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immutable

12/25/2017

 
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As we approach the end of another year, I am reminded that nothing of earth stays the same.  Being a person for whom change doesn’t come easy, that isn’t necessarily a happy thought.  Just about the time I get used to one change, another comes along that alters everything.  Stability can be a hard commodity to come by these days.​

If you long for consistency, here is an ironically consistent principle:  Change is a fact of life on earth.  It’s the essence of our existence so we might as well get used to it.  The earth itself was changed from its original state by the Fall of Man (Genesis 3:17-19).  It groans under the weight of the curse of sin (Romans 8:22) and will continue to do so until it’s destroyed and replaced by a new earth (2 Peter 3:13).  

Human beings are in a constant state of change.  The moment we are born we begin to age.  As we age, other changes come along.  Everyone over fifty knows what I’m talking about!  In today’s fast-paced society people are constantly on the move.  Multiple career changes are common.  Relationship come and go.  Relocations are the new normal.  No one seems to stay in one place for long.

When it comes to technology we are talking hyper-change.  I used to sit in front of my fireplace and watch the flames consume the wood from the log pile in the backyard.  Now I sit in my living room, turn on my smart TV, and watch Netflix’s Fireplace For Your Home.  Really?!

As we search for stability in an ever-changing world, we wonder if there is an unchanging reality anywhere.  There is!  God said so Himself, “I am the LORD, I do not change” (Malachi 3:6).  The theological term is Immutability.  That God is immutable means that God not only does not change, but cannot change.  As the great “I AM THAT I AM,” God is forever the same.

God’s nature will never change.  Change is either for the better or for the worse.  As A.W. Pink noted in his book, The Attributes of God, “He cannot change for the better, for He is already perfect; and, being perfect, He cannot change for the worse.”  

Neither can God’s personality change.  He is who He is all the time.  That’s good news because it means everything that is true about God is true all the time.  God’s immutability defines every other attribute.  God is immutably all-powerful, infinite, wise, merciful, good, loving, etc.  As the Hebrew writer declared, He is “the same yesterday, and today, and forever.”

As we “watch the old year die with a fond goodbye,” let’s set our future hopes on this eternal truth.  We serve an immutable God.  “You remain the same, and Your years will never end” (Psalm 102:27).  God is the one constant in an ever-changing world.  He’s the rock that never fails, “Let me hide myself in Thee.”

Pastor Todd Weston

Christmas memories

12/18/2017

 
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​Christmas is a time for giving.  The tradition started with the magi who brought gifts for the Christ Child.  Now we celebrate the birth of Jesus by giving Christmas presents to one another.  

God is the original gift giver.  Of all the gifts He has given, one of the greatest is the gift of memory.  Consider this amazing gift.  At any moment you can pull from your built in memory bank memories that date back decades.  Without leaving the comfort of your easy chair, memory can transport you miles away to faraway places. 

In Philippians 4:8 Paul said, “Think on these things.”  By an act of your will you can activate the gift of memory.  You can recall special moments.  You can relive good times with family and friends.  The gift of memory can take you back to days gone by like Scrooge’s ghost of Christmas past.  By exercising God’s gift you can experience what the songwriter wrote, “Precious moments, special people, happy faces, I can see” (Somewhere In My Memory).

The gift of memory is included in James’ statement, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights.” (James 1:17).  Be aware of the fact that Satan delights in misusing the gifts of God.  Satan wants the gift of memory to torment us.  God wants His gift to bless us.  It all depends on how the gift is used.

This Christmas season take time to reflect.  Remember the good, and be thankful.  Most of all, remember that into this dark world God sent light in the person of His Son Jesus Christ.  Into a hopeless situation, hope came wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.

As you open presents this year, remember the many wonderful gifts of God.  As it says in Psalm 103:2, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits,” one of which is the gift of memory itself.

Pastor Todd Weston

simeon

12/11/2017

 
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You’ve heard the saying, “Good things come to those who wait.”  I guess that’s true if you are waiting for the right thing. 

The Bible tells of a man who spent most of his life waiting for something.  His name was Simeon and he lived in the city of Jerusalem.  He was a godly man who lived under the anointing of the Holy Spirit.  At some point early in his life, the Spirit revealed to Simeon that he would not die until he had seen with his own eyes the Messiah.

So Simeon waited…and he waited…and he waited.  The years rolled by as Simeon waited - from youth, through middle age, to old age.  Tradition says that by the time we reach Luke 2 Simeon was 113 years old!  That’s a long time to wait for anything.  But Simeon patiently waited all those years holding on to a single promise.  

Then came the day when the Spirit directed Simeon to go to the Temple.  Can you imagine his excitement?  At last, the long-awaited promise was about to be fulfilled.

Arriving at the Temple, Simeon saw a young couple approaching with a newborn baby boy.  From what happened next it’s obvious the Holy Spirit revealed to Simeon the identity of the Child.  Taking the baby Jesus in his arms, Simeon worshiped saying, “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace.  For my eyes have seen your salvation” (Luke 2:29-30 NIV). 

Christmas reminds us that while the wait may be long, the promises of God will not fail.  Faith will become sight.  Good things will come to those who wait on the Lord.  The babe in the arms of Simeon is proof.​

Pastor Todd Weston

fishing stories

12/4/2017

 
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Fishing stories.  Everyone has heard them.  Discerning ears filter the unbelievable from the believable.  John records a fishing story in the twenty-first chapter of his gospel that most would relegate to the “tall tales” category were it not for the fact that it appears in the Bible.​

As the story goes, Peter and the other disciples fished all night with nothing to show for it.  Early the next morning, Jesus called to them from the shore.  Confessing their failure, Jesus gave them a great tip.  Cast the net on the right side of the boat!  Had it been anyone else they would have dismissed the advice.  Since it was Jesus, they obeyed.  Suddenly, the fishing trip became very exciting.  The once empty nets were now bulging with fish to the breaking point.

I believe this story contains some life-lessons for those who have reached a plateau professionally or personally where there seems to be little if any progress.  Take out your Bible and follow along as I identify five life-lessons from this story.

1.    Just because something worked before doesn’t mean it will always work (v3b)

Peter, James, and John were experienced fishermen.  They knew all the tricks of the trade.  They were doing what they had always done, but this time it wasn’t working.  They were not catching any fish.

2.    Face up to reality (v5)

They fished all night and had caught nothing.  When asked, they could have made excuses.  They could have denied the fact that their nets were empty.  Instead, they admitted the obvious.  Denying reality is not an act of fact.  To improve, we must be willing to face the facts.

3.    We must embrace change (v6a)

The answer was not for the disciples to quit fishing, but to change the way they were fishing.  With few exceptions, methods are dynamic and are always changing.  The disciples needed a change in methodology.

4.    Obedient action resulted in success (v6b)

The disciples didn’t change just for the sake of change.  Realizing the problem, admitting the need, and receiving a plan from the Lord, they acted in obedience.  The results were off the charts.

5.    The credit always belongs to Jesus (v7a)

The disciples could not take credit for the great catch of fish any more than we can take credit for  the successes that come into our lives.  Like John observing the miracle, we must always conclude, “It is the Lord.”

If you have reached a plateau in your life, don’t just sit there bemoaning the fact.  Seek the Lord for a new plan of attack and take action.  It will probably require change (like casting the net on the other side of the boat), but the results will be worth it.

Pastor Todd Weston

    Pastor Todd

    Lead Pastor
    River of Life
    Assembly of God

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