Everything Has Its Time

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NKJV)

“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.”

Footnote: “to be born” is rendered from the literal text as “to bear.”

Reflections on Life’s Seasons

Life unfolds in a series of divinely appointed seasons. Amid moments of joy, sorrow, growth, and decline, we are reminded that every experience has its purpose under heaven. However, the inevitability of hardships and heartbreaks is also woven into our journey. Spiritual warfare is real—the enemy seeks first to steal our strength, softening our resolve before he moves in to destroy. Recognizing these patterns empowers us to stand firm in the assurance that, even in our struggles, God’s perfect timing prevails.

Jesus, the Good Shepherd

Scripture: John 10:1-18 (NKJV)

“”Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.”

“All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them.”

“I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.”

“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. But a hireling, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them.”

“The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.”

“And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.”

“Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again.No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.””

Footnotes: “All who ever came before Me” notes a textual variant; “hireling” is also rendered as “hired man.”

The Assurance of His Care

In these verses, Jesus contrasts the destructive work of the thief with His redemptive mission as the Good Shepherd. Unlike those who abandon their flock at the first sign of danger, Jesus not only protects but also offers abundant life. His intimate knowledge of His sheep and willingness to sacrifice Himself assure us that our security and salvation rest in His steadfast love.

Restoration and Eternal Hope

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5 (NKJV)

Assurance of the Resurrection

“For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”

“For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked.”

“For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life.”

“Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.”

“So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord.”

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

“We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.”

The Judgment Seat and the Call to Reconciliation

“Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.”

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.”

“For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you.For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.”

“Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer.”

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

“Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.”

“Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.”

“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

Footnotes: Clarifications include “house” as our physical body and “habitation” as our eternal dwelling from heaven.

Living as Ambassadors of Reconciliation

The Apostle Paul reminds us that our earthly existence—a temporary “tent”—gives way to an eternal home prepared by God. Even as we face the inevitable judgment, we are called to live by faith, embracing our identity as new creations. This transformation invites us to extend reconciliation and share the hope found in Christ’s sacrifice.

Walking in Promise with a Twist of Faith

Choosing a Savior—or Kinsman Redeemer—as your guide is essential when navigating a world filled with both deception and divine hope. When you live through the lenses of hope, love, joy, and everlasting peace, the destructive forces of the enemy lose their power. Every decision you make today not only shapes your daily experience but also opens your heart to the riches of fellowship with your Creator. Embrace the promise of salvation, for in doing so, you align yourself with the eternal plans that God has lovingly designed for your life.