FOUR SEASONS OF
LIFE
For everything there is a season, and a time for
every matter under heaven.
At Death we
will have completed the thing for which we were created. Isaiah 55:11
First
Word
·
What if there was only ONE
SEASON all year around? – If there were no burning HEAT, lightning storms, hail, or
freezing COLD, ice or snow, we could not appreciate the sunny day with gentle
breezes and beautiful blue skies punctuated with fluffy brilliant white clouds.
·
There is a time to be born
and a time to die
and in between that, is a short brief time of living compared to eternity. – No
matter where you are in life, look forward to enjoying the next new
season. - God is at work in all of it.
·
King Solomon, the wisest man in the
world speaks poetically about seasons
that are GOOD and BAD; seasons of EMOTIONS and RESPONSIBILITY, and reflects on the
four seasons of life. He penned these words;… to everything under heaven,
there is a season, time and purpose, and then goes
on to caution us to not let the fun and excitement of our youth cause us to forget our
Creator. – The wise King thoughts continued;
·
Honor God in your
youth before you grow old and say, “Life is not pleasant anymore”. Remember Him before the light of
the sun, moon, and stars is dim to your old eyes, and rain clouds
continually darken your sky.
Remember Him before your legs; the guards of your house; start to tremble; and before your shoulders; the strong men—stoop.
Remember Him before your legs; the guards of your house; start to tremble; and before your shoulders; the strong men—stoop.
·
Remember Him before your teeth—your
few remaining servants—stop grinding; and before your eyes—the women
looking through the windows—see dimly.
Remember Him before the door to life’s opportunities is closed and the sound of work fades. Now you rise at the first chirping of the birds, but then their sounds will grow faint.
Remember Him before you become fearful of falling & worry about danger in the streets; before your hair turns white like an almond tree in bloom, and you drag along without energy like a dying grasshopper, and the caper berry no longer inspires sexual desire.
Remember Him before the door to life’s opportunities is closed and the sound of work fades. Now you rise at the first chirping of the birds, but then their sounds will grow faint.
Remember Him before you become fearful of falling & worry about danger in the streets; before your hair turns white like an almond tree in bloom, and you drag along without energy like a dying grasshopper, and the caper berry no longer inspires sexual desire.
·
Remember Him before
you near the grave, your everlasting home, when the mourners will weep at your
funeral.
Yes, remember your Creator now while you are young, before the silver cord of life snaps and the golden bowl is broken. Don’t wait until the water jar is smashed at the spring and the pulley is broken at the well. For then the dust will return to the earth, and the spirit will return to God who gave it. – It’s in the Book -
Yes, remember your Creator now while you are young, before the silver cord of life snaps and the golden bowl is broken. Don’t wait until the water jar is smashed at the spring and the pulley is broken at the well. For then the dust will return to the earth, and the spirit will return to God who gave it. – It’s in the Book -
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 – There is a season for
everything
1 For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.
2 A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest.
3 A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up.
4 A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance.
5 A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones. A time to embrace and a time to turn away.
6 A time to search and a time to quit searching. A time to keep and a time to throw away.
7 A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak.
8 A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace. (NLT)
1 For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.
2 A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest.
3 A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up.
4 A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance.
5 A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones. A time to embrace and a time to turn away.
6 A time to search and a time to quit searching. A time to keep and a time to throw away.
7 A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak.
8 A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace. (NLT)
Ecclesiastes 12:1-14 – Honor and Remember God
while you can
1 Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, “Life is not pleasant anymore.”
2 Remember him before the light of the sun, moon, and stars is dim to your old eyes, and rain clouds continually darken your sky.
3 Remember him before your legs—the guards of your house—start to tremble; and before your shoulders—the strong men—stoop. Remember him before your teeth—your few remaining servants—stop grinding; and before your eyes—the women looking through the windows—see dimly.
4 Remember him before the door to life’s opportunities is closed and the sound of work fades. Now you rise at the first chirping of the birds, but then all their sounds will grow faint.
5 Remember him before you become fearful of falling and worry about danger in the streets; before your hair turns white like an almond tree in bloom, and you drag along without energy like a dying grasshopper, and the caperberry no longer inspires sexual desire. Remember him before you near the grave, your everlasting home, when the mourners will weep at your funeral.
6 Yes, remember your Creator now while you are young, before the silver cord of life snaps and the golden bowl is broken. Don’t wait until the water jar is smashed at the spring and the pulley is broken at the well.
7 For then the dust will return to the earth, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.
8 Everything is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “completely meaningless.”
9 Keep this in mind: The Teacher was considered wise, and he taught the people everything he knew. He listened carefully to many proverbs, studying and classifying them.
10 The Teacher sought to find just the right words to express truths clearly.
11 The words of the wise are like cattle prods—painful but helpful. Their collected sayings are like a nail-studded stick with which a shepherd drives the sheep.
12 But, my child, let me give you some further advice: Be careful, for writing books is endless, and much study wears you out.
13 That’s the whole story. Here now is my FINAL CONCLUSION:
1 Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, “Life is not pleasant anymore.”
2 Remember him before the light of the sun, moon, and stars is dim to your old eyes, and rain clouds continually darken your sky.
3 Remember him before your legs—the guards of your house—start to tremble; and before your shoulders—the strong men—stoop. Remember him before your teeth—your few remaining servants—stop grinding; and before your eyes—the women looking through the windows—see dimly.
4 Remember him before the door to life’s opportunities is closed and the sound of work fades. Now you rise at the first chirping of the birds, but then all their sounds will grow faint.
5 Remember him before you become fearful of falling and worry about danger in the streets; before your hair turns white like an almond tree in bloom, and you drag along without energy like a dying grasshopper, and the caperberry no longer inspires sexual desire. Remember him before you near the grave, your everlasting home, when the mourners will weep at your funeral.
6 Yes, remember your Creator now while you are young, before the silver cord of life snaps and the golden bowl is broken. Don’t wait until the water jar is smashed at the spring and the pulley is broken at the well.
7 For then the dust will return to the earth, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.
8 Everything is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “completely meaningless.”
9 Keep this in mind: The Teacher was considered wise, and he taught the people everything he knew. He listened carefully to many proverbs, studying and classifying them.
