While traveling the Lord has been bringing to my attention how many people are speaking about the promises of God.  

Often times I hear ministers communicating, when someone is sick or we are believing for provision in our own lives, “We are standing on the promise of healing for our brother/sister who isn’t well.”  Or “Aren’t you so thankful for the promise of provision?!”And while those sound good, if we look at the definition of that word promise (definition: an assurance someone will definitely do, give, or arrange something; undertake or declare that something will happen) we are clearly not using the correct word!

The Word clearly outlines a number of promises that we know we will experience but have not been fulfilled.  The promise of the return of the Lord.  The promise of being changed in a twinkling of an eye. The promise of going to heaven.

Example: If I were to say to you, “I am going to give you a new Lexus.”  That is a promise, something in the future.  If I say, “Here are the keys to your new Lexus.”  That is a provision.  You reach out and receive that which is provided.

So, let’s take a look at the other side:  provision.  The definition of provision is an amount or thing supplied or provided.  Salvation is not a promise, it is a provision (Romans 5:11, Hebrews 9).  The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is not a promise (Ephesians 1:13-14, John 14:15-17, 1 Corinthians 3:16-17), it is a provision.  Healing is not a promise, it is a provision (Isaiah 53:5, Matthew 8:17).  Each provision is a promise fulfilled.

What the Lord has provided, all you need to do is simply receive by faith.  It is the grace of God that has provided it for you. We don’t have to wait for the fulfillment of the thing that has already done.  Encourage yourself today and say, “Lord, You have provided all that I need in the completion of the cross.  Today, I say out loud, I receive the provision that You have already given me!”