Words of Encouragement from Dr. C. Yvette Brock, Pastor
God has all power. He created the whole world. (Romans 1:20-22). He also promises to give us power, too! (Ephesians 3:14-21). I would likely despair if I held persons accountable every time they have made promises that they did not keep. However, I realize that the default was often not because they chose to deceive or misrepresent, but, simply, because they were not able to keep their words and promises. They are no different than I am - limited. While we make plans, God actually orders our steps. (Proverbs 16:9). That is why Scripture tells us to keep God in our plans and disclaim our own abilities to do anything. (James 4:15) Our power is limited, but God is omnipotent. Unless He strengthens us, we can do nothing. But with His strength, we can do all things. (Philippians 4:13) Therefore, it is wise to admit that if He says so, I will be there as I promised. I will do thus or that if the Lord allows me to do it. I used to make promises without this disclaimer, and often, I felt such frustration and so ashamed when I failed to keep my word. My grandfather had taught me that my word is my bond. My word is what binds me or frees me. What I speak to others and myself will prove me as unreliable or as reliable. Have you ever made a promise just to find out it was impossible for you to keep it? For example, friends may be planning to do something or to go somewhere. They set a time, place, date, etc. Then one finds he is scheduled to work over time, or runs into an emergency, or even decides to do something different. He is not able to live up to or make good his promise. Parents commit to supporting children throughout their lives, providing for their children’s needs at different stages of life. Husbands and wives make vows for lifetime. Things happen which cause promises and vows to be broken. Human beings sometimes change numbers or addresses, many times without giving any forwarding information. Life and death and changes happen. However, God is different. He does not forsake, defer, deter, tire, sleep, leave, get sick, die, nor change His contact information. God is dependable, trustworthy, and reliable because He is omnipotent. This means that He has all power. Therefore, whatever He promises to do, He does it. He does not waiver, shift or change. He does not change His Name, His character, His power, His Word, His values and goals, nor His contact information. His omnipotence is unique to Himself. No other being has this characteristic. God gives us the power to endure and to achieve. He also gives us the power to keep our promises when we surrender to His omnipotence, consciously and literally, acknowledging Him as we plan or promise. We can do all things through His empowerment to do it. He gives us strength according to His will and for His will and purpose. Our power to keep plans and promises is based on God’s purpose and will. When we are making promises to ourselves and others, putting God in it reflects meekness and humbleness. It also gives us freedom, when we admit we can only do what the Lord permits us to do. When we admit this dependent state that we are in, we free ourselves from the bondage of pridefulness and willfulness, which result in frustration, shame and guilt, and help to label us as unreliable and untrustworthy. Why not make it known to others that your plans and promises can only occur if the Lord says so and are in His will and purpose? This understanding should also help us to forgive ourselves and others who have forsaken us, such as parents who did not live up to their responsibilities, friends who have deceived and betrayed us, etc.
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Sunday Services 9 AM Sunday School and 11 AM Worship Services.
Wednesdays 5 PM Bible Study and Prayer Service.
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Holistic Ministries Inc. hopes to fellowship with you. We hope you will join us very soon to worship, fellowship, and learn of the goodness of Jesus. We believe salvation is an individual journey and that God’s people perish for a lack of knowledge. Jesus came to set us free; His burden is light and His yoke is easy. He already paid the cost for our salvation - when you believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that He is Lord and that God raised Him from the dead, then you are saved! (Romans 10:9)
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Holistic Ministries Inc.
C.Y. Dozier, Pastor
