I originally wrote this article for our church's monthly newsletter. Enjoy!
Recently I've had two verses on my heart:
Hebrews 13:8 - "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."
Revelation 21:5 - "And He who was seated on the throne said, 'Behold, I am making all things new.'"
I just finished nine years of service here at FBCCS and entered into my tenth year. I know in my heart that this year will be a year of change. There are things around us that NEED to change! We need to continuously press on towards reaching and keeping a younger generation, engaging them with the good news that the God who is making all things new can give THEM new life and hope in Jesus.
But change is hard, and often physically and emotionally exhausting. If we're honest, NONE of us like change... we want to be comfortable! The only time we really enjoy change is when it moves us towards what we want, which makes us... more comfortable! But according to the Bible, the only thing that never changes (yesterday, today, and forever) is Jesus Christ. I don't know about you, but that makes change in my own life much easier to bear and even embrace because I know that while culture changes, our methods in the church change, and things constantly need to change, one thing never will: Christ alone!
My prayer for the coming year is that we would all seek to change in the ways we need to in order to be more effective in reaching the lost, but that we would also hold fast to the Unchanging One. Listen to these lyrics from "Cornerstone" by Aaron Shust:
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly trust in Jesus' name
Christ alone, Cornerstone
Weak made strong in the Savior's love
Through the storm, He is Lord
Lord of all...
Awesome!
Recently I've had two verses on my heart:
Hebrews 13:8 - "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."
Revelation 21:5 - "And He who was seated on the throne said, 'Behold, I am making all things new.'"
I just finished nine years of service here at FBCCS and entered into my tenth year. I know in my heart that this year will be a year of change. There are things around us that NEED to change! We need to continuously press on towards reaching and keeping a younger generation, engaging them with the good news that the God who is making all things new can give THEM new life and hope in Jesus.
But change is hard, and often physically and emotionally exhausting. If we're honest, NONE of us like change... we want to be comfortable! The only time we really enjoy change is when it moves us towards what we want, which makes us... more comfortable! But according to the Bible, the only thing that never changes (yesterday, today, and forever) is Jesus Christ. I don't know about you, but that makes change in my own life much easier to bear and even embrace because I know that while culture changes, our methods in the church change, and things constantly need to change, one thing never will: Christ alone!
My prayer for the coming year is that we would all seek to change in the ways we need to in order to be more effective in reaching the lost, but that we would also hold fast to the Unchanging One. Listen to these lyrics from "Cornerstone" by Aaron Shust:
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly trust in Jesus' name
Christ alone, Cornerstone
Weak made strong in the Savior's love
Through the storm, He is Lord
Lord of all...
Awesome!