Our Righteousness in Christ

Peace and Safety Series

Robert Medlin

Copyright 2012 Robert Medlin

Kindle Edition 1.1

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All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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Scripture quotations marked (NASB) are taken from the New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Our Righteousness in Christ

Appendix - Other Books in the Peace and Safety Series

Appendix - Precious Promises to Live By

OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS IN CHRIST

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous (or just) will live by faith.” (Romans 1:16-17 NIV)

Human beings are incapable of meeting God’s righteous standard.

If you ask most people if he or she is a good person, they will say something like, “Well, I have problems, but I’m better than most, so I know God will accept me.” Some will say, “I try to be a good person, but I’m not sure that God will accept me.” And a few will say, “I’m a bad person, and I know that God would never accept me.”

But, this is God’s opinion of humanity:

... as it is written, “There is none righteous, not even one; there is none who understands, there is none who seeks for God; all have turned aside, together they have become useless; there is none who does good, there is not even one” (Romans 3:10-12 NASB)

Other than Jesus, there is not one single person who has ever lived on the earth who is righteous and good like God.

God gave the law through Moses in the Old Testament, because the Israelites said, “Give us your law and we will obey it.” So, God gave the Israelites the Ten Commandments and all the other requirements of the law for them to fulfill. Man’s nature is to believe that he is capable of being a good person and fulfilling the law. That is really just the devil’s prideful sinful nature. In the beginning, the serpent told Adam and Eve that they could eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and be like God, knowing good and evil.

Other than Jesus, there is not a single person who has ever lived who has kept the requirements of the law.

Jesus is God’s standard of righteousness for humanity.

The serpent deceived Adam and Eve by suggesting to them that they could be like God. But only God can be like God.

Jesus was righteous, innocent, holy and blameless. Jesus represented God perfectly in word and deed. He was the word of God made flesh. He lived by every word that proceeded from the mouth of God. Jesus fulfilled God’s purpose for man to rule over his creation. Jesus preached the good news of the kingdom of God. He drove out demons, he healed the sick and he raised the dead. Jesus stilled the storms and multiplied five loaves and two fish to feed a hungry multitude of five thousand men and their families. Jesus defeated Satan’s temptations, and every effort by Satan to get Jesus to yield to Satan’s authority. Jesus did not submit himself to the devil’s words and suggestions. Jesus ruled over the devil. Jesus was the only human being who ever lived who was sinless.

Jesus did not deserve death, much less death upon the cross. But Jesus took the judgment and the punishment for the sins of the world upon himself, on the cross. Jesus descended into hell and conquered death, hell and the devil, and rose from the dead. Jesus ascended into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.

Jesus didn’t do all these things for himself. Jesus came to earth in human form to fulfill God’s purpose for man. Jesus lived his life as a substitute for us, in our place.

Before coming to earth in human form, Jesus was the creator. Jesus spoke the heavens and the earth into existence from nothing. All things in heaven and earth were created by Jesus. Jesus is God.

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. (Colossians 1:15-17)

Jesus, the creator, came to reveal himself to us in person, as the Son of God, so that we could know what he is really like, and how much he loves us. Jesus also came to reveal himself as the Son of Man, the Messiah and the son of David. Jesus was the promised descendent of Eve, who came to save us and crush the serpent’s head. Jesus was fully God and fully man, born of the virgin Mary, without a human father. Jesus was the image of the invisible God and the exact representation of God’s being. Jesus was God himself in human form.

Jesus was righteous for us as our substitute.

Only God can be God. Only God can be good like God. Only God can be righteous and holy like God.

Jesus lived his righteous life for us, as our substitute. Jesus suffered on the cross for us, as our substitute. He conquered the devil for us, as our substitute. He defeated death, hell and the grave for us, as our substitute. He was raised from the dead for us, as our substitute. He ascended into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God for us, as our substitute. Everything Jesus did, he did for us, in our place, as our substitute.

There is so much bad teaching and preaching causing confusion in the Church today. Most Christians are not even sure they are going to heaven.

I even heard a precious pastor get so confused by his message that he said, “I’m not even sure I’m going to make it.” Jesus wants you to be sure that you are going to heaven. He wants you to be secure in his love. The message of “substitution” and “righteousness by faith” will wash away your insecurities.  Jesus would say to you, “You and your reliance on your ability to meet God’s standards of righteousness must decrease. Your reliance on me and my suffering for you on the cross as your substitute must increase.”

God credits us with righteousness through faith in Jesus.

... because by the works of the Law (obeying the law) no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin. But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested... even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified (made righteous) as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation (atoning sacrifice) in His blood through faith... (Romans 3:10-25 NASB)

The only man ever born of a woman who was good was Jesus, the Son of God. God alone is good, righteous and holy. So God says that his idea of righteousness for human beings is faith in Jesus alone.

All human beings have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We are not like Jesus. We are not like God.

