Constantly the Same

Constantly the Same

Today is day two, but the full day of camp.  Yesterday we experienced an uneventful day of traveling, getting settled in and spending some much needed time at the lake.  It seems that for the most part everyone was pretty much tuckered out by the time we got to worship and movies.

As for Monday night worship, it was a good start to the week.  Mrs. Tina led in worship with songs the kids were familiar with, allowing them the freedom to praise the Father in their own, personal way.  They enjoyed the few moments of music and praise, allowing us to focus on the reason we are here.

Bro. Jeff shared the evening message with the students, focusing on a theme interpretation from Hebrews 13:8.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (HCSB)

We were reminded that Jesus Christ is the same in His creation, in His incarnation, in His living and dying.  He never changes.  In creation He was with the Father and the Holy Spirit.  John told us:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

John 1:1-4 (KJV)

That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

John 1:9-14 (KJV)

In that moment when God came to earth and put on flesh and blood-the clothes of man-Jesus became God/Man, but in His living He lived out God to all peoples.  He walked this earth as a man, but never sinned.  He was perfect in all ways, and pointed to the Father in all things.  Never once did He falter or fail in the plan and the purposes of God.

Due to the love of the Father, Jesus died for us.  He demonstrated the love of the Father for all by extending His hands and saying, “You ask how much the Father loves you; this is how much the Father loves-He loves you more than life itself.  He loves you so much, He is willing to die for you and your sins.”

That is God!  But that is not all.  No, not at all!  He loved you and died for you, but in dying He cleansed you from sin and the curse of death; but He rose again from the grave to give us life everlasting.  He came to give us life, abundant life; life here and life hereafter.

He is the same yesterday, today and forever!

With that in mind, remember that He is constant, never changing.  He is constant in His love, His forgiveness, life, and in His promises.  Promises?  They are new every morning.  In the Bible do you know how many times the phrase “do not fear” appears in scripture?  Some say one time, others say over 1,000, but really, it appears 365 times.  That means that everyday of the year, Jesus says “do not fear.”  The writer of Hebrews says, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.  What can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6; Psalm 118:6)

There is now nothing to fear.  Life and death are in His hands.  He controls our lives, the present and the future.  As a believer, the Father sent His Son to die for us and to rise again from the grave.  Now, the Spirit of God resides within us to lead us, guide us, direct us and instruct us in all things that pertain to goodness and godliness.   

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

John 3:16-21 (KJV)

He is the Alpha and the Omega; He is the Beginning and the End.  He is Jesus Christ, the Son of God-God and man-and He loves you with an everlasting, eternal life.  There is no condemnation in Him.  So today, come to Him and confess Him as your Savior and Lord.  He desires to give you life; life here and life hereafter.