Friday Writings......7/8/16

Good morning...

Tomorrow my daughter is coming back from her mother-in-law's house. She and my youngest grandson will be here until July 17th. Of course I have to share them with a couple of friends she would like to get together with. I do have some plans for us to do...a pedicure (our tradition), a trip to Muir Woods. a ceramic painting, and perhaps a trip to the California Academy of Science where there is a deep sea display of reefs and deep sea creatures. I think we will have fun.      

Hope your Friday is a good one.

God bless from
Corinne


The Devotional component in the Friday Writings of Women's Focus Ministries is titled, "TIME" and was written by Annie Allen. She is sharing the  season theme from Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. Annie wrote, "We must make choices to control the use of our time, and we must never allow God and holiness to slip from the overall highest priority."

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  Today's Devotional   

"TIME"

written by

Annie Allen

                           

To every thing there is a season,

     and a time to every purpose under the heaven
A time to be born, and a time to die;
    a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which 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 together;
 A time to embrace,
    and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time  to get, and a time to lose;
    a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, 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.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
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In Ecclesiastes 3, Solomon lists a series of activities, showing that there are times when one should be done and another not done. However, is there ever a time when we should not be holy? Can we at times throw "caution to the wind" and behave any way we desire? Are we allowed to "let our hair down" for short periods in terms of our conduct and witness? Is it allowable to forget for a time our duties to God and man or our goal of being in the Kingdom of God? Can we occasionally take a vacation from our labors to become holy and evermore in Christ's image?

These questions touch all of us regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, position, or years in the church. Holiness must concern us whether we are rich or poor, learned or uneducated, young or old. There is not only no time when one should be unconcerned about holiness, but there is no person, no matter who he or she is, who should be unconcerned about it.

David observes a difference between the righteous and wicked: 

"The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God; 

God is in none of his thoughts." 

in Psalm 10:4,

We live in a busy and alluring world. Admittedly, there are numerous distractions, each with its attendant pressures, assaulting us from every angle. We must make choices to control the use of our time, and we must never allow God and holiness to slip from the overall highest priority.

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   Corinne's Comments on Today's Devotional   

Interestingly enough, just yesterday I was involved in a situation that could be defined by the philosophy found in the scripture...Ecclesiastes 3:1-8.  About ten years ago our church was initiating small groups. I was involved in the set up of a group called "Gourmet Group." The members would gather once a month for a pot luck with a theme...for instance Italian food. I led that group for about six years and then asked someone to take over. Stacy agreed and led the group for three or four years. Now Stacy and her husband are moving to Texas. Our group will be without a leader unless someone steps up to the plate. No one is doing that, and I was feeling guilty  because I know how to lead the group. My problem is that I am leading this ministry now. I feel that it is a ministry given to me by God. It is a very important commitment that I have to WFM.

The bottom line is that sometimes a season is over. It was a wonderful season and the people involved will always remember the fellowship and treasure the those memories. This is the way with the Gourmet Group. The season for it is passing. 

This often happens to organizations or even friendships. The season is over. One needs to look to the future and find out what new things God has in store for us. 

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   Today's Inspiring Graphic   

In the process of being His church and the hope of the world,
we are also the Body of Christ.

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   Evening Prayers at Bedtime  

Loving Father of my Soul, I quietly ponder your deep yearning to have fellowship with me. Your open invitation to meet with you makes me feel so wanted and so loved. I feel so valuable as I meditate on your never-ceasing desire to spend time with me. Knowing that you look forward to your time with me makes me know that I am special. My wounded emotions are healed as I realize your passion for my presence. As I perceive the fragrance of your faithfulness, my soul is calmed, and I become prepared for a time of rest.

Amen                                                                   

Dear El Shaddai, the All-sufficient One, You are the Father of Mercy and the Father of Grace. I desire to be close to you. I want to cast all my cares on you and enter into a deep fellowship with you. As my head sinks into my pillow, my cares sink and disappear into the sea of your love. You provide for all my needs according to your riches in glory. I am blessed. I welcome your peace this night. I have confidence that you are planning good things for me tomorrow. I imagine myself lying on my back on the beach, resting and relaxing. I close my eyes and breathe deeply. I hear the distant sea gulls calling. The heat of the sun is warming my skin. I feel a gentle wind blowing over my entire body. I smell the salty air. I sense the waves of water running up and then down the beach. As the foamy water soaks the sand underneath my feet, I feel my heels sink slightly, and then I feel the pull of the ocean drawing the water back into the vast depths of the sea. Lord, it gives me peace to know that you are in charge….of everything. 

Amen                                                               Copyright ©  2006 Beth McLendon of Inspirational-prayers.com

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Prayers are lifted up daily for 

you by the Devotional Writers 

and the Monthly Writing Staff

of Women's Focus Ministries.

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