God will give the gift of righteousness to all who have faith in Jesus Christ. When you have faith in Jesus, God credits you with righteousness. He in effect brands you as righteous. It is like you have been branded on your forehead as “righteous”.

Jesus lived his righteous life for us as our substitute. God credits us with Jesus’ righteous life.

God is just and right in giving us the gift of righteousness through faith in Jesus, because Jesus paid for our sins on the cross with his blood as our substitute. Our sins have been punished. Jesus was our substitute on the cross.

Jesus has taken the credit for our lives and given us the credit for his life.

God credits us with Jesus’ righteousness through faith in Jesus.

All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:18-21 NIV)

Let’s look at some other scriptures about the concept of righteousness by faith in Jesus:

What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found? For if Abraham was justified (declared righteous) by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor (gift), but as what is due. But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly (wicked), his faith is credited as righteousness, just as David also speaks of the blessing on the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds have been forgiven, and whose sins have been covered. Blessed is the man whose sins the Lord will not take into account (or count against him).” (Romans 4:1-8 NASB)

This is such a powerful scripture to defeat the feeling of condemnation. If you are seeing your life correctly, you will always be seeing yourself falling short of the glory of Jesus. When we believe that the cross of Jesus was enough to pay for the sins of the wicked, God credits us with righteousness.

When we see someone who believes in Jesus doing something wrong, but we say, “God says they are righteous through faith in Jesus, so I say they are righteous and going to heaven,” God credits you with righteousness.

When you see your own wickedness and say, “Even though I am wicked and I’m a mess, God justifies me, and I am going to heaven, because I have faith in Jesus,” God credits you with righteousness. This is pleasing to God, because you are trusting in the cross of Jesus.

When you believe that Jesus paid for your wickedness on the cross, God stamps you as “righteous”. When you believe that Jesus paid for the wickedness of other believers on the cross, God stamps you as “righteous”. It is like God is so pleased by your faith in Jesus, and the power of the cross, that he double-stamps you as “righteous”.

The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him (Abraham) alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. (Romans 4:23-25 NIV)

Jesus is the wisdom of God. Jesus is our righteousness, holiness and redemption.

It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. (1 Corinthians 1:30 NIV)

The proper perspective is to consider our good deeds as garbage compared with the glory of being able to say, “I am righteous through faith in Jesus alone.”

What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law (human performance), but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. (Philippians 3:8-9 NIV)

The key to reigning as a king in this life is to receive the gift of righteousness through faith in Jesus.

For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign (as a king) in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:17 NIV)

When we have faith in Jesus, we are credited with everything Jesus did, everything Jesus has and everything Jesus is, including his righteousness. Jesus was our substitute. Everything Jesus did, he did for us, in our place and for our credit.

Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous. (Romans 5:18-19 NIV)

We are credited with Jesus’ obedience. We are credited with Jesus’ faithfulness. We are credited with Jesus’ defeat of Satan. We are credited with the works of Jesus. We are credited with the suffering and death of Jesus as our substitute. We are credited with Jesus’ resurrection. We are credited with Jesus’ holiness and righteousness. We are credited with Jesus genealogy - we are all sons and daughters of God through faith in Jesus Christ. We are credited with Jesus’ position - we have been made to be kings and priests to rule and reign with Jesus forever.

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:4-7)

The above scripture says that in the mind of God we have already been raised with Christ and seated with him in the heavenly realms. This happened the instant that you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Think about that. In the mind of God, when you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, God says that you were raised with Christ, and are already seated in heaven with Jesus. You don’t have to wonder whether you are going to make it to heaven. God says that, as far as he is concerned, you are already there. That is what it means for Jesus to be our substitute. Everything Jesus did, he did for us, in our place, and for our credit.

Righteousness is a gift that we receive through faith in Jesus Christ. In God’s sight we are wearing white robes, and those robes have been made white through faith in the blood of Jesus.

After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands... And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. (Revelation 7:9-14 KJV)

Understanding your righteousness by faith will make you as bold as a lion in prayer.

… the righteous are as bold as a lion. (Proverbs 28:1 NIV)

... the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. (James 5:16-18 NIV)

When you are conscience of your righteousness through faith in Jesus, you will have confidence that Jesus loves you and will answer your prayers. You will be full of faith and as bold as a lion. You will reign as a king in life.

When you were declared righteous through faith in Jesus, something wonderful happened to you on the inside.

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:13-14 NIV)

In other words, when you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, God credited you with righteousness. God branded you with an invisible brand to show that you are righteous and belong to Jesus. Not only were you branded as righteous, you were also branded with the name of Jesus. He owns you now. He has also branded you and marked you with a seal on the inside. The seal of the Holy Spirit is his presence on the inside.

