"Paid Attention" - To

"Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad." (John 8:56 KJV)

  "Dear brothers and sisters, here's an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or amend an irrevocable agreement, so it is in this case. God gave the promise to Abraham and his child. And notice that the Scripture doesn't say "to his children," as if it meant many descendants. Rather, it says "to his child" - and that, of course, means Christ. This is what I am trying to say: The agreement with Abraham could not be 430 years later when God gave the law to Moses. God would be breaking his promise. For if the inheritance could be received by keeping the law, then it would not be the result of accepting God's promise. But God graciously gave it to Abraham as a promise." (Galatians 3:15-18 NLT)

 Maybe it doesn't work all the time? But, then again, it depends on what we expect to happen and when! You would think that after all of these years, I would have learned a lesson: Don't doubt God's promises! On the one hand, I think that I am not doubting Him, but stepping out in faith to do something on my own; but on the other hand, I feel I am doubting Him when I do not wait for Him to do things His way!

 Inside story, something I really don't want to burden you with. But it is something very relevant to the point that I have been trying to make. If we truly do believe that God keeps His promises, then we must also understand that His promises are must likely based upon something eternal, not something that is temporary and will soon pass away.

 I am really sorry if that does not fit into the box built around the promise you are waiting for, but, as with most of everything that God works towards, it is all about that day when we will be able to stand in His presence without being vaporized by His glory! 

 If you are focused upon anything else, as if the matter is material or of this world, then it is really not relevant to His promise; not unless His promise is based upon something that pertains to this world. If that doesn't make any sense, that's okay. In Abraham's case the promise pointed to Jesus. I seriously doubt any one of us have that same promise to look forward to! 

 I heard put like this, where the difference was the same as a credit card verses a debit card. Abraham and all of those who believed in the Savior that what come, they had their salvation promised with a credit card, that was used in advance, but would be paid off in the future. All of us, that have lived after Jesus came to save us, we all have our salvation paid for in advance, placed on a debit card, that cannot ever run out of funds! 

 Something I have observed that by material cards cannot hold a candle to...

"This salvation was something even the prophets wanted to know more about when they prophesied about this gracious salvation prepared for you. They wondered what time or situation the Spirit of Christ within them was talking about when he told them in advance about Christ's suffering and his great glory afterward. They were told that their messages were not for themselves, but for you. And now this Good News has been announced to you by those who preached in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen. So think clearly and exercise self-control. Look forward to the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world." (1 Peter 1:10-13 NLT)