Promise Fulfilled

Promise Fulfilled

Revelation 10: ⁵ Then the angel that I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven ⁶ and took a vow in the name of God, who lives forever and ever, who created heaven, earth, and the sea, and everything in them. The angel said, “There will be no more delay! ⁷ But when the seventh angel blows his trumpet, then God will accomplish his secret plan, as he announced to his servants, the prophets.”

 

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“I will never do that again” I said in a halfhearted promise to GOD. I was either sick or in a lot of pain. This scared me to the point of making promises to GOD as if I could bargain my way out of the trouble.

 

• I thought that if I promised something to GOD, HE would stop the problem immediately.
• I did not think of the promise later on, so I did what I said I would “never” do again.
• I was reminded that I promised to “never” do whatever I did, but only in a gentle convicting way.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, heard the mighty angel take a vow in the name of GOD, that there would be “no more delay!” All prophecies would be fulfilled and there would be nothing left to do for GOD’s plan for humanity to be known.

 

My Observations:

• There are still parts of GOD’s plan that are hidden to mankind.
• JESUS fulfilled HIS part of the plan, but there is still another part that is secret to us.
• GOD has revealed what HE will do, but not when HE will do it.

 

Not knowing causes frustration. I mean, as a kid, I was blessed to get Christmas gifts, and I wanted to know what was behind the wrapped gift. I would wait in anticipation for the time to open the gift. The same goes for waiting for GOD’s plan to be made known to humanity.

 

What is HE really going to do and when? Are the questions that plague us to this day. BUT GOD has not missed a single promise and HE will not miss any future promises. The reason the angel could promise there would be no delay, is because GOD was ready to do whatever HE was going to do. HIS promises cannot be stopped.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer go into detail about the vow the angel took?
• Have you ever asked the question “What is the purpose of life?”
• If you are going through trouble, will you seek GOD as your solution so HE can show you HIS “secret plan” for humanity some day?

Sacred Authority

Sacred Authority

Hebrews 7: ²⁰ In addition, there is also God's vow. There was no such vow when the others were made priests. ²¹ But Jesus became a priest by means of a vow when God said to him,

“The Lord has made a solemn promise
    and will not take it back:
‘You will be a priest forever.’”

²² This difference, then, also makes Jesus the guarantee of a better covenant.

 

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When a peer became my boss, I did not recognize it. I mean, this guy did not know as much  as “me”, nor was he talented. I ignored his meeting invites and his attempts to “tell me what to do.” After a while, his boss asked me to listen to him.

 

• I did not recognize his authority.
• I rejected his title over me.
• I did not believe I could receive any consequence to ignoring his authority.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, get’s serious about the authority of JESUS. GOD made a vow that JESUS would be a priest forever, unlike humans who were born into the priesthood or ordained by other humans. This priesthood is unlike human priesthood because it holds all things sacred to GOD.

 

My Observations:

• GOD gave JESUS all authority to uphold holiness.
• I can choose to ignore the importance of holiness, BUT GOD loves when I embrace it.
• My sin nature abhors GOD’s holiness, BUT JESUS fixed my relationship with HIM.

 

Being a priest represents upholding sacred things to GOD. Unfortunately, human priests have taken advantage of the position with their own sinful lusts. This weakens how humans see what is important to GOD. BUT GOD made a vow that JESUS would be a priest forever. HE and HE alone can uphold all things sacred to GOD.

 

One important thing that JESUS did for me and you is provide forgiveness for sins. Ignoring the importance of this sacred act does not diminish its importance. JESUS is the official being who is allowed to forgive. I gladly bow to HIS authority.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer explain “a better covenant?”
• Have you ever questioned the authority of JESUS or anyone who is in charge?
• Will you recognize the authority of JESUS and learn what is sacred to GOD so you can follow HIM today?

