26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end. 34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you,and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[a] the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.” 38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.”  39Then the angel left her. At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth.  Luke 1:26-39

CHANGE IS INEVITABLE

“As long as the earth remains, there will be springtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, day and night.”  Genesis 8:22 (NLT) 

GOD’S PLAN IS BIGGER AND BETTER THAN YOUR PLAN, BUT MORE BITTER.

Luke 1:26-39

GOD USES CHANGE AS A TEST OF OUR FAITH

“The purpose of these troubles is to test your faith as fire tests how genuine gold is. Your faith is more precious than gold, and by passing the test, it gives praise, glory, and honor to God.”  1 Peter 1:7 (GW) 

SEEK GOD AND ASK FOR WISDOM WHEN LIFE CHANGES

“If you look for me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me.” Jeremiah 29:13 (NLT) 

“If you need wisdom—if you want to know what God wants you to do—ask him, and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking.” James 1:5 (NLT) 

ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED TO LEARN IN THE CHANGE

“I’ve learned this secret, so that anywhere, at any time, I am content, whether I am full or hungry, whether I have too much or too little.  I have the strength to face all conditions by the power Christ gives me.” Philippians 4:12-13 (GN)

“…even in our trials and troubles – These very things…will develop mature character.”  Romans 5:3-4 (Ph)

FOCUS ON WHAT DOES NOT CHANGE.

“I have loved you with an everlasting love.”  Jeremiah 31:3 (NIV)

“His plans endure forever; His purposes last eternally.”  Psalm 33:11 (NIV)

“The Word of God shall stand forever.”  Isaiah 40:8 (NIV)

DON’T FACE CHANGE ALONE SEEK HELP

“Two are better off than one… If one of them falls down, the other can help him up… Two men can resist an attack that would defeat one man alone.”  Ecclesiastes 4:9, 12 (GN)

“At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. “ Luke 1:39

TRUST GOD NO MATTER WHAT

“I am sure of this:  that God, who began this good work in you, will carry it on until it is finished in the Day of Jesus Christ.”  Philippians 1:6 (GN)

“You can throw the whole weight of your anxieties upon Him, for you are his personal concern!”  1 Peter 5:7 (Ph)

“The righteous man does not fear bad news, nor live in dread of what may happen.  For he is settled in his mind that God will take care of him.”  Psalm 112:7 (LB)