Greetings brothers and sister in Christ!
From time to time, we all tend to want to have our blessings set on a table right in front of us, so that we can count them, and fully appreciate them.
The wonderful truth is that they are always right in front of our noses, but we often let outside influences cloud our vision from seeing them.
If I may, let me turn your attention to some verses from the book of Ecclesiastes. (KJV)
Ec 3:1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
God's Word to us, from the things He impressed on King Solomen, tells us that we live our lives in a state of constant change.
Some times are good.
Some times create serious challenges for us.
In all of these times, we simply need to take the time to see God's loving hand guiding each of us through good times and bad times.
God seeks to bless us during all of these times in our lives.
Let's drop down a few verses.
Ec 3:4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
Ec 3:8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
When we look at the world we live in, there are events that make us want to question whether or not this world, and the people who live in it, is worth praying for.
We see evil all around us and acts of violence and terror that make some people question the very existence of a loving God.
The Apostle Paul, once a self admitted chief of sinners, who met the Lord Jesus face to face on the road to Damascus, to pen these words from Ephesians Chapter 5.
Eph 5:15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
Eph 5:16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Not much has changed since the first century church.
Paul understood that evil comes from the free will given to mankind. Evil takes place in men's hearts when they live apart from the will of a loving and compassionate God.
Let's read on shall we.
Eph 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
Eph 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in pslams and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
Eph 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Finally, in 1st Thessalonians, we can rejoice in these words of encouragement.
1 Thes 5:16 Rejoice evermore.
1 Thes 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
1 Thes 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
When the world around us seems to be under the control of pure evil, we can be sure that God is alive and well and still on the throne.
God will bless us with peace that passes all understanding and empower and enable us to endure and overcome the evils of each day.
May the Creator, Sustainer, and the God of the universe bless, keep and protect us all.
May we, in turn, bring honor, praise and glory to the Lamb of God by the way we share the promises of the Lord with others.
Your brother in Christ,
T.S.K.
From time to time, we all tend to want to have our blessings set on a table right in front of us, so that we can count them, and fully appreciate them.
The wonderful truth is that they are always right in front of our noses, but we often let outside influences cloud our vision from seeing them.
If I may, let me turn your attention to some verses from the book of Ecclesiastes. (KJV)
Ec 3:1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
God's Word to us, from the things He impressed on King Solomen, tells us that we live our lives in a state of constant change.
Some times are good.
Some times create serious challenges for us.
In all of these times, we simply need to take the time to see God's loving hand guiding each of us through good times and bad times.
God seeks to bless us during all of these times in our lives.
Let's drop down a few verses.
Ec 3:4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
Ec 3:8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
When we look at the world we live in, there are events that make us want to question whether or not this world, and the people who live in it, is worth praying for.
We see evil all around us and acts of violence and terror that make some people question the very existence of a loving God.
The Apostle Paul, once a self admitted chief of sinners, who met the Lord Jesus face to face on the road to Damascus, to pen these words from Ephesians Chapter 5.
Eph 5:15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
Eph 5:16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Not much has changed since the first century church.
Paul understood that evil comes from the free will given to mankind. Evil takes place in men's hearts when they live apart from the will of a loving and compassionate God.
Let's read on shall we.
Eph 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
Eph 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in pslams and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
Eph 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Finally, in 1st Thessalonians, we can rejoice in these words of encouragement.
1 Thes 5:16 Rejoice evermore.
1 Thes 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
1 Thes 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
When the world around us seems to be under the control of pure evil, we can be sure that God is alive and well and still on the throne.
God will bless us with peace that passes all understanding and empower and enable us to endure and overcome the evils of each day.
May the Creator, Sustainer, and the God of the universe bless, keep and protect us all.
May we, in turn, bring honor, praise and glory to the Lamb of God by the way we share the promises of the Lord with others.
Your brother in Christ,
T.S.K.
