Change

Hebrews 13:8 

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

This week has brought with it a number of changes for my family.  At first it was some stuff that was new and exciting, then things quickly turned to be scary and unpredictable and after that, more changes that are settling into a more comfortable place.  When we face changes, it is often a time that we turn to God to give us guidance.  While we certainly should be turning to him all the time to give us that guidance, it is during the times of change in our lives that I think we are most comforted by the fact that Christ does not change.  He is the same yesterday and today and forever. 

What has changed in your life that makes you grateful that Christ does not change?  When things aren’t changing, are you still seeking his guidance for your life? 

My prayer for you today is that you will always look for the unchanging love and security that you have in Christ.

In Remembrance

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.  Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.³ Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.  After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.  Hebrews 12:1-4

When we are alone, we are never truly alone.  There was a time that I felt utterly by myself.  No one to understand me and no one to care.  That sounds extreme because I had loving parents and a large family who lavished me with love.  However somehow, I had worked myself into this mental trap where I felt useless to those around me.  This was me at nineteen (Am I the only one hearing ‘Steely Dan’ in my head?).  Lost.  Feelings of failure and hopelessness ran through my mind.  Then a voice said to me in song, “Put the weight on my shoulders.”  This was the first time that I truly knew there was a God.  It was then I knew everything would be alright.  Thirty one years later, He’s still there, and has never left me.  Yes, I’ve grown in my faith by leaps and bounds, but it is good to always remember where God’s presence affected your life because it strengthens you knowing where He can take you if you trust in Him.

We must always look past our current circumstances by remembering how faithful God has always been.  Paul spoke to the Hebrews about God’s righteous discipline of His children and how we are to embrace it with enduring strength by keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus.  Think of how tough a sale that was!  Even though my dad past away years ago, I remember that last whipping from him like it was yesterday.  Not sure unconquerable strength was one of the virtues I got out of that one!  However, Paul was trying to prepare them for what was to come instead of remind them what had happened.  He wanted them to keep fighting for their journey of faith would not be an easy one, and God and others would test them as they struggled with the weight of their sinful ways.  Thus, his words were incredibly insightful not only for them but also us.  It is for us to remember that when things get rough, we have a savior who endured far worse circumstances.  He will be with us through our trials, and when no one cares or understands, He does!  Just hang on for as you keep your eyes fixed upon Him, strength to endure will come, and you will be victorious in the end.

Joy always comes in the morning if you can withstand the tests in the darkness.  I listened to a song that reminded me that I will eventually overcome my struggles because I serve a God who with Him I cannot lose.  But until then, I will keep loving Him.  That is what our journey of faith is about.  It’s seeing victory beyond our current circumstances, and in the meantime, keep loving God with our whole heart.  What is shackling you from focusing on Christ?  How can God’s past promises reassure you of a brighter tomorrow?  My prayer is that when faced with challenges we look to Jesus and His past faithfulness in remembrance.  Amen.

Tues Devo: Power of relationship

Hello,

As we go through our daily activities, distraction is a real thing! I am not talking about distraction from those daily activities, but how those can distract us from focus on our relationship with Christ. I wanted to quickly remind all of us that our power to accomplish things for Christ does not come from our own efforts or strength – but it comes from our relationship with God through Jesus. In Acts some guys tried to get in on the fame and authority that Jesus’ disciples were having, and discovered in a rough way that they didn’t quite have what it takes – the real relationship. While this may seem like a learning point for those who don’t know Jesus, I think it is equally as critical for us as believers to remember to put our efforts into our relationship with Christ, and let His power work through that relationship.

Acts 19:11-16 “God was performing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, so that handkerchiefs or aprons were even carried from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out. But also some of the Jewish exorcists, who went from place to place, attempted to name over those who had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, ‘I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches.’ Seven sons of one Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. And the evil spirit answered and said to them, ‘I recognize Jesus, and I know about Paul, but who are you?’ And the man, in whom was the evil spirit, leaped on them and subdued all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.” (NASB).

Have a blessed day – and spend time on your relationship with God, the source of what we need.

Will Hill