Changes, Changes

Fall is quickly approaching. It is easy to see here in Nova Scotia. The evenings are beginning to chill off. The days are getting shorter. The first day of school is just around the corner. Even the leaves are in the first stages of change. Our lives are a series of changes. We are born, then we grow into toddlers, young children, preteens, teenagers and then adults. Through each step and stage, there are challenges and many changes. Do you remember your first day of school? I don’t. What about the day you got married? I remember it as though it were yesterday. I was so happy. I found the person who was going to make me happy forever. Not long after that, we had our first spat. It was over something so insignificant – I can’t even remember! Do you remember your children being born? What joy! Looking at that beautiful face, counting fingers and toes, marveling at the beauty and perfection that lay in my arms! Children bring about much change in life. For me, nothing will ever be the same. After having children, my thoughts and opinions have changed very much. Accepting the Lord in my life as an adult has brought change as well. This is another place where my thoughts and opinions have radically changed. My priorities have shifted to the eternal rather than here and now. With Jesus Christ as the centre of my life, I no longer dwell on the “things” I don’t have. I rejoice in my relationship with Him. Through all the changes that have happened and the ones that will happen, Jesus remains the constant. Though I did not always know Him or have a relationship with Him, He has always known me. He has been a gentleman, patiently waiting for me to call on His name. When I did, He was true to His word and came to my rescue. He will do the same for you if you will let Him. Through all the changes Jesus is there, longing to be the One True anchor in all of our lives. Will you release your cares and worries? Will you call out to Him in your good times and bad? Will you allow His promises to satisfy your soul? If you will, there is no change too big or too hard for you to get through. He will take you through every valley leading and guiding your every step. Look to Jesus to be the foundation of your life and you will not go wrong.

Step by Step

“Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105 NKJV I love to watch a toddler learning to walk. One step, maybe two and down they go. However, they don’t stop there. Up they pull themselves, eager to get on with it. One can almost hear the thoughts in their little minds, “I can do it. I can do it.” Seldom have I experienced a look of terror or defeat in a little face.

We are rather the opposite. As adults, we tend to give up too quickly; willing to admit defeat at the slightest obstacle. God, on the other hand, never gives up on us. He is constantly there as a source of strength and power just waiting for us to reach out and grab on to the blessings He has promised us.

Reading His Word and meditating on His truths will shed light on every part of our lives if we will go to Him. We can have faith knowing His Word will bring us through good times, bad times and all the times in between. It is our responsibility to take the initiative to step out on faith wherever He asks us to go. His promise is to never leave us nor to forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).

I have learned something extremely important and fundamental about God. He shows us the next step after we take the first one. He wants our faith. He desires for us to lean fully on Him and who He is, not on what we can accomplish on our own. We have no need to impress Him with our wit or strength, but to show Him our devotion is in Him. When we release our selfishness, and embrace Him, He will illuminate the path that leads to blessings.

Can you make a commitment to Him today, with all your heart, trusting in His promise to lead the way and light the path He has chosen for you? Will you follow Him wherever He takes you? Take time to pray that God will lead you and light your way; believing in His promises and taking that first step of faith in Him.

A New Life

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone: a new life has begun.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT This promise is not to be taken lightly. It is filled with hope. This Scripture verse tells us that we are made a new creation in Christ. We are no longer the person we once were. We can live victorious lives because, “The old life is gone; a new life has begun.” Are you stalled in the past? Do you feel controlled by your past? Does it seem like you wear your past on your sleeve for the whole world to see? Then this promise is for you! You do not have to believe the lies of the enemy that says you will never be any different or that you are a loser (or a whole range of other lies). You have a promise of a new life and hope in Jesus Christ. Every single person has a past. There are things in your past that you could not control. There are things in your past you could have chosen to do differently. There are things you may wish you could forget. Choosing right now, in this moment, to live for Christ and asking for and accepting His gift of forgiveness for your mistakes and believing Him, gives you a new life. You can rejoice in the fact that you are a changed, new person. Can you commit your life into His capable, nail-scarred hands? Can you allow Jesus to heal the wounds of the past, whether they are self-inflicted or inflicted at the hands of someone else? Can you allow Jesus to come into your life and make you whole? Your new life will not be perfect. Don’t think of this as a miracle-cure or a cure that will happen in a moment in time. It may take many times of giving your hurts to the Lord, before you feel the pain recede. But, it can and will happen when you give it all to Him. Jesus told us that there will be times of trouble, but we needn’t be afraid because He is with us. When we give our lives to Him, we can call on Him anytime and He hears our prayers. One of my favorite promises is Hebrews 13:5, “…I will never leave you nor forsake you,” (NKJV). And He doesn’t. He is there in all ways, always. One important fact to realize is that our relationship with Him is active and living. It is not a one-sided deal where He gives and gives and we take and take. We need to spend time in His presence, speaking and listening for His still, small voice that speaks to our hearts. He may also use our circumstances and the Christian people around us, but rest assured He will speak. Don’t allow your past dictate your future. Everyone has “skeletons” in their closet – so to speak. Accept the promise of a new life in Jesus Christ, give your heart to Him, believe that He loves you and wants better for you than you can imagine, then commit your life to living for Him. Seek His will and direction for your life and live in His promises. He is waiting for you to call out to Him.

All Things for Our Benefit

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 Do you believe this statement as recorded by Paul? Do you believe that God uses ALL things for our good? Do you also believe that whatever happens to you – good or bad – God has allowed? Everything that happens to us will be used by God for the purpose of our growth in Him, if we will let Him. Whatever the circumstance, whatever the occasion, He can use it to bring us closer to Him and to become more like Him. I have learned this truth over and over. Going to Ontario this summer, we were traveling on Route 9 through Maine. The van we were driving started shaking and making noise. My husband pulled off the road, onto a beautiful turning spot (that the Lord provided), and saw two lugs had broken off the front driver’s side tire. Looking back toward the road, he found both lugs on the ground in the space close to where we had parked. After tightening the remaining lugs, we ventured into Brewer and after much prayer and God’s hand leading us, we were repaired and once again on the road. Through all of it, I did have a moment or two of worry, but mostly a heart-cry to God asking, “What do you want us to learn from this, Lord?” When you are in the midst of a crisis or troubled time, do you cry out, “Why me?” or do you ask, “What do you want me to learn from this?” Believe me, I am far from perfect and I have far to go in my walk with Christ, but I am learning and growing through the circumstances of my life. One thing I know without a doubt is this: when I keep my eyes on Christ, viewing the problems through Him, I am much more at peace and my faith grows. When I see the problem first, fear takes over. Do you believe that God is in control and He truly wants what is best for you? Do you realize that He died for you and me, to pardon us from all our sins? Do you understand that the promises contained in the Bible are for anyone who will humble themselves before Him and ask for His forgiveness? Jesus loves you. He is waiting for you to say the word. Trust Him to know what is necessary in your life to make you more like Him. When times of trial come along, and they will, ask, “What do you want me to learn from this, Lord?” and quietly listen for His answer. Remember, He is in control and what He does is for our benefit.