The moment you received Jesus as your Savior and Lord, the Holy Spirit was joined to your spirit, just as a sperm joined to an egg in the womb produces a fertilized egg or embryo. The new baby in embryonic form has a new life in it of both the father and the mother. That new life from the father and the mother is inseparably joined together. In the same way, you have been born again. You are absolutely a new creature - a new species. God is living in you. Jesus is living in you. The Holy Spirit is living in you.

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God… (1 John 5:1 NIV)

If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. (1 John 4:15 NIV).

How do you know that the Holy Spirit is dwelling in you?

… no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:3 NIV)

No one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit has opened your heart to believe in Jesus. He is dwelling with you and in you. And the Holy Spirit dwelling in you is your guarantee that you will arise to receive your eternal inheritance. That will occur at the end of this age, after the full number of Jews and Gentiles have been saved (the redemption of those who are God’s possession). You are a saint, one of God’s holy people, through faith in Jesus Christ.

For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— (Colossians 1:19-22 NIV)

As a believer, you have been branded “holy, without blemish and free from accusation”. If that is what God calls you, and how God sees you, then by faith you can see yourself and call yourself “holy, without blemish and free from accusation”. Go ahead. Just say out loud, “I am holy, without blemish and free from accusation, because Jesus reconciled me by his physical body through his death on the cross.” God credited Jesus with your wickedness on the cross. Now that your sins have been punished and fully paid for, God is crediting you with Jesus’ righteousness, holiness and purity.

Some people say, “It just couldn’t be that easy.”

It wasn’t that easy. Jesus paid a horrible price to pay for the sins of humanity. The Bible says that he was disfigured more than any man, through torture, beyond our ability to conceive. It wasn’t that easy.

Some people say, “Yeah, but you have to bear good fruit, because we will be recognized by our fruit.”

The kind of fruit these people are talking about is the kind of human works fruit that any unbeliever can bear. The only fruit that is accepted by God is holy fruit, and holy fruit only comes from Jesus. Jesus bore the fruit in our place. We get credit for his fruit by faith in him. We in our humanity all fall short of the glory of God. None of us in our humanity are like Jesus.

When we keep our focus on Jesus and his glory, Jesus produces fruit in us. He lives his life through us, and inspires us to act with faith and to pray with faith. What Jesus himself is doing through us is the only fruit we produce that is accepted by God.

I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples... You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. (John 15:5-16 NASB)

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name. (Hebrews 13:15 NIV)

Some people say, “Yeah, but you have to have works.” The work God requires is to stop trusting in your own righteousness and put your faith in Jesus.

Therefore they said to Him, “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.” (John 6:28-29 NASB)

If you want to reign in life, you just have to start by admitting that you are a disaster, like every other human being, and capable of any wickedness anyone else could do. You have to admit that you are unacceptable on your own human merits. Then, all you have to do is just freely receive the abundance of grace (unmerited favor) and the gift of righteousness that Jesus purchased for you with his blood.

For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ! (Romans 5:17 NIV)

Jesus has revealed himself to humanity through types and shadows throughout biblical history.

Jesus was the Lamb of God slain from the foundation of the world. God planned Jesus’ substitutionary death on the cross for us before he created the heavens and the earth.

Jesus was figuratively the lamb slain to provide a covering for Adam and Eve’s lives as their substitute. God took a lamb’s life and made tunics for Adam and Eve to cover their nakedness (Genesis 3:21). Adam and Eve were credited with righteousness through their faith in the lamb sacrificed as a substitute for their lives.

Jesus was figuratively the lamb provided by God as a substitute for Abraham’s sacrifice of his only begotten son Isaac (Genesis 22). Abraham believed God and was credited with righteousness.

Jesus was figuratively the Passover Lamb that was slain to provide his blood on the doorposts of the homes of the Israelites, so that the angel of death passed over their homes (Exodus 12). The Israelites were credited with righteousness by faith in the blood of the Passover Lamb.

Daniel was one of the Old Testament saints who were holy and righteous by faith.

Five hundred years before Jesus was born of the virgin Mary, Daniel had faith in the revelations that he was given about Jesus. Daniel was a believing Jew. He believed the Messiah was coming to save them and crush the serpent’s head. He believed in the blood of the Passover lamb that was placed on the doorposts of the Israelite homes in Egypt, so that the angel of death passed over their homes. Daniel believed the revelation he was given about the substitutional sacrifices for sins in the Law of Moses. Daniel saw Jesus in a vision as the Son of Man, who appeared at the throne of God in heaven and received the authority that Adam had surrendered to the serpent. Daniel saw Jesus in that same vision as the Son of Man, who was worshipped by all nations. Daniel also saw in a vision the kingdom of God striking all the kingdoms of the earth causing them to be destroyed, turned into fine dust and blown away by the wind. Daniel believed everything he was shown about Jesus and his kingdom. Daniel was righteous by faith in Jesus.

