CHANGE
Happy Sunday all!
This is going to start out a little differently than usual. It will give you an opportunity to reflect on yourself and your priorities. I am going to purposely make this short. NOT because it can’t be longer, but because I have noticed the longer a sermon is, the less likely people are to read it. However, this “change” in my presentation comes with a question:
When you’re doing something enjoyable, you have a tendency to want to partake in that activity more often and for longer periods of time. My observation begs the question: do you enjoy the time spent reading/learning God’s Word? Are you excited and joyful to spend time with God? If so, it would seem that more time spent reading or listening to a sermon would be preferred. However, if you do so out of a perceived obligation or desire to please God by logging in some time with Him, then the faster, the better. God knows your heart!
Remember, God loves a cheerful giver and He doesn’t just mean money. He means ALL your resources. If you are trying to get to know another person better, do you spend more or less time with that person? Are they a #1 priority or an “if you have time” obligation? Is God more important than the people in your life? <THINK> Time, obedience, praise, and honor are some of the many things we give Him. Are you a “cheerful” giver? (2 Corinthians 9:7)
This week we are going to discuss CHANGE. In general, change petrifies people. Most people find comfort in homeostasis (look it up if you haven’t heard that term as it is critical to all living organisms) and any change (good or bad) is often met with reluctance or outright refusal.
We are creatures of habit but have free will. That means we can change any bad habit for a good one. The Bible gives us great advice about “putting off your old self and being renewed in Spirit and mind” which requires change. (That is a summary of Ephesians 4:22, but I recommend you read 4:22-32 to understand the full intent of God’s plan for humankind). RENEWING OUR MIND AND SPIRIT means we CHANGE the way we act (instead of reacting/to last week’s sermon) and do so in a way that brings us closer to God.
It may surprise you that I listen to sermons from other pastors. I do so to help me renew my mind every day and keep myself laser focused on His purpose for my life, which is supporting others to successfully navigate this world, teaching others how to follow His examples, and encouraging people to build a better relationship with Him.
I also listen to several Bible books per week on my audio Bible. I changed my habit of reading the Bible to listening to the Bible due to back and other health issues that make reading for long periods of time difficult. However, in making this big change I have found I learn a lot more listening to the same books over and over, making it easier to memorize God’s Word. (It should be noted that I often refer to the written Word as well…)
Changing things in our lives is meant to make things better. All of us need to love more, forgive more, sin less, repent more, and so on and so forth. You get the idea that change isn’t just a physical habit, but changing the way we live our lives to align with God’s description of righteousness. Being right and righteous with God should always be our number one goal and His Word leads us to the right path.
I will end with one of the scripture verses that has become a mantra in my daily effort to be more like Him each and every day:
Joshua 1:8 “Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.”
If you make this change in your life, you will find your life-changing in a positive and righteous way. It is not complicated, but it does take some self-evaluation on how you spend your time and changing your habits to ones that are God-focused and approved!
If you enjoyed this sermon check out our others here or if you have questions please send us a message.
Many Blessings, Lisa ><>