You Always Know Where You Stand with God
You Always Know Where You Stand with God
Malachi 3:6 (KJV)
6 For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore,
ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
We are approaching the time of year when the Christmas story takes center stage both in the world and in the Church. The story is told in many different ways. Sometimes it reflects the events which unfolded in the stable. Other times the story reflects the impact of the events on the people who watched/heard about it as it unfolded. Still, others focus on the response in the heavens when the birth of Jesus was announced (some believe it was the greatest fireworks event ever displayed!) One story, many perspectives, all good. A well-known minister of the gospel has added an additional perspective to the story of Christmas in a message he recorded entitled “The Gift of Unchanging Presence.” It both deepens our understanding of the Christmas season and broadens the joy we experience at this time of year and throughout the year. Below, the gift spoken of is unwrapped to find the treasure within:
As always, the scriptures are our source for all that God wants us to have and this gift is no different; we are told in…
- Numbers 23:19 (CJB)
19 “God is not a human who lies or a mortal who changes his mind.
When he says something, he will do it; when he makes a promise, he will fulfill it. - Isaiah 54:10 (TPT)
10 Even if the mountains were to crumble and the hills disappear,
my heart of steadfast, faithful love will never leave you,
and my covenant of peace[a] with you will never be shaken,”
says Yahweh, whose love and compassion[b] will never give up on you. - Matthew 28:20 (NKJV)
20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” [a]Amen. - John 10:28 (ESV)
28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. - Hebrews 13:8 (NAS)
8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, and forever. - James 1:17 (ERV)
17 Everything good comes from God. Every perfect gift is from him. These good gifts come down from the Father who made all the lights in the sky. But God never changes like the shadows from those lights. He is always the same.
Each scripture points us in the direction of God’s goodness which is a reflection of His unchanging nature. In a world which is ever-increasingly heading in a downward-spiral, this “gift of unchanging presence” reminds us of something very important; that, as believers we have been given this gift to help us meet every twist and turn we experience along the way in this life. So, as the Christmas season unfolds in the coming weeks, let’s add this perspective to our celebration of the birth of Christ. As one well-known minister of the gospel is fond of saying, “Oh what a gift, oh what a Giver!” 
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