“I am the LORD, and I do not change…” – Malachi 3:6

Change is hard because you often exchange the known for the unknown. Sometimes, the unknown is exciting, like a promotion, an anticipated birth, or the realization that you seem to fit in well in your small group. But sometimes, change is anything but exciting. Whether we like it or not, living this life involves change. Relationships, jobs, and circumstances change, and we change along with them.

The bottom line is life is change. The longer you live, the more you know that the only thing constant in this life is change. Whether our changes seem hard or make us happy, change teaches us that life is fragile, uncertain and temporary. Nothing is unchangeable.  Or is it. Malachi 3:6 tells us that God does not change. In Psalm 102:27, the psalmist declares, “But You are the same, and Your years will not come to an end” (NASB).

This means that God’s power, wisdom, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth are unchangeable, and He cannot learn, forget, or be anything other than perfectly holy. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. God is a constant and dependable anchor whether we move homes, change jobs, or experience relational, physical, or emotional changes.

Because God never changes, His word never changes. All that He has said about himself remains true forever. Everything He has told us about why and how the world came to be, what’s wrong with the world, and about what He has done to save the world will never change. No matter what changes or how hard we face, God’s word remains firmly fixed. “Forever, O LORD, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens” (Psalm 119:89 ESV). “Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.” (Matthew 24:35).

And because His word never changes, His promises for us remain true: “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns” (Philippians 1:6). “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).

If we accept that change is a natural part of life, we can more easily learn what we need to do to cope with it. But God reminds us that He has our steps prepared. He promises never to fail or forsake us, and I think He helps us see change in its proper perspective. Solomon, in the Old Testament, said there was a time for everything under the sun. Change is less unsettling when we can see the big picture and not just the small universe of our lives. God has promised to lead us in the right way so we can learn to trust Him. We can entrust Him with even the most difficult changes.

Ultimately, while change can be challenging, we can grow in our faith when we learn to embrace it. When we trust God’s plan, He transforms us daily as His followers. So, as you experience change in the upcoming year, remember this truth.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are some of the hardest changes you have to make? What did you learn from it? How did you change?
2. Habits don’t happen overnight; they come about slowly, layer upon layer. At the start we consciously do a task, but as we do it over and over it becomes automatic, without thinking about it. Agree or disagree and why? 

“Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. He did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight and followed the example of his ancestor David. He did not turn away from doing what was right. During the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, Josiah began to seek the God of his ancestor David. Then in the twelfth year he began to purify Judah and Jerusalem, destroying all the pagan shrines, the Asherah poles, and the carved idols and cast images. He ordered that the altars of Baal be demolished and that the incense altars which stood above them be broken down. He also made sure that the Asherah poles, the carved idols, and the cast images were smashed and scattered over the graves of those who had sacrificed to them.” –  2 Chronicles 34:1-4.

There are many characters in the Bible that we might, wrongly perhaps, skip over as not being particularly important. But some of these often-overlooked characters can be significant in other ways, showing us and teaching us something important through their lives, what happened to them, and how other people engaged with them. They were ordinary people who had cast long shadows of godly influence because they chose the road less traveled and trusted in the Lord their God. One of them was a young man named Josiah. The story of Josiah is remarkable on a number of levels, one of which is highlighted in 2 Chronicles 34:1-4.

Imagine what it would be like if, instead of going into the third grade, you became the President of the United States. That’s what happened to Josiah.  When Josiah came as a child to the throne of Judah, he faced an unpredictable and volatile moral-political climate. The nation was spinning out of control, headed for the judgment of God. How could a child right a sinking ship?  But this young man would be used by God to lead his nation in one of the greatest revivals of its history by guiding his people back to God. How? What was Josiah’s secret?

2 Kings 23:25 gives us the answer: “Never before had there been a king like Josiah, who turned to the Lord with all his heart and soul and strength, obeying all the laws of Moses. And there has never been a king like him since.” Josiah focused on a simple goal—to live so God is pleased with all his ways.

Josiah lived the great commandment to love God with all his heart, mind, and soul. He gave all of himself to God, every day, all through the day. Josiah chose wholehearted devotion to God. 2 Chronicles 16:9 says, “The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him….”

