LA Holiness Church (LAHC)

The Good Tidings - "66% or 100%", July 2010 

Back in January of this year, I wrote an article that described my personal hopes for myself for 2010.  And it has come to my attention from various people that two out of the three personal hopes for 2010 that I wrote for myself are being realized.  Of course I had more goals that I did not write about, but the three personal hopes that I wrote about were to purchase a new house, welcome a new baby to our family, and to go on a family trip to Japan.  Well, if you haven’t been able to come to our Sunday services then you haven’t heard our recent news.  As of this moment, Chiyeko and I are now making mortgage payments for our new house AND we are anxiously awaiting the coming of Kazuki’s little brother who is due in October.  Yes, I am excited and extremely happy about the blessings we are experiencing and we know that it is only by God’s grace.  As for the trip to Japan as a family, I highly doubt that we will be able to go this year.  So if you are keeping count that means that 2 out of the 3 personal hopes that I wrote for myself are coming true.  Even I have to admit, a fulfillment rate of 66% is a pretty good percentage. 

All of this got me thinking.  While 66% of my anticipated hopes for 2010 were fulfilled, God’s Word and His promises in His Word are 100% trustworthy.  While there are still some promises in God’s Word that have not been fulfilled yet, we can be confident that God’s Word is true and what He says He WILL do.  God is the faithful Promise-Keeper.  As God says in Isaiah 55:11, “So is My word that goes out from My mouth: It will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”  Putting your trust in God and His promises in His Word is absolutely necessary for every believer to learn and grow in.  Otherwise, we so easily fall into the trap of taking control of our own problems or future-making decisions, never seeking God’s counsel from the start but asking Him later to bless our decisions, when He has a completely new and better way of directing our lives.  Trusting in God is never a shot in the dark, for God has never failed us and He never will.  To see God’s great purposes and amazing plans fulfilled in our lives, all He requires is our complete trust in Him.

Do you need to hear a promise from God?  Here are some to live by: 

·         “I will be your God throughout your lifetime—until your hair is white with age.  I made you, and I will care for you.  I will carry you along and save you.” (Isaiah 46:4 NLT)

·         “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling.”  (Psalm 46:1-3 NKJV)

·         “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  (1 John 1:9 NRSV)  

·         “Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9 NIV)

·         Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.  And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 'He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." (Revelation 21:1-5 TNIV)

For those who have declared their faith in Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior, we can live our lives by these promises. It is reassuring to know that we can fully trust God’s word.  However, this list is not comprehensive, and no way was it ever meant to be.  In fact, if you want the comprehensive list, it is right there in the Bible.  There are thousands of promises that we can discover for ourselves when we take the time to read God’s Word.  When you read God’s Word, I encourage you to underline those promises from God that you discover.  The one thing that we can rely on 100% of the time is God, our Promise-Keeper.  My prayer for each of you is that as you seek the living God in His Word you will encounter new words of promises from Him that will give you the assurance to trust and live each day for Him.          

                                                   Upheld by God's promises,

                                         Seigo Takayoshi