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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: (2) A time to be
born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which
is planted; (3) 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; (13) Who was before a blasphemer, and a
persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it
ignorantly in unbelief. (14) 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. (30) 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. (24) And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him,
which owed him ten thousand talents. (25) 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. (26) The servant therefore fell down,
and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay
thee all. (27) 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 fellow servants, which owed him an hundred
pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me
that thou owest. (29) And his fellow servant fell down at his feet, and
besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. (30) And
he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the
debt. (31) So when his fellow servants 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 manmade
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: (33) Shouldest not thou also
have had compassion on thy fellow servant, even as I had pity on thee? (34)
And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should
pay all that was due unto him. (35) 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. (10) 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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