10 The Teacher sought to find just the right words to express truths clearly.
11 The words of the wise are like cattle prods—painful but helpful. Their collected sayings are like a nail-studded stick with which a shepherd drives the sheep.
12 But, my child, let me give you some further advice: Be careful, for writing books is endless, and much study wears you out.
13 That’s the whole story. Here now is my FINAL CONCLUSION:
Fear God and obey his commands, for this
is everyone’s duty.
14 God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad. (NLT)
14 God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad. (NLT)
The
number Four
·
Jehovah in Hebrew is four letters; YHWH
- Four is the number of CREATION.
·
In the Book; the grouping of FOUR things
becomes a significance factor; CREATION.
·
Seasons created; Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter; all CREATED on the fourth day.
·
As long as the earth
remains,
there will be planting
and harvest, cold and heat.
·
As long as the earth
remains,
the created
summer and
winter, day and night continues.
·
By Him and for Him was created; thrones, dominions, principalities and powers.
·
Lights in the heavens created for
signs and
seasons, days and years.
·
Classic elements created; Earth, Water, Wind, and Fire.
·
Cardinal directions created; North, East, South and West.
·
Garden of Eden Rivers created; Pishon, Gihon, Tigris and Euphrates rivers.
·
Good News of Jesus Christ created for every Nation, Tribe,
Language and People.
·
The Good News created in the Four Gospels; Matthew, Mark,
Luke and
John.
·
Through Jesus, in us was created wisdom,
righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.
·
Every creature created will praise the Lord in heaven,
earth, under the sea & in the sea
·
All creation will sing Blessing and
Honor, Glory and Power forever
and ever.
·
Return of Christ; there will be Eating,
Drinking, Marring and giving in Marriage.
·
There are FOUR things that are not
affected by the created
changing seasons;
Right Living, Right Teaching, Right Judgment and
Right Soul Winning.
Genesis 1:17-19 – Four seasons of life created the
Fourth day
17 God set these lights in the sky to light the earth,
18 to govern the day and night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good.
19 And evening passed and morning came, marking the fourth day.
17 God set these lights in the sky to light the earth,
18 to govern the day and night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good.
19 And evening passed and morning came, marking the fourth day.
NLT
Genesis 8:22A – Planting & Harvest – Cold
& Heat
22 As long as the earth remains, there will be planting and harvest, cold and heat, (NLT)
22 As long as the earth remains, there will be planting and harvest, cold and heat, (NLT)
Genesis 8:22B - Summer & Winder – Day and Night
22 summer
and winter, day and
night.” (NLT)
Colossians 1:16 – Thrones,
dominions, principalities and powers
16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. (NKJV)
16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. (NKJV)
Genesis 1:14 – Lights in heavens; signs, seasons, days & years
14 Then God said, "Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years; (NKJV)
14 Then God said, "Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years; (NKJV)
Genesis 2:10-14 – Pishon, Gihon, Tigris, Euphrates
rivers
10 A river watered the garden and then flowed out of Eden and divided into four branches.
11 The first branch, called the Pishon, flowed around the entire land of Havilah, where gold is found.
12 The gold of that land is exceptionally pure; aromatic resin and onyx stone are also found there.
13 The second branch, called the Gihon, flowed around the entire land of Cush.
14 The third branch, called the Tigris, flowed east of the land of Asshur. The fourth branch is called the Euphrates.
10 A river watered the garden and then flowed out of Eden and divided into four branches.
11 The first branch, called the Pishon, flowed around the entire land of Havilah, where gold is found.
12 The gold of that land is exceptionally pure; aromatic resin and onyx stone are also found there.
13 The second branch, called the Gihon, flowed around the entire land of Cush.
14 The third branch, called the Tigris, flowed east of the land of Asshur. The fourth branch is called the Euphrates.
(NLT)
Revelation 14:6 – Gospel every nation, tribe, language,& people
6 And I saw another angel flying through the sky, carrying the eternal Good News to proclaim to the people who belong to this world—to every nation, tribe, language, and people.
6 And I saw another angel flying through the sky, carrying the eternal Good News to proclaim to the people who belong to this world—to every nation, tribe, language, and people.
(NLT)
1 Corinthians 1:30 – Wisdom, righteous, sanctified, & redeemed
30 But ⌊it is⌋ from Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became God-given wisdom for us—⌊our⌋ righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, (HCSB)
30 But ⌊it is⌋ from Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became God-given wisdom for us—⌊our⌋ righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, (HCSB)
Luke 17:27 - Eating, drinking, marrying & being given in marriage
27 People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all.
27 People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all.
(NIV2011)
Revelation 5:13-A – Heaven, Earth, under the sea,
in the sea
13And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. (NLT)
13And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. (NLT)
Revelation 5:13-B - Blessing and honor and glory and power
13They sang: “Blessing and honor
and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and
to the Lamb forever and ever.”
(NLT)
Acts 20:18-21 – Season Never changes for Right Living
18 When they arrived he declared, “You know that from the day I set foot in the province of Asia until now
19 I have done the Lord’s work humbly and with many tears. I have endured the trials that came to me from the plots of the Jews.
20 I never shrank back from telling you what you needed to hear, either publicly or in your homes.
21 I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike—the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus.
18 When they arrived he declared, “You know that from the day I set foot in the province of Asia until now
19 I have done the Lord’s work humbly and with many tears. I have endured the trials that came to me from the plots of the Jews.
20 I never shrank back from telling you what you needed to hear, either publicly or in your homes.
21 I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike—the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus.
(NLT)
1 Timothy 4:2 – Season Never changes for Right Preaching
2 These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead. (NLT)
2 These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead. (NLT)
Exodus 18:26 – Season Never changes for Right Judgment
26 These men were always available to solve the people’s common disputes. They brought the major cases to Moses, but they took care of the smaller matters themselves.
26 These men were always available to solve the people’s common disputes. They brought the major cases to Moses, but they took care of the smaller matters themselves.
