A broken promise hurts. A broken promise can cut very deep, wounding our soul, spirit and outlook.
However, a kept promise gets us motivated to continue forward. Even knowing that a promise made by a caring, honest and promise-keeping person pushes us in the direction we need to go. It is motivation. It is a fuel to continue.
Below are Nine Bible Promises to give you some motivation to keep going forward.
Enjoy.
Nine Promises to Keep You Motivated
The Promise of a Gift— “But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” (Ephesians 4.7; ESV)
The Promise of the Son — “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” (Luke 2.29-32; ESV)
The Promise of the Spirit — “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” (Romans 8.26; ESV)
The Promise of God — “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13.5; ESV)
The Promise of a Rainbow — “When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” (Genesis 9.16; ESV)
The Promise of a Crown — “Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4.8; ESV)
The Promise of Cleansing — “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1.7; ESV)
The Promise of Forgiveness — “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you…” (Matthew 6.14; ESV)
The Promise of Heaven — “And this is the promise that he made to us–eternal life.” (1 John 2.25; ESV)
What other promises from the Bible can you remember?
What other promises from the Bible keep you motivated to press toward the prize each day?
It has been a rainy, thundery and windy day, but all is peaceful now and the opossum has come out of hiding to wonder through the backyard on an evening stroll.
I have never seen an opossum just gently strolling through the yard. In fact, neither has my family. We are amazed by the little guy (or girl).
For a while now I have been sitting here listening to the different crickets and other insects preform their evening orchestra. The sounds are only challenged by the cars buzzing down the road out front.
As I sit here, I am cleaning email, old files and sending a few messages to folks I have not talked to in a while. It has been a good evening.
These are the moments I ponder life and all of its happenings.
For instance, a few people I know recently lost one or their parents. Whether it be a father or a mother, they are hurting. Each one knew that their parents were getting older, but the time of their earthly departure came quicker, sometimes much quicker, than could be imagined.
Another man I know experienced his wife’s earthly passing. Her passing was quicker than he imagined.
Life is short.
We all know it, but do we think about it.
Personally, I talk about the shortness of life often. I speak of the life to come and who each one should be ready because this life is short. The Biblical write James says, “Life is but a vapor that appears for a little while then vanishes away.”
In the quest for a good life, people forget to live.
People become involved in filling their calendars with events, but forget that life is worth living. We are not meant to just fill it with stuff, but with life.
For instance, tonight is my planning night for next week. So far, there are only four events on my calendar for next week. My tendency is to fill up each of those empty gaps with stuff instead of meaningful life.
Think about this, how busy are you?
Are you so busy that you forget to spend time with your family? If so, will it be worth it in a few years?
For me, my children are growing. Soon, they will all be out of the house and finding their own successes and achievements. What will my relationship with them be?
Have I spent too much time giving them stuff or have I been spending time helping them create a meaningful life?
Life is not in the things, but in the memories.
When we are intending to live, we might find ourselves in a quest for things instead of memories. While that newest piece of technology may be the rage, does it help you live a meaningful life?
Technology is a tool. It can be used for good or it can be used for bad. It is all in the hands of the holder.
Technology, rarely, creates memories. Instead it can record memories to be enjoyed from time to time. Technology can lead you to make a memory but it is still in your hands to take up the actions leading you to creation.
Remember, life is meant to be lived.
Life is not meant to be crowded full of things.
In fact, before I challenge others, I bring the challenge before myself.
My dreams are big. Sometimes too big. Sometimes the “shiny-object syndrome” can get the best of me and leave me wanting more stuff. I am sure you have been there before.
One time in my life I sat up late at night and watched pictures of my family move across my screen. The screen saver had kicked on and I just sat and watched. Do you know what I saw?
I saw my wife and children… but not me.
It is not what you are thinking. I was not the one holding the camera. I was not there.
I am not sure where I was during some of those times, but I know I was not there. Typically, I let “work” get in the way of making a memory.
That night those pictures were hard to watch. And that night, I made a choice. I canceled all travel for the upcoming year. As a result, I got away from traveling and speaking. I turned down opportunities to speak so I could be near my family.
We took a vacation and I did not offer to speak on vacation. For the first time in a long time, I got to sit with my family and just be there.
Life has a funny way of teaching you a variety of lessons- some good; some bad.
Question: When life teaches, do you learn?
We all learn at different times and in different ways. Some learn through their own experience; some learn through the experience of others. Some have to fail to learn; others will listen to those that have already failed.
No matter your style or experience, will you learn?
Life is like a vapor. It is here for a little while, then it vanishes away.
So, what are you doing today?
For me, I have made a few choices and strengthened a few others. This I know, tomorrow will be a great day to live.
Retirement is defined as “the action or fact of leaving one’s job and ceasing to work.” (Oxford Dictionary) Our country has an emphasis on retirement from physical work, but that should not roll over into spiritual work.
