Our Promises verses God's Promises

Genesis 9:16-17 (New Living Translation)
16 When I see the rainbow in the clouds, I will remember the eternal covenant between God and every living creature on earth.” 17 Then God said to Noah, “Yes, this rainbow is the sign of the covenant I am confirming with all the creatures on earth.”

We often use the word promise instead of a covenant. Covenant is an older term that we are not as familiar with in our times. "God effects promissory covenants." He gives promises and they are bound by His character. He cannot break His promises.

Now we face the idea of making promises to keep for this New Year. Some people never make promises. Why? They hate the idea that they might not keep them.

But we are people of the Covenant. This fact means that we are not alone in our promises that we desire to make in seeking to be faithful servants to God with our lives.


Ps 37:4-5, “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.”


Proverbs 16:3, "Commit to the Lord all that you do, and your plans will be fullfilled."


There is the key !! Commiting what we believe to be a rightful promise to God will lead us into trusting Him to bring it about through us. It is an act of faith on our part and He will fullfill the promise through us because it is His will that we be covenant people in our daily walks with Him.


New Year's Promises? Yes ! But only through the realization that He is the one who helps us keep our promises, which are the faithful desires issuing from our hearts to be better servants of His in the Kingdom of God on this earth.

Christmas Thoughts by Elder James

Visions of a colorful tree

feelings tumbling through a heart

To give or recieve I cannot agree

so goes the tug of the heart

A long time ago on a tree

feelings tumbled through a heart

For many to receive He was to agree

to give all His love of heart !

Christmas is full of memories

of His love for us

The Christ Child ever so sweet

and adored by all

Angels heralding that God's

love has arrived

The magi bring gifts that are

filled with awe and wonderment

Christmas is full of memories,

memories of His love for all.

The Star

A long time ago

wise men followed a star

to behold a child of the heart

As time has passed

wise men still seek the stars

but only to received empty hearts

Now time has risen

for wise men to seek not the stars

but the Day Star that rises in their hearts

Discipline, A Path to Learning

Fine wine, great cheese, and a tasty artisan bread have one thing in common, one needs a strong discipline to not test them before they are ready !

So, why do we as Christians, try to live without discipline in our lives? If there is no discipline to wait for the learning process to run its full course, certainly we will fail the taste test!

Hosea 7:8 (New American Standard Bible)
"Ephraim mixes himself with the nations; Ephraim has become a cake not turned.

Hear is picture of someone who lacked discipline to not get mixed up with the things of the world. He became in essence spiritually half-baked. Or in a good country way of speaking, a pancake that is half cooked. Now that would be some nasty stuff to eat.

Here is a good quote on why Ephraim was a picture of God's people.

"Although they took advantage of the Lord's goodness, they did not seek Him with their heart. When they needed help, they turned to other sources (vv.10-11,14-16). They had become tasteless and useless to God, so He was forced to judge them."

What does personal discipline have to do with this? Everything! If we do not discipline ourselves to wait upon the Lord for guidance, then we will always be "not ready". If we are going to run a race we should prepare for it. So, why do we not prepare ourselves for life through disciple?

1 Corinthians 9:26-27 (The Message)
"I don't know about you, but I'm running hard for the finish line. I'm giving it everything I've got. No sloppy living for me! I'm staying alert and in top condition. I'm not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself."

Paul understood discipline in ways that many folks will never understand. But, he knew the outcome of discipline. It helps us to finish the race wilth all that we have and finish it in a great way because we discipline ourselves to be ready.

"Hold fast to discipline, don't let it go; guard it. for it is your life" Proverbs 4:13 Complete Jewish Bible

Guarding your Heart from the Things of this World

"Above everything else, guard your heart; for it is the source of life's consequences. Keep crooked speech our of your mouth, banish deceit from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze on what lies in front of you. Level the path for your feet, let all your ways be properly prepared; then deviate neither right nor left; and keep your foot far from evil. " Proverbs 4:23-27 ...Complete Jewish Bible

Practicing or promoting practical holiness seems to be old school terminology of a bye gone era of the Puritans that seem to encourage acting, speaking a certain way or dressings in some fashion to indicate sanctification of one's self. The words of King Solomon still press on through history and lie before use to consider. As well Peter in the New Testament echoes a similar calling to the Children of God.

