Most New Year's resolutions are abandoned by the second Friday of January. We want change. We hope to change. But we never change. What's our problem? Why can't we make changes that stick?
Does faith seem easy for others but not for you? They have faith that burns like a fire while you are rubbing two sticks together with barely a spark? But even a spark of faith is enough when you put your faith in Jesus.
One of the devil's biggest lies is, "You will never change." In Christ, you're a new creation, full of freedom and possibility, but the devil tells you otherwise. So step out of the rut. God's about to do a new thing in your life!
Something must change, if 2023 is going to be different. You must change. The world says, "Be true to yourself." But what if being true to yourself is the worst thing you could possible do? Is there a better way? You bet.
Your prayers have no expiration date. Every prayer is answered in God's own time. He even answers the prayers you've prayed and forgotten. He'll still be answering some of your prayers after you're gone. So pray. Trust. And be amazed at God's faithfulness.
When I read the story of the Christmas shepherds, the passage raises a hundred questions. In this Sunday's message, I am going to ask all 100 of them.
The Messiah was promised throughout the Old Testament, then it took 400 years before Jesus came. Why does God do things so slowly? He dwells in eternity; time can't constrain him. Yet he's never late. Trust him even if you wait.