TIMES AND SEASONS - If we cooperate with God's timing, life will not be meaningless - “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die.” Times and seasons are a regular part of life, no matter where we live. Not only are there times and seasons in this world, but there is also an overruling providence in our lives. From before our birth to the moment of our death, God is accomplishing His divine purposes, even though we may not always understand what He is doing. God is at work in our individual lives, seeking to accomplish His will. All of these events come from God, and they are good in their time. Everything will be beautiful in its time even the most difficult experiences of life. Things like abortion, birth control, mercy killing, and surrogate parenthood make it look as though humanity is in control of birth and death, but Solomon said otherwise. Birth and death are not human accidents; they are divine appointments, for God is in control. God has so woven us in the womb that our genetic structure is perfect for the work He has prepared for us to do. We may foolishly hasten our death, but we cannot prevent it when our time comes, unless God so wills it.

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Times and Seasons

If we cooperate with God's timing, life will not be meaningless

Warren W. Wiersbe

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

We don't have to be a philosopher or a scientist to know that times and seasons are a regular part of life, no matter where we live.

Were it not for the dependability of God-ordained natural laws, both science and daily life would be chaotic, if not impossible.

Not only are there times and seasons in this world, but there is also an overruling providence in our lives.

From before our birth to the moment of our death, God is accomplishing His divine purposes, even though we may not always understand what He is doing.

Solomon affirmed that God is at work in our individual lives, seeking to accomplish His will.

All of these events come from God, and they are good in their time.

The inference is plain: If we cooperate with God's timing, life will not be meaningless.

Everything will be beautiful in its time (verse 11), even the most difficult experiences of life.

Things like abortion, birth control, mercy killing, and surrogate parenthood make it look as though humanity is in control of birth and death, but Solomon said otherwise.

Birth and death are not human accidents; they are divine appointments, for God is in control.

Psalm 139:13-16 and Ephesians 2:10 agree that God has so woven us in the womb that our genetic structure is perfect for the work He has prepared for us to do.

We may foolishly hasten our death, but we cannot prevent it when our time comes, unless God so wills it.

Applying God's Truth:

1.    Read Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 and identify any of the times and seasons you seem to be going through right now.

2.    Can you think of an instance when recognizing God's timing brought meaning to your life? In what way?

3.    How might you discover more meaning in life by letting go of certain things and turning to God instead?

Read Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

We hope you have enjoyed Warren Wiersbe's study in Ecclesiastes. To continue this study, purchase his book Devotions for Contentment and Wisdom, published by David C. Cook.

Warren W. Wiersbe was a well known international Bible conference teacher with a heart for missions and a former pastor of Moody Church in Chicago. He served for ten years as General Director and Bible Teacher for Back to the Bible. Dr. Wiersbe authored more than 80 books, including the best-selling "BE" series. He was known as a "pastors' pastor," and his speaking, writing and radio ministries  brought new understanding of the truths of God's Word to people around the world.

https://www.backtothebible.org/post/times-and-seasons

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TO EVERYTHING THERE IS A SEASON AND A REASON - A season has a beginning place and an ending place, which are not always easily perceived. Summer kind of slides into fall, and there are days when you are not sure which it is. You love the coming of fall, but you hate the turning loose of summer. Inevitably, the change occurs and the new season comes. You can’t stop it because God has ordained it. Everything has a season. Some seasons are easier to love than others, but all have highs and lows. There is a time to be born! What a season of joy, of promise, of excitement! That new child learns, grows, loves, and achieves, but he is in the process of leaving when he arrives. Our being born ensures our dying. That is not so attractive. Not because we fear eternity — our hope is in Christ! But because we sorrow at the separation. There is a time to weep. There are no lives that are not touched with trials and a measure of sorrow. But weeping is also a part of a season, a part that gives way to laughter — laughter that would not be appreciated were it not for the weeping.

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To Everything There Is A Season And A Reason

God works through the seasons of our lives

By Dr. Mike Edwards 

The Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons can be a combination of great joy and, oddly, some melancholy.

