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Simple Thoughts On Promises

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His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. (2 Peter 1:3,4)

Why has God so graciously given us great and precious promises?
There are 2 reasons for that:
1. To participate in his divine nature.
2. To escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

People of this world who do not know Christ cannot participate in the divine nature of God. They fall easily for the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. Even as believer's we know how difficult it is to stand firm in the face of temptations. Yet because of the Holy Spirit of God who from within us keeps constantly convicting us of sin and unrighteousness, we are constantly alerted.

Participating in God's divine nature is such a privilege. Jesus said,
I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. (John 14:12)

The power and holy attributes of God manifests in the lives of believer's who submit to God and are obedient to his Word. The only way to live a powerful christian life is to live in submission to God and his Holy Word and the power of the Holy Spirit manifests in the lives of those who do this.

The promise for today's devotional states that:
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

Are you part-taking of this glorious privilege? It's once in a lifetime offer.
To escape the corruption in the world, God invites everyone to participate in his divine nature. Will you accept his invitation? If you have already accepted his invitation, will you take a firm decision to stay true to your Savior?
He will surely bless you.
Praise the Lord.
 
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"Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me. (Isaiah 49:15,16)

God gave this promise to the nation of Israel which thought that God had forsaken and forgotten her. Zion said, "The LORD has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me." (Isaiah 49:14)

Do you feel the same this day?
Moses obeyed God and went into Pharaoh's presence and declared to him what the Lord had said. The Bible says,
Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'Let my people go, so that they may hold a festival to me in the desert.'"
Pharaoh said, "Who is the LORD, that I should obey him and let Israel go? I do not know the LORD and I will not let Israel go." (Exodus 5:1, 2)

Pharaoh showed that he didn't care and increased his atrocities on the Israelites. He told the slave masters not to give the Israelites straw for making bricks. The Israelites were angry and poured out their ire on Moses and Aaron.
Moses was depressed. He returned to the LORD and said, "O Lord, why have you brought trouble upon this people? Is this why you sent me? Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble upon this people, and you have not rescued your people at all." (Exodus 5:22,23)

God did rescue the Israelites from Pharaoh and the Egyptians, but in his time and according to his plan. Moses, Aaron and the Israelites had to wait. But finally the time came when they saw the last of Egypt.

Circumstances will change dear friend. Be watchful in prayer. Wait for God. Remember,
God has engraved you on the palms of his hands. He will not let the enemy win. Trust and hope in Jesus. God bless you.
 
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This is what the LORD says: See, I am setting before you the way of life and the way of death. Whoever stays in this city will die by the sword, famine or plague. But whoever goes out and surrenders to the Babylonians who are besieging you will live; he will escape with his life. (Jeremiah 21:8,9)

Strange but perfect are the ways of God. Here he asks Jeremiah the prophet to tell the Israelites that if they wanted to remain alive, they must surrender to their enemies, the Babylonians. Staying in the city or in own their homes would lead to their death.

God knows what's best for us and where we can be secure. Surrendering to the enemy was not going to be a pleasant life, but they could remain alive and come back to their homes at God's appointed time.

Long back during the time of Abraham, the Bible says,
So after Abram had been living in Canaan ten years, Sarai his wife took her Egyptian maidservant Hagar and gave her to her husband to be his wife. He slept with Hagar, and she conceived. When she knew she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress. Then Sarai said to Abram, "You are responsible for the wrong I am suffering. I put my servant in your arms, and now that she knows she is pregnant, she despises me. May the LORD judge between you and me." "Your servant is in your hands," Abram said. "Do with her whatever you think best." Then Sarai mistreated Hagar; so she fled from her. (Genesis 16:3-6)

Hagar decided enough was enough and ran away into the desert.
The angel of the LORD found Hagar near a spring in the desert; it was the spring that is beside the road to Shur. And he said, "Hagar, servant of Sarai, where have you come from, and where are you going?" "I'm running away from my mistress Sarai," she answered. Then the angel of the LORD told her, "Go back to your mistress and submit to her." (Genesis 16:7-9)

God knew that it was in her best interest to be with Abraham at this period of her life. She was pregnant and God had a plan for her and her son. God gave her promises and sent her back.

Believe me when I say, God knows which place is best for you and your family. Move ahead only as the Spirit of God guides you. God bless you.
 
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For he who avenges blood remembers; he does not ignore the cry of the afflicted. (Psalm 9:12)

Do you feel that people ignore you?; That they don't give you much importance?
Do your requests fall on deaf ears? Well I have good news for you. People may ignore your cry, but God doesn't. He hears even the groans that comes from the depths of your heart.

