Historically Speaking

Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face continually.
Psalm 105:4 NASB

Psalm 105 is considered to be one of two historical psalms, Psalm 78 being the other. But with every recollection of what God has, there is a call to praise Him for His wondrous works. A reminder of everything He promised, everything He has done, and all that He will do.

Every covenant God has ever made is STILL in effect. Historically speaking, covenants were/are binding contracts for life until both (or all) participants died. To this day, we still have rainbows. Genesis 9:13-16 NLT,  I have placed my rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of my covenant with you and with all the earth. When I send clouds over the earth, the rainbow will appear in the clouds, and I will remember my covenant with you and with all living creatures. Never again will the floodwaters destroy all life. When I see the rainbow in the clouds, I will remember the eternal covenant between God and every living creature on earth. Every time we see a rainbow and admire its beauty, God is also looking at it and remembering His covenant with us! Think about that! 

Let us rejoice, remember and reiterate this awesome Truth - our GOD IS NOT DEAD. Therefore, we still have and always will have cause to praise Him!

Prayer:

Father,

          We will give thanks to You, Lord, and call upon Your Name. We will make Your deeds known among the people. We will sing to You, sing praises to You; and tell of all Your wonders. We will boast in Your holy name. We will seek You, Lord, and Your strength. We will seek Your face continually for You have remembered Your covenant forever, the Word which You commanded to a thousand generations. Remind us, O Lord. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Eternally

Therefore He is able also to save to the uttermost (completely, perfectly, finally, and for all time and eternity) those who come to God through Him, since He is always living to make petition to God and intercede with Him and intervene for them.
Hebrews 7:25 The Amplified Bible

One of the most frustrating things in life to me is to start a long-term process in great detail with one person and then, before it’s completed, have to pick up the process with someone new because the first person left. Details get lost in the process of bringing someone else up to speed. After the 2nd or 3rd time, one tends to take the short road, no matter how bumpy. You have all the history, you may even take all the files, but you don’t know if the new person will take the time to read all of that or if they'll even want to. Sometimes, it’s a project that has taken several years to define, only to be put on hold because of a change in management or leadership...

Sometimes, our lives are like that. If you've ever changed jobs or moved to a new town or did a combination of the two, it can feel a little crazy – okay, a LOT crazy – because it takes us out of our comfort zone, and we feel as though we have to start over finding those comfortable spots again. New mechanic, hairdresser, doctor, etc. However, our Scripture for today gives me hope. You see, as NOT perfect as I am at this point in my life, trust me when I tell you that through the Grace of God, there has been MUCH progress made overall. And no matter where His will takes me, no matter how many new people or systems come into my life, no matter how many are 'left behind' - the One Constant in my life is Him.

He is eternal. He knew me before I was formed in my mother’s womb. All of my days were numbered before I drew my first breath. There isn’t anything about me, good, bad or otherwise, that He doesn’t already know and has taken into account. I don’t have to worry about what He may find out that may color His opinion of me, He knows it all and loves me in spite of it. There isn’t anything in my present or my future that He doesn’t already know about and He has already made the way for me.

He might get angry with me, but with great mercies will He gather me unto Himself. (Isaiah 54:8)

He will never leave me, nor forsake me. (Hebrews 13:5)

His banner over me is love. (Song of Solomon 2:4)

He rejoices over me with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17)

I am safe in Him for all time. (Psalm 144:2)

Jesus is able to save me to the uttermost (completely, perfectly, finally, and for all time and eternity) because He is alive forever. He has risen indeed – Hallelujah!

Prayer:

Father,
           Lift our eyes to see the eternal, so that we don’t get stuck in the muck. You are our God, our Deliverer, Redeemer, Restorer, Refiner… Keep working in us, O Lord, so we come through the fire as pure gold; Fit to do Your will. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen

Friends' Favorites - Story Teller

So commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these words of mine. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, so that as long as the sky remains above the earth, you and your children may flourish in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors. 

 Deuteronomy 11:18-21 NLT

Israel was getting ready to enter into the Promised Land. They had spent 40 years wandering in the wilderness until all the calf-building, idol-worshiping, rebellious generation was dead. Now, God was giving them a new future based on their history - their story - with God.

