For those who are using our yearly theme to form their teaching schedule for the year, we have made the at-a-glance schedule available for download here: 2023-2024 The Promises of God Themes At-a-Glance

The Promises of God: Christian Year Devotional 2023-2024
The promises of God are a cornerstone of our Christian spirituality. These beautiful statements from the Lord serve as a beacon of hope and guidance for us in every aspect of our lives. In the context of our ongoing discipleship and spiritual formation, they are not merely historical statements to others of old or stiff theological concepts from times gone by. Instead, these statements are living realities of God’s faithful character. They can mold and transform us as we represent God in our homes, workplaces, and other settings, wherever God leads us. Below, I will explore the meaning of God’s promises. I will examine how they are foundational to understanding the covenants established through Christ, crucial in walking by faith, and vital for spiritual formation.

The Constancy of God: the Surety of Our Faith
While there are many ways to frame God’s reliability and truthfulness, this year, we will affirm joyfully the constancy of God. While this may not be a term you are familiar with, to say that our God is constant is to say that he is utterly faithful and dependable. He does not change his mind, cannot lie, and will never renege on his promise or word. Never. In this way, God is not like us, i.e., people who change their minds and attitudes as often as the situations that they face. “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?” (Num. 23.19 NKJ). The LORD makes promises, never forgets them, and fulfills them completely. We should not consider them generic spiritual laws that we can apply, like the laws of science. We don’t rely on the promises in and of themselves. Instead, we rely on them because he is a God of character who is constant in his fidelity, faithfulness, and reliability.

Simply put, God keeps his word. He does not change his mind. He is not fickle; he resolves to do something and does it in his own time and way, but he is never late and never delinquent. He cannot change. “For I, the Lord, do not change; therefore you, the sons of Jacob, have not come to an end.” (Mal. 3.16 (ESV). God is constant in the wake of everything we go through, our society’s chaos, and our many troubles and trials. We can rely on his promises. Because he is faithful, we can be resolute, and because he is true, we can persevere. Our endurance through trials and difficulties is directly related to our knowing and relying on God’s unchanging word and faithful provision in our lives. God has not forgotten about us! 

The Nature of God’s Promises: The Covenants 
God’s promises, as depicted in Scripture, range from personal assurances to grand declarations of redemption and restoration. These promises, grounded in the unchanging nature of God, offer stability and hope. Key examples include the promise of salvation (John 3:16), the presence of God (Matthew 28:20), and the assurance of eternal life (1 John 2:25). The constancy of God assures us that these promises are not only reliable but also relevant across all ages. 

The covenants, both Old and New, manifest God’s promises. The Old Covenant, established with figures like Abraham and Moses, laid the foundation, promising a nation, a land, and ultimately a blessing to all nations. The New Covenant, inaugurated by Jesus, fulfills these promises, offering a deeper, more personal relationship with God through Christ. This fulfillment is not a negation but an embodiment and continuation of God’s faithfulness. 

God’s Promises in Discipleship and Spiritual Formation 
In discipleship, understanding and embracing God’s promises is crucial. It involves more than intellectual assent; it is a journey of faith—we are followers of Christ, on a journey to obey him as his disciples. This journey is marked by trust in God’s promises, which direct our actions, decisions, and entire life course. 

Discipleship, therefore, is not just following Christ’s teachings but living in the reality of His promises. Spiritual formation is the process of being conformed to the image of Christ, a transformation deeply rooted in God’s promises. These promises catalyze growth, encouraging believers to mature in faith, love, and hope. The transformative power lies in knowing these promises and internalizing and living them out. 

Strength for the Journey: Walking by Faith in God’s Promises
Living by faith in God’s promises means actively applying them in daily life. This walk of faith involves facing trials and challenges with the assurance of God’s faithfulness, making decisions based on His word, and maintaining a hopeful perspective. Practical faith in God’s promises propels believers toward spiritual maturity and effective discipleship. 

The lives of Abraham, David, Mary, and Paul offer rich insights into living by God’s promises. Abraham’s journey reflects a life of faith in God’s promise of a son and a nation. David’s life demonstrates reliance on God’s promise of kingship and covenant, even in the wake of complex challenges and trials. Mary became the “God-bearer” (as the ancients referred to her) because she accepted the word of the angel Gabriel that she would bear a child, becoming the mother of the Messiah, even though she was virgin daughter of Israel. And finally, Paul’s ministry exemplifies the power of God’s promises in transforming a blaspheming jihadist into one of the chief ambassadors for Christ and his kingdom. 

