Monday                                                            December 13, 2021
                        
STANDING ON THE PROMISES
 
SCRIPTURE: 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.
 
What does promise mean? According to Webster’s dictionary, promise means a pledge to do or not to do something specified.
 
What does it mean to stand on the promises? We can trust all of God’s promises because He is trustworthy and unchanging.
 
God is trustworthy in all His promises and faithful in all He does. Psalm 145:13
 
Long ago growing up, marrying, teaching and living in Cheltenham, PA, I would frequently walk Tookany Creek Parkway memorizing Robert J. Morgan’s book, 100 Bible Verses Everybody Should Learn by Heart that includes a section titled God’s Promises. In more recent years at Ann’s Choice, I’ve found and memorized promises through Isaiah, Psalm 37, promises on particular subjects like fear and other promises at random.
 
For Advent/Christmas I’m on a mission away from the hustle of life all around me to find, write down and memorize the Bible’s O.T. Prophecies (Prophesies are God’s promises that have been fulfilled in the N.T. surrounding the birth of Jesus.) I have used many resources — all that have been true and repetitive to help me as follows: The Bible, Max Lucado’s Because of Bethlehem  (Great read and includes an Advent Devotional in the back), The Promises of Christmas by Stephen A. Macchia and All of the Promises of the Bible  by Herbert Lockyer.
 
What was God saying at the birth of His Son? Following I will cite examples; it will be helpful to read the context in the Scriptures.
 
Jesus is the Son of God
 
O.T. Promise Foretold: You are my son; this day I have begotten thee. Psalm 2:7
N.T. Promise Fulfilled: What God promised our ancestors he has fulfilled for us their children by raising up Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm: “You are my Son;   today I become your Father. Acts 13:33
 
The Seed of a Woman
 
O.T Promise Foretold: So the Lord God said to the serpent…”And I will put enmity between you and the woman and between your offsp.ring and hers; he will crush your head and you will strike his heel,” Genesis 3:14-15

N.T. Promise Fulfilled: But when the time had fully come God sent his Son born of a woman under law. Galatians 4:4. Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death...that is the devil. Hebrews 2:14.
 
Be born a King of the Line of David
 
O.T Promise Foretold: He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom. Isaiah 9:7
N.T. Promise Fulfilled: A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of                David...Matthew 1:1
 
Child to be Born
 
O.T. Promise Foretold: For to us a child is born...he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God...Isaiah 7:14.
N.T. Promise Fulfilled: When as His mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together she was found with Child of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 1:18.
 
As to His Being Named Emmanuel
 
O.T. Promise Foretold: Call His name Emmanuel. Isaiah 7:14.
N.T. Promise Fulfilled: They shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is “God with us.” Matthew 1:22,23.
 
Being Born in the Town of Bethlehem of Judea
 
O.T. Promise Foretold: But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah thou be small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old from ancient times. Micah 5:2-5.
N.T. Promise Fulfilled: After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?” Matthew 2:1-6.
 
Kings Shall Bring Him Gifts, Fall Down Before Him.
 
O.T. Promise Foretold: The kings of Tarshish and out of the isles shall bring thee presents...offer gifts. Psalm 72:10
N.T. Promise Fulfilled: The wise men presented unto him gifts...Matthew 2:1-11
 
I have researched the author’s words and music of Standing on the Promises Kelso Carter, 1886. Carter was sick early on in his life and stood on the Promises of Healing. It is interesting because what come to my mind was different than Carter’s. We can all stand on the Promises of God.
 
PRAYER: Dear God, Thank You for Jesus’ birth. Help me to help others know You so that we can together bring glory to Your name. Amen.
                                                                   Bonnie Bustard
 



 
 
 
 




St. John's Ivyland
820 Almshouse Road
Ivyland, PA 18974
215-357-6998
stjohnsivyland.com
Rev. Brad Leight, Pastor