“Who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.”

Every good and perfect gift

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” (James 1:17 ESV)

Things work together for good

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Rom. 8:28 ESV)

A future and a hope

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jer. 29:11 ESV)

Out of darkness and into His  marvelous light

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (1 Pet. 2:9 ESV)

The late Flip Wilson was famous for his, “The devil made me do it” routine. But, as funny as it was, God’s Word makes it abundantly clear that we do not ever have to obey the devil when he temps us to sin. Christ’s death on the cross has enabled us to live lives without the power of sin’s control over us.

New lives in Christ

“… And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.” (Rom. 6:4b NLT)

No longer slaves to sin

“We know that our old sinful lives were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin.” (Rom. 6:6-7 NLT)

Consider yourself to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God 

“So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.” (Rom. 6:11 NLT)

Do not let sin control you!

“Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires.  Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.  Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.” (Rom. 6:12-14 NLT)

ON THE FIRST DAY: “And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called ‘night.’ And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.” (Gen. 1:3-4 NIV)

ON THE FOURTH DAY: “God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. God set them in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth, to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the fourth day.” (Gen. 1:16-19 NIV).

A conundrum for man but not for God! 

God created light before He created the sun and the moon. Is it possible to have light for three days without the sun? There are those who read the order of creation and they say, “Hey, this must be a big mistake and proves the Bible has errors! The Bible says God created light on day one, but He didn’t create the sun and the moon until day four, and that can’t be right! You cannot have daylight without the light source, the sun!” 

God made and controls light

The order of creation may be an obstacle for some, but it is not a problem for God. The temporary light source—whatever it was—by God’s design and purpose served to function as light and heat for the earth for three days. Here, God proved that He created and controlled light.

“I will turn darkness into light before them and rough places into level ground. These things I will do for them, and I will not forsake them.” (Isa. 42:16)

Examples of God controlling light 

During the ninth plague, God added light to the inside of the Israelite’s homes, while it was totally dark outside.

“So Moses stretched out his hand toward the sky, and total darkness covered all Egypt for three days. No one could see anyone else or move about for three days. Yet all the Israelites had light in the places where they lived.” (Exo. 10:22-23 NIV)

Therefore

And there will come a day when we will all be in heaven and all light will come from God’s glory.

“The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.” (Rev. 21:23 NIV)

“For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.” (Hab. 2:3 ESV) 

There is a time for every matter

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” (Eccles. 3:1 ESV)

Wait for the Lord

“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” (Psalm 27:14 ESV)

A time for everything

“For there is a time and a way for everything, although man's trouble lies heavy on him.” (Eccles. 8:6 ESV)

Don’t grow weary of doing good

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” (Gal. 6:9 ESV)

In all your ways acknowledge Him

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (Prov.  3:5-6 ESV)

The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise

“But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (2 Pet. 3:89 ESV)

A future and a hope

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jer. 29:11 ESV)

“Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted him.” (Mark 11:23 NIV)

God calls into being what does not yet exis 

“As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the presence of God, in whom he believed, the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being what does not yet exist.” (Rom. 4:17 NIV)

Keep up your courage and believe God’s Word

“So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me.” (Acts 27:25 NIV)

Believe with faith, no matter how hopeless the situation may look

“Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be.” (Rom. 4:18 NIV)

“For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” (Rom. 11:29 ESV)

Irrevocable: that which is unalterable or irreversible, beyond recall, binding, changeless, definite, final, firm, fixed.

When God gives his children spiritual gifts and callings, they are permanent!

God doesn’t remove or take them back! If, for instance, you have received the gift of teaching and have been called to teach, you will continue to have that gift and calling all your life. God expects you to use your gifts and calling responsibly and in a worthy manner.

There are a variety of gifts from God

“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” (1 Cor. 12:4-7 ESV)

Walk in a manner worthy of your gift and calling

“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Eph. 4:1-3 ESV)

You are expected to “stir up” your gift

“Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you…” (1 Tim. 1:6a KJV)

Therefore

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 4:11-12 ESV)

“For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again, But the wicked stumble in time of calamity.” (Prov. 24:16 NASB)

The Lord upholds the hand of the righteous man

“Though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.” (Psalm 37:24 ESV)

He is able to keep the righteous man from stumbling

“Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy.” (Jude 1:24 ESV)

Therefore…

“Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.” (Eph. 6:13 NLT)

Quote:

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” – Sir Winston Churchill

“My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body.” (Prov. 4:20-22 NIV)

A doctor’s report

·      Sometimes a doctor will give a negative report, but that does not mean it has to be the definitive answer! God's Word is immensely powerful, and He sent it to heal and rescue! I recently heard the testimony of a woman who had been diagnosed with fast-acting, incurable cancer and was sent home to die. She decided, however, not to accept the doctor’s death prognosis but rather to believe God’s promises in His Word. So, she did four important things.

·      First, she looked up every verse in the Bible she could find about healing.

·      Secondly, she wrote them down.

·      Thirdly, she posted them all around her house, on the bathroom mirror, on the fridge, and on her walls, so the verses were constantly before her eyes.

·      Fourthly, whenever she was near a verse, she quoted it out loud, personalizing it. For instance, she said, “I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.” (Psalm 118:17). And “With long life you will satisfy me and show me your salvation.” (Psalm 91:16), and “Behold, you bring to me health and healing in abundance.” (Jer. 33:6). At first, she didn’t feel any better, but she did not get any worse as the days went by. She continued her new routine everyday, and after some time, she noticed she was feeling better. She continued to grow stronger and healthier day by day, until finally, her doctor could no longer find any trace of the cancer in her body. She had gotten completely well!

The scripture passage at top says to do four things...

1)    Pay attention to what God’s Word says

2)    Listen to the Word of God

3)    Keep God’s Word before your eyes

4)    Keep God’s Word in your heart

And, the following two things will result…

5)    God’s Word gives life to you

6)    God’s Word gives health to your whole body

God’s Word heals and rescues

“He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.” (Psalm 107:20 NIV)

“…but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things," declares the LORD.” (Jer. 9:24 NIV)

God delights in those who are blameless in their walk

“The perverse in heart are an abomination to the LORD, But the blameless in their walk are His delight.” (Prov. 11:20 NIV)

God delights in those who deal faithfully

“Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, But those who deal faithfully are His delight.” (Prov. 12:22 NIV)

Therefore

“He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.” (2 Sam. 22:20 NIV)