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Wednesday,
December 12, 2007
Tis the
Season
Ecclesiastes 3:1-3 To every
thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A
time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up
that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break
down, and a time to build up; (KJV)
Did you know that as there
are seasons in the outward realm, there are seasons in the spiritual realm
also? In the spring a crop is planted, and later in the fall it is
harvested, plucked up and put to use. When God chastens His people it can
be grievous; like with chemotherapy it is a time to kill off old cancerous
area’s in our walk, so that it can bring forth healing to an area that is
dying and would continue to spread if not dealt with. The fact that God
created the heaven and earth, and set the outward seasons as He saw fit,
would it not be fitting to let Him handle the spiritual seasons as well,
and deal with His people the way He sees fit? Do you know what others have
need of more than God? Are you able to see the way He sees, not just the
outward but the inward motives of the heart? Too many people have become
judge, jury and executioner. Judging matters and making determinations on
others based on how they think people should live rather than letting the Creator
make the determination.
1 Timothy 1:12-14 And I thank
Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me
faithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and a
persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it
ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant
with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. (KJV)
If you were going to
determine an apostle based on a job resume, then the example above would
probably be the last person you would choose to be a part of your church or
any organization. God knew that this person had a zeal for Him, but it was
not based on His knowledge, and thus was described as being done ignorantly
in unbelief. All sin is a result of unbelief, so at an appointed time, in
an appointed place, God chose to deal with this individual and make the
correction in a loving way, so that he could be used of God. If left up to
man, this person would have been the last one chosen, which ended up being
the first one God chose. When you go back and read the above verses, you
will find that this person is Paul the apostle.
Acts 17:29-30 Forasmuch then
as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is
like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. And
the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every
where to repent: (KJV)
Times in verse 30 means
season, and when it says God winked it means He chose not to punish, or
attend to it at this particular time. But there does come a time, a season
when He no longer overlooks the situation with us, but will deal with us as
individuals, where we are at personally in our walk, and make the
correction in a loving, and sometimes grievous manner to our flesh, so that
afterwards it can yield peaceable fruit in us. Being that God is
longsuffering toward us, should we not be the same way in return to others,
and not pass our own judgments onto them?
Matthew 18:23-27 Therefore is
the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account
of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him,
which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay,
his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that
he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and
worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee
all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed
him, and forgave him the debt. (KJV)
We all sin and fall short of
the glory of God. We all as different members of the body of Christ have
strong and weak points in our lives; which means all of us need to be dealt
with individually, in a loving compassionate way. So just like in a
hospital, not all patients are given the same diagnosis, but rather are given
what is needed at the time for whatever the ailment is. The same holds true
in the spiritual realm.
Matthew 18:28-31 But the same
servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an
hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat,
saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellowservant fell down at his
feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee
all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should
pay the debt. So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very
sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. (KJV)
How did the Lord deal with
you? How is He working with you today, and how are you working with others?
Remember you were saved by grace through faith, and not of works. So why do
many judge so harshly, forgetting what manner of man they were, and the
compassion it took to allow them access into Father’s kingdom? How many
people have been entrapped and falsely imprisoned, because they didn’t live
up to man made doctrines and judgments that instead of setting them free,
put them in bondage? When did you decide it was time to carry out judgment;
rather than showing the same compassion that was shown you, you decided it
was open season and went on a self righteous hunting trip? You know what
they say about paybacks don’t you?
Matthew 18:32-35 Then his
lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I
forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou
also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And
his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay
all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also
unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their
trespasses. (KJV)
When you take the law into
your own hands, you have a fool for a sheriff, and you now become open
season for the wrath of God, and His righteous judgment.
Galatians 6:9-10 And let us
not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint
not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially
unto them who are of the household of faith. (KJV)
It’s just not fair, they got
more than I did, or they can do whatever they want to and get away with it.
Often times, children think and speak this way, and make rash judgments
based on emotions and not the spirit. Are you willing to let the Lord take
over and have His way and make judgments in your life, knowing what is best
for you and your situation at this time, right now? The harvest is
plentiful, but the laborers are few, so get back to work so that you can be
outstanding in His field when He returns. Tis the season.
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