(NLT)
Acts 1:8 – Season Never changes for Right Soul Winning
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (NLT)
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (NLT)
SPRING
·
Spring brings life with showers
of blessings in its due season. - Trees and plants wake up; it’s a time for new
growth, like a
new born child. – Bounding in growth, intellectually and spiritually
with lots of emotional change. – There are so many new sights and new sounds.
·
Parents love us and provide
warmth, companionship, bonding and protection; they feed us, clothe us and
provide shelter. They teach and guide our
character and moral ethics. - This forms the emotional and spiritual
foundations of our life. We change and
grow like the grass and flowers of the field; this is the “genius” of our knowledge,
wisdom and understanding.
·
The first five years are the most important as
they mold our future growth and lay the foundation of our spiritual life; from
our birth to our spiritual re-birth. - Our Schools, bring education and the
forming of our abilities and the strengthening our work ethic. – A time to listen,
a time to study
and a time to be
obedient. – A time when the rod is not spared and we are not
spoiled. – A parent who loves their child will spank their butt. It’s in the Book
·
Spring is a season of zeal for the new born
Christian; not necessarily new in age, but new in their faith. They are a new person where they want
to do everything; there is a desire to grow with the sincere Milk
of the Word and to do mighty works yet they are somewhat unprepared to do so as
a babe in Christ. - Spring is NOT a season in which you should stay; but eventually
move on to Solid
Food and growth, learning and
recognizing the difference between right and wrong, truth and error; then teaching
it to others.
Ezekiel 34:26 – Showers of blessings in its season
26 And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in its season; there shall be showers of blessing. (ASV)
26 And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in its season; there shall be showers of blessing. (ASV)
Psalm 136:25 – God gives
food to every living thing.
25 He gives food to every living thing. His faithful love endures forever. (NLT)
25 He gives food to every living thing. His faithful love endures forever. (NLT)
2 Corinthians 9:10 - God
provides the seed for your life
10 For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.
10 For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.
Proverbs 13:24 – Spare the
Rod and spoil the child
24 Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children. Those who love their children care enough to discipline them. (NLT)
24 Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children. Those who love their children care enough to discipline them. (NLT)
2 Corinthians 5:17 – Spring – Believer becomes a
new person
17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! (NLT)
17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! (NLT)
1 Peter 2:2 – Crave pure
spiritual milk
2 Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, (NLT)
2 Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, (NLT)
Hebrews 5:12-14 – You need
Solid Food to teach others
12 You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot EAT SOLID FOOD.
13 For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right.
14 Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.
12 You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot EAT SOLID FOOD.
13 For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right.
14 Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.
(NLT)
Hebrews 13:7 – Follow the example of your church
leaders
7 Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and
7 Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and
follow the
example of their faith. (NLT)
Hebrews 13:17 – Obey your spiritual leaders
17 Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit. (NLT)
17 Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit. (NLT)
2 Timothy 2:15 – Study and
be a good worker of truth
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (KJV)
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (KJV)
SUMMER
·
Summer brings warming, a time when
everything is the most active, when the first fruits begin to ripen. It’s a time of adolescence, laughter and play with
carefree childhood dreams and fantasies. - As a teenager we are out of school planning what we
have learned, seeking jobs utilizing our talents. – A time when we are still
figuring out what we will do as a career to fulfill our dreams and getting the
most out of life using the foundations that were laid in our childhood.
·
Summer is when as a young adult we
are in our peak of physical strength and endurance, having thoughts of marriage
and raising a family and then planting the seeds of God in our own Children. – Planting
the seeds of faith while we still have good weather.
·
The journey continues, the opportunities and
challenges present themselves as we grow older; we are absorbing morals and values,
knowledge, wisdom and responsibilities. – Spiritual things are borrowed
and absorbed from our parents, teachers and friends; now we are no
longer reactionary to our beliefs, we begin to independently decide for
ourselves, making our own FREE WILL choices of values and “What we Believe”;
for better or for worse.
·
Summer is the preparation for our
Christian life, to be active in our place of worship as part of the praise
team; as pastors, teachers, deacons and elders. – It’s a time of study and preparation
against false doctrine and false teachers, ready to contend for our faith. We are to hold fast to what is good, testing
what we hear, sharing our faith; watering the seed that the Holy Spirit has already
planted in others; then rejoicing that we have become a part of God’s plan
in the harvest of souls. – A season of getting in on what God is doing.
·
Storms occur in our
seasons
just like they do in nature, lightning and thunder, destructive hail, flooding,
hurricanes and tornadoes. – The Believer
is not promised seasons that are storm free, but promised that He will be
with us IN the storm. God uses the
seasons to help us grow. - Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego went through a rough
season enduring the flames of a fiery furnace, but God was in there with them. –
It’s in the Book -
·
The Book
says to
put on the whole armor of God; the belt of truth, the Kevlar vest of righteousness, the army boots of the Gospel,
the shield of faith,
the helmet of salvation
and the sword of the Spirit. – We
are not given any protection for our backs, because… “God has got that”. Our part in this war is not to fight, but
to resist, STAND firm and PRAY; … The
battle is the Lords. – Michael the Archangel said: God will deal with Satan.
- It’s in the Book
-
Ephesians 6:12-18 – Put on the whole Gospel Armor
to stand
12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to RESIST the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.
14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.
15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.
16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.
17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 PRAY in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere
12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to RESIST the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.
14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.
15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.
16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.
17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 PRAY in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere
(NLT)
1 Samuel 17:47 – The battle is the Lord’s
47 and that all this assembly may know that the LORD saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give you into our hand.” (ESV)
47 and that all this assembly may know that the LORD saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give you into our hand.” (ESV)
Jude 1:9 – Archangel Michael said God will take
care of Satan
9 But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you.” (ESV)
9 But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you.” (ESV)
Philippians 1:15-18 – Be prepared to defend the
Gospel
15 It’s true that some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry. But others preach about Christ with pure motives.
16 They preach because they love me, for they know
15 It’s true that some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry. But others preach about Christ with pure motives.
16 They preach because they love me, for they know
I have been
appointed to defend the Good News.
17 Those others do not have pure motives as they preach about Christ. They preach with selfish ambition, not sincerely, intending to make my chains more painful to me.
