God's Promises

I'm going to share this in Church this morning, and was strong-armed into sharing it here as well... :o)

Steven Curtis Chapman has a new CD out. That's nice, and its a great CD, but what is more significant to us as believers is the example that Steven sets as someone living in, and trusting God's promises.

Steven and his wife have adopted 3 children from China. But in 2008, his 5 year old daughter was killed in a tragic accident. Now, God has spoken promises into all of our lives. In the specific example of losing someone we love and is close to us, we can look to Revelation which speaks of a place with no more pain and no more crying. But, when our world is turned upside down, we are made out of flesh. Sometimes we can lose sight, or lose the impact of those promises.

Even then though, God is with us. He knows us, our weaknesses and our struggles. But there's other promises... He tells us He will heal the broken-hearted, bind our wounds. He tells us blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

God keeps his promises too. In the example of Steven Curtis, notice the "I" is dotted with something odd-looking. It's not a dot, its a flower, with one petal coloured. The story is that, his daughter was able to write just a few words - "Mom", "Dad", her name, etc. After the accident, her family was of course devastated and questioning everything they believed. They prayed that they would be able to see, that they could have some sort of vision, just to see and know that the promises were true and that Maria Sue was ok. The next day they returned to the family home and found on the children's art table, she had drawn a picture. The picture was a flower with 6 petals (and they have 6 children). One of the petals was coloured, and the word "SEE" was written beside it. Maria Sue must have drawn this picture on the morning of the day she died. For the Chapman family, it was the answer to prayer they craved and it answered the crucial promises they were questioning - the promises are true, it's going to be ok.

But it goes beyond just one person. See, by God answering prayer, and strengthening and encouraging one man, he is able to open up his heart and to act as an example of someone who has been in some dark places, but it still trusting in God's promises, which in turn is an example and an encouragement to others.

Here's an example of what I mean...

Heaven is the Face

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