Category: Advent 2018 – I will

Are gifts accumulating under your tree? Are you eager to open them? Don’t hurry through these last days of Advent without remembering the rest of God’s “I WILL” promises.

What was your favorite Christmas gift when you were a child? A bike? A dollhouse? A video game? I bet that a heavy stack of math textbooks wasn’t top on your wish list, but, when he was in high school, that is what my husband Gene asked for each year from his father. Every November, Gene would give his dad a list of titles of math and chemistry texts that he wanted for Christmas, and every year his father would select the books that he could afford. Often, Dad bought his son the entire list, a gift purchased at great financial sacrifice given his limited income.

Yesterday we saw how God loves to give good gifts to his children too. In Isaiah 44:3, the Lord says: “I will pour out water to quench your thirst and to irrigate your parched fields. And I will pour out my Spirit on your descendants, and my blessing on your children.”

Our Father gives from the depth of his heart, and he offers his very self, his own Holy Spirit, to dwell within us. That gift did not come without severe sacrifice. It required the death of his own Son. In John 15:26, Jesus explained that he would have to die in order for the Spirit to come: “But I will send you the Advocate—the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me.”

Jesus sacrificed that you and I might have the Spirit of truth dwell within us. What are you willing to sacrifice this season so that others might know about Jesus?

We are over halfway through Advent already! Thanks for returning to read about God’s “I WILL” promises!

Every year my husband and I shop on line and in stores, searching for the perfect Christmas gift for each person on our list. The process can be mentally and physically exhausting. Even trying to find a single gift for a grandchild can be frustrating if we aren’t sure what the recipient really needs or wants.

In Malachi 3:10, we read: “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!”

Our Heavenly Father is waiting to pour out gifts upon us. The process of choosing gifts for his children is not exhausting. He already knows exactly what we need, with the right size and color and style! And he selects not a single present but an abundance of gifts for each child!

Jesus said in Mt. 7:9-11: “You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.”

Every year I ask God for a special Christmas gift, and he always surprises me with a unique blessing. One year it was a publishing contract for my book. Last December it was a successful spinal surgery. Have you asked God for your Christmas gift this year?

Welcome to newcomers to our Advent series on God’s “I WILL” promises. I hope you return again and again!

As we open Christmas cards these days, inevitably one card will quote the angels announcement to the shepherds of Bethlehem: “Peace on earth and good will towards men!” But as we look around our world it is often hard to imagine a day when God’s peace will truly reign in our world. Refugees flood into camps, looking for relief from warring factions. Politicians throw accusations at each other and demand government inquiries. Rogue shooters kill innocent victims attending concerts or young students inside schools.

Life in Jesus’ time was no different. Jewish authorities dragged early Christians from their homes and killed innocent men and women. The believers fled and scattered across the known world. All this was predicted by Old Testament prophets, but in Isaiah 26:3, the great prophet also wrote, “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! “

Jesus made a similar promise: “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” Following his lead, Paul wrote in Philippians 4:6,7, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

God’s peace is not a treaty between warring factions. It does not establish international boundary lines. No, it settles down deep inside each individual that trusts in God.

As you open the greeting cards that arrive in today’s mail, pause to pray for those who sent the cards. Ask God to let his peace descend on each friend or family member who took time to mail a greeting to you.

Thanks for pausing from your Christmas activities to spend a moment here. Here’s another of God’s “I WILL” promises to take with you today.

Given all the running around as we shop for gifts and attend Christmas parties, it is easy to catch a cold and end up in bed. I remember one horrible holiday when my husband and I both came down with the stomach flu. Unfortunately, the turkey was already defrosted and had to be cooked. The odor of the roasting bird permeated the house, and instead of being a sweet fragrance of good things to come, the scent nauseated my already queasy stomach. Gene and I could barely face a cup of broth, let alone sitting down to turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes.

There is never a good time to be sick. Feeling lousy interrupts our plans, keeps us from work, and slows us down. Many of the people Jesus met faced chronic health issues. One man was born blind. Another had been crippled for almost forty years. Others were tormented by evil spirits for many years. They had no hope for a cure.

In Jeremiah 30:12,13, the Lord told his people that their wound was chronic and incurable! There was no one to plead their cause. There was no healing to hope for, no recovery in sight, because nothing on earth could remove their sin. But all that changes in verse 17 when the Lord promises: “I will give you back your health and I will heal your wounds.” In the next five verses, he offers six more “I will” promises of restoration and health. Count them for yourself!

Why not take time today to thank the Lord for healing your soul and restoring your spirit? And then take another moment to call someone who is feeling sick or who is stuck in bed, and sing a Christmas carol to them over the phone!

Back again? I’m so grateful that in the hustle and bustle of the season, you have chosen to spend a few moments here reading about God’s “I WILL” promises.

An earlier Advent devotional in this series mentioned my friend Fred who lost his wife just a few weeks ago. Fred is grieving as we near Christmas. He does not look forward to being “home for the holidays” because home without his wife is no longer the same. After 62 years of marriage, Fred does not want to be alone to face his first Christmas without his life companion.

In this world, we cannot hold on to any person forever. Sooner or later, we must bid our spouses and friends goodbye. We mourn. Tears fall. But God promises us a Comforter, one who will remain by our side eternally. In John 14: 15, Jesus’ disciples were sad as they heard Jesus was about to leave them. Their Master assured them that he would return: “I will ask the Father, and he will send you a Comforter who will never leave you.” Then he added, “No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you.”