What motivates this unceasing search by God?  He wants to show Himself strong on behalf of anyone whose heart is fixed on Him.  His eyes rested on a young boy named Josiah, who had everything against him, and found a heart that was completely devoted to Him. Josiah’s story is one example of the power of God at work in an ordinary man and how the ripple effects were felt throughout his nation.

Discussion Questions:

1. How do we fix our eyes on Jesus so that we, like Josiah, are called people who do everything like their Father in heaven?

“When they came to the other side, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me what I can do for you before I am taken away.” And Elisha replied, “Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit and become your successor.”You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah replied. “If you see me when I am taken from you, then you will get your request. But if not, then you won’t.” – 2 Kings 2:9-10.

The relationship between Elisha and Elijah in the Bible is one that is common in Scripture. It follows a pattern that demonstrates God always has a succession plan. A few examples are Moses had Joshua, David had Solomon, Jesus had the twelve disciples, and Elijah had Elisha.

From the lives of Elijah, Elisha, and others, we see that the work of the Lord is never supposed to stop. It is not supposed to die if the leader dies. It is the leader’s responsibility to instill the right principles in those who come after them. God had a plan for continued ministry.

God directed Elijah to appoint one to serve in his place and to carry on the work. “Then anoint Jehu grandson of Nimshi to be king of Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from the town of Abel-meholah to replace you as my prophet” (1 Kings 19:16). Elijah found the younger man while he was plowing his fields. “threw his cloak across his shoulders and then walked away.” (1 Kings 19:19–21).

So what does Elisha do? He is faced with an unknown future. Should he stay, or should he go? Elisha asks if he can say his goodbyes but then takes the drastic action of burning his equipment, destroying any possibility of returning to the life he once lived. “So Elisha returned to his oxen and slaughtered them. He used the wood from the plow to build a fire to roast their flesh. He passed around the meat to the townspeople, and they all ate. Then he went with Elijah as his assistant.” (1 Kings 19:21)

The story of Elijah and Elisha is one of the most obvious succession planning stories in the Bible. It tells us much about both the role of the successor and the mentor. In his first encounter with Elijah, Elisha is willing to let go of his occupation, his family, and the life he has built thus far to follow after a man offering his mentorship. Elisha wasted no time in obeying. He didn’t go away to take time to think about it. He didn’t write out a list of pros and cons. He didn’t play it safe. He immediately said yes to God’s calling through Elijah.

God is the ultimate succession planner. In His kingdom plan, we must recognize that we are part of a bigger picture – God’s sovereign plan that spans human history.

Discussion Questions:

1. How does the story of Elijah and Elisha change how we live our lives?

“Our lives are always moving in the direction of our strongest thoughts. What we think shapes who we are.” ― Craig Groeschel, Winning the War in Your Mind: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life.

The premise of Pastor Craig Groeschel’s book Winning the War in Your Mind is simple: what we think determines who we are and who we become. The book delves into the reality that when we examine our thoughts, they reveal the battle our minds are in, and if we change our thinking, it can change our lives.

On the surface, that premise makes sense, but most of us have tried to redirect our thinking. We’ve tried to stop some bad habit, redirect our runaway thoughts, the excuses and the lies that we’re thinking and that the enemy is reinforcing over and over again. Winning the war of the mind is not easy. While not easy, God’s thoughts can become your thoughts.

Craig’s book says that our lives are always moving in the direction of our strongest thoughts. What we think will shape what we become. And if we don’t control what we think, we’ll never control what we do. The process of renewing your brain calls for some rewiring. That means taking every thought captive.

How often do you think about what you’re thinking about? In other words, how often do you take a thought inventory? When you are more in tune with what you’re thinking about, you’ll notice how often your thoughts can be spiritually toxic. Potentially toxic spiritual thoughts are negative, critical, complaining, angry, and unforgiving thoughts. Those are the thoughts you have to take captive. Imagine yourself grabbing that thought (taking it captive) and ejecting it out of your brain. Give your mind a really deep cleaning and a fresh coat of paint. When we are working on transforming our thoughts, we have to get rid of old, unbiblical thinking patterns.

You might miss a few here and there, but the more you do this, the better you will become at it. Choose life-giving thoughts, choose to think about whatever is pure, lovely and of a good report. What you think might be correct—but is it helpful and uplifting? If not, it doesn’t belong in your mind. Replace those toxic thoughts with God’s thoughts. Direct your attention to how God thinks; your brain will change course to agree with God’s intent.

