Biblical Promises Series - Part 3 - Precious Promises
ZADOK PUBLICATIONS - Dr. C. R. OLIVER
October 1, 2021





C. R. Oliver





ZADOK PUBLICATIONS MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
October 1, 2021

Biblical Promises Series

Part 3
Precious Promises


You may watch this Newsletter in a video HERE.

2 Peter 1:2-4

"2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."

NKJV

Introduction:

     Understanding the next vital truth will change one's life forever: "the Bible, from cover to cover, is totally a book of Divine Promises." Its covenant-sworn words speak continually of His faithfulness to do all He promised and is a spiritual fact which was summed by Jesus' answer to satan: "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God."

     In any study of "precious promises," the researcher is somewhat overwhelmed by the sheer scope of care the Lord provides through them. There are promises to individuals like Abraham, Noah and David. There are promises to nations and to world governments. There are promises which are general in nature and some are universally given to all saints throughout history.

     Some promises are detailed to the point that it is necessary to read them over and over, even in various translations in order to fathom their truths. Some are compacted so that which seems to be simple statements are complex in application.

     How wonderful it is to encounter His messages of hope and provision in every book of the Bible. With love, they are spoken, and in faith, one receives their wisdom Great comfort can be garnered from just one short sentence. Lives can be changed by the application of just one of its precepts. To embrace just one facet, gleaned from their light, will scatter darkness and attack the negative issues of life.

     Soar with Spurgeon as he focuses on one small verse as an example of profound truth discovered in its brevity.

"The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin."- 1 John 1:7

"Cleanseth," says the text-not "shall cleanse." There are multitudes who think that as a dying hope they may look forward to pardon. Oh! how infinitely better to have cleansing now than to depend on the bare possibility of forgiveness when I come to die. Some imagine that a sense of pardon is an attainment only obtainable after many years of Christian experience. But forgiveness of sin is a present thing-a privilege for this day, a joy for this very hour. The moment a sinner trusts Jesus he is fully forgiven. The text, being written in the present tense, also indicates continuance; it was "cleanseth" yesterday, it is "cleanseth" today, it will be "cleanseth" tomorrow: it will be always so with you, Christian, until you cross the river; every hour you may come to this fountain, for it cleanseth still. Notice, likewise, the completeness of the cleansing, "The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin"-not only from sin, but "from all sin." Reader, I cannot tell you the exceeding sweetness of this word, but I pray God, the Holy Ghost, to give you a taste of it. Manifold are our sins against God. Whether the bill be little or great, the same receipt can discharge one as the other. The blood of Jesus Christ is as blessed and divine a payment for the transgressions of blaspheming Peter as for the shortcomings of loving John; our iniquity is gone, all gone at once, and all gone forever. Blessed completeness! What a sweet theme to dwell upon as one gives himself to sleep.
"Sins against a holy God;
Sins against His righteous laws;
Sins against His love, His blood;
Sins against His name and cause;
Sins immense as is the sea-
From them all He cleanseth me."


Spurgeon took one word of the promise in 1 John 1:7 and applied "cleansing" as key to forgiveness in all its profoundness. He provided an understanding of the necessity to see the living God behind the promise. The Father, whose ways are not ours and whose thoughts are higher than ours, who has carefully laid a path of promises before His children in order to cast out fear, offers peace in the midst of turmoil and gives entrance to spiritual power. Often, just perusing the many promises is sufficient to allay doubt and fear.

Let us review some passages that illustrate the aforementioned.

Some Promises regarding cleansing salvation:

John 3:14-15 (Plus all of 3:16):
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.

John 10:27-30:
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.29 My Father, which gave them Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father's hand.30 I and My Father are one.

Look deeply into the John 10 passage. Here, Jesus established His authority in completing salvation. Possessive is the character of the Good Shepherd when He says, "My sheep respond to My voice." This is a passage spoken by the mouth of God, and it brings life to those who take it. Nothing can separate Jesus from His beloveds, for they are safe and their redemption is assured both by Him and the Father.

Romans 10:8-13:
"The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame." 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."
NKJV

Consider the old song, "Whosoever Surely Meaneth Me." Broad strokes of grace come from God's throne, as can be seen in both the Old and New Testament, as the following passages incorporate both items of the Old and New, in Simon's sermon.

     Acts 2:17-21:

     Joel 2:28-32

17 'And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God,
That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh;
Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
Your young men shall see visions,
Your old men shall dream dreams.
18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days;
And they shall prophesy.
19 I will show wonders in heaven above
And signs in the earth beneath:
Blood and fire and vapor of smoke.
20 The sun shall be turned into darkness,
And the moon into blood,
Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord.
21 And it shall come to pass
That whoever calls on the name of the Lord
Shall be saved.'
NKJV

Acts 2:38-39
"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. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call."
NKJV

The prophet, Isaiah, also spoke about God's great promise of salvation and cleansing.

Isaiah 1:18-20:
"Come now, and let us reason together,"
Says the Lord,
"Though your sins are like scarlet,
They shall be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson,
They shall be as wool.
19 If you are willing and obedient,
You shall eat the good of the land;
20 But if you refuse and rebel,
You shall be devoured by the sword";
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
NKJV

Remember when Jesus said, "Man shall live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God?" Well, there it is!

Paul's writing in Romans also show us the promises of God's great salvation.

Romans 6:14:
For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

Romans 6:23:
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:2:
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.

1 Corinthians 2:12:
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.

Let us now look at some Promises which are based on condition.

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 I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."

How many times has this passage in Chronicles surfaced as the remedy against the foes of Democracy? Yet, still, the people of God have paid it only token regard. "Turning from their wicked ways" denotes a depth of sin not yet confessed during ordinary religious rites. "If, then," are words which herald the conditions necessary for forgiveness and healing.

God wants His people to rely on His word Take this passage for instance.

Malachi 3:10-12:
10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse,
That there may be food in My house,
And try Me now in this,"
Says the Lord of hosts,
"If I will not open for you the windows of heaven
And pour out for you such blessing
That there will not be room enough to receive it.
11 "And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes,
So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground,
Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,"
Says the Lord of hosts;
12 "And all nations will call you blessed,
For you will be a delightful land,"
Says the Lord of hosts.

Some Promises Regarding saints in General.

Isaiah 54:17:
No weapon formed against you shall prosper,
And every tongue which rises against you in judgment
You shall condemn.
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,
And their righteousness is from Me,"
Says the Lord.

How often do we, as believers, rehearse these precious promises to remind ourselves of their fealty? We belong to the great King and His pronouncements do not fail or fade through time. The Isaiah passage is oft quoted in recent days in the face of pestilence, famine and sword. Its assurances strengthen resolve and encourage the spirit. Just in case someone questions the righteousness of a person using this promise, God declares that He alone determines the righteousness of His saints; it is not for man to judge.

Again, comfort comes from these familiar promises.

Psalm 55:22:
22 Cast your burden on the Lord,
And He shall sustain you;
He shall never permit the righteous to be moved

Proverbs 3:5-10:
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord and depart from evil.
8 It will be health to your flesh,
And strength to your bones.
9 Honor the Lord with your possessions,
And with the first fruits of all your increase;
10 So your barns will be filled with plenty,
And your vats will overflow with new wine

Zechariah 1:3:
"Return to Me," says the Lord of hosts, "and I will return to you," says the Lord of host…

1 Samuel 2:30:
But now the Lord says: "Far be it from Me; for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed."

In the study of the promises, it seems many sources touch on the same theme and blend inti each other. For instance:

Mark 9:23:
Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes."

Mark 10:27:
27 But Jesus looked at them and said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible

Romans 8:31:
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Philippians 4:13:
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Never do the promises contradict one another, but all align to embellish each other. What a wonderful Lord we have, who over and again presses Himself into the scenes of life with undeniable truths. These truths are so compacted with profundity as to re-enforce His faithfulness with repetitive power. What He says He will do.

Look at the reassurances that come in these next two passages:

John 14:12-14:
12 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. 13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.

Matthew 18:19-20:
19 "Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them."

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24:
23 Now, may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.

Not only does the Lord give the promise, but He also re-enforces the word with a statement of intent. It is like He is saying, "believe Me, I will do it." This declaration should be hung over every promise found in His Word---He is capable of carrying out the promise. He is faithful!

Luke 1:72-75:
72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers
And to remember His holy covenant,
73 The oath which He swore to our father Abraham:
74 To grant us that we,
Being delivered from the hand of our enemies,
Might serve Him without fear,
75 In holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life.

The Luke passage reiterates His willingness to do what He says. It also gives us greater understanding of grace which is given in order to expand our spirits and grow up in Him.

Ezekiel 36:26:
"I will give you a new heart with new and right desires, and I will put a new spirit in you."

Hebrews 10:35-39:
35 Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:
37 "For yet a little while,
And He who is coming will come and will not tarry.
38 Now the just shall live by faith;
But if anyone draws back,
My soul has no pleasure in him."
39 But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.


Our God is capable of carrying out His promises, regardless of the circumstances surrounding the believer.

Ephesians 3:20-21:
20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Certainly, there is an unfathomable breadth and depth to all the promises He gives. They exceed our ability to comprehend their vastness. Consider this passage.

Romans 8:35-39:
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written:
"For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter."

37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 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.
NKJV

What circumstance can be named that He does not address? What child does He cast off as being irredeemable and beyond the scope of His provision? Throughout the Bible, invitation after invitation bear His signature. He is the prodigal's father. He is the inviting host that requires his banquet hall be full. He is the everlasting hope for those who see no path through the darkness that surrounds them. He is able!

Psalm 55:22:
Cast your burden on the Lord,
And He shall sustain you;
He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.
NKJV

Matthew 11:28-30: Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
NKJV

For those, who take His word as sufficient evidence of His power can join the Psalmist in this most precious praise.

Psalms 34:1-22:
I will bless the Lord at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul shall make its boast in the Lord;
The humble shall hear of it and be glad.
3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
And let us exalt His name together.
4 I sought the Lord, and He heard me,
And delivered me from all my fears.
5 They looked to Him and were radiant,
And their faces were not ashamed.
6 This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him,
And saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him,
And delivers them.
8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good;
Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
9 Oh, fear the Lord, you, His saints!
There is no want to those who fear Him.
10 The young lions lack and suffer hunger;
But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.
11 Come, you children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
12 Who is the man who desires life,
And loves many days, that he may see good?
13 Keep your tongue from evil,
And your lips from speaking deceit.
14 Depart from evil and do good;
Seek peace and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
And His ears are open to their cry.
16 The face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears,
And delivers them out of all their troubles.
18 The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart,
And saves such as have a contrite spirit.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
But the Lord delivers him out of them all.
20 He guards all his bones;
Not one of them is broken.
21 Evil shall slay the wicked,
And those who hate the righteous shall be condemned.
22 The Lord redeems the soul of His servants,
And none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned.

Hallelujah, what a Savior!


Until Next Month,

Dr. Cosby R. Oliver, PhD.






MISSIONS REPORT:

From: Oliver Evangelistic Association (OEA) - A Missions Opportunity

In conjunction with Brother Ghiorghi Cazacu with Gospel Ministries International, Inc. of Romania and correlates of his ministry in India, we are contemplating supplying the church building in its entirety.

Here are the details along with some summary statement regarding the mission opportunity.

Details are being worked out now for the correct channels for the construction monies.

Pastors Name: Pastor Manmadarao

Village & Population: Thulasiraminaiduvalasa, center of three main villages called Sunki and Venkatapuram with 4,000 to 5,000 population.


Ministry & Church Details: Pastor Manmadarao has been ministering in these villages for five years; 100 members are attending the church. Building a church in this place would really bring hundreds of people into the Kingdom of God; it can bear much fruits and bring vital church growth for the glory of God.

Church Building Details and Budget: These people are gathering in the house and open places for the worship. We had fruitful meeting with the village president, elders and village revenue officers yesterday. When we approached them and had a talk regarding a piece of land for the church building, they were convicted; we bought the land for the church for 3 cents. Where we bought the land is by the national highway and 1 acre (100 cents) is Rs. 1,50,00,000/- (205,479.45). Really, within a few years land cost has increased so much. Just 10 years back the same one acre there itself cost 15,000/- only but for our amazement its now 1,000% increased.

A piece of 3 cents lands' actual cost is Rs. 450,000/- ($6,164.38), but we thank God by the grace of God, when we talked to all of them; land owner village president elders and all discussed and told us that they will be giving it for Rs. 200,000/- and again land owner reduced Rs. 50,000/- since it is for the church purpose. Thus, we bought 3 cents land for the church for Rs. 150,000/- ($2,054.79). On this land, we are prayerfully planning to build a 30 feet long X 18 feet wide church building with metal petals roof due to financial concern. Here is the plan and average budget:

TOTAL BUDGET FOR THE BUILDING: RS. 589,700/- ($8,078.08)


UPDATE: With the help of our partners we met that need as a check for $8,500 went to India mid September.

Here are pictures from the beginning of construction.









From Sid Luke Ministries; Alexandria, La. :


Sid Luke Ministries, Inc.
P. O. Box 585
Elberton, Ga. 30635-0585
sidluke1@gmail.com
www.sidlukemin.org

Greetings to you and the Peace of our Lord and Healer Jesus Christ! As the entire world comes to an abrupt halt, we will all become more aware of how fragile life is and how quickly our world can change. The good news is we serve an awesome God who never changes.

