Tag: "Standing on the Promises of God"

What a Long-Suffering and Gracious and Restorative God we Each Pray To. Hosea 6:1-3

Hosea 6:1-3 shares of Israel’s desire to return from their misery and repent from their sin.

The Israelites didn’t realize the impact and consequences of their sin, but recognized no matter how far they strayed God was the one who would heal and restore them.

Hosea 6:3 says, “Oh, that we might know the LORD! Let us press on to know him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring.”

In verse 3 the Israelites pressed into acknowledging the Lord.

They had the same assurance that you and I can have; just as the sun appears every morning,

God always does too.

Despite how far and wide you or I have strayed, God will authentically respond to you as you seek Him.

Hosea 6:1-3 New King James Version

A Call to Repentance

6 Come, and let us return to the Lord;
For He has torn, but He will heal us;
He has stricken, but He will [a]bind us up.
2 After two days He will revive us;
On the third day He will raise us up,
That we may live in His sight.
3 Let us know,
Let us pursue the knowledge of the Lord.
His going forth is established as the morning;
He will come to us like the rain,
Like the latter and former rain to the earth.

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Adeste Fideles! Laeti Triumphantes! Venite Adoremus! Dominum.

Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Amen.

What A Long-Suffering And Gracious God We Have

God rebuked the people of Israel for their apostasy and idolatry, pronouncing a severe judgement upon them and causing Amos the prophet to mourn that His people were destroyed for lack of knowledge of the God of Israel, while He also is bewailing their marked and severe disinterest in the God of their salvation.

And yet the stark and serious warning broke into a comforting song of hope, that one day God would return, revive and restore His erring nation and pour out His blessings upon them like dew onto a parched desert, or as the spring showers falling over a hot and dry and dusty and thirsty land. (Psalm 63:1-2)

God knows that the disobedient Israel will one day return to His open arms of love, for they are all like a flock of straying sheep without a shepherd and the wounds and pain that have been inflicted due to the centuries of idolatry and apostasy will be over, when they come to acknowledge Jesus as Lord, Savior.

And He will bind up their wounds, mend the broken-hearted, with His soothing ointment and He will anoint their nation with the oil of gladness, when they call on the name of the Lord and recognize their God and Savior – for then they will look upon Him Whom they have pierced – whom they have crucified and buried.

His dealings with Israel is a great comfort to all of God’s children, for we know that despite the times when we also wander away from the Lord; getting swept into worldly ways or adopting a careless attitude, His initial response may well be discipline or chastisement, but He is also long-suffering towards us, even when we stray from His path of righteousness and follow our own foolish ways.

What a long-suffering and gracious God we have – for as He has dealt wisely with us, will continue in that wisdom, in grace, truth toward His erring nation.

So will Deal deal with Christians who have wandered far from His outstretched arms of love and truth or when faith wears thin and life seems too much to bear.

No matter how far any of us have strayed, His long standing promises to the church are as sure and praise-worthy, His promises to Israel. His chastening rod may hurt or wound us, but His promise of grace will truly help and heal.

Prayer for Restoration – Our Daily Prayer Unto God

6 1-3 “Come on, let’s go back to God.
    He hurt us, but he’ll heal us.
He hit us hard,
    but he’ll put us right again.
In a couple of days we’ll feel better.
    By the third day he’ll have made us brand-new,
Alive and on our feet,
    fit to face him.
We’re ready to study God,
    eager for God-knowledge.
As sure as dawn breaks,
    so sure is his daily arrival.
He comes as rain comes,
    as spring rain refreshing the ground.” (Hosea 6, The Message)

The exact moment sin reared its impossibly hideous, ugly head, in the form of a snake, in the garden of Eden in Genesis 3, brokenness likewise entered the scene.

Undoubtedly, we live in a broken world filled to overflowing of broken systems, overwhelmingly stressful situations, and people who could care less about God.

Sin leaves a vast ripple effect that continues year after year, generation after generation. It affects every individual. You cannot walk through life unscathed.

This is no different for Christians as it is for non-Christians. 

Matthew 5:45 says, “…He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”

Just because we are Christians does not and never will mean we are exempt from trials of all degrees and heartaches of every measure known but to God.

Sometimes with and without awareness, we have chosen a destructive path.

Other times, God makes us dwell in darkness (Lamentations 3:4-6 The Message).

4-6 He turned me into a skeleton
    of skin and bones, then broke the bones.
He hemmed me in, ganged up on me,
    poured on the trouble and hard times.
He locked me up in deep darkness,
    like a corpse nailed inside a coffin.

It’s not uncommon to forget God can still restore us when we are in the muck and the mire of a trial – our situations sometimes cloud our view of all God is. 

I don’t know what you, the reader of this devotion may be facing today, but I want to remind you the truth is God is still in the business of restoring!

