Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God’s house. For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses—as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. Hebrews 3:1-6
I’m going through many changes right now: family members passing away, others moving away, a pastor change and health changes. It’s a challenge to keep my thoughts on Jesus. Grief, discouragement and fears keep popping into my mind. Yet as Joyce Meyer, Christian speaker and author, says, “what we think is key during a time of change…. How we think about our journey may make the difference between 11 days or 40 years in the wilderness. Just ask the children of Israel.” Here is how God has helped me recently in my humanness.
I thank Jesus for his church, and the Holy Spirit working through its members. At a church meeting someone said to me, “when you go through change its important what you tell yourself.” The next day at a weekly support group meeting the lesson was on reading the Bible and telling yourself the truth in God’s Word. I’m purposely trying to keep God’s word- his promises, truth and hope, in my mind, and keep godly people around me amidst all this transition. Another one of the encouragements I received at a support group meeting was to list how many ways I could keep God’s truth in front of me all day. God gave me some new ideas.
This week our daily devotions have looked historically at how God’s people have gone through transitions and kept their focus on God. Israel recited the shema, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:4-9), The early church said the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:17-15). Today we can say, we are his church. He has called us as his own, we are South (Hebrews 3:1-6). God the Father is working in us and the Holy Spirit through us to show individuals, our families, our community and the world, how to follow Jesus with the heart of Jesus. Make a list of your ways to stay connected to God’s Word in this season of transition for our community. Mine includes things like Bible studies, reading, listening and memorizing. Make plans to stay connected to godly people by signing up for a life group, prayer meeting, Bible class or support group. “We must get into God’s word for God’s word to get into us.” – Lysa Terkeurst
By Donna Burns
