I promise

J“The Lord, the God of heaven, who brought me out of my father’s household and my native land and who spoke to me and promised me on oath, saying, ‘To your offspring I will give this land’—he will send his angel before you so that you can get a wife for my son from there. (Genesis 24:7 NIV)

Promises, promises, promises! The art of making a promise, a commitment, is non existent. Oh, people still make the promises, they just don't keep them. It's easier to say yes and not do it, than say no because you know you can't do it.

I pick on politicians about this , but they are not alone. I have seen parents lie to there kids just to get them to stop asking. I've seen employers lie to get employees to work. It's just not popular to be honest. Integrity is an art form long ago replaced with manipulation, arrogance and pride. Many times it starts with a failure or a mistake. Then instead of admitting the mistake, a lie forms and replaces the truth. Not being able to admit faults and mistakes is a gateway to dishonesty.

The most important promise we make is to love and serve Jesus. It's a commitment that has an impact through eternity. The consequences of lieing to the creator of the universe is certain death. Beyond this statement of dedication to Christ are the commitments we make to our family, friends, and coworkers. Those commitment say a lot about our Christian life. They could be the reason someone comes to Jesus or looks at us as hypocritical and never comes to know our savior. Let your yes mean yes and your no mean no. 

Simply say yes or no. Anything more than that comes from the evil one. (Matthew 5:37 GW)

Thank you Lord, I am committed to you. I love you and promise to live my life for you. I am not perfect and will also promise to continue to fight my sinful nature and admit my mistakes. I will work to serve you and set the example for those that do not know you. I love you and praise your mercy and grace. amen!

I promise

the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, (Romans 1:2-3 NIV)

God loves you and he has promised to be with you. The bible is filled with verses Those promises are the center of the Christmas season. Our society doesn't value a promise like it used to. Promises to love someone forever in marriage is not taken seriously. Promises to children are destroyed through divorce and family turmoil. Politicians are better at breaking promises than keeping them. God ALWAYS keeps his promises. 

I am so thankful for a reliable, loving God who has a plan for my life and promises life eternal for those who believe. He sent his son to us that we would see those promises in action. I am honored and humbled by his impact and involvement in my life. May we all remember God's wonderful promises during this Christmas season. May we, as christians, honor our promises and take seriously the commitments we make. The impact of breaking our promises damage the witness we have and may keep the lost from coming to know Jesus. Your number one promise should be to love and serve Jesus. Keep that promise and live in eternity with your loving, Heavenly Father.

Great Promises

I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” (Genesis 28:15 NIV)

There is so much comfort in knowing my God will never leave my side. I know that he is not going anywhere until he has brought me home. He has promised to prepare a place for me. He guarantees it. I have nothing to fear and can enjoy life because of his promises. My heart is where it needs to be. That doesn't mean I don't make mistakes. It doesn't mean I can do whatever I want. It does mean I will overcome my mistakes and will learn from them. I will survive the evil and sin of this world, including my own. I feel his presence in my life, he makes sure of that. Praise God that he cares for me, watches over me, and walks with me every day. 

I promise!

Psalm 132

A song of ascents.

 ¹ LORD, remember David
   and all his self-denial.

 ² He swore an oath to the LORD,
   he made a vow to the Mighty One of Jacob:
³ “I will not enter my house
   or go to my bed,
⁴ I will allow no sleep to my eyes
   or slumber to my eyelids,
⁵ till I find a place for the LORD,
   a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob.”

Have you ever made such a promise to God? Did you follow through?

It is so easy to  make a vow to God, but it is much harder to follow through. David was completely dedicated to providing God with a home, the Temple. God didn't ask for the temple. But, David felt uncomfortable living in a palace while God lived in a tent. So, he dedicated his life to build a grand home for God. God did not let him build the temple but his son, Solomon, did. David was weak at times and lost focus on the Lord. But, he worked hard to make sure he honored God even in his weakness. He never saw the fruit of his efforts but his efforts were behind the eventual completion of the temple. God was proud of him and chose to dwell there. 

It was Davids dedication handed down to his son that made this happen. David followed through for God. He was not perfect, but he continued to try to honor God and finally accomplished it though he was not alive to see it. 

How serious am I about my oath to the Lord? What lengths would I go to follow through for him?  Sometimes I am absolutely on fire for the Lord. I am dedicated to his will and to honor him. Other times, I am weak of heart and I don't even remember to talk to God, let alone follow through with my oath.  

God is not impressed with our words. He is not impressed with our "Oath" to him. He is impressed with our actions. He is impressed with our willingness to work until the end of our days for him. 

Lord, Help my weakness. Give me strength to stand up for you. Help me to do your will every day of my life and every breath I breathe. Lord, I love you is just words if I don't follow up on that Love with doing your will. Forgive me for my weak heart and give me the strength to work for you! Amen!