John 17:17 says, “Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.” In this verse, Jesus is praying, and He defines truth as God’s Word. The best thing we can replace all that old, unbiblical thinking with is the Word of God. John 1 calls Jesus the Word. Jesus names Himself the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). We cannot go wrong with thought remodeling when we think of Jesus.

 Discussion Questions:

1. Do you think you can “think good thoughts” on your own? Why do you need the help of the Holy Spirit to free your mind from destructive thoughts?
2. How does knowing God’s Word help you change the direction of your thoughts?

“Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that’s where life starts. Don’t talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip. Keep your eyes straight  ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions. Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you. Look neither right nor left.” –  Proverbs 4:23-27 (MSG).

Most people do not realize just how much thinking we do. We think and process information all day long and sometimes all night long. Even in our sleep, our brains process or sort out our thoughts from that day. We spend a lot of that thinking on spiritual matters, and much of that thinking centers around the choices we make.

It is easy to conclude that you are a victim of your thoughts. But we need to rethink that. You cannot control the events and circumstances of life or what other people think and choose, but you do have the power to decide what you believe and your reactions to the events and circumstances of life. The Bible tells us we have “the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16), which means we can think and choose well. And we have the Holy Spirit to help us make our choices.

Every day, we have a choice—to believe or not believe the devil’s lies. He tries everything he can to lead you into bad choices. But some choices get muddled up with emotions, options, and plain indecisiveness. When faced with a choice, we need to ask ourselves whether what we choose to do will glorify God. The Bible should be the plumb line by which our lives are measured.

The Bible tells us that if we want to be happy, there are some things we should choose not to do, and there are other things we should choose to do instead. Psalm 1:1-2 says, “Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night” Despite our best efforts to do that, we still screw up. We make choices we regret.  We make choices we think there is no coming back from. We wonder how we can recover from a choice we made yesterday or decades ago.

Fortunately, we have a wonderful promise from God. In Romans 8:28, the apostle Paul writes, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” This verse reminds us that as terrible as some things might be because of our poor choices, God is able to give them purpose and meaning. He can make them good and work them into His good purposes for our lives.

Pastor John Maxwell said, “Life is a matter of choices, and every choice you make makes you.” Crack the Bible open and you will find account after account of individuals who made hard choices while following God and as a result, enjoyed His rich blessings.” Every choice we make moves us closer to God or tears us further away from Him and His purpose for our lives. We have a choice. We make decisions every day. We can glorify God by making the right choices.

Discussion Questions:

1. How does glorifying God fit into our choices?
2. What can we do this week to make better choices?

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Philippians 4:8

It’s hard to describe what goes on in the thinking process. According to research, the average person has approximately 60,000 thoughts per day, so the sheer numbers makes it very difficult for the average person to control. Your thoughts drive your words, your actions, your habits, your character, and ultimately, your purpose. If Jesus is going to be the center of your life, it starts with your thoughts.

The Apostle Paul urged the new Christians in Rome to let God’s Word change their thinking process. “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect” (Romans 12.2).

We may not often think about it, but God thinks about us constantly. He doesn’t view our relationship with Him like a checklist. He continues to think about us, care about us, and always be interested in us. Could we say we think about Him the same way? It begs the question what do your thoughts reveal about your relationship with God? How often do you think about God throughout your day? How can you increase the amount you think about God each day?

Psalm 19:14 says, “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.” This verse describes how God wants us to think. He wants us to consider whether the things that come out of our mouths and inside our hearts are pleasing to Him.  In other words, our thoughts matter.  The battle to deal with the things hampering your spiritual growth starts in your mind.

God changes you into a new person by first changing your thoughts. Paul knew how hard it was to reign in your mind and direct your thoughts toward Jesus. He knew how hard it was to avoid being distracted and going all over the place. He knew it, and he gave some good advice in Philippians 4:8.

God’s thoughts are higher than ours, but thank God He wrote them down. Just as our minds contain rational thoughts, which we think every day, and “heart” thoughts that make up the underlying pattern of how we think, the Bible also contains what God thinks about any subject. So, we cannot instinctively think God’s thoughts, but we can read His thoughts.

God’s thoughts in His written word can impart life to us and transform our thoughts to be more like His. Jesus said His words are spirit and life (John 6:63). Hebrews 4:12 says the Word of God is a powerful living thing. God has given the Word of God the power to change how we think.

