Seasons....

This blog is going to start off with a Bible Verse: Ecclesiastes 3:1 "For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven."

Maybe this verse is brand new to you, and you have not heard it before.  People like to throw God a bunch of questions, and expect answers from him during each season in their life.  There are seasons of pure joy that we experience, and then there are seasons of heartache and sadness. As humans we try to figure things out ourselves and try to piece things together to make sense.  This is where the true separation starts between Jesus followers, and Non- believers.  In the "world" we go by head knowledge, and as followers of Jesus Christ we walk by Faith not by sight.  We run to our manual (The Bible) and see what God has to say about the situation.  Many people only call on God during a rough season, and expect him to bring them right out of it.  Once we understand the reason for these different seasons, we are truly able to REST and ABIDE in the shadow of the Almighty.  In 1 Peter 1:7 it says "These trials will show that your faith is genuine.  It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold- though your faith is far more precious than mere gold.  So when you faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.  

We need to remind ourselves that we were created for a specific purpose, and we serve a higher calling on our lives.  We are not to live for ourselves and seek after every selfish desire.  We are to be followers of Christ Jesus and spread the good news of the gospel to a lost and fallen world.  Are Christians popular?  No!!!  The world hated Jesus, so of course they are going to hate us.  It honestly shouldn't surprise us when we see what is going on in the world today.  Instead of joining others in Hate, we need to lock arms and pray to lift up brothers and sisters and pray for our country and leaders.  I have seen so many "So Called Christians" bash our government leaders and hate their enemies.  This goes directly against the gospel of Jesus Christ, we are to love others as ourselves.  We are to serve one another and edify one another.  When we are going through these seasons in life, we are to pray for one another and be encouraged.  In this world today people love to see others fail, just so they can feel better about themselves and get ahead.  So I want to ask you, what season are you currently experiencing in your life?  Maybe you are reaping a harvest and things are amazing for you.  Maybe some of you are walking in a dark valley and you see no hope at the moment.  You cannot see your next footstep because it is so dark, and you feel alone.  Let me be a woman of my word and lift you up and encourage you and remind you of what the word says.  Jesus is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid of terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:6)
But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high. (Psalm 3:3)
Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield. (Psalm 5:12)

Be lifted up and encouraged my dear brothers and sisters.  Greater is he that is in us, then he that is in the world.(1 John 4:4)  We are over comers by the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony. (Revelations 12:11) We are more than conquerors.(Romans 8:37)  We need to be reciting these out loud to ourselves when we are going through rough seasons.  I pray that this blog post really spoke to each person that read it, and that you are encouraged and lifted up.  It is a shame these days that alot of the hurt that occurs often happens inside the church.  People get offended and get stuck on unforgiveness and it honestly disables a healthy working church body.  We need to remember that we are all members and we need to function as one.  Romans 12:5 says: So in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.   
The enemy loves to get inside the church and start strife.  No matter what season you are experiencing remind yourself that you are to cast your cares to him, because he cares for you.  You are not alone, and NOTHING takes God by surprise!! God Bless,