It snowed today where I live in Northern Maine. I am not a fan of the snow and cold weather, but it is nice to see the landscape covered with a nice coating of snow. There are still some leaves falling off of the trees and falling onto the new snow which makes a nice colorful experience.
The weather changes every now and then. Sometimes it seems to change ever 15 minutes or so and sometimes sooner. Our world is full of change. The world isn't the same as it was 10, 20, or even 30 years ago. Things don't stay the same. Sometimes change is a good thing and sometimes change is not good at all.
There is a season for all things and there is a time for things as well. God's timing is always at the right time. We like things to happen when we want them to happen, but God is the One who is in control and He knows when the perfect time is for everything. Things may indeed change, but we can be thankful that God never changes.
I like what the writer of Hebrews says in Hebrews 13:1-8 which says,
1 Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters.
2 Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.
3 Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.
4 Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.
5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
6 So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”
7 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.
8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Even though things may be changing around us we believers in Jesus Christ need to out on love and love our brothers and sisters in Christ. I feel sometimes we fail to show our love to our fellow Christians for one reason or another. The Lord Jesus told us to love the Lord with all of our heart, mind, body, and soul. He also said for us to love our neighbor as ourselves.
We need to remember to show love by being hospitable and caring for others. We believers in Christ need to remember those who are shut up in prison and pray for them and visit them when possible. We should also remember those people who are unable to leave their homes because of ailments.
Marriage is a sacred union that God established between one man and one woman and anything beyond that is outside of God's will and His design. The Lord is the Just judge and He will judge those who trample upon the things He has established. God gave us boundaries. He didn't set up boundaries to hurt us or keep us from having fun. He set them us to protect us and help us avoid sin and live for Him. God's way is always right and we must obey Him and His standards.
The writer of Hebrews tells us to avoid the love for money. We know the love of money is the root of evil. There is a lot of talk today on the news about people flocking to by lottery tickets because a jackpot was over a billion dollars. Many people were spending a lot of money buying loads of tickets. There was only one winner and that person could take a lump some of 500 million dollars. People seem crazy about money. We would all like to have more money to pay our bills and buy more stuff.
It is so very easy to have a love for money, but do you ever notice what happens when you do get more money? When you and I end up getting a little more money we end up wanted more. It is a never ending cycle. There is a pull for more if we are not careful. Money is necessary in this world, but we need to be careful with it and use it properly and responsibly for God's glory. Sometimes we get into trouble and we need help with our money. There is never any shame in getting help from experts to get back on track. We must also seek God's guidance and direction and ask for His wisdom as well.
The promises us that, even though changes come in our lives both good and bad, He will never leave us nor will He ever forsake us. We can trust Him to be there for us no matter what we are going through. He is our God and our protector. The Lord wants the very best for us and He wants us to draw near to Him because He loves us. He knows how much sin destroys and He wants to set us free from sin. That is why He sent Jesus into this world to save us sinners. Jesus died on the Cross for our sins and for the sins of the whole world. When we come to faith in Jesus Christ we know that are sins are forgiven and we have a home in Heaven when we leave this world. We also know that the Holy Spirit lives within us and is making us to be more like Christ everyday. That process won't be completed until the day when we see Jesus face to face in Heaven.
The Lord is our helper. We don't have to be afraid of the horrible things happening around us. Things are terrifying and concerning, but if we belong to the Lord Jesus Christ we know that He holds us in the very palms of His mighty hands and no one can hurt us. We may be persecuted and we may even be killed for our belief in Jesus Christ, but they can't kill our soul for we belong to Christ Jesus.
We need to be encouraged by our leaders that are following Christ and learn from them. We then need to follow their good example and continue to follow Jesus wherever He leads us. We must be willing to go wherever He calls us to go. The Lord will equip us for whatever task He wants us to accomplish.
This is a crazy and fast changing world that we live in. I am thankful that even though many things change day to day the Lord Jesus Christ never changes. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forevermore. The Lord is an ever present help in our time of need. We may be worried and fearful about the future, but you know what? God is already there. The Lord knows what our future holds and He is there waiting for us with opened arms.
The Lord wants the very best for you and for me. We can trust Him. God never changes. He is good and He will always be good. His standards are always right.
We can trust the Lord. I hope you do trust Him for He loves you.
Lord,
We praise Your Name.
This world is changing fast.
Thank You, Lord, for being the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Thank You, for helping us each step of the way.
May Your will be done.
Help us to love one another as You love us.
Help us to stand firm upon the truth of Your Word.
In Jesus Name we pray,
Amen.
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