|
Post by pastor on Jun 12, 2023 2:12:42 GMT
June 11, 2023 Ecclesiastics 1-4
Ecclesiastics is a bummer. Everything is worthless, Hevel as the video called it, smoke and mirrors. Without God in our lives it is true, without God everything is smoke, a vapor that only last a short time. For if there is no God our lives are nothing but flukes, our work nothing but futility, our pleasure nothing but falsehood. We think those things will make us happy, but Solomon found out none of them did. You don’t know who will be living in your house 50 years from now, but you won’t and the people that live there will never know of you. God has made this life to be enjoyed only when we are in dependence upon Him, only when we know that this life is not the end. Yes in our materialist, self-driven, pleasure seeking world, Ecclesiastics is a bummer, the sad part is that it is true.
|
|
|
Post by Poet Maybe on Jun 12, 2023 13:38:49 GMT
Day 163 (Ecclesiastes 1-4) Chapter 1:2-3 {2 “Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.” 3 What do people gain from all their labors at which they toil under the sun?} NIV {2 Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity. 3 What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun?} ESV Everything we do means nothing if we do not have God in our lives. Without God everything we do is for ourselves alone. They are in vain; having no substance or meaning and it will die with us. Verses 10-11 {10 Is there anything of which one can say, “Look! This is something new”? It was here already, long ago; it was here before our time. 11 No one remembers the former generations, and even those yet to come will not be remembered by those who follow them.} NIV
Are we just redoing old ideas, making the same mistakes because we have not learned from those before us? And will those yet to come make the same mistakes we have made? Verse 18 {18 For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief.} A fool may think himself wise and be happy for a while; but he is still a fool lacking understanding. Chapter 2:10-11 {10 I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my labor, and this was the reward for all my toil. 11 Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.}
These two verses strike me with truth. How many times do we seek pleasure of the heart and body? And after receiving it, we find it empty and meaningless. Chapter 3 Has always touched me and revealed God’s gifts are showered on me.
These four chapters reveal to me that all that I do means nothing without God. Even the peace and joy I seek is only found in Him. He alone gives my life purpose and promise.
6/11/23
|
|
|
Post by pastor on Jun 12, 2023 13:51:19 GMT
June 12, 2023 Ecclesiastes 5-8
Solomon starts off here with wisdom that we should all pay attention too. Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. When you approach God, come to listen, come to learn, come humbly and not full of words. When we come before God telling Him what we want, what we think. When we decide how God should be. We are fools. No man can demand of God. No man can define God. Let us come before God as unworthy servants, and God will lift us up.
We live in such a material age that Solomons words are shocking – don’t waste your time gathering riches, if that is the goal of your life, you will be miserable, you will never have enough, you will spend your life gaining stuff and never enjoying life.
Don’t waste your life of seeking pleasure, in laughter, for this is of fools. Life is serious and God holds us accountable. Rather live your life in honor to God and you will find the good life.
|
|
|
Post by pastor on Jun 13, 2023 11:21:52 GMT
June 13, 2023 Ecclesiastes 9-12
Have to admit I am not real happy with the video today. I don’t see two people as writing this, I see this as Solomon writing it near the end of his life, as he looks back and sees the mistakes, and sins, he has committed. Like proverbs he is writing to warn others not to spend their lives wasting them seeking things that will not ultimately matter.
When he talks of death in chapter 9 understand he is not talking about afterlife, he is talking about life on earth and that when we die we will eventually be forgotten. He goes on talking about the randomness of life but here again while he says life itself has no promises it is better to live in wisdom than in folly.
