A few years ago the Lord placed on my heart two occasions, messages about the subject of seasons. Both messages were to help people to discover what season they were in and to prepare for all seasons, they will face in life. Then from this prospective and understanding, with the Lord. Overcome and come out victoriously from them. Two great messages (at the bottom of this message, I have included links to both of these messages for your convenience). But as with all things in the Lord. There is always another level or layer awaiting to be seen or discovered. So today we start a two parts series called ‘To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven”
Let’s turn to Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NKJV)
Everything Has Its Time
To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven:
This verse reveals two amazing revelations regarding seasons.
- Time
- Purpose
Today we are going to look at “time.
The above part of scripture and the following verses are often readout at Funerals. Revealing to the people attending that both birth and death are seasons of everyone’s life and God’s plan. Other seasons like weeping and mourning are also a part of human life. But all seasons have doorways designed by God. To step into others seasons ie a time to laugh and a time to dance. This transition of seasons is reflected throughout the following verses !
Lets read !
Ecclesiastes 3:5-8 (NKJV)
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;
8 A time to love,
And a time to hate;
A time of war,
And a time of peace.
You maybe saying whats the point !
The point is this, every season we enter or are in, is for a time, not for ever !
As with nature, seasons have a determined time period. This is very important, for that season you are currently in whether it is good, bad, tough or almost impossible to walk in. Has a defined time, align and assigned to it by God.
The enemy would say you’re here forever ! But God’s declaration is, the season is only a season and as with all seasons. He has planned an end and a doorway into another season. But the choice is ours, whether we believe this or not !
As our understanding of this will determine how long we stay in a season.
Whether it’s the allotted time period or an extended time. Take the story of the Israelites. It is said in today’s modern world that it would have only taken 10 or 11 days at most to reach Canaan from where they were. It took them 40 years to reach the Promised Land because they were not listening to God.
You maybe saying, But ain’t there seasons that never end, as they are simply out of our control. They maybe out of our control, But nothing is outside of God’s control. You only have to read scriptures like Eza 1 to see how in control God is, with everything!
God knew that the season was coming to the end for His children who were in captivity. The season was almost over for the House in Jerusalem, to be in ruins . This time had been prophesied by Jeremiah. So many Kings, had done evil in the sight of the Lord. So let’s see what happens with King Cyrus the one God chooses to use. To be the one to reveal the doorway into the new season for His children who were in captivity.
Ezra 1:1-3 (NKJV)
End of the Babylonian Captivity
(2 Chr. 36:22, 23)
Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying,
Thus says Cyrus king of Persia:
All the kingdoms of the earth the LORD God of heaven has given me. And He has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem which is in Judah. Who is among you of all His people? May his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel (He is God), which is in Jerusalem.
A perfect example of Proverb 21:1 which reads:
The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD,
Like the rivers of water;
He turns it wherever He wishes.
As you can see from the above scripture, a totally impossible situation, turned into an incredible opportunity and invitation. This is the same for whatever season you are in too.
The second thing mention in our opening scripture Ecc 3:1 is “a time’.
This means that God has planned for the season you’re in or about to step into. It was not come out of the blue for Him. So if He has a pointed the time for this season. So often a change in seasons are not in our timing. But knowing that they are set by Him, in His timing which is perfect. Allow us to enter His peace, rest and celebrate in any season we fine ourselves in. As we know that the one who is faithful, is totally in control. No matter what the season we are in looks like from our prospective. Also He always has a reason for each Season. This is what we will be looking at, in our next part of this series ‘The Purpose’
Challenge Time
- Spend some time in worship
- I want you to write down 25 things or times God done miracles in your life !
- Now I want you to start thanking God for the season you are in. Thanking Him that He has everything in control. That He is battling and celebrating the victory thats coming towards you !
- Now write down 10 peoples names who are a worse season than you’re currently in. Start praying for them !
- Finally finish with songs of praise !
Father sometimes we do not know what to do, why we are facing situation and circumstance we are. Why we are in a season were there seems incredible breakthrough or great loss. But we stand on the Truth, that You are always good, faithful and in control. Help us all to celebrate with you in all seasons whether good, bad or seemingly impossible! We give You all the Glory amen
Which Season are You in ?
For those of you, who want to place an offering at the alter or plant a finical seed in the fertile ground of the Lord. Maybe you could contribute in someway towards His House, we are currently building. To equip the saints for ministry, then release His word through them, in a variety of ways.
Below is a link to a secure website, so you can do this safely online.
https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=87bf3759-ef4a-4ae2-ac5d-902b82587e44
Or our bank account details for New Zealand memebers,
Encounter Centre – 03-0481-0007448-000
If you require a receipt for tax purposes please email to info@encounterministries.org.nz
Craig Patten
Founding Pastor/Prophet
Encounter Centre and Ministries
Being Ready in All Seasons!