18 But that doesn’t matter. Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice. (NLT)
17 Those others do not have pure motives as they preach about Christ. They preach with selfish ambition, not sincerely, intending to make my chains more painful to me.
18 But that doesn’t matter. Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice. (NLT)
1 Thessalonians 5:21 – The season for testing
everything said
21 but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. (NLT)
21 but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. (NLT)
Acts 20:28-31 – Guard yourself against false
teachers
28 So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as elders.
29 I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock.
30 Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following.
31 Watch out! Remember the three years I was with you—my constant watch and care over you night and day, and my many tears for you. (NLT)
28 So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as elders.
29 I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock.
30 Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following.
31 Watch out! Remember the three years I was with you—my constant watch and care over you night and day, and my many tears for you. (NLT)
Daniel 3:23-25 - Shadrach,
Meshach, & Abednego Fiery furnace
23 So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, securely tied, fell into the roaring flames.
24 But suddenly, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisers, “Didn’t we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?” “Yes, Your Majesty, we certainly did,” they replied.
25 Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see FOUR men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!”
23 So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, securely tied, fell into the roaring flames.
24 But suddenly, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisers, “Didn’t we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?” “Yes, Your Majesty, we certainly did,” they replied.
25 Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see FOUR men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!”
FALL- Autumn
·
Fall brings the cooler breezes
of Autumn when man and beast as well as nature is the most productive with
crops and fruits. It’s a time for laying
up food to sustain us during the winter of our life; this is when we see nature
begin to go to sleep. - As a mature adult, older and wiser and still growing, with
our foundation in place, no longer carefree, we begin to draw on our resources
that we have planted which we enjoy sharing with others. – In our middle age it
is a time to plan for the future. - Building our families, watering the seed
that was planted in our children by the Holy Spirit.
·
As our sphere of influence
allows us;
the fruit that was planted in our spirit causes us to extend ourselves to
others, affecting the wellbeing of those in our community and perhaps even the
world. We are laying up treasures and rewards in heaven by the way we have lived
our life and extended ourselves; sharing with others.
·
By fall we have been a Christians
for some time and have now become wiser and more knowledgeable; but just as DST
time falls back an hour in the Fall,
there is also a time when there is a falling away of things in our
lives. - Moving, leaving friends behind;
children moving out going to college; starting their own lives. This is also a time of falling away in our
faith, sometimes doubting what we believe.
·
The prophet Elijah did this when he was going
through a season of defeating the prophets of Baal; God’s enemy. Even in his victory, he entered a
season of “coolness”, a falling away from the faith and began to fear and doubt
God. - But God was still faithful and cared for him and made sure that he was fed.
·
There will be a falling
away
just before the Anti-Christ comes. - In
our old age our physical strength begins to weaken, but our spiritual life
should remain strong. We still need to teach
His word with all longsuffering and be instant to reprove, rebuke, and
exhort whether it’s convenient or not; God promises to be with us throughout our lifetime. A time when our hair starts
falling like the leaves. – It’s in the Book -
Matthew 9:37-38 – The
Harvest is great & the workers are few
37 He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest;
38 ask him to send more workers into his fields.”
37 He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest;
38 ask him to send more workers into his fields.”
(NLT)
Matthew 13:30 – The good
wheat gathered into the barn
30 Let both grow together until the harvest. Then I will tell the harvesters to sort out the weeds, tie them into bundles, and
30 Let both grow together until the harvest. Then I will tell the harvesters to sort out the weeds, tie them into bundles, and
burn
them, and to put the wheat in the barn.’”
(NLT)
2 Timothy 4:2-7 – Be prepared to correct, rebuke,
encourage
2 Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.
2 Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.
3 For a time is coming when people will no
longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own
desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching
ears want to hear.
4 They will reject the truth and chase after myths.
5 But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.
6 As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near.
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. (NLT)
4 They will reject the truth and chase after myths.
5 But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.
6 As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near.
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. (NLT)
2 Corinthians 13:5 – Examine and test your own
faith
5 Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith. (NLT)
5 Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith. (NLT)
1 Corinthians 9:27 – Discipline and train your
faith
27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified. (NLT)
27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified. (NLT)
1 Kings 19:3-6 – Elijah feared; faith cooled down;
wanted to die
3 Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there.
4 Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die.
3 Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there.
4 Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die.
(NLT)
“I have had enough, LORD,”
he said. “Take
my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already
died.”
5 Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree. But as he was sleeping, an angel touched him and told him, “Get up and eat!”
6 He looked around and there beside his head was some bread baked on hot stones and a jar of water! So he ate and drank and lay down again. (NLT)
5 Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree. But as he was sleeping, an angel touched him and told him, “Get up and eat!”
6 He looked around and there beside his head was some bread baked on hot stones and a jar of water! So he ate and drank and lay down again. (NLT)
Isaiah 46:3-4 – God will
be with us throughout our lifetime
3 Listen to me, descendants of Jacob, all you who remain in Israel. I have cared for you since you were born. Yes, I carried you before you were born.
4 I will be your God throughout your lifetime— until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.
3 Listen to me, descendants of Jacob, all you who remain in Israel. I have cared for you since you were born. Yes, I carried you before you were born.
4 I will be your God throughout your lifetime— until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.
(NLT)
Galatians 6:9 – Do good and reap harvest in due
season
9 And let us not be weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (ASV)
9 And let us not be weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (ASV)
WINTER
·
Winter is when things appear dreary
and cold, dead and lonely, confining and daunting. - Old age is a time of the ending to our life cycle;
we are known as the elderly; the
senior
citizen. It’s a time when material things don’t seem to matter that much. As we enter the final season of our life, our
health and vigor begins to decline. The
years of our greatest productivity has come to an end, but even in our winter; our
seasons of growth in spiritual things continues perpetually with new
insights and expanding love; so hold on to your Faith and continue to share it
with others.
·
The Winter of
our life
is a time of cherishing our family and helping them
prepare for their seasons and perhaps preparing for the conclusion of our very
own season, it allows us to focus on the ultimate meaning of our life. It’s a time for passing down to the next
generation our knowledge, wisdom and things of God. – Our words
of wisdom are like a cattle prod to the youth; they are painful, but yet very helpful.
