FROM THE PULPIT: QUESTION: TO CHANGE OR NOT TO CHANGE

December was cold and snow; January has been warmer, with the snow melting. There is a saying: "If you don't like Missouri weather, stick around a day or two, it will change."

When I was a child, I didn't like broccoli, but now I do. Last season's champs are this season's chumps (at least in the NFL where team fortunes change very quickly!). All around, always is change. Another saying goes, "The only constant in life is change."

There are some things that do not change, however.

God's will does not change. "God wants all people to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth." (1 Timothy 2:4)

God's love does not change. "For God loved the world so much that he gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in him will not perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:16) "These three remain; faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:73) "And this is love: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us." (1 John 3:16)

God's Word does not change. We have different versions, different ways of making God's thoughts known, but, as Jesus said, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My Words will never pass away." (Matthew 24:35) Or, "The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever." (Isaiah 40:8)

Our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, never changes. "Jesus Christ the same, yesterday, today, and forever." (Hebrews 13:8) He is now, then and always the source of salvation, that is eternal life, love, peace, joy, for all.

Our need for God does not change. "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23)

The way to heaven does not change. "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, but by Me," Jesus said. (John 14:6) "Without faith, it is impossible to please God, for anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists, and he rewards those who earnestly seek him." (Hebrews 11:6)

In the midst of a life of change, in a world full of change, it is good to know that the most important things in life our need for God, and His love for us never change. May our desire for him change only by growing stronger every day!