4 10 32 https://church.jhkpress.com/files/original/14510b5184149a2fdbe8680ebdd91608.jpg d17399bee0d1315d3ef947a378591800 https://church.jhkpress.com/files/original/1805208b0dd03a290526b0f9d98d9939.mp4 ce6811fcbdd4fa82c12b9c322899d97c Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 2026 Moving Image A series of visual representations imparting an impression of motion when shown in succession. Examples include animations, movies, television programs, videos, zoetropes, or visual output from a simulation. Transcription Any written text transcribed from a sound NOW IS THE TIME: Responding to the Favor That Is Already Here Sometimes a door is already open. No pushing. No knocking. Just open. But an open door still requires a response. You can walk through it - or walk past it. That's how God's grace works. He opens the door. He extends favor... And then He invites us to respond. 2 Corinthians 6:2: "For He says, 'I listened to you at the time of My favor, and the day when you needed salvation, I came to your aid.' So can't you see? Now is the time to respond to His favor! Now is the day of salvation!" There are moments in life when everything changes - not because circumstances suddenly shift, but because we respond. As we shared last week, there is a season when we should respond... Jesus spoke to the people of Jerusalem who rejected His love and cried, "If only you could recognize that this day peace is within your reach!" In today's scripture, Paul is not speaking to people far from God. He's speaking to believers. People who already know Him. People who have already heard His voice. And yet he's saying: "Can't you see?" In other words - don't miss this moment. Because salvation is not only about what God has done. It's also about when we respond. Hebrews 3:15 reminds us, "Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts." Notice what the Scripture does not say. It does not say: "When you become worthy..." "When you get everything right..." "When you finally feel ready..." It says: "I listened to you at the time of My favor." Favor is not something we earn. Favor is something God offers. Grace is already moving. Help is already near. God is already attentive. The only question left is not whether God is ready - - but whether we are responding. Philippians 1:6 assures us: "Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." Ron Carpenter: "Not every touch is an instant finish, but every touch is a Divine beginning. When God starts a work, He's inviting you into deeper knowing, not shallow relief. The process shapes your faith so the miracle can be sustained. In the end, the greatest outcome isn't just what God does for you-it's how you come to know Him in a deeper way." Salvation Is Not Just an Event - It's a Response Today is not the completion - but if, by faith, we respond, it is the next step. Paul says: "Now is the day of salvation." Salvation is not only about conversion. For believers, it is about receiving again what Christ has already provided. "But to us who are being saved it is the power of God." (1 Corinthians 1:18) Salvation includes: - forgiveness - healing - restoration - wholeness - renewed life This is why Scripture repeatedly emphasizes today. Because delay hardens the heart. But response keeps the heart soft. 1 Cor 1:18 tells us: "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God... to us who are being saved, it is the mighty power of God released within us." Everything we've been learning these past weeks has been leading here: - beholding - thawing - flowing - rejoicing - loving All of it prepares us to respond now. The Danger Is Not Rejection - It's Postponement Most people don't reject God outright. They postpone. "I'll deal with this later." "I'll surrender when things settle down." "I'll respond when I feel stronger." But Scripture says: Now is the time. Mark 5:27-29 illustrates this truth: "When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, 'If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.' Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering." Because grace has a momentum. And when the Spirit stirs the heart, He is inviting us into life. To delay is not neutral. It slowly dulls awareness. But to respond - even quietly - keeps the heart open and alive. And this is why Holy Communion matters so much today. Communion is not performance. It is response. Psalm 27:8 captures this beautifully: "My heart says of you, 'Seek his face!' Your face, Lord, I will seek." When we take the bread and the cup, we are saying: "I receive what You have already done." "I agree with Your finished work." "I respond to Your favor - now." Paul tells us that when we receive Communion, we proclaim the Lord's death until He comes. We are declaring: - forgiveness is mine - healing is available - grace is sufficient - salvation is active - now So today, there is no pressure. No striving. No fear. Just an invitation. This morning, nothing needs to be forced. Nothing needs to be proved. The door is already open. The only question is... will we respond? If your heart has been stirred... If something has softened... If you sense Grace drawing you closer... Don't rush past it. Because now is the time to respond to His favor. Now is the day of salvation. John 6:37 promises: "The one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out." Prayer: Lord Jesus, I respond to Your favor today. I receive Your grace - not someday, but now. I open my heart to Your forgiveness, Your healing, Your restoring life. I turn from self-effort and trust in Your finished work. Thank You for meeting me in this moment. I receive what You have freely given. Amen. Romans 5:17 affirms: "...much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ." Will you be open to Receive today? The Change You Seek - can you go from Resolutions to Revelation today? Holy Communion When Jesus was with His disciples in the Upper Room He told them, "I have longed to share this meal with you" (Luke 22:15) As we receive the bread and the cup today, let this be a moment of agreement with grace... in alignment with God's Perfect Plan. Taking the bread and the cup His body - broken for your healing His blood - poured out for your forgiveness Not trying. Not striving. Simply responding... Because now is the time. And now is the day of salvation. