Monday, March 31, 2008

Verse of the Day - Genesis 18:10-12

[God said,] "…your wife Sarah will have a son." Now Sarah was listening to this conversation from the tent nearby. And since Abraham and Sarah were both very old, and Sarah was long past the age of having children, she laughed silently to herself. "How could a worn-out woman like me have a baby?"…. ~ Genesis 18:10-12 (NLT)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I have a question: How do we know what God's promises are? I mean, God doesn't talk to us the way He spoke to Abram or Moses. So how do we know that He promises us anything?

God's word is His talking to us, that's how. The Bible is loud and clear. But you'll never know what He promises you and me if you don't read it. You will never know how faithful He was to men and women of the Bible until you crack open the pages and dig in. God's faithful and true character is written all over His word, so that you will know Him, and desire to trust Him with your life.

So, as I go through this life, I know this, as a Christ follower...

~ He loves me (John 3:16)

~ He will never leave me or turn His back on me (Hebrews 13:5)

~ I have His Holy Spirit to lead and counsel me (John 14:26)

~ He is preparing a place in heaven for me to be with Him (John 14:6)

And, by the way, if you're looking for promises of health, wealth and prosperity, you will probably be disappointed in God. He doesn't promise a life of ease, free from disappointments or hardships. In fact, He promises that, as His followers, that's exactly what we will face. Wow--care to change your mind about who you serve?

See, it's not about us, it's about Him. All glory and power and praise and honor belong to the triune God! If we focus on what God promises to do for us on this earth, we miss the mark. All of what we have and what we are is pointed back to the Lord God Almighty!

Okay, so get into God's word. See what He's made of, and the things that He does promise His children, and the things He doesn't promise. Read how God was faithful way back when to all that He promised. Trust Him for all you have now and in the future, knowing that what He provides for you is out of His love for you and for His purpose and pleasure. Make your own promise to God, to live a life of loving service to Him, in His honor and for His glory.

Making and keeping promises reveals a heart of commitment. God has continually shown His heart of commitment to those who love Him. So - are we reciprocal? Do we demonstrate our commitment to Him? Do we keep our promise to love and trust Him, to walk with Him, to serve Him?

As you read of God's commitment in His word, let's evaluate our commitment to Him. Relationship is a two-way street.

(I realize that I have jumped all over the board today, like a checkerboard player gone mad. Oh well, thoughts don't always flow cohesively at 5am. :-)

Love,
Joelene