Some Things Never Change, and God is One
Some things never change, and God is one of them. No matter how our world changes, God stays the same.
Some Things Never Change, and God is One
2MefromHim Devotional
But you are the same, and your years have no end. Psalm 102:27
Some things never change, and God is one of them. Our entertainment is one day politically correct and the next day not. Our vocabulary changes with the latest whims. Vacations are virtual due to a pandemic. But God is faithful. His word is applicable. No matter how our world changes, God stays the same.
But you are the same, and your years have no end. Psalm 102:27 #Godisfaithful #hope #confidence Share on XSome Things Change
For example, until a few months ago, we traveled wherever we chose, shopped in crowded stores, attended church, concerts, voted, and visited hospitals. No one gave a thought to who touched the door handle last. But with the advent of the coronavirus, the entire world changed. Time changes things.
We have become wary of words. Television shows and movies are banned. Some areas in our cities are no longer safe. We don’t know how to express our feelings to someone of another race. Time changes things.
Some Things Never Change
Our search for stability needs to take us no further than the word of God. He assures us that though the grass withers and flowers fade, His word never changes. It is firmly fixed in the heavens. He isn’t a man that he should lie or the son of man that He should change His mind. God does not change but He can change things.
The story of Lazarus, in John 11, reveals the slower pace of Jesus’ day. By the time Jesus traveled to Bethany, Lazarus had been in the tomb four days. Martha protested Jesus’ request to move the stone because there would be a bad odor. But when Jesus called him forth, he rose from the dead. God can change things.
Likewise, in Acts, Chapter 9, Saul obtained letters to the synagogues in Damascus so that he could take Christians prisoner. However, after a confrontation with God, he became the most prolific teacher, preacher, and writer in the Bible. The man who called himself a Hebrew of Hebrews became the man who said, “But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.” God can change things.
God does not change but He can change things. #change #Godisgood #anxiety Share on XWhen We Don’t Know How to Respond
God says: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2)
When changes frighten us, there is a standard. God gave us His word and it will never change. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)
When the entire world seems to have tilted on its axis, God remains the same.
When the entire world seems to have tilted on its axis, God remains the same. #worldevents #security #Godisgood Share on X© Norma Gail Holtman, June 17, 2020
About the author:
Norma Gail writes Fiction to Refresh Your Spirit. Her contemporary novels, Land of My Dreams, which won the 2016 Bookvana Religious Fiction Award, and Within Golden Bands (releasing May 19, 2020), explore the theme of women whose faith triumphs over trials. A women’s Bible study leader for over 21 years, her devotionals and poetry have appeared at ChristianDevotions.us, the Stitches Thru Time blog, Inspire a Fire, and in “The Secret Place.” She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, Historical Writers of America, and the Women’s Fiction Writers Association. Norma is a former RN who lives in the mountains of New Mexico with her husband of 44 years. They have two adult children. To connect with her, you can follow her blog, or join her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Goodreads, BookBub, or Amazon.
Believe that You Have Received – 2MefromHim Devotionals
Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you. Mark 11:24
Believe that You have Received
2MefromHim Devotionals
“Believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you.”
I repeat this promise multiple times a day, as I pray. As children, it’s not uncommon to disagree with a friend, move on to a new best friend, and never regain the closeness that once existed. I changed my best friends several times for multiple reasons. However, none of those instances haunts me.
All things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you. Share on XAs an adult, and a Christian, however, I’m held to a higher standard in my personal life than in childhood.
For instance, recent events have removed people from my daily life, my holiday table, those with whom I share my joys and sorrows, those I call on in times of need. As a result, pain throbs deep and unrelenting in a heart that is no longer whole.
Pain throbs deep and unrelenting in a heart that is no longer whole Share on XBelieve there is purpose in waiting
Jesus said, “All things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them.” The Holy Spirit has impressed upon my heart that there is purpose in waiting. Time spent in prayer changes my heart. To wait, patient and trusting, gives God time to work in the hearts of others.
Time spent in prayer changes my heart... Share on X
Belief requires faith. James says that if we lack wisdom we must pray. I have no idea how to approach this problem. But, the solving of the dilemma doesn’t rest solely with me. However, James says we must ask in faith and not doubt. Doubt makes me unstable and unsettled like the wind tosses waves of the sea against the rocks.
Believe prayer changes your heart
I am weary of the battered, brokenness of being constantly tossed against the rocks. Therefore, I began to pray daily for God to heal, to bring repentance, and reconciliation into damaged relationships. Nothing has changed, but oh, what changes I see in my shattered heart. As a result, my days are now free of the nagging doubts and uncertainties that slammed me against the rocks and left me bruised and battered. Nights are no longer haunted by questions about “what-if” and “how.” What relief to rest, assured that my prayers are being answered, unconcerned about if, how, or when.
