A Promise Kept

Do you believe that God’s Promises are real? That He can do what He says He can do? It’s so easy, in a world of broken promises, to get a very jaded attitude about this subject. Promises are made and broken with such regularity it’s what we expect to happen. In the story of Abram and Sarai we are given a glimpse into a Promise Kept.

Wikipedia

I’m sure you know the story…God told Abram to pick up his family, flocks and possessions and move from Ur to where ever He told him to stop. God’s promise was that Abram’s offspring would number more than the stars in the sky and the sand on the beach. So Abram said sure, I can do that and he began walking. He got side-tracked a bit when they stopped in Haran to visit his father. During the lengthy visit his father died and he remembered what God had promised so off he went again.

Abram and Sarai seemed to like doing things themselves rather than waiting on God. (How much like us is that?) During their journey Abram passed off Sarai as his sister to protect themselves. (BTW she really was his half-sister. It was very common to marry within the family at that time because there weren’t a lot of options.) Sarai got tired of waiting for this promised heir, so she gave Abram Hagar to have a child with. The child was conceived, born and caused no end of envy in Sarai’s heart. Abraham got so tired of her constant nagging that he told her to do whatever she wanted with Hagar. That nearly cost Hagar and Ismael their lives, but God intervened and promised a great heritage to them, also. We are still seeing the impact of Sarai’s misguided decision today–Isaacs descendants are, of course, the Israelites and Ishmail’s are the Arabs…need I say more on that?

Abraham and the Three Angels by J.Tissot

There is another part to this story that tells us Sarai had pretty much given up on the Promise. When the three men came to visit Abram in Shechem (the fulfillment of the land part of the Promise) they told Abram they would visit again in a year and at that time he would have a son. Sarai, who was standing in the tent listening, thought to herself–Yeah! Right! Not gonna happen. I’m to old. Ha! Ha! When asked why she laughed she said I didn’t. The man said, yes, you did! Genesis 18 verses 1 and 2 tell us who these visitors were. Abram addresses Him as LORD (It’s capitalized in every translation I read which means a direct reference to Yahwah!) Sarai’s denial of laughter makes sense when we realize that God was the One who ‘heard’ her.

God followed through and Isaac was born. Not only Isaac but three more sons and two daughters. When Isaac was 37 years old Sarah went to her reward. In her lifetime she learned a very important concept…God keeps His promises.

Heavenly Father, Lord of all, help me realize and recognize Your Promises. I give You thanks for all You’ve given me! I ask that You make me constantly aware of You and Your blessings. I lift this prayer in the Precious Name of Jesus. Make it so!

The story of Abraham and Sarah can be found in the following scripture:

Genesis 11 – 21

Covenant

Several years ago the Spirit Sisters did a Bible study that asked us to write a covenant with God. I did that, put it in my Bible, and forgot to open it at the end of the class. Recently, I came across it again. It has some powerful, convicting words in it that I can honestly say I haven’t really pursued. That does not change my desire to do them or God’s desire to have me do them.

A covenant is a permanent agreement between people or groups that involves promises to each other. God made covenants with Abraham, Noah, David, Solomon, Samson, and many others in the Word. Daniel, Gideon, Paul, Ruth…made covenants with God. Either way the words were meant to influence and last throughout time…and they have.

I hope you will read the one I wrote and that it will motivate you to a closer relationship with Jesus, the One and Only. In fact, write one of your own!

Father, I am making this ‘covenant’ with You.

I will love You!

I will let the Fruit grow and bear Fruit.

I will honor You with my words and ways.

I will listen for Your voice and obey.

I will serve You by serving others.

I will put Your Words in my heart.

I will follow You!

Oh, LORD, give me the strength to go where You want me to go, to be what You want me to be, the courage to share You with others, and the wisdom to know how to reflect You in each life situation that comes my way. (Signed–Marie, April 2, 2007)

Recall Notice

Sometimes I wonder if God would just like to RECALL the whole project. I know He loves us more than anything but I really think He gets tired of it all. Don’t you? A dear friend sent me this and I thought it would be good for all of us to read.

Dear Human.

The Maker of all human beings (GOD) is recalling all units manufactured, regardless of make or year, due to a serious defect in the primary and central component of the heart.This is due to a malfunction in the original prototype unit’s code named Adam and Eve, resulting in the reproduction of the same defect in all subsequent units. This defect has been identified as “Subsequently Internal Non-morality”, more commonly known as S.I.N., as it is primarily expressed. Some of the symptoms include but are not limit to:

Loss of direction…Foul vocal emissions…Amnesia of origin…Lack of peace and joy…Selfish or violent behavior…Depression or confusion…Fearfulness…Idolatry…Rebellion

The Manufacturer, who is neither liable nor at fault for this defect, is providing factory-authorized repair and service free of charge to correct this defect. The Repair Technician, JESUS, has most generously offered to bear the entire burden of the staggering cost of these repairs. There is no additional fee required.