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Now is the Time 现在是时候了 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 01/18/2026 Description An account of the resource 2 Cor 6:2: For he says, “I listened to you at the time of my favor. And the day when you needed salvation, I came to your aid”.” So can’t you see? Now is the time to respond to his favor! Now is the day of salvation! 歌 林 多 後 書 6:2: 因 为 他 说 ： 在 悦 纳 的 时 候 ， 我 应 允 了 你 ； 在 拯 救 的 日 子 ， 我 搭 救 了 你 。 看 哪 ！ 现 在 正 是 悦 纳 的 时 候 ； 现 在 正 是 拯 救 的 日 子 。 (page 1875) Hebrews 3:15: Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts. 希 伯 來 書 3:15: 正如《经》里写到的：“今日，如果你们听到上帝的声音，不要固执，不要像过去那样对抗上帝。” (pg 1942) Philippians 1:6: Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. 腓 立 比 書 1:6: 我坚信，在你们中间开始这项美好事业的上帝，一定会继续这项工作，直到耶稣基督重返那天，并把它完成。(pg 1902) 1 Cor 1:18: For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 哥林多前书 1:18: 因为十字架的道理，对走向灭亡的人来说是愚笨的，但对我们这些得救的人，却是　神的大能。 (page 1848) Romans 5:17: ...much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. 羅 馬 書 5:17: 如果因一人的过犯，死亡就借着那人做了王，那么接受上帝洪恩又得到祂所赐之义的人，岂不更要借着耶稣基督一人在生命中做王吗？ (p 1828) Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Pastor: Mike Koger Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Hillside United Methodist Church 3737 US 80 Phenix City AL 36870 United States https://church.jhkpress.com/files/original/c8620d8fadcd1a311f8fbe8ae897fd8c.jpeg 81c0530320f00f9188011fb91914509c https://church.jhkpress.com/files/original/96d9e00a5722b5622bf635907f7db453.mp4 a21a53c0b0fd1a7b6f602093d72efe62 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 2026 Moving Image A series of visual representations imparting an impression of motion when shown in succession. Examples include animations, movies, television programs, videos, zoetropes, or visual output from a simulation. Transcription Any written text transcribed from a sound Discern the SEASONS I’m listening to an audio program called “The Miracle Morning After 50” It’s based on a best-selling program called “The Miracle Morning” and designed for people who are… over 50. It’s a plan to help you make the most of your days – making new daily choices – starting from the moment you get up out of bed.. Scripture teaches us a profound truth: we need to prepare in advance for what lies ahead. There are seasons of preparation and seasons that should reflect completion. Proverbs 20:4 reminds us: "Some people are too lazy to plant seeds. So at harvest time, they look for food and find nothing." Winter time in Alabama can mean anything from one day to the next Though the weather shifts weekly, we are indeed, still in a season. From Genesis forward, God established this principle: "As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest..." We understand the four seasons of nature, but what about the other seasons Scripture reveals to us? Seedtime and harvest are both real seasons, each with distinct purposes and impacts. Ecc 3:1 declares: "To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven." Seasons change. Our responsibility is to discern our current season. “I choose purpose over impulse” (don’t let external seasons impact your spiritual season) Proverbs 4:25 instructs: "Set your gaze on the path before you. With fixed purpose, looking straight ahead, ignore life's distractions." If we continually look backward at seasons past, we'll miss the season we're in. Missing your season means losing something irretrievable. The restlessness you feel may be because you need to catch up to what should be your present season. We must be sober-minded, observant, and aware. Jesus taught this principle when He said, "Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near" (Matthew 24:32). Proverbs 10:5 warns: "A wise youth makes hay while the sun shines, but what a shame to see a lad who sleeps away his hour of opportunity." Failing to observe changing seasons can bring regret. Some regrets may be minor—easily dismissed: "I wish I had set my alarm" or "I wish I had remembered to buy milk." Other regrets cut deeper and bring lasting pain: "I wish I had told them I loved them" or "I wish I had told them I forgave them" or "I wish I hadn't spoken those words." Ignoring the changing seasons can sometimes lead to profound regret. 2 Cor 4:18 reminds us: "...we don't focus our attention on what is seen but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but the unseen realm is eternal." There are seasons to recognize in every dimension of our lives—in our natural lives and our spiritual lives. There are seasons in our society, our nation, and our world... and crucially, there are seasons in the Kingdom of God. (not “age sensitive”) Psalm 102:13 speaks of when "the set time has come." Romans 13:11 urges: "And now consider this. You know well the times you are living in. It is time for you to wake up and see what is right before your eyes: for salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed." "To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven." I firmly believe, as Scripture confirms, that we are always in some type of season—whether preparation or completion. (or somewhere in-between) You cannot experience satisfactory completion without proper preparation. In Genesis 41, God revealed to Joseph that seven years of abundance would be followed by seven years of devastating famine. Joseph advised Pharaoh to store grain during the plentiful years to prepare for the coming scarcity, which would be so severe that "the abundance in the land will not be remembered." Because Joseph discerned the season and obeyed God, not only was Egypt saved, but Genesis tells us that "all the world