From the Pastor:

   Here we are at another time of seasonal change.  September brings with it, the beginning of fall, cooler evenings and the colorful change in foliage.  It is at this time, we begin to plan for the cooler weather, additional blankets on our beds, sweaters and jackets for the morning and evenings, and looking for sales on firewood for the up-coming winter.  We recognize the change in seasons, and plan accordingly, but all too often we do not recognize the change that God brings to our world, preparing us for the things to come.

   The Lord Jesus admonished the Pharisees and Sadducees for their lack of wisdom in recognizing the seasons of God’s plan.  In Matthew 16: 1-4 we see; “Then the Pharisees and Sadducees come testing Him asking that He would show them a sign from heaven.  Jesus answered them and said, ‘When it is evening you say, “It will be fair weather for the sky is red,” and in the morning “It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.” Hypocrites!  You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times.  A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.’”  These men of God, who should have understood the seasons of God’s plan better than anyone else, because they were these who gave themselves to study and prayer.  However, they, like so many today, are more interested in what is in it for them, rather than guiding the hand of the unlearned!

   We must be careful that we too do not fall trap to the enticements of this world, and loose sight of what the Lord is doing to bring about His purposes.  We can get so busy, filling our days with activities that we can get too busy for God!  We must always remember that God called us out of this world for His purposes, and that often, the very things of this world, the enemy can and will use to occupy our time, so that we don’t have the time to study the Word and pray. 

   The things of this world are wonderful blessings, but when the blessing comes before the blesser, there is a problem.  We must learn to discipline our time and energy and insure that the Lord comes first in all things.  Jesus said; “Seek first the Kingdom of God; and then everything else will fall into place”. (Matthew 6:33)  When we see the signs that the Bible speaks of, unfolding before our eyes, we will not need to ask God for a special sign from heaven to help us along!  The signs of the times are unfolding just as the Lord planned, and happy, blessed, and fortunate are those who recognize these signs, because they have kept themselves alert through the Words and the Spirit.

   Make sure that God fits properly in your schedule!  Make sure that you are disciplining yourself to read the Word and to pray, in order that you may be a wise and fervent servant, redeeming the time given to us, and utilizing the resources that God has given to us to be prepared and ready for the things to come, and not be surprised when they unfold!  Like the days of our lives, and the seasons of the year, we too can discern the wonderful things of God, by staying alert to the truth, and guiding others to do the same.