Presence of Promise

 

“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Deuteronomy 31:8

THE PRESENCE OF HIS PROMISE 

His promise to be with us is solid

His promise is more dependable than rocks of old

Even mountains can be blasted into rubble 

Yet, there is nothing … absolutely nothing… that can cause one of the LORD’ promises to fail.

Therefore, we can celebrate before we see it

We have assurance as soon as He speaks it

It will come to pass 

Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ.

II Corinthians 2:14

WHAT HE SAID ...

Happy Friday!

Here we are one short week until Christmas –

And Hanukkah ends this evening at sunset

This entire time of year is such a joy to me –

Time to slow down and spend quality time with friends & family;

Time to enjoy simple pleasures and reflect on all of the blessings of the LORD

For me, that time of reflection also includes a journey through my mental file cabinet

It is a time for me to remember all the things which God has spoken to me

It fills me with hope and is a source of great encouragement – thinking on what He spoke

 

As I did my devotionals this morning, I came across this section of scripture:

‘Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel because He has come to His people and redeemed them. He has risen up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David (as He said through His holy prophets of long ago)…’ Luke 1:68-70

 

This verse of scripture recounts words spoken by Zechariah, father of John the Baptist

He was speaking of the coming of Jesus

‘Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel because He has come to His people and redeemed them … (as He said through His holy prophets of long ago)’

 

Indeed, this fulfillment of prophecy was a long time coming

The words spoken to the prophets were delivered multiple generations before Jesus’ birth

The promise was in motion before any record of it ever occurred in the earth

For Jesus is the Lamb who was slain before the foundation of the world [Rev. 13:8]

Yet every promise God makes is sure to come to pass

‘For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through Him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.’ II Corinthians 1:20

What He Spoke Will Always Come to Pass

 

Again – what He spoke will always come to pass

However – the timing is not always what we expect, nor the process

Yet – we can TRUST His words and His ways

His thoughts are above our own [Isaiah 55:9]

He makes all things perfect in its time [Ecclesiastes 3:11]

Not one of His promises has ever failed [Joshua 21:45]

What He Spoke Will Always Come to Pass

 

Some promises will spring to form suddenly –

As it did at creation when He spoke the worlds into existence [Psalm 33:6-9]

Some will take time –

Like the promise of a child to Abram and Sarai,

a promise not fulfilled until Abraham was 100-years old [Genesis 21:5]

Some promises will take months –

Like the promise to Mary & Joseph regarding the birth of Jesus [Luke 1 & 2]

Some will be fulfilled in a day –

Like the promise to the thief hanging on cross next Jesus at His crucifixion [Luke 23:43]

What He Spoke Will Always Come to Pass

 

TRUST & BELIEVE

No matter what God has spoken to you – no matter when He spoke it

TRUST the LORD you God to do exactly what He promised

‘God is not a man that He should lie, nor a son of man that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?’ Numbers 23:19

If He spoke, He will also do it

What He Spoke Will Always Come to Pass

 

I am praying for you this morning –

I am praying you will experience the presence of God is a very tangible way

– today and every day

Keep expecting a marvelous manifestation of every promise He has made you

What He Spoke Will Come to Pass

 

Have a Blessed Day!

‘The vision is yet for an appointed time; in the end it will speak and not lie:

though the vision tarry, wait for it; for it will surely come and will not be [late] delayed’

Habakkuk 2:3 

WHAT A MATCH!

 

Our leading text points to a monumental wrestling match …

There are many struggling matches taking place in our world today:

The match of families against challenging times,

The match of ethnic groups against social injustices,

The match of hearts wrestling with the bitter pain of loss,

The match of my nation in an electoral process,

The match of all nations against COVID-19,           

The match of  the world against what has been an unimaginable 2020.

 

All are challenging matches of strength and resolve;

And, we could discuss at length any one of these situations – and many more

However – today we are focusing on a match which Jacob had in the Old Testament

What a Match! 

The story tells of Jacob’s encounter with a man –

     A Man who we later understand to be the LORD

And how Jacob boldly declared, even after significant personal injury,

     ‘I will not let go unless You bless me’ [Genesis 32:26]

 

The response from the Man was this,

“Your name will no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have prevailed" Genesis 32:28

 

That is a power-packed statement!

 

You have struggled with God and with men and have prevailed

 

Now, I have always understood the struggle with man …

But, can anyone truly struggle with God and prevail?