When I pray in God’s will, I have the assurance He will answer Share on XBelieving prayer aligns my desires with those of God. Therefore, whatever I pray is in agreement with His will. When I pray in God’s will, I have the assurance He will answer.
God’s heart breaks
God’s heart breaks when relationships are broken when His children can’t get along. It’s possible to know peace in the midst of unsettled relationships. Trust His promise and believe you have received it. When you pray, believe God will answer.
God’s heart breaks when relationships are broken when His children can’t get along Share on XTis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus
In conclusion, may this precious old hymn comfort your heart as it does my own:
‘Tis so Sweet to Trust in Jesus
’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
And to know, “Thus saith the Lord!”
Refrain:
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er;
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
Oh, for grace to trust Him more!
Oh, how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood;
And in simple faith to plunge me
’Neath the healing, cleansing flood!
Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace.
I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.
Public Domain
© Copyright Norma Gail Holtman, February 7, 2020
About the author:
Norma Gail writes Fiction to Refresh Your Spirit. Her contemporary novels, Land of My Dreams, which won the 2016 Bookvana Religious Fiction Award, and Within Golden Bands (releasing in the summer of 2020), explore the theme of women whose faith triumphs over trials. A women’s Bible study leader for over 21 years, her devotionals and poetry have appeared at ChristianDevotions.us, the Stitches Thru Time blog, Inspire a Fire, and in “The Secret Place.” She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, Historical Writers of America, and the Women’s Fiction Writers Association. Norma is a former RN who lives in the mountains of New Mexico with her husband of 43 years. They have two adult children. If you’re interested in connecting with her, follow her blog, or join her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Goodreads, or Amazon.
Crushed but not Destroyed – 2MefromHim Devotional
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:8,9
2MefromHim Devotional
Crushed
Crushed but not destroyed by a long night reflecting on recent events, I guided my car through the dense fog. Poor visibility turned vehicles to ghosts as crosswinds buffeted me on the wet pavement. I was alert to every shadowed vehicle, behind and before, aware of how fast life changes forever, as events of months past destroyed much of life as I knew it.
My back ached from a frenzy designed to distract me from a season different from any Christmas of my life. No longer filled with illusions of perfection, I enter the New Year convinced the worst is past. Shoots of new growth stir in the cocoon of my bruised and battered heart.
Not in Despair
Much as the fog lessened as I neared my destination, I felt the stir of new wings longing to flutter free of captivity. I am changed. Hints of freedom and strength signaled release from the confines of my cocoon, the mere potential of new life held captive within. Soon, new wings will allow me to soar high and free.
Not Destroyed
Recent trials banished remnants of childish misconceptions. What age failed to accomplish, loss and harsh reality achieved. Through it all, God carried me between His shoulders, as a father bears his weary child. Though weariness of mind and body often rendered me oblivious to His undergirding strength, Jesus bore me onward, nonetheless.
Lifelong assumptions may litter the dark and rocky path behind, but new awareness of God’s faithfulness and unyielding strength brighten the path ahead. In the words of the beautiful old hymn, “I am His and He is mine.” I begin again to know the perfect peace of a life hid in Christ, after months bound in a dark cocoon and veiled in frozen fog.
Changed
When earthly stability foundered, God stood firm and unshakeable until I awakened to recognize whose shoulders bore my weight. With footsteps steady and sure, my Lord never loosened His hold. He carried me when all I assumed unshakeable fell away, and awakened me gently to the knowledge that I survived intact, changed, and beautiful.
Through the unexpected twists and turns of life, I stand, changed, but certain the being who emerges from this cocoon is more complete than what I was before. Though crushed, I am not destroyed.
© Copyright, Norma Gail Thurston Holtman, January 17, 2020
Norma Gail is the author of Land of My Dreams, winner of the 2016 Bookvana Religious Fiction Award. The sequel, Within Golden Bands, will release in 2020. A women’s Bible study leader for over 21 years, her devotionals and poetry have appeared at ChristianDevotions.us, the Stitches Thru Time blog, and in “The Secret Place.” She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, Historical Writers of America, and the Women’s Fiction Writers Association. Norma is a former RN who lives in the mountains of New Mexico with her husband of 43 years. They have two adult children. If you’re interested in connecting with her, follow her blog, or join her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Goodreads, or Amazon.
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Autumn Transformation – A 2MefromHim Devotional
Autumn transforms the world into jewel-like colors, but they are a harbinger of winter to come. In the same way we prepare for winter, we need to prepare for the life to come. God’s word offers us the opportunity to do just that. But how faithful are we to share those truths with those around us? I’d love to hear your comments!
Read MoreSeason’s Change – A 2MefromHim Devotional
Season’s change, a time to reflect on things past and things to come. The seasons are one of the great patterns set by the Lord to reveal his power and wisdom. Come take a walk with me!
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