Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

Seasonal Fruit

Summertime means great summer fruit. Peaches and watermelons. Squash and tomatoes (I'm a purist...if it has seeds, it's a fruit). Wonderful fruit just bursting with flavor on the vines and trees and shrubs everywhere on this side of the equator.

There is nothing so wonderful as biting into a sweet fruit at the peak of it's season. And there is nothing so bitter as biting a fruit whether before or after it's prime. There is a 'right time' smack dab in the middle of too soon and too late. Wisdom, experience, following the leadership of people who've grown the fruit before help identify this sliver of 'right time'. It is a finite period; it doesn't last for ever. It may be longer for mangos than it is for bananas, but it is a limited span of time.

Dear ones, there is a time for everything. I'm hear to share that now is the time to come to Christ. My pastor preached yesterday that just as rebellion and disobedience got us kicked out of the Garden of Eden, the sacrafice of Christ grants us the permission to 'come back to the garden'. He has prepared the way. His Blood met the cost of the penalty of sin. From that message, I couldn't let go of the image of Christ, hanging on a tree (the cross) and falling to the ground as ripe fruit, smack dab in the middle of 'right time'.

If you are questioning when to come to Christ, the time is now because the Fruit is ripe. If you are questioning when to serve Christ, the time is now because the seeds are mature and ready for planting. If you are wondering what work you should do, pluck, plant, gather, build, weep for what you've lost, but get up and embrace what you have. If you do not know how to start, you simply need the support of people with experience to help you find your way.

There is always a master farmer/vinemaster at any orchard or vineyard that is serious about producing good fruit. Leadership matters. Experience matters. Focus matters.

If you're not under leadership at a church, or if the leadership where you are now is pointing to anything or anyone other than Jesus Christ, the Risen Savior, may I suggest and offer Fellowship as the place to start. We know that now is the season and that Christ is the Way. Please join us in the harvest.

Psalm 34:8-11

O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.
The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.
Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

Peace
Evg. Stephanie Robinson

Lifeline is the evangelistic ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro, GA.

The church website is www.fcchosengeneration.com. Feel free to share this message. For questions or to subscribe, send an email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com. You can reach the church at chosen.gen@att.net.

Fellowship Church
Where Passions Become Reality
Because you are a CHOSEN GENERATION!

455 Hwy 138, Ste C
Jonesboro, GA 30238

Alton Watkins, Pastor