Just the thought of it scares some people to death! But change is a constant. We can't fight it. We can't stop it and we can't do much but adapt to it. The challenge is what kind of change do we most embrace?
Today's Daily Word (devotions from our pastors):
Tuesday, July 20 - How Do You React to Change?
I think that most of us are comfortable with the surface-level changes that really don't do much for us at all. We embrace the small cosmetic changes because they appear to have an immediate impact, but these changes don't really make a difference in the long run. Jesus is approached by a man, named Nicodemus, in John 3. He was looking for some answers and some direction. He wanted to know what needed to happen for him to be saved. He thought that he could go through some cosmetic change and say some special words and poof he would be alright. But Jesus tells him something very startling: you need to be transformed! Literally Jesus says that Nicodemus needs to be "born again."
Nicodemus was looking for new rules or some new moral code that he could adhere to, but Jesus tells him that he needs a whole new life! So often we look for real change in a mere facelift but Jesus is telling us here that the change we need, the change that he calls us to, is a complete transformation - a re-birth! Jesus wants us to have a new life.
When it comes to spiritual change, we need to focus on something much bigger than simply turning over a new leaf. We can't just change what we do, rather we must change why we do what we do. This is what Jesus is getting at when he speaks to Nicodemus. He doesn't want Nicodemus to be better at obeying the laws; he wants him to desire and live out a new calling. Rules simply modify our behavior for time, but the message of the gospel is the only thing that can truly impart new life. And new life is the only thing that will suffice!
When it comes to spiritual change, we need to focus on something much bigger than simply turning over a new leaf. We can't just change what we do, rather we must change why we do what we do. This is what Jesus is getting at when he speaks to Nicodemus. He doesn't want Nicodemus to be better at obeying the laws; he wants him to desire and live out a new calling. Rules simply modify our behavior for time, but the message of the gospel is the only thing that can truly impart new life. And new life is the only thing that will suffice!
Today, I pray that God will continue to work the work of transformation in our lives as we seek His face and His direction for today. May God who began this work of transformation in you at the time of faith bring it to completion in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ! AMEN.
Pastor Derrick
See more devotions here.
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This Week's Sermon (from our Parables sermon series):
July 25 - "It's Not Fair" - Matthew 20:1-16
The parable of the vineyard reminds us that heaven is God’s promise extended to all who believe – no matter what stage of life they come to know him. Just like the workers who worked all day for the same wages that the late comers received; it’s easy to complain and grumble that life is not fair. But the real measure of fairness is found in the man who gave up his life willingly to take our place – that’s not fair! God doesn't treat us fairly, as our actions deserve. Instead He treats us as Christ's actions deserve. Isn't that wonderfully unfair!? Jesus extends the offer and promise of eternal life freely to all who believe. It matters not when people come to faith in Him just that they do!
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Connecting Point (from our newsletter)
June, 2010 - Worship is Rest, No Break Needed
Our pattern of worship, Sunday School, and Bible study remains the same during the summer. While other programs receive a much needed break, it makes little sense to take a break from God providing us with rest. Worship and devotion to Scripture is not our work. That’s where God works for us.
Sometimes we feel like we need a break from worship, Sunday School, and Bible study. But that reveals how our understanding of worship and devotion is not in synch with Scripture. These opportunities are much more about our rest than about our work. In fact, among all the vacations, changes of pace, and lightened loads you experience this summer; you can find no better form of rest than when the Church gathers for worship and devotion to God’s Word.
That’s where Jesus gives us rest. He picks up the weight of our sin. He gives us the completed work of our salvation. He serves us with freedom, relief, and peace. Worship is an opportunity for rest – that’s why it’s called the Sabbath (day of rest).
We need a break from our burdens. We need to rest from our work of trying to earn God’s love and learn how Jesus completed the work for us. Resting from our rest makes no sense at all, but that’s exactly what we’re doing when we take a Sunday off from worship. I never hear anyone say they need a vacation from their time off. Worship is God’s way of doing His best work for you and giving you a much needed rest from carrying sins, sorrows, and stresses.
Even when you’re on vacation this summer, take the opportunity to rest in worship. You can locate another LCMS congregation near your destination by visiting www.lcms.org and clicking on the “locate a church” tab toward the top, right corner of the screen. You’ll find service times and usually a link to the church’s website so you can get directions and other details.
Pastor Brian