Dripping Springs Weekly Bulletins

God's Promises Have you ever made a promise and then failed to “keep” the promise? Yes, it happens to all of us. Some promises should not be made at all if we know we cannot follow through with what we have promised. Others are made and then forgotten. The fact of God’s promises permeates the entire Bible. The word, “promise”, is found over 100 times, but those who have studied this issue say there are at least 8,000 promises made and discussed in the Bible. A promise is properly defined as “a pledge from one to another that one will or will not do a certain thing.”  Study the Bible and you will find that when God makes a promise it is fulfilled. Many of God’s promises are conditional, depending upon our response to the terms of the promise.  Others, however, have no conditions. They will be fulfilled regardless of man’s response to the promise. Consider some of the promises God has made to us. His PRESENCE in our life. Many a person has promised another that they will “be there” for them. Man’s promises, however, are often dependent upon our circumstances at the time. We may abandon someone at the very time they need us most. God’s presence is promised in clear terms in Matthew 28:18-20 as well as in Hebrews 13:5:“I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” His PROTECTION. From our youth we have needed protection and care. In our adult years we still face danger, still need the care and protection God has promised. He told Abraham “I amthyshield, and thy exceeding greatreward,” Genesis 15:1. One form of protection is clearly described in    1 Corinthians 10:13: “God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able. but will with the temptation also make a way to escape.” Then we must choose that way. His PROVISION. God is the source of all good things. One of His great provisions is described in 2 Peter 1:3: “His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness.” Our Bible gives us access to all things we need to live lives in harmony with God’s will. His POWER. Isaiah, needing to deal with those who were the enemies of God, felt the weight of that responsibility. God spoke to Isaiah, saying: “I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” All of us fight battles, and there will be times when our own power, our own strength may not be sufficient to overcome Satan’s power. As with the prophets of old, we are promised that God will be with us:Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.” That, brethren is real POWER! His REST. Often, the most difficult obstacle for us to overcome is the weariness of mind and body. Physical rest is a strength to the body. Rest for the heart and soul of man can be a strength of both body and mind. In Matthew 11:28-29 Jesus gives us this promise: “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” That is God’s Promise! HIS CROWN OF LIFE. This promise may be the greatest of all God’s promises. In the book of Revelation 2:10, the Holy Spirit promises that for those who are “faithful” to their vows to God there awaits a “crown of life.” See also James 1:12. The apostle Paul, in some of his last written words, said such a crown awaits those who so desire that crown that they “loveHisappearing,” 2 Timothy 4:8. That could be you and me. There is no question that God will keep His promises. His very nature is that of justice and truth. Jesus said God’s Word “is truth,” John 17:17. We mortals too often make promises we know we may not be able to keep. That is called deception. On the other hand, God, makes promises only He can fulfill. And, He always keeps His promises! Carl Garner

THRILLS In perhaps the greatest blues song of all time, B.B. King famously sang, “The Thrill is Gone.”  And not to speak ill of a legend, but I greatly fear that kind of attitude is what makes unsatisfying marriages for many. Dating is thrilling.  Courtship is thrilling.  Engagements are thrilling, in an “are-we-going-to-survive-this-without-killing-someone” sort of way.  And the honeymoon period is the most thrilling of all. But marriage isn’t thrilling.  Marriage is just life.  And parts of life have their thrills, but the thrills wear off and we go back to the day-to-day.  I hope that doesn’t make me sound like I’m soured on marriage, because I’m not.  I love marriage.  It’s God’s plan for mankind and always has been (Genesis 2:18).  I love being married.  Every day is a joy. Every day is a blessing. But every day isn’t a thrill.  And I like it that way.  Frankly, I think thrills are overrated by a long shot.  I love roller coasters as much as the next guy, but after four or five go-rounds, I’m ready for a break.  Thrills are like vacations; we get away from the routine, charge our batteries a bit, and then get right back in there. Too many young married people think they can maintain the energy of courtship throughout a marriage, and they get frustrated and quit when they find they can’t.  But not only can they not do it, they shouldn’t even try. Marrying someone because they get you all hot and flustered is a big, big mistake.  You don’t pick a place to live based primarily on how close it is to Disneyland.  You live, and marry—where you want to build a life. Hal Hammons