Forever The Same

I felt so strongly in my spirit to preach the Word of God and bring a lot of encouragement to our hearts today - to bring us courage in the face of what is going on now and what is coming up ahead.

I know that every one of us is experiencing new pressures & storms in life right now - high fuel prices, grocery and food prices going up, home prices and rental prices being so high, educational system challenges, wars, taxes, political upheaval, balancing work and family and extra curricular activities.

These are the very real storms of life!

Especially in times like these where there are so many stresses and strains and cares, one of our greatest weapons against worry is a good memory!

Phrases like "remember the Lord," "do not forget the Lord your God," or "remember His marvelous works"—appear over 150 times throughout the scriptures.

One of the biggest things the devil wants us to do is to get us to get our eyes off of God & forget who He is.

Matthew 14:29–31 NKJV

So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

If the devil can get us to get our eyes on the storm rather than on our God, he has got us sinking.

John 15:5 NKJV

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

If the devil can get us to get disconnected from The Source, he knows that he’s got us beat.

Who is God today?:

It’s tempting to think that the world has gotten so modern that the Bible & the God of the Bible is no longer relevant.

When we start to believe that God is not actually and practically still God, we start to rely on other things.

Psalm 20:7 NKJV

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the Lord our God.

When we are our only source of salvation and hope, the pressure really mounts on our own shoulders.

Our problems and challenges are not so modern that the God of the Bible is no longer able to handle them.

Hebrews 13:8 NKJV

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Malachi 3:6 NKJV

“For I am the Lord, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.

Our God is still a miracle-working God.

Our God is still the God who see and provides.

Our God is still with us.

Our God is still able!

The God of the Bible is STILL our God today!

1 Corinthians 10:11 NKJV

Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.

All the things that happened in the Old Testament weren’t just an example for us about what NOT to do - but examples for us about how great the God is that we serve!

I pray we get these things in our spirit for today and for the days that the Bible says are coming -

Let’s settle these things in our hearts today!

1. If you don’t have medicine…

You have the Great Physician & a living God who heals you.

Psalm 103:1–5 NKJV

Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

2. If you don’t have money (& it’s beyond a stewardship issue)…

You have the God who turned widows into oil tycoons & caused money to appear in the mouth of a fish (2 Kings 4 ; Matt. 17:27)

3. If you don’t have food to eat because of things beyond your control…

You have the God who multiplies what you have and provides manna from Heaven & can cause wind to blow quails your way

4. If you don’t have the ability to win the fight against your enemies…

You have the God who fights for you & gives you the victory (Exodus 14:14; 1 Corinthians 15:57)

5. If you don’t have the strength to carry on…

You have the God who renews your strength!

Isaiah 40:29 NKJV

He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength.

6. When it seems like everything and everyone is against you…

You have a mighty God who is for you!

Romans 8:31 NKJV

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

7. If you don’t know what to do -

You have the ONLY wise God who gives wisdom liberally (James 1:5; Jude 1:25))

Just One Thing:

Don’t allow the Devil to get you to get your eyes off of the God of the Universe and onto the cares of this life.

From the days of the Bible, until the end of the age, & especially today…Our God is the GREAT I AM!

Discussion Questions:

What song or artist are you into at the moment?

What was your “Big Takeaway” from the sermon today and how does that affect you?

Please Read 1 Corinthians 10:11 (you may want to read significantly before this verse for context), share what this verse means to you & how you can apply it in your life.

What is at least 1 way that you can use the principle of remembering God to keep the storms of life from sinking you?