Hebrews 13:8 NIV Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
One of the questions in our study of Psalm 103 was Do you really believe that God “rules over all” and If so, how will that show in your life?
Everybody said that they do believe that God “rules over all”. Everybody said, in different words that how we react to adverse situations really shows whether we believe it or not. At those times when all hell seems to be breaking lose do we panic, do we “shut down”, do we try to fix things ourselves? If we really believe that God rules all then we will trust HIm that no matter the outcome.
Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord , “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Romans 8:28-30 NIV And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
The outcome may not be what we expected or the way we would have done it but when we remember God's character and who He is we can be confident in believing that He “rules over all”.
Psalm 103:8-14 (NLT)8 The LORD is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.9 He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever.10 He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.11 For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.
12 He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.13 The LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.14 For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust.
With that kind of confidence we won't be afraid when God begins to stretch us by moving us to do new and different things. We will remember how He blessed and delivered us the last time that things in our lives changed.Circumstances, situations, locations, and we change but thank God He never changes.
Numbers 23:19 (NLT)19 God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?
Malachi 3:6 (NLT)6 “I am the LORD, and I do not change. That is why you descendants of Jacob are not already destroyed.
One of the questions in our study of Psalm 103 was Do you really believe that God “rules over all” and If so, how will that show in your life?
Everybody said that they do believe that God “rules over all”. Everybody said, in different words that how we react to adverse situations really shows whether we believe it or not. At those times when all hell seems to be breaking lose do we panic, do we “shut down”, do we try to fix things ourselves? If we really believe that God rules all then we will trust HIm that no matter the outcome.
Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord , “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Romans 8:28-30 NIV And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
The outcome may not be what we expected or the way we would have done it but when we remember God's character and who He is we can be confident in believing that He “rules over all”.
Psalm 103:8-14 (NLT)8 The LORD is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.9 He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever.10 He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.11 For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.
12 He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.13 The LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.14 For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust.
With that kind of confidence we won't be afraid when God begins to stretch us by moving us to do new and different things. We will remember how He blessed and delivered us the last time that things in our lives changed.Circumstances, situations, locations, and we change but thank God He never changes.
Numbers 23:19 (NLT)19 God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?
Malachi 3:6 (NLT)6 “I am the LORD, and I do not change. That is why you descendants of Jacob are not already destroyed.
Change Always Happens
by Annie F. Downs, from Let's All Be Brave
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. — James 1:17 NIV
Everything you have, from your health to your friendships to a roof over your head to the food in your belly, is a gift from God. And we even have something else to be thankful for: that
God doesn’t change! I love that about Him.
We can hold tight to our never-changing God and be okay because, in every other area of life, change is pretty much guaranteed. And you know what?
Brave people are willing to let go of everything as they hold tight to God, even when things start to change.
In the last three months, I have seen the most change in my personal and professional life that I’ve ever had. For my counselor, I listed every North Star person (you know, a person who is important to you and gives you guidance) who has left my life in the last three months, and the number is seven. Seven.
And you know what? It’s okay.
If I chose to live in a world where I hated change all the time, I would be really miserable. If I chose to put all my hope in people, I would be really miserable. (I’ve tried both. It’s always miserable.)
I don’t love change, but I know that God is always working for my good. So, I can say, “Man, this is the worst!” But I have a totally trustworthy God who is looking out for me.
Does God need a reminder that He has all this under control? No, friend. He doesn’t. You do. I definitely do. We all do.
Remembering that He’s the boss and His plans are for our good and He loves us? That can make us brave, even when everything that felt secure seems to be changing.
Excerpted with permission from Let’s All Be Brave by Annie Downs, copyright Annie F. Downs.
by Annie F. Downs, from Let's All Be Brave
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. — James 1:17 NIV
Everything you have, from your health to your friendships to a roof over your head to the food in your belly, is a gift from God. And we even have something else to be thankful for: that
God doesn’t change! I love that about Him.
We can hold tight to our never-changing God and be okay because, in every other area of life, change is pretty much guaranteed. And you know what?
Brave people are willing to let go of everything as they hold tight to God, even when things start to change.
In the last three months, I have seen the most change in my personal and professional life that I’ve ever had. For my counselor, I listed every North Star person (you know, a person who is important to you and gives you guidance) who has left my life in the last three months, and the number is seven. Seven.
And you know what? It’s okay.
If I chose to live in a world where I hated change all the time, I would be really miserable. If I chose to put all my hope in people, I would be really miserable. (I’ve tried both. It’s always miserable.)
I don’t love change, but I know that God is always working for my good. So, I can say, “Man, this is the worst!” But I have a totally trustworthy God who is looking out for me.
Does God need a reminder that He has all this under control? No, friend. He doesn’t. You do. I definitely do. We all do.
Remembering that He’s the boss and His plans are for our good and He loves us? That can make us brave, even when everything that felt secure seems to be changing.
Excerpted with permission from Let’s All Be Brave by Annie Downs, copyright Annie F. Downs.
RSS Feed