Discussion Questions:

1. How can you learn to think like Jesus? What’s one practical way you can do it this week?
2. What would you like to change about yourself? Would you like to be more confident, relaxed, outgoing, or less anxious?
3. How can you replace toxic thoughts with God’s thoughts?

  “The best translation is the one that keeps you reading the Bible.” – Unknown.

The Bible can be intimidating. It is a book with 66 books inside it, the most recent of which was written about 1,900 years ago by people who spoke dead languages and lived in cultures significantly different from ours. Some parts of the Bible are hard to understand, while others are a little boring.  Some stories speak of people and places we don’t know how to pronounce, and we have no idea who or where they are. Using the correct version can go a long way in dealing with those issues.

Translations exist because (1) most people are not fluent in the original languages in which the Bible was written, and (2) the English language has evolved and changed over time. So, what is the right version? God’s Word does not change, but languages do change; thus, updated and revised translations of the Bible can be helpful. The overriding goal of modern translations is to help convey to readers in contemporary language what the original text meant. A more practical answer to which version to use is to read the translation that keeps you reading the Bible. Northstar Church uses NLT as the default version but uses other versions, such as the  ESV and NIV.

It is called God’s Word, even though God did not physically write it. Instead, God worked through everyday people, inspired by Him, to record what Christians accept as the Bible. The Old Testament is primarily a record of God’s dealings with His chosen people – the Hebrews or Jews. The New Testament continues the record with first-century accounts of Jesus’s life and ministry.

God’s Word does not change, but languages do change, thus the need for updated and revised translations of the Bible. The overriding goal of modern translations is to help convey to readers in contemporary English what the original text meant.  For daily reading and Bible study, we recommend using a Bible translation that emphasizes the importance of being both literal and readable. The church uses the NLT, but the ESV and NIV are excellent versions as well.

Remember two things: First, we must keep in mind that the Bible must be prayed over, studied, and committed to the heart for it to function in the manner that God intended. The truth of Scripture is given to us for living. We may own every version of the Scriptures available and not profit by any of them. Regardless of what translation you use, what matters is the changes in thinking that result from what we read.

Discussion Questions:

1. What translation do you use? Why?
2. What can you do this week to improve how we read and study the Bible?

“There was a man named Jabez who was more honorable than any of his brothers. His mother named him Jabez because his birth had been so painful. He was the one who prayed to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and expand my territory! Please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from all trouble and pain!” And God granted him his request.” – 1 Chronicles 4:10.

There are many characters in the Bible that we might, wrongly perhaps, skip over as not being particularly important; they don’t come across as heroes like Samson or Esther; they aren’t great Kings like David or Solomon; they weren’t vital to the life and story of Jesus like Mary. But some of these often-overlooked characters can be significant in other ways, showing us and teaching us something important through their lives, what happened to them, and how other people engaged with them. One of these is Jabaz.

Jabez is only mentioned in a few verses of scripture and is known for his prayer mentioned in 1 Chronicles 4:10. In verse 9, he’s described as “more honorable than any of his brothers.”   This simple prayer is a great model for all of us. When we pray for God’s blessings, we shouldn’t just ask for more stuff or better circumstances for ourselves. We should also ask that God use us as a blessing to bless others. Jabez also asks for God’s protection. He recognized there were dangers in this world and that he needed God’s help to stay safe. It’s important to remember that God is always with us and that we can trust Him to protect us, no matter what comes our way.

 Jabez appreciated God’s power completely and understood the power of prayer. With unwavering faith, Jabez placed this entire matter in God’s hands—and there are no more reliable, capable, or powerful hands than those of our sovereign God. In the final sentence of 1 Chronicles 4:10, we learn that God granted Jabez’s prayer: “And God granted him his request.”

We know that God is sovereign. God is above all things and before all things. He is the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end. He is present everywhere so that everyone can know Him. God created all things and holds all things together, both in heaven and on earth. That being the case, God will listen to our petitions through prayer.

Jabez is an example of a person who lived a life of faith and trust in God despite his challenges and difficulties. His prayer reminds us that we can turn to God in prayer and ask for His blessings, protection, and guidance in our lives, no matter our circumstances.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are your thoughts on Jabaz’s prayer?
2. How does this prayer have application in our lives?