·
Just as the earth needs
intervals of rest
every seven years, so do His children.
We have a season of work for six days and then a season of rest on the
seventh day. – We are approaching our final season of rest; our winter, a time
to set our affairs in order. - A time to examine ourselves, knowing we will
soon die and our bodies will return to the dust and our spirt returns to our God
who gave it. Winter is a time to prepare to meet our
maker.
·
For the Believer, at death there is a new
season to look forward to that is better than any season we have ever
experienced before. At death, we as believers will be judged and rewarded
according to how we lived on earth. - For the Believer we die once and then the
judgment. For the unbeliever death comes
and then the lake of fire which is the second death.
·
During the
winter in
the animal world, gestation takes place to provide babies in the spring. We are in a time of gestation in our spirit,
looking forward to being BORN AGAIN into Heaven, The Book says we shall be like Him and with a new
glorified body, one that doesn’t ache with arthritis, but feels strong and free
and can move through walls, water and space at the speed of thought. Mine will be a BRAND NEW strong, muscular, golden
bronzed, handsome body of about 33 years of age, the same as Christ at the peak
of His ministry. – Think about that; we
will be like Jesus. – It’s in the Book -
·
We will have fought the
good fight,
and have finished the race, and have remained faithful and now the prize awaits
us. — The crown of righteousness,
which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give ME on the day of His return: and
the prize is not just for me, but for ALL who eagerly look forward to his
appearing. We will rest from our labors and enjoy the blessings of the treasure
we have laid up in heaven during our lifetime; that is our deeds and our works
that have gone before us.
- NOTE: God gives us as believers, angles to protect
us and they will not let us die until what we were created for has been
accomplished. – It’s in
the Book -
2 Timothy 2:2 – Teach these
truths to other trustworthy people
2 You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.
2 You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.
(NLT)
Exodus 23:11 – Season of rest for the land the
seventh year
11 but the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow, that the poor of your people may eat; and what they leave the beasts of the field may eat. You shall do likewise with your vineyard, and with your olive orchard. (ESV)
11 but the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow, that the poor of your people may eat; and what they leave the beasts of the field may eat. You shall do likewise with your vineyard, and with your olive orchard. (ESV)
Genesis 2:1-3 – The Lord’s Day, a season of rest
1 So the creation of the heavens and the earth and everything in them was completed.
2 On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work.
3 And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation.
1 So the creation of the heavens and the earth and everything in them was completed.
2 On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work.
3 And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation.
(NLT)
2 Kings 20:1 - A season to set your affairs in
order
1 About that time Hezekiah became deathly ill, and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to visit him. He gave the king this message: “This is what the LORD says: Set your affairs in order, for you are going to die. You will not recover from this illness.” (NLT)
1 About that time Hezekiah became deathly ill, and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to visit him. He gave the king this message: “This is what the LORD says: Set your affairs in order, for you are going to die. You will not recover from this illness.” (NLT)
Hebrews 4:14 – Hold fast your confession
14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession
14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession
(ESV)
1 Corinthians 15:31 – We
die to self every day
31 For I swear, dear brothers and sisters, that I face death daily. This is as certain as my pride in what Christ Jesus our Lord has done in you. (NLT)
31 For I swear, dear brothers and sisters, that I face death daily. This is as certain as my pride in what Christ Jesus our Lord has done in you. (NLT)
Hebrews 9:27 – When we die then comes the judgment
27And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment, (NLT)
27And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment, (NLT)
2 Corinthians 5:10 – We all stand before Christ to be judged
10 For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body. (NLT)
10 For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body. (NLT)
Revelation 21:8 –
Un-believers lake of fire, second death
8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” (ESV)
8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” (ESV)
Titus 1:2 – Eternal life promised the believer
before creation
2 This truth gives them confidence that they have eternal life, which God—who does not lie—promised them before the world (NLT)
2 This truth gives them confidence that they have eternal life, which God—who does not lie—promised them before the world (NLT)
1 Peter 1:23-25 – Our new life
will last forever
23 For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God.
24 As the Scriptures say, “People are like grass; their beauty is like a flower in the field. The grass withers and the flower fades.
25 But the word of the Lord remains forever.” And that word is the Good News that was preached to you. (NLT)
23 For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God.
24 As the Scriptures say, “People are like grass; their beauty is like a flower in the field. The grass withers and the flower fades.
25 But the word of the Lord remains forever.” And that word is the Good News that was preached to you. (NLT)
1 John 3:2 – We will be like Jesus
2 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. (ESV)
2 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. (ESV)
Revelation 14:13 – Rest
from our work – Good deeds follow us
13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this down: Blessed are those who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, they are blessed indeed, for they will rest from their hard work; for their good deeds follow them!” (NLT)
13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this down: Blessed are those who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, they are blessed indeed, for they will rest from their hard work; for their good deeds follow them!” (NLT)
2 Timothy 4:7-8 – We have finished the race; the
prize awaits
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.
8 And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing. (NLT)
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.
8 And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing. (NLT)
Luke 4:10 – Angels watch over our assignment on earth
10 … He shall give his
angels charge over thee, to keep thee:
KJV
Isiah 55:11 – Our assignment will be
completed before we die
11 So shall my word be
that goes forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it
shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the
thing whereto I sent it. KJV
Season
of Stuff
·
Life is experiencing
change and transition; for everything there is a season, and
a time for every matter under heaven. - Sometimes
our season is exciting and dynamic and we feel awesome, then at other times we
just want to be anywhere but where we are. - King David said, he wished he could just
fly away with the wings of a dove and be at rest.
·
If we do not recognize
that we have seasons in our life, we may draw the wrong conclusions about what’s going
on in our daily lives. – We are living in God’s sovereign plan, a process in
which we grow; we can’t see the end, but God sees the end from the beginning.
