The life in which we live can be full of ups and downs. At any given point, it can be filled with contrast. Some moments we go through valleys, while other moments we are climbing over mountains. We go through successes, and we go through failures. We have wins, and we have losses. In the reality of weather, there are four seasons. But in your life, there are dozens of different seasons. And every season of life includes both good and bad times.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 gives us a representation of different life experiences: “For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance. A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones. A time to embrace and a time to turn away. A time to search and a time to quit searching. A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace” (NLT).

I just want to submit that life can be a combination of contrasting seasons.

But here is also a true reality, all sunshine and no rain make a desert!!! Contrasting seasons brings about balance to your life!!! 

When you are following God’s will, seeking to live your life according to the way God wants you to live, you will eventually see that contrasting experiences can have purpose and value in your life. There’s a time and season for everything. But everything will not always beautiful. Sickness and illnesses are not beautiful. War is not beautiful, etc. The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 3:11: “God has made everything beautiful for its own time” (NIV). God can take even the bad things in the proper season, turn them around, and use them for good in the way He intends. You may be going through a season right now that is not beautiful. Your finances look ugly. Your health looks ugly. Your marriage, family, or a friendship looks ugly. Your future looks ugly. The future of our Country’s moral is ugly. But God can make something good out of all of it when you trust Him.

By experience, every farmer knows that what you sow in one season, you will reap in the same season or another season. You plant in the spring, depending on what you plant, your harvest will come in the spring, summer, or fall. 

Likewise, the way you sow financially, spiritually, emotionally, how you respond to someone or to a situation right now is definitely going to affect your future. If you sow or respond correctly in any season of life and you do the right thing, even when you don’t feel like it, it pays great dividends in the future. 

Serving the Lord “His way” always payoff in due time. 

“Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9 KJV). Let me suggest it as simply as this, don’t give up. 

No matter which season you’re in, “due season” is on its way!!! 

Here are four questions that I want to  suggest you ask yourself, because I believe it will honestly help you reap God’s blessing in the next season.

    1. What can I learn in this season of life?

There are some things we only learn through experience. 

Deuteronomy 11:2 says, “Remember today what you have learned about the Lord through your experiences with him”. 

    2. What can I enjoy in this season of life?

The Bible says, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” 1 Thessalonians 5:18. 

We should live the good days and the bad days with a sense of gratitude, because each day is still an awesome gift from God.

    3. What is most important for this season?

Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens”. 

Let me submit this right here: You can’t have it all or do it all at one time!!! 

You just might have to make some tough decisions about what really matters at this time in your life. With all the foolishness going on around right before our eyes, this is the season for all of us to focus on the things that are most important!! 

    4. How can I help others in this season of life?

The Bible says clearly that you weren’t put on this earth just to live for yourself: “Whenever you are able, do good to people who need help”. Proverbs 3:27. God gave you abilities, talents, and energy to help other people.

I’m closing with this: today sow into where you want to go, sow into where you want to grow, pray to the Lord to cover you, and your harvest. Also pray to the Lord to teach you how to trust Him in all seasons, good or bad, so that you are spiritually developed into an authentic version of a true disciple. 

I want to submit to you that the principle of sowing and reaping does not only apply to finances. 

It also applies to every area of life. Whatever you sow in life, you’re going to reap. Whatever you deposit is going to be returned to you. Let me also submit this, you can’t expect to make withdrawals from “grace” accounts where you haven’t made any “grace type” deposits!!!

 If you sow criticism in life, you are going to reap criticism from other people. If you sow kindness, you’re going to reap kindness. It’s the reality of the harvest. If you plant apple seeds, you don’t get pears; you get apples. This is the simple principle of the harvest. If you sow with generosity, you will reap generosity. 

There are many who ponder these questions, “How should I give? What should I give? Where do I start. How can I start?” Whenever or wherever you have a need, plant a seed. When a farmer looks at his barren fields, he doesn’t gripe about it. 

He just goes out and starts planting some seed. If he only has a little bit of seed, he has a choice. He can either hoard it, or he can sow it. If he holds on to it, that’s all he will have. But if he sows it, God will multiply it. Here is what is so amazing about this, you don’t just reap what you sow. You always reap MORE than you sow! God set it up this way. This is a season for you not to be afraid of tithing, sowing offerings, or sowing life seeds of grace, etc. 

