Special Times

Are we so religiously minded that we are losing spiritual sense?

_______________

John 6:3-4 – And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples.  And the Passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh.

_______________

Israel celebrated seven great feasts, among them Passover, Pentecost, Tabernacles, and Trumpets.  I do not offer teaching today on the meanings of those feasts and how the church today might incorporate great spiritual meaning.  Likewise, the church today recognizes great spiritual seasons, among them Easter and Christmas.  What I DO intend today is to recognize the very practical mindset our Lord had during His earthly ministry, and to point to the fact that we should learn from His pattern, and incorporate that learning in the things we do to reach the world for Jesus.  

Often in His earthly ministry, Jesus would use times of special gatherings, times such as weddings, special dinners being made, and feast days as opportunities to be maximized for impact on the people who were present.  He was always ready to heal, but would still use special occasions in special ways.  My thought for the church today is simple.  Don’t you think it is time we complied with our Lord’s Word?  Jesus said He only did what He saw Father do.  Therefore, His use of special occasions must have been in the will of Father.  With that in mind, I offer you some considerations.

Begin at the lowest possible level in your life.  When you plan your next family event (birthday, anniversary, or holiday), pray first.  As for wisdom and direction of the Lord in planning, whom to invite, where to meet, and especially in what you should personally say and do.  When we seek to follow (imitate) the Lord, He will reveal through us His plan and action.  Let us learn to use every possible occasion as a point of observation, as a place where others may see manifestations of the Lord’s love, power, and ability.  On our part, that means being “thoughtful” with the “mind of Christ.”  Whether it is a holy day, a holiday, a birthday, an anniversary, or any other special occasion, let us prepare ourselves through prayer to know His mind, know His plan, follow His leading, and achieve His results.  Don’t miss these golden opportunities.  This compliance with our Lord’s command to be “instant in season, out of season” will serve to keep us in a state of readiness to add to the harvest at every opportunity, especially in theSPECIAL TIMES.  

Manna for Today – John 6:1-15; John 2; John 5; 2 Timothy 4:2

http://www.eaglesnestforum.com – http://www.facebook.com/eaglesnestforum