He can still restore a broken relationship, shattered marriage, limp bodies, prodigal child, special needs children, tattered hearts, and scrambled minds.

With frustrated man, frustrated women, frustrated humanity, it is impossible to restore such as those, but with God, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26).

Truth is God does not always restore the things we have in mind the way we have that restoration all acceptably socially, culturally, politically defined.

Instead, God, through Jesus and the Holy Spirit restores our peace, joy, hope, and contentment, despite our uncertain situations – regardless of what ways and means our God chooses, He still redeems, repairs, restores, resurrects!

In addition to this, let us please never forget God always has the very final say.

By His Sovereign Will,

By God’s own Authority,

By God’s own Power,

Let it now be our declaration that no matter what threatens our souls,

We have the faith that according to the truths revealed in the Word of God,

When God speaks, Pharaoh relents, the chariots disappear beneath the waves and the storm is compelled to be silent, the seas will part for His Children, the lame are healed, the crippled will walk, the deaf will hear, and the will blind see.

He has the authority over everything because He is the creator of all things. 

If we are going through a tough season, keep pouring your heart out to God.

He is not weary of your tears.

He will not grow weary of your tears.

In fact God will collect your tears and reveal them to you at the suitable time.

Psalm 56:8 The Message

8 You’ve kept track of my every toss and turn
    through the sleepless nights,
Each tear entered in your ledger,
    each ache written in your book.

He knows the words you cannot seem to utter.

He sees the pain no one else can see.

But also please remember to remind yourself God can still do exceedingly and abundantly more than you can ever ask, do, or ever imagine (Ephesians 3:20). 

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Psalm 56 The Message

56 1-4 Take my side, God—I’m getting kicked around,
    stomped on every day.
Not a day goes by
    but somebody beats me up;
They make it their duty
    to beat me up.
When I get really afraid
    I come to you in trust.
I’m proud to praise God;
    fearless now, I trust in God.
    What can mere mortals do?

5-6 They don’t let up—
    they smear my reputation
    and huddle to plot my collapse.
They gang up,
    sneak together through the alleys
To take me by surprise,
    wait their chance to get me.

7 Pay them back in evil!
    Get angry, God!
    Down with these people!

8 You’ve kept track of my every toss and turn
    through the sleepless nights,
Each tear entered in your ledger,
    each ache written in your book.

9 If my enemies run away,
    turn tail when I yell at them,
Then I’ll know
    that God is on my side.

10-11 I’m proud to praise God,
    proud to praise God.
Fearless now, I trust in God;
    what can mere mortals do to me?

12-13 God, you did everything you promised,
    and I’m thanking you with all my heart.
You pulled me from the brink of death,
    my feet from the cliff-edge of doom.
Now I stroll at leisure with God
    in the sunlit fields of life.

Creator, Father, I ask You for a fresh vision for what breakthrough will look like in my life. Help me to pursue healing while I wait for my miracle. Show me how to rest right in the middle of the storm. Help me to enjoy the feast You prepare for me, right in the middle of the raging battlefield. I want my whole life to testify that there’s a God in heaven who knows my name and who will get me safely home. Fill me afresh with the wonder of Your long-suffering love and indomitable power. I am so very determined to win this battle with fear and anxiety. Help me to discern when to rest, when to feast, and how to actively engage my faith as I wait for You to breakthrough. May my life display Your power. Do the impossible in and through me, I pray. Amen.

Adeste Fideles! Laeti Triumphantes! Venite Adoremus! Dominum.

Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Amen.

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To Whom Shall We Go? John 6:60-69

1. Standing on the promises of Christ my King,
through eternal ages let his praises ring;
glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
standing on the promises of God.
Refrain:
Standing, standing,
standing on the promises of Christ my Savior;
standing, standing,
I’m standing on the promises of God.

2. Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
when the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
by the living Word of God I shall prevail,
standing on the promises of God.
(Refrain)

3. Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,
bound to him eternally by love’s strong cord,
overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword,
standing on the promises of God.
(Refrain)

4. Standing on the promises I cannot fall,
listening every moment to the Spirit’s call,
resting in my Savior as my all in all,
standing on the promises of God.
(Refrain)

John 6:60-69 The Message

Too Tough to Swallow

60 Many among his disciples heard this and said, “This is tough teaching, too tough to swallow.”

61-65 Jesus sensed that his disciples were having a hard time with this and said, “Does this rattle you completely? What would happen if you saw the Son of Man ascending to where he came from? The Spirit can make life. Sheer muscle and willpower don’t make anything happen. Every word I’ve spoken to you is a Spirit-word, and so it is life-making. But some of you are resisting, refusing to have any part in this.” (Jesus knew from the start that some weren’t going to risk themselves with him. He knew also who would betray him.) He went on to say, “This is why I told you earlier that no one is capable of coming to me on his own. You get to me only as a gift from the Father.”

