One-on-one

Nope, not talking about basketball here... we're talking about promises made by God to a specific individual.    A promise made uniquely by God with an intended audience of one.

This is not just a limited few promises we're talking about here either.  God made many unique promises to many individuals.  Some of these individuals were powerful leaders like David and Solomon and Hezekiah.  Some of them were famous patriarchs like Abraham, Moses and Jacob.  Some of them, though, were women, foreigners, and "sinners".

It can be natural for us to quickly look at these promises and think, "OK, this is for them, not me," and then move on to something else.  While each of these promises was chiefly for the benefit of who God was making the promise to, I believe there is a very cool benefit each of us can receive in considering these promises.  God has a unique plan for you.  He has a unique way of dealing with you and leading you.  In the course of this journey in life, God can make you a promise that is only for you (not for anyone else around you, no matter how powerful or spiritual they are).  This One-on-one promise requires that you and I are tuned in to Him who is speaking it, and that we have the faith to believe it.

So what has He spoken to you?

Meaningless

One of the toughest books in the Bible for me to understand is Ecclesiastes.  The philosophy of the writer, Solomon, seems backwards, frustrated, and confusing.  I mostly find myself disagreeing with Solomon's presented outlook.  However, there are also days where frustration and doubt seem larger than goals and hope.  In these days, I find myself echo the cries of Solomon that it all seems MEANINGLESS.  While I know this not to be true, doubts can occassionally make me feel that life is meaningless.  You've probably felt it too. 

There are so many areas in life that we wrestle over questions like these:
  - What is the legacy I am leaving behind?
  - Am I really impacting anyone's life?
  - What have I really done to make the world (my city, my job, my school, my home) a better place?
  - Will anyone even notice if I do the right thing instead of take the easy way out?
  - Does anyone care how hard I try?

If you are wrestling with any of these questions, let me share with you a promise that has helped me in times of doubt.

"So then my beloved brothers, be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."     - I Cor 15:58

We are promised that it is not empty, not in vain, not meaningless.  Every ounce of effort you pour out working for the Lord will be effective, and the Lord is faithful to reward your efforts.  This gives great reason to remain steadfast and press on, whether we see the results or not!

To the One who Overcomes

As a runner, I am often shooting to set new goals, run a new distance, set a personal record on a certain course.  Last week I think I set a new personal record for the coldest I've ever gotten while running.  I think a part of the sport of running has a lot to do with overcoming hurdles and setting new boundaries.  While very little of my running ever has to do with beating others, it has a lot to do with overcoming.
 
I am not very name-brand loyal about shoes or running gear (usually buy what is on sale), but I have always kind of liked Nike.  Their advertising is pretty briliant (check out the video below...), and Niketown is amazing.  But one of the things that I have always liked about Nike is the name.  In Greek, the word νικη (which reads nike) means "one who overcomes or conquers, the victor." 
 
So when we turn to consider a very powerful and mysterious set of promises in Revelation 2-3, we see 7 promises given to the 7 churches.  These promises are both beautiful and confusing, and I'm not sure what they are really promising in some cases.  The seven repeated promises belonging to the

νικη suggests a real importance that God places on our living victoriously.  Further on in Revelation, there is one more very clear promise to the one who overcomes:

He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. - Rev 21:7

It is tempting to look at my life and say "I'm not strong enough, brave enough, consistent enough, disciplined enough to be a conqueror." We can most all of us honestly conclude this.  However, we also have some amazing promises about the victory available to us through Christ 

• I John 5:4 - For whatever is born of God overcomes the world.
• Isa 54:17 - No weapon formed against you shall prosper...
• Rom 8:37 - Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
• II Cor 2:14 - Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ...
• Phil 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Running is a very simple sport.  It is simply putting one foot in front of the other, and finding the will and inpiration to press on.  Overcoming in running really is quite simple.  So also, there is something amazingly similar to overcoming in life.  Since the victory comes from Jesus, our path to victory is walking with Him, simply putting one foot in front of the other and receiving from Him the will and inspiration to press on. 

