Reflections of His Grace

A Time For Every Purpose

by Joan on February 8, 2012

For the past few weeks, I have had trouble writing. It seems as if thoughts and ideas will not come and when they do, I can’t seem to get the words on paper.

I shared this with a friend last week and she replied, “We all have seasons of being overworked or tired.  Sometimes we just need to rest in Him…Maybe He has something to say that won’t be heard unless you truly rest.”

Our current sermon series at church is on the book of Ecclesiastes. Solomon, the wisest man in history penned these words:

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 kill,  And a time to heal; A time to break down, And a time to build up; A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing; 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; A time to love, And a time to hate; A time of war, And a time of peace. (Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8, NKJV)

Are you in a particular season? Perhaps it is a time of mourning, a time of silence, a time for planting, or a time of harvest. If you are mourning, remember He turns our mourning into gladness (Psalm 30:11) If you are planting, there will come a time of harvest. If you are silent, and seek Him, He will give you words in His time, in His way. Rest in Him and His promises.

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GPS

by Joan on February 5, 2012

A few years ago, two friends and I attended an out of state writer’s conference. We decided that we could save money by driving and sharing travel expenses, so one friend volunteered to take her van. Before setting out on our 1500-mile journey, she programmed our destination into her GPS. My other friend brought her hand-held GPS, and I printed directions from MapQuest, so we were certain we would not get lost.

However, when we arrived at our destination, we could not find our hotel. Both GPS devices and MapQuest were wrong. We had to phone the hotel in order to learn the right direction.

Sometimes in our Christian walk, we are uncertain as to what path to take. However, unlike global positioning systems, which sometimes fail, we can rest assured that God will never lead us wrong.

And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. (Isaiah 30:21)

I am thankful for the GPS (God’s positioning system) that never fails us. All we have to do is call.

Linking to: Sharing His Beauty, Soli Deo Gloria, On My Heart Tuesday, and Winsome Wednesday.

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Weekend Reflections ~ Our Provider

by Joan on February 4, 2012

Scripture

Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? (Matthew 6:26)

Reflection

I enjoy watching the birds come to my feeders each winter. They don’t fret or worry or show anxiety. They are confident that food will be provided. We can learn much from these little birds. As God provides their needs, how much more He provides for us.

Prayer

Father, thank you for being our provider. Forgive us when we doubt and worry. We place our trust in you, oh Lord, as our provider.

Linked to: In Search of Beauty, Fresh Brewed Sundays, and Soaking on SONday.

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A Light To My Path

Weekend Reflections ~ His Grace

What Ifs

Holding on To Hope ~ Guest Post by Barbie Swihart