Daniel was just like Elijah. As we saw from the scripture in James 5, the prayers of a righteous man are powerful and effective. Daniel prayed and believed that God would answer his prayers. The angel Gabriel appeared to Daniel in answer to his prayers. Daniel had prophetic dreams and visions of the coming Messiah and the events at the very end of this age. Daniel was rescued from the lions’ den. Daniel was a man of faith. Daniel was righteous in God’s sight.

“At that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people (the Jews); and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, every one who is found written in the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever... Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand. And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days. Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days. But you, go your way till the end; for you shall rest, and will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days.” (Daniel 12:1-13)

The angel Gabriel told Daniel that he was going to be resurrected from the dead to receive his inheritance, just like all of us who believe in Jesus.

Billions of people throughout human history have already become righteous through faith in Jesus. Jesus paid for their sins on the cross. They are wearing robes of righteousness that have been made white through faith in the cross and the blood of Jesus. And in the last days of this age, the harvest will be even greater. All who are righteous by faith in Jesus will rise with Daniel at the first resurrection of the righteous to receive their eternal inheritance from Jesus. That inheritance is to reign as kings and priest with Jesus forever.

There is a line in the sand between the righteous and the unrighteous, and that line in the sand is the cross of Jesus.

Diana and I have shared the good news about Jesus with thousands of people from many nations and ethnic backgrounds and religions. We have found that people will either believe that Jesus died on the cross for their sins or they won’t. There is a very clear line between the righteous and the unrighteous. Those who do not believe that Jesus shed his blood for the forgiveness of sins are relying on their own goodness and works to get them to heaven. They have been bitten by the original poisonous lie of the serpent: that people will go to heaven by being a good person. And we know that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. There is no one good, no not one. And there is no one righteous, no not one. If someone could earn heaven on their own merits, then Jesus would not have had to die on the cross for the sins of the world.

Jesus wants us to preach the good news to everyone, even the most stubborn skeptics and unbelievers. The message of the cross has the power to transform unbelievers and doubters into believers instantly. The instant they believe that Jesus died on the cross for their sins, they have crossed over the line into righteousness. They are saved and going to heaven. They have eternal life. Jesus has impregnated their hearts to make them a new creation, forever one spirit with Jesus. God is now living in them. Once they believe that Jesus died on the cross for their sins, they will naturally believe all the salvation truths about Jesus. They will believe he is the Son of God. They will believe he is the Messiah. They will believe that he rose from the dead. And they will believe that he is Lord. They have not received a doctrine. They have received a person, Jesus. And they will learn more and more about Jesus and what he has done for them throughout their lives.

When we ask someone if they believe in Jesus, they will either say, “Yes”, or “No”, or “I’m not sure”.

If they say “Yes”, we will just confirm to them that, because they believe that Jesus is the Lord, and that he died on the cross for their sins, their sins are forgiven. We will tell them that they have eternal life, and we will see them in heaven. Most people have great joy when they hear that. It is like we’ve poured water on a thirsty plant.

If a person says “No” or “I’m not sure”, they are on the wrong side of the line. So we just tell them about miracles and explain the gospel to them, telling them why Jesus had to die on the cross. Then we ask them if they believe the good news we have shared with them. If they say “Yes”, then we tell them that their sins are forgiven, and that we will see them in heaven.

When someone crosses over the line and believes the good news about Jesus, most of the time we can see that there is a change in their countenance. Their eyes brighten and they are filled with joy. Why not, they have just heard the best news of their lives. But even if we don’t see any visible change, we can hear the change come out of their mouths when they confess and say, “I believe the good news that you’ve told me. I believe that Jesus is Lord.”

Let me give you a few examples from our ministry.

I met a man from India at the beach a few months ago. I told him about a miracle that Jesus had done in the past through our ministry, the miracle of the lady whose paralyzed fingers were healed after fifty years of paralysis.

This is the story of that miracle: Diana and I met a woman before we started a church in Oregon, and we were telling her about some awesome miracles Jesus had been doing through our ministry in that town. The woman was fifty-five years old, and attended a church that believed that the miracles had stopped with the last apostles. In spite of that, she showed us her fingers and asked us if Jesus would heal her fingers. Two of them were clamped shut. She said that when she was five years old she fell and cut her hand, severing nerves, ligaments or tendons. So the fingers had been clamped shut and paralyzed for fifty years, making her handicapped to a degree.

Of course, we said ‘yes’. We don’t have to worry if healing is the will of God; Jesus healed all that were oppressed by the devil. Jesus said that those who believe in the authority of his name will lay their hands on sick people in the name of Jesus, and they will recover. Jesus said to pray that God’s will would be done on earth as it is in heaven, and we know that there won’t be any paralyzed fingers in heaven. Jesus healed everyone who came to him in faith. He said, “According to your faith will it be done unto you.” Jesus would heal her fingers, if we believed. She had enough faith to ask, which was amazing after fifty years in this condition. Think about it.

