Pastor’s Corner: “Recognizing the Seasons”
Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV) “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:”
Living in South Texas, it can be hard to recognize what season it is based solely upon the weather. Take for instance this morning. As I am writing this, it is 63 degrees. In most parts of the world this is probably normal, but not here and not in mid-April. Normally by 9 am we are quickly heading to 90 degrees with 70-80% humidity. Ugh! There usually is not that much variation between seasons (one long season of hot). But I am thankful this morning for the break.
Spiritual seasons come into our lives just like the earthly seasons God brings each year. Not only can it be difficult to recognize physical seasons but spiritual seasons as well. Just as the weather is unusual this morning, the world climate (spiritual and emotional) is definitely in a place we have never seen. People are talking about a “new normal” as in things may never go back to what they were prior. We have spiritual seasons in our personal lives but I believe we are experiencing a spiritual season shift as “The Church”. God is shifting us into a different gear as the church and we need to be more connected with Him and prepared with God’s Word to share His Gospel and Heaven in ways and situations that we have never seen before. We need to be prepared for escalated receptiveness and at the same time escalated resistance and hostility.
Jesus had strong words for the Pharisees because they were missing what was right in front of them. Luke 12:54-57 (TLB) – 54 Then he turned to the crowd and said, “When you see clouds beginning to form in the west, you say, ‘Here comes a shower.’ And you are right. 55 “When the south wind blows you say, ‘Today will be a scorcher.’ And it is. 56 Hypocrites! You interpret the sky well enough, but you refuse to notice the warnings all around you about the crisis ahead. 57 Why do you refuse to see for yourselves what is right? They were experiencing a major season shift brought by Jesus Himself and the fulfillment of prophecy. Their lives were never the same. JESUS CHANGES EVERYTHING.
THE TIMES ARE CHANGING, BUT GOD IS STILL SOVEREIGN AND JESUS STILL SAVES! Daniel 2:21 (NIV) –21 He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. Now more than ever is our faith and walk with the Lord more relevant. Not only is there a shift in the church, but there is a shift for you personally. We need to recognize the season God has for you and me in the world as followers of Jesus. THE SEASON IS CHANGING! Let us not fail to recognize God’s ways and plans for us as a church and as His children. Psalm 1:1-3 (NLT) – 1 Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. 2 But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. 3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.
Do not forget to join us in prayer every day at 10:00 am!
In His Grace,
Pastor Hamilton & family