Written ~ 10-30-2023
Romans 15:4-6
4 Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.
5 May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus.
6 Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The “Scriptures give us hope and encouragement.” That one statement is exactly what studying the Bible does for me. We have so much to hope for as we look forward to an eternity in Heaven. While here on earth the Lord gives us encouragement through His Word so “we can wait patiently for the promises of God to be fulfilled.” When I find hope and encouragement in something it compels me to learn more, seek more understanding and knowledge, then my automatic response is to share that hope and encouragement with others. When you look to the Scriptures for all your needs, it really does change your perspective on everything. The way you think, the way you process a decision, the way your actions are carried out. Verse Romans 15:2 says, “We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord.” And then in verse 15:5 it says, “…live in complete harmony with each other…”
When we encourage each other with the promises of God, it’s easy to build each other up, but what if you don’t know what the promises of God are? Specifically… Well, let’s dive into several and see what encouragement we get from the following passages…
Jeremiah 29:11
11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
Romans 8:1
11 The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, He will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.
Romans 8:37
37 “…despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.”
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
9 Each time He said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Psalm 32:8
8 The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.”
Proverbs 3:5-6
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.
Matthew 11:28-29
28 Then Jesus said, “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Philippians 4:6-7
6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Psalm 37:23-24
23 The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.
24 Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.
Psalm 25:9
9 He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them His way.
Hebrews 4:16
16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
1 John 4:16
16 We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in His love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.
James 1:17
17 Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.
Isaiah 40:31
31 But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
John 3:16
16 For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.
John 16:33
33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.
Isaiah 41:10
10 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
Deuteronomy 31:8
8 Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; He will neither fail you nor abandon you.
Philippians 4:19
19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from His glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.
Revelation 22:20
20 He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!
I find that most of the time Scripture says everything you need to hear. I realize this list of verses may seem like a lot… but it is a delight to search the Bible, to learn, to increase our knowledge and to find encouragement within its pages.
Maybe this list can be one you look to over and over again just to remind yourself of some of the Promises of God. When we delight in the Word of God, He shows us His love, we gain His peace in our lives and His presence is known.
Psalm 37:4
4 Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart’s desires.
When we pour over the Scriptures and allow them to make lasting change in our hearts and minds let’s remember this verse, Romans 15:6…
6 Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Encourage one another… For we have a Father in Heaven who loves us so much. He wants to give us the desires of our hearts. Studying the Bible, recalling the promises of God and sharing your faith with others, will help build an unbreakable, unshakable bond with the Lord and with each other.
~AMEN~
- If you want to the promises of God to be alive in your own heart and mind… why not give your life over to the Lord? Jesus is waiting. He’s ready to be invited into your heart! By praying this simple prayer with all confidence and trust, Jesus will come into your life and the Holy Spirit will reside within you… maybe then, you too will delight in the Word of God!
Dear Jesus, You know my heart, all the things I have done and said. Please forgive me for my unbelief. Please forgive me for all of my sins. I believe You are the Son of God. I believe You came to earth to die on the cross for my sins. I believe You rose from the dead to give me freedom from sin and death. By faith through believing in Who You Are, I accept You as my Lord and Savior. Come into my life, cleanse this heart of mine, white as snow. Help me not to doubt any longer and breathe life into me, fill me with Your light. Thank You Jesus! Amen.
If you solemnly prayed this prayer, tell at least one person, so they can share in your joy!! I rejoice with you! All the angels in Heaven rejoice with you! Just remember… “the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.”
It is very important to me that those who might be reading these journal pages of mine and don’t yet know the Lord Jesus Christ, that you make that decision. Today. Your heart and mind may not understand everything you have been reading, but if you open your heart to the truth of who Jesus is, you will be saved from sin and death. By the Power of the Holy Spirit you will be amazed at how quickly after giving your heart to the Lord your eyes and ears will be opened to the truth.