Jesus always remains the same

Hebrews 13:8
Hebrews 13:8

When I was a girl, I had a favorite television show.  Once a week, I rushed home from school, completed my chores and homework then settled on the couch to watch.

If someone had told me that I would someday be able to see my television friends at any time, I would not have believed it. But fast forward a few decades (ok maybe more than a few) and here we are in a technological world where I can do just that.

Watching each episode as an adult was like watching it for the first time. Everything was exactly how I remembered it. The actors looked, dressed, and talked the same.  Nostalgia grabbed hold of me and took me back to my childhood. 

Then one day, I came across a special episode that was created a few years after the show had ended. And nothing was the same. The actors were older. They dressed older and talked older. Some of the actors were absent and some had passed away. The vibe the show once possessed was gone. Nothing was the same.

Life is like that – always changing. Children grow-up, jobs change, moves to new communities. The older I become, the faster change seems to happen. 

There have been so many changes: Advances in technology, space exploration, education, hairstyles, politics, gun control, wars, protests, September 11, self-driving cars, climate change, electricity, Pearl Harbor, and a whole lot more.

The changes just keep on spinning around us like a reverse carousel. Instead of the carousel spinning in circles, changes spin around the carousel as we sit still. It’s enough to make us dizzy, distracted, and fearful.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. – Hebrews 13:8 (NLT)

But as we watch our world change, there is one thing we can count on – Jesus Christ does not change. He is the same now as when he died on the cross for our sins.

Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom. –Isaiah 40:28

He is still passionate about each one of us.

The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.” – Isaiah 40:8

He will never change, and when we sit still and focus on his never-changing love, we are able to rest in his peace.

3 ways to spiritually clean your heart

The last thing I ever expected to make my life easier was garbage day. Yep, garbage day.

For the past ten years, our local waste management company has helped me organize my life by picking up our garbage every Monday.

What’s so special about Monday?  Nothing really, except it’s the start of a new week.

On Sunday, I clean out the refrigerator and collect all the trash in the house. In the evening, my husband takes the full, and sometimes heavy, garbage cans to the curb where they sit and wait for the garbage truck the next day.

When I leave for work in the morning, the cans are filled with accumulated garbage. But when I return at the end of the day, the cans are empty. It’s a satisfying feeling knowing that the house has been cleared of all garbage.

But the results of this weekly ritual do not last. Within a day, more garbage is starting to accumulate, and by Sunday, we start the process of removing the trash from our home once again.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. – Romans 12:2 (NIV)

In Romans, we are instructed to remove the trash from my spiritual life. When we listen to the ways of this world, we accumulate garbage.

Here are five ways we can remove all of the trash and renew our hearts.


Confess your sins to God

Our sins weigh us down and hold us hostage. But the healing power of confession restores our relationship with God and sets us free.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. – 1 John 1:9 (NIV)

Read scripture

Immerse yourself in God’s word. They are alive and will clean the depths of your heart and renew your spirit.

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. – Psalm 51:10 (NIV)

Forgive

When we refuse to forgive someone who has hurt us, we become bitter. It drains our emotional energy and can affect our health. More importantly, God cannot remove the garbage of our sins unless we forgive others.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. – Ephesians 4:31-32 (NIV)

When we are weak, we are strong

“Arthritis,” the doctor said with a sympathetic look.

“I’m sorry,” I said with a nervous laugh. “I thought you said I have arthritis.”

“I did,” she said.

Wait. Arthritis? That is something that only happens to people (insert cough here) older than me. This can’t be the right diagnosis.  Maybe I twisted my knee and need to wear a brace for a few weeks. Then I will be good as new.

But the doctor was right. I have arthritis in my knee. And it hurts. I always pictured arthritis to be a dull pain in the muscles of the body.  Nope. It’s actually pain coming from the joints. And it’s painful.  Did I mention that?

The doctor explained that there is not much that can be done. The pain will come and go. It can could be triggered with changes in the weather, too much activity or not enough. It can also act up when sitting. Or standing. Or walking up stairs. Pretty much anytime.

I did some research and found an “Arthritis Index” on the Internet. It predicts pain levels that may be experienced based on the local weather.

I’m not sure how accurate this tool is but it’s an interesting concept.

What if we had a “life indicator” that would tell us when times of suffering will head our way?  We could head those trials off and stop them in their tracks. No more worrying, only strategic planning to keep ourselves free from personal or physical pain.

Wouldn’t that be great?

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. – Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

Well, no.

 My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses – 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)

Paul was going through a season of affliction and asked God to take it away. But God did not.

There are two things we can learn from this:

  1. It is through trials that we find God’s grace.
  2. It is through trials that we learn to lean on God for his strength.

God’s grace and strength are what we need most.

Here are a few verses to help us when walking through personal or physical pain.

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. – Romans 12:12 (NIV)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. – Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.  –Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV)

Following God’s path for your life

I stood before the automated soda fountain. It seemed simple enough. The machine’s instructions had me navigating the touchscreen with ease. Only a few simple clicks stood before me and my favorite soda.

But then something happened. My finger stopped mid-air, unwilling to press anymore buttons.

On the screen before me were logos of over one hundred different brands and flavored drinks to choose from. I didn’t realize that many existed.

