Hebrews 13:8,  “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (NKJV)

“Yeshua the Messiah is the same yesterday, today and forever.”  (TCJSB)

He is the same…. I used both of those translations to remind us that that same Jesus who was willing to come to earth and die a horrible death, be accused of all sorts of heinous things that He would never do so we could have our sins forgiven and have eternal life ~ He is our Messiah.  Maybe it’s just me, but I grew up always hearing Jesus’ name as Jesus Christ, not The Christ, so it became His name to me not name and “Title”.  He is the same ~ His love for you has not changed! (So, when you think about it ~ every time someone uses His name as ‘Jesus Christ’ in vain or in ways they shouldn’t, they are saying that He is our Messiah ~ maybe we just need to start responding with “Yes, He is! and see what doors it may open up for us to share the Gospel!) Now, let that sink in a minute (how much He loved you to give His life for your salvation!) because it is easy to take a look around at everything going on in the world to forget how much He loves and cares for you.  If you can’t grasp His love for you then how can you genuinely share it with those around you?  How can you fully explain to someone else that Jesus loves them beyond their comprehension if you don’t fully believe that for yourself?

Ok, so Physical growth just happens, in fact, if we aren’t careful we can just keep growing and growing beyond what was intended and in the wrong direction.  Mental and Spiritual growth takes effort and training, again though if you feed them the wrong things you will grow in the wrong direction!  God wants to train you in the right direction so you can become all He created you to be!

Sometimes when we are going through a storm in our life we grumble and complain wondering why God would allow it if He loves us!  We may even ask, “Why does it seem as though my prayers aren’t getting above the ceiling?”  God often allows those times in our lives so we will draw closer to Him and grow in our walk with Him.  Some of the greatest service you will ever do for Him will come out of where you have been and what you have been through if you allow Him to work in your heart and life.  It doesn’t change the fact that He loves you more than you comprehend!  If He didn’t He wouldn’t be working on you and your relationship with Him.  So, are you willing to allow that storm or fiery trial to make you more like Him?  Think about this:  A goldsmith was once asked, “How will you know when the gold is ready?”  The goldsmith replied, “When I see my reflection in it.”  If you want to “come forth as gold” as it says in Job 23:10 then you need to be willing to allow God to work in you to remove those things that are hindering you.  You can’t be full of Him and full of yourself and desires that are not His.  He wants to grow you into looking like Him.  Pray for Him to show you what you need to learn whether you are in a valley or on a mountain top ~ there’s something you can learn to become more like Jesus!  Take advantage of the time you are in to develop His love and character so you can become all He created you to be!  

Jesus loves you and His heart’s desire is to bless you and to see you become successful so the world will look on and know that He is God.  He wants to strengthen you!  He wants you to be able to face the day with confidence!  He wants you to know every single day that He loves you and He is there for you.  You may not feel it or see anything happening, but He wants you to trust Him!  Have faith that “He will never leave you or forsake you” He wants His best for you and that will only come when you are walking with and trusting Him ~ then you can know that truly His best is yet to come!

Quote: “Men (people) are anxious to improve their circumstances, but are unwilling to improve themselves; they, therefore, remain bound.”  ~ James Allen