A Promise Kept

In my Encouragement for Today devotion, I shared a story about my son Andrew, and how God used him to help me see what love is.

It's knowing that God cares, He listens, and He will be there for me - no matter what! It's knowing that He wants to spend time with me. That He really likes me. That He's protecting me and that He believes in me.

Jesus' last words were woven into a promise. He said, "... I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:20 (NASB)

He said He'd be with us no matter what! No matter what we do or where we go. It's a promise He made and a promise He's kept.

There are so many promises God makes and keeps. One of the most life-changing ways Ive experienced the power of God's promises is to personalize them. Ever since I was a baby Christian, I'd put my name in scripture to help my heart know that God wants to speak directly to me.

I've also seen what a powerful gift this can be for someone else. I did this recently for my husband, and today I am going to give them to him in a keepsake box, (shh, he doesn't know yet). Each day when he opens up the box, he'll be able to reach in and pull out one of God's promises to him, with his name in it. Here are the one's I am including:

“JJ, fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1

“JJ, you are precious and honored in my sight, and I love you.” Isaiah 43:4

“JJ, you are very valuable to Me, see, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.” Isaiah 49:16

"JJ, do not worry. “The LORD will surely comfort (you) and will look with compassion on all (your) ruins; he will make (your) deserts like Eden, (your) wastelands like the garden of the LORD.” Isaiah 51:3

JJ, let Me lead you. I want you to go out in joy and be led forth with peace.” Isaiah 55:1

“JJ, I want to provide for your needs. I want you to trust Me enough to say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.’” Psalm 23:1

“JJ, I want you to rest in My arms. The beloved of the LORD rest secure in Him, for He shields him all day long, and the one the LORD loves rests between His shoulders." Deuteronomy 33:12

“JJ, I will fulfill My purpose for (you); because My love endures forever. I will not abandon the works of My hands.” Psalm 138:8

JJ, I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

“JJ, call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD , "and will bring you back from captivity. Jeremiah 29:12-14a

JJ, come to me, (when you) are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30

“JJ, forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18-19

“JJ, I have made known to you the path of life. I will fill you with joy in My presence.” Psalm 16:11

These promises are for you, too. Maybe you could copy and paste this list into a document and replace JJ's name with your name. Then put them in a special place and go to it each morning, asking God to give you the promise He wants you to hold onto that day. Or maybe there is someone you know who needs God's promises personalized for them. It's a gift they will never forget!