The Farmer's Almanac forecasts weather by observation of sunspots, prevailing weather patterns, and the atmosphere. The Almanac claims an 80% accuracy rate, which many affirm and many dispute. I haven't followed the journal long enough to join either camp. I will say, however, that the Almanac's prediction of a very cold winter for much of the U.S. this year seems to have proven quite accurate.
This reminds me of the Bible's "predictions," or as we usually term them, "prophecies." We can take the rhetoric even a step further, referring to Scripture's forecasting in term of promises made, promises kept, and promises that will be kept.
"His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue: whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises" (II Peter 1:3-4).
Making promises, believing promises, keeping promises, and being the beneficiary of fulfilled promises provides a blessed portion of the most winsome aspects of personal relationship. Nothing draws parties closer than faithfulness and faith united. The saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ serves as the best illustration of the holy bond that results through fulfilled promises. "The gospel of God, which He had promised afore by His prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 1:1-3). The Gospel is a promise made and kept, which believed results in the establishment of living relationship between God and the trusting heart. The same process continues and enhances the relationship - "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him" (Colossians 2:6). Thus, we do well to emphasize the power of promise whereby the Lord Jesus is glorified as the seal of God's faithfulness, and by faith we walk with Him thereby. "The just shall live by faith" (Romans 1:17).
The more we know, believe, affirm, and affix ourselves to God's promises, the more we grow in our own faith and faithfulness. "Beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, we are changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord" (II Corinthians 3:18). Our Lord's 100% accuracy rate - "God... cannot lie" - beckons us to sail our hearts into the only perfectly safe harbor of truth and reality (Titus 1:2). This involves our discovery of His "exceeding great and precious promises," our believing of them, and the enhancement of the bond that results when promises are made, believed, kept, and enjoyed. The forecast is glorious for those who will devote themselves to this bond of Faithfulness and faith made possible by the One who Himself serves as the assurance and executor thereof...
" For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in Him was yea. For all the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him Amen, unto the glory of God by us."
(II Corinthians 1:19-20)
Weekly Memory Verse
There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High.
(Psalm 46:4)
This reminds me of the Bible's "predictions," or as we usually term them, "prophecies." We can take the rhetoric even a step further, referring to Scripture's forecasting in term of promises made, promises kept, and promises that will be kept.
"His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue: whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises" (II Peter 1:3-4).
Making promises, believing promises, keeping promises, and being the beneficiary of fulfilled promises provides a blessed portion of the most winsome aspects of personal relationship. Nothing draws parties closer than faithfulness and faith united. The saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ serves as the best illustration of the holy bond that results through fulfilled promises. "The gospel of God, which He had promised afore by His prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 1:1-3). The Gospel is a promise made and kept, which believed results in the establishment of living relationship between God and the trusting heart. The same process continues and enhances the relationship - "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him" (Colossians 2:6). Thus, we do well to emphasize the power of promise whereby the Lord Jesus is glorified as the seal of God's faithfulness, and by faith we walk with Him thereby. "The just shall live by faith" (Romans 1:17).
The more we know, believe, affirm, and affix ourselves to God's promises, the more we grow in our own faith and faithfulness. "Beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, we are changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord" (II Corinthians 3:18). Our Lord's 100% accuracy rate - "God... cannot lie" - beckons us to sail our hearts into the only perfectly safe harbor of truth and reality (Titus 1:2). This involves our discovery of His "exceeding great and precious promises," our believing of them, and the enhancement of the bond that results when promises are made, believed, kept, and enjoyed. The forecast is glorious for those who will devote themselves to this bond of Faithfulness and faith made possible by the One who Himself serves as the assurance and executor thereof...
" For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in Him was yea. For all the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him Amen, unto the glory of God by us."
(II Corinthians 1:19-20)
Weekly Memory Verse
There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High.
(Psalm 46:4)
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