Our writings in almost any genre will stay on track and be
more powerful with a theme and purpose we believe to be important. As
Christians, that purpose often stems from our desire to spread the Good News of
the Gospel and to encourage readers in their faith.
To find a purposeful theme, we can look to God’s word and,
specifically, God’s promises. For example, I’ve developed entire stories from
Romans 8:28, “And we know God will work all things for the good of those who
are called according to His purpose.”
With that Bible promise in mind, a novel can develop as the
main character faces hard times until the last chapter when a change of circumstances or an insightful resolution brings
something unexpected and wonderful.
Whether you write fiction, nonfiction, or poetry, your favorite
Bible promises provide themes for your work too.
I wanted to know more about those promises because it seemed
to me they offered the key to praying in God’s will. So I researched hundreds
of Bible promises, then compiled them into the book, Kneeling on the Promises of God, with a brief prayer as an example guided by each verse.
Since I also wanted to know what promises mean the most to
others, I searched online and asked a group of Christians to share their
favorites. Not surprisingly, John 3:16 (and 17) rate the highest:
“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. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that
the world through Him might be saved,” “John 3:16-17, King James Version (KJV)
After John 3:16, the most often prayed promise comes from Jeremiah
29:11, “"For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans to prosper
you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future and a hope’."
Other Christians gain hope from Matthew 6:33: “Seek
ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall
be added unto you.”
Although I haven’t written about this, John 10:29 has
encouraged me greatly when I start to worry about loved ones who have drawn far
away from the Lord. As Jesus promised, “My Father, Who gave them to Me, is
greater than all! No one can snatch them out of the Father’s hand.”
And when we ourselves drift too far, Jesus reminds us, “Lo, I
am with you always, even to the end of the world,” Matthew 28:20.
With hundreds of Bible promises to choose from, you have themes to last a lifetime of writing! May God guide your choices and your writing life in Christ.
Mary Harwell Sayler
who thanks God for promises never broken
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