Broken Promises

Who hasn’t been told a project would be done by a certain date, only to find yourself waiting a week later? Or as a parent, perhaps you promised your child a summer trip that never happened by Labor Day. Maybe you even felt the heartbreak when someone you loved decided that “’til death do us part” no longer applied.

Broken promises come in all shapes and sizes. They almost always bring disappointment, and often deep frustration.

Why Are Promises So Hard to Keep?

1. We overpromise.
Sometimes we simply commit to more than we can realistically do. Only later do we realize the cost is too high. Jesus warned:
“Don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first getting estimates and then checking to see if there is enough money to pay the bills?” (Luke 14:28, NLT)

2. We get distracted by urgency.
Marriages don’t usually fall apart because one spouse deliberately chooses neglect. More often, the vow to “love and cherish” is slowly buried under deadlines, distractions, and packed schedules.
The Bible calls us to decide what matters most: “Choose today whom you will serve.” (Joshua 24:15) That principle applies to more than faith—it’s about priorities. Learning to say “no” to some demands frees us to say “yes” to what’s truly important.

3. We procrastinate.
“Tomorrow” feels safer than today, but putting things off slowly erodes life. Homes become cluttered because today’s mess rolls into tomorrow. Cars break down from years of ignored maintenance. Most things don’t collapse overnight—they crumble one neglected task at a time.

Years ago, a trainer taught me a principle: “Handle paper once.” The point was simple—finish what you start. If it only takes a few minutes, do it now. Imagine how many promises would be kept if we applied that same principle to life.

4. We are sinners.
Even our best intentions collide with our brokenness. Paul admitted, “I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.” (Romans 7:18, NIV) Left on our own, weeds flourish while gardens wither. But with God as our Gardener, tending and cultivating our hearts, we gain strength beyond ourselves:
“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13, NIV)

Living with Kept Promises

So what can we do?

• Guard your words—promise only what you intend to act on.
• Set wise priorities and stick to them.
• Keep your word, even when it costs something.
• Live daily in the Spirit’s presence, asking Him to strengthen and guide you.

God’s promises never fail. When we walk closely with Him, we find stability and fruitfulness:
“(Those) who delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night, are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.” (Psalm 1)

That’s the kind of life I want. How about you?

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Living the Dream?

Don’t you love those times when your heart overflows and your voice is lifted in praise; when you say something like this - "God, You have blessed me beyond measure. You’ve poured out good things in great abundance and given me a wonderful place to serve You. Thank You!"

That kind of praise is particularly sweet when there is a dream realized, a hope fulfilled.I am not talking about the escapist kind of dream that avoids life’s realities. However, when we see a God-given vision develop – joy flourishes!

Faithful Dreams and Real Opposition

There are many obstacles that rise up to crush our dreams.
We may focus too much on our perception of limited resources instead of God’s promises.

We may be weary – in body or soul, worn down by discouragement or resistance from those who “just don’t get it.”

There are nay-sayers that say "it can’t be done."

And then there is the reality of opposition from the spirit realm that seeks to block anything good and God-honoring.

Do You Dream?

Do you know that God has plans, born in His heart, that He wants to unfold in your life?In Ephesians 1, Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, writes:

"God thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need, letting us in on the plans he took such delight in making. He set it all out before us in Christ… It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, He had His eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living..." (The Message)

Hebrews tells us that God’s plan, through Christ, is to “bring many sons to glory.” That includes a mature faith, deep devotion, a life shaped by spiritual gifts, and fruit that lasts. It’s a unique plan tailored to who you are—your personality, your experiences, your challenges—woven together with the power and resources of Heaven to build a life that brings honor and praise to our loving Father.

And one day, that plan will culminate in your eternal welcome into the Father’s house, where you will enjoy His presence and love forever.

Breathe In the Vision

In your times of prayer and reflection, ask God to inspire you—that word literally means to breathe into. Ask Him to plant a fresh vision in your heart.

People of the Spirit need two sets of eyes: the ones they’re born with that see the world as it is, and the eyes God gives us to see the world as He wants it to be. That is vision.

The prophet Joel captured this beautifully when he wrote:

“And afterward,
    I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
    your old men will dream dreams,
    your young men will see visions.