They mark the coming and going of not only the literal seasons of fall to winter, but they also mark the passing of seasons in our lives.

My wife commented to me as we were decorating the house recently, “I miss the days when our little ones opened presents that were under the tree.”

You see, we have come to the gift card stage of life, because Papaw and Mamaw are not with it enough to know exactly what to buy.

It is just a little less exciting to hand cash or an Amazon gift card to our children and grandchildren, rather than a beautifully wrapped gift that we can watch them rip through in a matter of seconds.

In my morning meditation, God brought this beautiful verse to mind:

“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:” — Ecclesiastes 3:1

In doing so, the Lord reminded me of two great truths:

- everything in life has a season, and

- every season in life has a purpose.

TO EVERYTHING THERE IS A SEASON

A season has a beginning place and an ending place, which are not always easily perceived.

Summer kind of slides into fall, and there are days when you are not sure which it is. You love the coming of fall, but you hate the turning loose of summer.

Inevitably, the change occurs and the new season comes.

You can’t stop it because God has ordained it.

You can bemoan it, fret about it, get bitter at it; but friend, you cannot stop it. Everything has a season.

Some seasons are easier to love than others, but all have highs and lows.

There is a time to be born! What a season of joy, of promise, of excitement! That new child learns, grows, loves, and achieves, but he is in the process of leaving when he arrives.

Our being born ensures our dying. That is not so attractive. Not because we fear eternity — our hope is in Christ! But because we sorrow at the separation.

There is a time to weep. There are no lives that are not touched with trials and a measure of sorrow.

But weeping is also a part of a season, a part that gives way to laughter — laughter that would not be appreciated were it not for the weeping.

I love God’s promise in Ecclesiastes 3:11 to make everything beautiful in His time.

Every season has highs and lows, but every season in the life of a believer will ultimately be made beautiful by a loving God.

I love summer. I enjoy walking outdoors, fishing, and grilling out. I love daylight until 9:00 in the evening, and baseball and all that summer is.

At times, I regret yielding to fall. But then God paints the mountain slopes with orange, red, and brown; and that cool morning air invigorates.

Thanksgiving comes, and I think how can anything be better than fall?

I regret when the fall season ends and hard old winter comes on. But then, God does something! He puts a fire in the fireplace, erases the color of the leaves, and paints the trees white and glistening with snow and ice.

Then He does His greatest work: He closes school for a snow day, and you sled and walk at night when things are so quiet you hear the silence.

Then God brings Christmas, and I say how could God be so good to give us such a wonderful season like winter!

As He works in the seasons of our world, so will He work in the seasons of our lives.

TO EVERY SEASON THERE IS A REASON 

God directs the steps of a believer.

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.” — Psalm 37:23

“A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.” — Proverbs 16:9

God knows where we are, what we are going through, and He has a design for our lives. We are predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29).

It is a comfort to consider that even in times when I do not see God’s plan or what His purpose is, God does know and it is for my good!

I recently finished a study of Joseph’s life. Time after time, he faced difficult circumstances for reasons that were not apparent to him.

But in all these seasons — whether it was in bondage to the Ishmaelites, Potiphar’s house, or prison — God had a plan, and it was for His glory and Joseph’s good!

God has a purpose for the season in which you find yourself.

He wants you to be the parent of the children He gave you, the spouse of the husband/wife He blessed you with, and a member in the church to which He led you.

There is something you can be, a way you can live, something you can give, or learn, or do that no one else can.

To everything there is a season, and for everything there is a reason. See it your way: it can make you bitter.

See it God’s way: it can make you better.

DR. MIKE EDWARDS

Pastor Emeritus of Heritage Baptist Church

https://ministry127.com/christian-living/to-everything-there-is-a-season-and-a-reason

TIMES OF TRANSITION - 3 Precious Promises From the Good Shepherd for Your Times of Transition - The Shepherd is good, and His intentions towards you are good. Sometimes in seasons of transition we become fearful that the future is going to be bad. Even if the good Shepherd allows difficulty in your life, you can trust Him. He promises to bring good even out of evil as you trust Him. The Shepherd will guide you in the right paths. God's primary agenda in your life and mine is our transformation into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. The Shepherd's presence will be with you during seasons of transition. Knowing that God's presence is with us brings comfort and reassurance.

