Making the Most of Change!

Happy Monday everyone!
I trust last Monday’s Memorial Day holiday was a good one.
With Summer on the immediate horizon and the variety of changes it brings (e.g., graduations, vacations etc), I thought it was appropriate to address what the Bible says about change.
Yesterday we explored three major changes that change us...all from the life David, the second king of Old Testament Israel.
During yesterday’s message I offered three questions to consider under each type of change that are designed to help us respond in a way that will help us make the most of change.
Prioritized Change Asks:
What one thing do I need to stop?
What one thing do I need to start?
When will I begin?

Providential Change Asks:
What is my real test?
Who will I share my test with?
How can I best honor God?

Painful Change Asks:
What is causing my pain?
When will I bring it to the Lord?
How close is my relationship with Christ? (On a scale of 1-10)

In addition, here are a few questions to consider this week as a follow-up to yesterday morning’s teaching:

1.      Describe a time in your life when you added or subtracted something from your life in order to follow more fully after God. What was the result of prioritizing that change?

2.      Yesterday, I made the statement that “Goliaths” are tests God brings into our lives to prepare us for greater maturity and effectiveness. Describe a time when God tested you. What was the test and what did you learn.

3.      David was well acquainted with painful change. He understood how difficult it is “swallow.” Describe a painful time of change in your life. What did God teach you through that time? How instrumental was “drawing near to God” while facing that change?  

4.      It is possible that you are currently facing one or more types of change that we explored in David’s life (Prioritized change, providential change, & painful change). We should never face change alone. Are you willing to share the change you’re facing in order to receive encouragement and support from others?

May God continue to cultivate positive change in our lives and our church family as we seek to follow hard after Him!

Grace and peace,

Pastor Frank