Even on my servants, both men and women,
    I will pour out my Spirit in those days. (Joel 2:28–29)

Inspired by the Vision

Years ago, when my children were teenagers and sometimes resisted the direction I offered, I tried to instill in them a vision for the kind of people they could become. They didn’t always understand it at the time.

I believed that by helping them see past the moment, I could give them something to reach for—something that would motivate them to rise above the temptation to drift or indulge in aimlessness. That was part of my godly duty as their father: to help them see.

Our Heavenly Father calls us to lift our eyes seeing beyond the moment, past the challenges, finding purpose and meaning. Then we will more readily say, "Yes, Lord," even when the path includes hard lessons and disciplined growth.

Glory Defined

Make no mistake: living into that vision is not automatic. It’s not inevitable. You might say, “But it’s God’s plan!”—and that’s true. But He gives us the freedom to either embrace or resist it.

So today, ask God to help you understand His purposes. Let Him paint a picture of the glory He’s designed for you. It probably won’t look like the world’s version of glory—wealth, fame, or influence. It will look like Jesus: the glory of a well-formed character, the fruit of the Spirit maturing in your life, love and joy and peace in abundance.

Then—yes—God will rejoice over you.
You’ll be living the dream—His dream for you

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3)

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When There Are No Good Options

Some days, I wake up, look at the choices in front of me, and think:
“There are no good options here.”

Have you ever felt that way? Faced with decisions that range from unpleasant, to bad, to worse?

Thankfully, those kinds of situations are rare—but they do come. For me, and probably for you too.

When I feel boxed in like that, I remember an old saying:

“When you’re at the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.”

It sounds simple, even cliché—but there’s truth in it. God often calls us to patience while He works out the details of our lives.

When I Wanted to Give Up

I remember a time when I accepted a ministry position that felt like walking into a storm.
There was no money. Bills were piling up. The people were discouraged. And confidence in my leadership was practically nonexistent.

For a while, I flailed like an animal caught in a trap. Every morning, I dreaded the day ahead. The temptation to walk away was constant.

But in my heart, I knew God had called me there. So I stayed. And waited. And waited.

Eventually, He began to work—in me and around me.
He opened new doors.
He provided resources.
And He taught me another deep lesson in faith.

“Help Us… If You Can.”

There’s a powerful story in the Gospel of Mark about a father in crisis.

His son was suffering from violent seizures. He brings the boy to Jesus’ disciples—but they can’t help him.

When Jesus arrives, He’s clearly frustrated with the disciples’ lack of faith. Then He says:

“Bring the boy to me.” (Mark 9:19, NLT)

The father pleads:

“The spirit often throws him into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.”
(Mark 9:22, NLT)

Jesus replies:

“‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.”
(Mark 9:23, NLT)

Why the Delay?

Have you ever wondered why Jesus didn’t just heal the boy immediately?

Why draw it out? The text doesn’t give us a direct answer.

But I think many of us can relate to the father in that moment. I imagine him thinking:
“Please—just fix this now!”

Instead, Jesus gives him a choice. Will he walk away, offended and disappointed? Or will he hold on and trust?

The father’s reply is one of the most honest and beautiful prayers in all of Scripture:

“I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
(Mark 9:24, NLT)

Faith Is Not the Absence of Doubt

I’ve prayed that same prayer—many times.

“Lord, help me hang on—through the storms, through the fear, through the doubts.”

Faith isn’t the absence of doubt.
It’s the choice to trust God in spite of doubt.

Even Abraham, the so-called “father of the faithful,” had moments of wavering. He made impulsive decisions when faith faltered.

But over the course of his life, we see a man who remained committed to God’s purposes.

Abraham Held On Too

Here’s how the writer of Hebrews describes Abraham’s journey:

“It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going…”
(Hebrews 11:8, NLT)

He left everything familiar—without a clear destination.
He waited years for a promised son.
And even then, he lived in tents—temporary housing—while still trusting God.

Do you think he ever doubted?
The Bible says he did.

So how can we still call him “faithful”?

Because in the middle of his doubt, he tied a knot in the rope and held on.

Hang On

If you're struggling today, hang on.

Here’s a word from the Word.
Let it strengthen your heart as you pray:

“Lord, I believe. Help me with my doubts.”