After all, He is the LORD Omnipotent – All Powerful and Mighty

He cannot be overcome by anyone or anything

 

Yet Jacob is told, ‘you have struggled with God and with men and have prevailed’

 

I believe the prevailing victory that Jacob encountered pointed toward the first part of the declaration which was delivered to him at the end of this long wrestling match

 

‘Your name will no longer be called Jacob, but Israel’

 

Jacob underwent a life-changing, identity altering experience –

An experience which was not the sole product of his encounter with the Man that night;

Rather, he had many experiences which culminated in his encounter with the Man that night.

 

His birth name was Jacob – which means ‘one who grabs at the heel’, ‘supplanting’ or ‘deceiver’

His new name was Israel – meaning ‘God Contended’, ‘Wrestles with God’ and/or ‘Triumphant with God’

He was Triumphant with God

Triumphant over an upbringing plagued by favoritism, competition, contention and family dysfunction – playing his own role in the situations and living up to his name

Triumphant over being tricked in business dealings

 Triumphant over an identity crisis which started from his infancy

And now here he was, not stealing a blessing by trickery this time, but obtaining a blessing by clinging to the Blessing Giver

 

It was not a short process –

This wrestling match occurred on the eve of him meeting his brother whom he had tricked out of blessing many, many years earlier – at least twenty years. In the process, he had endured many challenges. He had also amassed a large family, servants and great wealth

 

Yet, here he was still seeking a blessing from the LORD

 

I believe he understood that there was a blessing with his name on it –

     A blessing he would not have to manipulate or trick others to obtain

Because a blessing received by ill-gotten means is not a blessing at all and certainly not one which can truly be enjoyed with peace

 

‘I will not let you go unless you bless me’

 

And that is exactly what happened –

‘Then he blessed him [Jacob] there. So Jacob called the place Peniel saying, “It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.”’ Genesis 32:29-30

 

I believe all the trials Jacob faced – and the transformation he underwent – prepared him for the blessing which was for him all along.

 

What God has for you is for you!

 

You do not have to want or grasp for the blessing of another.

And, even when you miss the mark [which we all have at one point or another], it does not cancel out the call of God on your life or the blessing He has reserved just for you.

 

It may take a while for the blessing to fully manifest.

But, in the process, the LORD will use all of your circumstances –

     to prepare you for what He has prepared for you.

 

If you will patiently wrestle and work & struggle and strive –

     allowing your character to be developed

If you will steadfastly cling to the Blessing Giver –

You will ultimately prevail … and you will not be disappointed. 

I promise!

  

‘For the vision is yet for the appointed time;

It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail.

Though it tarries, wait for it; For it will certainly come, it will not delay.’

Habakkuk 2:3

 

Have a Blessed Day!

be blessed...

My prayer for all this morning...

‘The LORD bless you and keep you;
     the LORD make His face shine on you and be gracious to you;
     the LORD turn His face toward you and give you peace.’
                                                                          Numbers 6:24-26
He is still in control,
     He is still on the throne
You are not alone!

Have a Blessed Day!

leap of faith ...

Happy Saturday!

It is the last day of February –

Bringing to a close  our focus on love.

I am actually not quite sure where my time went today

The days come and go;

The weekend comes … the weekend goes

However, it has been a relatively good day – following a rough evening.

Last night, out of nowhere, I had a full on anxiety attack

It made me so ill, that all I could do was lie down, to try to calm down

But eventually, I fell asleep ...

And today – well today is a new day

Today is Leap Day … the reason 2020 is a Leap Year

Today is also my Aunt Julia’s birthday;

I always remember her birthday because it falls on February 29^th

This day, the 29^th of February, will not occur on the calendar again

For another four years        

This day, the 29^th of February 2020, will not occur again – ever

There is an old Irish tradition that if a woman makes a proposal on February 29^th

                It must be accepted

The idea was that of a single woman asking a man for his hand

However, I will accept that any proposal made by a lady this day, will be honored.

Therefore, in view of my night last night –

and sensitive the plight of so many who must confront anxiety from time to time

I would like to make the following proposal:

‘Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

                And do not lean on your own understanding;

In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths’

                                                                                              Proverb 3:5-6

‘Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,

                Nor the arrow that flies in the day.

Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness,

                Nor the disaster that strikes at midday.

