How to experience God’s promises 

Each of these 12 promises have conditions. The more we are careful to do God's requirements the more we'll experience God's life changing promises.

(1) Everything You Need 

Matthew 6:33  "Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need."  NIV, then NLT

1. Read the context of Matthew 6:33 by reading Matthew 6:30-33  "[30] And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? [31] "So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' [32] These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. [33] Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need."  NLT
   1. What is Jesus' promises in verse 30?
   2. His command in v31?
   3. His promise in v32?
   4. His promise in v33?
   5. His 2 requirements in v33?
   6. Seeking the Kingdom of God (God's kingship) is just another way of saying seeking to live righteously (living the way God requires).
   7. Righteous means: "The disciple's deepest wish and resolve must be to live in God's way" The Gospel of Matthew commentary by France
   8. "The Lord, therefore, makes a covenant with His followers. He says, in effect, “If you will put God’s interests first in your life, I will guarantee your future needs. If you seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, then I will see that you never lack the necessities of life.” BBC (Believer's Bible Commentary)
2. The following verses show some of the ways God requires us to live. What are they?
   1. 1 Peter 4:2 "You won't spend the rest of your lives chasing your own desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God."  NLT
   2. Proverbs 3:6 "Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take."  NLT
   3. 1 Corinthians 15:58 "Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."  NIV
   4. Matthew 22:37-40 "You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ (38) This is the first and greatest commandment. (39) A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ (40) The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”  NLT 
   5. Joshua 1:8 "meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful."  NIV
   6. Matthew 5:6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled."  NIV
3. If I'm seeking above all else to live God's way (Matthew 5:6) then God promises to give me everything that I need. And he gives it to us according to his timing, not mine.
4. Here's how to memorize this promise.  

(2) Salvation

Matthew 16:25 "If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it." NLT

1. Context of Matthew 16:25: Matthew 16:24-27 "[24] Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [25] If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. [26] And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? [27] For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds."  NLT
   1. If we want to be a follower (disciple) of Jesus what are Jesus' 3 requirements in v24?
   2. How does Jesus summarize those 3 requirements in v25?

   3. "[v24] The goal of self-denial (give up your own way) and taking up one’s cross is ... being free to follow the Messiah. Self-denial means letting go of self-determination and replacing it with obedience to and dependence on the Messiah. [v25] Jesus’ paradoxical statement demands two different senses of the word “life”: whoever lives a self-centered life focused on this present world (i.e., would save his life) will not find eternal life with God (will lose it); whoever gives up his self-centered life of rebellion against God (loses his life) for the sake of Christ and the gospel will find everlasting communion with God." from ESVSB (ESV Study Bible) notes on Mark 8:34-35 (parallel passage to Matthew 16:24-25)

   4. v27 "Son of Man ... will bring judgment for those who have chosen to follow their own will, and reward only for those who have taken up the cross." ESVSB
2. Go to www.peacewithgod.net/steps or the "Steps to Peace with God" pamphlet and read it:
   1. What are the 4 steps?
   2. In step 4 what are the 4 actions one takes to receive Jesus Christ?
   3. Is there anything that doesn't make sense in the suggested prayer?
   4. Have you ever told God something like that suggested prayer?
   5. When and how?
3. Watch this outstanding 3 minute "3 Circles" gospel presentation  YouTube 
   1. How does one become a Christian? 
4. One becomes a follower of Jesus by repenting and believing (Mark 1:15). Matthew 16:25 shows what a life of repentance consists of.
5. Instead of forgetting this promise and requirements memorize for life this verse.

(3) Success 

Joshua 1:8 "meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful."  NIV

1. In the following verses what are some of the benefits of learning, remembering, and obeying the word of God? 
   1. James 1:22,25 "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. … [25] But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do."  NIV
   2. John 8:31-32,34,36 "Jesus said to the people who believed in him, "You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. [32] And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." ... [34] Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. ... [36] So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free."  NLT
   3. 1 John 2:3-4 "And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments. [4] If someone claims, "I know God," but doesn't obey God's commandments, that person is a liar"  NLT
2. If one thinks about God's word day and night SO THAT one can be CAREFUL to do EVERYTHING then God blesses their efforts to DO his word with success.

