Starting on promise

We’re beginning an online study of God’s promises… it’s perfect timing as we start the new year. As I looked back on the last year, I realized there was a continuing theme that centered around God, His promises and His fulfillment of those promises.

It made me realize the large amount of promises God has made to us that we sometimes overlook. But this series is not to just remind us of the promises themselves, but to grab a hold of the meaning and intent behind them. To know God’s promises is to know God -- It’s important to deepening the relationship we have with Him.

So as we begin let me offer you a couple of tips to help you really grab a hold of this series. First, I highly recommend a journal. It doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive. A spiral notebook will work fine. But having a place to record thoughts, revelations and questions is a good practice to get in. Also, as there is reflection questions at the end of the lesson, having a place to record your answers will help solidify the lesson in your heart.

Second, there is no book required for this study however, let me recommend having a Bible handy to refer to certain scripture. Also, there is a book written by James MacDonald entitled, “Always True.” It is a good book to read on the subject of God’s promises. Some of what I will share with you during this series comes from studying this book along with scripture.

We will dive into this series Jan. 2 – this is just an introduction. But let me give you some things to think about before we begin….

Sometimes we are hanging on by a thread. Sometimes life is rough and its hard and disappointing and we just need to know that there is hope something better is coming….that’s where God’s promise steps in.

At times it is all we can do to survive. The regular sources of relief are completely inadequate to the pain we are going through. No amount of clichés, quotes or hallmark greetings can shine bright enough to choke out our darkness. In that space void of hope and light stands God’s promises.

When life is hardest – we need life support – we need God’s promises.

What are you expecting. As we jump into this series, what promise are you expecting God to come through on? How do you want Him to show up? What do you need Him to do?

This series will teach us how to live with today in the reality of what God promises us in the future. And as we do, we will grow to know Him in a more personal way that makes the uncertainty more than bearable – it becomes faith.