January 12, 2021- “His Promises!”
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20.
This is Promise is in all the other promises from our Lord God, and our Lord Jesus. Each time I see a flower bud, or a child smile, I see the Presence of God.
Standing on the promises of Christ my King,
Through eternal ages let his praises ring;
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God. (Carter)
How many times I sang this hymn, and not until I lived awhile, did I begin to see the wonder of this song. Not until I read the God’s Word and understood the greatness of God and His Promises to His Children and begin to understand words such as, The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him and delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! Psalm 34:7-8.
Who is this Lord God? Until we know Him, we cannot understand the blessedness of His Promises. The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The Lord is good to all and his mercy is over all that He has made. All your works shall give thanks to You, O Lord, and all your saints shall bless you! They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power to make known to the children of man Your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of Your Kingdom. Psalm 145:8-12.
Is there a time limit on the goodness of God? Psalm 100:5 answers this question – For the Lord is good; His steadfast love endures forever, and His faithfulness to all generations.
As we make decisions on how to live, day by day, do we search for righteousness? How often do we make decisions that please us but have little or nothing to do with righteous living. What is good for me, we ask? Does it matter, just this once, and the cringe-worthy phrase, It is what I deserve. Meanwhile, children are watching, and learning from us. My sixth-grade teacher, seventy-nine years ago, told us younger children always watch us and want to be like us.
You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. Exodus 20:5-6 (NIV).
I remember the prayer my grandparents prayed ‘for those who come after’ (Nach Kommen). They prayed for me and my children before their appearance in this world.
Today, I listened to a devotion, that provided food for thought – We are the embodied presence of Christ on earth today. The way we choose to live and treat others in the name of Jesus makes us His Ambassadors. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:20-21.
God sent Jesus to the earth as a baby. During His time on earth, He made many promises to teach us of the Glory of the Father God who sent Him. These are recorded in His Word. Without the Word, we will not understand the Wonder of Love.
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30.
Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’ John 14:6.
I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life. John 8:12.
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners. Isaiah 61:1.
“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever.” John 14:15-16.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.” John 10:10.
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. You know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. John 14:15-17.
Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27.
Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. John 14:1-3.
No man can make these promises and keep them. No one can pray like Jesus prayed to his Father in Heaven. What did He teach about prayer?
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. Mark 11:24.
Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. James 1:5.
Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. John 14:12-14.