He wants you to become a giver just like him. God is always giving. He is always sending blessings. The only way that you’re ever going to become like Him in this capacity is to learn to be generous. When you’re stingy, you’re not in the likeness of God. But when you’re generous, you’re like Him. When you give it away, no matter what it is, God multiplies it.

I know this sounds illogical, to give when you have a need so that you will get more back. This is why it requires faith! God says the way you get is by giving. Give and it shall be given unto you!!! 

24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. 

Have you ever prayed for it, before you paid for/on it??  Do your spending habits and your prayer life intersect??? What are some of the ways that your life reflects you trusting God with your finances?? Do you pray before making major purchases?? Are you in a space of financial need and waiting for God to help? 

Take some time to honestly answer those questions because this is a season where we all need to trust God with our finances to be blessed through our giving, and to be guided spiritually in becoming good stewards over our blessings. 

God has promised to meet your financial needs. He’s just waiting for you to ask for His help! 

The Lord never shuts down His storehouse, it’s always open. One of the reasons we see so few miracles in our lives is because we just don’t ask for them, nor show we truly trust Him. 

Instead of living a life based on having our hope in Christ, we live a life based on credit. When we have something, we need, before we even think about asking God about it or for it, we just go and use that credit card lol. If you want to see God work in your life, pray for it before you pay for it!!!

Pray about becoming better at stewardship. Pray about your financial miracles, breakthroughs, and needs. There are some things He wants to give you to show that miracles are still happening. 

Be specific with what you ask but also show Him that you trust Him with your ASK. Let me remind you that God is a loving father. The text shows that He wants you to ask for things in prayer so He can give them and fill you with joy.  He wants to bless your life! You just must ask the Father, in Jesus’ name.

God is a competent Father. He can handle any problem you give Him. There is nothing beyond His ability, too big for His ability, nor His resources. Nothing is too hard, too big, nor even is any request too small.

I remember being asked by a member once, “Pastor, is it really okay for me to talk to God about the small things in my life? Shouldn’t I just only talk to him about the big problems I have?” 

I smiled and responded, “Can you imagine any problem you would have, that God would consider too big? Or a problem He would consider too small to care about? God cares about it all.”

 The Bible teaches, “Nothing is impossible for God” (Luke 1:37). I have literally cut the word “impossible” out of my dictionary because it is not in God’s vocabulary. Nothing is impossible for God. 

It amazes me now, when I look back at my kids’ expectations of me when they were little. They thought I could fix anything, lift anything, do anything, afford everything lol, and knew it all. As they grew up, they learned that their father had limited knowledge (I don’t know everything), limited energy (everything that is starts to become a was lol), limited resources, etc..

But your heavenly Father really can do anything. Ephesians 3:20 is literally translated, “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think”.

Maybe that’s why Paul suggests that “ I count not myself to have apprehended” (Philippians 3:13). With God we can always find the encouragement to keep looking forward!! 

Yesterday’s impossibilities are today’s miracles with God!! God specializes in the impossible! He is a competent Father. Whatever you are willing to trust Him with today, Do IT!!! 

The writer of this Psalm encourages us that God is a caring, loving, compassionate Father. He cares about everything in your life. Have you ever experienced God’s compassion in your life? What personally comes to mind?

We must admit that you and I have had moments where we have questioned if God cares. “God, did you see that doctor’s report? Do you care? Do you see what a mess my marriage is in? Do you care? Do you see how little money we have in the bank and all the bills we’ve got? Don’t you care? Do you see how my kids are struggling in school? Don’t you care? You know this fear that grips my mind that I can’t seem to get rid of. Do you care?”

From my own experience I can answer YES God still cares. In fact, He cares more than you care. He wants to help more than you than you even need help. He knows what will help you more than you know what will help you. He is aware, and He also cares.

The Bible assures us, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7 NIV).

If you knew and felt how much your heavenly Father constantly and compassionately cares, you couldn’t help but love him back.

Take time today to cast your anxiety on God and trust that He will receive it with care and compassion.

