beverly French [frenchb@vcss.k12.ca.us]
Sent: Sunday, February 29, 2004 6:32 AM
To: Heritage
Subject: February 29th Leap Year Greetings 

"For no matter how many promises God has made, they are 'Yes' in Christ..." 2 Corinthians 1:20

We have seen that the characteristics of God's promises are unfailing, assured, of infinite value, culminate in everlasting life and they are grounded in Christ.  Let us now look at some specific promises and to whom they are made.  First we will look at some of the promises to the Believer and then to some specific areas.

The Believer is promised:
Unlimited blessings:
"And Jesus said to him, 'If You can!'  All things are possible to him who believes."  Mark 9:23  (This was in response to the man who brought his possessed son to Jesus.  Read the account in verses 17 - 27.)

Divine sonship:
"But to as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even those who believe in His name."  John 1:12

Eternal life:
"And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; that whoever believes may in Him have eternal life." John 3: 14-15

Spiritual fullness:
"Jesus said to them, 'I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst.'"  John 6:35

Spiritual light:
"I have come as light into the world, that everyone who believes in Me may not remain in darkness."  John 12:46

Power for service:
"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do shall he do also and greater works than these shall he do; because I go to the Father."  John 14:12

Did you notice that it was Jesus who spoke these promises?  Remember all God's promises are 'Yes' in Christ!  They are trustworthy and sure!

Now let us move on to the promises made to the afflicted -- and in this world today affliction abounds.  Webster's Unabridged Dictionary defines affliction as: "a state of pain, distress or grief; misery, loss, calamity or persecution.  Believer, look at the promises and be of good cheer! The promise is for:

Deliverance:
"Many are the afflictions of the righteous;
 But the Lord delivers him out of them all.
 He keeps all his bones;
 Not one of them is broken."  Psalm 34:19-20

Divine care in sickness:
"The Lord will sustain him upon his sickbed;
 In his illness, Thou doest restore him to health."  Psalm 41:3

The comfort of God's presence:
"When you pass through the water, I will be with you;
 And though the rivers, they will not overflow you.
 When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched,
 Nor will the flame burn you."  Isaiah 43:2

All things work together for the Believer's good:
"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28 "For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison."  2 Corinthians 4:17

The sufficiency of divine grace:
"And He has said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness'..."  2 Corinthians 12:9

Final deliverance from sorrow and pain:
"And He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and  there shall no longer be any death; there shall no longer by any mourning, or crying or pain; the first things have passed away."  Revelation 21:4

There are so many more promises, but for now I will close with the words of the Apostle Paul to the Thessalonians, "Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every
circumstance. The Lord be with you all."   2 Thessalonians 3:16
Amen!