Promises that are REAL...Take 1!

Promises - a declaration made about the future, about some act to be done or not done.

We've all made them...thousands of men and women make promises "vows" before even God and yet over 50% of them break their promise.  We make promises to our children, often promises we cannot keep.  Politicians make promises to us so that we vote for them, and many times, probably more than we know, they fail to keep those promises.  Are we setting ourselves up to fail when we make a promise to someone?  Especially someone we truly love and hold close?  Well we all fail at times because we are frail, imperfect beings.  But let's not dwell on our imperfections!  We were created according to the book of Genesis in the "image of God".  

We may be frail and imperfect, but we were formed by the perfect creator whose promises to us never fail and are always fulfilled.  Within this context we are going to explore the Promises that are REAL!

Our first promise is this: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life".  John 3:16 OK...many of us have heard this before but do we believe it?  Jesus said it!  These words were spoken to Nicodemus as he simply asked Jesus to explain to him how a man could be reborn when he is old? (vs.4)

Understanding the promise:  Jesus explains to Nicodemus that He has come to bring newness of life, a life led by the Spirit of God (Holy Spirit).  The Spirit moves in the heart of a person showing them the true and undefiled Love of God!  With that revelation a person is converted into a new being...a "rebirth" occurs.  A new life is essentially begun.  John 3:16 shows us that we as "believers"  those who have experienced a new birth are now starting our journey to "eternal life"! 

Responding to the promise:  When a person who experiences this rebirth "born again", their life takes on a whole new course.  Remember that day?  You have an unquenchable desire for God's Word!  There is a burn within you similar to the burn you get when you see a good movie or have something really special to share with someone.  You want to tell everyone about what has taken place in your life.  You have been put into a correct relationship with the God of the Universe...designed specifically by Him for YOU!  Why wouldn't you want to share that?  Our response as we read this well worn verse should be, "O gracious and loving Father, rekindle within me the excitement and zeal I had when I first came to you!  Ignite me with an insatiable appetite for your Word.  Equip me right now with the courage to share this message with as many as I can until the day I am with you in the heavenly realms.  Thank you Jesus for dying for me so that I can live with you forever! AMEN!