How many promises of God have I forfeited for something far less valuable or powerful? Whether it was out of negligence, sheer disobedience, laziness or ignorance, I have forfeited many promises of God. I shudder to think how many.I praise God that I have accepted His promise of salvation. I am also thankful that some of the ones I have missed in the past, I still have the opportunity to receive for the future. But how much easier would my life have been if I had received and held onto the precious and powerful promises of God instead of trying to do things my own way?
God offers us His rest. I work my tail off all week and try to cram more in on the weekend. In Hebrews 4 God offers His children the promise of rest. God is more than capable of enabling us to get done everything we need to and rest one day a week. The Exodus generation died in the wilderness and forfeited their promise of rest because they didn't believe - I don't want to forfeit my promise land.
God offers us His peace. Philippians 4:4 - 9 lays the offer and requirements out clearly. I often choose to worry instead of pray. Not only do I forfeit the promise of peace, but I fail to invoke the powers of heaven to assist in the situation.
God offers us all that we need. He has said that He knows all our needs and will take care of them, we are simply required "to seek first His kingdom and his righteousness." Matt. 6:33 Yep, I have forfeited that one too as I pursued obtaining all the things I need (want) on my own and seeking His kingdom with what time and energy I had leftover.
The Word of God is full of His promises. All He asks me to do is love Him and follow His commands. He wants ALL of me and in return I get ALL he offers. Small price to pay for the return. Sounds like I get the better end of that deal.
"Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires." 1 Peter 1:4. How many promises have I forfeited for worldly trash?
Oh Lord, that I might pursue your very great and precious promises and lay all my selfishness and sin aside. I don't want to forfeit what you offer. I want to receive it in its fullness.
6 comments:
Thanks Kim!
I know I have forfeited God's promises more often then I would like to admit. I have chosen the ways of man and to try to control it myself and did not give it to God and allow Him to work His promises in my life. As I have grown in Christ I have come to realize there is nothing I want more then what God has to offer and not what man offers. God is so amazing and I thank Him that He loves a sinner such as I and that in His word He promises
".. that God, who began the good work within ME, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns."
Philipians 1:6 I claim this promise.
Love YA ! Tanya
Kim, boy is this so true of me. There are so many of God's promises that I have forfeited. I have always been a people pleaser. I hate having anyone upset with me. I worry so much about what man wants. What about what God wants of me? That is what I need to worry about. I need to allow God to work through me and try not to do it all on my own. The rest part we all need to work on. Life is too busy. We are constantly running. I know for me I work God into my schedule instead of working my schedule around God. Thank you Kim, Susan V
Our small group is currently studying Hebrews, and we just discussed His rest. You are right on! We all ignore His voice at times, and don't even realize it until after we just did it. This weekend, no one in my house got to be in His rest. The closer I have gotten to Christ in these past weeks, the more Satan has done to try and stop it. Satan succeeded this weekend, and caused a lot of damage that will take even more time to heal. At least I can stand firm on my knowledge of God's grace. We are still loved and adored through our brokenneess. Now, I must educate my family on this very subject and hope and pray we can all have grace towards one another. Thank you for your obedience. God shines through you more than you know.
Kim,
If we keep forfeiting God's promises, then do we need to keep re-claiming them? How does one claim God's promises--is it not just knowing them in your head, but also applying them in your life? Is that what it means to claim, or receive, God's promises, or is there more? And, how do we keep from forfeiting His promises? Lots of questions...
Beth H.
Beth - I will get back to you on your questions. You raised some good points and I want to give you sound answers.
Kim
Hi Kim-
Thank you so very much for stopping by my blog and for your kind comment.
As for forfeited promises - you are right on dear Kim. I have forfeited a number of promises and I want to hold on the truth of Romans 11:29 that says "for God's gifts and his call are irrevocable". For our God is a gracious and loving God.
I love the post and the blog.I will visit again.
May God bless you and yours.
Myriam
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