Out of all the scriptures covered in the Old Testament, from Genesis thru Malachi, God is only called “Father” seven times. In that culture climate, they thought of Him in ways like Creator, Almighty One, etc. But they didn’t think of God as Father. Then Jesus comes along and says “This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name’” (Matthew 6:9 NIV).“ Jesus literally says, “Call Him Father”

Jesus uses the expression “Father” more than 150 times to refer to God. God is not an angry tyrant. God is not a cosmic bellman or prayer bellboy. He is not an impersonal force. God is a personal God who wants to have a relationship with you. There is only one problem, there are some who just don’t think of God as Father. For many people, the name “father” is a negative term that brings up all kinds of bad memories. From this, we have a lot of people who may say, “‘Our Father in heaven” just to decipher a major difference. Here’s what is real, there are some human fathers that have made their family’s home a hell on earth. While many fathers are loving and kind, others can be fickle, moody, abusive, controlling, manipulative and violent. So the words “our Father in heaven” can carry baggage or even be a trigger. Many people never connect with God because they unconsciously think God is like their earthly father. They will impose their mixed-up hurts and emotions from their human fathers onto God. 

If their earthly father is unreasonable, they will tend to think God is unreasonable. If their father is unreliable, they may think God is unreliable. If they just don’t understand their earthly father, they might think they could never understand God either.

Misconceptions can make it to difficult to connect, thus keeping people disconnected from God. 

To understand the truth of what God the Father is really like, you need to let go of any misconceptions and myths you have about him.

Discovering the truth about God, as well as who God really is, will set you free to have a loving relationship with Him as your Father!

I want to leave you with these two questions to consider. Just take some time today or later in the week to think on them and apply them. 

1. When Jesus instructs us to pray “Our Father in heaven,” what kinds of feelings or images come forth for you?
2. What positive father characteristics have you associated with God?

One of the most common descriptions of the church in the Bible is the “Body of Christ.” What Jesus Christ did when he was here in his physical body, he wants us to continue to do today. 

We are the body of Christ on earth. We are part of him. We literally represent his hands, his feet. We are most times the only representation of Jesus that people will see, and most times the only bible some people have ever seen. 

Let me suggest that everybody’s needed in the body of Christ, and in God’s family. We are all parts of it. Shiloh and friends let me also suggest that it takes every one of us to make it complete.

Consider us, the body of Christ (the Church), being like a jigsaw puzzle. When you are building a jigsaw puzzle and you’ve got one part missing, no matter how small or big the puzzle is, you notice that one missing piece. 

That’s the same for the body of Christ. Everybody’s needed. You may say, “Oh I’m just a toenail or a fingernail in the body of Christ.” Have you ever lost a toenail or a fingernail? You notice it, DAILY!!!

Never mistake or confuse prominence and significance. Something can be prominent but not significant. Whereas something that is significant doesn’t have to be prominent. 

Have you ever felt like you are not a prominent or significant part of the Body of Christ? How did it impact your connection to the body?? Do you know of someone who is in this space now?

Let me be of some encouragement, you don’t have to be prominent in the body of Christ to be vital. Always remember that you are significant!!! What you offer and who God has made you to be is enough. There are so many parts of the human body that are not prominent that are extremely vital so you can function. In Christ’s body, though there are many parts, remember everyone is needed in the church. We all have work for the advancement of His kingdom to do!

God feels so far away from us during times of our most difficult struggles. There are also moments where our main struggle is how far away He seems to be when we are trying to feel or be close to Him.  

Even though He may sometimes feel farther away, this text reminds us and encourages us that He’s always near. He’s as close as your next breath. God is even closer than your next minute, your next second. He’s with you every moment of every day.

The Bible says in Acts 17:27, “God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us” (NIV).

Yesterday you may have felt that God was right there with you, while today you may feel like He is nowhere near you. Truth is, your feelings and reality don’t always match. I want to suggest this reality to you: God is with you right now!!!!! 

Consider these three truths about God:

1. God is never too busy for you. Psalm 145:18 says, “The LORD is near to all who call on him” (NIV). Every time you call, God is near. You are on His mind a lot more than you think. He thought about you before you were born. He thinks about you every moment of every day. You may get too busy for God, but he never gets too busy for you.

(What changes do you need to make in your life so that you are not too busy for Him?)