came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph, because the famine was severe everywhere." Had Joseph not responded, all would have been lost. How devastating would that regret have been? God guided him to take the proper steps to prepare—to work in the proper season. Proverbs 6:6-8 instructs: "Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest." What we've covered so far is practical and natural, though it still requires wisdom. But there's certainly a spiritual dimension to our preparations as well. God's Word clearly directs us to observe the seasons and prepare—not to coast passively through our lives. Discerning the seasons requires wisdom. Proverbs 9:10 tells us, "The starting point for acquiring wisdom is to be consumed with awe as you worship the Lord." "To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven." Amos 8:11 warns: "'The days are coming,' declares the Sovereign Lord, 'when I will send a famine through the land—not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the Lord.'" How should we be preparing? How should we now be storing up spiritual resources? 2 Timothy 2:15 exhorts: "Study and do your best to present yourself to God approved, a workman tested by trial who has no reason to be ashamed, accurately handling and skillfully teaching the word of truth." When you squeeze an orange, what comes out? Orange juice. What comes out of you when life's pressures squeeze you hard? Are you filling your spiritual reservoir with proper nourishment? How can we hear from the Lord if we're not listening—if we're not allowing His Word to speak to our hearts? "For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven." GOD says, "Step into My New Thing." I learned something new and amazing on Friday: “Clarity follows order.” Unnecessary clutter reflects our resistance to moving on with the new season that God wants to give us. Hoarding and holding on to unnecessary clutter is an outward expression of, “My best days are behind me.” Our external environment should declare, “I am ready for the new thing that God has for me.” There is a season you have seen in your heart of what you truly believe God has wanted to do in your life. In you family. In your business. In your health. It is to time to come into alignment with that season. Answer the restlessness with a true shift. To “call things that be not as though they were.” This season God wants to take us into is not limited by what others think we should walk in. 1 Cor 1:30: For it is not from man that we draw our life but from God as we are being joined to Jesus, the Anointed One. And now he is our God-given wisdom, our virtue, our holiness, and our redemption. We must not miss our season to hear from God — and to respond to that still, small voice of the Holy Spirit. In the Spirit, GOD can shift our season in an instant – but it may take a while for our souls to catch up. (ponder) Isaiah 55:6 urges: "Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near." "So turn your attention and seek the Eternal One while it is still possible; call on Him while He is nearby." This indicates there is a finite window of opportunity—a window of His Grace. As Hebrews reminds us, quoting the Psalmist: "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts." To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven. Seasons always exist. Seasons change. Seasons end. "It's better to know Him before you meet Him." “Buy your coat before the cold weather arrives.” Romans 10:9 promises: "If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Acts 4:12 declares: "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." Romans 10:13 assures us: "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Will you call on Jesus today? To everything there is a season. One day this door—this season—will close. Romans 13:12 urges: "Night is almost over, and day will soon appear. We must stop behaving as people do in the dark and be ready to live in the light." Stop merely reacting to external seasons and instead respond to GOD's Kingdom Season. GOD says, "Step into My New Thing." Father God, We recognize that You are the Lord of seasons. Today, we choose awareness over distraction and purpose over impulse. Where we have drifted, bring us back into alignment. Where we have delayed, give us grace to respond. We do not want to miss what You are doing in this season. We choose to seek You while You are near, to hear Your voice, and to step into the new thing You are calling us into. We commit our hearts and our future to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Discern the Seasons 分辨季节 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 01/11/2026 Description An account of the resource Ecc 3:1: To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven 传道书 3:1: 天下万物都有定期，凡事都有定时。(page 1089) Prov 10:5: A wise youth makes hay while the sun shines, but what a shame to see a lad who sleeps away his hour of opportunity. 箴言 10:5: 夏天聚敛的是智慧之子，收割时沉睡的是贻羞之子。 Romans 13:11: And now consider this. You know well the times you are living in. It is time for you to wake up and see what is right before your eyes: for salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. 羅 馬 書 13:11: 你们知道我们处在一个重要的时代，所以我说了这番话。现在是应该从沉睡中醒来的时候了，因为现在我们的拯救比最初相信时更接近我们了。(pg 1841) Amos 8:11 - “The days are coming,” declares the Sovereign LORD, “when I will send a famine through the land— not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD.” 阿 摩 司 書 8:11: 主 耶 和 华 说 ： 日 子 将 到 ， 我 必 命 饥 荒 降 在 地 上 。 人 饥 饿 非 因 无 饼 ， 乾 渴 非 因 无 水 ， 乃 因 不 听 耶 和 华 的 话 。(page 1495) Isaiah 55:6 - Seek the LORD while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. 以 賽 亞 書 55:6: 要趁着还可以找到耶和华的时候寻找祂， 趁祂还在附近的时候求告祂。(p 1961) Romans 10:9 - “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” 罗马书 10:9: 你若口里承认耶稣是主，心里相信上帝使祂从死里复活，就必得救。 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Pastor: Mike Koger Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Hillside United Methodist Church 3737 US 80 Phenix City AL 36870 United States