Eccl 3:1 (NIV) There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: Jesus, make this very clear to me, these statements sound wise; but, they are truisms. Show me that many religions have truisms to impress their followers. Help me look at these and see they make sense to me; but, they don’t do anything for my spiritual growth. Teach me that these are true; but, they aren’t the truth that sets me free. Help me watch out for entertaining cliches, cute little sayings, and interesting mental puzzles to occupy my mind. They won’t prepare me for life or for eternity.

Eccl 3:2a (NIV) A time to be born and a time to die: Jesus, help me always be aware that God has a purpose for my life. Help me see that my life is in between my birth and my death. Help me believe that my time to be born was orchestrated by God so as to put me on this planet at just the right time for me to succeed. Make it clear to me that the issue isn’t that there was a time for me to be born and a time for me to die. The issue is, what will I do with that space between birth and death? Help me devote that time to God’s will for me.

Eccl 3:2b (NIV) A time to plant and a time to uproot: Jesus, Solomon is talking about planting physical seeds and uprooting dead plants that have served their purpose. In Matthew 13:3-8 You talked about a sower going out and planting seeds that represent me sharing the wonderful things of God with the people around me. Show me that what Solomon said made him look like he was really smart, which he was; but, what You said is the process that brought salvation to my life. SOMEONE planted the seed of the good news in my life and I was born again. That is TRUTH!

Eccl 3:3a (NIV) A time to kill and a time to heal: Jesus, help me stay aware that there are wars that are instigated by aggressors taking over people’s homes, lives, and countries. And there are defenders that go to battle trying to save and protect people from aggressors. Teach me that it isn’t just a time to kill, it is a time to protect. Help me realize that there aren’t seasons specifically devoted to killing. There are situations that require it:

Rom 13:4 (NIV) For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.

Jesus, show me that it is always a time to heal. If war, law enforcement, or judgment can be replaced with healing, then help me see that healing is always the desired solution to the problem.

Jesus, You said in Matthew 5:9 (NIV): Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Help me understand that once I get drawn into this system Solomon is representing, I can get trapped into thinking that this is or isn’t the “season” for a particular behavior or event. God wants me to be led in His Spirit while doing His will. Make it clear to me that He doesn’t want me believing in seasons.

Eccl 3:3b (NIV) A time to tear down and a time to build: Jesus, it’s easy for me to accept this concept when I am thinking about buildings. But, help me see that this principle can easily work its way into being a relational principle. When it does, it can cause divorce, a breakup of a family or friendships, or a destruction of a business. If I start thinking it is a time for me to tear down, then I am obligated to tear down. But, if I am submitted to God, I will listen to what He wants. Show me that times and seasons aren’t the deciding factor, God is!

Eccl 3:4a (NIV) A time to weep and a time to laugh: Jesus, You said in Matthew 5:4 (NIV) Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Teach me that this isn’t a time for mourning, it is a need for mourning. When I have done something wrong to myself, other people, and God’s plan, it is important for me to feel bad. But, help me see that God doesn’t want me to stay in the condition of feeling bad for a season of mourning. He wants me to mourn over it, let the mourning heal my heart, and let His forgiveness heal my life, and me move on with life.

For they will be comforted: Jesus, I can’t just mourn and then decide I have mourned enough. Teach me that time doesn’t have anything to do with it. Help me see that God wants me to mourn UNTIL my heart gets healed. But, He doesn’t want me mourning for the rest of my life. He is putting a power-comfort in my heart. Help me mourn UNTIL God’s power-comfort fills my heart. Help me not mourn so as to punish myself for doing wrong. Let me see that I am mourning so God can bring healing to my heart. Once that happens, my heart will be ready to be comforted.

Eccl 3:4b (NIV) A time to mourn and a time to dance: Jesus, help me see that God can want it to be a time to mourn and dance at the same time. Sometimes God uses the exciting things to drive out the depressing things. Phil 4:8 (NIV) Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. Show me that I may be mourning because I am thinking the wrong thoughts. Help me see that Philippians 4:8 will drive out those bad thoughts and get me dancing.

Gal 5:22-23 (NIV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Jesus, make it clear to me that these are my heart healers. When I am mourning, if it is because something is depressing me, show me that it is TIME to ask God to drive any negative feeling out of my heart with His fruit of the Spirit. Help me see that it isn’t just a season where I need to go through negative emotions and “time will heal all wounds.” Help me run to You so You can heal my wounds with Your power-emotions.

Eccl 3:5a (NIV) A time to scatter stones and a time to gather them: Jesus, I may set up a time to scatter stones in my yard or to pick them up out of my field. However, help me see that time is in Your and my hands. How I use my time to fulfill projects isn’t just a timing issue, help me accept the fact that it is a will of God issue. Rom 12:2 (NIV) Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is--His good, pleasing and perfect will.

Jesus, I may feel like it is time to scatter or gather stones. I may feel God doesn’t care about such insignificant things. Help me see that it’s true God doesn’t care about the stones; He cares about the time. If there is someone in trouble right at that moment and I need to be there, He needs me to drop what I am doing and go. In Luke 10:30-35, You tell about a Samaritan who was taking care of his life’s business. He came across a badly damaged man and dropped his TIMES, plans, schedules, and goals. Help me see that he quit his “ time to scatter or gather stones” and did what God wanted him to do.

Eccl 3:5b (NIV) A time to embrace and a time to refrain: Jesus, You said in Matthew 5:39 (NIV) But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. Is it time to embrace this evil person or time to do what Jesus tells me to do? Is this a season for me to maintain a relationship with this evil person and keep getting slapped until the time or season is over? Or, after I have applied Matthew 5:39, am I to apply another Scripture and get away from this evil person as fast as I can?

Mat 7:6 (NIV) Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces. Is it time to refrain from allowing an evil person to slap me? Or, is it a time to apply the Word of God to the situation and get away from them? Help me always keep in mind that time isn’t the issue! Help me understand that obedience to the Word of God is the issue.

Gal 4:9-11 (NIV) But now that you know God--or rather are known by God--how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.

Eccl 3:6-8 (NIV) A time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. Jesus, show me that Solomon could have gone on and on citing situations like this. But, he wasn’t helping himself or anyone else. His mind was tormenting him; his thoughts were swirling around trying to find an answer outside of God. He wanted to keep extreme pleasure and find an answer in his body, the world, and the devil. Help me be convinced that he was NEVER going to find one there.