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Monday, December 31, 2012
Vista view from the highest point on the Blue Ridge Parkway
in Virginia.
Listen to this message on your
audio player.
"Thou Changest Not"
"But You remain the same, and Your years will never end" (Psalm 102:27). "I the LORD do not change" (Malachi 3:6). "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8).
Change
is everywhere. One of the most dramatic examples of change is
technology. My first computer was a used one I bought in the early
nineties, an xt as I recall. The computer on which I am writing this
message is many times faster than those early computers and yet it
costs me far less. That's a good change!
Bob Deffinbaugh writes, "Some changes are welcome; some are not. A great comfort for the Christian living in these turbulent, troubled times is the confidence we have that God does not change. Theologians refer to this attribute of God as the “immutability of God.” God does not change. This truth is referred to a number of times in the Scriptures and even in the hymns we sing in church."
Another year is coming to an end and another is about to begin. 2013 will arrive at midnight and of course we are not sure what to expect. What evil plots do the terrorists have planned? What will happen in the Middle East? How will the economy affect our personal life? What will the political changes bring? Will we fall off the fiscal cliff or how about the moral cliff? * What changes will come in my life and family?
Of greatest importance, will this be the year the events described in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 take place?
The end of a year is a great time to consider life's inevitable transitions and the Scripture truths in the daily texts provide great assurance for these transitions. It's said that change is certain and from our perspective this is true. There will be change in our world and in your life in 2013. That's for sure.
The Psalmist is speaking of God in the first daily text when he writes, "But you remain the same." This speaks of the theological attribute known as the immutability of God, which is taught throughout the Bible. The immutability of God means that God is unchanging. More specifically, "God is unchanging in His character, will, and covenant promises."
C.H. Spurgeon writes, "Consider what thou owest to His immutability. Though thou hast changed a thousand times, He has not changed once; though thou hast shifted thy intentions, and thy will, yet He has not once swerved from His eternal purpose, but still has held thee fast."
God declares in Malachi 3:6, "I the LORD do not change." Hebrews 13:8 proclaims that, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Many of us have found rich assurance in these lines from the ageless hymn "Great Is Thy Faithfulness",
The latter part of the first daily text states, "And Your years will never end." This speaks of the attribute known as the eternality of God. From eternity past, to every changing moment we call "now", and throughout eternity future He is. Very soon this year will end and one day our physical existence on earth will end, but His years will never end. And the remarkable blessing is that He has made provision for us to live with Him for all eternity and thus our years will never end!
There are many changes on earth we may dread, but the certainty of a future in heaven with the King of kings is a change that fills us with glorious hope as we enter the new year of 2013. As we go through life's transitions let us place our growing faith and steadfast hope in God's ever-faithful care! In doing so His grace will sustain us and His Word will guide us through another year.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father,
we are so very thankful for all the blessings we enjoyed over the past
year of 2012. There were many opportunities for rejoicing and plenty of
opportunities for trusting. Your mercies are renewed daily and Your
provision is experienced in our lives each moment of every day. We seek
You for guidance in the new year and growth in our daily Christian
walk. Though we cannot know the future we can have assurance of Your
faithfulness because You are a God that does not change. Every promise
You've made is true as we have seen in the Biblical records. This gives
us reason to trust You for the dawning of a new year where we will once
again experience Your guiding presence in our daily lives. Praise God
from whom all blessings flow! Amen.
* Those living here in America and following the news are aware of a lot of discussion about the "fiscal cliff", which has to do with tax increases and spending cuts. I have been considering the moral cliff, the consequences of open rebellion as a people against God seen in the rampant increase in what the Bible calls "the deeds of the flesh". Galatians 5:19-21 states, "Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."
Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
"Jesus Never Fails" Video Truth
"Great Is Thy Faithfulness" Video Selah
"Every Promise" Video Keith and Kristyn Getty
"A Christmas Compilation" Video From the Homecoming Series - Over two hours of compiled music.
