Ixtheus Christian Devotionals

Dear Friends in Christ,

Our God is a God of "covenants", sometimes called "conditional promises". It means that He chooses to enter into solemn, binding agreements between Himself and His people...us. The agreements often take the form of..."If you (the believer) will do thus and so, then I (God) will bless you in this certain way". 

It pleases Him to make these promises to us for our benefit and growth. They give us an opportunity to exercise our faith when we are in any trouble, and trusting the character of God that He will rescue us. There are also what might be called "non-conditional promises" also which are slightly different, in that the only condition for us to collect these promises are that we are saved and that we claim them when we need them.

This is what Paul has to say about our promise-keeping God....

Timothy and Silvanus and I have been telling you about Jesus Christ the Son of God. He isn't one to say yes when he means no. He always does exactly what he says. {20} He carries out and fulfills all of God's promises, no matter how many of them there are; and we have told everyone how faithful he is, giving glory to his name. 2 Cor 1:19-20 (TLB) 

There are literally thousands of such promises or covenants in the Bible. In our Bible study and prayer lives, in order to increase the power and effectiveness of our prayer, let us always be on the look-out for these promises. and to pray them for ourselves and others. Remember, God has voluntarily bound Himself to answer these prayers, if we claim the promise and fulfill our part of the bargain.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The free gift of salvation
For the free gift of eternal salvation is now being offered to everyone; {12} and along with this gift comes the realization that God wants us to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures and to live good, God-fearing lives day after day,
Titus 2:11-12 (TLB) 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The reward for belief in Christ
"I say emphatically that anyone who listens to my message and believes in God who sent me has eternal life, and will never be damned for his sins, but has already passed out of death into life. John 5:24 (TLB) 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

When the world comes crashing down around you..
Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don't forget to thank him for his answers. {7} If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6-7 (TLB) 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

When burdens overwhelm you...
Come to me and I will give you rest--all of you who work so hard beneath a heavy yoke. {29} Wear my yoke--for it fits perfectly--and let me teach you; for I am gentle and humble, and you shall find rest for your souls; {30} "for I give you only light burdens." Mat 11:28-30 (TLB) 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

When fears overwhelm you
Fear not, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed. I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. Isa 41:10 (TLB) 

Yes, be bold and strong! Banish fear and doubt! For remember, the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Josh 1:9 (TLB) 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Reward for faithtulness and commitment
"Yes, I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in me and I in him shall produce a large crop of fruit. For apart from me you can't do a thing. {6} If anyone separates from me, he is thrown away like a useless branch, withers, and is gathered into a pile with all the others and burned. {7} But if you stay in me and obey my commands, you may ask any request you like, and it will be granted! 
John 15:5-7 (TLB) 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

When sin comes between us and God
Listen now! The Lord isn't too weak to save you. And he isn't getting deaf! He can hear you when you call! {2} But the trouble is that your sins have cut you off from God. Because of sin he has turned his face away from you and will not listen anymore. Isa 59:1-2 (TLB) 

If we say that we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and refusing to accept the truth. {9} But if we confess our sins to him, he can be depended on to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong. (And it is perfectly proper for God to do this for us because Christ died to wash away our sins.) 1 John 1:8-9 (TLB) 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

When uncertain if we are really saved..
And what is it that God has said? That he has given us eternal life and that this life is in his Son. {12} So whoever has God's Son has life; whoever does not have his Son, does not have life. {13} I have written this to you who believe in the Son of God so that you may know you have eternal life. 1 John 5:11-13 (TLB) 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tithing and financial prosperity
Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so that there will be food enough in my Temple; if you do, I will open up the windows of heaven for you and pour out a blessing so great you won't have room enough to take it in! "Try it! Let me prove it to you! Mal 3:10 (TLB) 
------------------
"So don't worry at all about having enough food and clothing. Why be like the heathen? {32} For they take pride in all these things and are deeply concerned about them. But your heavenly Father already knows perfectly well that you need them, {33} and he will give them to you if you give him first place in your life and live as he wants you to. {34} "So don't be anxious about tomorrow. God will take care of your tomorrow too. Live one day at a time.Mat 6:31-34 (TLB) 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The principle of sowing and reaping
But remember this--if you give little, you will get little. A farmer who plants just a few seeds will get only a small crop, but if he plants much, he will reap much. 
{7} Everyone must make up his own mind as to how much he should give. Don't force anyone to give more than he really wants to, for cheerful givers are the ones God prizes. {8} God is able to make it up to you by giving you everything you need and more so that there will not only be enough for your own needs but plenty left over to give joyfully to others. 2 Cor 9:6-8 (TLB) 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Heavenly Blessings Ahead
All honor to God, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; for it is his boundless mercy that has given us the privilege of being born again so that we are now members of God's own family. Now we live in the hope of eternal life because Christ rose again from the dead. {4} And God has reserved for his children the priceless gift of eternal life; it is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. 

{5} And God, in his mighty power, will make sure that you get there safely to receive it because you are trusting him. It will be yours in that coming last day for all to see. {6} So be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even though the going is rough for a while down here.

 {7} These trials are only to test your faith, to see whether or not it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests gold and purifies it--and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold; so if your faith remains strong after being tried in the test tube of fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day of his return. 1 Pet 1:3-7 (TLB) 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Keeping an Eternal Perspective
"Don't store up treasures here on earth where they can erode away or may be stolen. {20} Store them in heaven where they will never lose their value and are safe from thieves. {21} If your profits are in heaven, your heart will be there too.
Mat 6:19-21 (TLB) 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

May your lives be blessed as you discover the rich blessings God has in store for us.
In Christ
Brother bob.......<><

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--Good News Tract Gladly Forwarded to you by--
IXTHEUS CHRISTIAN DEVOTIONALS 
ALWAYS FREE OF CHARGE
(but not necessarily  free of COST)
feel free to redistribute these materials to whomever you want...
be careful to observe copyright information where appropriate...
for questions, comments, help or suggestions, or subscriptions, contact us at
 ixtheus@execpc.com

Visit my evangelistic presentation at...
http://www.execpc.com/~ixtheus

God Bless You.....brother bob.......<><

If you have comments or questions, email me at ixtheus@execpc.com