No one likes change There are changes in our lives that we will like and there are changes in our lives what we will totally dislike.. A young child goes through many changes just to become an adult and them for many when that point in life happen they seem to be completely unsure of what the next step in life should be. In our adult lives we make plans and many time our plans either have to change or we have to cast them aside simply because of what is happening in our lives or what is happening in the world around us.
1. CHANGE IS TOTALLY UNAVOIDABLE.
I want you to know that some of the changes that will happen in your lie will make you very happy. On the other hand some of the changes that are happening or will be happening will make you a very unhappy person.
This verse that I am going to read shows us that change is something that we can't stop but we do need to learn how to deal with it.
“As long as the earth remains, there will be springtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, day and night.”Genesis 8:22 (NLT)
There is no growth without change
There is no change without loss
There is no loss without grief
There is no grief without pain
2. CHANGE IS NOT ALWAYS GOOD, BUT GOD CAN IF WE LET HIM AND ASK HIM USE IT.
We live in an imperfect world with imperfect people. So there will be time when things happen to us that will not be according to the Lords plan. Yet if we are willing we can and should ask the Lord with the idea of allowing the lord to use what is happening to us to bring about His plan and give us a blessing, `“ 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.”Romans 8:28 NASV.
I love to bake and I am not very good at it unless I get some help from my Lady Barbara. What is interesting about making cookies is that they contain many different items that must be mixed together in according to the plan. By itself each item does not taste very very but when mixed together and baked out come a cookie that taste great.
3. GOD’S PURPOSE IN EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE IS TO USE THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES TO TEACH US AND TO DISCIPLES US SO THAT WE BECOME MORE LIKE JESUS.
So what is Gods purpose. Well we find the answer to that in the first half of verse 29.
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 whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son,
The key to understanding these verses is the words ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE. Everything that the Lord does is done to bring about His purpose in the lives of His Children. God can and will if we are willing to ask Him and if we are willing to give Him absolute free reign in lives, use whatever is happening in our lives to teach us and to help us conform to the image of Jesus.
When I was in high school I decide that I knew everything I needed to know for life. When I got to University during the first day of class I realize that these teenagers were a whole lot smarter than I was. I know that you know that Gods used other people as sandpaper to teach us and to help us to conform to Jesus. Let me tell you about Mike a young teenage who drove me nuts.
Read Galatians 5:22-23. (NASB) "But the fruit of the Spirit is LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS, SELF-CONTROL, AGAINST SUCH THINGS THERE IS ON LAW." How do we have all these gifts in our lives working in us like they do is Jesus. SANDPAPER.
4. GOD CAN USE US EVEN HUMAN ERROR AND THE THINGS THAT OTHER PEOPLE DO.
The story of Joseph life is one of the best to illustrate this point .
The best way to describe Joseph early life when he was home with his families is to say that Joseph was a spoiled child and at time he acted the part which didn't help when his brother were around. The brothers got to the point where the committed sin by selling Joseph as a slave and lying to their father that Joseph was killed by a wild animal . Then in Egypt again Joseph was accused of rape and put in prison until the pharaoh had his dream. In chapter 50 after Jacob death the brother forgot what Joseph had told them in Chapter 45: 5-8 and sent a note to Joseph saying that their father asked them to send the note requesting that Joseph forgive them of their transgression and sin. How was God able to accomplished His purpose and plan for his chosen people. The answer is that Joseph allowed the Lord to use him in His plan. Joseph not only saved the land of Egypt but he also saved the nation of Israel.
JOSEPH ANSWER TO HIS BROTHER "DO NOT BE AFRAID, FOR I AM IN GOD'S PLACE. AS FOR YOU, YOU MEANT EVIL AGAINST ME, BUT GOD MEANT IT FOR GOOD IN ORDER TO BRING ABOUT THIS PRESENT RESULT TO PRESERVE MANY PEOPLE ALIVE."
5. EVERY CHANGE CAN BE SEEM AS A TESTING OF MY FAITH IN THE LORDS PLAN FOR MY LIFE.
In Matthew 14:24-33 The disciples were in the boat and a storm came up they thought that they were going to die. Then they say Jesus walking on the water and that shook them up a bit. Peter suddenly said Lord if that is you command me to come to you> Jesus said come. Now Peter was great for the first for about the first 30 seconds then he started to take notice of where he was and the faith he had in Jesus was sinking fasted that Peter was.