"The Immutability of God" article by A.W. Pink
"The Immutability of God" article by Bob Deffinbaugh
<Previous Message Next Message>
Monday, December 31, 2012
Listen to this message on your
audio player."Thou Changest Not"
"But You remain the same, and Your years will never end" (Psalm 102:27). "I the LORD do not change" (Malachi 3:6). "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8).
"Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father,
there is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not:
as Thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be."
there is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not:
as Thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be."
Change
is everywhere. One of the most dramatic examples of change is
technology. My first computer was a used one I bought in the early
nineties, an xt as I recall. The computer on which I am writing this
message is many times faster than those early computers and yet it
costs me far less. That's a good change!Bob Deffinbaugh writes, "Some changes are welcome; some are not. A great comfort for the Christian living in these turbulent, troubled times is the confidence we have that God does not change. Theologians refer to this attribute of God as the “immutability of God.” God does not change. This truth is referred to a number of times in the Scriptures and even in the hymns we sing in church."
Another year is coming to an end and another is about to begin. 2013 will arrive at midnight and of course we are not sure what to expect. What evil plots do the terrorists have planned? What will happen in the Middle East? How will the economy affect our personal life? What will the political changes bring? Will we fall off the fiscal cliff or how about the moral cliff? * What changes will come in my life and family?
Of greatest importance, will this be the year the events described in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 take place?
The end of a year is a great time to consider life's inevitable transitions and the Scripture truths in the daily texts provide great assurance for these transitions. It's said that change is certain and from our perspective this is true. There will be change in our world and in your life in 2013. That's for sure.
The Psalmist is speaking of God in the first daily text when he writes, "But you remain the same." This speaks of the theological attribute known as the immutability of God, which is taught throughout the Bible. The immutability of God means that God is unchanging. More specifically, "God is unchanging in His character, will, and covenant promises."
C.H. Spurgeon writes, "Consider what thou owest to His immutability. Though thou hast changed a thousand times, He has not changed once; though thou hast shifted thy intentions, and thy will, yet He has not once swerved from His eternal purpose, but still has held thee fast."
God declares in Malachi 3:6, "I the LORD do not change." Hebrews 13:8 proclaims that, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Many of us have found rich assurance in these lines from the ageless hymn "Great Is Thy Faithfulness",
"Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not.
As Thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be."
As Thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be."
The latter part of the first daily text states, "And Your years will never end." This speaks of the attribute known as the eternality of God. From eternity past, to every changing moment we call "now", and throughout eternity future He is. Very soon this year will end and one day our physical existence on earth will end, but His years will never end. And the remarkable blessing is that He has made provision for us to live with Him for all eternity and thus our years will never end!
There are many changes on earth we may dread, but the certainty of a future in heaven with the King of kings is a change that fills us with glorious hope as we enter the new year of 2013. As we go through life's transitions let us place our growing faith and steadfast hope in God's ever-faithful care! In doing so His grace will sustain us and His Word will guide us through another year.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father,
we are so very thankful for all the blessings we enjoyed over the past
year of 2012. There were many opportunities for rejoicing and plenty of
opportunities for trusting. Your mercies are renewed daily and Your
provision is experienced in our lives each moment of every day. We seek
You for guidance in the new year and growth in our daily Christian
walk. Though we cannot know the future we can have assurance of Your
faithfulness because You are a God that does not change. Every promise
You've made is true as we have seen in the Biblical records. This gives
us reason to trust You for the dawning of a new year where we will once
again experience Your guiding presence in our daily lives. Praise God
from whom all blessings flow! Amen.* Those living here in America and following the news are aware of a lot of discussion about the "fiscal cliff", which has to do with tax increases and spending cuts. I have been considering the moral cliff, the consequences of open rebellion as a people against God seen in the rampant increase in what the Bible calls "the deeds of the flesh". Galatians 5:19-21 states, "Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."
Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
"Jesus Never Fails" Video Truth
"Great Is Thy Faithfulness" Video Selah
"Every Promise" Video Keith and Kristyn Getty
"A Christmas Compilation" Video From the Homecoming Series - Over two hours of compiled music.
"The Immutability of God" article by A.W. Pink
"The Immutability of God" article by Bob Deffinbaugh
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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.
Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
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