Appointed time

Today as I walked in the coolness just before dawn, the sky seemed especially beautiful and the grass and flowers and trees brighter than usual.  As I thanked GOD for the beauty all around me, I thought of how in the beginning when HE made them GOD said “It is good.” 

As I considered this I thought, even knowing the wonders HE has prepared for in the new Heavens and new earth how it must grieve HIM to have to do what is necessary in getting rid of evil and corruption of things HE so lovingly made. I wondered if that is why GOD gives us moments like I saw this morning when the sky and colors appear more clearly, more brilliant… showing us anew the wondrous beauty HE spoke into existence. 

There is an APPOINTED time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven— A time to give birth and a time to die; A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted. A time to kill and a time to heal; A time to tear down and a time to build up. … 11 He has made everything appropriate (literally beautiful) in its time. HE has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man will not find out the work which GOD has done from the beginning even to the end. (Ecclesiastes 3:1-3, 11 NASB).

Let’s just pray. “LORD we know that YOU have and do thwart (stop) the plans of men (Isaiah 8:10, 2 Samuel 17:14) and I ask that YOU do that to any plan not based on Your purposes. Prepare my heart to accept YOUR plan for I know YOU do nothing without a cause (Ezekiel 14:23) and nothing can be done without YOUR permission (Lamentations 3:37, Job 1:9-12, 2:6).

Many years ago, GOD told me (impressed on my heart) that my prayer would be answered but a certain thing had to happen 1st. Well, I thought HE was preparing me for that thing. But it did not come. Years went by and yet it still did not happen.

Throughout the waiting I questioned the LORD over and over asking if I heard HIM right or if as a friend I confided in said that it was just wishful thinking. Each and every time I asked GOD reinforced what HE had said by bringing other scripture to mind. But HE also made it clear that it was for an appointed time and that I must wait for it (Hebrews 10:36).

Finally, I came to understand that the reason GOD had told me way back when was to enable me to persevere and live in hope that what HE promised was really coming during the especially hard times.

I also began to see differences in others, so I realized that during what seemed to me as delay after delay, GOD was busily at work preparing hearts and changing people so all could be blessed in the end.

Well the thing promised nor what must come 1st is still not here. Though at times I struggle (until I run to the throne-Hebrews 4:16) I have no doubt that at the APPOINTED time I will receive what is promised.

I think you know what I’m saying. It’s not just about us and what we think is needed, for others will be affected and GOD is at work on the behalf of each one. Being aware of that helps me wait more patiently. I hope it helps you too.

In the same way that I am awaiting that special personal promise given me years ago, so also I am waiting for JESUS prophesied promise to return for us who believe in HIM to catch us away to be with HIM and to keep us from the evil to come. The signs are all around us and mounting everyday and at the appointed time HE will come. Even so come LORD JESUS.

Hugs
Sharon L Manning

How do you look at it?

Look at the picture and then tilt your head to the right and tell me is the picture of a frog or a horse?

It’s all in how you look at something. Take for instance my total knee surgery.  If I focused on the knife cutting me open and the shaving off of the old bone then hammering on metal covers, or as my primary provider said “They are going to cut your leg off  and then put it back together,” I would have been terrified. 

If I didn’t have the pain I would never have agreed to the surgery but I had the pain and it grew worse and worse. 

Well things are getting worse and worse on planet earth and it is causing many people to think more about GOD and to call out to HIM to help.

Now GOD has promised all those who believe in JESUS and call on HIM for deliverance from their sins, an eternal life without pain or sorrow.  But throughout HIS word the Bible HE also tells us that before the earth can be fixed for that eternal habitation where there is no pain and no sorrow some hard things must occur.  The things HE spoke of include things like senseless murder, famines, earthquakes, persecuting and imprisoning believers and pandemics (Luke 21:9-12). It sure looks like some of those things have begun- that we are even in the birth pains- perhaps even in the seals.

JESUS said concerning these things, “Don’t be terrified, these things must happen” (Luke 21:9) and in Luke 21:28 HE said when you see these things coming to pass look up your redemption draws near.

It will be just like when Noah went into the boat before the flood hit.  He and his family were saved, in the same way we who believe in JESUS will be kept safe.

But you know many, even some Christians, don’t like this truth which told over and over in the Bible.

Do you know why? They are focusing on and trusting in what they have in this life instead of what is promised to them.

Looking unto JESUS who has promised to come back for me.

Hugs

Sharon

A prophesy update: