Promised & True

All of God’s promises are true, but so often we can lose sight of what has been promised. Over
the next few weeks, we are going to dig into five promises that God gives us in the book of
Isaiah. As we remember what God has promised we will be reminded that each of these
promises are true and can significantly impact our lives today. This week we discussed God’s Promise of God’s Victory.

What comes to mind when you think about God’s promise of ultimate victory?

Read Isaiah 54:16-17. What catches your attention as you read these verses?

What does it mean to you to be reminded that “no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment”?

On Sunday, Rudy pointed to the baptism of Jesus and the subsequent temptation of Jesus as examples of the two voices that speak into our lives (Matthew 3:13-4:3).

How have you experienced the voice of God’s blessing in your life?

How have you experienced the voice of the enemy speaking lies to you?

Galatians 5:22-23 gives us the fruit of the Spirit, and on Sunday, we discussed these and the opposites of the fruit of the Spirit. How can use the fruit of the Spirit to identify God’s voice as opposed to the voice of the enemy?

In Ephesians 6:10-20, Paul describes the battle we are all engaged in and the armor that we have access to through God. How does this passage remind you of your active role in listening for God’s voice and discerning the truth that comes from Him?

Luke 4:31-37 gives us a story where Jesus commands a demon that is in a man to “Be quiet!”

How does it encourage you today to be reminded that God gives you to authority to tell the enemy’s voice to be quiet?

Over the past several weeks in this series, we have talked about the promise of God’s perfect peace, renewed strength, constant presence, divine provision, and ultimate victory.

Which of these promises has been especially encouraging to you?

Our ultimate victory will be found when Jesus returns to take us home, but we can live in victory today knowing that no weapon and no word that comes against us will win. Celebrate this truth!

All of God’s promises are true, but so often we can lose sight of what has been promised. Over
the next few weeks, we are going to dig into five promises that God gives us in the book of
Isaiah. As we remember what God has promised we will be reminded that each of these
promises are true and can significantly impact our lives today. This week we discussed God’s Promise of God’s Presence.

1. What do these six things have in common? How do you see the theme of God’s presence woven throughout the Bible? Garden / Tabernacle / Temple / Jesus / Church / New Heaven & New Earth
2. In Isaiah 41:8-10 we see God’s people described in four ways? Chosen / Taken / Called / Named Which of these are significant to you today? Why?
3. It is clear in these verses that it was God who acted, and his favor was never earned. How is it comforting for you to be reminded that God’s promises are never earned?
4. Check out Deuteronomy 7:6. How does this passage point to our good God acting on our behalf?
5. The end of Isaiah 41:9 has a beautiful line…“I have chosen you and not cast you off.” How does this truth about our God encourage us in times when we may have strayed?
6. Have you ever found yourself asking if your mistakes have somehow pushed you beyond the loving reach of our God?
7. Isaiah 41:10 is such a beautiful declaration. What encourages you today?
8. We looked at three ways that we can experience God’s presence
   • Omnipresence – God is everywhere at all times.
   • Manifest Presence – Our awareness of God’s presence is awakened.
   • Indwelling Presence – The Holy Spirit dwells within every believer.
   • How have you experienced God’s presence in these ways?
9. Because of God’s incredible love for us, he makes it possible for us to live as if he were not there.
10. Therefore, we are invited to live fully aware of God’s presence each day. How can you seek to live in wonder of God’s presence this week?
11. Respond to the following quote from A.W. Tozer, “Nothing bothers the devil more than a Christian delighting in God’s presence.” What does it look like for you to not only believe in the promise of God’s presence but to delight in God’s presence today?

John 17:24 is such an encouragement as it reminds us that Jesus desires for us to be with
Him where He is. Our God made it possible for us to dwell forever in His presence!

All of God’s promises are true, but so often we can lose sight of what has been promised. Over
the next few weeks, we are going to dig into five promises that God gives us in the book of
Isaiah. As we remember what God has promised we will be reminded that each of these
promises are true and can significantly impact our lives today. This week we discussed God’s Promise of Renewed Strength.

1. How would you describe the difference between being tired and being weary? Can you think of a time when you felt weary and not just tired? What helped you find relief from that weariness?
2. What is your response to the statement, “God invites those who are tired to rest and those who are weary to receive.”
3. How does being tired hinder your ability to understand why you may be weary?
4. As you read Isaiah 40:27-31, what is encouraging to you?
5. On Sunday, we broke down this passage into four questions. Which of these do find yourself asking today?
   • What Do We Question? (v. 27) [Does God see me]
   • What Do We Forget? (v. 28) [Who God is]
   • What Does God Do? (v. 29) [God’s desire to strengthen]
   • What Has Really Been Promised? (v. 30-31) [3 different ways that God renews our
     strength]
6. Isaiah 40:30-31 describes three forms of renewed strength: soaring like an eagle, running
   without becoming weary, and walking without fainting. Which promise of renewed strength resonates with you most in your current
   circumstances? Why?
7. This passage reminds us that our strength will be renewed as we wait by faith with hope in
   our God. How is God inviting you to wait on Him today?
8. What are some ways you can practice trust and patience when waiting on God’s strength in
   your life?
9. Sometimes the promises of God look different from what we expect, but that doesn’t mean
   the promises are not true. Can you share an experience where you had to trust in God’s
   promises even when they looked different from what you expected?

Read and reflect on Isiah 40:26.
Be encouraged that the God who created the stars, put them in place, gave them each a
name, and keeps all of them from falling, is upholding you today. He does not grow
weary, and there is nothing beyond his understanding. Our God sees, loves you, and
will strengthen you.

All of God’s promises are true, but so often we can lose sight of what has been promised. Over
the next few weeks, we are going to dig into five promises that God gives us in the book of
Isaiah. As we remember what God has promised we will be reminded that each of these
promises are true and can significantly impact our lives today. This week we discussed God’s Promise of Peace.

1. How was God speaking to you today?
2. How are you encouraged by His Word?
3. How do our beliefs effect our ability to trust someone or something?
4. Read Isaiah 26. What do you see in this song that God’s people are singing?
5. Isaiah 26:1 says “God makes salvation it’s walls and ramparts”…what picture do you see here of the fortress around the city being God’s rescue of His people? Why is this important?
6. In Isaiah 26:3 what does perfect peace look like for you? Have you ever experienced this?
7. How does our trust affect us living in perfect peace? Discuss.
   God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing. CS Lewis  
8. Do you agree with this?
9. Are there areas in your life that you search for perfect peace in something other than God?
10. How do the disciplines of peace {Thinking-Philippians 4:8-9 and Thanking-Philippians 4:6-7} help us to trust Him and walk into the fortress of peace?