How can I claim God's promises?

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Permalink Reply by Jane Smith on January 21, 2012 at 9:36am

Hi Russel,

It's easy actually-  simply don't allow any words of fear, doubt and unbelief to come out of your mouth! Instead, say what the Word says about you. Refer to God's precious promises. The list of our blessings is almost endless. Instead of grumbling and complaining when things don't go your way or are a challenge, learn to have a positive confession. I am not speaking here of positive thinking, that's something entirely different and is not based on God's Word. Rather the thing to do it to get your words aligned with what the Lord has said about you. Down and out, stressed, afraid, confused any of those less then wonderful emotions, not that emotions aren't normal to have, but you don't have to stay stuck in negative emotions. Instead start speaking or even singing the promises of God such as, greater is He that is in me, I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me, I am the head and not the tail, joy cometh in the morning. This is just a few to get you started. There are so many more. Learn in this way to take spiritual authority over the trials and tribs that come your way. If you start to get a cold or headache ache and someone tells you are looking kinda under the weather, don't receive it and agree with them, simply respond yeah but you know by His stripes I WAS healed and if I was healed then that takes care of that. Or lets say you have lost your livelihood, instead of crying and and feeling like you have lost your manhood, proclaim there is nothing that God will allow to be taken away from me that He will not give me something better and go to praising God. The way most people live, Christians included,  is by fear, doubt and unbelief, because most have been programmed to act like this in childhood from parents who were taught to act this way from their parents. But the way God requires us to live is by....~ Faith~.  Faith in what? In His Word. Give it a try and notice if you don't see a difference in how blessed you become.

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Permalink Reply by Russell Tassett on January 21, 2012 at 10:02am

Thank You Jane Smith for strengthening me ... I was struck by the words " a positive confession " away from the thinking part that is not God.....Just what I need to grow on...Thank You again very much

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Permalink Reply by journeyman on January 21, 2012 at 9:51am

Dear Russell,

Here is a scripture that so often we as Christians do not give as much credit as necessary

¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:^[a] The old has gone, the new is here! 2Corinthians 5:17.

As a Christian we are his children. God has given us the Holy Spirit as a gift to dwell within us! This is God. In us. We are still human in "flesh" and bone and so we struggle with the flesh. But God"s Holy Spirit is stronger than anything that is of this world. So embrace the gift of the Holy Spirit. As a Christian you have been "transformed" the old has gone the new is in you.

¹Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, Romans 8:1

Because we know that the blood of Jesus the Christ was shed for us so that our sins would be forgiven, we are forgiven of our sins. We struggle against the fleshly desires because we are in Christ now as his children.

¹⁹ “For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. ²⁰ I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:19-20

To claim God's promises is to live as his child. Seeking him in all things. The cross is a symbol of God's promise to us. Our heavenly Father who loves his children. To love Jesus with all our heart and with all our soul and mind is to claim God's promises.

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Permalink Reply by Russell Tassett on January 21, 2012 at 10:07am

Thank You journeymanhd for helping me understand his promises...to live as his child and seeking him in all things...I will look fervently on these scriptures and hope to help others as I grow in Christ.....Thanks Again....

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Permalink Reply by Amanda on January 21, 2012 at 10:00am

Russell, I think we sometimes try to claim promises that were not meant for us really. Every promise in the Bible is not actually meant for everyone. There are conditional promises, too.

There is much more to this topic but I am having a little trouble focusing "in" on things today. Here is a good article though that will get things started...this discussion is a very good one and IMO it is NOT as simple as some might want to believe.

Question: "How do I know which of God's promises are for me?"

Answer: There are literally hundreds of promises in the Bible. How can we know which promises apply to us, which promises we can claim? To frame this question another way, how can one tell the difference between general promises and specific promises? A general promise is one that is given by the Holy Spirit to every believer in every age. When the author penned the promise, he set no limitations on time period or recipient.

An example of a general promise is 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” This promise is based on the forgiving nature of God and is available to all believers everywhere. Another example of a general promise is Philippians 4:7, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” This promise is made to all believers who, refusing to worry, bring their requests to God (v. 8). Other examples of general promises include Psalm 1:3; 27:10; 31:24; John 4:13-14 (note the word “whoever”); and Revelation 3:20.

A specific promise is one that is made to specific individuals on specific occasions. The context of the promise will usually make clear who the recipient is. For example, the promise of 1 Kings 9:5 is very specific: “I will establish your royal throne over Israel forever.” The preceding and following verses make it clear that the Lord is speaking only to King Solomon.

Luke 2:35 contains another specific promise: “And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” This prophecy/promise was directed to Mary and was fulfilled in her lifetime. While a specific promise is not made to all believers generally, the Holy Spirit can still use a specific promise to guide or encourage any of His children. For example, the promise of Isaiah 54:10 was written with Israel in mind, but the Holy Spirit has used these words to comfort many Christians today: “my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed.”

As he was led to take the gospel to the Gentiles, the apostle Paul claimed the promise of Isaiah: “I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth” (Acts 13:47). Isaiah’s promise was originally meant for the Messiah, but in it Paul found guidance from the Lord for his own life. When claiming a promise from Scripture, we should keep the following principles in mind:

1) Promises are often conditional. Look for the word “if” in the context.
2) God gives us promises to help us better submit to His will and trust Him. A promise does not make God bend to our will.
3) Do not assume to know precisely when, where, or how the promise will be fulfilled in your life.

Recommended Resource: God's Promises for You: Scripture Selections from Max Lucado.

gotquestions.org

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Permalink Reply by Russell Tassett on January 21, 2012 at 10:14am

Thank You Amanda: I will use the resources and bless you for helping me understand this! Thanks again

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