They are not alone! We, too, are heirs of the promise, and Abraham is our father! We who live as contemporary followers of Jesus must learn more and more to claim the constancy of God and prove his promises reliable and relevant in our daily lives. As we rest on God’s constancy and faithfulness, we can draw strength, guidance, and comfort from these promises, just as these biblical figures and modern day saints do, all around the world in countless challenging circumstances. 

Indeed, we all know the testimonies of individuals and communities who cling to God and his promises during times of hardship and joy. Their staunch faith in the constancy of God provides compelling evidence of the ongoing power and relevance of God’s promises. We all need to join them in their quest of claiming his word as true for us, by faith. (Print pdf of article)

The promises of God that we will focus on this year are as follows:

The Season of Advent: The Coming of Christ
1. Promise: The Messiah Shall Come, Isaiah 9.6-7
2. Summary: The Lord will provide a chosen child who will be the Messiah, the anointed one of God.

The Celebration of Christmas: The Birth of Christ
1. Promise: The Anointed One shall reign, Luke 1.31-33
2. Summary: The Promised Messiah shall reign over God’s Kingdom forever.

The Season After Epiphany: The Manifestation of Christ (1)
1. Promise: God’s Light shall shine, John 8.12
2. Summary: I am the light of the world, he who walks with me will not walk in darkness.

The Season After Epiphany: The Manifestation of Christ (2)
1. Promise: The prisoners will be set free, Isa. 42.6-7
2. Summary: The Messiah will break the bonds of those who are lost.

The Season of Lent: The Lowliness of Christ
1. Promise: Wait on the Lord, Isa. 40.28-31
2. Summary: They that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength.

The Observance of Holy Week: The Passion of Christ
1. Promise: The Lord will offer Messiah for our sins, Isa 53.10-12
2. Summary: The Messiah makes his soul an offering for our guilt.

The Season from Easter to Pentecost: The Resurrection of Christ
1. Promise: Messiah’s soul will not be abandoned, Psalm 16.8-11
2. Summary: The LORD will raise Messiah from the dead

The Season from Easter to Pentecost: The Ascension of Christ
1. Promise: The Messiah will ascend on high, Psalm 68.18-20
2. Summary: God’s anointed one will lead a host of captives in his train.

The Season after Pentecost: The Coming of the Holy Spirit
1. Promise: You will receive power, Acts 1.8
2. Summary: The Holy Spirit will empower God’s witnesses.

The Season after Pentecost: A Season of Christ’s Headship
1. Promise: I have set my King on Zion, Psalm 2.6-9
2. Summary: The LORD will make the nations an inheritance for his Messiah.

The Season after Pentecost: A Season of Christ’s Harvest
1. Promise: Turn to the Lord, Psalm 22.27-28
2. Summary: All the families of the earth shall worship before the LORD.

The Season after Pentecost: A Season of Christ’s Hope
1. Promise: We shall be changed, 1 Cor. 15.51-58
2. Summary: God will swallow up death in victory.

The Season after Pentecost: Remembering the Saints, Exalting the King
1. Promise: And He shall reign forever, Rev. 11.15
2. Summary: The kingdoms of the world will become of the Kingdom of our Lord and Christ.

Promises during season after Pentecost
These are the promises we will focus on each week.

