5-18-2016

       Good Morning All!! 

        Hebrews 13:8; “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

     Our life is always changing.  I saw this today in a unique way.  I ran into an old friend.  I first met him when we were in kindergarten class together.  We went to school together; from kindergarten until we graduated.  Then we would run into each other at parties or one of the local establishments.  Soon we would meet at the weddings of our other friends.  Next we would run into each other when we went to the school events that our children were in together.  Then we were meeting at the weddings of our children and their friends.  As we met today again, we were at the hospital lab running our blood tests for cholesterol and blood sugar.  When did we get old?  I guess our next meeting will be at the nursing home.

     We all age; we all change.  My friend and I are both rounder than we used to be.  We used to out lift and out work just about anybody; now we both ache and talk of how many things are “a young man’s game.”  I used to give good examples of how to do things; now I just give good advice.  I used to pitch batting practice to the kids when I coached baseball.  Now, a couple of years ago I let the high school youth group talk me into going bowling.  It took three days before my arm even moved.

    I know many of you reading this are nodding your head in agreement and some are even thinking “you think that is bad, just you wait.”  We age and wonder where the time went.  We wonder about tomorrow.  Someone asked me what my long term goal was.  I told them that it was to perform the wedding for my granddaughter.  A couple of them laughed and said that shouldn’t be too hard.  Well my little “Sydney Lou who is no more than two” has a ways to go.  I have a goal but not sure if it is the Lord’s will or not.

    The truly great news in all this is that no matter how much we change; Jesus never does.  His love for us is the same every single moment of every day.  Even when we are in pain or struggling with life, God’s love, shown to us through Jesus, never changes.  God’s promise of salvation to us, his gift of comfort and hope, his blessing of peace never leave us or change.  They never get old or wore out.  They don’t get weaker with age.  They remain the same vibrant and trustworthy promises that always were, are and will be.  God’s love for us never changes.  Even as we change, our bodies change, our memories change, our strength changes; God’s love never changes.

    This is a truth that God gives us so that we can hold onto this truth forever, no matter what befalls.  Our plans for tomorrow may or may not hold true but God’s love for you and his plan to redeem you and to claim you as His child will always hold true.  God’s promise of eternal life with him in perfect peace and harmony will never change.

Father, your mercies are always new but always the same.  They always refresh me and restore my soul with hope.  Lead me to always look to you for my sole source of comfort and peace.  Guide us as we continue on our journey with you.  In the precious name of our changeless Savior, Jesus we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret