GOD HAS MADE EVERYTHING BEAUTIFUL IN ITS TIME

THE DICHOTOMY OF TIME:  GOD  HAS MADE EVERYTHING BEAUTIFUL IN ITS TIME

Alrighty! I hope that you are well. On this day or week or hour whenever you are reading this. In this particular hour I  am just an instrument that God (by his Grace and not by might or power) has decided to use to write about GOD MAKING EVERYTHING BEAUTIFUL IN ITS OWN TIME. This topic has been something I have been grappling with in many dimensions. Prioritizing time, because the African movies are just too choke. Appreciating my time, because it's valentines and couples in your face can also choke (Choke is an African slang term that is contextual. It can be used to describe something that is too good, or emotional or  something that hurts. It can mean anything depending on the context of usage).  As well, utilising my time very well, because believe it or not. Nothing, even writing this blog is as easy as it looks.

Ecclesiastes 3:1

New Living Translation

                         For everything there is a season,

    a time for every activity under heaven.

The Bible in the book of Ecclesiastes 3:1 speaks about how there is a time for every activity under the sun.It also says for everything there is a season. I want us to note the word activity. And note the word everything. I don't know why but this word felt good to me because at times as Christians we will be made to feel that God doesn't want us to have a good time or God doesn't want us to enjoy our time on earth. I know for sure that is what I used to think before I got saved. But contrarily this is not true. In fact God wants us to have a good time. But within that He wants us to have a time for everything.

What does this mean for us?

The Bible tells us that God is a God of order. The Bible says everything shall be done in decency and in order. In fact the entire mandate of Jesus was to die for us on a cross to save us from the impending chaos that is looming in the world.

John 3:16 (KJV)

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life". 

That does not mean that we may not experience chaos or be around it. But certainly God came to redeem us from its effects. This is the point I am trying to illustrate. God wants our lives to have order. Good success is our portion.  But in order to attain that good success that we so much desire, we have to function in an orderly and timely fashion. Divinely strategised with each upcoming time and season. This means God wants you to succeed more than you do (God is like the friend that is really rooting and praying for you). 

God also wants you to realise that you can not be out here being random in every season. You need to organise and section your time in every season and prepare for upcoming seasons. Let me ask you this, have you ever seen an athlete being random in any season?? Or a vogue model being random in any season?? But as a child of the Most High God, a royal priesthood you have the audacity to be random in and out of season. Excuse me? Are you not embarrassed?! Lol, you need to get timely and organized this season, ok ?

Fruitfulness

One of the first instructions moreover the main charge given by God to us humans is for us to be fruitful and to multiply.

Genesis 1:28

28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”

When you analyze a plant or a tree that bears fruit. Bearing fruit takes time. Bearing fruit is a process. Bearing fruit also has times and seasons. So I want you to see time in two dimensions (a dichotomy). Number 1, good things take time. Are you expecting a certain arrival in your life? Are you expecting for destiny to manifest?( Destiny is already in motion but you may be waiting for a particular point in your destiny to manifest). Are you expecting God to deliver a certain promise in your life? Just know that these things take time. One of the things God taught me this week was that...a tree does not rush to produce fruit ahead of its time. It takes its time in each phase of a development season. When it's time for it to be rooted it takes the time it requires (concentration) on being rooted. Then it takes its time to develop properly into a tree. And then even when bearing the fruit you cannot pluck the fruit before time. It has to be ripe. If plucked unripe, I bet you that you may still need to keep it in your kitchen or under a blanket until it's ripe, otherwise its purpose is not served. The idea is, you have to give and allocate time for blooming fully to occur in every season of your life. If you are in a development season give that development process time. If you are in a mature or maturing season baby...you better take time and mature beautifully like fine wine. After all Ecclesiastes 3:11 emphasizes  that everything has been made beautiful in its time.

I mean think about it you never see a baby trying to jump out the womb  ahead of time. Them kids will be up in there until their mama don tire. Ok!

So I feel this more so from a destiny perspective and I feel to ask you, why are you rushing ahead of your time ?? What are you rushing for ahead of your time ?? I want to bet you it's probably the instant gratification of success and how you perceive it will make people appreciate you and love you.

I was watching an African Movie the other day, as the self-certified Nollywood enthusiast that I am (blush,blush). And I heard a man say

"if you are not happy where you are now, just happy by yourself at this stage as a prince. Being crowned King will not make you any happier”. You see you think you will be happier when you get to a particular place but nooooo. Happiness just like that plant that hopes to bloom one day, starts now.

I saw a particular Tik Toker the other day, talking about how when he started his business he didn't have the right focus to really reel in the required profits for the business. He says he used to struggle with having his attention divided between many goals and achievements that he had in mind. He neglected to give time to the thing that mattered most at that time, his business. He says until he took time to actively focus and promote his business he sold in a week or a day what he had not sold in a month. You see your destiny has been decided (Ecclesiates 6:10) but it is not until you take the time and really focus on it that you will see in manifestation what was decided before time.

Psalm 1:3

That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.

Time from the perspective of Activities/ Apportioning your time/ Time management skills

(The Proverbs 31 Woman)

Particularly when I think of the Proverbs 31 Woman. The earliest scripture that has stuck with me even before time is that she wakes up early in the morning ahead of time (basically before everyone). She is likened to being a merchant of her ship. Now I don't know, maybe the Lord was trying to etch it into my mind to be delivered from those winter naps. Hello? Hallelujah? Anyone ? Amen?

Proverbs 31:16-17 NLT

15

She gets up while it is still night;

   she provides food for her family

   and portions for her female servants.

16

She considers a field and buys it;

   out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

17

She sets about her work vigorously;

   her arms are strong for her tasks.

And when I think of a Proverbs 31 Woman I think of a woman who is ahead of her time. As in who has their time management down to a T child.

Listen, the Proverbs 31 Woman is a modern day superwoman. That girl has time for everything she even sews clothes made of scarlet.  She is fruitful and she multiplies. She understood the assignment that God gave her right from time. The modern day proverbs 31 woman is snatched, her kids are all put together, she drinks her water and still slays and most of all still has a nice attitude after a long day (that’s what I think anyway). I would need prayers on my mood/attitude if I am pulling all of that off, honestly. 

When you read verse 17 the Bible says she sets about her work vigorously. The operative word here is "sets". She puts it aside. She allocates. Her time for her task. All God wants you to do is to set aside time for your priorities, your destiny. Look as a generation we will set aside time for our spouses, boo things and husbaes and wifebaes. Without a batter of an eye. I mean in a snap of a finger "tell me the time shawty and I will be there for you". Just  like that. But you will not spend time or set aside time for the things that really matter to you. Like your God time. Your private time. All of that. Why ? Because it instantly gratifies us.

The take away and what God really wants you to know is that you should have time for everything. God is not saying don't have social media time by no means. He is not saying don't have movie time. No! but he is saying have God Time and work time. 

Everything happens in your time. Let's talk about having your time.

I uploaded a podcast on Spotify called Seasoned With Lindokuhle. I used to call it Seasoned the Bible Study podcast and in one of the earliest episodes I did God gave me a revelation about everything having its own time. I want to point out two things I mentioned in the podcast. The first thing I want to point out is that God revealed to me what the Bible really means when it says everything has been made beautiful in its own time. We appreciate the seasons (summer,spring,fall and winter) even when the trees aren't bearing fruits. So why can't we embrace the beauty of the seasons that come with our time? You are quick to appreciate the beauty and the seasons outside but you are not quick to appreciate and really take in the beauty of your own life. You see, the Bible has already disclosed to us that while we are under the sun there will be seed time and harvest time. Seed time can be compared to or metaphorically viewed as the day of small beginnings that the Bible calls us not to despise. Harvest time contrarily is that wonderful time when you are collecting all the gains from the seed time. The accolades , the rewards, the recognition and the fame. Just like nature, just like the seasons your life is also called to have a seed time and a harvest time. Quite literally you were conceived as a seed but who  you are becoming in Christ is the great harvest in Jesus Christ Mighty Name I decree over your life. Amen

One day I was watching the retake of Sister Act 2 on The View where they were doing a rendition of the 30 year anniversary of "Joyful Joyful" the song that won the San Francisco High Choir the big prize in 1993. This is the point where I tell you that I am a HUGE fan of the 90s. I was born in the 90s but towards the tail end so I was still a baby and couldn't appreciate the full culture of the 90s. I don't know I just have such a deep connection to the 90s and feel so strongly about the 90s. Hangin with Mr Cooper, those quality jeans and high waists. I think it's just the expression of the culture for me. Authenticity,big radios and good music.Using roller curls to curl hair. Brazilian and Mongolian hair was barely existent back then.  The celebration of colour, fashion and print journalism. Just on the brink of technology enough to appreciate the simpler things in life, like cutting out lyrics and having Nickelodeon time out at 6pm. I mean come on! Oh, also I know the whole "joyful joyful dance". Drops non-existent air mic 🎤. And as the lady sang that opening verse on The View I was just balling with tears. I swear you would think I was part of that San Francisco High class of 93. But child... I was sun tanning in heaven with the angels by then. Or maybe I was just in my mom's or Dad's loins ( whatever).  

