Promises for the Battle
Promises
Encouragements to Love #2—Recognizable Love
I give you a new commandment: love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. If you have love for one another, everyone will know that you are my disciples. John 13:34–35 We didn’t need to be able to read the name on the back of Fernando Valenzuela’s … Continue reading
Encouragements to Love #1—Cohesive Virtue
God insists that love characterize our lives as it does his. He wants love to be an affection that fills our hearts so that our hands engage in loving acts. The heart affection is what makes our hands’ actions authentic. Love is firstly the affection of the heart that arises as we view someone or … Continue reading
Goodness #8—Praising Goodness
I will meditate on the glorious splendor of your majesty and on your wonderful works. Everyone shall speak of the power of your awesome acts; and I will tell of your greatness. They shall bubble over with the memory of your abundant goodness and shall sing joyfully of your righteousness. Psalm 145:5–7 Eternal Father, I … Continue reading
Goodness #7—Long-lasting Good
The Eternal is good. His extravagant kindness is everlasting, and his faithfulness to all generations. Psalm 100:5 Our patience runs out. Our loyalty decays. Our generosity withers. Our mercy delays. Our devotion dies down. Our compassion goes flat. Our graciousness dwindles. Our lives are like that. … God’s is not! From eternity to eternity, God … Continue reading
Goodness #6—Good Discipline
It is for discipline that we endure; God deals with us as with children; what child is there whom a father does not discipline? … They disciplined us for the day, as seemed best to them, but God does so for our good, that we may receive a share of his holiness. Hebrews 12:7–10 Surgical … Continue reading
Goodness #5—Giver of Good
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him? Luke 11:13 While it’s possible for us to give good gifts in spite of the evil in us, God gives good gifts because of the … Continue reading
Goodness #4—Empowered Good
In order that you be worthy of your calling, we pray that God would fill every intention to do good, indeed every work of faith, with power so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified. 2 Thessalonians 1:11–12 God is so concerned that we do good (that is, do what will create … Continue reading
Goodness #3—Conforming Good
God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose. For whom he chose, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son. Romans 8:28–29 God’s voice booms out of Heaven, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I … Continue reading
Goodness #2—Good Laboring
Here is what is good and fitting: to eat, to drink and to enjoy yourself in all your labor in which you toil under the sun during the few years of your life which God has given you; for this is your portion. Ecclesiastes 5:18 Some days when frustration is at its height, when our … Continue reading
Goodness #1—Goodness in Groups
As children we learned the prayer: “God is great and God is good.” As adults we would be wise not to forget this fundamental truth, especially in a time when goodness is difficult to perceive in the world around us. When Moses asked to see the glory of God, God promised to let all his … Continue reading
