thoughts
In Season
Good morning!
A scripture the Lord is placed on my heart today: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 “There is a season (a time appointed) for everything and a time for every delight and event or purpose under heaven— A time to be born and a time to die; A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted. A time to kill and a time to heal; A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to weep and a time to laugh; A time to mourn and a time to dance. A time to throw away stones and a time to gather stones; A time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing. A time to search and a time to give up as lost; A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear apart and a time to sew together; A time to keep silent and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate; A time for war and a time for peace." Then the first part of verse 11, “He has made everything beautiful and appropriate in its time. He has also planted eternity [a sense of divine purpose] in the human heart [a mysterious longing which nothing under the sun can satisfy, except God]..." What I find so amazing and comforting about these verses is: This time we are living in right now is only a season (I am not making light of the seriousness of everything we are facing) I am simply saying look beyond, get a different-perspective. God is doing something simply because that's Who He is! He is unchangeable, everlasting, always desiring to engage with His creation. His hope is always that Jesus Christ and all He did on the cross be made known on the earth! The question is, what will we learn from this time/season we find ourselves in? Will it be like so many other times, where once we get through it we just go back to life as it was? In the life of a believer these verses are so incredible because it's a promise that Heaven is invading your life and wants to release to you something so amazing it causes you to truly say, “I will never be the same again." The promise all of us have today is out of the ashes we will rise and what was created in this season will be beautiful in the fullness of its time. Look around in the midst of all the craziness is the GOODNESS OF GOD wanting to interact with you, teach you and transform you into more Christ-likeness. It was said of Moses (80 years old wandering in the desert tending sheep) “because he took the time to see the great sight (the burning bush) God spoke." Slow down and see the burning bushes!!! Stop and listen Heaven wants to speak!! My encouragement to everyone reading this is simply to mix faith with the “Good News” that Jesus Christ is Lord, that He died for you and He is Resurrected and seated at the Right Hand of God, and all who are willing to mix faith with Him, will never perish, but will rule and reign with Him forever and ever! My prayer for all of us in this appointed time is simply to pray the way Elisha prayed: “Elisha answered, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed and said, “LORD, please, open his eyes that he may see.” And the LORD opened the servants eyes." 2 Kings 6:16-17 AMP Blessings Good morning,
As I sit here praying and thinking about all that's going on in the World today one scripture comes to mind: 2 Timothy 1:6,7 "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].” As I begin to prep for an online service this weekend I am facing one of my biggest fears, being in front of a camera to be video taped for all to see. Every word I speak can cause someone to fall in love with Jesus or run away from Him and reject Him. I know all the scriptures that are running through many of your minds - understand I have been quoting them to help me to overcome this fear. I want all of you to know fear is a real thing! According to this Scripture it is a spirit that can come on us and hinder us from operating and living a life of power, love and a sound mind. It's what can cause two moms to go into a store looking for Pampers for their child and when they get to the aisle, there are only five packages left and one grabs them all and then the other mom pleads with her begging her to give up just one package, pleading, “I have none” and the first mom replies "no" and walks away. True story!! That's what fear looks like! But we have a promise from this scripture that if we are willing to overcome our fears we will live with perfect Love (because perfect love cast out all fear and Jesus is that perfect love who took all our fears to the cross), Power (because in Christ all things are possible for those who love Him and purpose after Him) and a Sound Mind (because the Holy Spirit dwells in us). So to those who don’t know Jesus, understand He is calling you right now as you read this. For the rest who know Christ the verse before this commands us to stir up the gift that is in you. In Matthew 25 it's recorded as saying, “when I was thirsty you gave me a drink, when I was hungry you gave me something to eat, when I was a stranger you took me in." Be willing to face your fears start by giving someone a drink, a plate of food or just a kind word encouraging, telling them it's going to be okay! THERE IS A NEW HORIZON and it"s coming soon! Blessings |
AuthorRev. Mark S. Benson pastors Joy Fellowship Church in Bradford, RI. He has a heart to see people come into a right and wonderful relationship with God and see their lives renewed and transformed through the power of Jesus Christ. Archives |