IN EVERY SEASON OF YOUR LIFE, LOOK TO WORSHIP THE LORD

7/26/2020

Seasons. Seems like they are always changing. When I was young, seasons were all about weather. Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall. My favorite was always Fall. Maybe the crispness of the changing leaves, a blustery wind, so enjoying those last gasps of warmth before Winter showed up one morning. But now, seasons have a whole different meaning. As I get older, I realize how many different times and phases I have experienced as I have grown up. Carefree childhood. Teenage restlessness. College and freedom, morphing into career choices and work. Settling in to build a life. Carefully building a foundation of finances and friends, hobbies and passions, only to see things change, and find one area requiring a re-start. I have been blessed to find a life mate of 29 years now, and two great kids that mean the world to me ! Running the whole gambit of emotions, along with the beauty and joy of new birth, while watching death take away so many I love so much. I guess Maturity has truly “seasoned” me into a deeper understanding that God has been with me and beside me in every season I have experienced. The older I get the more I seem to appreciate what God has done for me and become in me as I have moved deeper and deeper into relationship with Him. What I am realizing is that no matter what season I find myself in, or what things are changing, GOD IS ALWAYS THERE…consistent, loving, and a source of strength and love no matter what is swirling around me.

THERE IS A TIME FOR EVERYTHING, AND A SEASON FOR EVERY ACTIVITY UNDER THE HEAVENS : A TIME TO BE BORN AND A TIME TO DIE, A TIME TO PLANT AND A TIME TO UPROOT, A TIME TO KILL AND A TIME TO HEAL, A TIME TO TEAR DOWN AND A TIME TO BUILD, A TIME TO WEEP AND A TIME TO LAUGH, A TIME TO MOURN AND A TIME TO DANCE, A TIME TO SCATTER STONES AND A TIME TO GATHER THEM, A TIME TO EMBRACE AND A TIME TO REFRAIN FROM EMBRACING, A TIME TO SEARCH AND A TIME TO GIVE UP, A TIME TO KEEP AND A TIME TO THROW AWAY, A TIME TO TEAR AND A TIME TO MEND, A TIME TO BE SILENT AND A TIME TO SPEAK, A TIME TO LOVE AND A TIME TO HATE, A TIME FOR WAR AND A TIME FOR PEACE. WHAT DO WORKERS GAIN FROM THEIR TOIL ? I HAVE SEEN THE BURDEN THAT GOD HAS LAID ON THE HUMAN RACE. HE HAS MADE EVERYTHING BEAUTIFUL IN ITS TIME. HE HAS ALSO SET ETERNITY IN THE HUMAN HEART, YET NO ONE CAN FATHOM WHAT GOD HAS DONE FROM BEGINNING TO END. Ecclesiastes 3: 1-11

Time. It moves ever onward, and it brings different seasons of life, and it brings change. It becomes so important as a Christian to see that Worshipping God consistently and in a multitude of ways is what brings us through each season, and allows us to mature and thrive….not just survive and exist. No matter where you call home in the world, we are in a season of shaking and the world is groaning. Societal shifts, cultural shifts, political shifts. An unsureness about what is truly happening. From pandemic information and reaction, to dissent and loathing towards history and norms, THIS SEASON FEELS DIFFERENT. More than ever, we need to seek our Lord and WORSHIP HIM ! The apostle Paul teaches us that even in the best and worst times of his life, he never stopped worshipping the Lord. He worshipped Him as he traveled. He worshipped Him visiting churches. He worshipped Him in groups of friends in fellowship and breaking bread. He worshipped Him from the inner depths of prison with chains around his feet. Paul never stopped worshipping the Lord ! He wrote letters. He discussed sound doctrine. He examined his own weakness and showed us wisdom in the battle. He sang praises and found joy in God, no matter what his circumstances had done to him or where they had placed him.

REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS, I WILL SAY IT AGAIN: REJOICE ! LET YOUR GRACIOUSNESS BE KNOWN TO EVERYONE. THE LORD IS NEAR. DON’T WORRY ABOUT ANYTHING, BUT IN EVERYTHING, THROUGH PRAYER AND PETITION WITH THANKSGIVING, PRESENT YOUR REQUESTS TO GOD. AND THE PEACE OF GOD, WHICH SURPASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING, WILL GUARD YOUR HEARTS AND MINDS IN CHRIST JESUS. Philippians 4: 4-7

Where do you find yourself today ? Fearful ? Angry ? Indifferent ? Lost ? Or are your strong. Hopeful and full of Joy and Promise ? No matter what season is currently shaping your emotions and your thoughts I encourage you to turn your heart and mind to God ! Seek Him and His Kingdom. Look for answers in His Word. Pray deeply to Him for answers and paths. Cry out to Him for help and also sing with all your might as you sense Him in your life, filling it with blessings and peace ! Worship is both simple and complex, but at it’s very root it is all about being yourself. GENUINE, ENGAGED, AND REAL ! And most of all, desiring it and making time for it.

ALL THE NATIONS YOU HAVE MADE WILL COME AND WORSHIP BEFORE YOU, LORD, THEY WILL BRING GLORY TO YOUR NAME. FOR YOU ARE GREAT AND DO MARVELOUS DEEDS; YOU ALONE ARE GOD. PSALMS 86: 9-10

In this season may we seek you God, and may You bless us with your presence, your wisdom, and your love. Reveal to us the salvation and blessing of Eternal Life in your Son Jesus. and may our seasons be a place that we come face to face with all you have created us to be. I love you Lord, and I am thankful for yesterday, today and tomorrow. Peace be with you all in Jesus. Hope and Peace/JAA

In Memory: Cassiopeia Du Solel. My beloved Belgian Sheepdog who we enjoyed loving for 15 years ! Keep the place God has prepared for me Jules and the kids warm girl. I’ll see you in Heaven when God calls me home. Dad