Time Is Filled With Swift Transition

Hello Ladies,

This is Celia C. Tillman bringing you greetings and encouragement from the Honey-Comb of Praises. Our lesson for this month is TIME IS FILLED WITH SWIFT TRANSITION. Ladies, many of us, when we hear words like time and swift we think of minutes, hours, and days that goes by with great speed. However, in every walk of life, we see transition taking place. First, let us define the word transition. Transition is the process or a period of changing from one state or condition to another, (Merriam-Webster). On our jobs, however, we change from one position to another and the movement from childhood to adolescence and from adolescence to adulthood. Many times however, transition is not welcomed because it forces one to give up things that they are accustomed to rather than accept the unknown.

Sin is one of those life styles that men don’t want to give up or change, however, now is the time to obey God’s word because the Bible plainly teaches that, “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away,” (James 4:14). Ladies, our lives reminds me of a kettle of boiling water which turns into a mist, and then it is gone. Life is precious and it shouldn’t be wasted with the cares of this world but on the “things that pertain to life and godliness,” which is in Jesus Christ our Lord, (II Peter 1:1-3).

Ladies, do we get the big picture that life and death is in God’s hands, we don’t know the day or the hour of his return, however even his own son, Jesus Christ don’t know, “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is,” (Mark 13:32-33).

Many of us have often sung this old familiar song: TIME IS FILLED WITH SWIFT TRANSITION. I am now in transition of losing a spouse after fifty years of marriage. So many things change over time and we really must HOLD ON TO GOD’S UNCHANGING HAND. Even in our grieving the lost of a love one, Jesus still love us and is looking out for our welfare. The Bible teaches us to “Cast all our cares upon him, for he cares for us, (I Peter 5:7). He didn’t say that we wouldn’t mourn or grieve the passing of our loved ones but if we have faith in him, we shall be comforted, (Matthews 5:4).

As Christians, transition allows us to evaluate ourselves by God’s measuring rod (the word). Ladies, we can’t allow ourselves not to see that the world is ever changing (people) but God’s words “remain the same, and it endureth or last forever, of which the Gospel is preached,” (I Peter 1:25).

The children of Israel found themselves murmuring and complaining when the Lord had blessed them to flee from Egyptian bondage. They so soon forgot about God’s Mighty Hand that led them across the swift river of turbulent water to dry land, (Exodus 14:11-16). However, what we are going through in this life, whether it be sickness, the lost of a loved one, unemployment; divorce, and so many burdens of which all us have in common. But we must remember, the words of God has been spoken, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; and yea, I will help thee; yea, I

Will uphold thee with the right hand of righteousness,” (Isaiah 41:10). However, we must have faith to believe that God can help us in any situation that we are facing in this LIFE OF SWIFT TRANSITION.

My testimony is that I am so glad that I serve a true and living God, who does not lie, and all his promises are true and faithful. I can call on him in the midnight and anytime of the day and he listens. He hears me when I weep because of loneliness; calms me when I am frighten and comfort me that he will never leave or forsake me, (Matthew 28:20); (Psalm 23).

Ladies, we must not get caught up in this world of madness, with its greed, selfishness, wickedness, scheming, and none caring attitude. The world seems to be in a whirlwind and some of us are caught up in it. However, without God, we will be cut down as the grass, and be removed from his presence forever, (Matthew 25:41). But for those of us who remain faithful to God and his word, we will be with him, where we will no longer need the sun to shine by day, nor the moon give its light by night but the Lord shall be an everlasting light, and thy God our glory. The sun shall no more go down; neither shall the moon withdraw itself: for the Lord shall be our everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended, (Isaiah 60:19-20).

We as children of God have to BUILD OUR HOPES ON THINGS ETERNAL AND HOLD ON TO GOD’S UNCHANGING HAND, because He holds the key to eternal life and a place is prepared for all of us who are faithful to the end. None of us however, should worry about the things in this world because we can get side tracked of what is important. Our goal is to be faithful unto to God to receive the crown of righteousness.

Ladies, Heaven is a place that has been prepared for all of us if we are faithful, (Revelation 2:10).

The Apostle Paul, even when he was locked up in a prison cell, and TIME didn’t stand still, he was writing letters and admonishing Christians, and he said, “And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak,” (Ephesians 6:19-20). Paul learned to be content or satisfied in whatever state he found himself in for the cause of Christ, (Philippians 4:11)

Ladies, our memories are filled with the Apostle Paul’s teaching of God’s warning of this life. He stated that we are in a spiritual warfare, and we must dress appropriately, putting the whole armor to be able to withstand the wiles of the devil. It is not with flesh and blood (relatives, neighbors) but against powers, principalities, and the ruler of darkness of this world; spiritual wickedness in high places, (Ephesians 6:11-12), and we must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ, (II Timothy 2:3-4).

The last line in the song reads like this: When your journey is completed, if to God you have been true, fair and bright the home in glory, your enraptured soul will view. When Paul had come to the last mile in his life, however, he said, “I have fought a good fight, I have finish the race, I have kept the faith; there is a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not for me only but all of them who love his appearing, (II Timothy 4:7-8).

We must continue to move forward in the Lord because His blessings are forth coming. FAIR AND BRIGHT THE HOME IN GLORY YOUR ENRAPTURED SOUL WILL VIEW. Jesus said, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believed in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also,” (John 14:1-3)

THOUGHT QUESTIONS

What is the hardest life style for man to give up?
What was the hardest transition you had to face since becoming a Christian?
Can you say that all transitions are difficult to work through?
How did the Apostle Paul deal with the transition in his life?
The world is ever changing, but what remains the same?
What is compared to “Life” in the Bible? Give scripture.
Have you always consulted the word of God when making a decision? (b) Do you rely upon ungodly counsel?
How do you stop the fearful thoughts that plague you daily?
As a child of God, are you fearful of the unknown?
What did God promise all of us who are faithful to him?
What does WHEN YOUR JOURNEY IS COMPLETED AND TO GOD YOU HAVE BEEN TRUE, mean to you as a child of God?
Fill in the blank spaces: Time is filled with __________________ _________________.