(4) His Help

Psalm 34:15-16 "The eyes of the LORD watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help. [16] But the LORD turns his face against those who do evil;"  NLT

1. What are the 2 promises in v15?
2. What are the 2 requirements in v15?
3. What is the negative promise in v16?
4. Who experiences the negative promise in v16?
5. Who does God help and doesn't help in the following verses? 
   1. 2 Chronicles 16.9 "For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. " NIV
   2. Isaiah 40.30-31 "Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; (31) but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." NIV
   3. James 4:6 "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."  NLT
   4. James 4:4 "You adulterers! Don't you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God."  NLT
   5. Revelation 3:16,19 "But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! ... [19] I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference."
   6. Look at the other 11 verses in "God's Promises of" to see who God help or doesn't help.
6. In the following verses describe what is evil (sin):   
   1. James 4:17 "Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it."  NLT
   2. Romans 14:23  "If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning."
7. In the following verses what does God command us to do? (this is some of what it means to "do right") 
   1. Mark 12:30-31 "And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.' [31] The second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' No other commandment is greater than these."  NLT
   2. Matthew 7:12 "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."  NIV
   3. Look at the God's other 11 promises in this "God Promises" to see what else "doing right") that he requires.
8. Hebrews 13:5-6 "Don't love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, "I will never fail you. I will never abandon you." [6] So we can say with confidence, "The LORD is my helper, so I will have no fear."  NLT
   1. What promises has God made to those who belong to Him?
   2. And what can they be confident of?
9. Doing evil is not just doing really wicked sins, it's also NOT doing the good God tells us to do. The more I do what is right in God's eyes, the more God will answer my cries for help. The more I choose to do what I want (doing evil) and not what God wants the more my prayers are hindered (see 1 Peter 3:7).

(5) His Care

1 Peter 5:7 "Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you."  NLT

1. 1 Peter 5:7 AMP casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully].
2. Look at Commentaries
3. Luke 21:34 "Watch out! Don't let your hearts be dulled by ... by the worries of this life."  NLT
   1.  What do those worries that we don't give to God do to us?  
4. Philippians 4:6-7 "Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. [7] And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."  CSB
   1. According to Philippians 4:6 what are we to do whenever we worry?
   2. If we continue to worry is that sin? 
5. "Worry is unnecessary; there is no need for us to bear the burdens when He is willing and able to bear them for us. ... A preacher once said: “Worry is sin because:
   1. It denies the wisdom of God; it says that He doesn’t know what He’s doing.
   2. It denies the love of God; it says He does not care.
   3. It denies the power of God; it says that He isn’t able to deliver me from whatever is causing me to worry.”  BBC (Believer's Bible Commentary)
6. "Carrying our worries, stresses, and daily struggles by ourselves shows that we have not trusted God fully with our lives. Humility is needed, however, to recognize that God cares, to admit our needs, and to let others in God’s family help us. Sometimes we think that struggles caused by our own sin and foolishness are not God’s concern. But when we turn to God in repentance, he will bear the weight even of those struggles. Letting God carry our anxieties calls for action, not passivity. Don’t submit to circumstances; submit to the Lord, who controls circumstances."  LASB (Life Application Study Bible)
7. What meant the most to you from the two commentaries? 
8. God deeply cares for us. To experience his care we need to give ALL of our worries, needs, concerns, and cares to God daily.

(6) His Cleansing

1 John 1:9 - "if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness."  NLT

1. 1 Peter 2:11 "Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul."  NIV
   1. What does sin do to us? 

2. Proverbs 28:13 "You will never succeed in life if you try to hide your sins. Confess them and give them up; then God will show mercy to you."  GNT

   1. If we want to succeed in life what must we do? 
3. "The term confess means to say the same thing about sin as God does; to acknowledge His perspective about sin. ... Confession of sin characterizes genuine Christians, and God continually cleanses those who are confessing (cf. v. 7). Rather than focusing on confession for every single sin as necessary, John has especially in mind here a settled recognition and acknowledgment that one is a sinner in need of cleansing and forgiveness."  MBC (MacArthur Bible Commentary)
   1. What does confess mean?  
4. "The forgiveness John speaks about here is parental, not judicial. Judicial forgiveness means forgiveness from the penalty of sins, which the sinner receives when he believes on the Lord Jesus Christ. It is called judicial because it is granted by God acting as Judge. But what about sins which a person commits after conversion? As far as the penalty is concerned, the price has already been paid by the Lord Jesus on the cross of Calvary. But as far as fellowship in the family of God is concerned, the sinning saint needs parental forgiveness, that is, the forgiveness of His Father. He obtains it by confessing his sin. We need judicial forgiveness only once; that takes care of the penalty of all our sins-past, present, and future. But we need parental forgiveness throughout our Christian life."  BBC
   1. What is the difference between parental and judicial forgiveness? 
5. Psalm 66:18 "If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened."  NLT
   1. What happens when we don't confess our sins? 
6. Psalm 19:12-13 "How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults. [13] Keep your servant from deliberate sins! Don't let them control me. Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin."  NLT 
   1. What must we do to be free of guilt and innocent of great sin? 
7. Daily deal with our sin by confessing and turning from them so that we will not miss out on God's blessings and help.

