Keeping Promises Made to God

A promise to change sometimes includes making minor or major adjustments in one’s attitudes and behaviors. Obviously, a commitment to radically change one's lifestyle is more complicated. A true, authentic pledge to make one’s life count for Christ, reveals God’s transforming work and power in that person’s life.

The Greek philosopher Euripides from the fifth century BC noted "bad beginnings make for bad endings," a realistic cause of pain and suffering. A bad beginning can be attributed to having faulty information or being ill-prepared. Charging ahead, when concrete evidence indicates it’s unwise to do so, is a formula for failure.

The good news is that a bad beginning can offer a chance to grow and mature. God’s makes it possible to correct mistakes, bad behaviors, and faulty thinking patterns when a solid commitment to change is present. Keeping promises is difficult, but God will help you when you ask him.  This is a good choice for making a fresh start.         

__________ 

Moses...told them, “The Lord has commanded that when anyone makes a promise to the Lord, either to do something or to quit doing something, that vow must not be broken: the person making the vow must do exactly as he has promised.”

~Numbers 30:1-2 The Living Bible

__________

Subscribe to the Attitudes Answers podcast on your favorite podcast platform to hear this and other 2-minute features 3 days every week.

God's Blessings Equal His Promises

What purpose is served by making modifications to your lifestyle? They can be an acknowledgment that reforms are needed to correct the impact previous choices produced which were detrimental to relationships, your health, or finances. For productive change to be successful, a clearly defined, reachable goal must be instituted.

David in Psalm 17 explains, "I have resolved that my lips will not sin against you, Lord, so that you will keep me in the shadow of you wings." How could he keep this pledge to God? David’s strength would come from a continual consciousness of God's presence to help him keep thoughts, words, and behaviors true to his commitment.

The key to keeping a promise is being absolutely sure God will bless and honor it. God's wants you to serve him with a clean heart and a right spirit. He longs to implant the righteousness of Christ in you so fellowship with him can be secured. What a wonderful objective to reach for every day of your life!                        

__________ 

Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his Holy Place? The one who has innocent hands and a pure heart; the person who does not delight in what is false and does not swear an oath deceitfully. This person will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

~Psalm 24:3-5 International Standard Version

__________

Subscribe to the Attitudes Answers podcast on your favorite podcast platform to hear this and other 2-minute features 3 days every week.

From Grabber to Giver

When Jacob met God in a dream on a lonely road, God laid down the foundation for building a bridge for a different lifestyle. This encounter was the beginning of God’s transforming him from being a selfish grabber into being a giver. He promised God to give a tenth of all he would earn as a symbol of his faith.

 

God promised to protect and prosper Jacob, and that promise would be remembered the remainder of his life. Jacob had nothing to show for the past forty years, so when he was tricked into marrying Leah, his uncle's oldest daughter instead of Rachel, the girl he loved, he could accept this hardship because he believed God’s promise.

 

By focusing on God’s promise, Jacob turned an obstacle into an opportunity and did so with integrity, intelligence and honesty. Jacob committed his life to God, and God honored his commitment. Jacob made mistakes, but when he remembered his covenant with God, he was able to pick up and go forward, knowing God would bless him. What covenant have you made with Christ Jesus?

Promises vs. Intentions

What promises to do you consider God has made to you personally? The undeserving Jacob was a recipient of a personal promise so bountiful he could not comprehend the full extent of what it included. In response Jacob offered a declaration that the Lord would be his God all the days of his life. He also promised to give God a tenth of all he acquired.

 

Which promises does God expects you to honor? The answer might be all of them because it reflects your person-hood and character. Some individuals make promises in the heat of a crisis and recant them when the heat of the moment dissipates. Have you made promises just to appease God or others with no intention of keeping them?

God is faithful to keep his promises, and he will never be slow in doing what he promises to do. God loves you and wants you to have trust and confidence in him and his word. When you make a promise to God, he will provide what is needed for you to remain true to your promise. Isn’t that good news! 

Greasing the Wheels of Change - Part 2

God intends for change to be a normal progression in life. Where change is not welcomed, stagnation sets in or a crisis disrupts the status quo. Fear and anxiety are opponents of change, but often initiate a crisis. The time between a crisis and the occurrence of a change can be inundated with pain and apprehension.

As difficult as it to be stuck in the middle of a crisis, a clear picture may evolve in this in-between state that defines changes needing to be made. Crises prompt people to confess their sins, repent, make promises to God and renew their faith. A crisis presents an opportunity to begin a new chapter in life.

In a personal statement, the Apostle Paul confesses that his carnal self is dying so a new spiritual life in Christ Jesus can thrive and grow. A crisis can be perplexing, but God is willing to open his heart and hands to give strength and faith to sustain believers in the depths of a crisis. For that, let us praise God and give thanks to him.  

Self-Respect in the Family: Hannah to Samuel - Part 1

The story of Hannah, the mother of Samuel who became a prophet, priest and judge in Israel, is one of faith and trust in God. Hannah was unable to conceive and give birth to a child. She promised God if he gave her a son, she would to give him up to serve God all the days of his life. In due time Hanna became pregnant.

When Samuel was weaned, she took him to the house of the Lord to be raised by Eli the priest. Try to imagine how hard it must have been for Hannah to give up her infant son, but she was a woman of integrity and faith in God which made it possible to endure the heartache and grief of separation.

Hannah demonstrated endurance and self-respect by keeping her covenant with God. In return God gave Hannah faith that he would anoint Samuel as his servant and bless him all the days of his life. Hannah kept her promise, so God kept his. Hannah endured her grief and separation from Samuel with joy and a deep abiding love for God. May God bless you today.