David once cried to the Lord: Listen to my prayer, O God, do not ignore my plea; hear me and answer me. My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught at the voice of the enemy, at the stares of the wicked; for they bring down suffering upon me and revile me in their anger. My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death assail me. Fear and trembling have beset me; horror has overwhelmed me. (Psalm 55:1-5)

I guess none of us would want to be in his shoes. David was desperate. He just wanted out. That's why he said,
"Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest - I would flee far away and stay in the desert; I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm." (Psalm 55:6-8)

When people near and dear to us hurt us, the pain is overwhelming, but as the promise for today says,"he does not ignore the cry of the afflicted." So there's hope for you who are afflicted.

David found strength in his God and so he said,
But I call to God, and the LORD saves me. Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice. He ransoms me unharmed from the battle waged against me, even though many oppose me. (Psalm 55:16-18)

Be strengthened this day, with these wonderful promises dear friend and always make it a point to cast your cares on the LORD. He will sustain you; he will never let you down. God bless you.
 
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From the LORD comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people. (Psalm 3:8)

During the three and a half years of Jesus' ministry, we read of him bringing deliverance to many people who were afflicted by demons. One of the foremost among them was the deliverance that he wrought for the demon possessed man at Gerasenes.

They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an evil spirit came from the tombs to meet him. This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him any more, not even with a chain. For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones. When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. He shouted at the top of his voice, "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Swear to God that you won't torture me!" For Jesus had said to him, "Come out of this man, you evil spirit!" Then Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" "My name is Legion," he replied, "for we are many." (Mark 5:1-9)

That morning Jesus had sat in a boat and taught the people speaking to them in parables. And when it was evening he expressed his desire to go to the other side of the lake with his disciples. They had to face a furious storm while they were rowing to the other side. The disciples were frightened and they woke up Jesus who was sleeping on a cushion in the stern. They said, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?"(Mark 4:38). Jesus rebuked the winds and the waves and everything was calm again.

Jesus had come crossing the lake to Gerasenes just to bring deliverance to this one demon afflicted man. We don't read of him doing any other work there. The people there didn't want him to stay. So he crossed the lake again.

Every person is important to Jesus. As a child of God, you are even more important to him. The Bible says that his love for you is everlasting. So do not despair, even if other people don't give you much importance. You are precious to Jesus. Live for him and bring glory to his name. God bless you.
 
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The LORD said to her, "Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger." When the time came for her to give birth, there were twin boys in her womb. (Genesis 25:23, 24)

Rebecca had questions for the Lord when she got pregnant. The Bible says,
The babies jostled each other within her, and she said, "Why is this happening to me?" So she went to inquire of the LORD. (Genesis 25:22)
What we read above was God's reply to her and in the fullness of time, what the Lord said came into being.

Rebecca remembered the Lord's words, "the older will serve the younger." Later on as her sons grew up she planned on her own to bring into effect the Lord's plan, but that was a disaster. She made Jacob, the younger son, deceive his almost blind father to receive the blessings due his elder brother Esau. Jacob had to go away from home and returned only after 20 years.

When God gives us a promise, he will guide us by his Holy Spirit to accomplish what he has planned or decided. Making our own plans to fulfil God's promise may eventually result in chaos and sorrow for the persons involved.

God is able to fulfil his plans for our lives. All we need to do is to be receptive to his voice and guidance and walk and act on his counsel. Then his plans will be fulfilled at the right time. Praise the Lord.
 
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Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. (1 Corinthians 15:24)

The time is coming soon when this promise will be fulfilled. The curtains are going to fall on this present world. God has promised a new heaven and a new earth.
Isaiah prophesied it long ago.
"Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. (Isaiah 65:17)

John the Apostle saw it in visions.
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. (Revelation 21:1)

It will come into being soon.
The present earth has been reserved for fire and no one can change it's fate.
By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. (2 Peter 3:7)

When Jesus said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. (Matthew 28:18), he meant it and soon, as we read in the title verse today,
he will destroy all wicked dominion, authority and power. He will finally hand over the kingdom to God the Father.

Is your future secure in the hands of Jesus? If not, please take a moment and consider what your read just now. Submit your life into the loving hands of Jesus, the Savior of the world. It has great implications regarding your future life.

The Bible says,
To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. (Revelation 3:21)
May that blessed promise come true in your life. God bless you.
 