Though a thousand fall at your side,

                Though ten thousand are dying around you,

                These evils will not touch you’

                                                               Psalm 91:5-7

We cannot always control the feelings which come upon us,

But we can control whether we will allow them to control us.

Last night, recognizing what was happening, I went to lie down;

I played some Christ-centered music & I quoted some scripture,

‘Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.’ Philippians 3:12-14

Eventually I fell asleep last night – the LORD granted me rest 

The LORD grants His beloved rest;

He is Jehovah-Shalom, our Peace.

So take a leap of courage, a leap of hope, a leap of faith

                With God, every day, moment-by-moment

God is our refuge and strength – in a leap year and every year

Have a Blessed Evening!

2020: HE'S FAITHFUL

Hi There!

I pray your weekend has gone well

And hope you are enjoying a relaxing evening –

My weekend has been just what I desired – a time of rest, reflection and relaxation

That is why I would take a quick moment to share something from my devotional this week

Earlier today, I was spending some time with my eldest son

And, I was sharing with him about some thoughts that have been  present lately

I have been thinking about this life-journey – with all of its twists and turns

In all that thinking, I thought about the countless challenges we have faced

And I shared with my son, how thankful I am and how truly blessed we have been

                In spite of all the challenges

There is something about taking the time to TRULY consider how things could have been

Indeed, when most people start to engage in those kinds of thoughts,

                They think about how things could have been better ‘If I only I had …’

During this time of year, it is easy to get caught reflecting … but not in a good way

Well this weekend, I have been reflecting on the blessings of the LORD

I look at my sons – and I say ‘I am blessed’

I stand on my feet in the morning – and I say ‘I am blessed’

I lie my head down at night under the roof of my home – and I say ‘I am blessed’

Please do not misunderstand, things are not perfect - not by any stretch of the imagination

I could focus on the negative and difficult situations

However, I choose not to focus and dwell upon those things

I choose instead to focus on the goodness and faithfulness of God.

Even as I wait …

Even as I work toward and eagerly await the manifestation of many things –

some things I have been believing for a while –  

I am confident because I have His promise.

Yes, I can boldly proclaim like David:

‘I rejoice in Your promise as one who finds great spoil’ Psalm 119:162

The New Living Translation says, ‘I rejoice in Your word like one who finds great treasure’

I rejoice in His promise –

Because His word is better than a treasure chest filled with gold

Because His word is richer than a mine filled with diamonds

It never diminishes and value and can never be stolen away.

‘God is not a man 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?’ Numbers 23:19

His entire reputation rests on His faithfulness to His word, on the truth of His word

As such, ‘He esteems His Word above His Name’ [Ps. 138:2]

And we know there is not a single word that proceeds from His mouth that returns void;

No, it goes forth and accomplishes that for which it was sent [Is. 55:11]

Be encouraged tonight –

If you have a promise from the LORD, you already have everything you need

When He freely and generously promises, He is guaranteed to faithfully fulfill the same

HE IS SUCH A FAITHFUL GOD & A LOVING FATHER

HE’S GOT THIS … AND HE’S GOT YOU!

Have a Blessed Evening &

A Fabulous Week!

'TIS THE SEASON: EMMANUEL

Good Afternoon Friends!

I pray you have a had a great day

As I was preparing my post yesterday,

                                I went back and read some posts from Christmas Seasons past

In the process of that review, I came across a post I wrote in 2010

NOW – A great deal has changed in my life since that time

HOWEVER – One thing remains the same

The LORD is with us always

The LORD is with me –

He has stood, and stands and will forever be with me through every season

The LORD is with you

That is the meaning of EMMANUEL

‘The Lord Himself will give you a sign: the virgin will conceive and give birth to a Son and they shall call His Name Emmanuel [God With Us]’ Isaiah 7:14

I believe that is one of the most beautiful verses

This Christmas season – and always – it is so important to remember
          that HE IS INDEED WITH US

Here a few more verses to encourage your heart and remind us all of His loving presence:

This poor man cried,

and the LORD heard him

and saved him

out of all his troubles.

Psalm 34:6 NASB

Have not I commanded you?

Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous.

Be not afraid, neither be dismayed,

for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9 AMP

It will also come to pass that before they call, I will answer;

and while they are still speaking, I will hear.  

Isaiah 65:24 NASB

I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go;

I will counsel you with My eye upon you.

Psalm 32:8 NASB

Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands;

your walls are continually before Me.