“So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that He has promised.”
(Hebrews 10:35–36, NLT)

“For in just a little while, the Coming One will come and not delay. And My righteous ones will live by faith. But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away.”
(Hebrews 10:37–38, NLT)

Final Thought

Whatever you’re facing today—no matter how dark or uncertain—it’s not the end of your story.
Tie a knot. Hang on. And trust the One who holds the rope.

 

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When Life Hurts: Choosing Submission Over Self

Ever wonder what God is doing in your life? Ever complain bitterly about a situation that causes you discomfort? Me too!

Before I go further, I must acknowledge the blessings in my life: a relatively healthy body for a 70-year-old man, a comfortable home, resources that more than meet my needs, children who are wonderful people living good and worthy lives, and friends who enrich my days in countless ways. The list could go on.

But those blessings aren’t the whole story. I have known great sorrow, terrible disappointment, and real failure. Within just a few years, I lost both my parents and my wife to cancer, watching their bodies slowly destroyed. Some friendships have faltered, lost to reasons only God knows. I wrestle with questions about my part in those failures. I have seen people who were under my pastoral care for years slip away from faith and have wept over their choices, again feeling the weight of questions about my effectiveness as a minister of the Gospel.

Joy and Sorrow

To know both joy and sorrow is to be human. Over the years, I’ve walked alongside amazing Christians who were greatly blessed and yet broken by divorce, rejection, or sickness. Some emerged from those seasons with a deeper faith and sweeter spirit. Others became angry and cynical—still clinging to faith, but barely.

So, what makes the difference? I’m sure many factors are at play, but one key element is something most of us avoid as long as possible—submission.

Choice

We must choose between God—the Lord of Heaven—or self. Will I, like Job of old, “put my hand over my mouth” and worship a God whose ways are beyond my understanding? Or will I kick and scream, insisting He do what I desire?

Such submission grows in the fertile soil of eternity’s hope. Inspired by the Spirit, Paul teaches: “Our present troubles are quite small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18, NLT)

Suffering is Common
We suffer because this world bears the mark of sin’s curse—wars rage, disease strikes, relationships break, and injustice prevails. People lie and cheat. Terrorists destroy. Companies value profit over people.

Even Christians of great faith often face deep pain and sorrow. What can we do? We can trust God while we weep and wait on Him, or we can rage against the world and decide He is unjust and unfair.

You don’t have to be a “super-saint” to choose faith. We have an Advocate on whom we can lean: “The Holy Spirit helps us in our distress. For we don’t even know what we should pray for, nor how we should pray. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.” (Romans 8:26, NLT)

Some of the best prayers in the world are sobs, groans, and tears of submission to God’s will.

The Word assures us—no situation in our life is wasted or meaningless! Paul, writing from prison, says:  “I am glad when I suffer for you in my body, for I am participating in the sufferings of Christ that continue for his body, the church. God has given me the responsibility of serving his church by proclaiming his entire message to you.” (Colossians 1) That’s not foolishness. That’s faith that looks beyond what human eyes can see.

So, are you struggling today? Are you suffering in a way you can’t understand?

Yes, weep—grief is not a sign of weak faith.
Yes, pray—God invites us to ask for relief.

Let no one dismiss your pain as pointless.
Let no one tell you that you alone are the cause of your suffering.

Give the Devil no place when he accuses your Heavenly Father of failing you.

Instead, find a quiet place and make this prayer your own: “I do believe, but help me not to doubt!” (Mark 9:24, NLT)

Amen.

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Reading Revelation: Awe, Mystery, and Hope

Over breakfast yesterday with an old friend, I fretted about the state of this world. Perhaps that is just part of getting older. Earthquakes, political unrest, war, disregard of faith in God – do these things foreshadow the End?  Are we living in ‘the last days?’  Some think we are, others see this time as just another cycle of history.

My anchor in life is the Truth of Christ and the Word so I look to the book of Revelation—the final word in the Bible— for insight. Yes, the apocalyptic chapters of that book resist simple interpretation but there is a hopeful thread of truth that runs through those inspired words of John.

My reaction to the vivid, often terrifying imagery, of the Revelation has ranged from fascination to deep discomfort. Written in symbols and code, the book is packed with allusions to Old Testament prophecy. It demands both careful study and the Holy Spirit’s guidance to even begin to grasp its meaning.

