Words of Inspiration - It came to pass

[00:00:37] Welcome to The Bible Speaks with your host Elgin Carelock.

[00:00:42] The Bible Speaks is a daily podcast dedicated to sharing the good news of Jesus Christ,

[00:00:49] rightly dividing the word of truth, and learning how to apply it to our daily lives.

[00:00:55] You may contact Elgin at the address given at the end of the broadcast.

[00:00:59] And now, here's Elgin.

[00:01:02] Brothers and Sisters, I welcome you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,

[00:01:10] to another edition of Words of Inspiration.

[00:01:15] And today, we're diving into a powerful message titled, It Came to Pass.

[00:01:23] Our inspiration comes from Ecclesiastes chapter 3, verses 1-8.

[00:01:30] A well-known passage about the seasons of life, which begins,

[00:01:36] To every thing there is a season.

[00:01:39] A time for every matter under heaven.

[00:01:44] These words remind us that life is filled with seasons.

[00:01:49] Times of joy.

[00:01:50] Times of sorrow.

[00:01:52] Time to build.

[00:01:53] Times to let go.

[00:01:55] Here's the first one.

[00:01:56] But I wanted to challenge you to look at this truth from a different angle.

[00:02:02] God created you as a creator.

[00:02:05] He crippled with talents, gifts, and divine purpose.

[00:02:10] Part of fulfilling that purpose involves navigating the seasons of life with faith and clarity.

[00:02:18] Many of the experiences, relationships, and resources we encounter aren't meant to stay forever.

[00:02:26] They came to pass, to teach, to shape, and then to move on.

[00:02:34] So let's explore how embracing change and trusting God's process allows us to grow, create, and expand his kingdom here on earth.

[00:02:45] You were made in God's image, the ultimate creator.

[00:02:51] Genesis 1 and 27 reminds us,

[00:03:04] Being made in his image means you were designed to create, build, innovate, and to bring life into the world around you.

[00:03:14] Your gifts and talents were not given randomly.

[00:03:18] They are divine tools meant to serve others and glorify God.

[00:03:24] Colossians 3 verses 23-24 reading from the English Standard Version says,

[00:03:32] Whatever you do, work heartily as for the Lord and not for men,

[00:03:37] knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward.

[00:03:44] Your work, creativity, and service all have eternal significance when they're done with the right heart.

[00:03:51] But as you use your gifts, remember, everything has a season.

[00:03:58] The job you hold, the projects you lead, and even the resources you manage,

[00:04:04] they were entrusted to you for a purpose, but not forever.

[00:04:11] Ecclesiastes reminds us that change is not just inevitable, it's part of God's design.

[00:04:17] Seasons come and go, but they all serve a purpose.

[00:04:23] There's a time to plant and a time to harvest, a time to build and a time to tear down.

[00:04:31] God uses seasons to shape us, teach us, and prepare us for what's next.

[00:04:37] Isaiah 43 verses 18-19 reminds us,

[00:04:42] Forget the former things.

[00:04:45] Do not dwell on the past.

[00:04:47] See, I am doing a new thing.

[00:04:50] Now it springs up.

[00:04:52] Do you not perceive it?

[00:04:54] The old season wasn't a mistake.

[00:04:57] The trials you faced, the lessons you learned, were all part of God's refining process,

[00:05:04] but they were never meant to define you permanently.

[00:05:08] Let's be clear.

[00:05:10] Clinging too tightly to anything in the earth realm,

[00:05:14] whether it's success, relationships, or material possession,

[00:05:18] can limit your growth.

[00:05:20] Those things came to pass, not to stay.

[00:05:24] We live in a world that often measures success by what we accumulate,

[00:05:30] but scripture warns us against becoming too attached to these things.

[00:05:36] Proverbs 23 verses 4-5 says,

[00:05:40] Do not wear yourself out to get rich.

[00:05:43] Do not trust your own cleverness.

[00:05:45] Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone,

[00:05:49] for they will surely sprout wings and fly off.

[00:05:54] Money, status, material comfort,

[00:05:57] while they can be blessings from God,

[00:06:00] they are not the source of our identity.

[00:06:03] Jesus said in Luke 12 and 15,

[00:06:06] Watch out.

[00:06:07] Be on your guard against all kinds of greed.

[00:06:11] Life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.

[00:06:16] So why is this so important?

[00:06:19] Because when we cling to things meant to pass,

[00:06:22] we risk missing what God is doing now.

[00:06:26] That job that ended,

[00:06:28] it may have been a stepping stone,

[00:06:30] not a destination.

[00:06:32] That relationship that shifted,

[00:06:35] it may have served its purpose in your life for a season of growth.

[00:06:40] Even personal struggles.

[00:06:42] They often teach us lessons that prepare us for our next level of purpose.

[00:06:47] Instead of asking,

[00:06:49] Why did this happen to me?

[00:06:51] Ask,

[00:06:52] Lord,

[00:06:52] what were you teaching me through this?

[00:06:57] God's ultimate goal for you is not comfort,

[00:07:00] it's growth.

[00:07:02] Spiritual,

[00:07:03] emotional,

[00:07:04] and relational growth

[00:07:05] prepares you for the greater works he has planned.

[00:07:09] Philippians 1 and 6 reminds us,

[00:07:12] Being confident of this,

[00:07:14] That he who began a good work in you

[00:07:17] will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

[00:07:22] The discomfort you're feeling in this current season

[00:07:25] could be God stretching you,

[00:07:28] refining you,

[00:07:29] and calling you to trust him more deeply.

[00:07:32] It's easy to get distracted by what we see in the natural,

[00:07:36] but 2 Corinthians 4 and 18 challenges us.

[00:07:42] So we fix our eyes not on what is seen,

[00:07:45] but on what is unseen,

[00:07:48] since what is seen is temporary,

[00:07:50] but what is unseen is eternal.

[00:07:54] What truly matters

[00:07:56] is how we allow God to use us for his kingdom,

[00:07:59] whether through our gifts,

[00:08:01] influences,

[00:08:02] or acts of service.

[00:08:04] Brothers and sisters,

[00:08:08] I want to leave you with this thought.

[00:08:10] The situations you're facing now

[00:08:12] came to pass,

[00:08:14] not to stay.

[00:08:16] The challenges and triumphs

[00:08:18] are all part of the greatest story

[00:08:21] God is writing in your life.

[00:08:24] And we know that in all things,

[00:08:27] God works for the good of those who love him,

[00:08:30] who have been called according to his purpose.

[00:08:34] So as you move forward,

[00:08:36] embrace change,

[00:08:38] trust God's timing,

[00:08:40] and use your gifts boldly.

[00:08:43] Let go of what was never meant to stay

[00:08:45] and hold on to the eternal promises of God.

[00:08:51] I pray this message has encouraged you

[00:08:53] to trust God through every season of life

[00:08:56] and use your gifts for his glory.

[00:09:00] If this message has blessed you,

[00:09:02] consider sharing it with someone

[00:09:04] who needs encouragement for the new year.

[00:09:07] And remember,

[00:09:08] no matter what season you're in,

[00:09:10] God is working all things for your good.

[00:09:14] I thank you for spending time with me on today

[00:09:16] and I look forward to our time together on tomorrow.

[00:09:20] Until then,

[00:09:21] God bless.

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