A promise for you from God through Jesus

Jesus spoke frequently about the ministry of the Holy Spirit. God wants to give you His power for daily living.

Promises are given, to be both received and believed in. Here's one of them.

A promise Jesus brought up.......For You.

Luke 24:49 “Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”

Normally, when Jesus says, "behold", it means, here's something I want you to know about, and pay attention to, it's important. Jesus uses that word, "behold" here. So, let's listen, and learn about this promise today.

This promise included a number of elements.

1. It's something Jesus was personally involved in.

2. Jesus was going to send this promise to the church.

3. This promise was from God the Father.

4 This promise was connected to power for the disciples

5. This power ( ability ) was from on high, or heaven.

This promise was given much earlier by God the Father through the prophet Joel 2:28-31. We know this is the promise Jesus was talking about, because the apostle Peter says the same thing in Acts 2.

The promise essentially, has to do with the Lord pouring out His Spirit upon believers in the last days. ( those days started when Jesus ascended to heaven, and will go on until He comes back to the earth ) So, we are in that time period.

The word power comes from a word meaning "to be able, have power, to be capable, strong and powerful" And, the word power itself means, mighty work, virtue. The greek words is dunamis, from which we get our english word dynamite. So, you can get the idea here of what was being communicated. It's speaking of God giving us strength, power and ability.

Luke 24 story line, is picked up in Acts 1-2, and there you see that indeed Jesus gave this promise to the early church, and then the rest of Acts, shows later members of the church receiving this power also. And then, the letters in the NT speak of this power also. See Colossians 1, and Ephesians 1

The point being, this promise that Jesus brought up is for us today. It's the Lord pouring out His Spirit into our lives, and causing us to be endued with supernatural power from God, to have His strength and ability. So, that we can live for Him, and serve Him, and see His kingdom expanded and built up. It's so the Word of God can grow and spread, and that many disciples would be added to the body of Christ. It's for the purposes of God in our lives.

How do we receive this power? Here's what Jesus said....

Luke 11:9 “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

Luke 11:10 “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

Luke 11:11 “If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish?

Luke 11:12 “Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?

Luke 11:13 “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

Would you join me in asking God right now? Lord, we are simply asking for this promise in our lives this day. We know Lord that in one sense, a very real sense, the Holy Spirit is already dwelling in us, He came in at salvation, ( 1st Cor 2:12 ) But, this promise is for that further work of Your Spirit, in giving us power. Lord, I do not know anyone, any christian, who does not need Your power in their lives. Thus we ask for Him to come and fill, and to overflow our lives this very hour, in answer to this prayer. In Jesus name. Amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier.

Calvary Chapel Visalia

Application/Promises

1. God gives promises.

2. God never fails to fulfill His promises.

3. God hears and answers prayer.

4. God delights in those who seek Him.

5. God said He would pour out of His Spirit.

6. God is ready to do it today.

7. God, thank You, for Your promise.

8. God I open my heart and life to You now.

9. God, may Your power help me to do Your will.

God looks at the heart......

1Sa 16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

When the Lord sent Samuel to anoint the new king of Israel, Samuel did and thought like we might normally think and do. That is, he was looking at Jesse's sons, and was sure that from what he could see by outward appearance, was convinced he knew who would be the next king.

But, the Lord spoke to him, and explained some important truths. There is a great lesson here for us. And from this scripture we see a number of things about man and God.

1. We are not to look at the outward appearance of man as it were.

2. God had refused the one Samuel was going to choose.

3. The Lord does not see as man sees.

4. God is so different then we are.

5. Man looks at the outward appearance.

6. God looks at the heart, on the inside.

This is all very helpful for us, when we consider that we have the propensity to show favoritism to those that may look a certain way to us. We see them, and are impressed with their outward appearance, and might want to show partiality, and mistreat others.

James's epistle in chapter 2:1-13 explains that we are not to walk with the Lord and show partiality. We are to treat all persons the same, because that's what the Lord does.

But, as we consider this verse from 1st Samuel, we do realize that the Lord can see what we cannot. We cannot see into someone's heart, and see what's really going on inside.

We might think about someone a certain way because of their appearance or height as did Samuel, but we cannot see deeper then the outward. We cannot look inside of their hearts. Only God can do that.

So, there are a couple of things here. Not to be partial, and to realize that our knowledge of someone is very limited. God has neither of these limitations.

God is not like man. He is above man, and He does not lack any knowledge of anything. He knows everything.

A man can make himself look good, while all the time, what's going in his heart may not match his outward appearance. We are unable to see both. But, God can see them both perfectly.

One thing we can do, is to try and trust the Lord to guide us in our decision making, and understand, that the Lord may have something very different then what we would choose and think.

Lord, we are constantly made to realize How awesome You are, and how much You want to help us, and how much we need You. Please help us to let You show us Your ways, Your love, and Your wisdom. Thank You Father.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

Application/Promises

1. We are not left to our own ways.

2. God will help us if we let Him.

3. The Lord promises to give us wisdom.

4. We are prone to many ways that won't help us.

5. God is not able to be incorrect.

6. The Lord is perfect in all His ways.

A little more about mercy, and judgment:

James 2:12 So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty.

James 2:13 For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

These verses have to do with both mercy, and with judgement. We are encouraged to so do and speak as those who will be judged by the law of liberty.

What does this mean? Well, it's clear that overall it means, that while we are here on the earth, that both our actions and words will one day be judged by what is called the law of liberty.

James is saying that one day, we will be judged for the things we have said, and the things we have done. So, we ought to live with that judgement in mind. Or to be personally accountable with regards to our words and actions.

Jesus spoke about this accountability also. Matthew 7:2 “For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.