The number to call for repair in all areas is: P-R-A-Y-E-R. Once connected, please upload your burden of SIN through the REPENTANCE procedure. Next, download ATONEMENT from the Repair Technician, Jesus, into the heart component. No matter how big or small the SIN defect is, Jesus will replace it with Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control. Please see the operating manual, the B.I.B.L.E. (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth) for further details on the use of these fixes.

WARNING: Continuing to operate the human being unit without correction voids any manufacturer warranties, exposing the unit to dangers and problems to numerous to list, and will result in the human unit being permanently impounded. For free emergency service, call on Jesus.

DANGER: The human being units not responding to this recall action will have to be scrapped in the furnace. The SIN defect will not be permitted to enter Heaven so as to prevent contamination of that facility.

P.S. Please assist where possible by notifying others of this important recall notice, and you may contact the Father any time by ‘Knee Mail’!

A Satisfied Spirit Book Review|still lolo

Life can be tough and life decisions even more so. Add to that a horrible accident that results in a Traumatic Brain Injury and the loss of an eye and a limb and one might begin to question whether life is even worth it. Strength….strong faith…supporting family and friends…

This beautifully told story by Lauren Scruggs, and her family, give personal insight into the life of a talented and gifted fashion reporter who does not let this horrific injury change the journey God has given her. Of course, she gets depressed from time to time, deals with learning how to use prosthetic devices, wonders why this happened to her, and sometimes pushes family and friends away in her efforts to deal with her “new normal”. Through all of this her faith in the One and Only God keep her moving forward, preparing to ‘take up where she left off’.

I highly recommend this book! Not only for those who have experienced life threatening injuries, but also for those who have sat by their side. The parents, siblings, friends and supporters who wait day after day, in the fog of not knowing, for the eyes to open and the recognition to set in. To hear the voice of the injured say, “I love you!” and to know others have been encouraged to go on through your story is life changing. God is still performing miracles!

I had no idea when I started reading “still LOLO” that it was going to be a book of healing for me. 3 years ago, on October 30, my husband fell over the cat gate between the den and the kitchen. Unknown to either of us, a blood vessel had broken in his brain. About 3 hours later he came into the bedroom and said something was terribly wrong. I did not realize the extent of his injuries until the brain surgeon spoke to me after a 7 hour surgery and said that he had only a 50% chance of survival. The blood that had pooled in his head has shifted his brain right of center. He was kept in a chemically induced coma for 20 days. In the TICU unit he was cared for by the best of nurses and doctors, kept in constant prayer by churches, family, friends and many we did not know, and held lovingly in the arms of the Great Healer Himself, God. When he was finally allowed to awaken, a great miracle had occurred. Within a week he could eat on his own, knew where he was and the people around him, and was ready to go into rehab. What could have been 3 to 4 months in a constant care situation, lasted 39 days. He left the hospital on day 40, able to walk from the wheelchair to the car and was home for Christmas. Yes! God is still performing miracles!

In compliance with Federal Trade Commission regulations: I have been provided a complimentary copy of Still Lolo by Tyndale House Publishers.

Passionate Pursuit

How is your spiritual life? Who are you depending on in your walk with Jesus? Is it your pastor? Your Bible study leader? Sunday School teacher? Mom? Dad? Mentor? I sure hope not! Although each of those people can help push you forward YOU are the only one responsible for your Christian growth. If you want a real love relationship with the One and Only, you have to do the work.

Persistence and passion are the key. My awesome husband will tell you he knew I was God’s choice for him the moment he laid eyes on me (at the Defiance County Fair). I, however, had a different plan for my life. I was never getting married since I intended to have a stellar, career as an opera singer. God definitely had other plans for my life. As we talked, over the next hour or so, he passionately, persisted, in his pursuit of a date with me. I said yes and 45 years later, 41 of them married, I do not have a moment’s regret.

The same concept applies to our life with Jesus. He is passionately pursuing us. He wants to be part of who we are. Unless we determine to do all that is necessary there is no relationship. So what does that entail? The same thing we do to build ‘people’ relationships. Spend time with Him.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. Deuteronomy 6:5

Thy word, have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against You. Psalm 119:11

Pass it on:

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