Have you ever wondered why God gave us four very different seasons?

He could have provided us with beautiful warm and sunny days all year long. Or He could have decided on year-long winter days with clouds and freezing temperatures. Fortunately, God decided to provide us with four seasons (Unless you live in a tropical land). We can learn a lot from these diverse time periods. When we look at these earthly intervals, we can grasp a deeper spiritual meaning hidden behind their shadows. Our Master Teacher loves to use nature to teach and expand our understanding of life here and in our future eternal home. For now, we see only a reflection as in a mirror, shadows of what is to come.

“For now, we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” 1 Corinthians 13:12 (NIV)

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill  and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NIV)

To examine the winter season some may say it is a time of death. But winter is not so much death as it is a time of rest. God created man with a need for rest. Without sleep we become weak in body and mind. A lack of sleep makes us sick. Winter reminders us that we can’t run continually. In Genesis 1 and 2 God created the earth, the heavenly places, animals and man but rested on the seventh day. God commanded the Israelites to refrain from work and rest on the Sabbath. It is a comfort knowing God understands our need for rest. By commanding us to set aside time to worship Him and meditate upon His word in the fellowship of friends and family, our strength is renewed. He faithfully meets our need.

“By the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on the seventh day He rested from all His work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it He rested from all the work of creating that He had done.” Genesis 2:2-3 (NIV)

“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns.” Exodus 20: 8-10 (NIV)

The fact that He is the God of all comfort teaches us that all comfort ultimately comes from Him. Should we face a trial during any of the four seasons, we know He will make a path for us. As our Good Shepherd, He will carry us when we are too weak to move forward. When we are overwhelmed, He will whisper words of truth that will spur us on to new heights and good works for His glory. He will rescue us from deep waters and powerful foes.

“He reached down from on high and took hold of me; He drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the Lord was my support. He brought me out into a spacious place; He rescued me because He delighted in me.” Psalm 18:16-19 (NIV)

“In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul.” Psalm 94:19 (NKJV)

Spring is a time of rebirth. Well rested and excited to move forward, we must suffer the rains that come to water the seeds we have planted. There is comfort in knowing God tends the seeds we sow in His name.

Summer heat can wear one out. Comfort comes in knowing that God is our shelter, our hiding place and refuge. If we labor in His name, we know there will be fruit according to His will.

“You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in Your word.” Psalm 119:114 (NIV)

“You are my hiding place; You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.” Psalm 32:7 (NIV)

Fall is the season when farmers bring in their crops. There is comfort knowing we have a plentiful crop of blessings when we abide in Christ. Even if fires and natural disasters eat up our harvest, nothing can rob us of His promise that He will meet our needs, even in lean years.

“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 (NKJV)

There is comfort to be found in every season. Trials come to strengthen our faith and deepen our need for God. This is a blessing and a comfort, for who better to care for us than the Good Shepherd and our blessed Redeemer?

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”  2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NKJV)

“’Comfort, yes, comfort My people!’ says your God.” Isaiah 40:1 (NKJV)

The post Phil Fischer with Jesus Lives – A Devotion on “A Comfort Found In All Four Seasons” appeared first on Jesus Lives Bellevue.

This Presidential election has knocked most everyone sideways, whether you voted for Biden or Trump. The up-in-the-air results and delayed announcement regarding the leader of our nation have been a real “nail biter.” Some Christians find themselves asking God, why?

This is an easy path to follow but really, we should trust God and praise Him for this election outcome. We are commanded to rejoice always. This means in all circumstances, even if we don’t understand what is going on. We DO KNOW God is in control and His ways are so much higher than our ways.

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NKJV)

“’For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,’ says the Lord. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.’” Isaiah 55:8-9 (NKJV)

The enemy wants to fill believers with fear and cause them to doubt God’s faithfulness. I believe he did this with the prophet Elijah. Shortly after Elijah called fire down from heaven on Mount Carmel, and had the 450 prophets of Baal slaughtered, he ran for his life. King Ahab told Queen Jezebel about the death of the Baal prophets. Boy was she mad!

“So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, ‘May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them’.”

1 Kings 19:2 (NKJV)

Although Elijah had just witnessed the power of God and an incredible miracle, he feared Queen Jezebel. He looked at his circumstances instead of trusting God to protect him. He ran into the wilderness and told God that he’d had enough and wanted to die.

“Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it, and prayed that he might die. ‘I have had enough, Lord,’ he said. ‘Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.’” 1 Kings 19:3-4 (NKJV

How quickly we forget the power of God and His loving-kindnesses! The devil took advantage of

the foothold Elijah gave him. Fortunately, God showed his prophet mercy and had compassion. God allowed him to rest and even sent an angel to feed him while he hid in the wilderness.

Elijah had hoped God would eliminate King Ahab and Queen Jezebel. He wanted God to take away the threat and danger. But God didn’t do what the prophet wanted. We can all understand the disappointment of not getting our way. But God does not rejoice when his children throw temper tantrums and pity parties. Instead, God compassionately provides us with the strength we need to carry on and move forward.

God will faithfully do for us what was done for Elijah. Although America seems to be coming apart at the seams and violence is growing in every city/state, God is still on the throne. God has a plan and it has purpose. Maybe people are realizing they have put their faith in man and not in God. Will President Trump realize God is in control and acknowledge God appointed him to be the President? Could future events cause even more people to repent and accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior? Have recent events been orchestrated to teach us to walk in God’s grace day by day and pray without ceasing? Good can come from all circumstances. Therefore, may we all give thanks today and every day glorifying God and trusting Him with our future.

“I will give thanks to the Lord because of His righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High.” Psalm 7:17 (NIV)

“I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonderful deeds.” Psalm 9:1 (NIV)

The post Phil Fischer with Jesus Lives – A Devotion on “Give Thanks At All Times” appeared first on Jesus Lives Bellevue.