 

 
 

 

 

Faith and Faithfulness

As we come again toward the end of another year, and we prepare for what lies ahead in the coming year, there are a good number of us who find ourselves making resolutions and goals for the coming year.  I have done this several years, and have sometimes found this to be a very powerful time to make goals for life accomplishments and changes.

When we consider what the Bible has to say on this issue of resolutions and goals, it is often our tendancy to focus on either the importance of my obedient faithfulness of my disobedient failures. 

Considering our faithfulness, as humans to want to be faithful, and not drop the ball.  We don't want to fail.  Many Christians that have focused on the gospel and grace have downplayed to some degree the importance of our faithful obedience.  Consider that there are over 380 of God's promises that require faithful obedience either as a condition to be eligible or as an expected response.  This is no small issue.  Many of the blessings God offers require our faithful obedience.

Considering our failures, we are told that we've all dropped the ball.  When we are honest with ourselves, we know this to be true.  Further, we know that this is not a past tense (once upon a time) problem, but that we still continue struggling to live in faithful obedience, and that this struggle won't end while we are alive on earth.  This can be discouraging for sure.  BUT, there is such an amazing balancing side of this that is the Grace of God.  God's promises also contain a collection of over 180 promises that the only condition is that I believe in Him, trust in Him, hope in Him.  These promises are not tied to my performance, they only require that I trust in the faithfulness of God.  It is among this group of promises that we find forgiveness, healing and salvation. 

While our love for God must lead to obedience, His love for us was such that He offered promises of blessing to us even when our obedience fails.  So whether we resolve and succeed or resolve and fail terribly, let us consider the amazing faithfulness and love of God as we close out the new year and start the next.  HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Take Comfort

One of the greatest promises that we have been given in the Bible is that "the best is yet to come".  We are promised that for all who enter heaven: we will be in God's presence, we will see and experience amazing things, we will be free from pain and death.  Check out some of these amazing promises!

And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. Revelation 21:3-4

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.  II Cor 4:17

There are more too, but I am so drawn at this time to consider the comfort of God.  As families, communities and even our nation suffer loss, feel death and grief, it is so GOOD to know that GOD will bring comfort.  He promises it in Isaiah 51:12 and Matthew 5:4. 

Children, families, communities that now suffer loss.  I cannot bring you healing, but I pray for your healing. I pray for you to receive comfort from the Comforter, and that His gentle hand would this week wipe away the tears.  Let us be reminded together of the day when indeed there shall be no more death and no more pain.

 

A Christmas Promise

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Let's take a few minutes away from the cookie baking, shopping, and party planning to remember the promise that made this season possible!!  He has truly given us such an amazing gift in sending Jesus Christ to live with us and die for us.  Enjoy the words and the music of this song; it has sure been a blessing to me this last few weeks. 

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulder.  And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over his kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever.  The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.   Isaiah 9:6-7

God's Faithfulness

I had a pastor during my college years who several times I heard state the following quote:  "God's past faithfulness demands my present trust in Him."  It actually took me several times hearing pastor Rob speak on this topic for it to sink in, but once it sunk in it has become one of my favorite quotes. 

It is so important to consider the faithfulness of God.  It is seen in so many ways.  You can see it in creation.  You can see it in His described desire for an intimate relationship with us.  You can see it by His patience and forgiveness.  You can see it in how He has pulled you or others through a very difficult situation.  You can see it in answered prayers.  You can see it in His supplying for your needs.

 

So, when you and I are in a tight spot... depressed... alone... confused... in need... and wondering if God will come through, one of the greatest weapons that we have against doubt is the past faithfulness of God.  It is a great exercise to look back over your life and just consider the faithfulness of God.  It is this unfailing faithfulness of the all-powerful God that now DEMANDS that you trust Him with what you are going through. 

Check it out in the "Promise Project".  There are 37 of God's promises Bible specifically on God's Faithfulness.  (There are actually plenty more that weren't listed under this category, but could have been.)  Here is one of my favorites...

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.  Heb 10:23