December 24, 2002 (David Cloud, Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061, 866-295-4143, fbns@wayoflife.org; for instructions about subscribing and unsubscribing or changing addresses, see the information paragraph at the end of the article)

I trust this finds you encouraged and greatly strengthened in the Lord. No matter what my situation, if I know Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour, I should not allow any seemingly evil situation to get me down. "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31).

Following are some of the promises that the man who led me to Christ in the summer of 1973 shared with me and that have encouraged and upheld me for 29 years. I trust they will be a blessing to you as we enter a new year.

GOD WILL GUIDE ME. Psalm 32:8 "I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye."

GOD WILL PROVIDE MY NEEDS. Psalm 37:25 "I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread."

GOD WILL STRENGTHEN ME IN THE DAY I CRY OUT TO HIM. Psalm 138:3 "In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul."

GOD'S MERCIES ARE NEW EVERY MORNING. Lamentations 3:22-23 "It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness."

JESUS OFFERS REST FOR THE HEAVY LADEN. Matthew 11:28-30 "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

GOD GIVES EVERLASTING LIFE THROUGH JESUS CHRIST. John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

I CAN KNOW SOUND DOCTRINE. John 7:17 "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself."

I CAN KNOW THE TRUTH. John 8:31-32 "Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD FOR GOD'S PEOPLE. Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

THE GOD WHO GAVE HIS SON WILL FREELY GIVES ALL THINGS. Romans 8:32 "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?"

GOD WILL KEEP ME FROM EVIL. 1 Thessalonians 3:3 "But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil."

GOD WILL ESTABLISH ME. 1 Peter 5:10 "But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you."

GOD HAS RESERVED AN ETERNAL INHERITANCE FOR ME. 1 Peter 1:3-5 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."

GOD INVITES WHOSOEVER WILL TO TAKE OF THE WATER OF LIFE FREELY. Revelation 22:17 "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."