As I was balling thinking "man the 90s were the time to be alive". God started to show me the beauty of all the eras. The 80s with the Breakfast Club and Girls Just Wanna Have fun. The 70s with the Hippie movement. The 60s with the plaid and Mo Town.  The 50s with the polka dot. And now with our neon in 2010s and electric dance music. Nudes and comfortable aesthetics in the 2020s and it seems pink is making a huge huge comeback....God said do you see how I have made every era beautiful. It is actually an amazing thing to behold.  No era is exactly the same! And since we use the Word "era" so much to describe phases in our lives do you actually see how your own "eras" looking back were or are beautiful in their own time. So how about now ?? Why can't you appreciate it now? I don't care to know what phase or "era" in time you are going through right now. I want to bet you God has made it beautiful in its own time. 

 Seriously, even if it is your broken or broke "era". It has been made beautiful by God in its own time. Ask someone who has made it past that phase and they look back at themselves and laugh at the time they used to indulge in just "Russian (beef frank) and Chips" and doing dates at the picnic with 'Toppers' biscuits for Valentines.  They laugh at how they could only afford one shoe and how they wore that shoe until it fell apart. Why ? Because everything has been made beautiful in its time. I have so many examples.

Go and talk to a girl who is fully delivered from a toxic, maybe bad relationship. Watch how they laugh at themselves about how they used to obsess and cry for that guy. Go and talk to a mom reminiscing on the birth pains of their son or daughter now that they are 21. How about when we laugh at photo albums of pictures we used to wear. Saying "Oh Lord of what was I thinking".

Why ?? Because everything has been made beautiful in its own time.

So why can't you appreciate your own time? I know you are waiting for God for an expected time. And that goes for everyone. Whether that time is now while you are in your single season. Or waiting  for the season when you will blow up. Or waiting for the season when God finally settles you. Why can't you appreciate your time now?

 If I was you I would be grateful that God stops you from trying to get ahead of your time. I would be grateful for the Grace Gid gives you to stop and smell the roses and take in the ambience of every season you are in. Even the fire season that we do not want to revisit again, because if we are honest those are the seasons we really saw God come through for us. I know and trust me I feel it too, but it is a blessing to be in the season you are in right now. It is a blessing to be in the stage you are in right now. When you read the bible in Mathew 5:1-11 (The beatitudes)

Matthew 5:1-11 (KJV)

And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:

2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

 It highlights the different circumstances when one is blessed. This is one of my favourite scriptures because it essentially is God showing us how we are blessed in every season. Isn’t it amazing how the Bible never says. Blessed are you when you have fame, blessed are you when you are recognised, blessed are you when you have a spouse or companion or boyfriend or girlfriend. It never says that, but rather it says blessed are the poor, blessed are the mourning, blessed are the merciful. All the moments when we don’t feel blessed. Implying our blessings are manifest in and out of season. You are a blessed child of God and we are blessed.  So I don’t know what you are going through. Maybe you have been fighting an impatient spirit like me, you have been feeling like the season you are in does not want to end. Or maybe you are in a small beginning phase and it feels like you are hitting a dead end. Take in the beauty,take in God, take in the message/lesson and take heart in the season you are in. I hope you can recognise that all God is saying in this multiple page post is. Take time in the time you are in. Make the most of the time you are in. Take it all in the time you are in. And more than anything make sure to serve God and appreciate God in every season you are in!! 

PRAYER TIME
HEAVENLY FATHER I THANK YOU FOR MAKING TAKING THE TIME TO MAKE EVERYTHING BEAUTIFUL IN MY ITS TIME IN MY LIFE. HEAVENLY FATHER OPEN MY SPIRITUAL EYES AND THE EYES OF UNDERSTANDING IN MY HEART TO THE POSSIBILITY OF HOW I CAN MAKE BEAUTIFUL AND BEST USE OF MY TIME (IN EVERY ASPECT AS YOU HAVE ILLUSTRATED OH GOD). TO THE GLORY OF YOUR NAME GOD IN JESUS CHRIST MIGHTY NAME.AMEN

LORD JESUS FORGIVE ME FATHER WHERE I HAVE SHOWN CONTEMPT FOR MY GOD GIVEN TIME. FORGIVE ME LORD WHERE I HAVE NOT USED VALUABLY MY GOD GIVEN TIME. LORD MAY YOU RESTORE AND HELP ME LEVERAGE LOST DESTINY TIME.

