To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted...A time to gain, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to throw away; A time to tear, And a time to sew; A time to keep silence, And a time to speak; Ecclesiastes 3:1-2, 6-7 (NKJV)
Solomon said it perfectly when he penned this Scripture above, and spoke forth the words, "To everything there is a season." I have seen this Biblical truth come to pass in my life as there have in fact, been various seasons that have brought on new opportunities, challenges, trials and transformations in my life as a man, more importantly, as a Christian man.
I have not always made the right choice when making choices - but have always been given the opportunity to do so. As time goes on, and my relationship and walk with the Lord becomes stronger I begin to change in the way I think about and look at things, and the way that I handle them is merely a byproduct of those changes.
But I can clearly see that it was the changing seasons that ushered in each one of these profound changes within my life.
I received an email the other day from a friend of mine in Minnesota that included an update in Haiti following a catastrophic 7.0 earthquake that had devastated this country at 9:53pm on January 12, 2010. This earthquake would forever change the life of every person who calls Haiti their home, and thousands of others who have come to assist those in need. And so it was the beginning of a "New season" in the lives of everyone involved - for some it was the end of this life here on earth and it ushered in a season to be face-to-face with God. For those who were left to deal with this event, it offers an opportunity to call out to God, and to either rekindle, or to begin a new relationship with Him.
God was there in Haiti before the earthquake, during the earthquake, and He remains there after as well. As for the lives of those involved, He cares greatly - but He cares more for our spiritual life, than our physical death. For those who know Christ and the saving grace of God, death is simply a threshold into eternity with Him, and it offers a perfect peace and joy that could never be experienced here, no matter what our circumstances may be.
Within this update that I had received was a testimony of God's work within the lives of the Haitian people, as there are hundreds that are beginning to attend a "New Christian believers class." It stated that as the ongoing aftershocks continue to hit the decimated countryside, these people are turning to Jesus for their hope.
There was an amazing testimony of a man named, Bauvaisa - renowned powerful and self-proclaimed "Voodoo Priest" that had recently repented of his sin, and given his life to Jesus Christ. And he was now attending a class to learn more about His Savior.
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 2Peter 3:9 (NKJV)
Bauvais had told them, that "In 2008 and again in 2009, he was going to give his heart to Jesus but didn't... 'But, in 2010, God shook me up...!" He said, 'I am full of the Holy Spirit, not the spirit of the devil. My prayers are different! I read the Bible every day! But now, I see I have something in my house that belongs to the devil. I need to get it out!' He continued, 'Your first enemy is yourself... Stay away from bad friends. Stay away from bad music. Pray. Read your Bible. Come to church where you can learn from these people who know more than you do!'
Those who knew the "Old man" that Bauvais used to be had this to say, "Since he was converted, he is radically changed! He stood up in class and began to preach to everyone in the class like he had been a preacher for 15 years!"
Bauvais' Christian transformation has had an impact on many people in Haiti, including his friendJean Pierre, a former fellow voodoo worshiper who had this to say after witnessing Bauvais' transformation; "I am not going home until I give my life to Jesus. Give me the Jesus you serve!" He then prayed to receive Jesus in his life!
It truly is a "New Season" for Bauvais, Jean Pierre, and many others in Haiti. God is doing an amazing work within the hearts and lives of these people. God desires to do that very same work with each of us as well, and the great news is, we don't have to wait for God to shake up our lives to do it - it can happen today if we are willing to allow Him to have His way in our life. We just need to be willing to start a "New Season."
I would like for you to take time to stop for a moment and pray for those in Haiti - pray for their salvation, and for their physical needs to be met. Pray for those who are selflessly serving the needs of others over there. Hey, perhaps God is speaking to you as you read this; to be a part of the "New Season" that is occurring in Haiti, and maybe you're not sure how to help. Jesus gave a parable to the answer to this question in the following verses.
"Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.' Matthew 25:37-40 (NKJV)
Hey Christian, I am not going to write a "Study" or a "Personal Inventory" question in this devotional like I usually do, but I will give you some "Application" for this devotional today.
