A Time to Laugh and a Time to Weep

Greetings sisters in Christ!

Are you being good soldiers, fighting the good fight and not growing weary?  Those are all commands and we can overcome through the blood of the lamb, with the help of the Holy Spirit.

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: [2] A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; [3] A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; [4] A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; [5] A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; [6] A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; [7] A time to rend, 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.  Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

It's one of my favorite books in the bible (Ecclesiastes) as it resounded with me when I was new in Christ, having come from empty indulgence of the flesh, looking for the hope I now have.  In our lives we have many ups and downs don't we sisters?  One day everything seems to be rolling along just well, and the next day it can come crashing down.  We just saw that yesterday as our day was lifted in great joy when we heard good news (a woman left a cult that we'd been working on for years) and today our joy was smashed into pieces by sin and disunity.

We see there's a time for everything as Solomon says and as I've mentioned before (and we all know this) we have to continue to weather the storms because they come and they go.  We cannot get our peace and joy from people or circumstances because I can guarantee you, they both will come and go.  

There is One that we can count on to never leave, disappoint or forsake us as we see in both the old...

And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.  Deuteronomy 31:8

...and new testament.

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.  Hebrews 13:5 

He is the only one you can fully rest in and have perfect peace.  He's our Rock...I like that, what an awesome picture.  I remember when I first learned that and it gave me such peace just thinking that our Father is perfect, solid and unwavering.  He's something we can grasp ahold of and know that we are secure.  What a joyous thing, amen sisters?!

Each day that we obediently follow after our Lord and Savior is one day closer to going home!

Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; [2] But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. [3] But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: [4] In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. [5] For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. [6] For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. [7] But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. [8] We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; [9] Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; [10] Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.   2 Corinthians 4:1-10 

Let me share a tip with you sisters on how to quickly bounce back from discouragement....do the work of the Lord.  Yep, if you are obediently serving Him, you will always have something to do for Him and when you get discouraged, do something in honor of Him and you will be lifted up.  Brother Jim and I strive hard not to live in the flesh so when things happen, we level it right out and get back into the work of the Lord, turning it all over to Him.  Our joy and peace doesn't come from people, it all comes from our Father.  

Have a peaceful and joyful day tomorrow, walking in the ways of the Lord.

Sister Deb

The biblical gospel...

https://www.dontperish.com/the-gospel.html