So what is the verdict “cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days. I thought this was a good explanation of it Most likely we will not get much return in this life; Ecclesiastes has made it clear enough that life isn’t like that. But sooner or later deeds of love done from a God-given faith will have their reward. Jesus points out that the greatest and most selfless works of love may not receive any return in this life. Yet, like the merchant ships, they will finally come back filled with blessings. Roland Cap Ehlke, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, The People’s Bible
So fear and love and trust in God above all things, hold life loosely in your hands, and set your hearts upon things above and not things above. (Colossians 3:2), and you will find joy in your life.
|
|
|
Post by Poet Maybe on Jun 13, 2023 16:05:21 GMT
Day 164 (Ecclesiastes 5-8) Chapter 5:1,4-5 {1 Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong ... .4 When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. 5 It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it.}
Do not out of pride or “one upmanship” make a pledge or vow that you are not able to keep. God takes pledges, oaths and vows very seriously. Verse 18 {18 This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot.} God wants us to enjoy what He has given us; food, drink, work all are gifts from God. We should be satisfied with the blessing we receive.
Chapter 7: 1-2 {1 A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death better than the day of birth. 2 It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of everyone; the living should take this to heart.} We often shy away from thinking or speaking of death. But birth is the beginning of a long struggle, death is the beginning of endless joy. (for Christians) As we go into a place of mourning we are forced to face the truth that all will one day shed this mortal shell. And so we should live accordingly.
Verse 20 {20 Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins.} When we start thinking “I’m a good person” or “I always do what is right always” we speak as a fool and lie to ourselves. Read Romans 3:23.
6/13/23
|
|
|
Post by Poet Maybe on Jun 13, 2023 17:43:36 GMT
Day 165 (Ecclesiastes 9-12)
Chapter 9:11-12 { 11 I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all. 12 Moreover, no one knows when their hour will come: As fish are caught in a cruel net, or birds are taken in a snare, so people are trapped by evil times that fall unexpectedly upon them.} No one knows the day or hour, yet death comes to all. So each day we should walk with God, for tomorrow may not come.
In chapter 10 I can not help but think of our world today. In verse 7 {7 I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves.} I think of how we exalt sports figures, movie stars and celebrities of all kinds. And yet the preachers, teachers and even our mothers and fathers we ignore or mock.
Chapter 12:13-14 {13 Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. 14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.}
These closing words are filled with wisdom and should be heeded.
6/13/23
|
|
|
Post by pastor on Jun 14, 2023 20:21:03 GMT
June 14, 2023 Song of Songs 1-4
This poem is a beautiful description of love and desire for each other, and the important thing to remember is that sexual love is a gift from God. Marriage is not only to be about having children but to enjoy one another both emotionally and physically. God has made us to love and be loved and this type of love is also His creation for the enjoyment and the blessing of His children.
|
|
|
Post by pastor on Jun 15, 2023 16:44:30 GMT
June 15, 2023 Song of Songs 5-8
Not much more to add from yesterday. It is a beautiful poem about love.
|
|
|
Post by Poet Maybe on Jun 15, 2023 17:44:19 GMT
same
|
|
|
Post by Poet Maybe on Jun 16, 2023 14:16:47 GMT
Day 168 (Jeremiah 1-3)
Chapter 1:4-5 {4 The word of the Lord came to me, saying, 5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”}
The Lord has formed each of us and set us apart to serve Him; to proclaim His glory and honor His name.
Chapter 2 Verse 5 {5 This is what the Lord says: “What fault did your ancestors find in me, that they strayed so far from me? They followed worthless idols and became worthless themselves.}
The Lord is asking why. Why have you turned away from a loving God? The one true God who has given us everything wants us to see what we are doing when we follow the world.
Verse 8 {8 The priests did not ask, ‘Where is the Lord?’ Those who deal with the law did not know me; the leaders rebelled against me. The prophets prophesied by Baal, following worthless idols.}
We Christians are called to be a prophet and priest; yet we do not call on the name of the Lord. we do not seek His guidance and council.
Verse 22 {“Why do you bring charges against me? You have all rebelled against me,” declares the Lord.}
So we try to blame God for all the troubles we bring on ourselves. For all the bad choices and sins we have done we say it is because God turned away. But God did not go anywhere. It was us that rebelled and ran after the things of this corrupt world.
