From the Pastor’s Desk: Our Unchanging God

Dear Cornerstone brothers and sisters,

As I announced last Sunday, on Sunday, July 14th we will begin worshipping in our new location.  That location is the Kids R Kids located on Hwy 6 and Forest Trails just behind the Walgreens.  Also as I mentioned, I firmly believe this to be an opportunity to move forward as a church.  The facilities are more than sufficient for our needs; and in fact, they quite possibly could be more suitable than where we currently meet.  Also, I want us to see this move somewhat like our Outreach Sunday.  Invite your friends and neighbors on July 14th as we worship in our new location.  What a great occasion for outreach.  To that end, there will be a church fellowship lunch on July 14th (instead of our normal first Sunday of the month lunch).

what: moving to our new location at 15230 Forest Trails Drive, Houston, 77095

when: Sunday, July 14th

so what: see this as an opportunity for outreach!!!

As always, if you have any questions, feel free to call me at 254-624-8585.

Lastly, in light of our upcoming move, this week’s devotional is a reflection on God as the only one who never changes!

 

From the Pastor’s Desk

Mid-week Devotional

Our Unchanging God”

Mal 3:6, “For I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.”

We live in a world of change. Everything around us changes. Governments rise and fall. The economy is up and down. Friends move away and new friends move in. We move from city to city. We change jobs and grow older; our children grow up and move away. Physically, emotionally, and relationally, change is all around us. Where can we look for certainty? Where can we look for a solid foundation? A foundation that does not change?

That solid, unchanging foundation is the one, true and living God (Is 45:5-7). In Malachi 3:6, God reveals to his prophet, “For I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed” (cf. Num 23:9; Heb 13:8). God is perfect – he is from everlasting to everlasting (Ps 90:2) – he is the Creator (Gen 1:1) – he does not grow weary or tired (Is 40:27-31) – he does not change! Before we draw some applications from this truth, one important distinction needs to be made. At times in Scripture, it certainly appears as if God does change. For example, we read in Gen 6:6, “And the LORD was sorry that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart.” Does God change his mind? Does God repent? Does God wish that he had done things differently? Not at all!! In his essence, in his purposes, in his character God does not change (Is 46:10). He hates sin and loves righteousness! He is working all things according to the counsel of his will (Eph 1:11). He is saving a people for himself!

But here is the key distinction: God can change in his relation to men. And this should not surprise us. When a sinner repents and trusts in Christ, that sinner has moved from being under the wrath of God to being in the covenant people of God – he has moved from being a vessel of wrath to a vessel of mercy. Moreover, when Christians sin, they grieve their Heavenly Father; and when they are convicted and repent, fellowship with the Father is restored. And to describe these ‘changes’ in God, the Biblical writers often use what theologians term ‘anthropological language.’ In other words, they use human terms to describe God (e.g. God is sorry, God repents, etc.).

But ultimately, the grand truth of Scripture is the unchanging nature and character of God! There are at least two application we should take from this truth. First, a word of conviction. God does not change in his anger towards sin. God will never simply excuse or overlook our sin. He is unchanging in his holiness. This must cause us to search our hearts – to strive after holiness – to pray for the Spirit to show us our hidden sins – and to persevere in Godliness. But second, a word of consolation. God is unchanging in his love towards his people. He will preserve his people. He will never abandon his sheep. He will bring his people home to himself! His character does not change. His word does not change. As we live in a world where change is all around us, may we rest our souls in the unchanging foundation of our God!

 
God bless,
Robert