LIVING THROUGH YOUR SEASONS
We just preached a series about the various seasons that God allows in our life. Ecclesiastes states, “For everything there is a season” (3:1). Every season offers us the opportunity of how to respond and that will determine if we flounder or flourish spiritually. So identify the season you are in and pray into it, for this month’s day of fasting and prayer.
The dry season is a time when God seems to be quiet, you can’t hear His voice or sense His presence as you once did and He seems distant. David the psalmist expressed it this way, “O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water” (Psalm 63:1, NLT). We must press through it by drawing close to God despite how far away He feels. He promised never to leave nor forsake you.
The waiting season is time when we are waiting for a difficult circumstance to change, or for God to fulfill a promise He gave you from His Word. David cried out to God, “Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3, NLT) Pour your heart out to God allowing Him to leverage this season for His glory and your good. He’s making you ready by chiseling away what’s not needed in your life, so let Him work however long it takes. Keep the faith and don’t doubt God’s plans and goodness but rather wait with anticipation and expectation.
The spiritual warfare season is a time to gird up. The enemy will wage war against you. It comes with being a Christian. But don’t be afraid. The wonderful thing about being God’s child – He fights for you. “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12, NLT) Also, with this spiritual battle, we must put on our full spiritual armor.
The Busy Season is the “I don’t have enough time to get everything done!” time in life. The key to succeeding in this time is seeking God for direction the moment your feet hit the floor in the morning. Recognize and organize what needs to get done, then plow through those priorities. Also recognize the whole world does not rest in your hands – it rests in God’s hands. “He holds in his hands the depths of the earth and the mightiest mountains.” (Psalm 95:4, NLT) Press through with strength God gives you. Rely on Holy Spirit to lead and help you.
The Test and Trials Season we need to be reminded that God is with you and He’s totally at work and he knows the what and why of the situation. So don’t give up or get tired of doing good. “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up,” (Galatians 6:9, NLT) Allow God to be God and to do the supernatural work that only He can do. Allow Him to strengthen and increase your faith in this season of hardship or affliction. Fix your eyes on Jesus, not your trial. “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal,” (2 Corinthians 4:17-19, NLT)
The Happy Season is those time that bring great joy to your life. “Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise,” James 5:13. This is the fun season – the happy season. But you still have a job to do in this season - Praise the Lord! Praising God is something Christians should do in every season because God is always worthy of it and our hearts need it.
Once you recognize which season you’re in then shift your thoughts to your heavenly Father. Ultimately, God is in control of all seasons. Whichever season you’re currently in, remember that God is making everything beautiful in its time. (Ecclesiastes 3:11)
Pastor Barry Risto
Prayer Points
Scriptures: 1 Chronicles 12:32; Psalm 1:1-3; Ecclesiastes 3:1-11
Confess any known and unknown sins.
Father, I thank You that I am able to participate in today’s fasting program.
Commit the month of August into the Lord’s hands. Pray that you will end the month well in Jesus’ name.
Thank God, that PPT has been able to open the church successfully.
1 Chron 12:32 – Lord, release upon the church the spirit that was upon the men of Issachar so that we may understand the seasons of our time. (pray this seriously)
1 Chron 12:32 – All-knowing God, help me and my household to understand the signs of the times (seasons) so that I will be able to live through the seasons in Jesus’ name.
Psalm 1:3 – Lord, let me and my household be fruitful in every season of our life in Jesus’ name. (pray this seriously)
Psalm 1:3 – Lord, let PPT and the global church to be fruitful in every season in Jesus’ name. (pray this seriously)
Eccl 3:2 – Jehovah, help me, my household, PPT and the church physically and spiritually to be fruitful in our planting and harvest seasons. (mention them by name)
Eccl 3:3 – Lord, help us (myself, my household, PPT & the church) physically and spiritually to be fruitful in our healing, building and tearing down seasons.
Eccl 3:4 – Father, in our crying, laughing, grieving and dancing seasons (spiritual & physical) help us (myself, my household, PPT & the church) to be fruitful in Jesus’ name.
Eccl 3:5 – Lord, make us (myself, my household, PPT & the church) fruitful (spiritual and physical) in our gathering and seclusion seasons. (mention them by name)
Eccl 3:6 – Elohim, make us (myself, my household, PPT & the church) fruitful (spiritual and physical) in our searching, non-searching, keeping and throwing away seasons. (mention them by name)
Eccl 3:7 – Jehovah, make us (myself, my household, PPT & the church) fruitful (spiritual and physical) in our seasons of mending, discarding, listening and speaking. (mention them by name)
Eccl 3:8 – Lord of hosts, make us (myself, my household, PPT & the church) fruitful (spiritual and physical) in our seasons of relationship building and battles of life. (mention them by name)
Psalm 126:4 – Restore our fortunes O Lord, in Jesus’ name. (pray this seriously)
Pray for the sick among us for total and complete divine healing.
Unleash Your protection and providence upon the persecuted church globally in Jesus’ name.
Lord, drive out the COVID 19 virus and the plague from our midst. (pray this seriously)
Wednesday, August 5, 2020
Pastor’s Chat with Pastor Barry at 8:00 pm
ppt.church/live
OR
Dial: 647-977-2648 (Canada) / 202-602-1295 (USA)
Code: 827-220-552#