Times

3.8.17 Seasons of Time. I am impatiently waiting for Spring.  I am tired of the cold and the wet, with smatterings of snow. Occasionally the sun will pop out for a day, or a period of time during the day - maybe even a few days at a time. I am delighted when I see the sun, I feel energetic and ready to do something. I am seeing hopeful buds on my trees and bushes, hope of spring and color and warmth. Ah, it is but deceptive. I go out and it is terribly cold and crisp, not at all warm.  Do these bushes and trees know something I cannot perceive?  Isn't that how it is from time to time in our life? Something appears to be so right, so good, and turns out to be something not so good, something entirely different than what our perception indicated.  Matthew 16:1-3 "The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven. He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times."  And in Luke 12:56  Jesus says, "Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?"   He wants us to be able to "see" more than what we naturally see. Things are not always as they seem to be.  We cannot "see" spiritual things with our natural eyes. We must begin to discern under what is natural and believe and move in that discernment. My trees and bushes tell me Spring is close because of the buds, but my "natural" tells me it is far off because my body senses cold.  What are you discerning the times for? Do you need a breakthrough? Do you need healing, deliverance, provision, connections? Whatever you need, are you seeing with natural eyes or are you seeing "times, seasons, promises" that indicate your breakthrough is about to  happen? When we begin to pray for a change in circumstances or situations they "appear" to get even worse. We stop praying. Why?  This is the natural colliding with the supernatural to bring about your answer, your change. Pray more. Pray with fervor. Pray with purpose and stand your ground. Your Heavenly Father desires to give you good things. Jesus says He came to give you life - and abundant life. Do not despair. Allow your faith to grow. Trust in Him. You have a God who does not lie, who has no favorites, who means only good for you. The only requirement is that you know Him and you trust Him. Give it a try.  - Pastor Sandi www.olivebranchdiscipleshipministries.com John 10:10 ESV  "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I (Jesus) came that they may have life and have it abundantly."  Romans 12:2 ESV   "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."  Galatians 6:9 ESV  "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."