The other very interesting thing that is said here, is that we don't have to live in fear of the judgment to come if we are living now in a merciful way towards others. On the other hand, there is a warning. That, the person who lives now without mercy towards others, will not be shown any mercy in the future judgment.

But, a person can smile in the face of judgment to come, if now they are living in, and walking in, and showing mercy towards others. It's very interesting, that we never ask God to give us justice for ourselves, but we ask for mercy. But, we may think He should give others justice. Interesting.

At any rate, God is so merciful. He has new mercies every morning. His mercies are eternal. He bestows His mercies on us. Mercy is something we can pray for daily. It's something we need daily.

Oh Merciful God. Have mercy upon us now, and may we walk in mercy now towards people we know, and come in contact with day by day. You have shown us mercy, You have not given us justice, You gave that to Your Son, but to us You have been merciful. Thank You Father.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia.

Application/Promises

1. It's by His mercies we are saved.

2. God's appeal to us now, is based on His mercies ( Rom 12: 1 )

3. Why not be merciful towards others?

4. Does God ever run out of mercy?

5. Would He give You mercy today?

6. Shall we not rather be merciful now?

7. I want mercy later from God also.

8. Blessed be the Lord of mercy.

A little more about mercy, and judgement:

James 2:12 So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty.

James 2:13 For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

These verses have to do with both mercy, and with judgement. We are encouraged to so do and speak as those who will be judged by the law of liberty.

What does this mean? Well, it's clear that overall it means, that while we are here on the earth, that both our actions and words will one day be judged by what is called the law of liberty.

James is saying that one day, we will be judged for the things we have said, and the things we have done. So, we ought to live with that judgement in mind. Or to be personally accountable with regards to our words and actions.

Jesus spoke about this accountability also. Matthew 7:2 “For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.

The other very interesting thing that is said here, is that we don't have to live in fear of the judgment to come if we are living now in a merciful way towards others. On the other hand, there is a warning. That, the person who lives now without mercy towards others, will not be shown any mercy in the future judgment.

But, a person can smile in the face of judgment to come, if now they are living in, and walking in, and showing mercy towards others. It's very interesting, that we never ask God to give us justice for ourselves, but we ask for mercy. But, we may think He should give others justice. Interesting.

At any rate, God is so merciful. He has new mercies every morning. His mercies are eternal. He bestows His mercies on us. Mercy is something we can pray for daily. It's something we need daily.

Oh Merciful God. Have mercy upon us now, and may we walk in mercy now towards people we know, and come in contact with day by day. You have shown us mercy, You have not given us justice, You gave that to Your Son, but to us You have been merciful. Thank You Father.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia.

Application/Promises

1. It's by His mercies we are saved.

2. God's appeal to our lives now, is based on His mercies ( Rom 12: 1 )

3. Why not be merciful towards others?

4. Does God ever run out of mercy?

5. Would He give You mercy today?

6. Shall we not rather be merciful now?

7. I want mercy later from God also.

8. Blessed be the Lord of mercy.

Are you in a pit of despair today?

God can pull you out. He did it for David, and He can and will do it for you. See Ps 40:1-5

Are you in a pit of despair today?

David was in a pit. And, the Lord brought him out of it.

There are about 6 things that he shared from his own experience.

Ps 40:1 I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry.

Ps 40:2 He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps.

Ps 40:3 He has put a new song in my mouth-- Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, And will trust in the LORD.

Ps 40:4 Blessed is that man who makes the LORD his trust, And does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

Ps 40:5 Many, O LORD my God, are Your wonderful works Which You have done; And Your thoughts toward us Cannot be recounted to You in order; If I would declare and speak of them, They are more than can be numbered.

The above portion of Ps 40, was one of David's many Ps's and testimonies of what the Lord had done for him. There is so much to be said here about what David went through in difficult times, what he did, or how he acted, and then what the LORD did for David. May it be an encouragement to us.

Here's what David said happened to him......

First of all, how David waited was "patiently"

which means, to wait, to look for, to hope, and to expect, and to look eagerly for. While David was in this particular difficulty, he was nonetheless hoping in the LORD, and expecting that the LORD would help him, and He did.

Secondly, the LORD brought him up and out of a horrible ( destructive ) pit. It's the imagery of being in spiritual clay, not able to move, or being a prisoner, who cannot get out of his confinement. But, David's point is that the LORD brought him up and out of that horrible pit.

Thirdly, the LORD set David's feet upon a rock. Or a stronghold, a place of security. He went from the clay pit to a rock of stability.

Fourthly, the LORD established David's way. Or, made him stable, secure, and steadfast. The Lord put him on a straight path.

Fifthly, the LORD put a new song in David's mouth. It was praise to our God.

Lastly, David's makes this most profound and true statement. "Blessed ( means, happy, to go straight, to advance, make progress ) is the man who makes the LORD his trust, or confidence.

How wonderful to have this and other Ps's to encourage us in our own experiences in life. Maybe you are in a pit today. Maybe someone has put you in that pit. Or, perhaps, you have gotten yourself in that pit. May what happened to David, be your testimony and personal experience. May you have a song to sing because of what the LORD will do for you.

Thank You LORD for this Ps, and the many others which testify of YOUR greatness, and YOUR faithfulness to us. In Jesus name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

Application/Promise

1. Even Kings, ( those in leadership ) can get into a pit.

2. Being in the pit's is very difficult.

3. In a pit, it seems like there is no way out.

4. In fact, there really is no way to get yourself out of pit.

5. God is able to reach down if you will, and pull you out.

6. God is a pit puller if you will.

7. How many people do you think He has pulled out of a pit.?

8. How many times has He already pulled you out?

9. May He reach down and help you today if you need help.