So, Diana prayed for her, commanding her fingers to open in the name of Jesus. We were expecting her fingers to open instantly, but nothing happened. So, we went home and forgot about praying for her. About a week later we went to the hardware store where this lady worked to buy something. She came running up to Diana and I holding up her hand with all her fingers straight out. She said, “I’ve been meaning to call you; look at my hand!” We asked her what had happened. She said, “Three days after Diana prayed for me, I was putting on my makeup. All my adult life I put my makeup on my face, looking in the mirror, with only two fingers of the one hand and four fingers of the other. When I looked in the mirror that morning, I was putting my makeup on my face with all four fingers of both hands.”

Jesus is awesome. This lady’s fingers had been paralyzed for fifty years. Nothing is impossible for those who believe. Jesus gives life to the dead. Jesus creates things out of nothing. Jesus will move mountains for us. Sometimes things don’t happen instantly. Sometimes circumstances may get worse for a time. But if we just keep believing, and refuse to doubt, Jesus will release his power to answer our prayers.

Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith, so that he receives all the glory. He is faithful. He is even faithful when we are faithless. Our faith is based on his faithfulness to keep his promises.

The man from India that I was talking to was amazed by the miracle. Then I asked him if he believed in Jesus. He said, “I am a Hindu.” He could have said, “I am a Buddhist” or “I am a Muslim”, and I would have responded the same way. I said, “You can be a Hindu, and still believe in Jesus.” Most people in the world identify themselves by the religion of their families, or by the predominant religion of their nation. Hindus have a myriad of gods. They believe in karma, which is just believing that if you sow good things you will reap good things in your life, and in the next life. Conversely, if you sow bad things, you will reap bad things in your life, and in the next life. They believe they will be reincarnated, perhaps as a grasshopper, or perhaps as a goat, or perhaps as a snake. If you live a good life, you might even be reincarnated as a more enlightened and refined person with more blessings.

My saying that he could be a Hindu and still believe in Jesus removed all the barriers that could potentially keep him from being able to listen to the good news that I was going to tell him about Jesus. Because I told him that he could be a Hindu and still believe in Jesus, he didn’t have to become defensive of his family’s heritage of Hinduism.

I then told him that the God who created the universe came to earth in human form to show us what he is like personally. Jesus healed everyone who came to him in faith. He raised the dead. He told people that everyone who believes in him would have eternal life. God would not be just if all sin were not punished. He couldn’t let some people be punished, and let some get away with bad things. We all are a mess. None of us is better than the other. We all were born with the selfish sinful nature of the devil. In his great love for us, God came in human form to take the punishment for our sins upon himself. Jesus died on the cross for our sins. He rose from the dead. He is the Lord. He is the one who restored the lady’s fingers to life after fifty years. Then I said, “If you believe in Jesus, your sins are forgiven and you will go to heaven.” He replied, “That is so wonderful!” I asked him if he believed what I had just told him. He said that he did. Usually I will ask someone to just say, “Jesus is Lord.” I told him that his sins were forgiven, and that I would see him one day in heaven. He was so happy. The message of the cross is the power of God for those who are being saved. This man from India is now righteous by faith in Jesus. He has crossed over the line in the sand. He is righteous. His sins are forgiven by faith in the blood of Jesus. He has eternal life. And he is going to heaven.

Just this week as I am writing this section, Diana and I met a young couple at the beach. They also were from India, and told us that they now lived in Michigan.

There happened to be a sea otter right offshore, so Diana pointed out the sea otter to them. Then Diana told them the amazing story of how the sea otters feed themselves. She related that one time, as we were walking on the beach trail, we heard this loud “crack… crack… crack” above the noise of the surf. We saw a sea otter right offshore, and he was lying on his back in the surf with a flat rock on his chest. He was slamming a large clam down on the rock with both paws to crack the shell so he could eat it. After he finished with one clam, he would take the rock in one paw and dive down again, coming up with another clam and repeating the process. It was just amazing to see this. So, Diana told this couple about our experience with the otter.

Diana then asked the couple from India if she could share a miracle with them, and they said, “Of course.” So Diana told them about the young man in Oregon who was born color-blind and was healed of color-blindness.

After telling this couple about this wonderful miracle in detail, Diana asked them if they believed in Jesus. They both said, “We are Hindu.” So guess what, I told them that they could be Hindu and still believe in Jesus. They were interested, so I explained who Jesus was and why he came to earth. I explained that Jesus healed everyone who came to him - the blind, the deaf and the paralyzed and Jesus raised the dead. I explained why Jesus had to die on the cross for our sins. I explained that Jesus was raised from the dead and is the Lord. I explained that Jesus told us that everyone who believes in him would have their sins forgiven and spend eternity with him in heaven. They were nodding ‘yes’ to everything I was saying. Diana said, “Because you believe in Jesus, I know I will see you in heaven one day.” They were so sweet and so thankful. The girl hugged Diana as we parted, and said, “Yes, we will see you in heaven!” This young Indian couple from Michigan has now been credited with righteousness through faith in Jesus. They crossed over the line in the sand. They are righteous. Their sins are forgiven by faith in the blood of Jesus. They have eternal life. And they are going to heaven.

