Time And Times

Love you all, praying for you,
 
Have you ever noticed that life is time, and life is times?  Time is what you obey in – Its passing determines the length of your life.  But times are what you live in.  The spiritual, economic, and governmental forces and situations that surround you.  Most people think of time, not times.  What’s for dinner, what are we doing after work tonight, or this weekend?  But God said the wise, understand the times, they see danger and take refuge, the foolish keep going and suffer for it.  Like the men of Issachar who understood the times, and knew what the people of God should do.  The Bible spoke of the times that Samuel lived in.  In those days the Word of the LORD was rare.  Praise God, we don’t live in those times.  The Bible speaks of the end times, and unfortunate times.  Ecclesiastes 5:13 - Solomon said, I have seen a grievous evil under the sun, wealth horded to the harm of its owner, or wealth lost through some misfortune, so that when he has a son there is nothing left for him.  Ecclesiastes 9:12 – Moreover, no man knows when his hour will come; As fish are caught in a cruet net, or birds are taken in a snare, so men are trapped by evil times that fall unexpectedly on them.  The generation of Noah didn’t understand as they were eating, drinking, marrying, and being given in marriage, that the LORD was about to move Noah’s family into the Ark and shut the door.  We are responsible for what we do with time, but we are also advised to understand the times, like the men of Issachar.  So what times to you live in and what is God telling you to do in these times?  Today the Word of the LORD is not rare for those who seek Him.  Isaiah 55:6-7 – Seek the LORD while He may be found, call on Him while he is near.  Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts.  Let them turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.  For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.  That’s why PiVAT is so important so you will learn His ways instead of yours, and why PRISM is so important – so that you will know His thoughts instead of yours.  Not only for the hourly times today that He has purposed for you, but the times and generation you live in.  Ephesians 5:15 – Be very careful then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.  How do you make the most of every opportunity, when the days are evil? Give him your time, and give him your mind.  PiVAT trades your plans for His, PRISM trades your thoughts for His - a most excellent trade.  So if you obey with time, and obey with your mind, what do you do if you are caught in evil times?  I just love God’s Word – He tells us.  Psalms 11:3 – When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?  The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD is on his heavenly throne.  He observes everyone on earth; his eyes examine them.  The LORD examines the righteous, but the wicked, those who love violence, he hates with a passion.  On the wicked he will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur; a scorching wind will be their lot.  For the LORD is righteous, he loves justice; the upright will see his face.  God tells us what to do when the foundations are being destroyed.  #1 – Know that God sees, He hates those who do wickedness, and he will bring their corruption to an end.  #2 – As for you – Be upright, and you will see his face.  Seek Him while he may be found, get His plans, forsake yours.  Get His thoughts, forsake yours.  Know that God will take care of the wicked, you just do you. Fully obey, time, thoughts, and money – Seek Him, choose His presence, pray His will, and love and serve others as He directs.  When the storm has passed, the wicked are no more, but the righteous stand firm forever. Praying that you will know what time it is, that you will ask God each day before dinner, and each Sunday before the week begins.  That you will know what He wants you to do at what time.  And as for the times and days that are evil.  That you will know the One who sees, and delivers, and that you will be upright, and seek Him.  That you will see His face, so that His light will shine through every darkness.  Stand in the gap in prayer, forsake the things of the world, and pursue His presence and the things of His kingdom.  He is always faithful in evil times.  He will show you what to do, and when to do it.  Keep your eyes on Him, love Him first, others next.  Keep your mind on Him.  He will deliver you.  God will surely do what He promised. 
 
Love you all,
dad