Month: January 2023

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today,  and forever.

Hebrews 13:8

(I’m reposting this message I wrote a couple of years ago. Currently, I am reading through the New Testament, and I am once again amazed as I see Jesus healing so many people in such different circumstances, and in so many different ways. He healed a leper, a blind man, a lame man, and a woman who had suffered from a hemorrhage for 12 years. He raised a child from the dead and cast out demons. He performed miracles of feeding multitudes with a few loaves of bread and a few fish. He calmed a storm at sea with His words. The list could go on! But I’m encouraged once again by this truth that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever! I choose to trust Him in the current circumstances we are facing with my husband’s health. I know that nothing is impossible with God.)

This Scripture above (Hebrews 13:8) is easy to memorize and tuck away with lots of other verses about the character of Jesus.  We can easily take this truth for granted. But consider how different life would be if this verse were not true?  What if Jesus’ words are not always true?  What if His will or His standards changed from one generation to the next, or even one day to the next?

            My college freshman psychology instructor was an example of a changeable nature.  He told the class on the first day that he would often “role play” during his lectures, and we would never be able to tell if he actually believed what he said or not.  I never knew what to expect from him, and always had to be on guard, wondering what reaction I might get to an opinion I expressed in class. He gave us several assignments to do outside of class which he never mentioned again.  He promised on several occasions to bring a particular specimen into class for our observation but never brought it in.  It is extremely confusing and unsettling to deal with people like that.  Changeable people can never be trusted completely or counted on to keep their word.  You can never be sure what to expect or know for sure what is expected of you.

            Think about how different it is with Jesus.  What He promised in the past we can count on to be fulfilled.  What He expected in the past from His followers, He still expects today.  By studying His Word, we can know how He wants us to live – loving, trusting, obeying Him and following wherever He leads us.

            Think about the changes in society in recent decades.  The standards of morality change rapidly.  The unthinkable and unacceptable only a few decades ago became commonplace and accepted today.  And there are changes around the world in 2020 because of the Coronavirus pandemic.  Who could have predicted how so many lives would be forever changed because of this? 

             But Jesus never changes.  He hasn’t changed His moral code just because many consider the old standards outdated.  God revealed His perfect will in His Word, and His indwelling Holy Spirit guides and empowers us.  Following Jesus creates a firm foundation, stability, and security in life.   His Word is full of promises to those who follow Him.  He loves us, He will be with us always, He will provide, and He is sovereign over all, no matter what is going on in our personal life or in the world around us. He remains the same yesterday, today, and forever.

PERSONAL REFLECTION

Have you known someone who was unpredictable and changeable? 

How did that person affect you?

How does the truth of Jesus’ unchanging nature affect you?  Think about what life would be like if that were not true.

What promise can you hold onto in this current time of worldwide change?

What can you personally choose to trust Him for in your life?

My eyes are continually toward the Lord, for He will pluck my feet out of the net.

Psalm 25:15

A funny thing happened in Bible study recently.  The assignment was to choose two Scriptures from a list of five in our workbook and memorize them during the week.  One of the choices was Psalm 25:14, but by “mistake” I wrote verse 15 (above) on my 3×5 card and memorized it.  When I quoted it during our study, several women seemed confused and asked which version of the Bible I was using because the verse didn’t sound anything like what they had memorized from verse 14.

            I called it a “mistake,” but it was verse 15 that God has used to speak to my heart every day since I memorized it.  I wrote recently about the new journey my husband and I are on since his sudden decline in health.  To see the decline would be so frightening to me without knowing the Lord and the truth of the promises in His Word.  I have a stack of 3×5 cards with verses from Scripture that I read often to remind myself of God’s promises. 

            God’s promises are my solid rock foundation, especially in these days of uncertainty.  This Psalm 25:15 reminds me to keep my eyes on the Lord.  I think often of Peter when he and the other disciples were in a boat during a storm at sea.  Matthew 14:22-33 tells the story:

They saw Jesus walking on the water and were terrified, thinking He was a ghost.  But Jesus immediately said to them, “Take courage; It is I.  Don’t be afraid.” Peter said, Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.”  Jesus said, “Come.”  Peter got out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.  But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”  Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him.

Whatever “storm” we are facing, the enemy definitely wants us to be trapped in a net of fear.  What might happen if….?  So this is the reminder I need when I am tempted to wonder what the future holds:  Psalm 25:15 reminds me to “keep my eyes continually toward the Lord.”  He knows all about the storm.  He promises to be right there with us, and He is the One who calms the storm, no matter what the circumstances. 

            Here are a few more verses that encourage me this week:

Psalm 121:1  I will lift up my eyes to the mountains.  Where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heavens and earth.

Psalm 3:3 You, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the One who lifts my head.  [And when He lifts my head, my eyes are able to see Him!]