Remember, Moses led the people of Israel at 80 years of age. Caleb was still vigorous at 85 (Joshua 14.10). Also, remember Paul’s words to Titus in Titus 2.1-10. 2.
#2 – One does not need a sophisticated education to follow Jesus
Some believe one must know everything in the Bible to follow Jesus. However, the closest followers to Jesus were ordinary men.
Remember the words regarding Peter and John in Acts 4.13? Their example was not in their education, but in their influence.
#3 – Hell is optional
One of the best parts about life is the choices we can make.
Did you know that you can make a choice not to go to Hell? You can make the choice but will you follow up on your choice? Jesus is the only way to Heaven (John 14.6). One must be in Jesus and the way to get into Jesus is through baptism (Galatians 3.27).
#5 – Everyone can do something
Following Christ is not a time to sit back and relax, but it is a time to work. Paul says we are created in Christ Jesus for good works (Ephesians 2.10). At other times, Paul speaks of the abilities given to each Christian (Romans 12.3-8; Ephesians 4.11-16).
When Christ said, “Follow Me” He
was intentional. Jesus had a purpose
behind calling those fishermen in Matthew 4.19.
He saw something in them and
called them from their profession to life of service. He saw something in them
they did not see in themselves. I am sure it took many adjustments to go from a
fishing career to walking with Jesus every day. No matter how hard it was, the
apostles lived an intentional life.
Their purpose was different, their
thoughts were challenged and most of all, their purpose grew greater. Remember
the words of Christ, “Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men”? Jesus was
transforming their life to one of intentionally living for Him.
As Christians, I don’t think it
is necessary to leave your job, but I do believe it is necessary to live
intentionally for Christ. Because of Christ we are a changed people, let us
live for Him.
How to Live Intentionally!
Start living
intentionally today – Many people plan on following Christ tomorrow. If you
know the great news of the gospel (1 Corinthians 15.1-8) and you know you
needed Jesus (Acts 2.29-37, then it is time to do something about it (Acts
2.38).
Create a Plan
– The old saying is, “Fail to plan and you plan to fail.” It takes some
planning to live intentionally. Plan to read your Bible. Plan to take notes.
Plan to talk with some about coming to services.
Start
Small – Begin your intentional life by starting small. Get plugged in to
the activities of the congregation and spend time with others who are living
intentionally. Having a supportive and caring family is a powerful key to
spiritual growth. (1 Corinthians 12.26)
He wrote more than 30 books and
his works have been translated into more than 30 languages and sales have
reached millions of copies. If you are familiar with his works, you know about
his profound knowledge and wisdom. Some may know of him through his work, “The
Chronicles of Narnia.” His name was Clive Staples Lewis; better known as C. S.
Lewis.
C.S. Lewis was a writer who left
atheism to follow Christ and became an apologist for Christianity. (An
apologist is one who offers an argument in defense of something controversial.
Basically, be spoken in defense of Christianity.)
In a treatise on apologetics,
Lewis stated, “One of the great difficulties is to keep before the audience’s
mind the question of Truth. They always think you are recommending
Christianity not because it is true but because it is good.”*
C. S. Lewis then declared, “One
must keep on pointing out that Christianity is a statement which, if false, is
of no importance, and, if true, of infinite importance. The one thing it
cannot be is moderately important.”*
God’s truth is of infinite
importance. As Kevin mentioned on Sunday
night in our study, God’s truth is invaluable. God’s truth is His word (John
17.17). God’s word is that which will furnish us to every good work (2 Timothy
3.16-17). Further, it is God’s word which is able to save our souls (James
1.21; 1 Peter 1.23).
Do you take God’s Word, His Truth
as infinitely important?
Do your actions show that God’s
Word is infinitely important in your life?
On March 26, 2019, British
Airways Flight 3271 took off from London City Airport in route to a
destination. Which destination? Well, that depends on who you ask.
All the passengers had purchased
a ticket to Dusseldorf, Germany, but the pilots, flight crew and air traffic
controllers were operating off of another flight plan. The pleasant jaunt
became tense when the plane landed in Edinburgh, Scotland. The safety of
the passengers and crew was never an issue, they just followed the wrong plan
and ended up at the wrong destination – about 520 miles from where the
passengers expected.
London City Airport apologized
via Twitter stating, “As pleasant as Edinburgh is this time of year, we’re
sorry that passengers traveling to Dusseldorf on BA3271…initially landed in the
Scottish capital.” The plane was refueled and took off again “after the
involuntary stopover in Edinburgh.” **
Such events are reminders that
you can be simultaneously sincere and wrong. When it’s a plane, you can
eventually get to your destination, but what about eternity? Each of us should
be sure we have the right guidance to get us to our destination. Your eternity
is at stake. There is no rerouting once you land in eternity.
Remember the apostle Peter’s
words, “Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling
and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.”
(2 Peter 1:10)
Are you sure of your final
destination? If so, are you following the right flight path?
