The Challenge of Change

Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go forth from your country, And from your relatives And from your father’s house, To the land which I will show you; - Genesis 12:1

And I will make you a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And so you shall be a blessing; - Genesis 12:2

And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed. - Genesis 12:3

Therefore be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. - Galatians 3:7

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. - Luke 1:26-27

And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, favored one And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. - Luke 1:28-30

And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; - Luke 1:31-32

and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” - Luke 1:33-34

The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God. - Luke 1:35

And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. For nothing will be impossible with God.” - Luke 1:36-37

And Mary said, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. - Luke 1:38

And someone came to Him and said, “Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?” And He said to him, “Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” - Matthew 19:16-17

Then he said to Him, “Which ones Then he said to Him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not commit murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honor your father and mother; and You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” - Matthew 19:18-19

The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept; what am I still lacking?” Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” - Matthew 19:20-21

But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property. - Matthew 19:22

THE CHALLENGE I want us to decide if our faith is going to be "a part" of our lives or if our faith will become our lives.

… test Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows. - Malachi 3:10