Isaiah 49:16 AMP

God is always on the alert,

constantly on the lookout for people who are totally committed to Him.

You were foolish to go for human help when you could have had God's help...

II Chronicles 16:9 MSG

For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth

to show Himself strong in behalf of those whose hearts are blameless toward Him.

II Chronicles 16:9 AMP

The Angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him [who revere and worship Him with awe] and each of them He delivers. O taste and see that the Lord [our God] is good! Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man who trusts and takes refuge in Him. O fear the Lord, you His saints [revere and worship Him]! For there is no want to those who truly revere and worship Him with godly fear.

Psalm 34:7-9 AMP

The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and His ears are open to their cry.

Psalm 34:15 AMP

God keeps an eye on His friends,

His ears pick up every moan and groan.

Psalm 34:15 MSG

Do you not know?

Have you not heard?

The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth

does not become weary or tired.

His understanding is inscrutable.

He gives strength to the weary,

and to him who lacks might

He increases power.

Isaiah 40:28-29

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God,

to those who are called according to His purpose.

Romans 8:28

My Prayer For You Today:

The Lord bless you

and watch, guard, and keep you;

The Lord make His face

to shine upon and enlighten you

and

be gracious

(kind, merciful, and giving favor) to you;

The Lord lift up His [approving] countenance upon you

and

give you peace

(tranquility of heart and life continually).

Numbers 6:24-26 AMP

Have a Blessed Evening!

DEFENDER

Good Evening Friends,

I pray you all have had a blessed weekend –

It always goes much too quickly for my liking … yet, still I am thankful

I just got home from a Night-of-Worship at my home church, Bridge Church

IT WAS SUCH A POWERFUL TIME!!!

So glad I pushed past my feelings of sickness earlier and decided to go.

I was blessed in such a tremendous way!

And, this being the day of Pentecost [a remembrance of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the book of Acts], it was appropriate that there was an intense and heightened awareness of His Presence.

For me personally, it was an evening of BREAKTHROUGH!

This has been quite a season for me … with several miles still to journey

However, I feel strongly that the LORD has been reminding me:

He goes before me and makes every crooked place straight [Isaiah 45:2]

No weapon formed against me shall prosper [Isaiah 54:17]

HE IS MY STRONG TOWER [Proverbs 18:10; Psalm 61:3]

HE IS MY DEFENDER [Deuteronomy 32:4]

All last week, I have been listening to a song by Bethel called Defender.

It is a great song which begins,

‘You go before I know
That You've even gone to win my war
You come back with the head of my enemy
You come back and You call it my victory

You go before I know
That You've even gone to win my war
Your love becomes my greatest defense
It leads me from the dry wilderness’

WELL –

Tonight, He let me know, in no uncertain terms, that THE BATTLE IS HIS [II Chronicles 20:15]

He assured me, with several confirmations, that THE VICTORY IS SURE [I Samuel 30:8]

He also took me by my hand and let me know that HE IS LEADING ME OUT OF MY DRY WILDERNESS

In Song of Solomon 8:5, the question is asked, “Who is this coming up from the wilderness leaning on her beloved?” The Answer? Me!!!

This meant so much to me. It especially meant a great deal because I know how monumentally and miserably I have failed Him during this trial

HE IS SUCH AN AMAZING, MERCIFUL, FORGIVING & LOVING GOD!

I AM OVERWHELMED –

I am overwhelmed because of His nature

He does not require me to do penance;  

He does not remind me of my failures and shame me [that is the enemy’s job] [Psalm 103:12]

NO –

He reminds that there is now therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1)

HE LOVES ME … WITH AND EVERLASTING & UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

AND THAT BATTLE?

He makes no requirements of me on that front either

In fact, it just like that song by Bethel says …

 ‘AND ALL I DID WAS PRAISE

ALL I DID WAS WORSHIP
ALL I DID WAS BOW DOWN
ALL I DID WAS STAY STILL’

Such a blessing!

Know this tonight – no matter what you are facing, no matter how great you feel you have failed … even if you are standing on the other side of salvation and have never accepted the free gift of redemption that Christ died to give you …

HE IS PRESENT & HIS ARMS ARE OPEN WIDE TO RECEIVE YOU;

TO BE YOUR DEFENDER … IN EVERY WAY

Praying You Have Blessed Evening

                   & a Fantastic Week …