LORD OPEN MY EYES TO SMELL THE ROSES AND BEAUTY OF MY OWN TIME. HELP ME TO SALVAGE THE BLESSINGS AND OPPORTUNITIES PRESENTED IN MY TIME. DIVERT MY ATTENTION FROM THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS, ACCOLADES AND BLESSINGS OF OTHERS’ TIME IN THE MIGHTY NAME OF JESUS CHRIST OF NAZARETH.AMEN

HEAVENLY FATHER LET ALL THESE PRAYERS BE IN YOUR PERFECT WILL AND TO THE GLORY OF YOUR NAME IN JESUS CHRIST MIGHTY NAME.AMEN

The Dichotomy: God is interested in all areas of your life sis…

Can we talk about the dichotomy of pressing into one thing and then having another thing give out or other things drop. Like you are trying to press into God and your pressing is going alright. But now if you are like me you are too tired to go and brush your teeth and wash your face...can we be real in God's sanctuary. Or you know you tried to meal prep for all week but all of a sudden your laundry is lacking and your bills are behind. Well I am glad it's not just me. As I need great persuasion to just stand up and brush my teeth.

For some reason the Spirit of God touched and moved my heart to this scripture. These days I am learning to trust God's process when it doesn't make sense to me... So let's break down the scripture. In one instance when this scripture says I require that "all" would be saved. I just thought I think this refers to every area of my life. Or all areas of life. Every single part of it. I wish I went to theology or Bible school maybe I would break down the Word saved...listen I went to the Internet and it says the Word saved means (sozo in Greek origin). Which has multiple meanings but mostly it means to save, deliver and 'make whole'. This makes  the “whole” part feel good to me because it means God requires to bring divine completion into our everyday lives...that is exactly what Coffee Table Evangelism is about experiencing God through other avenues of life and through all avenues of life. You see God wants to make whole every avenue of your life. He wants everything to be healed. Not just your finances but your mind, your peace. You see God has our best interests at heart. God wants to be in your cleanliness-brushing-your-teeth business, your drip. I mean hey you can barely stay outta people's business yourself... so let God be all up in yours OK? Ok!

1 Timothy 2:4 New International Version
4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth

And lastly I want to offer that God is and has been looking for you. I don't know what you have been looking for in your life. Maybe it's a man, maybe it's a career, maybe it's a startling star-striking job. But my God, Jesus Christ Our Lord and Personal Savior, The Blood He is still searching for you. Will you let Him find you today, you let a man find you once ..hey if you will join me my beloved in this prayer.

I WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND THE INVITATION TO YOU TO ACCEPT JESUS CHRIST OF NAZARETH AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOUR AND TO RECOMMIT TO HIM OF YOU ARE FAR

LORD JESUS CHRIST OF NAZARETH I ACCEPT YOU INTO MY HEART SOUL SPIRIT BODY AND MIND TODAY. I ACCEPT YOU LORD JESUS CHRIST OF NAZARETH AS MY LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR. I BELIEVE THAT YOU DIED FOR MY SINS AND YOUR BLOOD HAS PAID AND WASHED SHED TO REDEEM ME OF MY INIQUITIES. FROM TODAY ON WARD I AM NO LONGER THE SAME I AM NOW A CHILD OF GOD. I AM FREE IN THE MIGHTY NAME OF JESUS CHRIST OF NAZARETH. AMEN

GOD BLESS YOU AND WELCOME HOME ❤️

My life a dichotomy

My name is Lindokuhle Bhembe and if this was a support group I would confess that I am a certified hider. I have been hiding and running away from social media and away from the eyes of people my whole life. But Ta-da! Like Moses in the Bible God said go back to the place you are running away from. You may not really care but the truth is I quit social media in 2016, my final year of university. I was running from the pressures of fitting in and feeling like my life is not moving. Now reflecting I believe it was a divine strategy from God.

