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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Expect (07/11/13)
Unpredictable


Do you remember Christmas as a child? We would get so excited in the days preceding Christmas that by December 24th we were fully wired. We certainly had trouble going to sleep on Christmas Eve in anticipation of what we would find on Christmas morning! We had a planned. We had made a list and asked for certain gifts. We did not know what we would receive but we hoped to get a least some of those most important items.

There are many things in life over which we have no control. We do not choose our parents. We cannot control many situations that arise in life. We cannot control if our parents get divorced or if we get diagnosed with a serious illness. We have no power to control or predict the weather. We cannot control the actions of others, even though we may influence them. We have no control over a bad economy or depression.

In life we find we can control our temper. We can control how we respond to situations. We have control over what we allow in our lives. We make our own decisions regarding who we will marry and what type of occupation we will pursue. We can choose where we want to go to school, what town we live in and what type of house we may buy.
We may not achieve all our goals and dreams but we can work toward those and be successful in many areas. We always have hope that one day these things will become reality for us. They are attainable.

The Bible tells us we have hope in Jesus Christ. It is often impossible for our earthly parents to keep all of their promises to us. However, we have a heavenly Father who keeps ALL of His promises.
“For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us”.
2nd Corinthians 1:20 (NKJV). Jesus Christ fulfills God's promise to us. The promises of God are sure.

We live in a society where we want guarantees on everything. If we buy something, we want assurance it will be replaced at no charge if something goes wrong. We are enticed by marketing on television, magazines,and newspaper ads, everything is guaranteed or our money back. These ads are often not true.

But God's promises are true! He promises us eternal life. He promises us “that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” John 3:15 (NKJV)

We have the promise of salvation if we will ask. “...if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9 (NKJV)

Not only do we have a promise of salvation but we also have the promise of the presence and indwelling of the Holy Spirit as our guarantee. “who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.” 2 Corinthians 1:22 (NKJV)

In addition to a wonderful salvation, eternal life and the guarantee of the Holy Spirit, there is also the promise of an eternal home. In John 14:2 we find these words, “in my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” (NKJV

Finally in Ephesians 3:20 we find that He can do all of the things we just mentioned and so much more. “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.” (NKJV)
When God makes a promise you can take it to the bank! These are only a few of the promises God has given us. His promises are true. He cannot lie. When God makes a promise to us we can await, anticipate, suppose, expect and hope, knowing they will certainly come to pass.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
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This article has been read 673 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Larry Whittington
07/20/13
God's promises and his commands give light to our lives.
C D Swanson 
07/23/13
Lovely devotional and right on topic. This was a joy to read. Thank you.

God bless~
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
07/23/13
Your opening line grabbed my attention immediately and made me eager to keep reading.

You may want to consider telling the story from the first person singular (I instead of we) It's a little thing, but I think it will pull the reader in and help her to relate more to the MC. Also I think you may be surprised over the number of times you used the word control. I realize some may have been for impact, but switching it up sometimes can be good too. For example something like this: Sometimes things just happen: parents get divorced or the doctor tells you that you have a horrible disease. We have no power over whether it rains or the sun shines.

Overall, though I think you have a well-written piece that many people will relate to. It made me stop and reminisce about some of my past choices. Oh how wonderful that Jesus is there and gives me the strength I need. You reassure the reader about the need to have faith and you do it in a kind and loving way. Your words touched my heart and I feel stronger for having read them.