When we trust in Christ, we need never fear being alone again. Do you know someone who is going to pass the day all by himself this Christmas? Is there room at your “inn”? Why not invite them to join you at your table?

PS: Have you been enjoying these thoughts on God’s “I WILL” promises? Would you take a minute and shoot me an e-mail to tell me which of the Advent devotionals has touched you most? Or do you have a favorite “I WILL” promise I haven’t mentioned yet? Share it with me!

Thanks for coming back to read another Advent devotional about God’s “I WILL” promises. I hope your moments spent here are like a quiet eddy in the rush of the holiday activities.

“Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.” I laugh when I hear those familiar words. All too often I can’t get to sleep, and in the wee hours of the morning I am wide awake. I write letters to my kids, I clean the floors, or write devotionals like this one. Sleep many times eludes me, and I rise in the morning feeling groggy and unprepared for a new day.

Yet I take comfort because the Lord knows my body needs rest. He will eventually allow me to rest. In Matthew 11:28-29, Jesus promised:

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

These words echoed those of the prophet Isaiah centuries earlier, “Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”

Are you exhausted from Christmas shopping, baking and parties? Reread the verses above and see if you can find the clues on how to receive God’s strength.

Thanks for returning to join us for today’s devotional in our Advent series on the theme of God’s “I WILL” promises.

In December of last year, my husband and I spent our first Christmas at our new apartment in our retirement community. Decades of shoveling snow, cleaning gutters and raking leaves had lost their delight, and I now enjoyed being able to watch snow descend without feeling any need to clear it away. We can walk to a pharmacy, a restaurant, the bank, my physical therapist and the mail room, all without stepping outside. If we need a new light bulb, a staff person comes to change it! We have everything we need at our fingertips. Almost.

Even the best retirement community cannot truly supply every need. Our new home cannot guarantee health or financial security. Meeting those needs is in God’s wise hands. Jesus promises us in Matthew 6:31-33:

“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”

Perhaps you think this promise is only for super holy saints like Peter and Paul, but in Philippians 4:19, Paul assures us, “This same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.”

Because God is meeting all your needs, why not look around you today and ask how God might use you this Christmas season to meet the need of a friend, a neighbor, coworker or even a stranger?

A whole week of Advent has already slipped by! Thanks for coming back to learn more about God’s “I WILL” promises.

Once, when I was in grade school, I played the role of Mary and held the baby Jesus in our church’s Christmas nativity. I don’t remember trying out for the part. And I don’t think I was type cast for the role. More likely, people assigned the role to me because I was the pastor’s daughter!

Have you ever tried out for a sports team or auditioned for a role in a play or a choir? What emotions went through you? Perhaps you felt nervous about whether you would pass muster and be accepted. Were you disappointed if you did not get the role you sought? Or maybe you were upset because others got the position you wanted, not because they were more qualified, but because they knew someone who was making the cuts and assigning roles.

God does not play favorites. In John 6:37, 39, Jesus said, “All that the Father has given me will come to me, and the man who comes to me I will never turn away. . . . And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day.” All who come to Jesus will be welcomed. Not even one will be rejected!

Many years after my first time taking the part of Mary, I was assigned the role of Jesus’ mother a second time. I stood at the foot of the cross in our church’s annual Easter play. This time I held no plastic doll representing the Christ child. This time I was old enough to appreciate that my Savior faced rejection by his own people so that I could live with him forever.

This Christmas, don’t forget to look beyond the manger to the cross. He waits to welcome each of us into his embrace.

You came back! I hope you are enjoying the devotionals in this Advent series on God’s “I WILL” promises.

Recently, two of my dear friends died within a single week. Neither death was expected. One woman was the caregiver for her husband; we were all shocked to find that Carol was the first to go! The other woman enjoyed a delicious Thanksgiving dinner and, after one last sip of coffee, had a stroke; June died the next day. It will be a hard Christmas for their families.

When we walk through the valley of the shadow of death or whether we sit down to eat in the presence of our enemies, we look to God for protection. How encouraging to hear God say in Isaiah 43:2:

When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.

Again, in Isaiah 41:13, he tells us, “I hold you by your right hand— I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I will be here to help you.’” And in Ex. 14:14, Moses records, “The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm!”

These promises comfort us. There is no question that God has all the power needed to uphold his end of the contract. Our only responsibility is to trust and stay calm.

What trials are you facing in the weeks ahead? Can you take a deep breath, lean back and trust his arms to catch you?

Here we are again, now on the fifth day of our Advent series on God’s “I WILL” promises. My hope is that these brief thoughts will prepare your heart for the holiday ahead!

Have you ever tried to memorize scripture? When I was younger and my mind more nimble, I memorized the gospel of John. This year, as I recovered from spinal surgery, I determined to rememorize the same gospel. I only got through the first eight chapters, but I can attest to the fact that it was a lot harder task this time around. As fast as I memorized one chapter, another slipped away.

If you have a hard time memorizing scripture, take heart! God promises better times are ahead. In Jeremiah 31:33-34, he says he will put His law in our hearts:

“But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel after those days,” says the Lord. “I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. And they will not need to teach their neighbors, nor will they need to teach their relatives, saying, ‘You should know the Lord.’ For everyone, from the least to the greatest, will know me already,” says the Lord.

Until that day comes, you and I will need to toil in order to carve God’s words into our daily lives. Why not take time today to review a favorite passage of scripture that you memorized as a child?