Getting Wiser

Getting Wiser

Acts 18: ¹⁸ Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sisters and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchreae because of a vow he had taken. ¹⁹ They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. ²⁰ When they asked him to spend more time with them, he declined. ²¹ But as he left, he promised, “I will come back if it is God’s will.” Then he set sail from Ephesus. ²² When he landed at Caesarea, he went up to Jerusalem and greeted the church and then went down to Antioch.

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“How dare they!” I felt with anger. Ready to fight, I went and found people who would back me up. Throwing aside consequence, I wanted to right this wrong and was willing to punch someone in their face. Fortunately, the fight did not break out.

• There was a time when I was quick with anger.
• There was a time when I felt rage when someone said the “wrong” thing the “right” way.
• There was a time when I reacted before I considered if I should even react.

Paul had faced a lot of hardship. From fall of being a Pharisee to rise of being a true follower of JESUS, Paul faced beating and near death spreading the gospel. He wanted to stand out, so he vowed to remain bald. He then did something uncharacteristic by declining a request to stay with a group. “I will come back if it is GOD’s will” he said.

• GOD wants me to mature in my trust in HIM.
• GOD wants me to grow in the examples HE gave through JESUS.
• GOD wants me to seek HIS wisdom and let HIM do the fighting.

After getting beat up enough, I say to myself “There has to be a better way.” GOD knew Paul had to suffer. Paul, at one time, pursued murder in the name of GOD. He was growing with wisdom and sought a better way to convince people and allow GOD to do the fighting. GOD wants me to do the same.

HE wants me to plant the seeds of HIS love and allow HIM to bring someone else to water the seeds and HE grow the seeds. HE also wants me to see how slow HE is to anger and how graceful HE is with me daily. I appreciate HIS patience with me.

• Are you filled with rage?
• Are you quick to anger and react often?
• Will you allow GOD to slow your anger so HE can speak through you today?

Pledge is a Promise

Pledge is a Promise

Acts 5: But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. ² And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. ³ But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? ⁴ While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”

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“I’m going to call you” were the words I used in vain. I may get around to it or maybe not. Soon this lackadaisical attitude spilled into other areas of my life. “Yes, I will pray for you” would come out of my mouth but what I was praying about immediately flew out of my mind and I would not pray.

• There were times when I would agree to do something and not follow through.
• There were times when I would volunteer for something, get bored, and stop showing up.
• There were times when I would not complete what I said I would complete.

Ananias and Sapphira were aware of that everyone boldly sold their possessions to give to those in need. “How would it look if we did not sell?” they may have said to themselves. “How can we keep some of this and still look good?” may have been a thought. GOD spoke though Peter, condemning their choice.

• GOD wants me to be honest and say “No I cannot do that.”
• GOD wants me to keep my voluntary decisions as promises.
• GOD wants me to complete the things I start, not for myself, but as a vow to others.

Saying “I’m going to” voluntarily should not be done in vain to someone else. Saying “I’m going to pick you up” and not showing up could cause problems. GOD sees the large and small pledges and knows who will follow through and who will not.

HE wants me to say “Yes” to HIS calling, but only when I will follow through with HIS leading. If I say “Yes” but act like I said “No”, dire consequences could follow. I am thankful GOD gives me opportunities to say “Yes.”

• Have you volunteered and not followed through?
• Do you say you will do something so you will look good in front of people?
• Will you stop trying to please humans and seek to please GOD by doing what you say?  

Swearing

Matthew 23: ¹⁶ “Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but anyone who swears by the gold of the temple is bound by that oath.’ ¹⁷ You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred? ¹⁸ You also say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but anyone who swears by the gift on the altar is bound by that oath.’ ¹⁹ You blind men! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred? ²⁰ Therefore, anyone who swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. ²¹ And anyone who swears by the temple swears by it and by the one who dwells in it. ²² And anyone who swears by heaven swears by God’s throne and by the one who sits on it.