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Your Times Of Transition

3 Precious Promises From the Good Shepherd for Your Times of Transition

Becky Harling

Recently, Steve and I were in Thailand leading a deeper-life retreat with our Asia Pacific team.

One afternoon, I sat out on the back deck, surrounded by tropical beauty, sipping coffee and reflecting with a friend on our ministry lives.

Paula shared with me the story of how she and her husband Ty left their career and home, sold everything and headed for the field.

Since they started with our organization, they have lived in at least four different countries.

I asked Paula how she coped with all the changes, and her thoughts were profound.

Paula has developed a deep trust in Jesus Christ as her shepherd and believes that where He leads, she will follow. She is completely surrendered to Him.

At times, change has been hard, but she believes everything she has in Jesus is enough.

As His follower, she has given up any sense of entitlement: her right to own one forever home, her right to security and stability and her right to live near family.

Have there been hard times? Oh, you bet! But because Paula completely trusts her good Shepherd, she's able to navigate transitions with grace.

I found my conversation with Paula refreshing ad inspiring.

Her story reminded me of Psalm 23:3 and 6, "He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake ... Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the day s of my life."

As her good Shepherd, Jesus has guided Paula through every transition, and His goodness and love have held her secure.

Seasons of transition are challenging for me, and I'm guessing they are for you too.

Understand — I'm not saying we can't grieve the losses that come with change.

Certainly, it's healthy to mourn those losses, but then we must be willing to put our hands in the good Shepherd's and follow.

Only then can we experience the fullness of the abundant life He promised (John 10:10).

Here are three promises that you can cling to from the good Shepherd to help you navigate seasons of change:

o   The Shepherd is good, and His intentions towards you are good. Jesus reminded us that He is "The good shepherd" (John 10:11).

Sometimes in seasons of transition we become fearful that the future is going to be bad. Even if the good Shepherd allows difficulty in your life, you can trust Him.

He promises to bring good even out of evil as you trust Him (see Rom. 8:28).

o   The Shepherd will guide you in the right paths. God's primary agenda in your life and mine is our transformation into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ.

As our Shepherd, Jesus will lead us in the right paths for this to occur (Ps. 23:3).

He knows what you need during transition, and He will provide it.

o   The Shepherd's presence will be with you during seasons of transition. Fear is our natural response when life feels out of control, but knowing that God's presence is with us brings comfort and reassurance.

     David, the writer of Psalm 23, wrote, "I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me."

David knew that if the presence of God was with Him, He could face any enemy or any difficulty. 

Friend, the same holds true for you and me. No matter what you face tomorrow, the Shepherd will be with you!

I have just discovered this new song by Shane and Shane called "Psalm 23 (Surely Goodness, Surely Mercy)."

As you listen to the song, praise Jesus that He is your Good Shepherd.

You can count on Him through every transition.

For more songs to prompt your praise, check out the playlist for Who Do You Say That I Am?, my new Bible study releasing today:

o        Here's the Spotify link: bit.ly/WhoDoYouSayS

o        And here's the YouTube link: bit.ly/WhoYouTube 

Becky Harling, an author, certified speaker, leadership coach and trainer with the John Maxwell Team, is an energetic and motivational international speaker inspiring audiences to overcome their greatest life challenges and reach their full God-given potential. Her most recent book is How to Listen So People Will Talk. Her husband, Steve Harling, is the president of Reach Beyond, a nonprofit organization seeking to be the voice and hands of Jesus around the world.

This article originally appeared at beckyharling.com.

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https://www.charismamag.com/life/women/35713-3-precious-promises-from-the-good-shepherd-for-your-times-of-transition