Verse 35{35 you say, ‘I am innocent; he is not angry with me.’ But I will pass judgment on you because you say, ‘I have not sinned.’}
6/16/23
|
|
|
Post by pastor on Jun 16, 2023 14:29:21 GMT
June 16, 2023 Jeremiah 1-3
God calls Jeremiah at a young age we don’t know exactly when, most scholars say somewhere in his late teens or early twenties. God tells him do not be afraid I am with you, I will make you like a wall, and iron pillar, or bronze wall, those who strike against you will only hurt themselves. I believe that today that is also true, when people attack our faith, or put us down because we speak the truth, and not their lies, they only hurt themselves, for God will protect us just as He did Jeremiah.
Chapter 2 verse 11 really struck me. Has a nation ever changed Gods. Israel had left God and worshiped other God’s along side of the true God. Today how many in the church are leaving the true God and following after worldly ones. Verse 18 reminded me of 1 Kings 5:1-14. While Isael was running after the waters (the gods) of other nations, Naaman found out that it was only the waters of the Jordan (the God of Israel) that healed. Verse 22, we can clean up all we want on the outside but we will still be dirty, only when God cleanses us will we be clean. (1 Peter 3:21, Hebrews 10:22)
|
|
|
Post by Poet Maybe on Jun 17, 2023 13:44:12 GMT
Day 169 (Jeremiah 4-6)
In chapter 5:1-2 we find.. {“Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem, look around and consider, search through her squares. If you can find but one person who deals honestly and seeks the truth, I will forgive this city. 2 Although they say, ‘As surely as the Lord lives,’ still they are swearing falsely.”}
I see a lot of modern day Christianity in verse 2. Claiming to be a Christian and serving only the Lord, they say. But they speak a self-serving lie. They do not stand on God’s word nor proclaim it with their lives. Verses 12-13 {12 They have lied about the Lord; they said, “He will do nothing! No harm will come to us; we will never see sword or famine. 13 The prophets are but wind and the word is not in them; so let what they say be done to them.”}
Chapter 6:10 {10 To whom can I speak and give warning? Who will listen to me? Their ears are closed so they cannot hear. The word of the Lord is offensive to them; they find no pleasure in it.}
Is this not what we are seeing today? Today’s world is finding the word of God offensive, even to the point of trying to make laws against it.
How long O Lord? How long?
6/17/23
|
|
|
Post by pastor on Jun 19, 2023 1:23:20 GMT
June 18, 2023 Jeremiah 7-9
Chapter 7 condemns the people of Judah for their false worship. They worshiped the Lord God it was true but they also worshiped other gods, making Jehovah no more important than the gods of wood and stone. They even offered child sacrifices to the gods, something that the Lord would never have. They never understood that God demands all of our worship and he will not share His glory with another. For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it, for how should my name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another. Isaiah 48:11
Chapter 8 begins with the prophecy of the bones of the kings and prophets being taken out of their tombs. Though there is no specific record of this the Greek historian Horace refers to this practice. In order to pour the utmost contempt upon the land, the victorious enemies dragged out of their graves, caves, and sepulchers, the bones of kings, princes, prophets, priests, and the principal inhabitants, and exposed them in the open air; so that they became, in the order of God's judgments, a reproach to them in the vain confidence they had in the sun, moon, and the host of heaven-all the planets and stars, whose worship they had set up in opposition to that of Jehovah. This custom of raising the bodies of the dead, and scattering their bones about, seems to have been general. It was the highest expression of hatred and contempt.(Horace Epod. xvi. 11.) Epod. xvi. 11. In verse 7 God makes the observation; even the stork knows her time, … but my people do not know the rules of the Lord. Isn’t it sad that most people in the church cannot name all 10 commandments? Have we become like Israel, like Judah?
