Noting the Promises of God

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But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness”. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12: 9-10 (NIV)

In all of your earthly relationships, who do you place the most trust in? Do the words loyal and faith describe their character? Do they primarily have remarkable follow through with their promises to you? Have they or will they let you down at some point?

I once was advised by a church leader to never have expectations of humans, then I would never be disappointed by them. Well, as much as this appears logical, how could one ever develop an intimacy and deep friendship with no expectations?

I am of the opinion most people choose their circle of friends, you know-those beyond acquaintances, based on trust and dependability. Why would you ever entertain a close association with someone if you didn’t have some type of faithful expectations? How could you truly believe what they said or promised if there wasn’t some level of trust?

Good news-you never have to question the promises of the LORD. He is forever constant in fulfilling and has proved this over and over. Just compare Old Testament prophecy to New Testament fulfillment.

His character is steadfast. God is the only relationship delivering constant, dependable trust. It is His character-loyal, faithful, devoted, and reliable. What a privilege to call Him friend.

When reading Scripture, search for those promises made directly by the father. These guarantees and assurances furnish hope on a big scale. Why? Because you can count on it, my friend! Believe it, trust it, and know it will happen. They are oaths made by the LORD himself.

These promises enter our minds as only information as we read and discover them. But, if we take the time to study each one intimately, God exposes His love for us and declares truth we can certainly hang our hat on. (Oops, that might have come from my Texas upbringing) It provides an insight of eternal hope and builds an even greater scale of confidence in the creator of our soul, Elohim.

As you find the promises of the LORD in your independent reading, decide what your plan will be.

Will you highlight them a different color than everything else in your Bible?
Will you write them in a special journal filled with nothing but God’s promises? (I call this God’s victory file. It comes in handy on those days the enemy is larking and working overtime. It helps call him out for who and what he is, a liar!)
Maybe you are a prayer journal lover. You can write the verse/s of promises directly in your prayer journal book with complete reference. Then pray out the promise/s into your life and those around you.

These three ideas are only the beginning to honoring the promises of the father. Each promise is a revelation you can expect to happen. They embody a powerful force, capable of crushing the attempts of evil. (Think about Jesus’ responds when tempted by the enemy.)

I would encourage you to devise a promise plan right for you. Determine a method of noting these assurances. Highlight them, write them, pray them, use them to encourage others, and cling to them for a lifetime. You may already have a strategy working for you in this area. How could you possibly enhance it?

You can always trust God’s assurances to be prevailing, mighty, effective, impressive, and everlasting! Who else delivers such guarantees?

Oh yeah, one more thing-have expectations of the Father. They will always be fulfilled BEYOND human standards and in accordance with His immaculate plan. Pinkie promise!

September 8, 2022 0

Advent Week One: HOPE

Most dictionaries will define hope as an expectation or desire for something to transpire. The Word of God provides followers hope which exceeds anything the world can promise. Our Father offers steadfast truth shown to be reliable and trustworthy. We are reminded of this in scripture.

In Hebrews 6:15-20 God’s Word states: And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised. People swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

God has proven over and over that His Word is dependable and unswerving to establish hope beyond a mere wish. Hope by God’s design surpasses any earthly classification or meaning. Our God has clarified the hope He gives through His track record of fulfilled assurances. He promised and furnished salvation to all through the gift of Jesus Christ. Our Father goes above and beyond any human guarantee. The Lord does not waver. In Numbers 23:19 it states: God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?

What are you counting on in life? A career, spouse, family, friends, stock market, co-workers, paycheck, self, material items, . . . Where is your hope?

Psalm 62:5-8

Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.

First Sunday of Advent Isaiah 9:2, 6-7:
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.”

Dear Father, Thank you for your offering of hope through your son, Jesus Christ. You, O Lord, are our hope and we are dependent upon you for all our needs. May your precious gift of eternal life ring out from our hearts for the world to hear of your sweet love. Let us walk out our salvation by strengthening our relationship with you. Father give us pure hearts, humble spirits, and strong faith. We are forever grateful for your astounding hope. Amen.

December 1, 2019 0

Trust: Supernatural Power

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:23

Have you ever felt powerless? I have. There have been situations or events way out of my control. I felt trapped in a downward spiral because of the inability to determine the outcome. This is true of numerous matters life will dispense: illness, death, job loss, tragedy, . . . In some of my life experiences, I longed for superpowers! (Yes, I am a Marvel fan.) I’ll admit, there were times that an “incredible Genna” would have come in handy although bright green is not in my color pallet.

God’s refinement has supplied the realization that I don’t have to be Wonder Woman to exhibit supernatural capabilities. I only need to TRUST in Him. The world may see it as denial of a psychological need, but strength comes when I impart control to God. Faith, trust, and belief in the Lord releases a heavenly force capable of doing much more than humanly possible. For me, it is a life process of walking alongside the trinity in full surrender and allowing the outcome to fulfill God’s plan. It is never effortless for me and I often find myself in the driver’s seat again.

Trust turns powerless into supernatural strength where miracles happen and outcomes glorify the Father. Surprisingly, it turns my fear into confidence, hate into love, failure into success, misery into joy, and the list continues. One example is when someone suggested I ask the Lord to give me His love for someone who I had little compassion for at the time. It was a choice to deny my human thoughts and unforgiveness. After I finally took the advice, I cannot express the overwhelming love I had for this person. There was total grace and supernatural love flowing from a source I could not explain. Power to love when the world said hate. My vision of the person was transformed. My Wonderful Super God was at work in me and through me. The Holy Spirit was leading me to fully extend God’s grace and goodness to His child who He loved dearly.

Tap into the almighty power of God. Trust in Him. Find a sufficient amount of power by having faith in Jesus Christ. In all of our ways, may we glorify the Father.

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; 2 Corinthians 9:8

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, Ephesians 3:20

No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. I Peter 4:11

October 17, 2019 2