1. God loves to meet your needs. He doesn’t do it begrudgingly. He loves it! Mathew 7:11 says, “If you . . . know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” (NIV). You can enjoy the fact that God loves giving good gifts to you. He loves to bless you.

(What do you need to call on God for today?)

III. God is sympathetic to your hurts. Whenever you go through something that’s tough, remember this verse: “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18 NIV).

God is close to you, and he understands what you’re going through. Turn to him. And you’ll find that He is already right there with you.

Have you ever paid attention to the reality that it’s easier to pick up bad habits than it is to get rid of them? 

• What are some your bad habits?
• What sin in your life is causing distractions? Keeping you from focusing spiritually??

Here’s a glance into why it’s so hard for many to get rid of your bad habits:

1. Because you’ve held on to them for a long time. You didn’t collect your habits, hurts, and hang-ups overnight. Many of these patterns were established over a length of time. They become familiar. Even if they aren’t helpful, you hang on to them. Studies have shown that it takes a little as 7 days to create a habit, but more than 90 days to break it. 
2. Because you identify with them. We often confuse and attach our identity with our defects, or we even allow others the power to do so.  And most times it causes many to have an unconscious fear of change. This can also make people believe that they cannot change. 
3. Because Satan fights it. Satan doesn’t want you to be transformed and set free. The moment you get serious about changing, he starts whispering to you, “Who do you think you are? You can’t change. You’ve tried to change in the past; it won’t work. You may as well give up!” He wants you to be comfortable being the worst version of yourself. He doesn’t want you to see yourself as God sees you. 

Cleaning up, changing, becoming a better you is never easy. It takes time. You will have to remind yourself of your identity in Christ; makes no difference in how new or old you are in the faith. The text says, “Lay aside every weight, and the sin that clings so closely.”

For every bad habit you can identify, replace it with a good habit that will help you become more Christlike.   Also rely on the Holy Spirit, whose power in you is greater than Satan’s attacks. This mindset will help you to live better, eat better, become healthier, and experience an incredible life. 

1 Samuel 17:46-48 (ESV)

Before David faced Goliath in 1 Samuel 17:46-48, he also had to fight through some mental giants in the pre-text of this chapter. Might I suggest that in vs 33, Saul reveals to David that he believes he will not win. The record shows no one was willing to face Goliath, not even Saul because of fear.  

We all have either faced, are facing, or will face some type of mental giant that can be just as big and intimidating as Goliath. Beloved there are also those spaces where we will have to face a “life type of Goliath” (sickness, life challenge, exams, interviews, etc.). We need to get through those thoughts that can keep us from becoming who God desires or even fulfilling the dream that He has put in our heart. Here are some of the mental giants David pressed through before he set out to face Goliath.

I. Delay. No dream is fulfilled instantly!!!! It doesn’t always manifest right away. It may be years before you see the fulfillment of your life’s dream. There is always a waiting period.

Here’s what’s deep concerning David; his father held him back from his dream. 

After Samuel anointed David as king, Jesse told David to get back to tending the sheep!

When it’s God’s plan, there will always be someone or something that will show a contradiction.  People may try to hold you back. Life changes may pop up to keep you down. Always expect the possibility of DELAY. When God allows a delay, it does not mean you’ve been denied. 

God is faithful, and he will complete his work in you in his timing.

II. Disapproval. David’s own brother questioned his motives about being there and disapproved of David going after Goliath. It is easy for people who trust and have faith in God to be misunderstood by people who are afraid to do the same. That is when you must decide what matters to you the most, the approval of others or God’s approval.

III. Discouragement. Goliath created a climate of fear as an enemy, and everyone was convinced they would lose in a fight against him. What statistic are you seeing that suggests you will not win? Who is speaking negatively around you, putting down your dream/vision to you? What or who is saying it won’t ever happen, or you won't be able to get it done? That’s what Saul tried to do to David mentally. He was an “expert” at battle, putting his opinion on David’s destiny. He literally told David he was too young, not experienced enough to succeed against a “Goliath”!!! Words like these from someone, or even just having these types of thoughts can make anyone start to doubt themselves.  “The Devil Is A LIE!!!!” Believe in yourself and know that your ability is empowered by God!!! “This giant is nothing. I am more than a conqueror because through God all things are possible!!!”