Way # 15: WELCOME CHANGE

 
WELCOME CHANGE.  Be curious about new ideas, perspectives, and approaches. Get excited by the possibilities that change can bring. What worked in the past won’t always work in the future, for God is doing a new thing.
 

a And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the wine would burst the wineskins, and the wine and the skins would both be lost. New wine calls for new wineskins. (Mark 2: 22)

b And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” (Revelation 21: 6)

c This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! (2 Corinthians 5: 17)
 
Ideas for Action: This is a simple one, so try it. Sit in different pew in the sanctuary or seat in Miller Commons next Sunday. See what happens.

 

Daily Devotionals

 
MONDAY:
Isaiah 43:19
THINK: Our God is ever doing a new thing. He is responding and acting within a changing world with changing needs. What God did yesterday, might not be what he is doing today. Welcome Change as God works in new and unexpected ways. God is not bound to do repeat performances forever, but is creative and inventive.
PRAY: God would give you eyes to see the new things he is doing.
TUESDAY:
Mark 2:22
THINK: When religious leaders get angry with Jesus that the disciples aren’t fasting, one of his responses is this: no one pours new wine into old wineskins. God has poured out a new Spirit on His Church and His followers, and we must be made new as well. Welcome Change as God undertakes the process of renewing his followers and his Church to be the community and witness He needs.
PRAY: The Spirit would be at work in your heart and our church to make them new.
WEDNESDAY:
 Hebrews. 13:8
THINK: We do not change for change’s sake and there are some things which never change. Do not be deceived, Jesus is the same, God’s will and God’s heart are the same. While God might be doing a new thing, it is still the same God. Welcome Change which holds true to the witness of Jesus Christ, not novelty which parts from His ways.
PRAY: the Spirit would help you discern between God’s new work and people’s novel ideas.
THURSDAY:
 John 1:14
THINK: There once was a time when God as man was new and unprecedented in this history of the world. Imagine you lived at that time, and Jesus, a man you could see and touch, told you he was God’s son. When God does new things, it can be hard to accept, but they are wonderful to behold. Welcome Change because God’s most powerful acts are new.
PRAY: God would help you see Him in unexpected places.
FRIDAY:
John 14:16
THINK: Likewise, there was a time when the Holy Spirit living in and with Humans would be unheard of. The High Priest was able to enter God’s presence once a year, yet in the Holy Spirit, God’s presence is with us everyday and everywhere. When you Welcome Change, you break free of old patterns and find God’s empowering presence.
PRAY: for the Spirit’s power and presence in your life to use you to do a new thing in your world.
SATURDAY:
Revekatuibs 21:6
THINK: We hold out hope for a day when all things are made new. When the earth is lit by the light of God’s goodness and grace and we can dwell with God in perfect unity. While that day is yet ahead of us, we can Welcome Change as God undertakes the process of making this world into a new earth.
PRAY: that you could put your hope in God’s return more than anything else.

Devotional Guides

SERIES ONE  Printable copy of Way #15 Devotionals (Small Group Guide)
 
SERIES TWO Printable copy of Way #15 Devotionals (Series Two)