The Author of Change Never Changes

by Paulette Reed

With the Church in great transition, the shifting can feel like shaking and can be a happy/scary time for many. People are being stretched like giant rubber bands on a slingshot, flung into new territories. Not to fear, friends. The Divine Archer's aim is perfect. He will not send you where He does not equip you. Doctrines and denominations are undergoing testing after centuries of promoting their own beliefs and teachings. Prepare for the changing of the guard. The river of God is always moving, always changing, and we must change with it. If we stop changing...we're done! Think how many times you've read the Word and remarked, "Wow, I've never seen that before." Exactly. It was revelation for "today." We must be very careful to not become locked into a belief system that never changes. When we do, revelation is no longer revelation. Ask yourself if your capacity for the living Word is the same as it was ten years ago.

I often hear urgent prayer requests like, "God has asked me to do ‘such and such,' but I just don't know if I can fulfill that role." Inside I think, "Nope, you can't. I can't either. We are dust and we shall return to dust. But, God can do it! For He, indeed, can do anything. The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwells in you."

Oh, how exciting to watch people take a leap of faith and step up to the plate, eventually hitting that homerun. Dear friends, faith commands action! Change is good.

No More Status Quo

It's difficult, if not rebellious, to remain the same if we're truly walking with the Commander-in-Chief. With each battle won on the victorious battleground comes another star on your shoulder, troops. You won't have to go that way again, so change happens. Once you've conquered an enemy in a certain area, it's time to move on. We move ahead in the army of God, advancing His Kingdom. As long as we keep marching, we're changing because faith moves us ahead, step-by-step. If we don't give up, eventually we walk into the Promised Land. Will there still be battles to win? Of course. But, that's why we're here, right? Christians reinforcing the victory won by Christ.
Dear ones, the last command of Jesus while on earth says, "Go!" That's why we often see the anointing increase as we go, moving with the cloud. The Lord promises that His grace is sufficient and it will be there when you need it...not a moment before...not a moment after. The river will part the second your big toe hits the water. How blessed we are to know that we can never travel beyond His care for, "The Lord your God will be with you wherever you go" (Joshua 1:9).

It pleases the Lord to see His children "cut the cloth." Wisdom "makes linen and garments and sells them. . . Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come" (Proverbs 31:24-25). Once that cut is made, beloved, the change is irreversible. Go ahead! Step out. Faith is spelled, R-I-S-K. We may not know exactly where we're going, exactly where our pastor, leader or church is headed, but we do know Jesus, and He promises that that is enough. Consider Thomas who said, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well" (John 14:6). Consider Abraham. "When called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going" (Hebrews 11:8).

Where Can We Go?

Thousands in the Body of Christ are experiencing accelerated change: a new job, new location, new ministry, a new way the way Church looks. The Lord wants to remind you that He is always with you. Perhaps peeking out of that dark, protective cave seems a bit frightening. The brightness of the "Son" may cause you to squint after a long season of hiddeness. Perhaps your wings feel a little weak as you emerge from the cocoon that enveloped you for so long. Listen, it's okay, beloved. You are not alone.

"He knows when you sit and when you rise; He perceives your thoughts from afar. He discerns your going out and your lying down; He's familiar with all your ways. Before a word is on your tongue, He knows it completely. He hems you in--behind and before; He has laid His hand upon you. Such knowledge is too wonderful for you, too lofty for you to attain. Where can you go from His Spirit? Where can you flee from His presence? If you go up to the heavens, He is there; if I make your bed in the depths, He is there. If you rise on the wings of the dawn, if you settle on the far side of the sea, even there His hand will guide you; His right hand will hold you fast. If you say, 'Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,' even the darkness will not be dark to Him; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to Him. For He created your inmost being; He knit you together in your mother's womb. Praise Him because you are fearfully and wonderfully made; His works are wonderful; you know that full well" (Psalm 139).

Friend of God, the Lord knows there will be days when doubt will try to overcome your peace, but He will be right there, waiting to infill you with faith as you cry out to Him. "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" (Matthew 9:24). Go! It's okay. He is with you on the entire journey. Beloved, if we are not growing we are dying.

