a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what 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 seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
a time to tear, 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 for war, and a time for peace.
Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8
There is truly a time and a season for everything in life. I like the encouragement this brings to me when I read this scripture for truly there is a time for everything. The interesting thing is that I can pull out certain "times" I am going through even now!
Despite the times we are going through, we are never alone. Our Heavenly Father is always with us; and His spirit lives inside of us. :) Jesus who is mightier than anyone on earth- his Spirit lives inside of believers! - I wonder about the fire part of this verse! I just noticed it.
John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming,the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
Also, I like this verse because it speaks of contentment in Jesus alone. He is all we need it explains in essence.
Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Hebrews 13:5
I just bought a book from our local Christian book store called "Live Abundantly" and it is a Bible study book through the book of Ephesians. So far, I have done the first day's worth of it; and this is what I have learned so far!
God's will for our lives is:
- Give Thanks to God in ALL THINGS!
- Well Doing
- Sanctification
1) GIVE THANKS TO GOD IN ALL THINGS
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
2) WELL DOING
For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.
1 Peter 2:15
3) SANCTIFICATION
For this is the will of God, your sanctification:that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-8
That was a very good lesson that I learned so far. I really enjoy doing the Bible study.. it's amazing to me how much I missed from just reading the Bible and not really studying it. That's why I like this study book because it helps me write things down and fill in the blanks; and asks me questions.. so I can actually access and dwell on what I'm reading. :) I like it! :)
Certainly there is a time and a season for everything; and a person can choose to spend there time how they wish. It's funny; how earlier I started to cry about my circumstances; and then I thought about "why am I crying" and I realized it was because I was actually being selfish and pitying myself and how wrong that was!!!! I am praying that God will continue to show me how to serve and love Him as I seek Him more. It's easy to be consumed with the things of this world, but they are just for a moment [even when they seem like forever!!]
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
If you have some spare time, I'd really encourage you to read all of the 4th chapter of 2 Corinthians; which I'm including a link here for you:
Jesus's Spirit is with us everyday; every single second of the day and is the only thing that will be with us throughout our lives and throughout eternity! :)
Praise God!! :) Tomorrow we get to celebrate my lovely mother's birthday, which I'm so happy I am with her to celebrate it truly with her this year.
- I am thankful for our warm clothes and the food and jobs God has provided us, I'm thankful for my brother and the work he is doing, I'm thankful for the friends and family he has given me, and I'm thankful that He has given me an able body to serve; I hope God will be able to use me for good things for His glory here on this earth. :)
To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Colossians 1:27
Wow! I love the abundance of scripture references Court! Looks like you've been spending time in God's Word! That's for sure the best way to spend time. :)
ReplyDeleteMmm, yes! I went and read 2 Cor. 4 as you suggested! What a passage! I really like verses 8-9, "We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;"
The more I see God's mercies, the more I marvel at the awesome privilege to be a part of His plan and to be COMPLETE in Him!!!!!! =D
I'm keeping you in my prayers and I can't wait to see you tomorrow! ...I wish the seasons in which we are apart could be shorter, and the seasons in which we are together could be longer. :)
~Mary