Promises Made, Promises Kept - Celebrating 150 Episodes with a Giveaway!

The Burt (Not Ernie) Show

Well hello to you, thank you so much for listening to this episode of The Burt (Not Ernie) Show. I am so excited to be sharing some pretty awesome promises straight from God’s Word on the show today, and this is a milestone episode…with some giveaways to celebrate and announcing the official launch of my new podcast, which is titled The Prayer Podcast with Jan L. Burt. I hope you’ll click the link in the show notes to enter the giveaway (there are multiple winners who will win prizes, and I do love a good giveaway) and hopefully you’ll check out the new podcast (shorter form of content on that show, episodes are between 10 and 15 minutes long and of course, prayer happens in every single episode…so when you listen, you’ll also be covered in prayer.) And if you happen to leave a rating or review for the show, that gets you bonus entries in the giveaways. So, big show today. Big promises we’ll look at today. And ya know, with the Lord God Almighty, a promise made is as good as a promise kept. Let’s get started.

Enter the giveaway here!

Find The Prayer Podcast wth Jan L. Burt here! (bonus entries to the giveaway if you rate / review the new podcast! TIA!)

You’re listening to The Burt (Not Ernie) Show, part of the Spark Network, now playing via the Edifi app. This is episode number 150.

So today on the show, we are taking a look at more than just one or two verses. Nope, today for this milestone episode we’re taking it a bit further and looking at a couple of chapters from the New Testament book of Matthew. And the reason we are going to do a sort of fly-over look at these chapters is because there is a whole lot here about God making promises and then boom keeping them, fulfilling them to the letter. These portions of Scripture show us that God will never fail to do every single thing He has promised to do, and when He starts to move, boy does He ever get things moving. No matter how wild these promises and prophecies may have seemed, especially were you to be considering them all and wondering, “How is this gonna work out? How is this possible? And that possible? How? Huh?”, these chapters show us that our God is not only the God who does impossible things, but the God who promises impossible things and then makes good.

In Matthew chapter 1, we first see the genealogy of Jesus listed from Abraham down to Joseph the husband of Mary, who was the mother of Jesus. And as an aside, in this listing of ancestors of Jesus, we find some women mentioned specifically…so if you happen to be a woman who maybe feels as if you aren’t exactly sure if God has a meaningful purpose or place for you, these women being noted so specifically, like in parenthesis as to whose mother they were, that’s a way that the Word of God, the living and active Word of God as is says in the book of Hebrews, God’s Word tells you that you matter. And you matter because God says you do. We have Tamar, the mother of Perez and Zerah whose father was Judah. We have Baoz, whose mother was Rahab, and Boaz of course married Ruth who was the mother of Obed, who was the father of Jesse who was the father of King David. And the fourth woman mentioned in Matthew 1 was Bathsheba, and she is described as the widow or Uriah. Those few words remind me that God sees our deepest points of anguish, grief and pain, and He acknowledges them. He is our Comforter, and He is so good at giving us the comfort we need as we need it. He sees us, and every now and then, as a women, a female Christian, this is a very timely reminder.

Verse 17 in the NLT says: All those listed above include fourteen generations from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the Babylonian exile, and fourteen from the Babylonian exile to the Messiah.

Just from this verse, we can see how true it is that God is a God of order and not of chaos. The world, at large or our own small corner of it, can seem pretty chaotic. We can always turn to the One who is not chaotic and will always be a God of order.

Starting with verse 18 in Matthew chapter 1, the focus turns to the birth and early years of the life of our Messiah, Jesus.

Verse 19 says that Joseph planned to break his engagement with Mary quietly, so as not to disgrace her publicly, after he learned of her pregnancy. And then, says verse 20, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and told him who the Child actually was, told him to give the baby the name Jesus, and that He would save His people from their sins.

Verses 22-24 say this: All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through His prophet: “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’ “ When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife.

So the promise, the prophecy, was originally made as we read it in Isa 7:14; 8:8, 10. And boom, looky here…God kept that promise. Pretty big promise to both make and keep, wouldn’t you say? Virgin birth? That’s a big one. Pretty impossible. Sounds like God’s specialty!

Chapter 2, verse 1 says that Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea. Let’s read verses 5-6, from the NLT: “In Bethlehem in Judea…for this is what the prophet wrote: ‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Juday, are not least among the ruling cities of Juday, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for My people Israel.’ “ Mic 5:2; 2 Sam 5:2

Second promise, prophecy, we find fulfilled here. Look how perfectly the Lord keeps His promises. They did not live in Bethlehem, but were there to be counted and registered and to pay taxes. Had to travel to the town that had to do with family lineage, and so there they found themselves as it says in Luke chapter 2, while they were there the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son, the Lord Jesus.

Now, after the wise men had altered evil King Herod to the newborn King of the Jews, he had a major freak out and sent his marauders (look, I am gonna call them that rather than soldiers cuz butchering babies is not something my hubs would have done as a soldier, so marauders it is) to kill all the baby boys two and under. Verse 13 says an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him to get up, to flee with the child and his mother, to Egypt and to stay there until they were told to return. Joseph did what he always did, which was to obey right away. Verse 14 says that that night Joseph took them and left for Egypt. Let me tell ya, obedience matters. And the quicker you obey the Lord, the better. Just have your mind made up, be prayed up in this area, ask Him to give you feet that are quick to obey, to move at His leading and command, and to not delay or dawdle. You’ll be blessed by praying that prayer and living obediently, and guess what? Others will be blessed by your obedience too. Win win when we are fast in our obedience.

Verses 17-18, NLT: Herod’s brutal action fulfilled what God had spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: “A cry was heard in Ramah - weeping and great mourning. Rachel weeps for her children, refusing to be comforted, for they are dead.”

This happened just as Jeremiah prophesied it would. The Lord did not want those baby boys killed, so let’s make note of that important truth. This was foretold to Jeremiah so that when this awful thing occurred, and it was so awful, a cry heard in Ramah, weeping for her children who were dead, so awful, stand out kind of terrible moment in Israel’s history…and to be noted as one more proof of the Messiah, Jesus. Also, never doubt how far the devil will go in his outward acts of hatred toward the Lord. Here he acted through a man, King Herod, who evidently did not have much trouble responding to the prompts of satan to do his dirty work. Evil is real, satan hates Jesus, and there are people who do the devil’s bidding. Jeremiah’s prophetic words were proved true.

Now that’s just three astounding and pretty impossible prophecies, promises, that were kept to the tiniest detail just as the Lord predicted through His prophets, and then via the written record of His words as given to those prophets. We are starting to move into the realm of statistical improbability. We should be a bit amazed at this.

The last several verses from Matthew chapter 2 remind us that when Herod died, an angel appeared yet again to Joseph in a dream and told him to take the child and his mother back to Israel because those who were trying to kill the child are dead. Joseph didn’t hear this news via the grapevine, the paper landing on his doorstep one toasty warm Egyptian morning. He didn’t have to wait around and get the deets from some relative sending a message via camel or something. Nope. God sent an angel in a dream to tell him, time to go back home. And of course, per his character, verse 21 says that Joseph got up and returned to the land of Israel with Jesus and his mother. Like, had the dream, got up and got busy doing what he’d been told to do. Man, he was not a dawdler or a delayer or a dream denier. He was a man of obedient action, and I have learned a lot about quick obedience and how the Lord speaks to His people who will listen and heed, from the life of Joseph. I want to obey like this! Like, challenge accepted…Lord, help me to obey like Joseph obeyed.

Verses 22-23 finish off this chapter: But when he learned that the new ruler of Judea was Herod’s son Archelaus he was afraid to go back there. Then, after being warned in a dream, he left for the region of Galilee. (Those who say it’s not a New Testament, new covenant thing for God to speak to His people through dreams, well, that’s one of those times when I want to use that sound byte, ya know the one, “Find it in the Bible…find it in the Bible…” Cuz what I see in my New Testament is God speaking through dreams, through angels in dreams and in visions, so there’s that…do with it what you will, my friend.”)

He left for the regions of Galilee. So the family went and lived in a town called Nazareth. This fulfilled what the prophets had said: “He will be called a Nazarene.”

That’s a lot of kept promises, isn’t it? Don’t you just love this? Isn’t this an encouraging reminder that He is gonna do exactly what He said that He will do, no ifs ands or buts about it. He gonna do it! He will. He really, really will. So reassuring and a huge boon to our faith. Like a super booster for faith enhancement. Do you believe better when you hear about fulfilled promises? I hope so! You sure should. This is who Your God is, His character is untarnishable. He said, and He means to do it.

So prophecies from Isaiah, from Micah, from 2 Samuel, from Hosea, and from Jeremiah all specifically mentioned here and noted as being fulfilled. So this baby, Messiah, gonna be from Bethlehem somehow and also from Galilee, a Nazarene and also somehow gonna be called out of Egypt? Yes, that’s exactly right.

Now what promise has God given you that seems impossible, like this does not and cannot add up, humanly speaking?

Is He a different God than the God of the Bible?

Are you willing to lean in and trust all the more for what He has promised He will do?

Because with Him, a promise made is a promise kept.

That is what I want you to see from this portion of Scripture for this episode of the podcast. Don’t miss the application for your life, for those you’re praying for, for your local church, for you and the world that is your world, where you live day to day. Don’t miss this. God’s got something for you, and you can trust Him to bring it about in His way and on His timetable. So good to know that. Matthew 1 and 2 teach us a whole lot, don’t they?

Now, I have a verse to share with you that is a promise God has made and that God is going to keep. This is for you, so I’m gonna read it and then pray it over you today.

2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT - And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.

Alright, let me read that once more. Gotta get loud sometimes, read it again sometimes, and get the devil off your back, outta your hair, out of your ear whispering his lies…so sometimes, we just need to read it again. Out loud. With some oomph.

And God WILL generously provide ALL (not some, but ALL) you need (not greed, not want, need). Then you WILL ALWAYS have EVERYTHING you need and plenty left over to share with others.

Some translations say you will have all that you need to abound in every good work.

He’s got you, and He is not in the business of letting go or dropping those He is holding on to. He’s got you now and He always will. You are safe in His hands, more than safe, you are engraved on the palms of His hands…so how could He possibly forget you?

In my course on Psalm 91 I say again and again that our job is to believe, and when we aren’t believing, we already done lost the whole ball game. That's why satan works so hard to get us to live doubting lives. You choose belief today. The Bible says your work is to believe the One whom God sent. Do that.

You will, according to 2 Cor. 9:8, be generously provided for in your needs. And more than that, you are going to have everything you need and plenty left over for what purpose? To share with others.

What do you have plenty of? And who are you sharing that with?

I have plenty of Bible journals from my daily morning study time, my time with the Lord when I have a pen and a journal open every day. And so, I have plenty to share with others.

That’s just an example of a way to share with others. You can post verses on social media, you can text friends that you’re praying for them, there is so much more that we can be sharing with others from the plenty that God gives us. Take someone to lunch. Make a donation to a ministry, add a bit to your tithe, sponsor a kid to go to camp, support a fundraiser, not everything will be a huge financial donation, but maybe a five dollar bill. You just be like Joseph and obey when God leads, and expect that you are going to have all you need and abundantly. That's the promise,a dn the Holy Spirit put this verse on my heart to add to this episode, to share with in addition to Matthew 1 and 2. Promises made are promises kept with our God. This promise, that He is going to provide all you need, generously, is a promise made and I am counting it as a promise kept on your behalf.

Can I repay this verse for you now?

Lord, I am coming to You in prayer today, on behalf of the one listening to this podcast episode right now, no matter where they are in the world, in the US, Canada, Kenya, Germany, India, Australia, Poland, Thailand, South Africa, the Philippines, France, Jamaica, UAE, Guatemala, Italy, Nigeria, Peru, Ukraine, Singapore, Brazil…places that I know people hear about your promises on the podcast…and places I don’t know, Lord would you right now at this moment let them know how close You are to them. You are right there, the One who sticks closer than a brother, the One who will never leave them nor forsake them. Show up in their life, in their world, today. Put Your hand of provision and protection on them. Cover them, may Your banner over them be Your love. May Your blessing and favor be on them in ways that comfort them, give them great hope, grow their love and adoration and trust, and Lord, move mountains. Do Your mighty miracles. Bless them richly, abundantly. Generously provide all they need, just as You have promised. Lord, I didn't pick this verse - You wanted me to share it with them. This is Your Word and it is for Your child today. Keep Your Word, as I know that You will. May they have starting now everything they need, and have it always, with plenty left over to share with others. And may they obey as Joseph did, right away, no excuses and no delays. Thank You, Lord, for hearing and answering my prayer on their behalf today.

You are worthy of all honor and glory and power and blessing and we praise Your name.

In the mighty name of Jesus I ask this, Amen.

It’s always a blessing to pray for you, and I really do mean that. It is a gift that we can give one another that is ends up being a privilege for the one praying.

Be sure to check out the giveaway links and I really do hope you win!

Winners will be announced by early July, because of different apps and the way new episodes do auto download to subscribers, and just because it’s summer and I want to make sure as many as possible hear about the giveaway. So early July if you win I will find you…if any of you know about the little girl Willa that we met on vacation poolside at a resort years ago… that’s a Willa quote I just did there - “No matter where you go, I’ll find you.” So if you’re a winner, I’ll find you, just like Willa said.

Thanks for making it possible for The Burt (Not Ernie) Show to reach the milestone of 150 episodes. I feel thankful and blessed and blown away, so thanks to you. There’s no show without you!

I hope to see you back here next time, and to have you join me on The Prayer Podcast with Jan L. Burt (also, I added my name to the show title for two reasons: to link it to TBNES and also to not confuse it with any other podcast called The Prayer Podcast…to not be like stealing another show name since The Prayer Podcast seems sort of broad.)

Links to the new show in the show notes and let me know, like screen shot me your rating or review to [e-mail] or via DM and you’re gonna get bonus giveaway entries. Totally sort of bribing you to help the new show get that extra push, cuz platforms stop pushing your new podcast after a few weeks post launch, and I am hoping to reach as many as I can with prayer. Thanks for your help, it means more than you will ever know this side of eternity. I mean it when I say I am so very thankful for you!

See you next time! Bye bye.