·
We go through tough times where perhaps our health,
finances, friends, or even our marriage is not looking so good; causing us to
wonder what’s going on. - It’s during these tough seasons that God
builds our character. It’s a season of how we grow spiritually, a season when we
can exercise “Who
We Are”. - Farmers keep on planting even though they have experienced
losses during the previous harvest season. –
We just keep on planting -
- In the movie Forrest
Gump
- a runner stepped into some dog poop and Forrest Gump says, “IT HAPPENS”;
which we now see printed on bumper stickers. – STUFF HAPPENS -
- Stuff does happen. – It’s not Satan and it’s not God; things
just happen. The law of gravity
is in effect and when used correctly it’s a good thing, but used
incorrectly, it can hurt you. Electricity
is a modern blessing, but it can hurt you. - Seasons of Stuff just happens. -
·
The Book often says “and it came to pass” and we say, thank God it
didn’t come to stay… This too shall pass; whatever season you are in will
change; good seasons as well as bad come and go. Don’t read too much into a bad seasons; stuff happens.
– Our seasons change, but God’s plan does not change. – Learn from your seasons;
we cannot control what happens on the outside, but we can control what happens
inside.
·
If you remember the story
of Job,
while he was going through the agony of health issues and the loss of his
family, he still honored God. What he
didn’t know was, that the way he responded to his adversity WAS
GIVING GOD GLORY. – God is at work in every
season; all things work together for good for those that love the Lord and are
called according to His purpose. – Think about how you
RESPOND to your season
of STUFF, DOES IT GIVE GOD GLORY?
Ecclesiastes 3:1 – For everything there is a season
1 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: (ESV)
1 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: (ESV)
Psalm 55:6 – I wish I could just fly away so I
could rest
6 I said, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove!
6 I said, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove!
I would fly away and be at rest. (NIV2011)
Job 1:8-12 – Job praised God even in a bad season
8 Then the LORD asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil.”
9 Satan replied to the LORD, “Yes, but Job has good reason to fear God.
10 You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property. You have made him prosper in everything he does. Look how rich he is!
11 But reach out and take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face!”
12 All right, you may test him,” the LORD said to Satan. “Do whatever you want with everything he possesses, but don’t harm him physically.” So Satan left the LORD’s presence.
8 Then the LORD asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil.”
9 Satan replied to the LORD, “Yes, but Job has good reason to fear God.
10 You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property. You have made him prosper in everything he does. Look how rich he is!
11 But reach out and take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face!”
12 All right, you may test him,” the LORD said to Satan. “Do whatever you want with everything he possesses, but don’t harm him physically.” So Satan left the LORD’s presence.
(NLT)
Romans 8:28 – All things work together for the
Believer
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
(ESV)
Psalm 1:1-3 – Meditate on God’s Word day and night
1 Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers.
2 But they delight in the law of the LORD, meditating on it day and night.
3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do
1 Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers.
2 But they delight in the law of the LORD, meditating on it day and night.
3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do
(NLT)
Seasons
of Free Will
- It
is God’s WILL that we all live a long life now, and even more
in heaven - but that’s just not the case. – God’s “will” is NOT being done
on earth. – read on -
- The book records Evil men as well as Good men being used in God’s
plan, but evil men do not experience God’s promises and there is certainly a difference
in their destination at death. The promises of the Bible are only for those who believe in
Jesus Christ.
·
God is eternally immutably good: He cannot
change; whereas man was made mutably good, that is, he was made with Free Will
and the possibility of changing in his conformity to
the laws of God. – NYOBS
37.29 – FREE WILL -- NYOBS 29.28 –
PREDESTINATION REVISITED
·
Does
God DO evil?
– NO – God’s nature make Him absolutely incapable
of performing evil, yet, He ordains everything that comes to pass.
·
Does
God ORDAIN evil?
– YES - If not, there would be no evil, because God is
sovereign. - God ordained that His creatures should have the capacity
for evil. – NYOBS 06.28
SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD -- NYOBS 54.25 –
SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD REVISITED
·
Garden of Eden – When the Serpent came to Adam
and Eve and began his treachery, God could have stopped him and there would
have been no sin - God did not sanction the evil, but He did not stop
it either. - In choosing not to stop it, He ordained it. – So in
essence, God has esteemed it good that evil should be allowed to happen in this
world.
·
Judas could not have betrayed Christ apart from the Devine
providence of God. The actions of Judas was part of the divine providence of the
plan of redemption for the world. - God ordains not only how things end,
but also the means to that end. – Human choices and human actions are a
part of the overall providential scheme of God’s plan. - All things work together for good in God’s
providence.
·
Interestingly the Book doesn’t say
Judas went to hell, it says he went to his own place and that it would
have been better if he had not been born – Since Judas was predestined
to betray Jesus, did God create a special place just for him? – SELAH - Ponder that. - NYOBS
44.13 – JUDAS – MAKE BELIEVER -- NYBOS
10.34 – JUDAS CONSPIRACY
·
Men have Free Will, but lack Liberty, their choices are driven by
their fallen “natural desires” and they will choose what is wicked. - In the fall of man; the desire for the things
of God was lost, and now man will never choose God. – He must be drawn by the
Holy Spirit. It takes the work of the Holy Spirit to empower man to
repent. – None can come unless God draws them. – Grace is necessary to
liberate the human heart. – NYOBS 37.29 - FREE WILL
- Because God is sovereign, He
knows the life decisions of a new born baby even before he was
formed in the womb. - There are no accidents or surprises with God – He knows -
·
Does God choose your WIFE for you? – No, you do; ALL your Free Will choices are GUIDED by what you have put into your own spirit. - GIGO – Garbage in; Garbage out – HIHO - Holiness in; Holiness out.
- Our FREE WILL choices are made from the
abundance of what overflows our heart. - We should believe in God’s Omnipotence; that He is in
control of everything, but remember we are still accountable for the FREE WILL decisions that we make on this side of life – It’s in the Book -
·
The Book
says -
How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they
believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without
someone preaching to them? - THAT’S WHY WE PREACH
THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST.
·
God does
His Part to save us and we do our part. – My part was
running away from God and the Holy Hound of Heaven’s part was chasing me. - My part was sinning and God’s part was saving.
– By God’s grace I am saved; and for no other reason – It was a Gift from God
to me.