Many have tried to decode Revelation—sometimes in tortured ways. Years ago, I was taught to see the book strictly as a roadmap for a future "Great Tribulation," a time when God's Spirit would allow humanity to drink the full cup of rebellion and give Evil free reign over the world, leading to terrible suffering.

Others view it as a message to the first-century Church, a word of hope during intense persecution under Roman rule. Still others try to map every symbol to a current event, often leading to fanciful and foolish conclusions.

In fact, Revelation speaks to the past, the future, and the present. It’s not just a book for scholars or end-times theorists. It’s for every generation of Christians—especially those who suffer, who grow weary in the ongoing battle with sin, Satan, and humanity’s evil.

Songs for the Battle-Worn

If you read Revelation closely, you’ll notice that throughout its storm and struggle, voices rise—songs of praise that proclaim God’s eternal purpose and inevitable triumph. These songs are for us.  In the 5^th chapter, we read this: “I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders.  And they sang in a mighty chorus:

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered—
    to receive power and riches
and wisdom and strength
    and honor and glory and blessing.”

And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang:

“Blessing and honor and glory and power
    belong to the one sitting on the throne
    and to the Lamb forever and ever.”

When you’re worn down by temptation, discouraged by the slow progress of righteousness, or feel like evil has the upper hand—those songs can be life-giving.

Handel famously drew from Revelation 19 for his “Hallelujah Chorus,” a piece that still lifts people to their feet centuries later. That same chapter reminds us: “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for true and just are his judgments...” (Revelation 19:1, NIV)

When despair whispers that the enemy is winning, Revelation thunders back:
God reigns. He is faithful. His justice will prevail.

The Grand Conclusion

Don’t get so caught up in decoding each detail of every vision that you miss the book’s overarching message:

God wins.

Read Revelation—and remember its full title: The Revelation of Jesus Christ. This is not just a book of wild visions. It is a portrait of our victorious Lord. At His first coming, He was the son of Mary, the Savior of compassion. He offered His life to save the world from her sins.

In the last book we meet the triumphant King, riding out in glory to vanquish evil. Revelation assures us that He is both—our Savior and our mighty King.

“Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!” (Revelation 19:6-7, NIV)

Amen.

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Knowable: Do You Know God—or Just His Name?

Do you know me?

You must know me in some way, or you wouldn’t be reading these words. Maybe you know my name—Jerry Scott. Some know me more personally. Jay, Sean, Christine, and Maribel know me as “Dad.” Others call me “friend.” Over the years, many have known me as “Pastor,” trusting me with spiritual care. Bev knew me as “husband,” a relationship unlike any other.

Each of these names describes a different facet of how I am known. But here’s a far more important question:

Do you know God—or just His name?

God, Made Knowable

The Bible tells us that God is Spirit—eternal, invisible, transcendent. And yet, He graciously makes Himself known using language and images we can understand. He reveals Himself to us in human terms so we can relate to Him, know His heart, and grow in love.

So who is this God we’re invited to know?

Father

One of the most beautiful ways God reveals Himself is as Father. Jesus taught us to pray to “Our Father in heaven.” The Psalms proclaim He is “a father to the fatherless” (Psalm 68). The apostle John speaks of His love as lavished on us, bringing us to eternal life.

But His fatherhood is not limited to masculine imagery. Scripture also uses tender, maternal expressions to describe His care. He is like a hen gathering her chicks under her wings. Isaiah compares God’s love to that of a mother nursing her child—a picture of nurturing, intimate care.

Yes, we are the children of God—deeply loved and known.

King

God also reveals Himself as King—a concept less familiar to us who live in modern democracies. As King, He rules with majesty and might, protecting His people and directing all creation.

The prophet Isaiah once glimpsed God’s majesty in a vision so powerful it shook the temple itself. Angels cried out:  
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”
Isaiah’s response was not celebration but humility:
“Woe to me! I am ruined! ... my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” (Isaiah 6)

To know God as King is to stand in awe—reverent, humbled, and changed.

Husband

In yet another stunning metaphor, God describes Himself as a Husband to His people. The Scriptures speak of His desire for intimacy, fidelity, and delight—like that of a groom for his bride. He longs not just to rule over us, but to be with us, to dwell in loving relationship.