I realized my choices were endless and began to rethink my decision. Should I choose something different? Maybe I would enjoy a drink I have never tried before? I became lost in a soda world full of choices.

I eventually decided on my favorite cola.

We make many decisions on a daily basis. No wonder we become overwhelmed sometimes. 

  • What will I watch on television?
  • What’s for dinner?
  • Should I make dinner, order a pizza or go to a nice restaurant?
  • What shall I wear today?
  • What time shall I wake up in the morning?

These are just some of the small things we all have to decide every day.

There are also big, life-changing decisions.

  • Who will I marry?
  • How many children will we have?
  • Where shall I work?
  • Where will I live?

Decisions can sometimes be stressful and hard to make.

For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. – Proverbs 2:6 (NIV)

Luckily, we don’t have to become exhausted and confused with all of the choices we face. There are scriptures to help us.

Clear your mind

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2 (NLT)

Pray for wisdom

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. James 1:5 (NLT)

Isn’t it comforting to know we only need to ask God for wisdom, and He will provide?

Let God lead

Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.  Psalm 119:105 (NLT)

God will never leave us in the dark. He is forever our guiding light.

Trust God

Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left. Isaiah 30:21 (NLT)

God is always right beside us.

God provides for our needs at just the right time

At one time I knew nothing about Alzheimer’s disease. It was something foreign to me and only happened to other people.  I walked blissfully through life unaware of the disease’s impact. Until my mom was diagnosed with it.

I bought books, asked questions and sought advice. But arming myself with knowledge was not enough. I had to experience the sorrow and pain of watching mom slowly lose her memory.

There was no question that I would be one of her caregivers. But even as I knew this valley we walked through was part of God’s plan, I still brought my concerns to Him. 

“I can’t do this,” I cried. This disease was like a tall mountain that threatened to crush me as I tried to climb it. I felt too small and unqualified to give mom the care she needed.

So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.” – Exodus 3:10

God chose Moses to free the Israelites. But he must have felt the task was too big for him, because he had many objections.

Who Me?

But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” – Exodus 3:11 (NIV)

I don’t know how

Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?” – Exodus 3:13 (NIV)

No one will believe me

Moses answered, “What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you’?” – Exodus 4:1 (NIV)

I cannot speak

Moses said to the Lord, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” – Exodus 4:10

I am not qualified

But Moses said, “Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else.” – Exodus 4:13 (NIV)

With every objection Moses had, God responded with provision and help. God did not expect Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt on his own. He always intended be with Moses and provide him with tools and helpers.

God also provides us with whatever we need when climbing our mountains.

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. – 2 Corinthians 9:8

A year and a half ago, mom left us for heaven. Looking back, I see all of the help God provided us, especially the days where we felt helpless and no idea what to do. He sent us wonderful people who provided guidance when we were lost and gave us the resources needed to help us care for mom.

He was there and he provided.

When we look beyond our insecurities and inabilities, we allow God to work through us. And he will provide us with everything we need.

When we create our own burdens

Ephesians 2: 8-9

We all have burdens to carry. Some are heavy. Some are not as heavy.

But some burdens are literal.  Like the time I decided to purchase 50 pounds of peaches from Georgia.  Being from Pennsylvania, we don’t get a treat like this often, and when I learned the peaches were being sold in a town near me, I made it my mission to purchase two boxes.

I did not realize that each box would weigh twenty five pounds. Actually, I did know that. It just didn’t register in my brain until they were placed in my outstretched arms.

Once they were in my possession, I had to walk three blocks, up a hill, to my car. With each step, the weight of the boxes became heavier.

I took twenty steps and stopped, looking for a place to set the boxes down. There wasn’t any.

I took another twenty steps and stopped again. I looked up the hill for my car. It seemed so far away. I sighed and continued walking.

I came to a crosswalk and waited to cross the street. My failing arms screamed in agony. If only I had an Aaron and Hur to hold my arms up like they did for Moses during war with the Amalekites.

Then I looked up to the sky and asked God for help. 

Instantly, the clouds parted, voices of angels sang in my ears, and I heard a voice. It was deep and strong. It was God. He was speaking to me.

Ok, it didn’t happen exactly like that.  But I did hear a voice and it was instant. It was a man walking towards me from across the street. “Can I help you with those?” he asked.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast. – Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)

Relief washed over me as he took the boxes. My arms were numb but relieved. The stranger graciously carried them to my car. I thanked him and waved as he headed off to buy his own peaches.

When I asked for help from God that morning, I did not believe than he would help. It’s not because of a lack of faith. It was because I didn’t feel I deserved his help.

Here I was standing in the morning, summer heat carrying more weight than I could handle. It was my own fault. I chose to purchase the peaches knowing how much they weighed. And I chose to park my car far away. I got myself into this mess and had to take all the credit for my predicament.

I did not think God would be interested in helping someone whose burden was of her own doing and so small compared to others who carried much heavier ones.

But he did.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. – Hebrews 4:15-16 (NIV)

We see God’s grace in action when he led the Israelites into the Promised Land.  He did not do it because they deserved it. They complained and worshiped false gods, yet God fed, protected, and led them to the land he promised Abraham. All because of His grace.

Jesus knows our struggles and failures, both big and small. And it is through him that God’s grace is given to us.