·
FREE WILL to choose, is a Gift from
God to the angels and to us. - Life is Choice Driven
Matthew 6:9-10 – God’s WILL on earth is NOT BEING DONE.
9 "Our Father in
heaven, hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come, your
will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
NIV
Acts 1:25- Judas went to his own place
25 That he may take part
of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell,
that he might
go to HIS OWN PLACE.
Mark 14:21 – WOE; It would be better if
he had not been born.
21 WOE to that man
who betrays the Son of Man!
It
would be better for him if he had not been born." NIV
Jerimiah 1:4-5 – Before you were born – He knew you
4 The word of the LORD
came to me, saying,
5 "Before I formed
you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart;
NIV
John 10:10 – God’s will is for us to have an abundant life.
10 The thief cometh not,
but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
KJV
Proverbs 15:28 – What’s in the heart overflows the
mouth
28 The heart of the righteous PONDERS how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things. (NASB)
28 The heart of the righteous PONDERS how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things. (NASB)
Matthew 12:34 – Out of the abundance of our heart
we speak
34 For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. (KJV)
34 For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. (KJV)
Romans 8:5-8 – A man with a sinful spirit CANNOT summit to God
5 Those who live according
to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those
who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit
desires.
6 The mind of sinful man
is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace;
7 the sinful mind is hostile
to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so.
8 Those controlled by the
sinful nature cannot please God. NIV
Romans 10:14-15 - How can they believe who have
not heard.
14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
15 and how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!
14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
15 and how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!
(NIV2011)
John 6:44 – None can come to Him unless the Father draws him
44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him;
44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him;
Hebrews 9:27 – God has
decided that ALL will die… ONCE
27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die,
but after this the judgment: KJV
2 Samuel 14:14
– God does NOT take away life.
14 Like water spilled on
the ground, which cannot be recovered, so we must die. But God does NOT take away life;
instead, he devises ways so that a banished person may not remain estranged
from him. NIV
Psalm 90:10 – We can have
70 years – maybe 80 - It’s not fixed
10 The days of our years
are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they
be fourscore years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow; for it is
soon cut off, and we fly away. KJV
Deuteromy 5:16 – Treat mama good get even more
than 80 years
16 Honor thy father and
thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged,
KJV
Isiah 55:11 – Our assignment in God’s plan will be completed
11 So shall my word be
that goes forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish
that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing
whereto I sent it. KJV
John 11:26
– The Believer will never die
26 and whoever lives and
believes in me will never die. Do you believe this? NIV
Does God
kill us?
- The
reason
that the child was killed and taken away so early in life was because God
just needed another flower for His garden in Heaven. – WHAT BALONEY – Somebody just said that to make the family
feel better - It wasn’t God that took his life and He didn’t need
another flower in His Garden.
- More Baloney - The Lord gives and the Lord takes
away. Job said it in the
scriptures and that’s what Job believed; but what he believed was not
true. (Job
- The Book is clear that God
wants us to have life. - He
sent Jesus so that we would have life and have more of it. - God
does not take away life, but devises ways to bring the sinner back to Him.
- Satan’s
work on earth is to Kill, steal and destroy – Christ came to
destroy Satan’s works. - Death is a result and punishment for the original sin in the Garden of Eden; eating from the Tree
of Knowledge of Good and Evil – Christ came to give us a way back to the
other tree in the Garden of Eden,
“the
Tree of Life”. - So
it is not God that takes life away, death is the direct result of sin and
disobedience.
- Death
is un-natural; the cutting off of the days of man. – God’s desire for
man is to live a long life. - It is inevitable that man in his
present sinful and fallen state will die. – A life of 100 years is
short and cut off because of the “The Law”, the decree of God; “if you
sin, you will die”.
- God says His plan is for us to live
till we are about 70 years of age and if we have taken exceptional
good care of our bodies, then we can live until we are about 80 and
longer than that if we took good care of our parents. That’s His will;
but STUFF
HAPPENS.
- Man
does not simply die as the lower order of plants, animals and
creatures do. - For the lower order
of life, death means the end of its existence; they do not have the
promise. - Man is a physical AND a spiritual being and will
transition at death to another dimension in which our conscious existence
continues.
- God
is over the whole process of life and death and has decreed that the
penalty of sin is death, but has also determined to give life eternal to
sinful man if man chooses to receive.
- We
will all die. In fact, it’s
biologically necessary to get to the other side. – But the time is not
fixed. – Does God know when we will die? – You bet He does – The sovereignty of God sees the end
from the beginning, but it’s not set – Stuff just Happens.
- I am running out of
time on earth - and so is everyone else - and it’s necessary.
Psalm 116:15 – God cares deeply
when his loved ones die
15 The LORD cares deeply when his loved ones die.
15 The LORD cares deeply when his loved ones die.
(NLT)
2 Samuel 14:14 – God does NOT take away life.
14 Like water spilled on
the ground, which cannot be recovered, so we must die. But God does not take away life;
instead, he devises ways so that a banished person may not remain estranged
from him.
NIV
Isiah 46:10 – God sees the end from the beginning.
10 I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My
purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please. NIV
Romans 5:12 – Death
entered into the world by one man -Adam
12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into
the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all
have sinned:
NIV
Genesis 2:17 – Death is a
result of sin
17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and
evil, thou shall not eat of it: for in the day that you eat thereof thou
shall surely die.
Romans 6:23 – The payment
for sin is; it kills you.
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the
gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. KJV
John 10:10 – Satan comes
to Kill – Christ came to give life
10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to
kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that
they might have it more abundantly. KJV
1 John 3:8 – Christ came
to destroy the works of Satan.
8 He that commits sin is of the devil; for the
devil sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was
manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. KJV
Last Thoughts
·
Spring brings warmth, new
birth of nature and beauty, but it also brings showers. – A time for babies
bounding and growing physically. A time
of bonding, love and emotional and spiritual growth. – A time when the foundations
are laid for the character of the child.
·
Summer brings sunshine and heat,
but also with it comes thunderstorms. – As teenagers and young adults it a time
for planning the future and shedding the borrowed spiritual values of
the parents and the forming of their own Free Will values.