(7) His Forgiveness

Matthew 6:14-15 "If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others,  your Father will not forgive your sins."  NLT

1. Matthew 5:7 "God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy."  NLT
   1. Who does God show mercy to? 
2. Just like any other unconfessed and repented from.
3. --Talking about Parental forgiveness, not the penalty of sin. As Father, God cannot forgive us when we are unwilling to forgive one another. BBC on Luke 6:37
4. If you forgive: Also Matt 5:23, Matt 18:15, Luke 17:3,

(8) His Guidance

Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. (6) Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take."  NLT

1. What is the promise in v6?
2. What are the 3 requirements?
3. Look at each of the 12 promises on the God's Promises card. How much are we to trust the Lord to do them if we do his requirements?  
4. James 1:5
5. "Trust in the Lord" especially includes total trust in God's promise in v6 "he will show you which path to take".
6. Things to trust him include Promises #2-12 on this "God's Promises" 3x5 card. Also 2 Thess 1:11, Heb 13:4-5, Matthew 6:25.
7. Jeremiah 17:5-8 "This is what the LORD says: "Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the LORD. [6] They are like stunted shrubs in the desert, with no hope for the future. They will live in the barren wilderness, in an uninhabited salty land. [7] "But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence. [8] They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit."  NLT
   1. What happens when we do not trust in the LORD but instead trust ourselves or others?  

(9) His Honor

1 Samuel 2:30 "I will honor those who honor me, and I will despise those who think lightly of me."  NLT

1. Luke 18:13-14  God, have mercy on me, a sinner ... (14) this man ... went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. NIV
2. 1 Samuel 2:30 "I will honor those who honor me, and I will despise those who think lightly of me."  NLT
3. "Yield to his authority and will, commit your life to him and his control, and be willing to follow him."
4. "To be humble involves leaning on his power and guidance and not going your own independent way" LASB
5. James 4:10 "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor."  NLT
6. Eph 4:2
7. Isaiah 66:2  This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word. NIV
8. 2 Chronicles 7:14  if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. NIV
9. Micah 6:8  what does the LORD require of you? (To do what is right - NLT) and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. NIV

(10) His Love 

John 14:21 "Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them."  NLT

1. Did I ignore his commandments today or did I meditate on them day and night to better know and obey them?
2. He will open our minds to the degree that we obey him:
   1. Luke 24:45  Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. NLT
   2. Mark 4:24  Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given ... NLT
   3. Psalms 119:34  Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions; I will put them into practice with all my heart. NLT

(11) His Perfect Peace 

Isaiah 26:3 "You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!"  NLT

1. What else are we to do for peace in the following verses:  
2. Philippians 4:6-7 "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. [7] Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."  NLT
3. Philippians 4:9 "Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me-everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you."  NLT
4. Romans 8:6 "So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace."  NLT
5. Hebrews 12:11 "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."  NIV
6. 2 Peter 1:2 "May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord."  NLT
7. Psalm 119:165 "Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble."  NIV

(12) His Reward 

Ephesians 6:8 "Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do." NLT

1. When standing before Jesus and thinking he will reward you don't have Matthew 7:21-23 happen. 1 John 2:3 is the test.
2. Ephesians 6:7-8 NLT Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. [8] Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free.
3. Ephesians 6:8 NLT Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free.
4. Matthew 24:46 If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward.  NLT
5. What are our rewards based on?
6. 1 Corinthians 15:58 "Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." NIV
7. Galatians 6.9 "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
8. Luke 6:35 NLT "Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked.
9. 2 Corinthians 5:10 NLT For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.
10. 1 Corinthians 3:13-15  Their work will be shown for what it is, … the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. (14) If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. (15) If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames. NIV
11. Matt 10:42
12. Luke 6:35 NLT "Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked.
13. Matthew 16:27 NLT For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds.
14. James 1:12 NLT God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
15. Luke 19:17 NLT "'Well done!' the king exclaimed. 'You are a good servant. You have been faithful with the little I entrusted to you, so you will be governor of ten cities as your reward.'
16. Ephesians 2:9 NLT Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.
17. Matthew 5:19 NLT So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God's laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.
18. 1 Peter 1:6-7 NLT So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. [7] These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold-though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
19. Colossians 3:24 NLT Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.
20. Hebrews 11:6 NLT And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.
21. 1 Peter 1:17 NLT And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time here as "temporary residents."
22. 1 Peter 3:14 NLT But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don't worry or be afraid of their threats.
23. 2 John 1:8 NLT Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked so hard to achieve. Be diligent so that you receive your full reward.
24. Revelation 22:12 NLT "Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds.
25. How much good have you done this week? What type of good? Ministry, mercy, humility, ...
26. What good did you do yesterday that the Lord will reward you?  

Treat the 3x5 card as a very short 'prayer book'.

Goal

Want you to fully experience them. ONLY way is by being careful to do everything, and Phil 4:9

• How are you doing this week on doing these 12 keys?  

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