APPLICATION: "Let's help those who are hungry, thirsty, naked, and those who are sick as if they were Jesus."
Solomon said it perfectly when he penned this Scripture above, and spoke forth the words, "To everything there is a season." I have seen this Biblical truth come to pass in my life as there have in fact, been various seasons that have brought on new opportunities, challenges, trials and transformations in my life as a man, more importantly, as a Christian man.
I have not always made the right choice when making choices - but have always been given the opportunity to do so. As time goes on, and my relationship and walk with the Lord becomes stronger I begin to change in the way I think about and look at things, and the way that I handle them is merely a byproduct of those changes.
But I can clearly see that it was the changing seasons that ushered in each one of these profound changes within my life.
I received an email the other day from a friend of mine in Minnesota that included an update in Haiti following a catastrophic 7.0 earthquake that had devastated this country at 9:53pm on January 12, 2010. This earthquake would forever change the life of every person who calls Haiti their home, and thousands of others who have come to assist those in need. And so it was the beginning of a "New season" in the lives of everyone involved - for some it was the end of this life here on earth and it ushered in a season to be face-to-face with God. For those who were left to deal with this event, it offers an opportunity to call out to God, and to either rekindle, or to begin a new relationship with Him.
God was there in Haiti before the earthquake, during the earthquake, and He remains there after as well. As for the lives of those involved, He cares greatly - but He cares more for our spiritual life, than our physical death. For those who know Christ and the saving grace of God, death is simply a threshold into eternity with Him, and it offers a perfect peace and joy that could never be experienced here, no matter what our circumstances may be.
Within this update that I had received was a testimony of God's work within the lives of the Haitian people, as there are hundreds that are beginning to attend a "New Christian believers class." It stated that as the ongoing aftershocks continue to hit the decimated countryside, these people are turning to Jesus for their hope.
There was an amazing testimony of a man named, Bauvaisa - renowned powerful and self-proclaimed "Voodoo Priest" that had recently repented of his sin, and given his life to Jesus Christ. And he was now attending a class to learn more about His Savior.
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 2Peter 3:9 (NKJV)
Bauvais had told them, that "In 2008 and again in 2009, he was going to give his heart to Jesus but didn't... 'But, in 2010, God shook me up...!" He said, 'I am full of the Holy Spirit, not the spirit of the devil. My prayers are different! I read the Bible every day! But now, I see I have something in my house that belongs to the devil. I need to get it out!' He continued, 'Your first enemy is yourself... Stay away from bad friends. Stay away from bad music. Pray. Read your Bible. Come to church where you can learn from these people who know more than you do!'
Those who knew the "Old man" that Bauvais used to be had this to say, "Since he was converted, he is radically changed! He stood up in class and began to preach to everyone in the class like he had been a preacher for 15 years!"
Bauvais' Christian transformation has had an impact on many people in Haiti, including his friendJean Pierre, a former fellow voodoo worshiper who had this to say after witnessing Bauvais' transformation; "I am not going home until I give my life to Jesus. Give me the Jesus you serve!" He then prayed to receive Jesus in his life!
It truly is a "New Season" for Bauvais, Jean Pierre, and many others in Haiti. God is doing an amazing work within the hearts and lives of these people. God desires to do that very same work with each of us as well, and the great news is, we don't have to wait for God to shake up our lives to do it - it can happen today if we are willing to allow Him to have His way in our life. We just need to be willing to start a "New Season."
I would like for you to take time to stop for a moment and pray for those in Haiti - pray for their salvation, and for their physical needs to be met. Pray for those who are selflessly serving the needs of others over there. Hey, perhaps God is speaking to you as you read this; to be a part of the "New Season" that is occurring in Haiti, and maybe you're not sure how to help. Jesus gave a parable to the answer to this question in the following verses.
"Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.' Matthew 25:37-40 (NKJV)
Hey Christian, I am not going to write a "Study" or a "Personal Inventory" question in this devotional like I usually do, but I will give you some "Application" for this devotional today.
APPLICATION: "Let's help those who are hungry, thirsty, naked, and those who are sick as if they were Jesus."
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