Moses reminds them in the preceding verses that their children weren’t there to see the miracles and signs God performed in Egypt, nor the discipline and greatness of God’s outstretched arm. This generation of children was not at the Red Sea. They knew nothing prior to the wilderness. Could they even understand the total provision by God for all those people - every day for 40 years - because of His great love and mercy?

Have you ever noticed that when families get together - who haven't been together in a while - how the conversation usually turns to reminiscing? Telling the stories about growing up - the good times and the tough times (tempered by the years) all about how somehow you made it through.

I haven't met a child yet who didn't love a good story. When my daughter was little, she loved to hear stories of "the old days." It gave her a connection. She was the newest member of the family at the time, but she already had a story connection because of being in the family.

As the family of God, we have a story. His story. And children - whether they're ours or baby Christians - need to know how He provided the good times and made provision through the tough times. They need to recognize God by the picture we paint of who He is.

Tell them your story. For you see, we are overcomers by the Blood of the Lamb - Jesus - AND the word of OUR testimony. Which story will you tell?

Prayer:

Father,
Thank You for giving us a story to tell. Give us divine appointments to share our stories of You and Your great love for us. May we tell it at every opportunity provided. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Starting the New Year

...choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve...
Joshua 24:15b NKJV

New Year's Day marks the anniversary of the first Promise for Today that I emailed to a handful of friends and family members in 1996. When I first started the Promise, I used other people's devotions from books I had and then later, I purchased more. We went through quite a few over the years. Sometimes, I'd take them directly from a book, but I always let people know what book we were using. And sometimes I would elaborate and add my own comments. Those of you who know me know that written words are my passion... but this started with the works of others.

Then in 2007, my beloved former pastor, Doc (Dr. Howard O. Jameson) challenged me to step up, to make it personal and write from my heart about how God's Word affects me, rather than from someone else's heart and perspective. It has been the most challenged commitment of my life.

The Promise for Today started with the following excerpt from Max Lucado's book, When God Whispers Your Name. Every year, I send it out as the first Promise of the New Year to remind us of our choices and the decisions we must make.

Max Lucado writes:

It's quiet. It's early. The coffee is hot. The sky is still black. The world is still asleep. The day is coming. In a few moments the day will arrive. It will roar down the track with the rising of the sun. The stillness of the dawn will be exchanged for the noise of the day. The calm of solitude will be replaced by the pounding pace of the human race. The refuge of the early morning will be invaded by decisions to be made and deadlines to be met.

For the next twelve hours I will be exposed to the day's demands. It is now that I must make a choice. Because of Calvary, I am free to choose. And so I choose.

I Choose Love... No occasion justifies hatred; no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose love. Today I will love God and what God loves.

I Choose Joy... I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance. I will refuse the temptation to be cynical... the tool of the lazy thinker. I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings, created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God.

I Choose Peace... I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live.

I Choose Patience... I will overlook the inconveniences of the world. Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I'll invite him to do so. Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment to pray. Instead of clenching my fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.

I Choose Kindness... I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone. Kind to the rich, for they are afraid. And kind to the unkind, for such is how God has treated me.

I Choose Goodness... I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one. I will be overlooked before I will boast. I will confess before I will accuse. I choose goodness.

I Choose Faithfulness... Today I will keep my promises. My debtors will not regret their trust. My associates will not question my word. My wife will not question my love. And my children will never fear that their father will not come home.

I Choose Gentleness... Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice may it be only in praise. If I clench my fist, may it be only in prayer. If I make a demand, may it be only of myself.

I Choose Self-Control... I am a spiritual being... After this body is dead, my spirit will soar. I refuse to let what will rot, rule the eternal. I choose self-control. I will be drunk only by joy. I will be impassioned only by my faith. I will be influenced only by God. I will be taught only by Christ. I choose self-control.

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. To these I commit my day. If I succeed, I will give thanks. If I fail, I will seek his grace. And then, when this day is done, I will place my head on my pillow and rest.

Prayer:

Father,
           We choose You. Thank You for the power of Your Word to change our lives and our choices for how we live the life You have given us. Give us the courage to walk in the conviction of Your Word. Father, we ask that You guide us in EACH step of life. I pray Your provision and protection over those You have allowed me to touch with Your Word. Let us be ever mindful of You, Lord, the Author and Finisher of our faith. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Younger and Older - By request

So commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these words of mine. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, so that as long as the sky remains above the earth, you and your children may flourish in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors.
Deuteronomy 11:18-21 NLT

When my kids were little, I used to read to them. And like all kids, they loved it. But what they loved more was the stories I used to tell them about other family members - pieces of the history of their lives. Most every family has them - even if your childhood wasn't Ozzie and Harriet - stories they tell over and over because the kids love to hear them. I love talking about life and how God puts us all together for a reason and a purpose. His stories intertwined in ours.