Many years ago I was supplementing our ministry income by working as a business consultant. I had an appointment with a man who owned a grocery store catering primarily to Muslims. In one section of the store I saw all kinds of religious books for sale, like you might see in a Christian bookstore, except these books were about the Muslim faith.

Many of the titles related to trying to discredit Jesus and Christianity. Muslims believe that Jesus was a holy person and a prophet, but that he was not the Son of God. They believe that Jesus performed miracles. And they believe that Jesus was too holy to die such a horrible death on the cross. They don’t believe that God would allow that to happen to a holy person like Jesus. So, Muslims believe that Judas was substituted for Jesus on the cross, because Judas deserved such a death. Of course, Jesus had to die on the cross. Without the cross there is no forgiveness of sins.

When the owner came into his office to meet with me, he said, “I had a dream about you this morning. In my dream, you called me and said, ‘Are you ready?’” I knew this was a divine appointment. After conducting our business, I started talking to him about Jesus. Muslims somewhat understand the concept of sacrificing an innocent animal in exchange for a human life, because Abraham is the father of Arabs through Ishmael, just as Abraham is the father of the Jews through Isaac. So, most Muslims consider Ishmael as their spiritual father, regardless of their ethnicity. Abraham offered sacrifices that were typical of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. This man sold meat in his market that had been properly sacrificed. I explained to this precious man that Jesus had to die on the cross for our sins, because the life of an animal is not a substitute for the wickedness of humans. I also told him that no human is a proper sacrifice, because we are all wicked. I told him that Jesus shed his blood for our sins on the cross. He was the Son of God, born of a virgin. Jesus alone was sinless because he is the Son of God. He was raised from the dead, and he is Lord.

After some discussion he told me, “I do believe what you are telling me about Jesus, but my family will disown me if I tell them.” I told him, “Just keep your faith in Jesus, and he will work everything out for you. Your sins are forgiven and you are going to heaven.” At the time of the early church, there were many Jewish priests who believed and confessed their faith in Jesus privately, but they were afraid to make their faith public. Remember that there were crosses everywhere reminding the converted priests of what had happened to Jesus. This Muslim man, who was formerly an antagonist of Jesus, had accepted that Jesus died on the cross for his sins and is the Son of God. In spite of his family and his previous beliefs, and his business, which revolved around the Muslim faith, he confessed his faith in Jesus to me. He was credited with the righteousness that comes by faith in Jesus, and his name was added to the Book of Life. He has crossed over the line in the sand. He is righteous. His sins are forgiven by faith in the blood of Jesus. He has eternal life. And he is going to heaven.

We have read many accounts that Jesus is appearing in dreams and visions to many Muslims in the Middle East at the present time. In these visions Jesus holds out his hands with the holes from the nails, just as he did for doubting Thomas, to show them that he really was crucified. That’s all it takes for these Muslims to believe in Jesus, and be credited with the righteousness that is from God through faith in Jesus. Many who have these experiences become evangelists to their Muslim communities. That is all it takes for them to cross over the line in the sand, which is the cross. They are righteous. Their sins are forgiven by faith in the blood of Jesus. They have eternal life. And they are going to heaven.

Our minds are at war with God. Human religious reasoning apart from Jesus is in the realm of the devil. The reason we tell people about miracles is that miracles bypass the rational intellectual thought processes, and speak directly to the heart.

Your love for your spouse and your family doesn’t come through a reasoning process. Love comes from the heart. Miracles many times soften people’s hearts so that their hearts are open to receive the good news about Jesus. Jesus said, “If you can’t believe me because of my words, then believe because of the miracles.”

If we believe in Jesus, that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross for our sins, we have eternal life, and have been credited with the gift of righteousness that is by faith in Jesus.

... “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified (made righteous), and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:8-13 paraphrased)

According to the above scripture, if we confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord, and believe in our hearts that he was raised from the dead, we will be saved. It is with the heart that we believe and are justified (counted as righteous), not with our minds or intellect. When you confess with your mouth ‘Jesus is Lord’, that is your heart speaking. Faith is of the heart, and our faith is being released through our mouths as we say, “Jesus is Lord”.

In fact, the above scripture tells us that if anyone calls out to Jesus, “Lord Jesus, save me,” they will be saved and go to heaven.

We have been saved and credited with the gift of righteousness through faith in Jesus. Go ahead and say with your mouth what is in your heart, “I believe in Jesus. I believe Jesus died on the cross for my sins. I believe Jesus was raised from the dead. I believe Jesus is the Lord. Thank you Lord Jesus that I am saved. Thank you Lord Jesus that my sins are forgiven and that I am righteous through faith in you.” If you did that you have crossed over the line in the sand. You are righteous. Your sins are forgiven by faith in the blood of Jesus. You have eternal life. And you are going to heaven. Diana and I will see you there.

