May 9, 2010

GOD’S ANTIDOTE TO FEARING THE FUTURE

‘Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.’ Psalm 23:6

I. BECAUSE GOD IS WATCHING OVER YOU…

‘Surely goodness… will follow me all the days of my life…’

‘The Lord watches over all who love him…’ Psalm 145:20 (NIV)

‘We know that all that happens to us is working for our good! If we love God and are fitting into his plans.’ Romans 8:28 (LB)

‘(God) orders his angels to protect you wherever you go.’ Psalm 91:11 (LB)

II. BECAUSE GOD’S GRACE IS WORKING IN ME

‘…mercy will follow me all the days of my life.’

‘I will have mercy on you through my grace.’ Isaiah 60:10 (LB)

‘I will…not forget the glorious things God does for me. He forgives all my sins. He heals me. He ransoms me from hell. He surrounds me with loving- kindness… He fills my life with good things… He is merciful and tender toward those who don’t deserve it; he is slow to get angry… He never bears a grudge… he has not punished us as we deserve for our sins for HIS MERCY… is as great as the height of the heavens… He is like a father to us, tender and sympathetic to those who reverence him.’ Psalm 103:2-11 (LB)

‘For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.’ Hebrews 4:15-16 (NKJV)

III. BECAUSE HEAVEN IS WAITING FOR ME

‘And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.’

‘We know that our body … will be destroyed. But when that happens, God will have a house for us. It will not be made by human hands; instead, it will be a home in heaven that will last forever.’ 2 Corinthians 5:1 (NCV)

‘We look forward with confidence to our heavenly bodies… and we are not afraid, but are quite content to die, for then we will be at home with the Lord.’
2 Corinthians 5:6, 9 (LB)

‘He will wipe away all tears form their eyes, and there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying, nor pain. All of that has gone forever.’
Revelation 21:4 (LB)

‘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. And God, in his mighty power, will make sure that you get there safely to receive it because you are trusting him… so be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even though the going is rough for a while down here.’ I Peter 2:11 (LB)

‘You are only visitors here…your real home is in Heaven…’ I Peter 2:11 (LB)

‘My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.’
John 10:27-28 (NIV)