Promises, Promises!

How many times have you had a promise made to you by a parent, a child, an advertiser, a politician, an economist, a friend, or religious leader?  We have all had a lot of promises made to us by a myriad of people in our lives.  They may have even made a “pinky swear” with us to confirm the promise.  Sometimes the promises are honored and sometimes they are not.  After having promise after promise broken, we tend to just look at the person and say, “Promises, Promises!”  We start to not have hope in any promise that anyone tells us.  That is a sad way to live.

Did you know that different people have attempted to count the number of promises God has made in the Bible?  Some have counted 3000, others 7000 to 8000.  That’s a lot of promises.  Thankfully, no matter what the real count is, these are the promises we can count on.  God is the one maker of promises that we can trust.  He is all knowing and all powerful so who better to know when He can keep a promise.  He is always going to glorify Himself, so He isn’t going to break any promises.

We couldn’t be any wiser than when we learn, accept, believe and hope in God’s promises.  Read II Peter 1: 3-4.

³His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. ⁴ By these He has given us very great and precious promises, so that through them you may share in the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desires.

God in His perfect wisdom gives us a Bible full of promises to explore.  He gives them to show His sovereignty, power, control and love.  He gives them to provide us with hope.  He gives them to us to use to witness for Him.  He gives them to us so we can share in His divine nature.  We would be wise to regularly look up these promises and learn them and share them.  The Holy Spirit then can use them in our lives and in other’s lives when He needs to encourage us on.  Take time to praise God for His precious promises.

My Father Gives the Best Gifts

I have been listening to different people talk about the parties they throw and the gifts they give to their kids.  It is absolutely amazing.  They are bringing in petting zoos, jump houses, and performing groups.  Teenagers receiving all the latest gadgets and new expensive cars.  I know as a kid I was just excited to have some cake and have my grandparents come over.  The problem with the spoiling of our children is the fact that as time goes by they become ungrateful and expect more and more.  Watch this one video by clicking here of a teenager receiving an expensive gift. We really need to go back to the way gifts were given and received years ago.  We were taught not to expect things and when we did receive them were very grateful.  We were taught to value human life and being together.  We were taught to show appreciation and thankfulness.  We were taught it is better to give than to receive.  We were taught that it is not about self, but about others.

More important than worldly gifts are the spiritual ones our Heavenly Father gives.  Read Ephesians 1: 7 – 12.

⁷ We have redemption in Him through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace ⁸ that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. ⁹ He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure that He planned in Him ¹⁰ for the administration of the days of fulfillment—to bring everything together in the Messiah, both things in heaven and things on earth in Him. ¹¹ We have also received an inheritance in Him, predestined according to the purpose of the One who works out everything in agreement with the decision of His will, ¹² so that we who had already put our hope in the Messiah might bring praise to His glory.

What an encouragement to know that God gives us the gift of an inheritance so that we might bring praise to His glory.  Our gifts from God and our future eternity should be bringing praise from our mouths to testify of His glory.  We need to be showing our appreciation and thankfulness for what He has so lovingly given us.  I am thankful that my Father gives the best gifts!

My Father is Stronger Than Your Father

Kids when they feel insecure or unsafe sometimes will say things to other kids like, “My Father is stonger than your Father” or “My Father is bigger than your Father” or “My Father is smarter than your Father”.  It’s as if the child gains strength from their association to their Father.  They believe their Father will take care of them.  Throughout history the Jewish people had been waiting for God the Father to send the Messiah.  They looked to their Heavenly Father to protect them while they waited.  Every time God proved Himself stronger than their enemy’s father, Satan.  Satan as the Father of lies wants us all to believe He is God.  He comes in many forms such as Religious Cults, materialism, government controls, new worldly social norms, etc.  He has placed himself as God over every religion since He fell from Heaven.  He spins lies like there is no tomorrow.  Satan’s lies that teach mankind all the opposite values and morals from what are God’s values and morals.  He fills mankind’s head with things corrupt him and bring him low.  Since He was thrown out of Heaven for his disobedience to God he has been trying to thwart God’s plan to bring salvation to man.  Our Heavenly Father is far stronger than this world’s father.  Read Ephesians 1: 7 – 12.

⁷ We have redemption in Him through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace ⁸ that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. ⁹ He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure that He planned in Him ¹⁰ for the administration of the days of fulfillment—to bring everything together in the Messiah, both things in heaven and things on earth in Him. ¹¹ We have also received an inheritance in Him, predestined according to the purpose of the One who works out everything in agreement with the decision of His will, ¹² so that we who had already put our hope in the Messiah might bring praise to His glory.

