Monday - Holy Spirit
Luke 24:49
Jesus represented God in a grand way while He was here on earth. He provided a contact point to God that Israel had destroyed while traveling to the land of Promise when they asked Moses to request that God go away. God understood man’s need for constant association with Him and as Jesus departs, He promises power from on high. We know from study that this power came on the day of Pentecost in the form of the Holy Spirit. This promise has been fulfilled and a by-product is the church. The Holy Spirit now dwells within those who accept Christ as their personal Savior and allows them to receive other promises from God.
Father, I thank You for seeing my need and providing a power that I find hard to ignore or shun. Grant that I follow His directives and leadership. In the name of Jesus, Amen
Tuesday - Salvation
Acts 2:39
Luke merely alludes to "a" promise, rather than delineating it in detail. We have to look back at verse 38 to see what the promise is. Peter has made a statement regarding the gift of the Holy Spirit. If we are not careful, we will mistake this statement to mean that the Holy Spirit is that gift, but the next verse gives evidence to what Peter is referring to. There is a promise involved, and the promise is the gift brought by the Holy Spirit. That gift is Salvation. It is available to all who answer the call of God. The call to salvation comes from the Lord, and the Holy Spirit becomes the medium through which it is implemented. Salvation is promised to all who respond to the call.
Father, I thank You for the call, the Holy Spirit and the salvation. Use me to attract others to a pint where they can hear Your call, and be saved. In Jesus’ name, Amen
Wednesday - The Kingdom
James 2:5
Life in this life will not be all peaches and cream for all believers. They will be some who will live without the finer things of life, without the prominence, the pomp, the frills. Those deemed poor in riches in this world, but rich in faith will inherit the kingdom and obtain those things in the next life that they were deprived of in this one. It is important that we not become too focused on the wealth of this dying world, but focus on the riches of eternity. Do You love Him? Do You serve Him willingly? If you answered yes to either of these questions, then you are a candidate to receive the promise of the kingdom.
Father, allow me to share with You in te kingdom. I desire the richness of faith in this world, so I can enjoy the riches of the next. In the name of Jesus, Amen
Thursday - Eternal Life
Titus 1:2
Paul gives Titus some information that should interest us as contemporary believers. Curiously, Paul starts the thought with, "In hope of eternal life, ..." Which means there is a desire for this commodity by all. He further emphasizes the point by saying the promise is from God, "that cannot lie." It is comforting to know that the one who has issued the promise is only capable of telling the truth. That, alone, validates the promise and gives us assurance of its certainty. The promise is not a recent invention, but has been in effect "since before the world began." With a promise posessing these credentials, it is easy to believe and receive.
Father, I am certain of the promise because You have issued it, supported it, and validated it through Your actions. In Jesus’ name, Amen
Friday - Crown of Life
James 1:12
Promises possess demands in some cases. James presents a promise that comes with the need for us to endure. It has been said that salvation is free, everything else has to be worked for. The Crown of Life is obtained once we have endured and tried (tested). These activities, along with a love for the Lord, insure the crown will be received. Look at your life and note those things you are enduring. Are they grievous? Are they difficult? They serve to temper your resolve and show a dying world that God has believers willing to run the entire race. Certain of a reward, the runner races. So must we.
Father, I will run as long as I can feel Your love. Even in the midst of trials and testing. I know that You will meet me at the finish line. In the name of Jesus, Amen
Saturday - New Earth
2 Peter 3:13
The present earth has taken a beating from its human inhabitants. We have wasted its natural resources, we have littered its surface, and we have killed its curious creatures. We have allowed sin to take its toll on all Creation and God is aware of our folly. Peter points toward the "Day of the Lord," or that day when Jesus returns to judge. That day will answer the promise to not just restore the old earth, but to bring about the new, along with a new heaven. God knows our tendencies and has prepared for all the damage we can do. Adam left us a difficult situation, but a merciful God has made provisions for those He loves.
Father, Thank You for looking out for me, when i couldn’t look out for myself. In the name of Jesus, Amen
Sunday - Backed By God
Hebrews 6:12-20
The writer of Hebrews points to the competence of God. He insures us that God not only has the desire to meet the demands of His promises, but the capacity. God has long prepared for the needs of man and we can enjoy the knowledge that His intent is to share these promises with His believers. In this passage we find a certain consolation in discovering that God really cares for His own, and we can become His own by believing in His Son. Herein lies a guarantee that has endured the ages. Now that you know about it, enjoy it!
Father, Thanks You for Your Word. Amen
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