Ambrose Brothers: Closings & Openings

Alright I realize I’m probably a day late and a dollar short as far as New Year’s blogs go, but I guess it happens. In truth I really tried to stay away from computers On New Years day. I had a lot to do and didn’t want to sacrifice time with my family on the holiday. After that I spent a great deal of time getting ready for a sermon Sunday night. And then life hit.

Anyway as I was working on some thoughts for our Sunday evening service when I came up with these passages that I really thought spoke to the passing 2008 and the beginning of 2009. And for an added bonus there even found in Ecclesiastes, so although this is not yet a finishing of the book; we are looking at thoughts from the teacher.

As we enter 2009 one thing is for sure, I’m happy to see 2008 go. It’s been a rough year. A rough year for family, a rough year for finances, and a rough year for health. All in all 2008 has been a year of trials. And so often we look ahead and can’t see an end to these trials. Yet I believe Solomon gives us hope at the start of chapter 3

1 To everything there is a season,
      A time for every purpose under heaven:
       2 A time to be born,
And a time to die;
      A time to plant,
And a time to pluck what is planted;
       3 A time to kill,
And a time to heal;
      A time to break down,
And a time to build up;
       4 A time to weep,
And a time to laugh;
      A time to mourn,
And a time to dance;
       5 A time to cast away stones,
And a time to gather stones;
      A time to embrace,
And a time to refrain from embracing;
       6 A time to gain,
And a time to lose;
      A time to keep,
And a time to throw away;
       7 A time to tear,
And a time to sew;
      A time to keep silence,
And a time to speak;
       8 A time to love,
And a time to hate;
      A time of war,
And a time of peace.

2008 was a rough year for a lot of people. But as we depart from it we can remember there is a time for everything. And everything has its time. Did we see bad things happen, of course they did. But they will only be for a time. Now as we think of this I will remind you, we never no how long that time is. Perhaps the time is for a month, perhaps a year. Maybe the time is for ten years; maybe the time is for a lifetime. But as we look at things in the light of eternity; that time two is short. So let me encourage you, you may think 2008 was a bad time, but remember it’s only for a time.

Now as we start the New Year, I would like us to look at a passage to start the year on Lets look just a little farther ahead In Ecclesiastes starting at verse 12.

12 I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives, 13 and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor—it is the gift of God.
       14 I know that whatever God does,
      It shall be forever.
      Nothing can be added to it,
      And nothing taken from it.
      God does it, that men should fear before Him.
       15 That which is has already been,
      And what is to be has already been;
      And God requires an account of what is past.

So for starters no matter what disappointments 2008 had brought us, Solomon gives us a peace of advice here. He tells us to eat drink and enjoy. That’s right eat drink and enjoy. It’s true the economy is a wreck, our country is a wreck, and the church as it should be is a wreck. Yet we can’t fix it all overnight, so step back and enjoy the good things god has given us.

Secondly God is in control. As we face the unknown of 2009 its good to remember it’s not unknown to the Lord. He knows what has already been, and He knows what will be. 2009 will not surprise God. God has already won.

I hope these passages can reach you and inspire you and they have reached and inspired me. And I look forward to spending another year with you here at Ambrose Brothers Ministries.