Pastor's Page

Autumn has always been my favorite time of year.  I just enjoy being able to watch the leaves turn from their deep greens into the golds, oranges, and reds.  (I usually have to do this on the nature channel, but at least I get to see some leaves turn.)  Something about this time of year is always special for me.  I know many people have that special fondness for fall.  It is a wonderful time because we see the changes in creation so vividly around us.

Many things in our world seem to be changing.  It always has been and will continue to be this way. Political leaders change, governments change, things come and go.  Clothing styles change.  Think about what the styles were when you were younger and how the styles are today.  Of course, we see some of those styles coming back.  Yikes!  Our relationships change.  Even our bodies change.  I don’t like to think about, much less, experience that last one.

Trends of all kinds seem to come and go.  Do you remember Furby? Then, there were the Beanie Babies, followed by Pokémon.  Foods have a way of running in trends as well.   Everything we are in touch with changes.  Sometimes the changes are for the good, and on occasion, for the not so good.  But you can count on this, things change.

In the middle of our ever-changing world, it is a real comfort to me to know that we can have a relationship with a never changing God.  Malachi 3:6 says, "For I am the Lord, I do not change."  Is that not a neat thought?  Even though everything around us seems to change, even the very earth itself shifts in different places at times, God says, "I never change."  The word used for "Lord" is Jehovah.  I am Jehovah.  I am God.  I am the One who is all you need.  I never change.

In the New Testament, we find another verse that speaks to the consistency of God.  Hebrews 13:8 says, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."  God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are never changing.  When our lives are in moments of change, we can have a relationship with a never changing God.  His love never changes.  His mercy never changes.  His goodness never changes.  His ability to provide and meet needs never changes.  His holiness, His justice, we could go on and on.

Next time you face discouragement, fear, lack, or confusion, stop and think about something.  God, who loves you, DOES NOT change.  No matter what else changes around you, God, in all His greatness and might and majesty, will never, ever change.  In an ever-changing world, He is a never changing God.  One thing that this means is that His attitude toward you never changes.  He knows the very number of hairs on your head, and He loves you.  You can trust Him, talk to Him, and receive from Him.  You can handle the changes that come your way, because He does not change.

Pastor Mike