A Friend: Keeps Their Promises

05 / Sun – Read Matthew 28:6

Overview: If Jesus didn’t rise from the dead, as promised, then he can’t keep a single other promise. But he did keep that promise. We are called to do the same. That’s what friends do. What a friend we have in Jesus!

06 / Mon – Promises  |  Read Titus 1:2

A promise is defined as the commitment a person makes to do or not to do something. The greatest promise God made was that he would save humanity from their sin by sending Jesus to live and die as a man. The resurrection was proof that you can trust any other promise God has made. What are the ones you depend on? How do they anchor you in uncertain times? Do you memorize those words so you can carry them everywhere and access them at any time, just as Jesus did? You will also be equipped to share them with others who need to be encouraged.

07 / Tue – Growing into a greater love  |  Read Jeremiah 29:13 / John 14:9 / Matthew 7:7-8

To know him is to love him is an apt quote that applies to your friend Jesus. But it is hard to deeply love someone you don’t know very well. Do you wish you knew Him better? If so, ask that he would reveal more of himself, in ways you understand. The Lord has promised that, if we seek him, we will find him. Jesus said if we knew him, we would also know the Father. And then Jesus promised if we would ask, we would receive. How might these truths apply to you today?

08 / Wed – Watch out  |  Read 2 Corinthians 11:14 / John 14:27 / Philippians 4:7

The devil is not your friend. He can deceive you by masquerading as an angel of light, mimicking some of God’s gifts. The one thing he cannot reproduce is peace. Why? Because that comes from Jesus – he gives you his peace. Have you been wrestling with something, not sure what to do? Pray about it. And keep praying until you reach that place of peace. Sometimes you only find it after you surrender and are willing to let God do things his way. That is the best place to be.

09 / Thu – It can be quite tempting  |  Read 1 Corinthians 10:13 NKJV / 2 Corinthians 12:9

Temptation has been here since the beginning. The tricky part is being able to recognize it before you fall into it. Or dive in, as some tend to do. Your friend Jesus experienced severe temptation throughout his life, so he does understand what you are dealing with. The Lord promised he would always give you a way of escape. It starts by admitting your weakness and asking for His grace. The power of any temptation is broken when you confess it to the Lord and choose to be accountable to someone you trust. Are you willing?

10 / Fri – Real rest  |  Read Psalm 91:1-2 / Matthew 11:28-30

It’s a busy world, both physically and mentally, and it can be exhausting. You’ve heard of the tyranny of the urgent? It shouts the loudest, even when it is not the most important. Your friend Jesus offers you the gift of rest, rest in your body, rest in your mind and rest in your soul. When you unpack everything before the Lord, he will show you what’s important to pick up first. Not only that, he offers to trade his for yours and will carry it with you. What do you need to lay down today?

11 / Sat – Your story  |  Read Hebrews 12:2-3 / Philippians 1:6

Are there times when you get discouraged and feel like a failure as a Christian? Let these verses raise your spirit and look up. This is God’s story. He is writing the chapters of your life and He is with you in the story. Through all the ups and downs, He is guiding you, picking you up when you fall, making His path known to you. Like any road trip, you may have a flat tire or run out of gas or take the wrong sidepath but you will still get to your destination when you are focused on Jesus. What is distracting you? What do you need to do about it?