Receiving the actual promise

Hebrews 6:15 (New International Version)

And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.

Waiting is not easy. There are lot of temptations to work our own way to make the promise of God come true in our life. God had promised Abraham that he will have son through whom Abraham's descendants will be like the stars in the sky (Genesis 15:4, 5). Sarah waited; but after some years when she did not conceive, she thought that she should help God by doing her part. Sarah suggested that Abraham should have a son through her servant Hagar. Abraham heeded to her advice and Ishmael was born. But Ishmael was not God's promise of the covenant, but Isaac (Gen 17: 17-22). Abraham knew that God is capable of doing what He had promised. Instead of standing by faith, he gave in to his wife's direction and the result was Ishmael and his descendants. Yet God was so kind that he forgave Abraham and gave him Isaac as per His promise.

Genesis 21:2 (New International Version)

Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him.

Sometimes instead of we waiting to receive from God what He had promised, we work our own ways and bring Ishmael into the picture. We need to take decisions not based on our perceptions and understanding (that it is God's will) during the time of waiting, but based on God's leading. We need to ask God whether what appears to be from Him, is truly His will and plan for our life. We should ask the Lord to lead us and open doors only if it is His will. Depending on the Lord for every step and decision in our life is crucial. Only then we will receive from God what He actually planned for us as per His promise...

Our Personal Promise

As we enter New Year with all joy and anticipation, our Lord will give us a promise for the year which is very unique to each one of us. And it is this promise that will carry us through as we hold on to God and His Word.

Genesis 28:15 (New International Version)
I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go... I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.

This is a promise that the Lord God gave Abraham and this promise is for each one of us too. For the Word of God says that all the blessings and promises given to Abraham also belongs to those who have faith in Christ.

Romans 4:16 (New King James Version)
Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all.

So let us seek God diligently for our personal promise for this year and claim it so that it will be fulfilled in due time.

Better tomorrow

As the new year is approaching people make a lot of plans for the coming year. A few even make resolutions for a better tomorrow. Some may have high hopes and expectations, while some may make greater plans for achievements. But all of us have big anticipations regarding the future...And something which is best.

Even God's children may expect greater breakthroughs in their life for the coming year and might eagerly wait for the Lord's promise. Our Lord sure has a wonderful promise for His children which He will fulfill. But for that to take place, the Lord asks us for one thing...

Joshua 3:5 (New International Version)
Joshua told the people, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you."

If we want the Lord to do amazing things in our life then we have to consecrate ourselves. To consecrate as per God's Word is to set apart for God and His purposes. How is this consecration made? How can we be set apart for Christ?

Romans 6:11 (New International Version)
In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

If we can live a life dead to sin but be alive in Christ by yielding to Him than our life will be consecrated on a daily basis. And we can expect the Lord to do amazing things among us...

Tried and tested

The Lord gives each of His children a specific promise (according to each one's life) to carry out His perfect plan. And there is always a time frame between a promise given and the time of its fulfillment. During this phase, all that we should do as God's children is to hold on to His promise with faith. Faith is an intangible and unseen thing and to hold on to something which we cannot hold or see requires quite a courage. But we can hold on to His promise with courage for the only reason He who promised is faithful...

But until the time of fulfillment comes, there will be a lot of trials with respect to the promise of God. The devil will try to steal that promise saying things that will hinder our faith. Thoughts of doubt whether the Lord really gave that promise to us or are we trying to interpret it the right way or is it the will of God...Such thoughts can be attributed as test to our faith. Yet to hold on to God and His promise, we need to be ready to be tried and tested...Only then we shall come forth as gold that is refined.

Psalm 105:19 (New American Standard Bible)
Until the time that his word came to pass, The word of the LORD tested him.

The Lord gave a dream to Joseph that He will rule over his brothers. But that did not come to pass immediately. Instead he was sold as a slave, was falsely accused and imprisoned. He went through all hard core trials and only then the promise was fulfilled. But all these trials refined Joseph as a man of character.So all our trials are worth the cost when we will see the promise of God fulfilled in our lives.

Amazing Future

Psalms 139:16 (NIV)

All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

What a wonderful thing it is for me to know that all the days of my life is written in my Lord's book. Should I worry about what my future will be? Or what will I be doing in the next five years? Whom will I be getting married to? Will be achieving this or that?

How many questions each of us will have when it comes to our future? So many desires, plans and ambitions. But the beauty is that our Lord knows it all and He has everything written in His book. We cannot ask Him to show us everything like that of knowing from the stars or reading of the hand.

Our Lord shows it beautifully as we faithfully walk with Him holding His hand like that of a father and a child. He only shows us step by step as it comes to pass, so that we may relish it joyfully. Let us not hurry to know everything but walk faithfully as we trust in Him for He says,

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Those who trust Him and rely on Him can be rest assured that their future is truly amazing...

What next Lord?

Among various difficult trials of life, one such path which can put a soul to gloom is the path of uncertainity. Many men and women of God has travelled through this path and our only hope is that our Lord is very next to us, though we dont even know what to expect. Every trail that we may opt to take may seem so uncertain. Anything that has been tried may not work. This is a very difficult path , yet sometimes the Lord leads us through it to strenghten our faith in darkness, make our dependability more on Him and make Himself a glorious name.

Take heart my loved ones for the Word of God assures us a wonderful promise in
1 Corinthians 2:9 (NIV)
However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" .

And we all know for sure that it is something good for He is good.

For reference:
Isa 64:4
Since ancient times no one has heard,

no ear has perceived,

no eye has seen any God besides you,

who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.

What are we doing with it?

How can we be sure that all of God's promises be fulfilled in our lives? The answer is with us . It depends on how we use them by faith. God's promises are like gifts that are given to us that are wrapped. So as long as we open the wrapper and use the gift it may remain unopened. Likewise God has given many wonderful promises in His Word so that our life in Him will be made full.

Yet the choice is ours.

As we continue to have a faithful and steady relationship with the Lord, He reveals to us His wonderful promises as per our life's need and circumstances. He also gives us the faith to use them. But it is in our hands to continuously claim those promises in prayer until we receive them. And we can be rest assured that God will fulfill it in His time...

2 Corinthians 1:20 (NIV)

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.

Comes with a thread?

We believers get excited when talking about God's promises. It is such a blessing to know that God has a promise to address every need of His children. Yet most of the times we forget that promises sometimes come with a commandment. When we look at the list of promises in Deuteronomy 7 it is so marveling. But when looked closely we can see that it is based on the outcome of obedience. Likewise most of God's promises are based on obedience to God's Word and some of them has a context. For instance when Paul said to the Philippians in Phil4:19 (NIV) "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus", he was referring to believers who give graciously to God's work. So believers who claim such promises should be gracious givers.
So let us be careful in obeying God consciously so as to confidently claim His promises in our life. Amen.

2 Peter 1:4 (NIV)
"...he has given us his very great and precious promises..."

Wonderful Promises

What is the most powerful way to pray? Is it a desperate prayer or community prayer or an unwavering prayer? Though all these forms of prayer are effective, it is praying with the Word of God which is said to be powerful. Because God has given His Word to us so that it fulfills His purpose in our lives. So when praying for something desperately when prayed claiming God's Word then it comes to pass.

For God said in Isaiah 55:11

So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth;

It will not return to Me empty,

Without accomplishing what I desire,

And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it. (NASB)

God has given us a promise for every need in our life. It is there in His Word. All that we need to do is claim His promise and see His will fulfill in our lives.