Time

What is time? 

We live in a 24-7 society. Used to be we would, mostly then, the Man of the house would go off to work. Mostly? Monday through Friday, 9-5. Saturdays were fun days and family days. Shopping for fun, sometimes grocery shopping was done then. Sunday? Church, and a big family dinner where we talked about life, with all its hopes and dreams. Stores? Closed. It was family time.

As time went on, and greed increased, we started keeping stores open on Sundays. Hours increased to feed the need for greed. We started being told we now have to work 10 hours a day. Then all the way up to 11 pm. Then 24 hours a day. Then even Holidays and Holy days became a free game. We are told, if you want to work for this or that company, you will work all hours day and night and Holidays or they will find someone else to. Then came the need for not one, but two paychecks per household.

Now let's talk about technology for a second. We can now get whatever bits of info we need in a second. We have things that are built for no other purpose than to speed up time to achieve our desires. From Microwaves to Coffee Pods, to apps for this and that, we have become accustomed to imminent gratification. However, this is not natural in life. Time really does not matter.

I want you to think about this. Let's look in Genesis 5 for a second. Just look at a couple real quick.

"Seth had lived 105 years, he fathered Enosh." "Enosh had lived 90 years, he fathered Kenan." "Jared had lived 162 years, he fathered Enoch." "Lamech had lived 182 years, he fathered a son and called his name Noah," Yup. That Noah. Now, look at this. Genesis 5:32

"After Noah was 500 years old, Noah fathered Shem, Ham, and Japheth." 

Jump to Genesis 7:6

"Noah was six hundred years old when the flood of waters came upon the earth."

Now we read a bit later that God decided to limit Mankind's lifespan a bit more since the flood. However, the point is this. There were 24 hours in the day, 365 days in a year, back then just like today. It took Noah to the age of 500 years old to father the seed of mankind and be told by God that God's purpose and plan for him were to build the Ark. Then it took him 100 years to do so and then God fulfilled His Word to Noah and brought the flood.

Imagine for a second. I tell you, I will bless you richly and I will do this or that. In today's time, if it did not happen in the next day or so? What about the next year? 5 years? 10? When would your patients run out? When would you stop believing I was going to do what I said?

Look at Abraham. He was Abram for the first 99 years of his life and became Abraham and was told by God that he and his wife, who was also very old was to become pregnant and indeed did. {Genesis 18}

Look at Moses. God told him that he was to lead God's people to the promised land and they ended up in the desert for 40 years. {Exodus 16:35}, {Numbers 32:13} At the end? God did just as He promised again. Look at Job? How long did he suffer in excruciating pain? One passage states that his friends sat with him in silence for 7 days and nights. {Job 2:13}

What about the fact that we are still suffering evil, pain, and sickness and disease when Jesus said He was coming back to wipe all these things away?

"But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.

Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness," 2 Peter 3:8-11

The point is, time is simply a man-made concept and idea. As we sit in our homes during this pandemic, wondering when will it all end, and crying out that we are not being heard by God, think about these things. How long is too long? What is time anyway? We say 24 hours. We could have said 30 hours made up of 45 seconds a minute or whatever. The Sun will rise and set as always per God's plan. Who are we to dictate to God that He does anything, let alone rush what He may very well have planned out. Or at the minimum, allowed to happen. He was not surprised by this. Any of it.

We are what? Most are home. Home with their families. Most are healthy and trying to stay that way. Most have food, some have toilet paper. Someone will get that. Most are doing ok. Think about this for a second. What has been shut down? Businesses, Money has been put on the back burner. Sports and entertainment venues have been shut down. Malls have been closed. Useless even if enjoyable, things have been all but done away with.

Now, look at the positives. Faith, Family, and yes, even in this quarantine freedom is ruling lives. Thousands of churches all around the world are now online reaching more people than ever in the history of the earth. More people heard the Easter Message, the Crucifixion, and Resurrection of Christ, this Easter than any other time in history.

Is this a bad thing? This pandemic? Is it a punishment? Is it going to be around long? Why are we having to wait for an outcome? I don't know. Neither to you. Neither do they. We are all in this together. As children of God, we need only trust in Him. Know that He is with us and He is in charge of all things. Pray to Him. Spend time with Him. Read His word. Share His word. Love one another and let the days worry for themselves. It is what it is. But He is who He is. He is greater than all.

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will heal you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a Sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus and His Sacrifice for me. I believe that He raised from the Dead. I repent my Sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is just that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if you shalt confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, you shalt be saved." {Romans 10:9} You need to find a Church that God leads you to, and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A New Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." {Colossians 3:10}

If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all. Amen.{2 Corinthians 13}

Until next time, be Blessed, be a Blessing, and Jesus is Lord!