27.2.13

Change



February 26, 2013
Opening Hymns:
463 Lord, Speak to Me http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh463.sht

Scripture Reading:
Isaiah 55:4-9
4See, I have made him a witness to the peoples,
    a ruler and commander of the peoples.
Surely you will summon nations you know not,
    and nations you do not know will come running to you,
because of the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel,
    for he has endowed you with splendor.”
Seek the Lord while he may be found;
    call on him while he is near.
Let the wicked forsake their ways
    and the unrighteous their thoughts.
Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them,
    and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Message:
The scripture for today calls on us to change. It is beautifully written, because God is not scolding, rather, He is welcoming us to change our ways as He grants us forgiveness. We can see God in many different ways. Almighty, powerful, loving, forgiving, father, and mother. God calls us to have a close relationship with Him. He wants us to seek Him, follow Him, and talk to Him. At the same time we must not forget His majesty and His greatness. He is pure, faultless, all knowledgeable, and all forgiving. Truly, “As the heavens are higher than the earth,” so are God’s ways higher than ours.   
Belief in God can be what gets a drug addict to become drug free, a drunk to put down the bottle. It can change lives. When our lives change in that way our character can become something others desire. People may be inspired by the change and recognize how God can work in their lives. Living in a close relationship with God, and walking in his ways will give us “splendor” He will truly show us how magnificent things can be when they are offered to us for free. The best thing about repenting is the ability to have a closer relationship with our loving God… it is a way to show Him how much we love Him and that we are thankful for His gift of life and forgiveness.

Time of Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for freely giving us forgiveness. Thank you for the power you have to transform our lives. Give us the strength to change and to accept Your forgiveness. Amen


The Lord’s Prayer


Closing Hymn
470 My God I Love Thee http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh470.sht

May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.

Go in peace, serve the Lord
Thanks be to God

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