" Therefore, get your minds ready for work, keep yourselves under control, and fix your hopes fully on the gift you will receive when Yeshua the Messiah is revealed. As people who obey God, do not let yourselves be shaped by the evil desires you used to have when you were still ignorant. On the contrary, follow the Holy One who called you, become holy yourselves in your entire way of life." I Peter 1:13-15 ... Complete Jewish Bible


Many folks simply think that they would have to leave this world to live holy lives. But that is contrary to the Holy Scriptures. If such thinking is contrary then there must be a way to live one's life in a holy manner. It is through the power of the Holy Spirit in one's life. The Bible teaches us that God's Spirit takes up residence in our spirit. It is not by our power, but by His Spirit through us that we can live holy lives.


Start with these simples beginning points.

• What do you read?
• What do you listen to?
• What do you speak?
• What do you allow to come into your heart through the TV or Internet?

Test these portals of your life and see if they need to be guarded. What we allow to go into our mind and heart will determine the type of well spring you are allowing to guide your life.

Waving Good Morning to God

" Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and bless the Lord. " Ps.134:2

" May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice. " Ps. 141:2

It is a natural response to most human beings in a moment of an emotional experience to throw out their hands in some fashion. It does not have to be an overwhelming moment, just a moment of expression about the situation you are in. The praise for a child on a football field. A mother who sees her children driving in for a holiday visit. Or perhaps the most common one of all........ just a wave toward a person passing you by.

In the deep south waving at strangers passing your house on a dusty road is just as common as waking up to that morning cup of coffee or cafe latte,( for those not of the old school). It is just something you do. Consider it a gesture of courtesy to the one who is passing you by, so they realize that you did not ignore their presence. Consider two motorcycles passing each other. Notice the hand signal..... both riders throw one hand downward and toward the other rider. It looks cool, but the action is really its own language. They are saying I recognize you and we are part of a brotherhood.

Perhaps from time to time during our normal routine each day, we should consider waving toward our Father.

I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. Ps 63:4

Praising the Lord through a "good morning wave", simply is saying you recognize His presence in your life.

This Little Piggy went to the Market. Ever felt like your little piggy just doesn't have the same oink it once had? What is God's Provisions during lean times? Can I make it?


Lay offs! Cost of living! Higher Medical Bills! Savings depleting! Simply not enough to meet the needs! People losing their retirements! Perhaps you fit in one of those catogories. So now what?

Scriptural Thought: Philippians 4:12-20 (New Living Translation)

"I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty.

As you know, you Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I first brought you the Good News and then traveled on from Macedonia. No other church did this. Even when I was in Thessalonica you sent help more than once. I don’t say this because I want a gift from you. Rather, I want you to receive a reward for your kindness.

At the moment I have all I need—and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God. And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Now all glory to God our Father forever and ever! Amen."

Paul's statement, " I have learned the secret of living in every situation, " says it all. It is the contentment that we find in the midst of our circumstances that allow us to deal with whatever it is. It is not to wallow in the mud of despair. It is doing all things through Christ. If you see yourself alone, then you will try to deal with it yourself. But when you see that it is through Christ that you are able to deal with those problems, your perspective changes.

Notice that one of the ways God has chosen to meet the needs of those in dire straights is through the Body of Christ. This means that we must always be on alert to meet the needs of others. We actually become a part of the solution of todays woes.

Why not begin to rejoice and thank your Heavenly Father for all that you have. Be thankful that even in the midst of our economical down turn we can still minister to others in needs and then Paul's greatest statement will come alive to you, "They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God. And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus."

Now that I am a Christian...which life style do I live?

Ever felt confused ! Following Directions is a Pain !

I am one that simply hates following instructions. It always seems best to leap out on my own and simply get it done, whether it is putting together a bike or figuring out how to build something. But, there is the consequence of not following directions when I have to start over and correct the mistakes. So, what should I do? Perhaps follow the instructions given by the one who knows what is right !!

• Luke 5:36-39. "Why Can't I have my wine the way I want it ???"

Jesus is speaking:.... "No one tears a patch from a new garment and puts it on an old garment. Otherwise, not only will he tear the new, but also the piece from the new garment will not match the old. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins, it will spill, and the skins will be ruined. But new wine should be put into fresh wineskins. And no one, after drinking old wine, wants new, because he says, 'The old is better.' "

In simple words....... You are new container. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (King James Version)
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

So now what? The sign post is very clear. That sign post is the Word of God. It says that you should not try to take the new life in Christ and put it in your old ways. The people of the era of Christ knew that one could not add new wine to an old wine skin. Why? Because that old wineskin was generally dried up and when the new wine began to ferment it would burst that old wineskin and the new wine would be lost.