·
Fall brings a welcomed coolness,
but there is also a falling away. – It’s a time of building our
families, watering the seeds of the Holy Spirit within them and planning for
our retirement and old age – Laying up food and finances – Busyness and all the
hustle and bustle of life brings a coolness to spiritual things and causes many
to fall away from following God’s Word.
·
Winter brings the cold, peace
and rest, but it’s dreary and confining. A time of old age when material things
don’t matter that much. Family, health,
food on the table, a good recliner and a fire, round out
the top five. – A time spend reflecting on our end of days, when we get a new
glorified body that functions without the common cold and arthritis in the
joints and is not subject to the laws of nature and moves about at the speed of
thought.
·
We play a
part in our salvation. – My part was sinning
and God’s part was saving me; my part was running away and the Holy Hound of Heaven’s
part was chasing me. – By God’s grace I am saved; and for no other reason – Salvation is a
Gift from God to all that will believe.
·
God does
not take our life away, but devises ways so that a
banished person may NOT remain estranged from Him.
- It is Satan that comes to Kill, steal and destroy and it
is Jesus that came to destroy the works of Satan and to give us life and give
it to us more abundantly.
·
We have
been given a maximum number of years that we may
live, but the
time of our death is unknown, it’s not set. Our life
decisions however can shorten it. - We can live 70 or 80 years and even much
longer if we treat our parents well. – It’s in the Book.
-
We only know that our days are fleeting away. - When we die is not pre-determined even though every day has already
been written down before they happen. – NYOBS 06.14 - DEATH
·
God has a new body for us, a heavenly, eternal,
incorruptible, spiritual, body that shall never grow old or die. - Before your allotted time runs out make
sure you’re born again through Jesus Christ.
The
Books says for us to number our
days and consider our death; to get a heart for wisdom so that we may be able
to continue to proclaim the Gospel.
2 Samuel 14:14 – God does NOT take away life.
14 Like water spilled on
the ground, which cannot be recovered, so we must die. But God does not take away life; instead, he devises ways so that a banished person
may NOT remain estranged from him. NIV
John 10:10 – Satan comes to Kill – Christ to give
life
10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to
kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and
that they might have it more abundantly. KJV
Isa 46:10 – God sees the end from the beginning.
10 I make known the end from the beginning,
from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I
will do all that I please. NIV
Psalm 139:16 – My days are written down before
they happen
16 Thine eyes did see mine unformed substance; And in thy book they were all written, Even the days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was none of them. (ASV)
16 Thine eyes did see mine unformed substance; And in thy book they were all written, Even the days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was none of them. (ASV)
Ecclesiastes 3:2 – There
will come a time to die
2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, NIV
Psalm 90:12 - Teach us to
number our days get a heart wisdom.
12 So teach us to number
our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.
Hebrews 9:27 – We will all
die
27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die,
but after this the judgment: KJV
Genesis 27:2 – We just do
not know when
2 Isaac said, "I am now an old man and don't
know the day of my death. NIV
Psalm 144:4 – Life is brief
4 Man is like a breath; his days are like a
fleeting shadow. NIV
Psalm 39:4 – Life’s end –
Fleeting days
4 "Show me, O LORD, my life's end and the
number of my days;
let me know how fleeting is my life. NIV
Job 14:5 – Man has a maximum of days that he
cannot pass
5 seeing his days are determined, the
number of his months is with thee, and thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass;
Psalm 90:10 – 70-80 years, not fixed, but with
pain & trouble
10 Seventy years are given to us! Some even live to eighty. But even the best years are filled with pain and trouble; soon they disappear, and we fly away. (NLT)
10 Seventy years are given to us! Some even live to eighty. But even the best years are filled with pain and trouble; soon they disappear, and we fly away. (NLT)
Deuteromy 5:16 – Treat
your mama good & get even more days.
16 Honor thy father and
thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may
be prolonged, KJV
Psalm 71:17-18 – I am old and gray – Let me still
proclaim Jesus
17 O God, you have taught me from my earliest childhood, and I constantly tell others about the wonderful things you do.
18 Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me. (NLT)
17 O God, you have taught me from my earliest childhood, and I constantly tell others about the wonderful things you do.
18 Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me. (NLT)
In the
multitude of counselors,
there is wisdom.
Proverbs 11:14
I am grateful to those that went before me
providing concepts, ideas, historical
information, and scripture verses. Because of them I can stand on their
shoulders
and
see further that I otherwise ever could have.
A Commentary; Critical,
Experimental and Practical - Eerdmans
All the Women of the Bible – Edith
Deen
Antiquity of the Jews – Flavius
Josephus Matthias
Apocrypha – Goodspeed
Baker Commentary on the
Bible – Elwell
Bible Almanac; The – Packer-Tenney-White
Bible Commentary – F.B. Meyer
Bible Dictionary – Harper and Row
Bible Dictionary – Nelson’s
Bible Hub.com
Dake’s Annotated Bible – Dake
English Standard Version
Bible – ESV
Expositor’s Bible
Commentary – Frank E. Gaebelein
Forgotten Books of Eden; The – World
Illustrated Bible
Dictionary; The – Tyndale
Interlinear Greek-English
New Testament - Baker
King James Version Bible –
KJV
Lost Books of the Bible; The - World
Lost Books of the Bible; The - Bell
Matthew Henry’s Commentary - Zondervan
Missing Books of the Bible; The – Halo Press
Mysteries of the Bible – Readers Digest
Nag Hammadi Library; The – James M. Robinson
Nave’s Topical Bible - Zondervan
New International
Dictionary of the Bible; The – Douglas -
Tenney
New International Version
Bible (2011) – NIV
NOTE: The “new” NIV has
been corrupted & made gender neutral. AVOID IT.
New Living Translation Bible-
NLT
Secrets of the Dead Sea Scrolls – Hugh J.
Schonfield
Thru the Bible – J. Vernon
McGee
Vincent’s Word Studies of
the New Testament – Mac Donald
Who’s Who in the Bible – Paul D. Gardner
Wycliffe Bible Commentary;
The – Pfeiffer & Harrison
Wikipedia –
Zondervan Pictorial
Encyclopedia of the Bible; The – Tenney
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