Unchanging

A few months ago we, as a staff, were asked on a scale of 1-10 how well we handle change (with 1 being not at all and 10 loving change). I think I am pretty good with change so I rated myself about an 8-9. How about you? Now ask yourself on a scale of 1-10 how often have you changed your mind, changed your ideas, changed friendships, or in my case...changed hairstyles! Regardless of where you find yourself on those scales Malachi 3:6 says, "For I am the Lord, I do not change." Even if you are fine with change and can roll with the punches, isn't it good to know that God does not change one bit? If you struggle with too many changes and are easily overwhelmed by them, aren't you glad that God does not change...EVER!

Things in our lives will always be changing for the better or worse but we can count on God's consistency. We will never wake up one morning and find that He has left. We will never one day find out that He is no longer patient, loving, gracious or faithful.. When this world offers little for us to count on I hope you are comforted to know that Jesus can still be counted on. The same God who rescued the Israelites, who parted the Red Sea, who provided for every need, is the same today. The same God who was intimately involved in the lives of His people then is still involved and interested in you and your life. He knows all the changes that have come your way. Some have been easy and may have been for the better but others were hard and hurtful and have been very difficult to deal with. Yet God is unchanging. He is completely dependable.
Because God is unchanging He also has the same expectations of you as in the time of Malachi. He still expects us to fear Him, submit to Him and obey Him. He still expects us to live according to His standards in our work, marriages, relationships and all areas of life.

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever" Hebrews 13:8 (NKJV). Henry Blackaby notes, " The way Jesus led His twelve disciples is the same way He will lead you. The love He expressed on the cross is the same love He extends to you. The power that raised Jesus from the dead is the same power available to you today. Count on the certainty that Christ is perfect. He will not change." AMEN!

Kathy Withers

This year’s BINDING UP THE BROKEN-HEARTED: FAMILY AND FRIENDS ADDICTION SEMINAR is shaping up to be our best yet. You won’t want to miss it. October 8, 2009 8:30 AM -3:30 PM at America’s KESWICK. The $25.00 registration fee covers the sessions, materials, continental breakfast, lunch and snacks. Pastors attend free with 5 paid reservations. Every pastor, youth ministry worker, parent of a teen and loved ones of addicted family and friends should attend this seminar. Call today for your reservation 800.453.7942 or 732.350.1187.