Christmas Devotional 3: God’s Promises Battle The Thoughts That Pull You From God

Luke 1:38, 45-55

A cancer walk is an excellent time to cling to the promises of God. But, let’s face it. Cancer, like any prolonged illness, has a tendency to turn your mind inward. It’s so easy to think about your pain, fatigue, discomfort, side effects, treatment schedule, doctor’s comments, family member’s attitude, your incomplete house, yard, and car chores and the unknown of tomorrow. Looking at this list you might think, “Seriously, Karen, how can you NOT think about these things?” Good point. The goal is not to become a zombie and think of nothing but God’s promises. But, God’s promises are an excellent weapon to battle the thoughts that pull you from God.

Example: Draining Thought

“This fatigue feels like it will never end.”

God’s promise “I do not need to be afraid.”

This is harder than it looks. For me, one draining thought typically leads to another and another and so on and so forth. Look at what was said about Mary and her faith in the promises she heard from the angel Gabriel during her pregnancy:

Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her! Luke 1:45

Circle the word believed in the verse above.

She is not blessed because she heard God’s promises, agreed with God’s promises, or liked God promises. She is blessed because she BELIEVED God’s promises. In the following readings we’ll discover how Mary shows her belief in her actions, but today let’s look at her thoughts which show her belief.

Mary’s thoughts about the past, present and future are all intertwined with her belief in the promises of God.

Mary’s Song

46 And Mary said: PRESENT My soul glorifies the Lord

47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. FUTURE From now on all generations will call me blessed,

49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name.

50 FUTURE His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.

51 PAST He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.

52 PAST He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.

53 PAST He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.

54 PAST He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful

55 PAST to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.” Luke 1:46-55

1. Circle the word “has”. These verses show that Mary recognizes difficult times in the past when God has kept His promises.

2. Circle verses 46, 47 and 48. These verses show that in the present, as Mary is waiting for God’s promises to be fulfilled, she is filled with joy, praises and humility.

3. Circle the word generation(s) each time it appears. These verses show Mary’s faith in the power of God’s promises not just today, but into the future.

Do you see times in your Past and Present when God kept His promises? Share these below.

Past:__________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________

Present: _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________

1. List a difficult time in your past that you know God has helped you through. (This could be a time of financial or legal problems, grief, divorce, illness, family struggles, heartache, etc.) _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________

2. A few of God’s promises to you are: He has given you His favor, claimed you as His child, and will never forsake you so you need not be afraid. Today, how do these promises make you feel?

Circle all the feelings below that apply. (No correct answer.)

Joyful Humble Anxious Concerned Elated Relieved Worried Confused Hopeful Comforted Doubtful Other

___________________________________________________________

What do your answers say to you about your belief toward God’s promises?

3. Mary refers to the future impact of God’s promises in terms of generations. God’s promises can impact all time frames of your future. Concerning your cancer, how do you see these promises impacting each of the time frames below?

Finish these sentences:

I believe I will see God’s promises to me make tomorrow better by… _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________

I believe I will see God’s promises to me make next year better by… _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________

I believe I will see God’s promises to me make future generations better by… _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________

Belief is more than something to check off a list. “I believe in God’s Promises. Check.” Belief is clinging to these promises when negative thoughts come, 16 dwelling on the power of these promises for strength and anticipating the glory to God that will come in their fulfillment.

How do you respond to such promises? Let’s look again at how Mary responded.

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Luke 1:38a

Let us answer this way as well.

Write your name in the space below and read the verse aloud:

“I am the Lord’s servant,” ___________________ answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.”

Our hope is not empty. Our hope in Christ is unbreakable, like His promise. AMEN!

Heavenly Father, Teach me how to use Your promises to fill my mind with thoughts of You. Remind me each and every day of the strength, hope and peace that comes only from You. Build in me more belief that nothing, not even cancer, can come between me and Your precious promises. AMEN.