God says that we are righteous, holy, pure, spotless, without blemish and free from accusation through faith in Jesus. It is on the basis of faith in Jesus that we have received an abundance of grace (unmerited favor), and that we have received the gift of righteousness, enabling us to reign as kings in this life. In the mind of God, we have been raised with Christ and are seated with Jesus in heaven right now. And we have eternal life right now. And we will reign as kings and priests with Jesus forever.

Diana and I preached a revival meeting in a church a number of years ago. I preached pretty much the same message I’ve presented in this book. There were wonderful miracles. The people were filled with joy and laughter. This particular church sang a song about Jesus that I’ve only heard in that one church; the title of the song is “Get Happy!” We must have sung that one song for an hour or more the last evening of the revival, after the meeting was dismissed. The people didn’t leave; they just continued to celebrate Jesus by singing that song over and over again. So, go ahead and have your own revival meeting. “Get Happy!” about what Jesus has done for you.

God Bless You!

Please take a look at the important supplemental information on the next few pages:

You will find a section with a complete listing of the twenty-seven books in the Peace and Safety Series. If you have uncertainty or fear about whether you are saved and going to heaven, please check out my book, How to be Sure that you are Saved and going to Heaven.

You will also find a section listing promises for virtually every area of need that you can claim for yourself and your loved ones by faith through prayer. Included are promises related to salvation and eternal life, eternal security, forgiveness of sins, righteousness and a clear conscience, health and healing, financial blessings, your children, to have children, salvation of family members, wisdom, mental health, peace, favor, guidance, success, the will of God, deliverance, protection and long life.

APPENDIX A - OTHER BOOKS IN THE PEACE AND SAFETY SERIES

The following is a listing of the books in the Peace and Safety series. These books will give you keys for joyful, victorious, faith-filled and miraculous living right now. They will also help prepare you for the days ahead leading up to the Second Coming of Jesus. You’ll learn more about Jesus and the great things he has done for you through substitution and who you really are in Christ. You’ll learn more about the Bible and God’s plan your life in the context of God’s plan for the Church and the world.

All the books are short and can be easily read in one sitting if you like. And the books do not have to be read in any particular sequence. Read the ones first with titles that seem to be the most interesting to you at that particular moment. The Lord will lead you.

These books can be used as a discipleship program for Christians at every level. So whether you have just become a Christian, or if you are already in full time ministry, I believe these books will be a great blessing to you:

Angels and Demons

The invisible battle to control leaders of families, organizations, cities and nations.

Deliver Us from Evil

Jesus has provided the solution for every problem of humanity through the cross.

Exploits of Faith

The Lord is always doing great exploits on the earth through the faith of believers.

God is in Control

God is in control of the world, and God is in control of your life.

Hallowed be Your Name

God has a name and his name is...

How Faith Works for Health and Healing

The many ways Jesus uses to heal people today.

How to be Sure that you are Saved and going to Heaven

The cure for feelings of insecurity, confusion, condemnation and fear about your eternal destiny.

Jesus has an Angel for that Prayer

When we pray together with faith, angels are dispatched with the power to change any circumstance on earth.

Our Authority in Christ

Jesus has given us the power of attorney to use his name in prayer to overcome all the power of the enemy.

Our Identity in Christ

Jesus substituted his life for our lives so that he would be justified in giving us everything thing that he is and has.

Our Righteousness in Christ

This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ

Overcoming Stress and Anxiety

God’s formula for peace and rest.

Pleasing God

The keys to living a good life.

Pride Stinks

Glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh.

Prophets and Prophecy

God does nothing without first revealing his plans to the prophets.

Reigning with Christ Forever

The things that God has planned for us are wonderful beyond human comprehension.

Resist the Devil

The devil is causing all of man’s problems on earth and believers have been given the authority to stop him.

Resurrection, Rapture and Reward

Believers in Jesus have nothing to fear at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

Satan’s Deception from the Beginning

That good people can reject the free gift of eternal life through faith in Jesus and find their own path to God.

The Book of Daniel

Important keys to help us understand end times prophecy.

The Coming Antichrist

The ultimate pride and exaltation of humanity.

The Events leading up to the Second Coming of Jesus

The sequence of events that will transpire in the last days to bring this age to an end.

The Fight of Faith

Our faith in Jesus and his promises gives us victory in every circumstance of life.

The Ministry of Angels

Angels are sent to serve us by guiding us, protecting us and orchestrating answers to our prayers.

The Only Doorway to Heaven

Why Jesus is exclusively the way, the truth and the life.

The Power of Miracles

Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever.

The Power of Prophetic Visions and Dreams

Advancing the kingdom of God by unveiling the past and unlocking the future.

