Beginnings
Now Playing: How do we end; where do we start?
Topic: Change
Solomon could say, "Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof; and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit." (Ecclesiastes 7:8) We like to start well, we must seek to end well, whether it be a calendar year, or in our Christian life. Bildad the Shuhite could answer to Job, "Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase. For enquire, I pray thee, of the former age..." (Job 8:7-8). Daniel inquired "I heard, but I understood not; then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?" (Daniel 12:8) The psalmist David could write, "Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is..." (Psalm 39:4) We have much to learn from those who have gone before of where to begin and how to end.

The Lord said to Samuel, "In that day I will perform...all things which I have spoken concerning...when I begin, I will also make an end." (1 Samuel 3:12) David could write, "He sent redemption unto His people; He hath commanded His covenant for ever; holy and reverend is His Name. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have they that do His commandments; His praise endureth for ever" (Psalm 101:9-10) We know of God's Word, "Thy Word is true from the beginning; and every one of Thy righteous judgments endureth for ever." (Psalm 119:160) Even the Hebrews were instructed, "For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end". (Hebrews 3:14)

The wisest man who ever lived wrote in the Proverbs, "(v.11) For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. (v.14) Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom; I am understanding; I have strength. (v.17) I love them that love me, and those that seek me early shall find me. (v.20) I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment. (v.21) That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures. (v.22) The Lord possessed me in the beginning of His way, before His works of old. (v.23) I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. (v.32) Now there hearken unto me, O ye children, for blessed are they that keep my ways. (v.34) Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. (v.35) For whoso findeth Me findeth life, and shall obtain favor of the LORD." (Proverbs 8:11-35, selected)

"Beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself." (Luke 24:27) May we begin with the One Who was "in the beginning" and "from the beginning" (Genesis 1:1, 1 John 1:1) and Who possesses all that is of value in this life!!

Changes
Now Playing: What changes should we desire ?
Topic: Change
Some of us don't like change. We are comfortable with the familiar and the habits of years. We can all be thankful that we have a Saviour of whom Malachi could write "I am the Lord, I change not".(Malachi 3:6) In the letter to the Hebrews it is said "they shall be changed, but Thou art the same, and Thy years shall not fail". (Hebrews 1:12)

The apostle Paul said that there are those who "changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man" and who "change the truth of God into a lie". (Romans 1:23,25) Solomon warned "My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change".(Proverbs 24:21) Jeremiah warned "I will yet plead with you, saith the Lord and with your children's children...Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit." (Jeremiah 2:9,11)

We are to "hold fast that which thou hast" (Revelation 3:11), and as Job, to be patient "all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come" (Job 14:14). In our spiritual lives may it not be said of us "How is the gold become dim! how is the most fine gold changed!" (Lamentations 4:1)

But there will soon come a day for the believer when "we shall be changed" (1 Corinthians 15:51), "in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump" (v.52) We look for "the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body" (Philippians 3:20b-21) Even here and now as believers, "we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the LORD, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord" (2 Corinthians 3:18). May we see these changes produced by the Spirit in our lives constantly! "God...hath shined in our hearts...that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us...that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh" (2 Cor. 4:6-7,11)