Okay, I'll call you back in a few minutes......we'll be there at 7:00.....I'll return your cd tomorrow. Promises.
A promise is all about giving the person to whom it is made a right to expect a specified performance or act. Wonder what life would be like if Abraham Lincoln, as he sat down to sign the Emancipation Proclamation, said, "Uhh, I'll be right back," gets up to go do something else and never signed the papers?
Or, what if Bill Gates had changed his mind and decided to stay at Harvard rather than dropping out and starting Microsoft? Would that window of opportunity have still been open later on?
Finding promise keepers these days is more the exception than the norm. Young and old alike say what they are going to do and never do it. They fail to realize that the same is true as in old times--your word is your bond, and a person is only as strong as his word.
And what if Jesus, rather than saying to the Father, "Not my will, but your will be done," got up off his knees in the garden of Gethsemane and said to His disciples, "Dudes, I'm really not feeling this. This is making me sweat. I'm gonna go back to God and see if I can get a replacement." Where would we be?
Each time we open our mouths to make a commitment to anything, our hearts should be, with all that is in us, to see it through to the end. Granted things come up and plans change, but communication and heart is key. Jesus gave us His life; He set the standard. How much more can we keep our word to Him and to others?
And what if Jesus, rather than saying to the Father, "Not my will, but your will be done," got up off his knees in the garden of Gethsemane and said to His disciples, "Dudes, I'm really not feeling this. This is making me sweat. I'm gonna go back to God and see if I can get a replacement." Where would we be?
Each time we open our mouths to make a commitment to anything, our hearts should be, with all that is in us, to see it through to the end. Granted things come up and plans change, but communication and heart is key. Jesus gave us His life; He set the standard. How much more can we keep our word to Him and to others?
Scripture Links: John 3:16; Hebrews 6:12-14; Proverbs 19:1; Proverbs 20:7;
To Receive Jesus as Lord ad Savior:(Sinner's Prayer) Dear God, I am a sinner. I need a savior. I need Jesus. I believe Jesus died for my sins and rose on the third day. I ask Jesus now to come into my heart and to become Lord over my life. Satan has no more power over me. I say with my mouth that Jesus is Lord. Father, help me to live for you, and thank you for saving me. John 3:16.
To Rededicate Your Life to the Lord (after falling away):Dear Heavenly Father: I confess to you that I have sinned. You said if I confess my sin you are faithful and just to forgive me and to cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I turn away from sin and turn to you, and I ask you to forgive me. I forgive myself also. Father, thank you for forgiving me, remembering my sin no more and allowing me to have right standing with you again. In Jesus' name, AMEN.