I used to wonder why it always seemed like it was the older ladies who told the best stories. Now that I am older, I can explain that. When I was a young mother, I just tried to hang in there well enough to get through life and do what I had to do to keep my head above water. And most days seemed like they came in like a flood. I knew God was there and I knew somehow He would see me through because His Word said so.

When I was young and declared, "I've never seen the righteous forsaken or God's seed begging bread." I was declaring it by faith! Now that I am older, when I say the same thing, I am testifying of the proven goodness of God!

When I was young and declared, "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." I was declaring it by faith! Now that I am older, when I say the same thing, I am testifying to the authenticity of His Truths! 

You see, I've got many completed stories. It's the history of His Stories completing our stories.

Prayer:

Father,
            Thank You for loving us enough to bring all of us together, as only You can. Bind our hearts and souls together to You with your love, Lord, and bring all things to our remembrance, so that we don't forget anything You have done for us. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* Story Teller

So commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these words of mine. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, so that as long as the sky remains above the earth, you and your children may flourish in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors. 

Deuteronomy 11:18-21 NLT

Israel was getting ready to enter into the Promised Land. They had spent 40 years wandering in the wilderness until all the calf-building, idol-worshiping, rebellious generation was dead. Now, God was giving them a new future based on their history- their story - with God.

Moses reminds them in the preceding verses that their children weren’t there to see the miracles and signs God performed in Egypt, nor the discipline and greatness of God’s outstretched arm. This generation of children was not at the Red Sea. They knew nothing prior to the wilderness. Could they even understand the total provision by God for all those people - every day for 40 years - because of His great love and mercy?

Have you ever noticed that when families get together - who haven't been together in a while - how the conversation usually turns to reminiscing? Telling the stories about growing up - the good times and the tough times (tempered by the years) all about how somehow you made it through.

I haven't met a child yet who didn't love a good story. When my daughter was little, she loved to hear stories of "the old days." It gave her a connection. She was the newest member of the family at the time, but she already had a story connection because of being in the family.

As the family of God, we have a story. His story. And children - whether they're ours or baby Christians - need to know how He provided the good times and made provision through the tough times. They need to recognize God by the picture we paint of who He is.

Tell them your story. For you see, we are overcomers by the Blood of the Lamb - Jesus - AND the word of OUR testimony. Which story will you tell?

Prayer:

Father,
           Thank You for giving us a story to tell. Give us divine appointments to share our stories of You and Your great love for us. May we tell it at every opportunity provided. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* The History of His Stories

So commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these words of mine. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, so that as long as the sky remains above the earth, you and your children may flourish in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors.
Deuteronomy 11:18-21 NLT

When my kids were little, I used to read to them. And like all kids, they loved it. But what they loved more was the stories I used to tell them about other family members - pieces of the history of their lives. Most every family has them - even if your childhood wasn't Ozzie and Harriet - stories they tell over and over because the kids love to hear them. I was reminded of our text and this very thing tonight as my granddaughter, Amelia, and I sat talking about life and how God puts us all together for a reason and a purpose. His stories intertwined in ours.

I used to wonder why it always seemed like it was the older ladies who told the best stories. But tonight, I experienced the God-given "Aha! moment" as to why that is the case. When I was a young mother, I just tried to hang in there well enough to get through life and do what I had to do to keep my head above water. And most days seemed like they came in like a flood. I knew God was out there and I knew somehow He would see me through because His Word said so.

When I was young and declared, "I've never seen the righteous forsaken or God's seed begging bread." I was declaring it by faith! Now that I am older, when I say the same thing, I am testifying of the proven goodness of God!

When I was young and declared, "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." I was declaring it by faith! Now that I am older, when I say the same thing, I am testifying! You see, I've got many completed stories. It's the history of His Stories completing our stories.

Prayer:

Father,
           Thank You for loving us enough to bring all of us together, as only You can. Bind our hearts and souls together to You with your love, Lord, and bring all things to our remembrance, so that we don't forget anything You have done for us. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen