Posts Tagged ‘Discerning the times’

Red in the morning….

{ February 5, 2020 @ 9:01 pm } · { My Faith Journey }
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"Red in the morning, sailors take warning. 
Red at night, sailors delight." 
(Ancient rhyme often repeated by mariners)

I knew it was falling weather and probably going to rain today and I didn’t need Jim Duncan (channel 12 news) or the Weather Channel to tell me. Monday morning the eastern sky (above & below pictures) was a canvas of brilliant colors. I love taking pictures from my kitchen window with my proud, crowing rooster silhouetted. Red in the morning means in three days there will be falling (or a change in) weather. This morning (Wednesday) started out as a warm and spring-like sweater day. It didn’t take long until gray clouds hide the sun and a gentle breeze brought in cooler temperatures.

Did you know that long before the above quip was penned, the Bible revealed how to discern the same truth. Jesus himself told the Pharisees and Sadducees one day when they came testing him by wanting a sign from heaven, “When it is evening you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red’; and in the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening’ (Matthew 16: 2-3).

There are many weather signs in the heavens. The Jewish calendar is based on lunar months, while years are based on solar years.. The rotation of the moon and sun determines day and night. Tide is determined by the gravitational forces exerted by the moon and the sun, and the rotation of the Earth.

The direction of the wind determines whether it will be hot and dry or whether rain is coming. Luke 12:54-55 “When you see a cloud rising out of the west, immediately you say; ‘A shower is coming’ and so it is’. And when you see the south wind blow, you say ‘There will be hot weather’, and so it is”.

A funnel cloud and an eerie green tint to the sky means a tornado is imminent. Menacing dark, swirling clouds warn a storm is brewing.

The stars can be used for navigation. Remember the wise men who came looking for baby Jesus by following a star.

It is so fascinating and amazing to me how God created the world with precise detail and even signs so that we can know and understand the weather.

Jesus also lamented that people can discern the face of the sky and of the earth and yet refuse to discern the signs of the times in which they live (Matthew 12:56). Just as he gave many clues and signs about his coming as a baby, so he has given many clues and signs about his second coming. We can’t know the day or hour, but we can understand with clarity many clues to his second coming if we know how to read the signs.

Take heed to Jesus words, “Watch therefore…. for the Son of Man is coming…” (Matthew 24: 42 & 44).

Whats Time Is It?

{ September 26, 2012 @ 10:11 pm } · { Everyday Life, My Faith Journey }
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It struck me today how many times a day I  ask the question, “What time is it?”  I am consumed with time. I am good at scheduling my day, planning for tomorrow and dreaming of the future. Time manages my day;  The clock tells me when to get up, eat, go to work, meet appointments and deadlines, place an order,  go home, fix supper, and go to bed.  We set alarms, timers and punch the time card. Quite often I catch myself coming to the door of my office and say as I look at the clock, “What time is it?” I am checking myself with how much time is left in the day and what needs to be done yet. If you don’t think time is important try oversleeping, let the kids miss the bus, get stuck in rush-hour traffic, take a wrong turn, be late for an appointment, have an unforeseen emergency, over-schedule your day or let someone who wants to talk or ask lots of questions call just as you are walking out the door. Yes, we live by the clock. At least I know I do.

Our lives are also a ticking clock.   The moment we are conceived the seconds start ticking. God knows the number of our days.   Each year I plan to have another birthday but I have no guarantee of tomorrow. I do not know the day or hour of my passing into eternity.  I do not know how close to midnight the hands on my life clock are. I do know at 60 years of age that they are significantly past the half-way mark. This stops me for a few minutes in my tracks!

  • Psalms 90:12  So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
  • Psalms 39: 4-5 Lord, make me to know my end, and what is the measure of my days, that I may know how frail I am. Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths, and my age is as nothing before You; certainly every man at his best state is but a vapor. Selah.
  • James 4:14 …whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a time and then vanishes away.
  • Psalms 89:47-48 Remember how short my time is; for what futility have You created all the children of men? What man can live and not see death? Can he deliver his life from the power of the grave?

Most people have a sense that this world had a beginning and will not last forever.  One day the disciples asked Jesus, “And what will be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age?”  Jesus talked extensively in Matthew 24 about the signs of the end of the world, the great tribulation, and His coming again. He told a parable about a fig tree and said, “when you see all these things, know that it (time) is near-at the door!”   In other words, it will be midnight on the clock.  He also said, “No one knows the day or the hour, not even the angels in heaven, but only His Father (God).”  He warns us to watch, wait, be ready, be prepared, and expect His return.

What time is it: 11 o’clock, quarter till 12, 5 minutes to midnight? We do not know, but God has recorded in His Word many scriptures to help us discern the times.   Quite often I say, “it is getting late, I am going to bed.”  I am discerning the time  and know the day is done, it is time to rest. If we read The Word, we can gain wisdom in discerning  the times in which we live.  Most Biblical scholars agree we are close to midnight.  Jesus comforts us with these words, “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. (Matthew 28:20)

Just for fun… some “time” cliches that we use. If you think of some more send me a comment and I will add them.

  • A day late and an hour tardy.
  • A new day has dawned.
  • At a moment’s notice.
  • At the present moment.
  • At this time.
  • Be careful or time will catch up with you.
  • Beat the clock.
  • Behind the eight ball.
  • Can you steal a second?
  • Can you spare a moment? or Can I spare a moment of your time?
  • Cleaned my clock.
  • Countdown.
  • Don’t be late.
  • For a solid hour….
  • Hang on (hold on) a second.
  • If you can spare a minute.
  • If you have time left over…
  • In a split second.
  • I’m in a hurry and I don’t know why.
  • Just in the nick of time.
  • Make every second count.
  • Make the most of your time.
  • Not on my watch.
  • Out of time.
  • Race against time.
  • Redeem the time.
  • Running late.
  • Spend your time wisely.
  • Stall for time.
  • Take a minute.
  • The clock is ticking!
  • Time is moving on.
  • Time is on my side.
  • Time is passing.
  • Time is precious.
  • Time is racing by.
  • Time is flying by.
  • Time stands still.
  • Time will tell.
  • The early bird gets the worm.
  • The hour is getting late.
  • Wait a minute.
  • Wasting time.
  • Watch the time.
  • Where has time gone?

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