Discerning the Times

Pastor Ron began a new sermon series entitled, "Discerning the Times!" Someone shared a story recently about a group of Native Americans living on a remote reservation many years ago. It was autumn, and the Indians on the remote reservation asked their new Chief if the winter was going to be cold or mild. Since he was a new Indian Chief in a modern society, he had never been taught the old secrets, and when he looked at the sky, he couldn’t tell what the weather was going to be. Nevertheless, to be on the safe side, he replied to his tribe that the winter was indeed going to be cold and that the members of the village should collect wood to be prepared. But also being a practical leader, after several days he got an idea. He went to the phone booth, called the National Weather Service and asked, "Is the coming winter going to be cold?" "It looks like this winter is going to be quite cold indeed," the meteorologist at the weather service responded. So the Chief went back to his people and told them to collect even more wood in order to be prepared. A week later he called the National Weather Service again. "Is it going to be a very cold winter?" "Yes," the man at National Weather Service again replied, "it’s going to be a very cold winter." The Chief again went back to his people and ordered them to collect every scrap of wood they could find. Two weeks later he called the National Weather Service again. "Are you absolutely sure that the winter is going to be very cold?" "Absolutely," the man replied. "It’s going to be one of the coldest winters ever." "How can you be so sure?" the Chief asked. The weatherman replied, "Because the Indians are collecting wood like crazy!"

One of the greatest challenges of the modern-day church is to connect to the surrounding world and be relevant within our culture.

Paul encourages us, in Ephesians 5, to redeem the time because the days are evil. When so much around us that seems to be happening is consummed by sin and wickedness, we find comfort in the hope that God is in control.

We live in a time where God wants to fill our hearts, minds, souls and churches with His love and grace. Be ready to embrace the favor of God, everyday, and look forward to His coming with heightened anticipation!