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Malachi 3:6 – For I am the Lord. I change not. (KJV)
We hear an awful lot about change these days. Everything is "new and improved". People move, change jobs, and grow old (if they are lucky). Seasons change, and so often, we hate it. We are, like every other living thing God created, creatures of habit. Routines. It's how we live. It's no surprise, then, that in the church, there is great resistance to change. Perhaps, it is because everything around us is changing that we want one thing to stay the same: same pew, same seat, same order of service, same style of music, same familiar faces. Same God. It is comforting somehow — restful.
Hebrews 13:8 – Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (NKJV)
But in this life, God is the only perfection. We are imperfect, and we need to keep changing, to be transformed into the image of His Son.
Romans 12:2a – And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. (NKJV)
2 Corinthians 3:18 – But we all … are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. (NKJV)
Also, we have a mission in this world: to bring the good news to every person. We can't do that just by sitting in our familiar pew. I know a lady who is 100 years old. Her face shines with the love of Christ and excitement about the good news. She continues to introduce people to her Saviour. I can picture the great crowd that will be cheering when she walks through the gates of heaven and is greeted by all those who came to Christ through her testimony!
Some things don't change: God; the good news; human nature. We still need redeeming. We need to change. Let's stop dragging our feet and get on with the job. There is a time for rest, but it is not now.
Prayer: Lord, forgive us for resisting change. Help us to embrace the challenges of living the Christian faith in today's world. Amen.
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Amen Nan.
Lovely devotional, Nan.
Well said. God’s blessings to you!
Thanks for your message of blessed assurance!
The devotionals are excellent! The is very very much.
That was excellent Nan. Thank you for the encouragement. It’s easy to fall into complacency.
Thanks for your encouraging words and also the emphatic message. Yes we do need to move forward!! Blessings.
Yes, may we be willing to have Christ change our hearts to conform to His. Blessings and thanks for sharing. Blessings.
Dear Nan,
Thanks so much for your devotional.
It was just what I needed to-day. I will share it with my Pastors.
I am appreciating all of your messages Nan.
I often heard you spoken of… now I get to hear some of your wisdom. Thank you for this.
I am blessed to have a friend who also is 100 yrs old Who is vibrant, lives and sets the example living God’s word everyday. I pray I can set an example to others as she has for me and for many others.
God Bless.
Hello Nan St. Louis.
Harrah, such enthusiasm, and some very good scriptural reference also! I have not read any of your devotionals before, but I like what I have read.
(USA)
Good Morning,
Yes, Nan, we all need to allow our lives to change, as long as it is positive change! The Devil is very devious, and the changes he brings about can be disastrous! We DO need to change, but let us pray to Jehovah that the changes will be guided by the Holy Spirit.
Amen! Hallelujah.
Dear Nan,
I really like it when the weather becomes warmer in the spring! But, with you, I like it that Jesus is our ever-constant Lord.
And I like renewing my mind according to your quote: Romans 12:2a – And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. (NKJV)
And, like the 100 year-old lady, I enjoy being a teller of the good news of salvation.
May God bless you. Keep writing.
Hello Nan – thanks for your message. Reading it this morning has helped me, as I have been struggling with the “Body, Mind & Soul” study/guide which involves the question of whether gay/lesbian people should be allowed to be ordained in the Presbyterian church.
“Change” as you pointed out is necessary and we can’t put off dealing with this issue any longer. It is a complicated issue and we must pray and have faith that God will direct us to the right decision.
Speaking of “change”, a few years ago we moved a small bench in the sanctuary to a different spot (it had been explained to people why this was being done). It created turmoil among a few members! Afterwards I thought if a trivial thing like “moving a bench” caused such upset – how would a serious/important change affect people? I really appreciated your devotional today. Thanks.
Hi Nan: Good to see that you are doing these devotionals. This is the second one of yours that I have seen. Perhaps missed one. These are so good – short and to the point. And usually very apt to our situation. Thanks for your offering.
(Ontario)
Change! Our church is in a big kerfuffle over clapping in church.
Hi Nan. You are so right, I wrote a devotional about that quite some time ago, the word of God never changes, if only more people would hear and listen.
Blessings.