New Things Bring Change

Feb 12, 2009
*New Things Bring Change*
Isa 43:19(NIV) See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.
How often have we sat back and thought about what God has created in us? Too many times we can feel burnt out and lacking in direction. What can make us feel so dry and torn down? Many times you can see those who are quite rigid in tradition, and in fear of any thought of moving outside it's structure as there is a form of security in it, whether it be false security or just being in fear of change with its uncertainties. In scripture it talks about putting Jesus Christ before the traditions, and follow Him, but how do we do this after having years of instruction in tradition and doctrines that did little more than put many into religious bondage.
However, after we have been confessing our faith and moving forward into maturity, we start to learn that God is in the process of doing new things, which means change. Are we willing to follow Him into the change that He wants to do in our lives, and in the Church? If we are more committed to the old ways, how do we expect to be blessed the way God wants us to be? Traditionally, God Himself never changes and never will, but people change and God is never out of ways to reach out to those longing to be loved.

Confessing that we are His creation, maybe it is time we open up to receive what the Holy Spirit wants to do in our lives to fulfill the change that HE wants to do in and for us. Things that worked in past years don't work the same way today, and by holding onto old methods instead of allowing God to lead us, we can suppress the unlimited blessings that God wants to shower us with. When we are trying to move forward while holding onto out dated ideas, we shut the door to the newer ideas that God is trying to instill in us in order to bring about the change that can reach the newer generations. Our failure in moving beyond the old ways, usually results from listening to those who are traditional and comfortable in the ways they previously implemented. If this is the stumbling block to change, then maybe it is time we change our source of guidance, our questionable thoughts, our spiritual beliefs, and most of all our faith and trust we speak about daily. To have change we must ask ourselves do we really trust the leading of the Holy Spirit, and is it His will for us to be comfortable or are we to be committed, which are two different things. Being committed, we will seek out God's Will, and wisdom for the direction to accomplish the changes He so desires.

So many have lost their enthusiasm, they have empty lives, and basically have lost all sense of direction that has proven destructive not only to them, but to those around them. Consequently, when new opportunities come along, many fear it, and will fall back into their comfort zone instead of trusting God in moving forward. They may not realize what´s restraining them from going forward into victory. If growth is to happen, maybe we need to welcome fresh ideas waiting to be tapped into. I can just hear God getting frustrated by always delivering people out of their messes when He says in Isaiah 43:19, "Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?" How does He think when He sees you, or me, falling back into our comfortable ways instead of going forward in faith regardless of the cost?
Change starts by doing consistent evaluations in determining the adjustments needed for change and improvement. Doing things over and over again, and getting the same results is so defeating for everyone. Therefore, maybe it is time we adopt the new things that He has in store for us when we say "Yes Lord, I will follow".
For something new to happen, something has to change on the inside of us; our spirit must come into agreement with God, and believe what the scriptures say. Psalm 115 says, “The Lord your God will increase you more and more.” In fact, in John 10, Jesus said, He came that we might have life to the fullest, in abundance, ‘till it overflows. That means you’re headed to three places; to a full life, an abundant life, and an overflowing life. This means our temple can't hold everything, so maybe we should bring it to the corporate temple and pass it around to others to add to the constant construction taking place corporatively. He can overflow us in talents, wisdom, knowledge, and etc., and we can't apply it all by ourselves, so we need to bring it into the corporate body to fulfill the Will of God in strengthening the body of Christ, and enable the body to reach out to those who are dying to touch His robe for their miracle.
As individuals, we must change our thinking to improve our whole being if we desire change in promoting the Kingdom of God. These changes will occur when we allow the Holy Spirit to direct us. In accepting His direction, we must rid ourselves of those things that are restraining us from moving forward, and this can mean changing our friendships. Over time, we have developed friendships where some are healthy, and some are unhealthy. These friendships may be in the church, or outside the church. However, when we accept that we are the temple of the Holy Spirit, we will want to be obedient to His leading in discerning who we should confide in for our growth. When we stop trusting God for the changes He wants to do in our personal or corporate growth, it can seem easier trusting in what we presently know, but, sadly, what we presently know can also keep us a prisoner in our individual minds. Maybe there are fears that if we start trusting more, that maybe we will lose the control of what we are holding onto to so tightly, and all our efforts will come tumbling down. If this is so, then we embrace and display more fear than we do faith, and God's Will becomes suppressed. When we suppress the Will of God, then we place restrictions on ourselves only to limit the church's purpose as it can grow cold and lose it's intended purpose, excitement and drive in fulfilling God's design.
If these traits restrain us from moving forward, then we must look for new ideas that God has placed in others. We are the church, with many different parts to us. Then there is the corporate church where our brothers and sisters come together, and in comparing this church to the individual church, there are relational patterns. We all have body parts, we all have different ideas or thoughts, we all have weak spots, and we all have many strengths to build up the Body of Christ. To possess all these talents, and refrain allowing them to come to fruitation, we cheat the church growth, and suppress the Godly directions that are available to us if only we reach out and ask for them, receive them, apply them, and reap in them.
God is calling His people to come together in the way Paul stated in 2Timothy 1:6 "Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you…" As I read this text, I envisioned Paul speaking to one person, then to the whole body of Christ; however, each and everyone of us are responsible to stir up the gift God has blessed us with, for His purpose. What are you willing to do? Individually, as we seek His face we will come to know Him as never before, and our prosperity will be overflowing in the way He choses. Regardless of how, when or where this stirring up will happen, the Collective Church must prepare for the over abundance that will sweep through the church, and change those things that are restraining God's Will from taking place.
The spoken Word in Proverbs 11:2(NIV)When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. What a powerful word, and in one scripture we gain wisdom in learning a chain like reaction that so many experience in their walk of faith. By evicting pride we receive grace, but we must become humble to receive the only true wisdom there ever has been, ever is, and ever will be. This is the wisdom that grants us the knowledge and ability to make the right decisions at the right time. This type of wisdom can only be that of Godly wisdom because it cannot be defeated. How do I know? Proverbs 21:30 says, "There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD".
Isn't it time we reaccess ourselves and make those changes that will impact us as never before? What ever the changes that are needed, are you willing to face them and move forward? Moving forward also means moving forward in and with the Body of Christ. We are the temple, and what we've been blessed with should be brought into the Storehouse for those who are also seeking change.
Isn't it time we give God full permission to bless us all according to His Will? God says that you, and I, are going to be abundantly blessed. We have access to an abundance of peace, an abundance of friends, the abundance of fulfillment, the abundance of resources, the abundance of wisdom, and the abundance of opportunity. This overflowing abundance means we will never lack for anything. You may not have seen your abundance yet, but by staying in the faith and persevere, God says we’re going to have an abundance! Joyfully, as individuals, we can bring it into the Corporate Church to bless those who are seeking the change that God wants to unfold for a prosperous time in Him.
May God Bless You.
BY Jesse James