1. Why the Promises of God (Trinity Sunday), Titus 1.1-4, May 26, 2024
2. Promise of Salvation: Eternal Life, John 3.15-17, June 2, 2024
3. Promise of Salvation: The New Covenant, Jeremiah 33.14-22, June 9, 2024
4. Promise of Provision: God Supplies Our Needs, Isa. 43.1-7, June 16, 2024
5. Promise of Provision: Cups Running Over, Psalm 23, June 23, 2024
6. Promise of Comfort: The God of All Comfort, 2 Cor. 1.3-4, June 30, 2024
7. Promise of Comfort: The God of Encouragement, Rom. 15.4-6, July 7, 2024
8. Promise of Rest: For the Returning, Isa. 30.15-22, July 14, 2024
9. Promise of Rest: For those Who are Waiting, Isa. 40.28-31, July 21, 2024
10. Promise of Guidance: For Those Who Trust, Prov. 3.5-6, July 28, 2024
11. Promise of Guidance: For Those Who Follow, John 12.20-26, Aug 4, 2024
12. Promise of Deliverance: In the Day of Trouble, Psalm 20.1-5, Aug 11, 2024
13. Promise of Deliverance: Against the Enemy, James 4.4-10, Aug 18, 2024
14. Promise of Blessing: Give and It will Be Given, Luke 6.27-38, Aug 25, 2024
15. Promise of Blessing: Forgive and You Will Be Forgiven, Mt. 6.7-14, Sep 1, 2024
16. Promise of Security: The Two Foundations, Mt. 7.24-27, Sep 8, 2024
17. Promise of Security: The Two Trusts, Jer. 17.5-10, Sep 15, 2024
18. Promise of Presence: Where Two or More are Gathered, Mt. 18.19-20, Sep 22, 2024
19. Promise of Presence: To the End of the Age, Matt. 28.18-20, Sep 29, 2024
20. Promise of Fulfillment: God’s Fulfilling Word, Isa. 55.6-11, Oct 6, 2024
21. Promise of Fulfillment: God’s Truthful Character, Num. 23.19, Oct 13, 2024
22. Promise of Peace: The Stayed Mind, Isa. 26.3-4, Oct 20, 2024
23. Promise of Peace: The Calm Heart, John 14.25-30, Oct 27, 2024
24. Promise of Strength: Renewed Strength, Isa. 40.28-31, Nov 3, 2024
25. Promise of Strength: Renewed Hope, Lam. 3.15-26, Nov 10, 2024
26. Promise of Confidence: Yes and Amen!, 2 Cor. 1.17-22, Nov 17, 2024

Practical Steps for Applying God’s Promises
The suggestions below can make your time in the Christian Year Devotional even more spiritually refreshing and insightful, and can help you make the promises of God your own.

1. Spend time each day with the CCKannual, spending time with the Lord
   Form habits of daily Scripture reading, meditation, affirmation, and prayer. Start each day with a passage of Scripture, focusing mainly on those that highlight God’s promises. Meditate on the worship song, teachings, prayers, and recitations, asking questions like, “What does this promise mean for me today?” and “How does this promise shape my understanding of God and His plan for my life?”
   
2. Journaling God’s faithfulness
   If you desire, you can keep a journal dedicated to recording instances where you’ve seen God’s promises fulfilled in your life. Write down your thoughts, prayers, and reflections on the promises you claim, and briefly describe how you see them fulfilled in your life. This practice serves as a tangible reminder of God’s faithfulness.
   
3. Affirm and apply God’s promises daily
   Incorporate God’s promises into your daily prayer life. Pray these promises back to God as affirmations of faith and trust. Make requests to God, and use his promises as the foundation for your petitions, aligning your requests with what God has promised. In all that you face, e.g., in your decision-making (whether big or small), consult and claim the promises of God. Let them guide your choices, affect your attitudes, and determine your responses to life’s situations.
   
4. Memorize key promises and read the books with us
   Please note the key Bible promises we will be memorizing, and join us in committing them to memory. By doing this, you will internalize these truths, making them part of your spiritual armor. Also, read along with us as we think through the meaning of these promises, joining us in reading our books for the year. Recite these promises during doubt, fear, or temptation to reaffirm your faith and focus. And reading along with us will inspire you as you learn to walk by faith in God’s promises.
   
5. Form the habits of gratitude and trust.
   Form new micro-habits of being grateful for how God fulfills his word in your life. Cultivate gratitude for God’s promises, regularly acknowledging and thanking him for how he keeps his word in your life. Practice trust by consciously relying on God’s promises during your challenging times, and affirm your faith in His goodness and sovereignty sometime each day.
   
6. Share your insights and experiences with others
   Finally, share with others how God’s promises are impacting your life. Find ways to share your insights in conversations, interactions, testimonies, and even social media. You can encourage others by sharing your lessons of God’s faithfulness in your life, providing hope and direction for others.

Final Word
Paul opened his letter to his friend and coworker Titus by affirming that God cannot lie and that he promised long ago that we who believe will inherit eternal life (Titus 1.2). We are excited about learning as disciples how to understand better, apply, and share the great promises of our God, the Faithful One. His promises are indispensable in our lives as followers of Christ, providing the framework for our understanding of God’s covenants, assisting us in our journeys of faith, and shaping us in our ongoing spiritual formation. Join us as we actively apply the promises of God, experiencing life and awaiting the return of Jesus of Nazareth, the King of Glory! He will keep his word to us!