God is immutable. In His essential nature and person, God never changes. He works in different ways at different times. But, He never alters or wavers in His attributes and in who He is. Consider the following…….
**God’s Power Never Changes
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
Romans 1:16
**God’s Word Never Changes
The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.”
Isaiah 40:8
**God’s Character Never Changes
For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39
**God’s Promises Never Change
For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.
But they were startled and frightened and thought that they were seeing a spirit. And He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? “See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; touch Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.”
Luke 24:37-39
In this passage of Scripture, Jesus reveals Himself to His disciples as the resurrected Savior and Lord. He had promised that He would be resurrected from the dead. Now, they were experiencing the results of this miracle firsthand. Jesus, the one crucified just days earlier, stood before them in all of His resurrection glory.
But, contrary to the evidence in front of them, His disciples still doubted. They were startled and filled with fear. The need for Jesus reassurance was palpable as Christ reintroduced Himself to His followers.
We often struggle with doubt as Christians today. We know what we believe, yet, we have a difficult time appropriating what we believe in the midst of the uncertainties of life. Our difficulties often lead to doubt and, if we don’t deal with it, despair.
What is the answer for doubt? Faith! To overcome doubt we must hold to the truth of God despite all that may come our way. We must continue to believe no matter how bleak the situation looks. We must continue to trust God even when it seems all hope may be lost. We must believe in what has been revealed to us, not what we can merely see. Overcoming doubt requires a strengthening of our faith.
Faith grows as we remember that God is faithful. Faith increases as we recall God’s faithfulness in the past. It doesn’t happen overnight, but, focusing on faith in God will yield results.
Mind you, overcoming doubt is not a simple task. Perhaps we will struggle with doubt for the rest of our lives. However, we don’t have to life in doubt every single moment. We can learn to live in faith and trust. Doubt and fear can be replaced with hope and trust over time.
Dear Christian, let us commit to growing in faith and vanquishing doubt today!
Three thoughts for Believers today………………………………………….
God’s provision is more than enough (Romans 8:31-32)
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?
God’s purposes are never thwarted (Romans 8:28-30)
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.
God’s love is never diminished (Romans 8:38-39)
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
Matthew 1:18-25
It is a glorious story. Christ has come to redeem his people.
It is a wonderful story. “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”
It is a powerful story. He is JESUS, the long awaited one.
May we give thanks and praise to Christ during this Season, and forevermore!
Why study the Bible? Let us examine some thoughts on that subject…..
**Study the Bible to learn who God is.
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
1 Timothy 3:16-17
**Study the Bible to find spiritual guidance.
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.
Psalm 119:105
**Study the Bible to grow spiritually.
Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, 2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
1 Peter 2:1-3
We will examine a few more thoughts next week. In the meantime, let us read and study our Bibles regularly.
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 15:58
As believers, we are commanded to be steadfast and immovable in what we believe. We are urged to trust in the Word of God and to be abundant in our service for God. Why are these commands given? Let’s think about this today.
We are commanded to be immovable in the Word and the work of the Lord because Jesus rose from the dead. 1 Corinthians 15 details the eyewitness accounts of Jesus’ resurrection. His resurrection is grounded in history through these witnesses. His death, burial, and resurrection assures victory for all Christians. Therefore, we can continue to serve Him daily.
We are also commanded to be immovable because of the truth with which we have been entrusted. We understand that Scripture is given by inspiration of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17) and that is has God as its ultimate author (2 Peter 1:19-21). These precepts allow us to keep believing and trusting the Bible even when we don’t always understand.
Ultimately, we can remain immovable because of the faith of those who have come before us. There is indeed a “great cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1) that accompany us on our journey. Down through the centuries, others have believed what we believe and have practiced what we seek to practice. It is comforting to know that others have struggled and suffered persecution and yet still kept the faith.
Their faith encourages us to go on today. Their example urges us forward in faith until we see Jesus. What about us? When our time on earth is done, may it be said of us that we were steadfast, immovable, and always abounding in the word of the Lord!
8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden.9 But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”
Genesis 3:8-9
In the midst of human rebellion the Lord still calls out “Where are you?” to His creation. God’s mercy is on display even at the worst of times. Verses 8-9 reveal 4 things about the Lord’s love and grace……….
Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.
Genesis 40:23
Do you ever feel as if you have been forgotten? Perhaps you feel you even been unremembered by the Lord?
Joseph understood this emotion. He was forgotten for over two years and languished in prison. Yet, God was faithful all along and the story of Joseph ends with him as a ruler and not as a convict. God’s plan unfolded marvelously in Joseph’s life and it change the entire course of history.
If you feel abandoned today, I cannot promise you that God will make you a ruler in the end. I cannot guarantee that your life will be perfect or trouble-free. I can, however, remind you that Jesus has not forgotten you. He promised to be with you forever as you follow Him.
Think deeply about these Scriptures today and be blessed!
“And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:20
“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
John 14:18
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
John 14:27
Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
mrtonyfrench 