Change with a Purpose

“I am the resurrection and the life.” (John 11:25) Jesus said this on the way to the cemetery. His friend Lazarus had died and Jesus was on His way to see him. He was not going to a funeral. The funeral had already taken place. He comforted Lazarus’ sisters with talk of resurrection. But they did not know what Jesus had in mind until it was all over. Jesus saw His friend’s death as an opportunity for a new beginning.

New beginnings are not as rare as you might think. Children are born, we start school, and we get new jobs, take on new tasks, and start new things all the time. Some see every day as a fresh new start to something in our lives. Most of the time, in order to start something new, we had to bring something else to an end. We learn as we move through the changes in life that change is good and even small changes can bring great results.

If I can paraphrase Jesus, I believe He is saying to us, “I am a fresh start, a new beginning, and the continuation of this new direction.” Paul said, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17). When God brings new things He brings blessings with Him.

As I look at the start of the new church year I can see many changes coming. An old building needs to come down and a new one will need to be built. Some old programs will need to be traded for new ones. If we are going to be ready to reach people in a changing culture we will need to change some old ideas for some new ones. We have done it before. We can do it now.

Some things will not change. It will always be the same Gospel, the same Great Commission, and the same Great Commandment. God’s Word remains the same even when the ways we communicate change. This Church will continue to be a loving fellowship of God’s people, perhaps even more so. We keep our eyes and ears open to see where God is calling us to His work and our hands and feet ready to go.

Are you ready? Let’s go together and see what God can do with a people united in love for His purpose.
Bro. Robin

Worship

Worship is at the heart of our relationship with Christ. It is our expression of God’s worth to us, worth-ship. I have seen it defined as our response to God’s revelation of Himself. To understand worship it is something to experience, rather than define.

There are many examples and descriptions of worship in scripture. I find it helpful to focus on a few things that are meaningful and seek to grow in those areas of worship. I have made an acrostic to help me remember some of the most meaningful ways of worship that I have discovered in scripture and experience.

WORSHIP:

Wait on the lord, as a waiter waits on customers. (Acts 13:2)

Organize my thoughts. God brings order out of chaos. (Philippians 2:5)

Remember what I learn. Take notes and bring something home from each worship experience. (2 Timothy 2:15)

Sing. Singing includes praise and like praise it requires participation. (Ephesians 5:19)

Help. A worship service must include service in order to be worship. (Romans 12:1-2)

Intercede for others in prayer. (Philippians 1:4)

Prevail. The message will prevail, (Acts 19:20)

I hope these simple words will encourage you to experience God today. You can find God anywhere if you take the time to look. Take time to experience worship today.