If you're like me, you've had your share of broken promises.  Promises that seemed trustworthy and genuine, but ended up being anything but that.


Psalm 105:8 - "He remembers His covenant forever, the word that He commanded, for a thousand generations."


A promise or covenant is a binding agreement or arrangement, normally between two parties.  It involves promises on the part of each to the other.  The covenant in scriptural terms means an agreement between God and man, initiated by God.  In other words, God says "If you'll do this, then I will do that."


The biblical concept of a covenant is the key element showing the continuity of God's relationship with human beings from the beginning of time, up to the New Covenant, which is the promise of eternal life which God made possible for all mankind through Jesus Christ.


Unlike man, God does not break His promises.  This covenant with God is a personal relationship which all of us can voluntarily enter.  It's not bound by our past or what good deeds we've done in our life. It's available to those who wish to follow Jesus.


This is a promise from God.  One that lasts forever and ever.  It's a promise never to be broken or compromised.  Why wouldn't everyone be willing to accept His promise?

For people who are not sure what we mean when we say 'the gospel', here's my attempt to explain it as I see it.  To check it out for yourself, you'll have to read the Bible.


The word gospel literally means 'good news.'  


The Gospel (in my interpretation) is the good news of a deliverance from sin's penalty and a path on the way to salvation.  The gospel is not an afterthought to be included once in awhile, but is of first importance because it is through the gospel that God works to take all people from death to life.


Romans 1:16 - "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek."


In short, in order for us to get to heaven, sin must be somehow removed or paid for.  That's where Jesus stepped in.  He came into this world to die for those sins, so that each of  us would have the chance to go to heaven, for eternity.


The gospel is God's good news to everyone.  This gospel is received by faith; salvation is the gift of God.  It's all free, my friends.


I'm not ashamed of the gospel and want to shout it out to everyone that doesn't know what it is.  God has given a lost world good news.  Why would anyone reject the gospel?

Have you ever been in a waiting room in a doctor's office and waited, and waited for the receptionist to call you back?  Only to realize that you're taken to a smaller room that you will wait and wait again, for the doctor to see you?  This is not only frustrating, but time consuming. For most of us who are working full-time, this is our only time to see the doctor, and normally we have to go back to the office.


What would happen if the receptionist came out and said to you, 'just relax'?  Would you just immediately start relaxing, knowing that you still don't know how long you're going to have to wait?  I doubt it.


Matthew 11:29 - "Take my yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."


For us to rest, we have to trust that God will take care of things for us.  Since the beginning of time in the Garden of Eden, the problem of resting became obvious, mankind has become more tense and less able to relax.  It was disobedience then that started the problem.  For those of us who have surrendered our life to Christ, the desire to rest means giving our fears and frustrations to Christ, resting in faith that He is in control.  It means we can rest while God takes care of things.


We can rest while we're waiting for Jesus to come back and take us to heaven.  This faith that surpasses all human understanding is what gives us peace.  We can rest in the knowledge that God is already at work, knowing our next step in our journey.  Go ahead.  Enjoy resting while waiting on God!

I've found that some things you do in life make you a little braver than you ever imaged you could be.  Stepping out in faith is one of them.  When you do step out in faith, you're telling God that you're going to do something that you alone can't do, but know that God can do anything through us, as long as we have faith in Him.


After the mission trip, I have this sense of not being labeled as the 'status quo' any more.  I want to be the one that steps out beyond my safe boundaries and be bold for God.  The way it always was is no longer good enough for me now.


Ephesians 5:15-17 - "Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.  Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is."


Faith is the evidence or proof that God exists, and it is also the evidence that He will keep His promises to us.  This is all possible, even though we have not seen those promises yet.  Faith is not merely believing in Jesus.


Ephesians 2:8 - "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God."  Faith is a gift of God.


There are times in my walk with God that I am tested.  Especially when I am not getting what I prayed for, in my own standards anyway.  But, this patience that envelopes us is what Jesus uses to show Himself through us.  It shows the world that our faith in Jesus to help us in life gives us the advantage over others who don't know Him.  This faith that we have in Christ develops this righteous character in each of us.


Step out in faith today.  Don't be resigned to the status quo!