1 Peter 1:6-7 (NASB) In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold, which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
WHAT TO DO WHEN I’M STRESSED BY CHANGES
1. FIND WAY TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH GOD.
“Don't you know that the Lord is the everlasting God, and he created everything on this earth? And he never grows tired or weary . . . Instead, he gives strength to those who are weary and worn out; and he gives power to the weak. Even young people become exhausted and want to give up. BUT those who trust and wait on the Lord will find new strength, flying high like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They’ll keep going and not faint.”Isaiah 40:28-31 (NLT)
2. ASK GOD TO HELP ME TO SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING FROM HIS RESPECTIVE.
“God let the people of Israel see his mighty ACTIONS, but he revealed his WAYS to Moses.”Psalm 103:7
“If you need wisdom - just ask God for it! God is generous and he’ll gladly tell you what you need.”James 1:5 (NLT)
IN OUR WORLD TODAY WE ARE OVER LOADED WITH INFORMATION AND I THINK THAT SOMEWHERE 90% OF THAT INFORMATION WE CAN LIVE WITH OUT.
I would also like to say that it is very likely that 90 % of what you are getting just isn't true.
When Moses was asked by the Lord to be His chosen leader to bring the people out of Egypt Moses knew what the plan was. Now the people weren't given the plan but they got to see what Gods action would be to convince the Egyptians to allow Israel to leave.
God has a plan for your life and you know that Gods plan for your life to conform you to the image of Jesus. What we usually struggle with is that God doesn't reveal how He is going to do that. That where we need to have faith that God knows what He is doing even when we don't agree with what is happening.
A. When we struggle let us ask for Wisdom according to James 1:5.
B. 2 Peter 1:19 says "And so we have the prophetic Word made more sure to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shinning in a dark place, until the day dawn and the morning star arises in your hearts."
3. INSTEAD OF ASKING “WHY IS THIS HAPPENING to me INSTEAD ASK GOD WHAT IS THE LESSON THAT HE WANT YOU TO LEARN FROM THIS.
Romans 5:3-5 says "And not only this, but we also exult in out tribulations knowing that tribulations brings about perseverance, and perseverance , proven character, and proven character hope and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us."
Paul wrote in Philippians 4:12-13 NASB "I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."
4. CHANGE WHAT YOU ARE FOCUSING ON BY FOCUSING ON WHAT NEVER CHANGES.
The Bible inform us that there are three things that never change.
Jeremiah 31:3 Says "THE LORD APPEARED TO HIM FROM AFAR SAYING ""I HAVE LOVED YOU WITH AN EVERY LASTING LOVE; THEREFORE I HAVE DRAWN YOU WITH LOVING KINDNESS."
Isaiah 40:8 (NASB) "THE GRASS WITHERS, THE FLOWERS FADE, BUT THE WORD OF OUR GOD STANDS FOREVER."
Psalm 33:11 (NASB) "THE COUNSEL OF THE LORD STANDS FOREVER, THE PLANS OF HIS HEART FROM GENERATIONS TO GENERATIONS."
5. EVEN THOUGH YOU MAY NOT LIKE OR EVEN AGREE WITH WHAT IS HAPPENING IN YOUR LIFE; START BY TELLING GOD YOU ACCEPT AND TRUST WHAT GODS PLANS ARE FOR YOUR LIFE.
In the Bible there are two people who show us how to learn to do this.
Abraham was asked by the Lord to leave everything and everyone to go where the Lord would direct him.
The apostle Paul was a servant of the Lord and he thought he was doing God work until he met the Lord Jesus. I think that even if Paul was shown by the Lord everything that was going to happen to him that Paul would still have said yes to the call.
PSALM 112:7 (NASB) SAYS He will not fear bad news; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD. 8 His heart is firm, he will not fear, ]But will look with satisfaction on his enemies.
9 He has given freely to the poor, His righteousness endures forever; His horn will be exalted in honor. .
THE LIVING BIBLE PUT PSALM 112: 7-9 THIS WAY He does not fear bad news, nor live in dread of what may happen. For he is settled in his mind that Jehovah will take care of him. 8 That is why he is not afraid but can calmly face his foes. 9 He gives generously to those in need. His deeds will never be forgotten.[a] He shall have influence and honor.
PSALM 27:3 NLB Even if a whole army surrounds me, I will not be afraid! And even if enemies attack me from all sides, I will still trust God!”
