"Forgetting those things behind" By Rev. Len Paxton

“Embrace Change”

It seems a lot lately that there has been many changes in my daily life. I started to think about change and how it can be harder the older you get to change. I started to think about the Gospel and how we have been changed and are being changed.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Philippians 3:21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

1 Corinthians 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

This Gospel is a changing one, we are changed. The Gospel itself does not change, but when people experience the true Gospel there will be a change. Come as you are, but you will never be the same again. There must be a change. If there is not, you have not received the true Gospel.

It changes self focus, which is on us, to focus on Him. You are going to have to leave some things behind. You are not going to be able to bring the world into Christianity. You are going to have to let go of some thoughts. You are going to have to let go of some activities.

Many people today try to have Christianity and the world at the same time. This must not be. Everything must change. I know some people who live a “R” rated life style and think listening to “Spiritual” music, or talking about “Spiritual” things can be mixed with their so called faith.

When we came to Christ we were changed and we are being changed. The way we think. The way we act. The way we walk and talk all changes.

When one comes to Christ then they are more interested in doing the work of the Lord, than in their own advancement.

We are being changed and conformed to the image of His Son!

Romans 8:28-29 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Get ready things will change. We will have opposition. We will experience things. Things will not always be in your control. But in spite of our circumstances and our situation we can give thanks unto God. We can be glad He changes not. Malachi 3:6 For I am the LORD, I change not...

BUT: Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ... 2 Corinthians 2:14

ALWAYS...... ALWAYS...... ALWAYS..... causeth us to triumph.....

Things will change, we will change,... But thanks be unto God He always causeth us to triumph in Christ.

So embrace change. He is ever working in you. Remember He will never leave you nor forsake you.

Hebrews 13:5 (Amplified Bible) ...be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]

We must press forth to the things God has for us. Even the good things in our lives can hinder us if we stay there. He does not want us to stay in past defeat or in past victories. Press forth, Go forward... Always moving forward. Praise God!

Philippians 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.