Well this is basically where will literally explore my daily happenings and struggles and what God says about them. You see brothers and sisters. This walk with God is not an easy journey. You see my life is a dichotomy? why a dichotomy (not that you are asking). But I will share with you anyway.On the one hand I am hopeless romantic on the other hand I am a 20-something year old almost gripping onto the freedom that comes with singleness. On one hand I love #childfree on the other hand when I see a mommy and daughter duo my heart melts. On the one hand I wish the hip-hop artist that I like was saved on the other hand I understand to honour God with what comes out of our tongue.On one hand I absolutely love a panama-hat I like to look like I am in the band with Pastor Travis Greene. And if it was by me I would have played the keyboard/ church organ or been the girl on drums and tour the world. So instead I like to draw fashion inspo from them (gosh so cool). And on the other hand social media says out yourself and package yourself into a perfect little image. But God says be yourself. And I am just a barefoot walking_socially awkward weirdo. I feel like curling up during holiday seasons I just need the Grace of God each December yet I somehow I love the concept of vlogging and speaking to strangers about your daily life. (which I still think Peter and the other brothers are quite amazed by when they look at us from heaven). I love Nollywood films( or maybe certain actresses and actors lol) …just putting it out there. And on the other side of the dichotomy is to remind myself to stay in my lane. I am born right between millennial and Gen-Z and sometimes the struggle is where do I fit in and who do I identify with…its a lot.

But you see God has something and offers something in His Word about all of this…so there is it… lets see what God may have to say about our dichotomies…in Jesus Christ Mighty Name. The only thing we are serious about at Coffee Table Evangelism is God

The dichotomy: money issues

Ok so by now you know that the Dichotomy is just general life struggles or nuances that I encounter on a daily basis (or maybe you don't it's ok too). So this week I was in a bit of a dichotomy. It's becoming a little bit cold and your girl is does not have enough clothes. So you know in true Holy Spirit fashion the Lord led me to seek for His will  on this particular aspect of life.This is truly God who led me to ask ‘Lord how can I steward Your resources better as the year ends’ not that I am that holy or righteous it's just God I give Him all the credit. Have you ever prayed or been led to pray but like you are not ready or willing to hear the answer. Kind of like when you ask God…about that cute yellow guy on your DM’s “Lord is he finally the one’? And you open one eye and cross your fingers and hope that God doesn't say anything so you can continue on your less than ‘heaven approved’ escapades (mmmmmhhhhm). Truly deep down you know the answer. ( My mini mission besides encouraging you to take small beginnings…is to always nudge you on those wrong relationships that are not from God…because I know a little too well). If you text that guy just imagine my eyes side-eyeing you and my lips pursed mmhhhhhhm. 

I want to digress by saying this. This is not a get straight to the point platform. This is coffee Table Evangelism and here we put seriousness down and explore God on all areas of life.(Pulls in my breath and smacks lips) 

SO…While also eyeing more pricey things at a particular shop. Not because of anything….but let's just say going cheap has its costs in the long run. So as I was praying “Lord grant me the Grace to be a more responsible steward in Your Kingdom”. I felt a tug in my heart say buy the winter jerseys online (on SHEIN ok ..it's SHEIN). So I was like in my heart no Lord.  Also let's be honest those name brands make you feel good sometimes, full transparency people. Full transparency.

So God reminded me of His Word in the book of 

Acts 5:29 

29 But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than any human authority.

So there is it is my brothers and sisters. With money issues who will You obey ? God or men? God's authority/ divine authority or human authority?(you are men as well). 

QUESTION OF THE WEEK : WOULD YOU RATHER BUY ONCE CHEAP OR WOULD YOU RATHER BUY ONCE EXPENSIVE? I want to encourage you in the festive season when men and manly traditions seek to reign. May the Sovereignty of God and His voice continue to reign on all areas and affairs of our lives. Happy Thanksgiving, Happy New Year and Merry Christmas.  

I WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND THE INVITATION TO YOU TO ACCEPT JESUS CHRIST OF NAZARETH AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR AND TO RECOMMIT TO HIM OF YOU ARE FAR

LORD JESUS CHRIST OF NAZARETH I ACCEPT YOU INTO MY HEART SOUL SPIRIT BODY AND MOND TODAY. I ACCEPT YOU LORD JESUS CHRIST OF NAZARETH AS MY LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOUR. I BELIEVE THAT YOU DIED FOR MY SINS AND YOUR BLOOD HAS PAID AND WASHED SHED TO REEDEEM ME OF MY INIQUITIES. FROM TODAY ONWARDS I AM NO LONGER THE SAME I AM NOW A CHILD OF GOD. I AM FREE IN THE MIGHTY NAME OF JESUS CHRIST OF NAZARETH. AMEN

GOD BLESS YOU AND WELCOME HOME