It is just common sense to realize that if God made everything including Lucifer/Satan, that God is stronger and able to guarantee that His promised salvation would come.  Satan no matter what He did could not stop it.  In verse 10 we are told about “the days of fulfillment”.  Right there we can see that God knew His plans would be completed.  He planned for everything to come together in fulfillment through Christ.  Nothing on this earth could ever stop His plans. I am so thankful that my Father is stronger than the World’s father!

My Father’s Mystery

My Father and I use to watch a mystery TV Series called, “The Father Dowling Mysteries”.  It was a show about a Catholic Priest/Father who was always stumbling across murders and other mysteries in Chicago. He and his faithful sidekick Nun would always solve the mystery each week.  Even though mystery shows and books are centered around a murder and other sins usually, the idea of discovering the truth is always intriguing.  Right along with the characters you are busy looking for clues and trying to deduce who did it.  The Jewish people for their entire history were trying to solve a mystery that God had given them through the prophets.  Many Jewish people still have not discovered the truth.  They are still waiting for the answer to the mystery to be revealed.  The Apostle Paul was a Jewish Pharisee when he was young.  He was a Jewish religious leader that was well trained in the Jewish faith.  He knew his Torah well.  He knew the law well.  Yet, he too was unable to solve the mystery until He met Jesus on the road to Damascus.  Paul talks about the answer to the mystery in Romans, I Corinthians and Ephesians.  Read Ephesians 1: 7 – 12.

⁷ We have redemption in Him through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace ⁸ that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. ⁹ He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure that He planned in Him ¹⁰ for the administration of the days of fulfillment—to bring everything together in the Messiah, both things in heaven and things on earth in Him. ¹¹ We have also received an inheritance in Him, predestined according to the purpose of the One who works out everything in agreement with the decision of His will, ¹² so that we who had already put our hope in the Messiah might bring praise to His glory.

The mystery that had been spoken of for so long by God was the redemption that would be brought to Jews and Gentiles alike by Jesus’ death on the cross and His resurrection.  Even Jesus’ disciples did not understand this mystery fully until Jesus was resurrected.  Then it became clear.  The veil was lifted from their eyes and they then could understand all they mysterious prophesies found in the Old Testament.  The church age (time of the Gentiles coming to the Lord) was part of that mystery. 

We can gain instructions from the revealing of the answer to this age old mystery.  In verse 9 it states, “according to His good pleasure that He planned in Him”.  This mystery found in Christ was for God’s pleasure.  Everything that is done by God is for His glorification and pleasure.  We are part of that mystery.  We are part of His pleasure.  We through acceptance of Christ in to our hearts were meant to bring God glorification and pleasure.  To further that process of glorifying God, we are to continue the process of revealing the answer to the mystery of God to others that we meet.  We are instructed in the Bible to share the truth found in this mystery.  Are you a part of my Father’s mystery?

My Father Knows Best!

A radio show that began in the late 40’s eventually made it on to TV in the 50’s.  One of the main characters of the family was the Father.  The Father was thoughtful and always had wise advice for his children when they came to him with a problem.  The entire family looked to him for the answers.  The show, of course, was called, “Father Knows Best”.  Many of us would have loved to have had such a perfect father.  Unfortunately, there are many families today who have not so wise fathers or don’t have fathers at all.  We can blame society, the government, or some other source for this rising statistic, but the truth is each human is sinful.  We each give in to sin and problems like these arise.  Knowing we are so flawed and lack so much wisdom, God in all His wisdom and understanding provides Himself as the only perfect Father we will ever find.  As our perfect, loving and wise Father He knew He would be the only one who could provide redemption through His perfect Son.  He knew we would need an abundance of His grace to make it through our lives on Earth and for our entrance in to eternity.  Read Ephesians 1: 7 – 12.

⁷ We have redemption in Him through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace ⁸ that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. ⁹ He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure that He planned in Him ¹⁰ for the administration of the days of fulfillment—to bring everything together in the Messiah, both things in heaven and things on earth in Him. ¹¹ We have also received an inheritance in Him, predestined according to the purpose of the One who works out everything in agreement with the decision of His will, ¹² so that we who had already put our hope in the Messiah might bring praise to His glory.

Our Heavenly Father didn’t just give us enough grace to get by.  He “lavished” His grace on us.  His grace was prolific, abundant, unstinting, generous, and extravagant.  The Bible tells us that God is all-knowing, all-powerful and Holy.  Knowing this information, we would be wise to accept His lavish gift of grace that He provides through His Son.  After all, my Father knows best!

