Winds of Change
March 10, 2024

Psalm 46:1-3 - God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. ² Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, ³ though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

Seasons change, times change, people change, circumstances change.

Isaiah 43:18-19 - “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. ¹⁹ See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” (NIV)

Three things you need so you can allow God to move you to a place of victory and growth:

1. AN ATTITUDE THAT ACCEPTS CHANGE.

When the storm winds of change blow into your life:

• You can deny it, you can resent it, you can

Reveal Answer

it, or you can learn to ACCEPT it.

• You can’t always control your circumstances, but you can control your RESPONSE.

HOW TO RESPOND WITH AN ATTITUDE THAT ACCEPTS CHANGE:

a. Don’t DWELL on the past.

Isaiah 43:18 - “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.” (NIV)

“But forget all that— it is nothing compared to what I am going to do.” (Isaiah 43:18, NLT)

B. SURRENDER to God.

Philippians 4:6-7 - Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (NIV)

2 Corinthians 3:17b - “… where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” (NIV)

2. A FAITH THAT SEES DIVINE OPPORTUNITY.

Isaiah 43:19 - “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” (NIV)

a. PRAY that God will help me see how He’s working.

The Sunday morning prayer team is available each Sunday after every service in Room 201 if you need prayer in your life (in the hallway across from the donut counter).

b. Realize that adversity may be an OPPORTUNITY for growth and maturity.

James 1:2-4 - Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. ³ For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. ⁴ So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. (NLT)

Romans 8:28 - 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. (NLT)

Isaiah 43:19b - “I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” (NIV)

C. Recognize the storm is an opportunity to experience God’s LOVE.

Romans 8:38-39 - And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. ³⁹ No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NLT)

3. A GOD WHO NEVER CHANGES.

Malachi 3:6a - “I am the LORD, and I do not change.” (NLT)

Revelation 21:5 - “… Behold, I make all things new.” (NKJV)

Psalm 46:10-11 - He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” 11 The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. (NIV)