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And again, Isaiah says, "The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him." (Romans 15:12)

In the fullness of God's time, part of this prophesy came into being and the Savior came into the world to save sinners. Peter the apostle writes of what our true condition was without Christ and with Christ how dramatic a change has come about.
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. (1 Peter 2:9, 10)

The Apostle Paul shares his views in this manner:
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions - it is by grace you have been saved. (Ephesians 2:1-5)

And the prophesy written above will soon be brought into completion, for the Bible says,
I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. (Revelation 19:11-16)

Your Savior is coming back...very soon...Are you ready to meet him?
Escape the wrath of God's judgement by living a holy life, obeying the Word of God and obeying the voice of the Holy Spirit. God bless.
 
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I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. (Revelation 3:8)

Can't preach as effectively as others do? Can't sing as well as others do? Can't pray as mightily as others do? You would if asked, describe yourself as one with "little strength". Well then, what you read above, is a wonderful promise for you that was once given to the church at Philadelphia in Asia Minor.

Faithfulness is what counts on the long run. Jesus knows our deeds. Keeping his word and not denying his name were a couple of important factors that Jesus saw in the church at Philadelphia, so he gave them a wonderful promise..."See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut."

Mind you, the promise was given by Jesus Christ, of whom the Bible says,
These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. (Revelation 3:7)

Sustained faithfulness is what Jesus desires, so he exhorted the believer's in the church at Philadelphia saying,
I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. (Revelation 3:11)

Jesus knows how much strength each one of us has and even if our strength may same little compared to others, keeping his Word and not denying his name always brings wonderful blessings from the Lord.

Praise the Lord.
 
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Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Luke 6:38)

So what have you been giving? And does the above promise on giving work as Jesus said? It does, but the dividends come back to us only as heaven decides.
Not only money-wise, even in other ways things can be measured back to us as we give. Talking about love, can you expect it from others without giving any? Of course God gives his love to us without us having given any, but speaking in terms of our relationship with our family members or others, nearly everyone expects us to give as we wish to receive.

Jesus also said,
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. (Matthew 7:1, 2)

That means whatever you measure out to others, the same will be measured back to you in one way or the other. A very good example of this is Jacob (from the book of Genesis) who happened to deceive his father Isaac and his brother Esau and then went away from home fearing that Esau would kill him. He landed up in his uncle's house where he laboured for 20 years and was deceived by his uncle continually. With the measure he used, it was measured back to him.

If we measure out love, peace, joy and the other wonderful fruit of the Holy Spirit to others; in due time, these will also be measured out to us. And when we give, Jesus says,
A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. And the golden rule that Jesus taught is so very right. He said,
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 7:12)

Shall we then be doers of the Word rather than just listeners or readers? If we do, then surely this promise of Jesus will come true in our lives too. God bless you.
 
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And Elijah said to Ahab, "Go, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain." (1 Kings 18:41)

This is what the Lord must have spoken to Elijah and as the Lord said, so Elijah proclaimed to king Ahab. Mind you there was no trace of rain, not even a small rain cloud or even a distant thunder. The sound of heavy rain first sounded in the spiritual realm but Elijah was sure that it would happen physically soon enough. But instead of just waiting, he chose to pray and see the miracle being birthed.

So Ahab went off to eat and drink, but Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel, bent down to the ground and put his face between his knees. (1 Kings 18:42)

Amidst praying we read of Elijah searching for signs of the impending miracle.
"Go and look toward the sea," he told his servant. And he went up and looked. "There is nothing there," he said. Seven times Elijah said, "Go back." (1 Kings 18:43)

And finally....The seventh time the servant reported, "A cloud as small as a man's hand is rising from the sea." So Elijah said, "Go and tell Ahab, 'Hitch up your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.'" (1 Kings 18:44)

A sign that his prayers had been answered was sent from God- A cloud as small as a man's hand is rising from the sea. A sign, not very prominent, nevertheless a sign to indicate the miracle will happen immediately.

And then the miracle itself...after 3 and a 1/2 years of drought....
Meanwhile, the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, a heavy rain came on and Ahab rode off to Jezreel. (1 Kings 18:45)

Hallelujah! The drought was finally over. Promised by God. Birthed by Elijah's prayer.
God will end the drought in your life too. Meanwhile get into the birthing mode..prayer, prayer and more prayer...and don't forget to look for the signs..even small ones..for they signify a soon happenning miracle.
Praise the Lord.
 
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The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still. (Exodus 14:14)(NIV)
The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. (Exodus 14:14)(KJV)
The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent. (Exodus 14:14)(NAS)

Be still; hold your peace; keep silent.
The message is clear; whatever be the translation you use. Don't get fidgety; don't mess around; don't do something against God's plan. The Lord will fight for you.

