From: Beverly French [frenchb@vcss.k12.ca.us]
Sent: Sunday, February 22, 2004 6:44 AM
To: Heritage
Subject: February 22 Greetings

"For no matter how many promises God has made, they are 'Yes' in Christ. And so through Him the 'Amen' is spoken by us to the glory of God." 2 Corinthians 1:20

Other translations say,
"All the promises of God in Him (Christ) are yes..."New King James "For, many as were the promises of God, in Christ is the Yes that fulfills them..."  Twentieth Century New Testament "He [Christ] is the Yes pronounced upon God's promises; every one of  them..."  New English Bible "For as many as are the promises of God, they all find their Yes [answer] in Him [Christ]..."  The Amplified Bible

Have you ever thought of the promises of God?  Have you ever looked into
Scripture to see what are their characteristics?   Let us look at some of
these.

God's promises are unfailing:
"Blessed be the Lord, who has given rest to His people Israel, according to all that He promised; not one word has failed of all His good promise, which He promised through Moses His servant."  1 Kings 8:56 (And this rest is fulfilled in Christ Jesus, "Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls." Matthew 11:29  The Amplified Bible)

God's promises are assured by divine ability:
"And being fully assured that what He had promised, He was able also to perform." Romans 4:21  (This is the Apostle Paul speaking of Abraham's assurance of God's promise of a son though he and Sarah were in their 90's. A year later Isaac was born as promised.)

God's promises are grounded in Christ:
As we have seen in our opening verse all God's promises are found in Christ. Read the verses again.

God's promises are of infinite value:
"Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises; that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature..."  2 Peter 1:4

God's promises culminate in everlasting life:
"And this is the promise that He has promised us -- eternal life." 1 John 2:25

God has promised spiritual knowledge:
"And I will give them a heart to know Me, for I am the Lord; and they will be my people, and I will be their God; for they will return to Me with their whole heart."  Jeremiah 24:7

"And I shall give them one heart, and shall put a new spirit within them. And I shall take the heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh that they may walk in My statutes and keep My ordinances, and do them..."  Ezekiel 11:19-20

It is God who has made these promises and His word is absolutely trustworthy! "The works of His hands are faithful and just; all His precepts are trustworthy.  Psalm 111:7

"For I the Lord shall speak, and whatever would I speak will be  performed..."  Ezekiel 12:25

"Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away." Luke 21:33

How awesome is our God!  Let us join as one as we sing:
"Our God is an awesome God.
  He reigns from heaven above
 with wisdom, power and love.
 Our God is an awesome God."

All praise and glory to Almighty God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit!  Amen.