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“I swear I will never do that again” were my empty words of whatever sin I did at the time and felt I got hurt by it. I actually swore by something that I would “never” do something again and probably did that thing the next week or even the next day.

• In the past I have taking my “swears” lightly.
• In the past I have taken my “oaths” with a grain of salt.
• In the past I have treated my “vows” as something to find loopholes in.

Swearing is a part of GOD that is probably taken the most seriously. HE holds HIMSELF accountable to HIS sworn word. HE never lies. Whatever HE says, HE does. Unfortunately I have not been as diligent. For a number of reasons, more like excuses, I have travelled away from my “sworn” word in the past. BUT GOD makes that right.

• GOD wants me to swear only when necessary.
• GOD wants me to take an oath only when I am sure I can keep it.
• GOD wants me to state a vow only when I know I have HIM on my side to enable the vow to be kept.

The Pharisees manipulated their congregations into swearing by money and gifts and not by the grouping of the people which is the church. GOD saw through their evil plan and sees through my pitiful sworn word. HE wants me to swear on occasion and to make it sacred.

• Have you sworn without the means to keep your word?
• Have you sworn in order to get out of trouble?
• Can you swear on occasion and admit to GOD you need help upholding your end of the bargain?

Watch My Words!

Ecclesiastes 5: ² Do not be quick with your mouth,
    do not be hasty in your heart
    to utter anything before God.
God is in heaven
    and you are on earth,
    so let your words be few.
³ A dream comes when there are many cares,
    and many words mark the speech of a fool.

⁴ When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. ⁵ It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it. ⁶ Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, “My vow was a mistake.” Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands? ⁷ Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore fear God.

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“I promise never to do that again” were the empty words I pledged to GOD to get me out of trouble this particular time. At the time I was scared and did not want any more consequences and I just wanted whatever to be through! I had no plan or thought behind the statement, I just blurted the words out, hoping HE would mop up the situation,.

• There have been times where I promised things to GOD and did not fulfill them.
• There have been times where I promised that I would behave a certain way to GOD and did not change.
• There have been times where I promised something to GOD with good intentions but no plan.

“I’ll pray for you” are words that perk GOD’s ears. HE waits on the prayer I’m going to say for that person yet it never comes out. “I’ll server you more if…” are words that have crossed my mind, as if my service were a bargaining tool with GOD. Squirming is not a good time to make promises with GOD. In fact HE would rather that I wait.

• GOD wants me to develop a plan before I make a vow.
• GOD wants me to think about what I am saying before I invoke HIS name.
• GOD wants me to treat HIS name as holy so making a promise is serious business to HIM.

Fearing GOD means fulfilling the promise I made to HIM. I should not stop until I finish whatever I promised. This could mean sacrificing my wants and replacing them with HIS plans.

• Did you make an empty promise to GOD?
• Is HE still waiting on you to do something you promised?
• Will you go out and fulfill that promise and praise HIM for HIS grace?

A promise is a promise

Deuteronomy 23: ²¹ If you make a vow to the Lord your God, do not be slow to pay it, for the Lord your God will certainly demand it of you and you will be guilty of sin. ²² But if you refrain from making a vow, you will not be guilty. ²³ Whatever your lips utter you must be sure to do, because you made your vow freely to the Lord your God with your own mouth.

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“LORD if you get me out of ‘fill in the blank’ then I will ‘never’ do ‘fill in the blank’ again!” I have said on many occasions when my back was against the wall as if I could bargain with GOD. Looking back on those ludicrous statements makes me cringe with fear as to how many promises of “never doing that again” I have not kept.

• When I’m scared I make frivolous promises with GOD simply to get out of the trial.
• When I’m lost I begin to bargain with GOD simply to find my way then I return back to the old me.
• When I’m feeling low I beg GOD to get me out by making promises I may not be able to keep.

GOD made promises that HE holds HIMSELF to.  HE cannot and will not go back on HIS word. When HE declares something, it will happen the way HE said it and how HE said it even if HE has to die in the process. I’m speaking about JESUS just then. In other words HE takes promises seriously.

