August 17
Encouragement for Today
“Changes”
Wendy Pope, Director of Development, Proverbs 31 Speaker Team Member
Key Verse:
Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (NIV)
Devotion:
I was having a little pity party the other day. Every now and then a girl is allowed one, don’t you think? In the past few months several of my favorite things have been closed or discontinued. Let me bend your ear: my foundation, my shampoo, my favorite Italian restaurant, my lotion and, most recently, my signature lipstick, Chocolate Mousse. Now that is enough to make any grown girl cry! But during my pity party God reminded me of something that has never, and will never, change – Him. Praise God and glory to the Father, that we can count on Him to be consistent. Let’s take a look at His track record.
Our God is the same God who:
- created…everything
- closed the door on the ark for Noah
- stopped Abraham from killing Isaac
- parted the
- wrote the 10 commandments with His finger
- lead the Israelites by day with a cloud and by night with fire
- made the walls fall down around
- closed the lions’ mouths so Daniel would be saved
- cooled the furnace for Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego
- choose a shepherd boy to be a king
- knew you before you were in your mother’s womb
- designed a plan for your life
- was conceived in the womb of virgin
- lived a sinless life
- carried a cross to
- conquered death and rose again
- left a Counselor to help us on this earth
- is preparing a place for His children
- is sitting at the right hand of God Almighty at this very moment
- will come again when the archangel sounds the trumpet
Oh friend, is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob your God today? If not, pray to receive Him as your Savior. Confess your sins to Him now. He is Faithful and Just to forgive you. Confess that you need a Savior. Tell Him that you choose Him above all others. Through all of life’s uncertainties, He is the one certain thing.
My Prayer for Today:
I come before You, blessing You this moment for Your consistent power, consistent behavior and Your constant love. I stand amazed at the thought that You, my God, are the same God who closed the door of the ark. Help me, oh Lord, to never forget the magnitude of who You are and the reality of what You can do. Thank You for never changing when everything around me does. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.
Application Steps:
Write down all of the blessings in your life. Praise Him for those blessings. Write down the current struggles in your life. Praise Him for those struggles. Write down three things from the list of Who God Is. Praise Him for being Who He Is!!
Reflection Points:
How do I handle changes?
What can I do to handle change better?
Can others notice a difference in me when something has changed in my life?
Do I praise God continually no matter what my circumstances may be?
Power Verses:
Joshua 3:5, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you.” (NIV)
Joshua 1:5, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” (NIV)
Psalm 63:3, "Because Your love is better than life my lips will glorify you.” (NIV)
Zephaniah 3:17, "The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you. He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing." (NIV)
Additional Resources:
Living Life on Purpose, by Lysa TerKeurst
http://proverbs31.gospelcom.net/newresources_livingLife.htm
Get Over It and On With It, by Michelle
http://proverbs31.gospelcom.net/newresources_getOverIt.htm
Secrets of the Vine, by Bruce Wilkinson
http://proverbs31.gospelcom.net/newresources_secretsVine.htm
Originally published Wednesday, 17 August 2005.
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