On July 6th, we were headed to Louisiana and were involved in a terrible car accident. We were hit head-on by another driver and his passenger as we tried getting off in the median to avoid impact. The accident was not just a slight scrape. Kathy has had extensive damage to her body. She broke both femurs, shattered both knee caps, broke her left tibia, right wrist, two fingers, and all her ribs except for her top right one in addition to many gashes, scrapes and major bruising. Sid's injuries were sustained to the left side of his body. His injuries included four places in his upper left arm, several of his ribs broken, a contusion to his left lung, major bruising, gashes and stitches in his left hand and on two of his fingers. Sid was able to walk out of the vehicle but Cathy had to be pulled out by a Good Samaritan. Kathy was pulled out quickly because of the fire and fear of the vehicle exploding. We were both transported to Piedmont Hospital in Athens, Georgia, not far from Merci's home. Kathy was in ICU for 4 days and moved to the orthopedic floor for the following 9 days. Sid was in the hospital for 7 Days. Both of us have had extensive surgery to rectify the damages from the accident. On July 14th, we moved Kathy to Elbert Memorial Hospital, they have a swing bed program there. The Lord opens this place up for us due to some great connections that Merci had made through her work. Kathy is currently still in the swing bed program getting the help she needs to walk again. She has been bed ridden since the day of the accident. There is still no estimated day of her release as we come close to the month of August.


Kathy's sister has created a GoFundMe page for those who would like to share and/or donate safely online. The page is www.gofundme.com/f/sid-and-kathy-luke-medical-help

In closing, Kathy and I would like to thank you for standing with our family throughout the years with your prayers, love and generosity! This is a challenging time for us but we have faith that Jesus will meet our physical, financial and spiritual needs. Please keep us covered in your prayers. HE IS FAITHFUL TO HIS OWN!


In His vineyard together for His honor and glory,

Sid & Kathy Luke

www.sidlukemin.org          www.sidlukemin.org          www.sidlukemin.org





From Larry and Marla Johnston in Guatemala:



Contact Information:
          Web: https://www.flamesoffireministry.org/
          Email: flamesoffireguatemala@hotmail.com

FaceBook Web Page


Now More than Ever, It's about Souls

We had the amazing privilege of hosting almost 50 amazing servants of God from Gainesville Church of God, led by Pastor Chris Chrisopulos. What can we say??? These are people who despite the pandemic, listened to the call of God echoing in their hearts and souls to come to Guatemala and make a difference in eternity. They sacrificed it all to answer the call. I know that "well done" rang around the throne of God as all heaven watched what love looks like! Hunderds were seen by doctor and dental teams, in a world that is fighting lost loved ones and sickness beyond compare-these men and women laid it all at the feet of Jesus not to mere come to the mission field but to come to minister to the sick....DURING A PANDEMIC! While the medical team did thier thing, 8 houses were built by the hardest working construction team that we know, and hundreds if not thousands of children laughed and colored and prayed because of the children's evangelism team! Here is the video from this amazing experience. GCOG, WE LOVE YOU!

You may watch the Larry & Marla Johnson Mission Video HERE.

Village Churches continue to proclaim gospel and win souls!

Nestled deep in the mountains of Guatemala and Honduras are churches that have not faltered one moment from preaching the gospel. They continue to preach under conditions that we would consider too much. But these faithful men and women just keep on preaching, many with little to no formal education, some don't know how to read! But they love God and serve him every day. The "loving part" is easy, we all have that down, but the serving part is a bit trickier.

Hallelujah! 9 more names written in glory in the village of Tasharte! This is the village where the children helped make and place the mud bricks for the walls!! Super loud shout out to all the church builders at Generations Church and pastors Albert Hale and Scott Brady Hale!



Malindi Bush Bible School faces challenges with passing of
Bishop Mwadziwe

The Bush Bible school in Malindi has certainly had it's challenges. It's in a very strong muslim city. Bishop Douglas went to be with Jesus very suddenly and we were deeply saddened by his homegoing. It has taken us a bit of organizing but the teachers from the South Coast, Biship Zuma and Pastor Rose have generously agreed to take on this group of students, so as of the end of September, we will be back up and running! Pastor Rose (below) will be doing the teaching!



Next up.....

We have been generously given funds by Generations church and Oliver Evangelistic Association to rebuild walls in the village church of Volcancito! We can't wait to get to this project. The walls were destroyed in the last storms that came through. Here are some pics, we will be replacing the mud walls with block! Thank you OEA and GChurch, let the worshippers arise!


A Couple of very special donors are making sure that a little girl with spinabifida had a decent place to sleep.....you both know who you are and I know that the angels are shouting your names from the rooftops!









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