If you are reading this, just imagine you have made it to ’06. Congratulations!
Now what?
Many of us in ’05 have seen family and friends depart this world and make their journey home. Jesus was their life and theme and we can only imagine their experiences in their brand new home.
We have seen and experience the joy of weddings as couples mark the beginning of life together. We have also seen new birth in families bringing much joy.
Many have seen or experience loss of home or damages to homes from hurricanes and other natural disasters both at home and abroad.
Many have faced sickness. Sometimes even redefining life and its meaning.
There have been so many stories and much sorrow as well as joy. King Solomon said it all.
Ecclesiastes
Chapter 3
There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens.
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant.
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 be far from embraces.
A time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away.
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to be silent, and a time to speak.
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
May the God of Peace be with you all in 2006, Amen (Romans 15:33)
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Thanks for sharing the wisdom of Solomon. It is so comforting to also know the following scriptures when we encounter times that are not so pleasant. We certainly have seen those times this past year.
Nahum 1:7 “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.”
Psalm 46:1-3 “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”
Psalm 9:9 “The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.”
Psalms 27:14 “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”
In all things this year and 2005 we need to sing God’s praises. One of my favorite is Psalms 100: (Message Bible)
On your feet now – applaud God!
Bring a gift of laughter
sing yourselves into his presence.
Know this: God is God, and God, God.
He made us; we didn’t make him.
We’re his people, his well-tended sheep.
Enter with the password: “Thank you!”
Make yourselves at home, talking praise.
Thank him. Worship him.
For God is sheer beauty
all-generous in love,
loyal always and ever.
We thank our loving God for whatever time we are in.
He thank him that He holds us in the palm of His hand and that we are His well tended-sheep. His promises are for US which He has let us know through his book, THE BIBLE.
As I thought about this Ecclesiastes passage you wrote of I was reminded that it was in the body of Lesson #9:The Sundial in your book ‘Dressing for His Glory’ in which you ask your readers “What time do you have?” The scripture you open your lesson with really helps me to answer your question in the above article “Now what?” It is Eph 5:16-17 (AMP) and says: “making the very most of the time (buying up each opportunity) because the days are evil. Therefore do not be vague and thoughtless and foolish but understanding and firmly grasping what the will of the Lord is”. This is sound advice for setting our course in this New Year. And ‘Dressing for His Glory” is a great book to study and re-study to steer our lives in the right direction. I know I will be re-studying. Thanks for authoring it.
Sara’s inspirational teaching and the “timely” comments by Debi & Rena remind me of the Scripture,”But I trusted in the Lord. I said You are my God. MY TIMES ARE IN YOUR HAND.”
Yes, Lord that our TIMES, this age, this era, this Year IS in Your hand and we have cried out to You….YOU ARE MY GOD! (Ps.31:14-15)
This year, Lord, “turn us to Yourself and we shall be turned and restored. Renew our days as of old!” HASHIVENU! MARANATHA! (Lamentations 5:21)
Thinking on these words I know that God in all these seasons is there even If we think or feel He isnt….He is there all the time…Dance of Healing a retreat seminar that was directed by Sara..taught me that in all these times and seasons God is there…even in our darkest hour …that is when He is the most closest…What loving Father wouldnt be there….And as I face 2006 with all its new seasons and times I know He is there already…thank you for reminding me it is but a season…and but a specific time…..dj
I HAVE REALIZED IN THE PAST FEW YEARS THAT I NEED TO BE MORE GREATFUL AND I AM. I HAVE LEARNED SO MUCH FROM MY NEW FRIENDS SINCE I HAVE MOVED AWAY FROM HOME. I GUESS IM GROWING UP. (THATS SCARY) I WILL CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS BUT MOST OF ALL THE LOVE OF GOD. I WANT FOR NOTHING ANYMORE, EXCEPT PEACE AND THE LOVE OF GOD,WITH HIM I HAVE EVERYTHING. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE.