This is my first chance to Blog on behalf of our church in the New Year, and I wanted to use this opportunity to address a subject that is very important as we enter this New Year.

However, I must warn that to most Christians this is a very sore subject. Some even treat this subject as if it were not apart of the will of God for our lives. I want to talk about: “Change”.

In this past year, change has been a HUGE part of my personal life. Where I live changed, I moved to Thibodaux. What I do by vocation changed, I became the Sr. Pastor of this great church. The dynamic of our home life changed, I became a father for the first time to an adorable baby girl.

Changes have even occurred in our church. Changes such as, paint colors, chairs, style of music, ministries, & staff.  Change is hard for most of us. Some of us resist change because we dislike it, but change is inevitable.

We are at the beginning of a new Year. Some of us might not have wanted to see 2013 go because it was such a good year for us. Some of us are probably glad it’s gone because we're ready for a fresh start. The point is, no matter what our personal feelings are about change, in life, changes do occur. Some changes are for the worst and some for the better.  Change just happens!!!

At this time of year many among us are making lists of goals that they hope to accomplish to help them change and become better people. Often times we neglect the most important things that can and should change in our lives & we only focus on the carnal, physical, insignificant lists of life.

However Change is something we all need. It is an ongoing part of life. With its constant flux, life demands adjustments in our schedules and plans. Essentially, change is the new norm. But people's spiritual lives call for more than slight changes to the calendar. Our lives are in need of transformation. Jesus said it this way in His day:

John 3:1-8

1 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” b4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

For more information on this subject please visit our FREE archives under the "messages" button on our website at www.thibfirstag.org. The sermon is entitled New Beginnings. I spoke on this subject for the first few weeks of 2014. Thanks for stopping by. I hope you will receive change from God's word.

                                                                     In Chirst, John E. Skipworth, Jr. 

                                                                                         John 17:3