TODAY I BEGIN A NEW ADVENTURE in ministry. I have been appointed “Interim Senior Pastor” of my church, Lighthouse Community of Kalamazoo Michigan. Please allow me to share how I feel about this assignment in one word descriptions as follows:
o Excited
o Enthused
o Challenged
o Humbled
o Dependent
o Blessed
o Joyful
I mean, how many times does a retired pastor get the opportunity to serve his very own congregation—that which he is a part of---in this capacity? I look forward to preaching regularly again for a while. My very first sermon on the 23rd of August will be “A Season of Change.” Appropriate, don’t you think? No doubt this transition period will mean new and different challenges, but I am confident that the old ship of Zion (of which Lighthouse is a part) will set the sails to catch the winds of change and keep on course--propelled by the grace of God.
We live in a world that spins with constant change in an orbit of perpetual flux. Therefore, it is good to remember that in our changing world, God’s promises stand as a sure foundation. Every promise is yes and amen. What God said He will do, He will do. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. God doesn’t separate Himself from His Word. Not one line, not one jot, not one period in God’s Word will ever change, till everything is fulfilled.
It’s good to know that Jesus isn’t going anywhere—Hebrews 13:5-“I will never leave you or forsake you.”
God is not just God of the mountaintop, He is God in the valley. He is closer to us in the trials of life, whether we are in the fire or in the storm. He is ever present to help us in the times of trouble and in the times of need.
He is “a friend that sticks closer to us than a brother”—Proverbs 18:24—Jesus is closer to us than anyone else. He is that friend above all friends. He will be there till the end of time and on into eternity.
When it is all said and done, it will all be said and done—and Jesus will be there in victory and power and might and glory. At the end of time, at the end of your life, Jesus will be there for you, to carry you, to comfort you.
So let us welcome change with open arms, knowing that nothing catches God off guard. He knows the end from the beginning and will give us the strength and wisdom to work our way through.
o Excited
o Enthused
o Challenged
o Humbled
o Dependent
o Blessed
o Joyful
I mean, how many times does a retired pastor get the opportunity to serve his very own congregation—that which he is a part of---in this capacity? I look forward to preaching regularly again for a while. My very first sermon on the 23rd of August will be “A Season of Change.” Appropriate, don’t you think? No doubt this transition period will mean new and different challenges, but I am confident that the old ship of Zion (of which Lighthouse is a part) will set the sails to catch the winds of change and keep on course--propelled by the grace of God.
We live in a world that spins with constant change in an orbit of perpetual flux. Therefore, it is good to remember that in our changing world, God’s promises stand as a sure foundation. Every promise is yes and amen. What God said He will do, He will do. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. God doesn’t separate Himself from His Word. Not one line, not one jot, not one period in God’s Word will ever change, till everything is fulfilled.
It’s good to know that Jesus isn’t going anywhere—Hebrews 13:5-“I will never leave you or forsake you.”
God is not just God of the mountaintop, He is God in the valley. He is closer to us in the trials of life, whether we are in the fire or in the storm. He is ever present to help us in the times of trouble and in the times of need.
He is “a friend that sticks closer to us than a brother”—Proverbs 18:24—Jesus is closer to us than anyone else. He is that friend above all friends. He will be there till the end of time and on into eternity.
When it is all said and done, it will all be said and done—and Jesus will be there in victory and power and might and glory. At the end of time, at the end of your life, Jesus will be there for you, to carry you, to comfort you.
So let us welcome change with open arms, knowing that nothing catches God off guard. He knows the end from the beginning and will give us the strength and wisdom to work our way through.
posted by kazookid | 1:16 PM
1 Comments:
Change seems to be the essence of life. While difficult I agree with you that God will help us through, our job is only to trust in Him. Comforting words.
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