HAPPY THURSDAY!
Today’s scriptures are about seasons of heaviness. Boy, am I familiar with this subject, I could go on and on about the heavy seasons in my life, but thanks to Jesus, I don’t have to. His life tells it all, and studying about the things He’s endured, makes my humdrum trials look like a walk in the park. Unfortunately, we’ll all experience times of heaviness, trials, temptation, stress and feelings of despair–it’s a part of life. Just as the seasons change from winter, spring, summer, to fall, our life changes from happy to sad, joy to pain, ups and then downs. King Solomon taught us about the different seasons of life, and in the book of Ecclesiastes, he constantly pointed out that “there’s nothing’s new under the sun”. Nevertheless, God will always give us the strength to endure, or as it’s written, He’ll give us “beauty for ashes”. You know the saying, “when one door closes, another one opens”, that’s how God operates in the life of a believer.
God is not always a subtle God; He’ll make sure we experience everything we’re meant to experience, by any means necessary. If we step in His way, He’ll move us to the side, and if we’re not open to change, He’ll open us up to change. Check His track record; read the Holy Bible, and learn about Him. The bible says we should fear Him, because everything is under His control. So ask yourself, do you want to take the direct path to righteousness, or do you want to take the scenic route? Just keep in mind that you serve an almighty and all powerful God, so either way you’ll get to the destination He has for you, because He has the final say.
Let’s not forget that at one time, it was necessary for God to destroy mostly every living creature with a flood, and start all over. At another time He presented salvation to the world, by offering His only begotten Son as the ultimate sacrifice. These things may seem irrational and illogical to us, but according to His predestined will, He did what was necessary, because He loves us. Just as we can’t understand the flood or the sacrifice of an innocent man, we can’t understand why we have to experience seasons of heaviness. I believe Paul explained it best, it’s written: For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. (1 Cor. 13:12) There’s no better way to explain it then this. In the flesh we can’t possible see ourselves the way that God sees us, nor can we see our future the way that He can. He knows our weaknesses, downfalls, vices, and He knows what things will interfere with our growth, and reaching the next level in life.
There are many things that our meager mind can’t comprehend [compared to the Awesome mind of God], even if He laid it all out for us, so it’s best to just thank Him every day of our life. Not just when things are wonderful, and we’re “happy”, but through every season. There’s always something to be thankful for, because we are Children of God. Everything that He puts in our path is a blessing, even if we can’t quite see it as that. The Apostle Paul taught us to “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! ” (Phil. 4:4) Here’s a man who truly suffered for Christ, and while in Roman prisons he rejoiced! Paul was no stranger to seasons of heaviness, and he knew how hard this could be. Nonetheless, he also knew God, and the saving grace of Jesus Christ, and that was something to rejoice about. Paul truly understood, and lived by, what Jesus said: My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.” (John 10:27-29) These are indeed some of the promises that allow us to rejoice always.
Seasons of heaviness are inevitable in the life of every human being, however when we accept Jesus as Lord, He lives inside of us, and gives us insurmountable peace, and an awesome strength, that an unbeliever can’t understand. Without God, your heavy seasons are more severe, and often times last longer than a believer, because we have power in the Name of Jesus Christ. If you’re tired of suffering alone, you don’t have to any longer, salvation is, and has always been, a free gift from God. All you have to do is ask Jesus to be Lord of your life, and believe that He lives; it’s just that simple. Take a few moments to take the God Quiz today! My favorite verses today are: Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous but grievous: nevertheless, afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. (Hebrews 12:11)
ENJOY! http://www.bible.com/scripture-detail.php?juli=2455505&dtype=Scripture
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http://intouch.org/magazine/daily-devotional
I love you!
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