of it in the day of judgement. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. Prov. 27:1 says "Do not boast about tomorrow for you do not know what a day may bring forth." 1 Cor. 13:11-12 says When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. Luke 22:33-34, 54, 56-62 New Century Version 33 But Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and even to die with you! 34 But Jesus said, "Peter, before the rooster crows this day, you will say three times that you don't know me." 54 They arrested Jesus, and led him away, and brought him into the house of the hight priest. Peter followed far behind them. 56 A servant girl saw Peter sitting there in the firelight, and looking closely at him, she said, "This man was also with him." 57 But Peter said this was not true; he said, "Woman, I don't know him." 58 A short time later, another person saw Peter and said, "You are also one of them." But Peter said, "Man, I am not!" 59 About an hour later, another man insisted, "Certainly this man was with him, because he is from Galilee, too." 60 But Peter said, "Man, I don't know what you are talking about!" At once, while Peter was still speaking, a rooster crowed. 61 Then the Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. And Peter remembered what the Lord had said... 62 Then Peter went outside and cried painfully. God knows when we make promises that we won't keep. He tries to worn us. The Holy Spirit reminds us of prior commitments that we have made, or convicts us about a lie that we may have just told. Why don't we listen? Why do we still make false promises to people? Is it because we think that we know more than God? Or maybe we just don't stop to count the cost of the words that we say. First, let's understand what a promise is. According to Webster's Dictionary, a promise is an undertaking to do or not to do something; cause or grounds for hope; to give one's word to do or not to do something; to give cause for expectation; to agree to give. This means that when we say that we will or won't do something and do the opposite-we have just broken a promise. We don't have to say "I Promise" for it to be one. Whenever we give God or another person a reason to expect us to do something, we have made a promise. Peter was making false promises. He thought that he was stronger than he really was. Sure, he talked a good game, but underneath it all, he couldn't back it up. Prov 11:2 says Pride leads only to shame; it is wise to be humble. Also, Matt 26:41 says Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. A lot of times, we want to do so many things for God. However, we forget to stop and ask God what He thinks about it. Therefore, our plans fall through. He knows our real motives, and He sees the outcomes way before we do. Trust Him to make the decision. Stop making promises that won't be kept. He is the ultimate promise keeper, and He will teach us how to stop and pray before we speak. I hope you enjoyed reading the Word of God in a new light! Have a happy Wednesday! God Bless Min. Tommy & Sis. Shatika Gray Additional Scripture References Job 13:5 says Oh, that you would be silent, and it would be your wisdom! Job 38:2 says Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Prov 18:7, 13 says a fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul. He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him. Ecc 10:14 says A fool also multiplies words. No man knows what is to be; who can tell him what will be after him? Ps 15:1-2 says Lord, who may abide in your tabernacle? Who may dwell in your holy hill? He who walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart. |
| Promises Jan. 28, 2004 |