66-67 After this, many of his disciples left. They no longer wanted to be associated with him. Then Jesus gave the Twelve their chance: “Do you also want to leave?”

68-69 Peter replied, “Master, to whom would we go? You have the words of real life, eternal life. We’ve already committed ourselves, confident that you are the Holy One of God.”

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Adeste Fideles! Laeti Triumphantes! Venite Adoremus! Dominum.

Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Amen

What If We See A Vision of the Ascended Savior?

John 6:60-65 Amplified Bible

60 When many of His disciples heard this, they said, “This is a difficult and harsh  and offensive statement. Who can [be expected to] listen to it?” 61 But Jesus, aware that His disciples were complaining about it, asked them, “Does this cause you to stumble and take offense? 62 What then [will you think] if you see the Son of Man ascending to [the realm] where He was before? 63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh conveys no benefit [it is of no account]. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life [providing eternal life]. 64 But [still] there are some of you who do not believe and have faith.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who did not believe, and who would betray Him. 65 And He was saying, “This is the reason why I have told you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him [that is, unless he is enabled to do so] by the Father.”

“Jesus Saves! Jesus Saves! Jesus Saves!

It may seem easy, at first, to line up, follow Jesus when we hear His promise of forgiveness, mercy and grace and salvation, and the promise of new life for us.

We naturally latch onto Jesus’ words of encouragement and reassurance.

The words are a source of great comfort, a source of Shalom Shalom we have been searching for, been reaching far into the depths of the vast universe for.

They are strange words at first because no one has taken the time to teach us, no one has taken the time to converse with us, nor even introduce them to us.

They are the “gotcha” words meant to immediately draw our attention away from all of the unholy hullabaloo which surrounds and swirls like a whirlwind.

Yes! Undoubtedly, these words will gain our attention at there spoken sound.

We will look at each other in wonder – “did we actually hear them?” gravitate towards the speaker of such unheard of words – highly curious – not really are we focused on anything of consequence beyond just the hearing and the talker.

What are they supposed to mean to us?

What are they meant to inspire us to do?

Are we just supposed to stand there and listen to someone give a short speech and then when they are done – then what – walk away for whatever reason?

We have heard these “motivational speeches” before – “Take them or Leave?”

Walk away, inspired or uninspired or disappointed, discouraged because we have no idea what was said or its implications means we have to commit to something we are sure we are no where near convinced of its true necessity?

And besides, the speaker is only going to go their own way and make the same speech somewhere else down the road – like any politician we have ever known.

“Get Out the Vote!” “Get Out and Vote for Me” “Because “Promises, Promises!”

Except, in our text, Jesus is not trying to be some sort of short term, mouthy political figure, another self absorbed, egotistical Temple Leader or any divine cheerleader waving those first century pom poms in all, every which direction.

He is the Savior who gave his life for our sake.

In our Bible reading for today, Jesus has pointed out the victory he would win, explaining to them that salvation comes only through his “flesh and blood.”

But that is not a message that sits easily with us.

In any age, it is a message anyone would scratch heads, mightily struggle with.

Because we have this innate, natural desire to try to save ourselves rather than to rely, try to understand, on the daily bread of life that Jesus gives “for the life of the world”—by laying down his own life, his own flesh his own life blood.

Jesus comes right out with these assembled disciples, demands total surrender to his authority and unto the gift of the salvation we cannot earn for ourselves.

The ascension makes clear that Jesus has this authority.

It reveals to the unspiritual and spiritual mindset that he is truly God, and it is from that place of undeniable authority He sends the Spirit to all who believe.

As followers of Jesus, we listen not only to His words that are easy to hear; we listen also to his words that call for our harsh, difficult, challenging obedience.

We are summoned to put our whole trust for salvation not in ourselves but in Jesus’ flesh and blood, given willingly by our heavenly Lord at a severe cost.

Jesus calls us to give of ourselves willingly for his sake. Can we accept that?

Can we take the not too difficult teachings and be inspired, and empowered?

Can we take the all too difficult teachings and be inspired and empowered?

To remain faithful, faith-filled, steadfast, immovable disciples for Jesus Christ?

Or do we shy away?

Quietly, indiscreetly, return to the peaceful non threatening confines of home?

To Whom Then Shall We Go to “hear” Words of Life?

John 6:66-69 Amplified Bible

Peter’s Confession of Faith

66 As a result of this [a]many of His disciples abandoned Him, and no longer walked with Him. 67 So Jesus said to the twelve [disciples], “You do not want to leave too, do you?” 68 Simon Peter answered, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You [alone] have the words of eternal life [you are our only hope]. 69 We have believed and confidently trusted, and [even more] we have come to know [by personal observation and experience] that You are the Holy One of God [the Christ, the Son of the living God].”