But how does one stand still when the enemy is close on the heels? Especially with a huge sea in front and mountains on either side. The enemy is no stranger to you. You've just escaped from him with the skin of your teeth. Now he's back again to haunt you as a bad dream.

But Moses says, "Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the LORD which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever."

Can we believe Moses? Must we believe him?
There's no other go. So better believe.

And when they held their peace, God revealed his plan to Moses:
Then the LORD said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the sons of Israel to go forward. "As for you, lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, and the sons of Israel shall go through the midst of the sea on dry land. "As for Me, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them; and I will be honored through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen. "Then the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD, when I am honored through Pharaoh, through his chariots and his horsemen." (Exodus 14:15-18)

And it happened exactly as God said it would.

Are you being pursued by the enemy? Hold still. Don't murmur. Listen to what God has to say to you. He has a plan for your deliverance. Follow that plan and God will destroy the satanic forces that are troubling you. Remember,
The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemy before you, saying, 'Destroy him!' (Deuteronomy 33:27)
Praise the Lord.
 
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Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High, and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me." (Psalm 50:14, 15)

In this promise from Psalms 50, God speaks and tells the Israelites of what pleases him and how they can get deliverance when they are in trouble. God made it clear that he was not so much interested in the outward expressions of their faith as he was in their inner purity and faithfulness, which he was always looking for in their lives.

God spoke through his servant Asaph and said,
"Gather to me my consecrated ones, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice." (Psalm 50:5)

God told them that he was not rebuking them for their sacrifices or burnt offerings, but he also wanted them to know some facts. So he said:
I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens, for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are mine. If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it. Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats? (Psalm 50:9-13)

Outward expressions of our faith are good, but what God desires in our lives is inner purity. If we can give that to the Lord, he would be very pleased with us and answer our prayers. Jesus said,
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. (Matthew 5:8)

May the Holy Spirit help each one of us to purify ourselves with the Word of God so that we may continually experience the deliverance of God in our lives. God bless you.
 
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Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. (Isaiah 43:18, 19)

Magicians rely on tricks to deliver their goods; the Lord of the heavens, he who created the heaven and the earth does not depend on such trivialities. He is neither limited by time or space or season. He is Almighty God and he can do miracles that have never happened before.

Would the splitting of the Red Sea rank as the greatest miracle on our list? Or would it be the parting of the Jordan? The change of bitter waters to sweet at Marah? Water gushing forth from the rock at Horeb? The fall of the walls of Jericho? The virgin birth? The feeding of the 5000? Turning of water into wine?
The dead being raised up?

It's an infinite list considering the fact that God is still doing new things even today and many of us are recepients of the same. So what's in it for me? you may ask.
That's what Martha, the sister of dead and buried Lazarus must have thought when Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25,26)
Her brother was already dead; sure, he would rise at the resurrection, but what about her grief now?; if Jesus had come when they had called him to see sick Lazarus, perhaps he would have been alive today.

She didn't argue but gave Jesus the hard facts when they reached the tomb of Lazarus.
"But, Lord," said Martha, the sister of the dead man, "by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days." (John 11:39)
But Jesus thoughts were far from what she was thinking.
Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" (John 11:40)

She did see the glory of God because when Jesus commanded Lazarus to come out of the tomb, to everyones' amazement, he did come out...not dead but fully alive.

So will you believe that God can still do the impossible? Something new? Like it has never happened before? Just for you?

Believe and see the glory of God. God bless you.
 
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For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. (2 Chronicles 16:9)

We all desire commitment in our relationships and so does God. He wanted his first human creations Adam and Eve to be committed to him, but they fell short of his asking. Even in our lives God desires commitment on our part because he is committed to us totally from the time we acknowledge his sovereignty and accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.

In the above promise we see that God’s eyes range throughout the earth for the purpose of strengthening those whose hearts are fully committed to him. Not only committed at prayer time or in church, not only while we are at home, not only at certain hours of the day; but always. Does seem like a tall order, doesn’t it? Yet, it’s possible, if we rearrange our priorities to please the Savior in all things. Everything matters right from the thoughts of our mind to our words and actions and dealings. It’s a difficult task and we all fall sometimes in one way or the other.

But God knows whether the intents of our hearts are sincere; sincere to bring joy and glory to him. No one else may possibly know the intents of our hearts as a Christian; neither the spouse nor the minister nor anyone else; but God knows all. And if he sees that out hearts are fully committed to him, he will strengthen us at all times.
 