Chapter 9 concludes with “Behold I am coming declares the Lord when I will punish those who are circumcised merely in the flesh – in other word those today who call themselves Christians and do not follow God’s Word, they will be punished with everybody else, the non-Christians, the atheist, those of other religions all men will be punished, damned to hell except those who are circumcised in the heart. “In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. Colossians 2:11-14
|
|
|
Post by Poet Maybe on Jun 19, 2023 12:34:25 GMT
Day 170 (Jeremiah 7-9)
Chapter 7:9-10 {9 “‘Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal and follow other gods you have not known, 10 and then come and stand before me in this house, which bears my Name, and say, “We are safe”—safe to do all these detestable things?}
For those who think they have a “get out of jail free” card. I say to you; there is still sin, hell is real. And if you continue in your ways you are only fooling yourselves. Verses 17-19 {17 Do you not see what they are doing in the towns of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem? 18 The children gather wood, the fathers light the fire, and the women knead the dough and make cakes to offer to the Queen of Heaven. They pour out drink offerings to other gods to arouse my anger. 19 But am I the one they are provoking? declares the Lord. Are they not rather harming themselves, to their own shame?}
Verses 27-28 {27 “When you tell them all this, they will not listen to you; when you call to them, they will not answer. 28 Therefore say to them, ‘This is the nation that has not obeyed the Lord its God or responded to correction. Truth has perished; it has vanished from their lips.}
Is this not our world today? What was true in Jeremiah’s time repeats.
Chapter 9:25-26 {25 “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will punish all who are circumcised only in the flesh— 26 Egypt, Judah, Edom, Ammon, Moab and all who live in the wilderness in distant places. For all these nations are really uncircumcised, and even the whole house of Israel is uncircumcised in heart.”}
The outward appearance is not what God looks at, it is the heart He sees. The truth of our obedience, worship and praise comes from within not in empty words and gestures.
6/18/23
|
|
|
Post by pastor on Jun 19, 2023 13:31:27 GMT
June 19, 2023 Jeremiah 10-13
Jeremiah starts out reminding the people do go the way of other nations, do not fear when things happens. Today people are all worried about AI (artificial intelligence) global warming, wars, atomic destruction. We are not to worry about all these things for as Jeremiah makes clear in the rest of chapter 10 we have the one true God, nothing can happen apart from Him. But because they became like other nations they will suffer and be invaded.
Chapter 12 asks the questions that so many have asked, why do the wicked prosper and multiply in this world? How much wickedness seems to grow like weeds today, popping up all over, God’s answer is much like He gave Job – can you race with me, can you best me? You are asking things you cannot understand. I like what the Peoples Bible says about chapter 12 The Lord has invited us to come to him boldly as dear children with all that is on our hearts. If we do that, he promises us an answer. His answer, however, may differ completely from the one we had wanted or expected. The Lord told Jeremiah: “Things are going to get worse before they get better. You have just begun to see the extent of the opposition you will face. Your family and friends have opposed you, even to the point of threatening your life, but many more will join them as the years pass. What will you do when you face these greater threats and wickedness? If you cannot race with someone who is on foot, how will you manage with someone who is mounted? If you are having problems where the going is easy, how will you make out in the thickets, the almost impassable thorn bushes and brambles near the Jordan River? “Use this opportunity to toughen up. Rely on me and my wisdom and strength. My child, you are trying to understand matters that are way beyond you. Put judgment into my hands. Realize the riches and blessings I have already showered upon you. Keep hold of the promises I have made to you. These are your true riches. “You may be sure that my judgment will strike all who oppose me. You must not confuse my patience with delay. My goal is that no one should perish but that all should come to a knowledge of the truth. The greatness of my patience is the measure of my love for Judah. David M. Gosdeck, Jeremiah, Lamentations, The People’s Bible
In chapter 13 God uses a loincloth to show how ruined the people of Isael are, and then He tells them that they will drink of His wrath. He will expose their evil. It reminds me of what Jesus said. Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops. Luke 12:3 You cannot hid your sin from God.
|
|