A NEW SEASON

We're having something resembling an early spring and in my yard I have trees blooming and flowers coming up and I am just amazed because I've never before seen weather such as this in March.  I thank God to see the colors again, but also I have to wonder what it all means, and I do think it means something.  Or at least, it reminds me of something: The world situation is changing and with each passing day we are that much closer to a day when Jesus will return.  What will the state of the world be in that coming day when Jesus returns?  Will we be ready?  Opening scripture the other day I came to a place in the Book of Revelation which described a new world to come - one of peace and safety - and I took joy in reading the words "And there shall be no more curse."  Think of that - and imagine what that will mean. 

In thinking it over it seems the world will one day be as God originally intended for it to be.  A knowledge of God will abound and all evil will be cast away.  It's hard at this point to imagine a world like that, but the Bible tells us, we shall see it.  That day is coming.  

At this point, we see a lot of changes in the world and we also see much to feel great worry over.  There are those who suffer greatly in this world, and we all know that is true.  There is so much unfairness and injustice.  Some people have chosen death over life - they really have.  At this point millions could potentially leave this world in this terrible lost state they exist in and while I have a sense of peace that in life or in death I am with Christ, any happiness I might feel for myself is diminished because of the condition of so many others.  But God can change things.  We know that God's love and compassion is great.  And so, as we look at the changing situation of the world and our existence let's remember to pray that the time has come for the great outpouring of God's Spirit to bring light and life into this darkening world.  "Thank you, Heavenly Father, for your Holy Spirit who speaks to us of truth in our lives we need to look at and our inborn need for your love and that our way to you is through Christ.  Amen."

HAVING THE WORLD

It's been said that we should seek to find our happiness in this world, and it's not that I completely disagree with that statement, but I think many people come to that same idea but from a much different direction than I would choose.  God desires that we have happiness.  I believe that.  What He doesn't want for us is this phoney, false sense of security we gain from the world.  And yet, if that is what we go after in life, God will not stand in our way. 

I know a woman changed by God's point of view.  The understanding came to her suddenly and with total clarity.  God showed her so clearly where her life was going, and it was done without words, but it came to her as an understanding within her spirit which God brought to her.  In that moment, she understood her need for Christ.  God waits patiently.  He gives us time and if we pay attention, His Spirit is speaking to us of God's tender love and compassion so deep He would go to any length to have us with Him.  That's clear because we can understand the solid truth of that based on what Jesus did for us that terrible day on the cross.

I believe God wants to give us time in life to respond to the invitation.  I think the world gets greatly in the way of the kind of understanding we need to have.  The amount of distraction is a little mind-boggling at this point.  But listen, stop and pay attention - tune out the world for a time and begin to ask God to show you and He will hear you.  He will respond.  There are any number of promises recorded in scripture regarding God's desire to see us whole, and the only possible way to that "fullness of understanding" is through God's Spirit.  That's the promise Jesus gave and will always remain true to.  "I will send the helper..."  And so, seek to find your happiness - absolutely - and find it you will, through Christ.