Pressing Forward How exciting to know that change originates with the Creator of the Universe. "For we all with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord" (2 Corinthians 3:18). Dear ones, press forward! Going backward is not an option. I love how a precious friend said it so powerfully, "We go from glory to glory, and glory doesn't go backwards."

You may think you do not have resources, time, money, abilities, or support to fulfill the huge God-breathed dream within you. It's okay, family. "Blessed are the paupers in spirit" (Matthew 5:3). How amazing to embrace the fact that in Heaven's economy, absolute futility is the bedrock of Kingdom authority. In the beginning, God created when things were formless and empty(Genesis 1:1). God continues to create; He wants to create in you.

In times of major transition, it's comforting to know that the Author of change never changes (Malachi 3:6). We must grow and be changed into His image and yet, He never changes(Hebrews 13:8). We may not--cannot--understand all of the change. So we lean not on our own understanding but trust in the certainty of God. There are those who try to "demand" answers to questions that cannot be answered at this time. Are we accountable as ambassadors of the King? Absolutely! But, perhaps some want to be so sure, so well-informed, that they don't rely upon faith any more. Help us, Jesus! For without faith, we cannot please the Father. When you return will you find faith on earth? (Luke 18:8).

Can a Man Out-Guess God?

Can we account for every single thing the Holy Spirit does? Absolutely not. For, Jesus did so many "other" things that if every one of them were written down, even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written (John 21:25). Oh beloved, where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty, and if we are one with Him, with Truth, we shall not be deceived. May we never be like the Pharisees who suffered from excessive reasoning. "Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely" (Mark 3:2). Let us not forget that if wonders are explained, they cease to be wonders.

God knows fear will try to enter in; that's why His love and the living Word cast it out. "Fear not; go and do as thou hast said" (I Kings 17:13). "I am God, the God of your father," He said. "Do not be afraid to go" (Genesis 46:3). Fear mustn't stop us from Kingdom advancement. Don't you think David's heart was racing when he slew Goliath? Certainly he and many others felt fear. Whether in the lion's den, the furnace, or a season of tremendous change, many have experienced fear when facing uncertainty. However, God provides the grace to manifest obedience. We are certain of Him, so we fulfill our assignment even if with a rapid pulse. Often, there was one powerful word that produced powerful change in history: "Nevertheless." It still does.

Receive it!

For some of you, the Lord has authored change, but you're not walking in the newness. In your mind you're still tied to the stake, going in circles around the post. You are free, beloved! It's time to soar. "If the Son sets you free, you are free indeed" (John 8:36). You are free to say, "That's where I was five years ago, but the Master Teacher has shown me differently." You are free to say, "I used to boast of poverty, but now I realize Christ came to give life abundantly." You are free to say, "I didn't realize worship and praise could be such an extravagant celebration at harvest time." You are free to say, "I don't understand all the supernatural ways of God, but I am a believer--not a doubter!" You are free to say, "I don't agree with everything my brothers and sisters say or do, but I esteem and honor them, preferring them, obeying the second great commandment, loving them as myself. We are in a season of change, friends! If it's not raining yet, go back seven times. If it is not raining, ask for rain.

Dear, Dear Jesus,

Thank You for preparing the way for us, as we prepare the way for You. How exciting that a dream developed never leaves us where it found us. Thank you Dream Giver, for changing us into what You want us to be--Christlike. As we walk through the ever-changing kaleidoscope of life, may we stay focused on Your unchanging face. Change may be difficult, but often the hard thing is the right thing. Lord, You have promised, "He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread" (Proverbs 12:11). Help us to believe Your dreams and give You our very best. Every time we see the empty Cross may we remember that change is good. For You changed the Cross from an instrument of death to a glorious symbol of life. Thank You for Your steadfastness during the changing of the guard. You are the Faithful One. Fill us with faith as we walk, not trusting our human sight. Truly, truly we love You Precious Savior.