In like manner......... you simply cannot put your new life in Christ into your old ways. You have a new life to live and it has to be placed in new ways of living. Consider the way you lived before Christ. Dried up and harsh. Without the life of God. So how can you expect to take the New Wine ( the work of the Holy Spirit ) and place it in the same old patterns of living. You cannot. And that is why you are struggling when you seek to live the same old ways. Because your heart is filled with Christ and that new heart cannot live in the old ways.

It really is not the question of which Life Style, is it? It is turning down the right path.....following the instructions,,,,looking at His Plan.......because if you do not you will simply live a miserable life wondering when am I going to burst. This is where the last part of the passage stands out.... " and no one, after drinking old wine wants new, because he says, the old is better."

The old ways are easy. There is no responsibility to live according to God's plan. There is no change. Just life without the newness of Christ.

Here is another sign post that says you can live according to God's directions. Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

So, which Life Style? It is the one that Christ helps you live. Remember you are New Wine and that wine has to be put in New Wine Skins.

Years ago, the Lord blessed me with this writing. Hard to put in place, but every so true in its statements !

Attitude


Attitude is more powerful than any physical force; it can be creative or destructive. The choice lies in the heart of the individual.

The uniqueness of attitude is that it is the source from which we draw upon to make our decisions each day. The attitude we embrace for that day will be the guiding force for all of our experiences throughout the day.

The only thing we can do to apprehend the right attitude is to seek The Mind of God, to exemplify the Life of Christ, and to release ourselves unto the Creative Power of the Holy Spirit.

Then a remarkable experience will come forth in our attitude each day. No longer will our attitude be controlled by life’s circumstances. But life’scircumstances will be controlled by our attitude through Christ.

Scriptural Truth: Philippians 4:19 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Patience ! Endurance ! Why can't I have it now ??

By your patience possess your souls ( Luke 21:19 - NKJV )

Why do we hate waiting? Is it not our rights to have what we deem most important at the moment we perceive the need? The bears in the photo have learned through patience and endurance that the salmon will come to them. The salmon are swimming up stream. The bears do not have to leap off the edge to grab their desires. They have learned to stay in the zone and wait because their desires are coming to them !

The full passage in Luke 21 deals with persescutions and signs of a wicked generation. How would Christ Followers deal with all that which is to come against the believer? Jesus promises them that he would meet their needs in order to stand strong in such times. The simple verse: "In your patience possess ye your souls." is his answer.

Now there are times I feel possessed, rather than possessing my self. Possessed, driven, grabbing for that which I think I desire the most. Here in the midst of what seems to be total destruction, chaos, fear, etc. Jesus would dare say: "In your patience possess ye your souls."?

Patience is the Greek word hypomone which is a compound word made up of two other words: hypo (a preposition meaning 'under') and moneo (a verb meaning to 'remain' or 'abide'). Thus, the idea is to 'remain under' or 'abide under' difficult circumstances - as when it is not possible to escape or avoid them.

To me the most difficult circumstance is my own desire to get an immediate answer. Since I wish to solve whatever it is that I am dealing with, I do not wish to wait. James 1:4 "But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."

The word enduring or endurance is the more proper translation in our English language for the word patience. It basically means to stay the course. Let whatever is going on finish its course. In other words, if you are not willing to allow God to teach you how wait on his course of action, then you will make choices that cause you to lose your soul's ability to cope. Your soul being the mind, will , and emotions that drive you. So if patience, endurance is left out, then you will be unable to receive what God has planned for you. If we could simply grasp hold of the concept that God has the way for us, we would certainly find ourselves possessing our souls through patiently waiting on Him.

Isaiah 40:31 "But they that wait( hebrew is the idea of anticipation) upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

Perhaps we need to learn that if we have enduring anticipation and that our Father knows what is best, we would learn to stay in the zone God has planned for us and possess our souls ( mind, emotion, and will ) , we need to learn not to move till His answer and provision arrive right in front of us!!

Old Man and Prayer

Many times I have viewed this picture of the older gentleman. It always draws me to thinking of my own commitment to a simple posture of Thank you in my life. His Bible closed for he has already feasted on the true Bread of Life. He now prays in a posture of reverence over a simple meal. The picture speaks of perseverance and patience. He knows that this is where he really finds all his needs met. This might be his most blessed time of the day. Alone with the Father !

Next time you bow your head for a prayer over your meal, remember this picture and ask the Father how you can have a posture of reverence both at that time and as well throughout life.