• GOD wants me to think before I make a promise otherwise I’m in deeper trouble.
• GOD wants me to make promises as an act of worship and plan to keep them.
• GOD wants me to stop bargaining with HIM in order to get my way and make vows to HIM as an act of worship.

Getting out of a trial should not be the goal when I make a promise to GOD.  I may say something I didn’t mean or could not keep when I am in the heat of the moment. GOD wants me to quiet my mind down and think about my promise so I can keep it and not grow weary.

• Have you made a frivolous promise to GOD?
• Are you trying to get out of a trial and have no intention of keeping that promise?
• Won’t you review your promises before you make them to see if you can keep them?
• Can you make a promise to GOD as an act of worship today?

Released from a promise

Numbers 30: ³ “Suppose a young woman is still living in her father’s house. She makes a special promise to the Lord. Or she takes an oath and agrees to do something

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⁴ “Suppose her father hears about her promise or oath. And he doesn’t say anything to her about it. Then she must keep her promise. She must do what she agreed to do.

⁵ “But suppose her father doesn’t allow her to keep her promises when he hears about them. Then she doesn’t have to do what she promised or agreed to do. The Lord will set her free. He’ll do it because her father hasn’t allowed her to keep her promises.

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Since GOD takes promises and authority very seriously HE allows times when promises can be broken.  HE recognizes situations where I haven’t thought through my promise because of my lack of exposure at the time.

• GOD knows there may be situations for releasing me from a promise but getting tired isn’t one of them.
• GOD recognizes I may have promised in haste and I may not be able to keep my promise so I need to learn not to promise something I can’t keep.
• GOD sees when I should step up and make a promise and it will be up to me to seize the opportunity to take a harder road and remain disciplined to HIS way.

I have taken some difficult promises over the years that proved quite overwhelming.  “Not complaining about anything or being sarcastic for 30 days” proved to be eye-opening to say the least. Some promises are easy some seem to grow temptation to its paramount.

GOD says “take promises seriously but make promises to ME.” I may only make a few promises to the LORD in my life but the ones I make I need to keep.

• Are you afraid to make a promise?
• Are you willing to sacrifice something or follow through with something GOD is moving you to do?
• Won’t you make a promise without thinking “GOD will understand if I don’t keep this promise?”
• If you have been kept from fulfilling your promise can you understand GOD has released you?

Keeping Promises

Numbers 30:1 Moses spoke to the heads of the tribes of Israel. He said, “Here is what the Lord commands. ² Suppose a man makes a special promise to the Lord. Or suppose he takes an oath and agrees to do something. Then he must keep his promise. He must do everything he said he would do.

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“I promise I won’t do that again” were my empty words to the LORD as I tried to escape consequences of my actions many times.  Whether it was a ticket that I got off with a warning or a close call with something else, I found that the thing I would “never” do again would be done again, sometimes within 24 hours!

• GOD doesn’t like my empty promises.
• GOD doesn’t like when I use a promise to get my way and then not keep my promise.
• GOD doesn’t like when I don’t follow through with my promises to HIM.

A vow to GOD is important to HIM. HE doesn’t take my promises lightly even though I might.  It may be a character situation that HE is looking at.  HE knows a destructive path is built on deception and when I lie to HIM by making a promise I have no intention of keeping, HIS anger is stirred.

• GOD wants me to make special promises to HIM to keep our relationship close.
• GOD wants me to keep those special promises, showing HE is more special than anything else.
• GOD wants me to do everything I said I will do and not change my mind when the going gets good.

If I vow to give more when I am wealthy then I must give more when I am wealthy. In fact I need to start giving more before I get wealthy. If I vow to stop doing something, then I need to stop doing that thing unconditionally rather than waiting on GOD to orchestrate the perfect time.