“Now God designed the human machine to run on Himself. He Himself is the fuel our spirits were designed to burn.” ― C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity.

C.S. Lewis tells us that God is our fuel. He is the power, the solution, and the puzzle piece necessary for life. When God is out of the picture, everything doesn’t seem to fit anymore. When God is absent, we are missing the fuel for a vibrant, purposeful life.

We all need refueling. Constantly. It is easy to think that once we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, our spiritual tanks would be full no matter what we do or leave undone. We all know from our own experience that it’s not true. You have to work at it constantly.  It’s not a one-time thing. Ephesians 5:18 (AMP) says, “…but be filled with the [Holy] Spirit and constantly guided by Him.” In other words, be continually filled with the Holy Spirit.

Why, then, do we keep forgetting to keep our tanks full? Sometimes, we take God for granted. Sometimes, we forget because life is life. Sometimes, we forget the enemy is crafty. The good news is God is an unlimited source of fuel and is always ready to refuel us. We need to work at it. The more we practice the refueling process, the less likely we are to take God for granted or run on empty. We need to turn to God every single day of our lives. We are dependent on God. The only way to fill our spiritual tank is to abide in Christ.

Take some time to reflect on your story. Remember what God has done for you. Keep telling your story repeatedly so that you never lose your sense of awe and wonder at what God has done in your life. It will refuel you, help you stand strong in faith, and give you the resolve to press on until you see Him do again what He has done in the past.

If we want to be refreshed, we must invest energy and time into our relationship with Him. Maybe we need to develop the habit of waking up early to read the Bible and pray before starting our day. Slowly, over time, that routine will be life-changing. It will allow us to learn something new and exciting about God daily.

We will never have everything figured out or our spiritual tanks full all the time. There will be days when we feel so far from who we want to be spiritually. During those times, we need to remember that an intimate relationship with the Lord is more about endurance than perfection. We don’t have to be perfect; we need to keep going and keep chasing Him every single day.

He is our power source and the only fuel we need.

 Discussion Questions:

1. What does it mean to you for God to be your source and supply? 
2. What can we do regularly to refuel our lives spiritually?

“I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.” Jeremiah 31:25

What do you find refreshing? Maybe it is reading a good book. Perhaps it is a good laugh or taking a stroll on the beach. But of all the refreshing experiences we can find, nothing can compare to the renewal of the mind and spirit found in God’s presence.

The Bible teaches that we need to experience spiritual refreshment in our personal and daily lives. Spiritual refreshment happens when we draw near to God, our hearts are quieted in a devotional time of prayer, and we meditate upon God, worship Him, and experience His presence daily.

There are times when we need spiritual refreshment. Sometimes, things seem to hit us one after the other, and it feels like we never get a break from it all. Other times, we face the consequences of our actions, which can lead us to spiritual exhaustion. The Bible says we can be spiritually refreshed in those times, too.

Acts 3:19 – 20 (AMP) says, “So repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret past sins] and return [to God—seek His purpose for your life], so that your sins may be wiped away [blotted out, completely erased], so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord [restoring you like a cool wind on a hot day]; and that He may send [to you] Jesus, the Christ, who has been appointed for you.”  Isaiah 44:3 (ESV)  says, “ God is the refresher and provides nourishment by pouring out His Spirit on us. The Holy Spirit is able to fill up our hungry and dry hearts. When our souls are refreshed it’s like water is being poured onto a thirsty land.“

Jesus is there to refresh. The refreshing love of Christ energizes and rejuvenates. Early in His ministry, Jesus announced this about himself: “On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart” (John 7:37-38). This was more than a theological statement. He made a critical point: The religion of the day had taken a toll on God’s people. It should have refreshed them, but it did the opposite. Jesus told them that He was the refreshing spring that never stops flowing.

Christ is the ultimate source of rest and refreshment. We must recognize that true replenishing, refreshing rest doesn’t come from external sources but from Jesus. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus offers us eternal life, the guiding presence of the Holy Spirit, and spiritual nourishment.

There is no better way for believers to experience a refreshing time than quieting our hearts in devotional prayer and Bible reading. When we spend time alone with the Lord, we can experience His peace and joy and feel refreshed.

 Discussion Questions:

1.     Have you experienced a time of refreshment from reading Scripture?

2.     What can you do this week to find refreshment in the chaos of life?