June 13, 1999, Sunday

When did God purpose to help mankind and give him hope

for the future? Is it difficult to follow God boldly? Will

one make errors once he begins to follow Christ?

Paul believed the intent of the Gospel was to raise hope

and increase faith, the motive and encouragement of every

preacher and servant of God. The promises of God are firm

foundations to base one's life and future. Hope is the end

result of faith and is intertwined with the promise of God-

"In the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie,

promised long ages ago" (Titus 1:2). The source of God's

promise was purposed before the world began. His gift of

grace was the result of that eternal purpose, our hope.

Paul believed that his high calling to preach that hope

was a holy calling; he was called by the Holy One and he

was called to be holy. He was called to be comletely the

possession of God and he was called to be consecrated to

God separated from the world. He preached with a purpose

to call all Believers to live by that same high calling--

"I am an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, for

the promise of life in Christ Jesus, who has saved us, and

called us with a holy calling, not by our works, but for

His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ

Jesus from all eternity" (2Tim 1:1,9). Paul was sent by

God to preach the life which is promised in Christ Jesus.

Paul encouraged Timothy to have boldness even though he

was facing great risks. The promise of life is that Christ

will always be able to overcome any apparent difficulty as

long as we follow him courageously.

The Psalmist often felt inadequate because of his failures

but he reasoned with God about His promise of grace and life-

"If You, Lord, marked our iniquities and held them against

us, O Lord, who could stand?" (Psa 130:3). He certainly

did not want to be disqualified by God his judge, but he

pleaded for his mercy and grace according to His promises.

The Writer to the Hebrews encouraged the Believers that

God would not forget the love that His saints have for Him.

The Believer does not make an excuse for his failure, but

asks for mercy and grace from God to overcome that failure.

He asks God for Holy Spirit Power to minister the promises-

"For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the

love which you have shown toward His Name, by ministering

and in still ministering to the saints" (Heb 6:10). That Name

of Jesus is the love and promise of the Believer!

Let us remember who is the God that remembers all things.

God's Name is Jehová El Berith. He is the God that makes

promises to His people, and does not forget. He does not

have the frailty of our human frame, and He is mindful

that we are but dust. Lift your hands to Him and Praise

Him today for the fact that He is the faithful God that

remembers His promises to us! Make your promises to

Him today and see the difference!