Perks For Productivity

Statistically the business world is finding out that companies that reward and encourage their employees have some of the most productive and happy employees. Google, SAS, Edward Jones, Keurig, Wequassett Resort and New England Law Firm of Boston all top the Best Companies to Work for list.  Google provides massages, Wellness Centers, Horseshoe Pits and Slides to name a few things to their employees.  Keurig Coffee Company offers “Origin Trips” to reward their employees with a trip to where the company’s product comes from in Costa Rica.  Wequassett Resort employees enjoy use of the resort facilities as much as the guests do.  If a party has been thrown for guests, then a party is thrown for the employees.  Employees enjoy the spa treatments and time on the golf course.  New England Law Firm of Boston employees feel as though they are included and a part of the family.  Employees never leave.  They have been working there for their whole career.  Appreciation and encouragement can go a long way for employees, congregations, friends and family.

Think how much better you feel, when friends, family, church members and co-workers give you an encouraging word.  You feel appreciated, wanted, needed, happy, uplifted, and energized.  How much more work do you get done when you feel good about yourself or are encouraged.  You get much more done than when you are down in the dumps about yourself or your skills or your job or your life.  God knew that we are geared to work better with encouragement.  It’s a way of linking humans together to care for one another.  You might think of God as a big CEO who has put an encouragement program in place for his employees.  His first encouragement program works from the inside out.  He provided the Holy Spirit to encourage us and help us along.  Read Acts 9:31.  Look at the results of the internal encouragement program.

So the church throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace, being built up and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, and it increased in numbers.

Next God put in the external encouragement program.  He commanded us to encourage one another because He knew times would get tougher and tougher as each day passed and we approached the Day of the Lord.  Read I Thessalonians 5:11.

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing.

As Christians we can gain great encouragement from God’s “Perks For Productivity” Encouragement Program.  We will see the Kingdom grow, new souls come to know the Lord and we will feel included, appreciated and happy.  Pay attention to the encouragement coming from the Holy Spirit and remember to share encouragement with others.

Put Your Weight In To It!

One time my spouse and I were out bowling.  As I stepped up to throw my bowling ball down the lane, my spouse yells out, “Put your weight in to it!”  Now, both of us had gained some weight over the years, but was there really any reason to say that to me in public?  Of course, there was a roaring of laughter behind me.  Some good friends I had.  Really what my spouse was trying to say was that I would stand a better chance of hitting a strike if I put some force in to my swing.  My spouse was right.  If I was wimpy about my swing I could end up dropping the ball or tossing it in to the gutter.

As Christians, we need to put weight in to our witnessing.  We need to depend more on the Holy Spirit.  He will take our wimpy attempts and make them powerful efforts that are effective. Read Acts 1:8.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Many times we don’t even attempt to witness because we are afraid or think someone else can do it.  We don’t like rejection or are worried about what people will think of us.  Other times we don’t witness, because we just don’t seem to know who to witness to.  We hang out with our closed circle of friends and that is it.  All we need to do is ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to us who we should witness to.  He will open our eyes.

It is just common sense to realize that if God said He was going to give us the power and that we would be witnesses for Him, then we will be.  We have nothing to be afraid of.  We have all the power and abilities we need to witness.  So let’s get out there and put some weight in to it!

Forgetfulness

Right now I am living with an old dog that cannot remember that he has just gone outside.  It may have been ten minutes since he just begged me to go out, but he thinks he needs to go out again.  He forgets to eat.  He forgets where we are at.  All these moments of forgetfulness frustrate him and us.  The things that he is forgetting can cause him harm.  If he goes without eating too long, he could die.  His forgetfulness leads him to being more fearful.  He becomes insecure, because he doesn’t know where we are at and then he runs and finds a place to hide.  Thankfully for the dog, we are here to find him where he is fearfully hiding, comfort him, reassure him, let him out and feed him.

Thankfully for Christians, we have someone who will do the same thing for us when we are being forgetful.  We have been given the Holy Spirit as our instructor, guide, comforter, re-assurer, and strengthener.  He gives us instructions to teach us what God wants us to know.  He guides us to the paths God wants us on.  He comforts us, when we are afraid.  He reassures us when we are insecure.  He strengthens us, when we are weak.  He reminds us when we have forgotten something we have already been taught or should know.  He is always there with us helping us through our day.

John 14:26

But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit—the Father will send Him in My name—will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you.

Luke 12:12

For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that very hour what must be said.

These verses give us basic instructions for how we are to going to manage to live our daily lives walking in God’s ways.  We need to just listen to the Holy Spirit’s instructions and reminders.

Now Pay Attention Young Man!