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Eli answered, "Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him." (1 Samuel 1:17)

More of a blessing rather than a promise; yet a promise to which Hannah held onto till she received what she had asked of God. She had spent years in mental anguish because the LORD had closed her womb and her rival (Elkanah's other wife Peninnah) kept provoking her in order to irritate her. Even the priest Eli thought she was drunk, when actually she was praying in her heart and only her lips were moving and her voice was not heard.

A blessing or a promise can change a depressed person's outlook fast. As soon as she heard Eli's reassuring words, she was filled with new hope, for the Bible says,
Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast. (1 Samuel 1:18)

In her misery Hannah had made a vow to the Lord:
"O LORD Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant's misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head." (1 Samuel 1:11)

God blessed Hannah with a son whom she named Samuel. She kept her vow to the Lord and gave Samuel to the Lord's work as soon as he was weaned.

Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, saying, "May the LORD give you children by this woman to take the place of the one she prayed for and gave to the LORD." Then they would go home. And the LORD was gracious to Hannah; she conceived and gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the LORD. (1 Samuel 2:20, 21)

Hannah's womb was closed by the Lord, but when he opened it, Hannah had 6 children. Our God is an awesome God. Praise be to his holy name.
 
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Is not Ephraim my dear son, the child in whom I delight? Though I often speak against him, I still remember him. Therefore my heart yearns for him; I have great compassion for him," declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 31:20)

Why did God often speak against Ephraim? Ephraim (the ten tribes) gives the answer to that.
'You disciplined me like an unruly calf, and I have been disciplined. Restore me, and I will return, because you are the LORD my God. After I strayed, I repented; after I came to understand, I beat my breast. I was ashamed and humiliated because I bore the disgrace of my youth.' (Jeremiah 31:18, 19)

They were like an unruly calf; without any self-control. They did as they pleased and God disciplined them. Like Ephraim, many believer's stray away from the Lord and then they fall prey to satanic attacks. Pain, shame and humiliation are what follows.

God has given us the Holy Spirit to guide us and lead us in the paths of righteousness. God says,
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. (Psalm 32:8, 9)

The bit and bridle treatment is often painful to endure but God uses it so that we may not be eternally lost. God is merciful and the promise for today vouches for that.
"Is not Ephraim my dear son, the child in whom I delight? Though I often speak against him, I still remember him. Therefore my heart yearns for him; I have great compassion for him," declares the LORD.

Yes, God remembers us in our low estate and wants to renew his relationship with us even after we stray. He is always compassionate. He loves us with an everlasting love. May his name be glorified.
 
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A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. (Proverbs 11:25)

Are you as a believer, in the habit of refreshing others or are you in the habit of putting others off and bringing despair and grief to them? The promise for today states that he/she who refreshes others will himself/herself be refreshed. The book of Proverbs is a good guide on day to day righteous living and this is one of the promises that pertains to the generous. Another promise for the generous states that A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor. (Proverbs 22:9)

How generous can one be? The Apostle Paul cites an example when he wrote to the church at Corinth. He said,
And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own,they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will. (2 Corinthians 8:1-5)

Out of the most severe trial......they gave even beyond their ability. That's really admirable.

Not only with finances, we can be generous with our words and actions which will portray the love of Christ that we should have as Christians. Kind and encouraging words, a helping hand, a pat on the back, just sitting with someone who is suffering, listening to the woes of someone who is suffering and so many other things that may seem trivial but are of great value to the recepient, are of paramount importance in the eyes of the Lord.

Jesus calls us to refresh others with our words and actions and the promise "he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed" will come true to whoever obeys. Praise the Lord.
 
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And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)

In simple words, God honors faith. The question that God asks them who seek him earnestly for their difficulties/problems is, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?"

As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, "Have mercy on us, Son of David!" When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" "Yes, Lord," they replied.
Then he touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith will it be done to you"; and their sight was restored.....(Matthew 9:27-30)

Jesus always had a word of praise for them who showed their faith to him with their words and actions. About the Roman centurion, he said,
"I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. (Matthew 8:10)

To the woman who had been suffering from bleeding for 12 years, he said,
"Take heart, daughter," he said, "your faith has healed you." And the woman was healed from that moment. (Matthew 9:22)

To the Canaanite woman who pleaded with Jesus for her daughter, Jesus said,
"Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed from that very hour. (Matthew 15:28)

Do you believe that Jesus is able to do the miracle that you are seeking from him this day? If yes, then start praising him as if he has done it already, because he himself said,
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. (Mark 11:24)

And when your miracle happens, Jesus will have a word of praise for you too, because you showed him your faith. God bless you.
 
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