Tuesday, February 2, 2010

The Promise

Therefore the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham's offspring - not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham.  He is the father of us all. Romans 4:16


Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be." Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead - since he was about a hundred years old - and that Sarah's womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. This is why it was credited to him as righteousness. The words "it was credited to him" were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness - for us who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. Romans 4:18-25


I know I may have said it here a few times already but I have to say it again. I absolutely love the Word of God. I love the hope, the promise, the uplifting, the refreshing and all that you find there, when you can find it no where else. As a family we have been trusting God for an open door in a situation for quite a while now. It's one that will literally change our lives. We know the promises of God and we know the plans of God according to His word, but many times when we look at the actual facts around us, sometimes we do feel a bit of despair.

We felt that way yesterday. We felt as though we didn't have any hope. We felt as though we've been waiting so long that it probably will not happen. But I am thankful to God for His word and His promises.

As I spent some time in the word this morning, He spoke so clearly to my heart. He showed me Abraham, who had a promise that seemed like it wouldn't come to pass. He showed me that Abraham's hope was not in the promise but in the One who made the promise.

Verse 16 of this Romans chapter 4 tells us that we, as children of faith, are guaranteed the promise. What is that promise? It's the promise first of salvation and all that it encompasses. The promise of healing, the promise of deliverance, the promise of prosperity, the promise of dreams fulfilled, the promise of receiving the desires of our heart. The word says this promise was not just to Abraham but also to his offspring. We are Abraham's offspring. He is our father.

My heart is so charged up from the reminders in God's word that I don't even remember how it felt before.

Friends do you see the importance and the necessity of a regular dose of the Word of God? No wonder it says that we should not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.

As if that wasn't enough to let me know that I too am an heir of the promise, the Holy Spirit went on to show me that even though Abraham faced the facts that were before him, he did not let them deter him from the promise God had made to him. If he didn't why should I, why should you?

He looked at the fact that yes, his body was as good as dead, for after all he was almost a hundred years old. He looked at the fact that Sarah's womb was also dead for she was pretty old at that time too. But who today know that facts have nothing to do with the promises of God?  God is the One who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not. (Vs 17)

The Word says, despite all the facts before him Abraham knew that God had the power to do what He had promised.

O thank you Jesus! Lord thank you today that I can hope against all hope. Lord thank you today that my hope that is in You is hope that is not ashamed.

I think you can tell by now how excited I am at the possibilities presented in the Word of God.

It doesn't matter what your circumstances say today.
It doesn't matter how long you or your spouse may have been unemployed.
It doesn't matter how long you or your loved one may have been facing illness.
It doesn't matter how long your marriage might have been on the rocks.
 It doesn't matter how long it looked as though your home was going into foreclosure.
It doesn't matter how long you have been waiting for finances or resources for that small business you dream of.
It doesn't matter how long your children have been outside of the will of God.
It doesn't matter how long that friendship has been broken.
It doesn't matter how long you have been waiting for answer to that prayer.

Friends, lets plant this truth deep deep deep in our hearts from this moment onward and don't let go of it.  Let's BE FULLY PERSUADED THAT, GOD HAS THE POWER TO DO WHAT HE PROMISED.

Don't let go of the truths in God's word. God is not man. He does not lie. It's not His nature. He will do what He said He will do.

The promise came by faith. Have faith not in what you see but in what God sees. He sees all good and perfect things for us.

I encourage you to look to the Word. If you feel as though you are getting nothing from the Word, ask the Holy Spirit to show you. Let Him lead you and show you the wondrous things God has promised you and I.

Father, thank you today that we have faith in Jesus. Thank You for a complete work that was done at Calvary allowing us to rest in that finished word. God you are well able to do all that You have promised. Our job is to trust in You. We rest in the truths of Your Word this day, knowing that when we don't waver in our faith, we will see Your Mighty Hand at work in our lives. We receive by faith right now all the inheritance that is ours. In Jesus name. Amen


Blessings,
Vickie

8 comments:

Terri Tiffany said...

I'm really glad you posted this today. I have been clinging to his word and promises. Especially this week as I am anxiously waiting for a call to tell when I start. I've imagined all kinds of scenerios where they have decided against me, something in my background went wrong--you name it. Then I read this and am encouraged again. Thank you! I pray your day today is filled with filled promises!

Yolanda said...

Love to YOU!

Amydeanne said...

great post today, very encouraging and timely for me!
hugs

LauraLee Shaw said...

Great insight and wisdom, dear one. Wanted to stop by and let you know that you are one of the winners of my giveaway, so come on over and see! Thank you for coming by!

Deidra said...

The Word is alive. What a gift we have been given...this wonderful living, breathing Word that comes straight from the Father to our hearts.

Crown of Beauty said...

Ilove the way you detailed some of the possible scenarios in our lives where we may be tempted to give up hope, and to give up believing.

This is a good post, Vickie! It speaks of things that are very close to my heart.

May I have your permission to feature it on my blog at some future date?

THanks...

Love
Lidj

Amydeanne said...

just a hey there friend! thanks for stopping by my blog this week! I came to visit with you and got refreshed all over again with this post!

Teresa @ ♥ Too Many Heartbeats ♥ said...

Hi Vickie! I read this amazing post on Lidj's blog tonight and it really, really touched my soul. Thank you so very much for sharing your heart with us.

I, too, would like to ask permission to share this wonderful piece with my readers. I feel certain it would be a blessing to them, just like it was to me. Would that be OK with you? I would copy it exactly as you have it here, give you credit and put a link to your blog. Just let me know.

I look forward to reading more of your blog in the days to come. May the Lord bless you as you continue to bless others!

Teresa <><