Did you ever sit in class as a kid and drift off?  You were tired or just kept thinking about the girl sitting a few desks over.  You just couldn’t keep focused on what the teacher was talking about at the chalkboard.  The next thing you know the teacher is standing a few feet in front of you pointing her finger and telling you “Now pay attention young man!”  So you say, “Sorry Mam! I will pay attention.”  Then you sat yourself up straight in the chair and started listening much more intently out of fear you would be sent to the Principle’s office.

Even as mature adults we can still tend to drift off when we are supposed to be paying attention.  We drift off while our spouse is trying to tell us how their day went or we drift off while we are sitting at our desk at work.  Most of the time, when we are drifting off we shouldn’t be.  We should be focused on our spouse or our job.  We can get in to some bad situations when we drift off.  As Christians, we can do the same thing.  We drift off at church during the sermon.  We drift off during our prayer time.  We drift off when the Holy Spirit is trying to get our attention.  Just like the school teacher’s voice that becomes monotone like Ferris Bueller’s teacher and we tune it out, we tune out the Holy Spirit’s voice.  Throughout our day He can be telling us important things we need to be aware of, remember or do.  He can prevent us from falling in to the ditch of sin as we walk with the Lord through the day.  The Apostle Paul gave a great example of the Holy Spirit speaking to him in Acts 20:22-24.

²² “And now I am on my way to Jerusalem, bound in my spirit, not knowing what I will encounter there, ²³ except that in town after town the Holy Spirit testifies to me that chains and afflictions are waiting for me. ²⁴ But I count my life of no value to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace.

Paul wasn’t getting a message that was very encouraging from the Holy Spirit, but it was something He needed to pay attention to and be aware of.  Stephen was giving the last speech he would ever give to the men that were about to kill him.  Read this one line he told them in Acts 7:51.

“You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are always resisting the Holy Spirit; as your ancestors did, so do you.

If we don’t start paying attention to the Holy Spirit when He speaks to us we may find ourselves in the same boat as these religious leaders that were stoning Stephen.  We will become stiff-necked and resistant to the Holy Spirit.  Soon we won’t hear Him at all.  In all wisdom, start trying to tune in what the Holy Spirit is telling you as you go through your day, even things that might seem earthly, mundane or routine.  He can give you all kinds of advice, wisdom, help, and guidance.  You will find with each time that you hear and respond appropriately you will gain an even more keen awareness of His presence and voice.  You will find that He was probably talking to you more than you ever knew all those times you weren’t paying attention.

Composition

Having a great model or a beautiful scene doesn’t necessarily mean you will end up with a great image from your photography.  It’s all about composition.  Composition entails knowing when and where to put the image on the film.  Photographers use certain photography rules to help them get the most out of the image.  For example, they will use the “Rule of Thirds” which “makes use of a natural tendency of the human eye to be more strongly drawn towards certain parts of an image” (about.com).  A photographer might also use “Depth of Field” which “is the amount of your image before and beyond your focus point that will be in focus. Depth of field tells you whether or not your subject and background can be sharply focused at the same time” (about.com).  Other rules about centering your subject, horizontal vs. vertical, point of view, leading lines, natural frames and whether the subject looks in to the camera or not all play apart in a great image being created.

Jesus acts as a great photographer with each of us.  He takes our image and makes it better.  And much like a great photographer’s assistant brings prospective models in to the photographer, Jesus expects us to bring others to Him.  Did you know that half of Jesus’ disciples were brothers; Peter and Andrew, James and John (sons of Zebedee), James and Matthew (sons of Alphaeus)?  Andrew is credited with bringing his brother Peter to Jesus.  Read John 1: 35-42.

^{35Again the next day, John was standing with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look! The Lamb of God!” 37 The two disciples heard him say this and followed Jesus. 38 When Jesus turned and noticed them following Him, He asked them, “What are you looking for?” They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are You staying?” 39 “Come and you’ll see,” He replied. So they went and saw where He was staying, and they stayed with Him that day. It was about 10 in the morning. 40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard John and followed Him. 41 He first found his own brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah!” (which means “AnointedOne”), 42 and he brought Simon to Jesus. When Jesus saw him, He said, “You are Simon, son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which means “Rock”).}

As a result of Andrew bringing his brother Peter to the Lord, Jesus was able to make the most out of the image of Peter.  He brought Peter in to focus and helped others look at him in a new light.  He turned Peter in to the “Rock”.

What an encouragement to know that we can help others become a beautiful piece of art.  What an incredible encouragement to know that Jesus can develop our image in to an image that is looked at and admired and valued by Him and others throughout our lifetime and after.