Isaiah 41:10 Do not fear for I am with you.  Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.

I encourage you to listen to the song on YouTube: “I Lift My Eyes” sung by Kristyn Getty.  It is a beautiful reminder to keep our eyes lifted to the Lord!

PERSONAL REFLECTION

What is the storm you are facing in your own life?  Or the life of someone close to you?

Write a prayer to God calling out to Him for help.

As He calls you to come to Him for help, how will you respond?

Which of these verses encourage your heart today?

For the eyes of the Lord roam to and fro throughout the whole earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.

2 Chronicles 16:9a

I love this truth about the Lord – He actively searches for people whose hearts are completely tuned to Him so that He can “strongly support” them.  He has a plan and a purpose for each of our lives, but the question is “Am I seeking His plan and listening for His direction?”  Can I honestly say my heart is completely His, or am I choosing my own way and seeking my own desires? 

How can I be sure I’m following His will and not my own?  As followers of Jesus, we can be sure that if we truly seek His will, and commit to do whatever He wants, He will show us.  His guidance may come through a scripture, some other Christian source we read, the message from a sermon, conversations with other believers.  Just trust as you wait for His clear direction, and He will guide you in His time and in His way.

How sad it is to read in the Old Testament about men who “followed the Lord, did what was right in His sight, “but”… or “except”…

2 Chronicles 25:1-2  Amaziah was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem… He did right in the sight of the Lord, yet not with a whole heart.

1 Kings 11:3-6 Solomon had 700 wives, princesses, and 300 concubines, and his wives turned his heart away.  For when Solomon was old, his wives turned his heart away after other gods; and his heart was not wholly devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been….

1 Kings 11:9-10  Now the Lord was angry with Solomon because his heart was turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice, and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods; but he did not observe what the Lord had commanded.

1 Kings 15:5 …because David did what was right in the sight of the Lord, and did not deviate from anything that He commanded him all the days of his life, except in the case of Uriah the Hittite.

Sometimes I choose to follow my own desires instead of following the truth I know about God’s will.  I am so grateful God’s love and grace and mercy called me back to Himself.  His forgiveness is available, no matter how far we stray if we repent and turn back to Him.

These scriptures challenge me to think about my own life.  I desire for the Lord to look at me and see a heart completely devoted to Him, a heart willing to follow wherever He leads, no matter what.

PERSONAL REFLECTION

Is there an area in your life that the Lord would say to you, “You are doing what is right except…”

I encourage you to spend time with the Lord and ask Him to search your heart and show you what He sees. 

Do you need to repent and turn back to follow Him with your whole heart?  He is so ready and willing to forgive!

Do not fear, for I am with you.  Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10

In my women’s Bible study group, we are studying Priscilla Shirer’s book “Discerning the Voice of God.” She calls us to have a “posture of obedience,” a heart that is willing to say “Yes, Lord” to whatever He calls us to do, and wherever He leads.  We are encouraged to wait patiently, trusting and expecting God to lead in a clear direction.  She calls us to be “pray-pared” for the journey.  I love that!

This has been a timely truth to focus on for me personally.  My husband and I have begun an unexpected turn in our life journey.  A recent sudden and significant change in his health has occurred that has altered the pattern of our lives for this time.  So far, there is not a clear diagnosis or treatment.  And I am so aware that we are not alone.  I have talked to many friends and relatives who are also experiencing physical and emotional pain, the loss of a loved one, and other serious difficulties.

The lessons I have learned from my time in God’s Word have been such a valuable source of spiritual strength, comfort and encouragement.  I want to share some of the Scriptures that I have been reading often when I am tempted to give into the enemy’s temptation to be fearful or discouraged.  It is so easy to let my mind go to the place of “What if….?”  But then I remember the truth from God’s Word, and I focus on faith in God and His truth, instead of giving in to fear.

Here are just a few of the verses that are an encouragement to me:

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path.

Psalm 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go.  I will counsel you with My eye upon you.

Psalm 62;1-2 My soul waits in silence for God only; From Him is my salvation.  He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken.

Psalm 62:5-8 My soul, wait in silence for God only, for my hope is from Him.  He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be shaken.  On God my salvation and my glory rest; the rock of my strength, my refuge is in God.  Trust in Him at all times… Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.

Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.

Isaiah 41:10  Do not fear, for I am with you.  Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Psalm 46:1-2  God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea.

Psalm 46:3-4  When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You.  In God, whose word I praise, in God I have put my trust, I shall not be afraid.

PERSONAL REFLECTION

Which of these verses speak to your heart today?

I encourage you to print out this list or write verses on a 3×5 card that you can refer to often.  Remember the truth that God is with you and will never leave you! 

My prayer is that you will be encouraged by the truth of God’s Word when you are going through a difficult journey in your own life.  Please share God’s promises with others who are going through a difficult journey.