Here is the mark of the true believer: Peter Cannot and Will Not Quit on Jesus!

When Jesus looked at them, when Jesus said to them, Will you go away also? 

It is clear that Jesus would have let them go their own way if they had wanted to.

He does not hold anybody against their will.

Responding to his Rabbi’s words, Peter says three wonderful things:

First,

Peter says, in effect, Rabbi, Teacher, Messiah, we have been thinking about it.

Rabbi, Teacher, Messiah, we have investigated the alternatives.

You are not easy to live with.

You embarrass us.

You frighten us.

We don’t understand you at times.

We see and hear you do things that simply blow our minds.

You offend people who we think are important.

You burn bridges best left intact for those of us who remain with you.

We have looked at some alternatives, but I want to tell you this,

Rabbi, Teacher, Messiah: We never found anyone who can do what you can do, who can dare to say what you can say with the same or with an equal authority. 

“Rabbi, Teacher, Messiah, to where shall we go, to whom shall we go?” 

“You have two things that hold us together, two things no one can dare deny, and the first is your words.”

“What you say to us has met our deepest need, has delivered us from our sins and freed us from our fears.”

“Your words, Lord, are the most remarkable words we have ever heard. You teach what no one else does, they explain us, they explain life to us. They satisfy us. Nobody speaks like you do, nobody understands life like you do. That holds us!”

Secondly, Lord, we have seen your character. 

Notice how Peter puts it: We have believed, and have come to know. 

That statement implies a process which has perhaps gone on over the course of months and years.

Peter is saying, 

We have carefully watched you, and we have come to see that there is nothing wrong in you. You are the Holy One of God, you are the Sinless One. You fit the prophecies; you fulfill the predictions. You speak with authority. You have drawn us, compelled us. You are the incomparable Christ, thus there is no place else to go.

I have found this to be, authentic, genuine, faithful and true of real Christians.

Those who steadfastly continue on always feel this way about Jesus.

They know their own failures, their own weaknesses.

They know that despite the many times they cannot nor do not understand what is happening to them, yet they cannot leave, they are compelled to stay.

This is the testimony of those who walk faithfully with him and follow him.

I have often said the best definition of a Christian is someone who cannot quit. 

Do we find being a Christian just too hard sometimes?

Are we ready to throw in the towel and walk away from your faith?

I had a phone call once from a young man, a relatively new Christian who said, 

“I cannot make it. I cannot understand it. I cannot apply it to my life. I cannot continue to be a Christian. It’s too hard. It’s too complicated. Everyone hates me now. No one wants to be a friend. I blow it all the time. I’m going to hang it up.” 

I had heard that kind of thing before, so I said to him, 

“That’s a good idea. Why don’t you do that? I think you’re right. Hang it up.”

“There was a pause on the line, then he said to me, You know I can’t do that.” 

I said, “I know it. Of course you can’t. You can’t quit. You wont quit. Who can you go to? Where can you find answers, resources such as you have drawn on?” 

This is what Peter is saying to Jesus.

This is what Peter is saying to us as believers today

This is what Peter is saying to the Body of Christ, the Church, today!

Standing on the promises of Christ my King,
through eternal ages let his praises ring;
glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
standing on the promises of God.
Refrain:
Standing, standing,
standing on the promises of Christ my Savior;
standing, standing,
I’m standing on the promises of God.

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

Psalm 139:1-12 The Message

139 1-6 God, investigate my life;
    get all the facts firsthand.
I’m an open book to you;
    even from a distance, you know what I’m thinking.
You know when I leave and when I get back;
    I’m never out of your sight.
You know everything I’m going to say
    before I start the first sentence.
I look behind me and you’re there,
    then up ahead and you’re there, too—
    your reassuring presence, coming and going.
This is too much, too wonderful—
    I can’t take it all in!

7-12 Is there anyplace I can go to avoid your Spirit?
    to be out of your sight?
If I climb to the sky, you’re there!
    If I go underground, you’re there!
If I flew on morning’s wings
    to the far western horizon,
You’d find me in a minute—
    you’re already there waiting!
Then I said to myself, “Oh, he even sees me in the dark!
    At night I’m immersed in the light!”
It’s a fact: darkness isn’t dark to you;
    night and day, darkness and light, they’re all the same to you.

Father, hallowed be thy name! Help us to believe! Holy Spirit, strengthen us for obedient living! Lord Jesus, speak your words of authority to us, that we may accept and follow you. Lord, there is nowhere else to go because only you have the words of eternal life. Help me to cling to your words, to search them out and understand them and obey them and believe that they alone are the words that give life. Amen.

Adeste Fideles! Laeti Triumphantes! Venite Adoremus! Dominum.

Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Amen

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