The Power of Prayer

If something is going on in your life or in the world that you don’t like, change it through prayer.

The Timing of the Second Coming of Jesus

Why 2030 AD is so significant in God’s redemptive time.

Your Kingdom Come on Earth as in Heaven

Jesus is continuing to establish his unstoppable kingdom on earth today.

APPENDIX B - PRECIOUS PROMISES TO LIVE BY

For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. (2 Corinthians 1:20 NIV)

God promises to say ‘yes’ to our prayers. Meditate on these promises and claim them for yourself and your loved ones through prayer in the name of Jesus. These promises are part your inheritance in this life.

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. (2 Peter 1:2-5 NIV)

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. (Mark 11:24 NIV)

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. “Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! (Matthew 7:7-11 NIV)

And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. (John 14:13-14 NIV)

What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:31-32 NIV)

Promises for salvation and eternal life.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.  (John 3:16-18)

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. (Romans 10:9-10 NIV)

And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.  (Mark 16:15-16)

As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord (Jesus) will be saved.” (Romans 10:11-13 NIV)

And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. (1 John 5:11-13)

“I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. (John 5:24 NIV)

And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:40)

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast (Ephesians 2:8-9)

And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”  (Acts 16:30-31)

Then he (the thief on the cross) said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:42-43 paraphrased)

If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. (1 John 4:15 NIV)

Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God… (1 John 5:1)

Promises for eternal security.

… For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)

Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:33-39)

He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful. (1 Corinthians 1:8-9 NIV)

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:13-14 NIV)

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:4-7 NIV)

If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. (Colossians 3:1-4)

Promises for forgiveness of sins.

For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. (Matthew 26:28)

Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  (Acts 2:38)

He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” (Acts 10:42-43 NIV)

Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases… (Ps 103:1-3)

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:8-9)

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins… (Ephesians 1:7)

And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. (Colossians 2:13-14)

Promises for righteousness and a clear conscience.

But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. (Romans 3:21-25 NIV)

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— (Colossians 1:21-22 NIV)

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned (judged) sin in sinful man… (Romans 8:1-3 paraphrased)

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1: 9)

Promises for health and healing.

… for I am the LORD, who heals you.” (Exodus 15:26)

Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases. (Psalm 103:1-3)

... who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.  (1 Peter 2:24)

Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering (Hebrew: infirmities, diseases and  sicknesses), yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds (stripes) we are healed. (Isaiah 53:4-5 paraphrased)

And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons... they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” (Mark 16:17-18)

Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven (James 5:14-15)

My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; for they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh. (Proverbs 4:20-22)

Promises for financial blessing

And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9)

Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” (Acts 14:17 NIV)

“The Lord will command the blessing on you in your storehouses and in all to which you set your hand, and He will bless you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you. (Deuteronomy 28:8)

Promises for your children.

Can plunder be taken from warriors, or captives rescued from the fierce? But this is what the LORD says: “Yes, captives will be taken from warriors, and plunder retrieved from the fierce; I will contend with those who contend with you, and your children I will save. (Isaiah 49:24-25 NIV)

All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children. (Isaiah 54:13)

… I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on your offspring. (Isaiah 44:3)

Their descendants will be known among the nations and their offspring among the peoples. All who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the LORD has blessed.” (Isaiah 61:9 NIV)

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6)

Promises to have children.

He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the LORD. (Psalm 113:9 NIV)

Promise for the salvation of family members.

So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”  (Acts 16:31)

Promises for wisdom.

… But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:16)

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. (James 1:5-8 NIV)

It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. (1 Corinthians 1:30 NIV)

Promises for mental health.

… But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:16)

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)

Promises for peace.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:27)

Promises for favor.

For surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield. (Psalm 5:12 NIV)

May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands. (Psalm 90:17 NIV)

For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation. (2 Corinthians 6:2 NIV)

Promises for guidance, success and the will of God.

… for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. (Philippians 2:13 NIV)

May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. (Psalm 20:4 NIV)

The preparations of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. (Proverbs 16:1)

Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. (Proverbs 16:3 NIV)

A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. (Proverbs 16:9)

Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails. (Proverbs 19:21 NIV)

The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me… (Psalm 138:8 NIV)

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. (Psalm 23:1-3)

The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes. (Proverbs 21:1)

The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD. (Proverbs 16:33)

Promises for deliverance and protection.

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. If you make the Most High your dwelling—even the LORD, who is my refuge—then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. “Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.” (Psalm 91 NIV)

I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them. (Psalm 34:4-7)

I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name—the name you gave me—so that they may be one as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me… (John 17:11-12 NIV)

... for “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:13)

Promises for long life.

... Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits... who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. (Psalm 103:2,5 NIV)

... With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.” (Psalm 91:16)

Table of Contents

Our Righteousness in Christ

Appendix - Other Books in the Peace and Safety Series

Appendix - Precious Promises to Live By