As in marriage, this is a call to faithfulness, love, and mutual delight. The divine invitation isn’t transactional—it’s personal. God desires to be our Beloved.

Shepherd

One of the most beloved pictures of God is that of Shepherd. Psalm 23 begins with those familiar, comforting words: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want…” He provides. He leads. He restores. He protects.

And in the Gospels, Jesus declares, “I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” (John 10)

In a world of chaos and confusion, the Shepherd calls us to rest and trust in His care.

Not Just Known—Knowable

Here’s the heart of the matter:
Don’t settle for just knowing about God. Seek to know Him.

Jesus is the Bridge between humanity and the Holy One. Through Him, the unknowable God becomes deeply personal—knowable. Not because we are good, worthy, or impressive—but because Jesus, our Great High Priest, brings us near.

The invitation is open:  “Since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess... Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:14–16)

Take a moment to reflect—and pray: “God, teach me of Yourself. Let me truly know YOU.”

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Living ‘on purpose?’

Tom Brady, now retired outstanding quarterback, was labeled by a player from his team in Tampa Bay as ‘creating an atmosphere of stress.’  Apparently, the high level of play and excellence demanded by the G.O.A.T. was not universally appreciated. Brady answered his critic- “I thought stressful was not having Super Bowl rings." He emphasized his dedication to winning and a champion's mindset, stating, "This wasn't daycare". 

In the context of our Christianity, there is an importance to understanding the call of Christ to true discipleship, to making hard choices in life that will lead us to better outcomes.

Here’s something I know as fact - without constant monitoring of goals and mission, I will wander, spending entire days doing things that are not of primary importance.  The Scripture tells us that “We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away…  how shall we escape if we ignore (neglect) so great a salvation?”  (Hebrews 2)

What are the first importance issues for you? Do you know?

Defining a mission, setting goals, and committing ourselves to regular evaluations are the only ways to avoid drifting along, hit or miss in our work, letting ourselves do what is ‘fun’ instead of what is important!

When I was leading a church as a pastor, prior to retiring, I knew that God had entrusted me with the spiritual care of His people. I was to teach the Word, care for those who were hurting, point the way to hope and healing, and keep on encouraging others to serve Him.

In order to fulfill that calling, I had to get myself into my office for study – everyday! I had to pick up my books and read to feed my mind so that I could teach. I was not free to isolate myself behind walls of privacy. My call demanded that I stay in touch and be available to the people of the Lord so that I knew their needs and could be responsive in providing good care. I constantly worked to find that balance between caring for my own spiritual and emotional needs and being a good pastor to my congregation.

Stephen Covey, in his great book, Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, points out that many of us don’t get to the important because we feel that we must respond to the urgent. He says, “Urgent matters are often visible. They press on us, they insist on action. They’re often popular with others… pleasant, fun to do… and unimportant!” Urgent matters require that we react. Important matters demand that we plan, purpose, and act to do the first things, first.

So, what’s the highest calling we all share?

Jesus lays down this marker about priorities for all of us.
Seek first God’s kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33, NIV) What are the ‘all things’ He refers to? Food, drink, and clothing.

Those daily provisions, while important, are not first line issues. What a challenge for us. We spend a lot of time focusing on acquiring and guarding resources to assure that we have enough ‘stuff.’

Jesus promises, if we put God first, God will see to it that we are clothed and fed! Living that way demands a whole different set of values. Jesus told us “Don’t be greedy! Owning a lot of things won’t make your life safe.” (Luke 12:15, CEV) Do we believe that, I mean, really believe it? If so, it will change our priorities significantly. Much of what our society presses on us as urgent, will no longer be an issue of importance for a disciple of Christ.

More specifically, the Spirit of God shapes each one of us uniquely and equips us to serve His purpose with ‘gifts.’  Paul says it like this: “For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”  (Romans 12)

In God’s world, you have a place and purpose. For what has God made you responsible?
Are you treating His gifts and callings as a matter of first importance?

Are you committing yourself to be the best you can be for the glory of God?
There is rich reward in this kind of focused living. Others may be put off, accuse you of being ‘too intense,’ or fanatical. God will see a person who loves Him first and serves Him best.

Here is a word from the Word. May it call us into greater and higher service today.
“So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. ¹⁶ Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.” (Ephesians 5)

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