“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break 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 cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.”
Lets really focus on verse 11, “He has made every thing beautiful in his time”.
Verse 1, “To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven”. To everything in life there are phases and seasons. If you don’t understand that, you’re going to be a disappointed person, and a confused person. You’ll give up on the plan of God for your life, if you don’t understand God moves in phases.
There are four seasons to every aspect of your life: there’s winter, spring, summer, and there’s fall or harvest. Life is composed of seasons, and it’s important for us to understand this. The Lord really dealt with my heart about this Scripture because if you don’t understand the seasons of life you’ll prematurely give up. The urge to quit on the promise and purpose of God for your life increases dramatically when it doesn’t seem like anything is visibly happening in your life.
Don’t panic when every thing seems lifeless. Don’t panic when the birds are not singing. Don’t panic when the harvest is not coming in.
I want you to apply this to your business. I want you to apply this to your marriage. I want you to apply this to your calling, to your ministry. There are seasons in every area of life that seem fruitless, negative, and unproductive. There is tremendous potential in these times because God shows His faithfulness to you even when you’re really not faithful to Him.
It’s in the winter time when you just feel like giving up on it all. It’s in the winter time that His ministry keeps you alive, not your ministry keeping Him alive!! In the summer time it’s easy to praise because all kinds of wonderful things are happening to you. It’s the times God is keeping you alive spiritually by His power that brings in you another level of understanding the faithfulness of God.
Everything is beautiful in His timing!!!!
Thanks for the encouragement. I know that everyone in the Tri-state appreciates this, as we are buried in a foot and a half of snow.
Years ago, I heard someone say that farmers love when it snows because it allows the nutrients that their soil needs to produce good crops to soak deep into the soil. The pressure of the snow on the groud forces the nutrients deeper into the ground.
Ever since then, I’ve tried to have a new outlook on snow and not have an “inconvenienced” attitude toward it. I find myself asking when it snows, “What things (attitudes, practices, etc.) are in my life that God wants to soak nutrients into and what areas of my life need to be dormant or die?” Sometimes I’m surprised at the answers I get, but all in all, I can honestly say I’m thankful for the snow.
By: Tina Wagner on Jpm2000000pmWed, 17 Feb 2010 22:41:55 +000010 5, 2010
at 7:32 p02
Thanks Pator Marcus, That use to be one of my favorite passages.Lately I Think we have focused on the Sad,Bad,Unfair Situations in our Lifes,I Have had to depend souley upon God the past few months,Maybe we should read this daily and look @ people who are in alot Less Fortunet Situations..This and God,Is Truely The Only Things That have kept Me Going,,God Bless,Carol
By: Carol on Jpm2000000pmWed, 17 Feb 2010 22:48:46 +000010 5, 2010
at 7:32 p02
That passage definitely hit home for me. In the past year or so I’ve had to look and seek God a lot in my relationship! The past 4 years were so hard and very rough in that area along with my work area also. I’ve grown as a person and my faith in God has definitely grown more with it!! Like you said in one of your services this is gonna be a “better than before year” and i really do believe that even though we are buried in a foot and a half of snow that has not gotten me down!! Love how you encourage everyone through your words!!
By: Shannon on Jam2000000amThu, 18 Feb 2010 01:44:11 +000010 5, 2010
at 7:32 p02
I have sat in your church for 5 months never filled out a card never talked to anyone outside my little group, your enthusiam keeps me coming back you are the real deal pastor ! slowly but surely i am getting the message and what i need to do to get my life on track Thank you
By: Lynda on Jam3000000amWed, 17 Mar 2010 04:54:38 +000010 5, 2010
at 7:32 p03
Amen! This is good**
By: Taniere on Jam5000000amMon, 24 May 2010 04:09:11 +000010 5, 2010
at 7:32 p05