|
Listen to this devotional: |
Listen while you read: "Jesus Lover Of My Soul"1 (Lyrics) |
Hebrews 7:18 – Yes, the old requirement about the priesthood was set aside because it was weak and useless. (NLT)
Change isn't easy for most folks, but when it has a purpose, well …
Gossip had driven the previous pastor to another venue. During the interim period, the church had dwindled to around thirty faithful attendees. When the leaders interviewed a prospective pastor and invited him to take the helm, he said, "Here's what I plan to do if I come."
Change is difficult for any church, but small rural churches often find it even more challenging. But they knew that if they didn't change, death for their church was just around the corner. They agreed to his goals and called him as their pastor. Soon, attitudes made a radical shift. People were excited about coming to church and about what was going to happen next, perhaps because the changes had a purpose: to transform a dying church back into a living, breathing organism that was making a difference for God's kingdom.
Today's Scripture passage was written to people who had inherited a several-thousand-year-old tradition: the Levitical priesthood. Men were selected from the tribe of Levi to tend to the temple, to offer sacrifices for the people, and to make intercession to God on behalf of the people. Now God — through Jesus Christ — had changed all that. Jesus descended from the tribe of Judah, not Levi. The old system was good for a time, but God didn't intend for it to last forever.
For most people, change for the sake of change is difficult. We love time-honoured traditions as well as the same old same old. Life is easier when we have a pattern, a routine. When something happens to uproot our norms, we often react with anger, confusion, depression, or resistance. But we can choose to react with acceptance.
Rarely does God work the same way during the entirety of our lives. His overarching plan for our life requires many changes along the way. Rather than resisting the changes when we know that they are coming from God, we should willingly accept, adapt, and conform. He is working out His goal for us and conforming us to the image of His Son. Resisting the changes that God initiates prevents our spiritual growth, puts us at odds with others, and keeps us from realizing the good rewards that He attempts to give us.
When God sends change, let's accept it willingly.
Prayer: Father, help us to accept the changes that You send that are for our good and Your glory. Amen.
Forward this devotional Share this devotional on Facebook Like PresbyCan on Facebook
Although PresbyCan doesn't have a mobile app, you can still have a PresbyCan icon on your mobile phone home screen. 
Friday, September 22, 2023 – In Canada and America — Give thanks that many of our churches can offer hospitality to outside groups for their meetings. As these groups and people come into our buildings, pray that they may come to experience Jesus in their midst, and seek the peace of Christ.
Broken friendship-CB: "September 21,2023. Please pray for the restoration of a lifelong friendship. Their friendship has..." 
Please pray for Shawn: "September 21, 2023. Shawn has struggled to breathe for many years and is in the hospital again..." 
Mrs--a former devotional writer: "September 21,2023. I humbly request healing prayers, I am having some very serious health problems..." 
Amen Martin.
Amen Brother! You have named it. Bless you in Christ’s name.
Change is necessary when your life is in chaos demanding change.
Thank you for sharing this encouraging devotional with us. Blessings.
Martin, such a good reminder to stay flexible before the Lord. He’s the Potter, I am the clay.
The key phrase for me is “when God sends change”. Tough to know what is from God sometimes.
HI Martin,
Thanks for your devotion. Change is hard – especially for small rural churches. I’m serving as Temporary Supply for one that has around 10 in worship. I hope and pray we can generate some excitement for worship.
Great example of the obsolete Levitical priesthood for care of the temple.
WoW, Sir, that is exactly the message that we and our congregation needed to hear, especially as we are without a pastor and set to form a selection committee. Just finished a heritage day to set a close to years of past and are trying to stir up interest in our future.
Blessings to you for this!
(ON, Canada)
Hello Martin,
Our church is also going through transition as we have recently begun the process of finding a new minister. So…..your devotion was both timely and encouraging. It is good to remember that God already has the replacement in mind, and we must continue in prayer to interview and hire His choice. It was painful for the church family to accept and live through the decision of our beloved minister to retire and leave the church.
However, we must ‘accept, adapt and conform’ and anticipate future days of ministry and worship.
Thank you for your devotion which has been very helpful.
Abundant blessings to you and yours.
Good morning, Martin,
Your devotional resonated strongly with me. I have always found change stressful, even when I know it has a purpose and it needs to happen. When I remember to pray and ask for God’s guidance, it is true I can accept it better.
I enjoyed your positive story about the church which embraced the new pastor and his ideas to help them flourish once again.
It is true that we have to change along our journey so that our spiritual growth can happen, so I pray also for the willingness to see and accept that there truly is a purpose for the change.
May you continue to share your thoughts and concerns to help us on our faith journey. Blessings.
This gentle meditation has helped many today. I am among them with my thanks.