Making a promise is special to GOD.  HE doesn’t want me to shy away from doing that.  BUT HE would rather that I not promise rather than making an empty promise that I won’t keep.

• Have you made empty promises to GOD?
• Have you broken your vow to HIM?
• Can you ask HIM for forgiveness of your broken promises and realize HE forgives you?
• Can you stop trying to fix your broken promises and focus on your relationship with GOD?

HE will do what HE promised

Romans 4: ¹⁸ 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.” ¹⁹Without 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. ²⁰ Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, ²¹ being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.

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I had to stop saying “I promise” because of so many broken promises. Because of so many factors outside of my control the words “I promise” can become empty and shallow. “I promise I will call” or “I promise I will remember” are superseded by busy schedules and unforeseen circumstances.

The result of my broken promise can hurt the proposed benefactor.

• When I break my promises I am viewed as unreliable.
• When I break my promises I am perceived as being selfish.
• When I break my promises I am thought of as being “slick” or “shifty.”

It takes faith to believe GOD will keep every promise HE ever said.  So far HE hasn’t broken one yet. GOD said to Abraham, “You will be the father of many nations” and it came true.  Even at his old age, he and his wife conceived children. This was impossible! Imagine your ninety five year old grandparents having a child!

Any promise GOD said, HE will keep.

• When HE said, “anyone who believes in MY SON will be saved” HE meant it.
• When HE said, “I will never leave you or forsake you” HE meant it.
• When HE said, “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see GOD” HE meant it.

GOD has promised so much that it is hard to believe HE loves me as much as HE does. Wealth, fame, popularity, great relationships are all part of HIS promises. You have got to be kidding, HE promised all that? YES!

GOD is building mansions in a place where the streets are paved with gold where I will know everyone and they will know me where everyone cheered for me when I first believed that JESUS saved me from eternal separation from HIM. 

• Do you believe GOD’s promises for you?
• Do you know all the things HE promised you?
• Can you take time to read your Bible to see what GOD has promised you?
• Will you begin to act like one of HIS children instead of acting like a child?

Keeping your "promises" is important to GOD.

Matthew 5:33"Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.' 34But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; 35or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

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Promises today are thrown around as empty words. People make promises to get their way and when its time to be accountable they are no where to be found. How dare they! Wait, what about me? Do I make empty promises?

I thought about the times I was in trouble and I thought it was because of a sin that I had just committed. I remember saying to GOD, "LORD if YOU would just help me through this situation, I 'promise' I will NEVER do 'that' again!" Never is a long time.

GOD sees through my ploy to manipulate HIM and to get my way. HE doesn't want an empty promise made to HIM or "by" HIM to another person. GOD has to keep HIS promises. This is just who HE is. HE cannot lie and once a promise or law is set in motion, HE cannot and will not revoke it.

HE put some promises in place that HE will keep.

• Accept HIS SON and you will be saved.
• Reject HIS SON and you will be eternally separated from HIM.
• Love others and HE will bless you in heaven.

His promises ring true today as they were when the ink wasn't dry when they were first written. GOD doesn't want to lose one single human, but HE will not break HIS promise of the consequences set forth by rejecting HIS SON. That's taking promises seriously.

Now back to me. If HE takes promises this seriously, HE expects me to do the same. HE doesn't want me to try to make HIM a liar. HE wants me to be faithful to other humans when I say I will do something.

When people ask me to pray for them I have to admit I used to say OK, I will. It seems like the busy day would get in the way and I would forget. Broken promise. Now I simply pray for the person right away. I got that from my sister.

GOD takes HIS promises seriously and HE expects us to do the same. The great thing is, HE has forgiven us for the broken promises of the past, and HE rejoices our efforts to keep the promises we will make in the future.

• Have you broken a promise?
• Did you call 'that' person?
• Have you 'honored' your parents the way they should be honored?
• Are you refusing to hold up your end of the marriage vow because of how you feel?
• Are you stealing from work (even a paper clip)?