God Never Fails

How often do you think about the promises of God? There are many in the bible. Promises like we’ll be rewarded when we are persecuted because of our belief in him, the promise that if we ask we shall receive, if we knock the door will be open to us and if we seek we will find, and the promise of eternal life to those who believe – just to name a few. But there also may be promises that God has spoken specifically into your life. There may be prayers that you’ve prayed where God has given you an overwhelming peace as if to tell you that he’s got this. If that is the case, don’t let the devil plant seeds of doubt, hold on to the promise because Luke tells us in chapter 1 verse 37:

"For no word from God will ever fail."

In another translation, it says “for nothing is impossible for God”. This short verse comes after God tells Mary that the Holy Spirit will overshadow her and she will become pregnant with the Son of God. If that wasn’t enough, he tells her that her relative, Elizabeth, who was barren, is already pregnant. These were miracles that only God could make happen. But they did happen because no word from God will ever fail. So if God has given a word to you, I encourage you to remember this verse of scripture.

---

“For no word from God will ever fail”. God does not lie. If he says it he will do it. And there is nothing impossible for him. So if God has promised you something – either from the bible or to you personally, I encourage you to remember this verse. Just wait on him with faith and watch his hand at work.

Own My Mistakes

One thing that really bugs me about our human nature is when we don’t take responsibility for our own mistakes. I don’t know if it’s pride, self-preservation, or just good old fashioned self-righteousness, but if we’re not careful we may begin to blame others for our mistakes. Or even worse – we might blame God for not bailing us out of a situation of our own making. In chapter 19 verse 3, Proverbs teaches us that it is often our own folly that ruins our life. It says:

"A man’s own folly ruins his life, yet his heart rages against the Lord."

When I first read this, I thought it was referring to unbelievers. I pictured a man in a gutter somewhere shaking his fist at God for how his life turned out. But I quickly realized that Christians can be guilty of this too. We can be guilty of blaming others, God and even the devil for our circumstances. I’m not saying that there is never any merit to accusations of blame, but I would argue that more often than not, the situations we find ourselves in are our own fault. Proverbs tells us that “a man’s own folly ruins his life, yet his heart rages against the Lord”. Let us not be like that. God loves us and wants only what is good for us. Let us not be guilty of blaming him for bad things happening in our life, because we may find that many times the blame should fall squarely on us.

---

“A man’s own folly ruins his life, yet his heart rages against the Lord”. Remember that not everything bad that happens in your life is the fault of someone else. Sometimes it is our own folly whether we want to admit it or not. That said, there are cases where someone else is to blame. But in either event, we should never have our hearts rage against the Lord. He is God and we are not. And to blame him for our folly isn’t only false, it also challenges his sovereignty.

Done In Secret

I’m in the process of going through the book of Matthew again, looking closely at not just what Jesus said, but how and why he said it. What stuck out to me recently was what he said in Matthew chapter 6 verses 3 and 4 which says:

"But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be done in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

Further on in this chapter, Jesus encourages us to make sure that we pray in secret, and that we fast in secret. The first verse in chapter six says, “Be careful not to do your acts of righteousness before men, to be seen by them.” But we are to do them in secret, then God our Father who sees what is done in secret will reward us. I challenge you to take what Jesus is saying here to heart. Yes, we are to do good. We are to help the needy, pray and fast. But when we do them, we should not only do them in private, but the bible tells us to do them in secret – as if it is an intimate act just between you and the Father. 

---

Do your acts of righteousness in secret. Jesus tells that when we do, “your Father who sees what is done in secret, will reward you”. This implies that we should be doing acts of righteousness. Jesus points out three here: Helping the poor, praying and fasting. But I’m sure if you put your mind to what pleases God, you’ll discover even more. Don’t be confused, Jesus isn’t saying that we should hide our light under a bowl. Earlier, he says that a believer’s light should be seen. But there are some acts that should just be between you and God.

The Name Jesus

Every Christmas, in my personal life, I make a point of focusing on the birth of Jesus – as I hope every Christian does. Considering that God sent his only son to save us by giving his life for us is a humbling truth. When the angel visited Mary to tell her that she had been chosen to give birth to the Son of the Most High, she was also told that Jesus would reign over the house of Jacob forever and that his kingdom would never end. Luke chapter 1, verses 31-33 says:

"You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."

Think about it, the name of Jesus was given to the Son of the Most High. And it says here that his kingdom will never end. This is the kingdom that we as believers belong to. Jesus, the one who came to earth to live with humanity, gave everything so that we could be a part of his kingdom in heaven forever. His presence here on earth changed the destiny of humanity. Through his death and resurrection, we are saved if we believe in him. So, I encourage you to bow your knee to Jesus every Christmas; the Son of the Most High whose kingdom will never end. Before you open your earthly gifts, remember to give thanks for the spiritual gift of eternal life with him.

---

The name of Jesus was given to our savior by God himself. Luke tells us that he is also known as the Son of the Most High and that his kingdom will never end. No matter how hard life can get or how many curve balls it can throw us, this truth remains constant. And for believers in God’s son, the promise of eternal life with the Father makes all of life’s problems pale in comparison. That’s right, I said all of life’s problems.

Believe In Jesus

Jesus was born on this earth to save souls. While he was here, he proclaimed who he was and the promise of eternal life to those who believe. As you spend time with family at Christmas time; opening presents, playing games, and eating loads of good food, don’t forget this truth that Jesus proclaims to Martha right before he raises Lazarus from the dead, in John 11 verses 25 - 27 which says:

"Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?' 'Yes, Lord' she told him, 'I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.'"

My question to you today is, “Do you believe”? Do you believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God who came into the world? That he is the resurrection and the life? That those who believe in him will not die an eternal death? I hope you do. As I often say, we only get to spend about 70 or 80 years here on this earth, and while here, we make many decisions that affect our life. But the most important decision you could ever make is to believe in Jesus, and follow him.

---

Jesus is the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in him will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in him will never die. Just as he asked Martha, I ask you today. Do you believe this? Jesus’ birth set off a chain of events that have eternal implications - wonderful news about a savior who frees us from sin and provides us a way to eternal life with the Father. The offer is still here for you today… Take it. Believe.