[Please join me in praying for the Church on Sundays this year.]
“He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a human being, that he should change his mind.” (1 Samuel 15:29 NIV)
I have been thinking about change this weekend. Change is inevitable in life; sometimes it comes hard and fast, and other times gently and slowly. But it will happen. People and places change; circumstances and emotions change. God doesn’t change, but our understanding of God does change. Local churches change, too. Sometimes churches decide to change in order to become more relevant and grow their membership. If God is calling a church to make those changes, then, of course, they should!
However, I wonder if the best change we could have is just to grow deeper in God. Grow deeper in love with God. Deeper in friendship. Deeper in prayer, worship, and fellowship with God. What would a local church body – or the wider Church – be like if every person was eagerly desiring the fruits of the Spirit that come from a deep relationship with God? If we were each growing in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control, imagine how our families, churches, and the greater community would be changed – for the good! Imagine how hearts and lives would be impacted and changed by just the presence of God that we carry within us – and share with others! Imagine how our Light could light up the darkness around us!
Change for the sake of change is empty. Change for the sake of Love is beautiful.
God,
Praise be to you, forever and ever; wisdom and power are yours. You change times and seasons, giving wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. You reveal deep and hidden things. Light and immutability dwell within you. Your promises are fulfilled and we thank you for these things. Thank you for your true Church – Jesus’s Body on earth – that you continually guide by Holy Spirit. Thank you that you call us to make changes so that we can fulfill the commands and callings you have on us. Help us to have great discernment when it comes to making changes in our local congregations. Give us wisdom and courage when we need to move in new directions, and peace and contentment when we need to wait on you. But in every person and local body we pray that you will pour out your Spirit so that we are changed more and more fully into the image of Christ. Help us show your Light, Love, Joy, Peace and so much more to those around us, so that they, too, are drawn deeply into your arms of love. Use us to change our communities for your glory, we ask in Jesus’s name. AMEN.
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8 NIV)
“God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” (Numbers 23:19 NIV)
“For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son…” (Romans 8:29 NIV)
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23 NIV)
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.” (Matthew 5:14-15 NIV)
“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;
wisdom and power are his.
He changes times and seasons;
he deposes kings and raises up others.
He gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to the discerning.
He reveals deep and hidden things;
he knows what lies in darkness,
and light dwells with him.” (Daniel 2:20-22 NIV)