Proverbs 28:13 - "Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy."


God sees the heart.  The Bible tells us that God sees not as man sees.  Man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart.  So, without realizing it, when we sin in secret, God still sees this.


The verse above is saying that we're only fooling ourselves if we think we can convince ourselves that we can get away with sin by covering it up.


Jesus points out in scripture that anger that arises from the same moral defect as murder.  He also points out that the one who lusts suffers from the same character flaw as the adulterer.  The lustful person has no right to feel morally superior to a blatant adulterer.  


What's the motive of our hearts today?  Are we staying pure with our thoughts, or are we letting Satan fill our minds with lies.


Confess those secret sins.  There is a healing that comes when we confess our sins!  Try it out!  You'll be blessed for your honest exposure of the heart.

Jesus did.  While we were sinners, Christ died for us all.


John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."


Even though I've only been on one mission trip, I can honestly say that it has changed me.  It has shown me what poverty looks like.  It has shown me the compassion God gave me for these people.  It has taught me that God's purpose for my life has only just begun.  


My first instinct after stepping off that plane onto U.S. soil was 'I have to go back.  These people need me.  I have to give more.'


I've also seen how I live in a very materialistic society.  Most of us in the U.S. have what we need.  And those who don't, usually have a place or a program that can help them.  Most of the people I saw in Peru don't have that.  Yet, when we entered their small village, they treated us like kings.  I was so humbled.  Then I came home and saw all that I've been blessed with and honestly felt embarrassed.


I know I can't save the world.  I'll  leave that in God's hands.  But I can humble myself and sit still and allow God to use me through these mission trips.  And, not only that, I'm asking Him to enable me to be His hands and feet, here at home.  


Most of the people in the U.S. don't need to rely on God for running water, food on the table, etc.  But I guarantee you if some lost all that they had; your home, your job, your family, you would be crying out to God to help you.  Matthew 6:33 - "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

I'm thankful for my health, family, Church family, friends, etc. but most of all I'm thankful that God chose me to help in the 'great commission.'  To go into all nations and tell everyone of His amazing love and forgiveness that He gives freely.


No, I can't save the world, but I know who can!

As the Son of God and Savior of the world, only Jesus has cause to exalt Himself.  Yet He humbled Himself.  He took on human flesh and died on a cross to save us all.   We should all have the same attitude of humility.  But wouldn't this be counter-cultural on social media today?  We should be using social media to enhance our witness as followers of Christ.


Romans 14:13 - "Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother."


In other words, if or when you do post something for the world to see, make sure it's Biblical, like a bible verse or an encouraging word from the Bible.  Or, even yet, something that God did for you today; something you want the world to know about.


That's one of the main reasons I'm writing this blog.  Not to brag on myself, or say 'look at me.'  It's to give my friends out there a bird's eye view of how I'm living my walk with Jesus.  I'm far from perfect, but I'm a work in progress as they say.  God is working on me, and in my life every day.  I hope that my words are a blessing and encouragement to my friends and family.


Use social media wisely today!

Spiritual warfare is real, my friends!  Some days it's subtle, other days it's an all out war.  

But God always prevails, every time.


Just when I was at my lowest point yesterday I received a phone call that could have only been ordained by God.  It had me smiling from ear to ear, knowing that God had orchestrated the entire sequence of events.


1 John 4:4 - "You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world."


We are in a daily battle in this world we live in.  We may not apparently see it ever day, or we may even forget that it's there, but it's real.  If you're a believer and grounded in God's Word, you won't go long without encountering spiritual warfare.  God reminds us to stay in His Word and stay aware of Satan's schemes.  God knows the lies that Satan puts in our paths each day, but God also equips us with strength, wisdom and discernment through His own Spirit to stay strong in the battle.


The good news is that God never EVER leaves us alone to fight our battles.  He is constantly fighting for us, even when we can't see it.


This life is hard, no one will refute that.  But, God is saying to each one of us, 'I will fight for you, just trust me.'  This trust builds our faith and our trust in God.  It will guard our hearts and focus our minds back to Him.  It wins the battle.


Fight back!  After all, you have the creator of the universe on your side!