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Time Out for God Devotional Ministry By Danna Appleby Seasons of Life To everything there is a season, a time for Life is filled with one season leading into another. I’m not talking about the four seasons, but the seasons we go through in life. Some seasons are filled with sunny skies and soft grassy paths to walk. Smiles come easily and warm gentle breezes blow. Some seasons are only dark skies and rough rocky roads. These are a few examples of the seasons I’m referring to. Unlike the seasons of the year, no one really knows how long a season will last. Some may last for several months, while others may go on for years. In the book of Job, he reminisces about days gone by when the Almighty was with him and his children surrounded him. He said his steps were bathed with cream and the rock poured out rivers of oil for him. All at once his world came crashing down when all of his children, servants and livestock were killed. The only thing left was a discouraging wife. Job became even more tormented when he broke out in boils from the top of his head to the soles of his feet. The Word doesn’t say how long that season lasted, but clearly it was for a very long time. (Job 1:1-22) Sometimes we must go through seasons of sowing seeds of faithfulness. If you’ve ever been at a place you really didn’t want to be such as a job, a church, or in a particular friendship, then you may be sowing seeds of faithfulness if you feel God placed you in that situation in the first place. It may not always seem ideal. In fact, it may not even look like what we think it should. But God places us in certain situations and in certain friendships for a reason. Remember God may have things to teach us as we stay in that uncomfortable place. When we sow seeds of faithfulness, God can bring about a harvest. Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy. He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. (Psalm 126:5-6) If you can relate to that, I urge you
to stay where you are until God says your season is over and you feel
released. We must be careful we don’t
grieve the Holy Spirit who leads and guides us. He knows what is best and where we will be
the most effective for the
If you walk away prematurely, you can get into being in the flesh instead of walking in the Spirit. The flesh can be most unruly and we have to work at keeping it under submission. For He who sows to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he who sows to the Spirit shall of the Spirit shall reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing for in due season we shall reap if we faint not. (Gal. 6:8-9) Some years ago, I became restless with my job. I had been working there for a number of years and thought it might be good to make a change. I prayed and asked God about leaving. I also asked Him about my purpose there since knowing that is important to me. I knew the Lord had a plan for my life, but thought perhaps my season was over there. When I went into work the next day a co-worker I rarely see immediately sought me out for spiritual help. That was my confirmation to stay. It was evident that God needed me to be there for a reason. As soon as that revelation took place in my heart, I was ready to stay for as long as the Lord needed me to. Since I’m still there, I’m confident when my season is over, God will show me its time to go. In the past I would have said, “I will live life my way.” But God has shown me through my past mistakes that when I stay within His will, I am the happiest, despite my surroundings. There are also times God brings about a season of uncertainty to show us there is a change on the horizon. Somehow you just know something is about to happen. We must wait quietly before the Lord knowing He is about to do a new thing. He brings these seasons so we will recognize that He desires us to go in another direction and that the change will occur within the very near future. It’s a wonderful thing when we’ve learned to be sensitive to the Spirit of the Living God and waiting in quiet trust. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6) Do your best not to fight against whatever season God puts you in. As I mentioned before, some seasons are difficult and the road can get rough and rocky. It’s natural to want to be free from the frustration, but unfortunately there’s no way around it. Don’t despair, God is with you. He may bring about those times to shape us into His image and cause us to be more Christ-like. It can be uncomfortable, but we learn during those challenging times more than at any other season. God can also bring those times to test us to see how well we will trust Him. If this is where you are now, keep standing strong for God and you will come out spiritually stronger than you ever have. Lastly, know that there are wondrous seasons of breakthrough in store for all those who endure a difficult season. Seasons of breakthrough come when we’ve gone through the most horrific battle of our lives. Sometimes we may feel like we’ve walked through the lowest valley. Don’t believe for one minute that God is going to leave you in that uncomfortable place for the rest of your life! When you trust in God as you’ve walked through the fire, He will bring you straight through to the victory! Just give it some time. Whatever season you find yourself at this moment, God is for you and not against you. For those struggling with a season that feels like a violent storm, let me encourage you that the Lord will strengthen you as you call upon His name. Be assured that this season will not be forever, but the lasting effects will be for your eternal good. It’s a New Season By
It’s
a new season Father, I praise You for bringing us through the difficult seasons. I praise You that there is a season of a glorious breakthrough when we’ve gone through the fire. Praise Your name for your goodness to us and for standing with us as we stand for you. I pray for those whose hearts are breaking because their season is so hard. Give each of them strength and help as they face each new day. Comfort their hearts as they lift up their eyes to the hills from where their helps comes. (Psalm 121) We trust in You dear Father to see us through. Hold us securely as we trust in You. In Jesus’ name. Amen. Would you consider forwarding this message? Thank you! |
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