July 17, 2019

I thought it would be great to take one week and share some devotions from evangelist Harold Vaughn. He was a blessing to our church recently and I would love for you to get to read some of his comments.

BIBLE READING: LUKE 14

28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,
30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

God is very serious when he makes promises. The Bible says that he “cannot lie” in the book of Titus and that he is faithful to keep his word in the book of Philippians.

God is just as serious about the promises we make to him. The Old Testament equivalent of the word promise is “vow”. When one makes a vow to God, God expects it to be kept according to Ecclesiastes chapter 5. Because God takes our promises to him so seriously, he warns us to be careful with our words and to let them be for you. In other words, be quiet if you have no intention of keeping your promise.

I do not think any decent parents want to lie to their children. Parents want to do what is good for their children, but life gets busy and commitments that were made in sincerity are tested. We shouldn’t commit to something we cannot keep. This is true for God and people. Not keeping commitments happens frequently between parents and children, especially when they are young. One reason we make rash promises is that we haven’t counted the cost. Jesus warns against the failure to pause first and evaluate whether we have adequate resources to finish what we begin according to Luke chapter 14 verses 28 through 30.

We need to learn to say no more often or at least to say let me consider it and I’ll get back with you. Good business practice includes under promising and over delivering on products and services and this would be an excellent way to build trust and goodwill with others. Some people make promises they cannot keep because they do not want to disappoint others. The result is making too many commitments and then getting angry about having to keep them. When this is done on a consistent basis, it destroys trust that is essential to any relationship. The way godly character is expressed is being faithful to our promises. Ask God to help you to be faithful to your word.

-Harold Vaughan

-Rick Johnson