With the Best of Intentions...

June 21, 2011


Ecclesiastes 12:1:14

V 14 For God will bring every deed into judgment with every secret thing, whether good or evil

Yesterday one of my children asked me this question, “You think God saw me do that?” well I was sure of one thing, whatever the “thing” was they did they knew it was wrong. The answer of course is yes. Which I explained to them, God sees everything even what is done in secret, even what our heart screams and no one knows but us. This is a common theme in God’s word; we all, who have even a passing knowledge of the Bible, know this. Yet, I doubt that we live like it. I doubt that we realize the smile we wear while we harbor anger in our hearts does not fool God. I doubt that we think about the fact if we do things with the wrong heart attitude, God says it is better to not do them at all. This is impossible to accomplish isn’t it? It’s hard to always do things with the best of intentions; isn’t it wonderful that we have God’s grace and forgiveness!

Choosing to Ignore...

June 20, 2011


Ecclesiastes 11:1-10

V 10 Remove vexation from your heart…

The definition of vexation is basically to be annoyed. So God’s word is telling us to remove annoyances from our hearts. That’s a tall order because that causes us to do a couple of things. It either calls us to keep our mouths shut when we really want to blast someone with what we are thinking; even when what we are thinking is correct it may be given in a wrong heart attitude or will just basically not accomplish anything of value. Secondly it may cause us to speak up when our normal inclination would be to be quiet; sometimes we have to speak up about things that are wrong especially about things pertaining to God and His word. Most importantly choosing to let the annoyances in our lives go cause us to realize once again that God is in control!

Learning What We Teach...

June 18, 2011


Ecclesiastes 10:1-20

V 12 The words of a wise man’s mouth win him favor but the lips of a fool consume him

Choose your words wisely. How often do we teach this to our children? How many times do we explain that words hurt and that once they are out there you can never get them back? Yet despite the amount of times we teach these concepts to our children, how quickly we forget they apply to us as well.

Whispers...

June 17, 2011


Ecclesiastes 9:1-18

V 17 the words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools


“The words of the wise heard in quiet…” the word that automatically caught my attention here…quiet. Yep, quiet. Meaning not yelled at the top of your voice, filled with enough emotion to float a battle ship, at a decibel that would break glass, but quiet. I guess it’s not hard to figure out which is my normal response to difficulty; if you picked screaming at the top of my lungs you would win the prize. I find this one little thing so very difficult to concur. I don’t know why but the more frustrated I get the louder I get. I know that quiet words speak loudest because on the very few times I’ve managed to calm myself down and explain things to my children they have listened and obeyed. Yet, even knowing this I find that I’m still somewhat loud! I can only hope that as my children watch me try to concur this, they will see and understand that only through a heavy dependence on Christ can we ever overcome our sin issues.

A Grizzly Bear, a Salmon, and My Life...

June 16, 2011


Ecclesiastes 8:1-17

V 17 then I saw all the work of God…

For school this summer we are doing math and science (I know, bad Mamma, summer school!!), so yesterday we were watching a show on Netflix called, “Bear Island.” We are studying bears so I thought it would be a good show to add to what they were learning. It was a very interesting show and they enjoyed it. What I really never expected to get from it was a reaffirming of God’s role in creation. Apparently these grizzly bears who live on this island in Alaska eat salmon, lots of salmon, but they only eat certain parts of it and leave the rest to rot scattered all though out this island. The rotting salmon in turn forms compost that makes this rainforest flourish. As I sat listening to this narrator talk about how this cycle works, I thought how amazing it was that God before creation knew exactly what part both the bear and the salmon would play in keeping the forest healthy. I’m reminded of the verse that talks about how much God cares for the birds of the air and how much more He cares for me. I may not see how my actions or the actions of others contribute to the cycle of my life, but I can rest in knowing that God knows and He controls it. We are all the work of God and everything He does is for our good and His glory. However much that concept is hard to rest in when the roads we travel are hard and painful, yet it’s still true, God still control and still has a plan.

The Words of Others...

June 15, 2011


Ecclesiastes 7:1-29

V 21Do not take heart all the things that people say,lest you hear your servant cursing you.


V 22 Your heart knows that many times you have yourself cursed others.

Oh this is a hard one…do not take heart, meaning that we should NOT listen or care about the words people say about us. For me this is a hard one, I’m someone who likes to do my own thing but I’m also someone whose heart is just out there. I like to say I’m emotional because that just sounds better than saying I’m a sap, but either way the words of others can sometimes leave a lasting effect on me. However, the question that I think is important is would I change what I’m doing in order to avoid hearing those things. In other words, do I allow the thoughts and words of others to control me? To be honest there was a time in my life when the answer to this would have been a big “YES.” However, through some major work of the Holy Spirit I can say that I’m much better; not to say I would never be influenced because I certainly could be. I found verse 22 to be the most interesting however. I mean do we really acknowledge to ourselves in times of hurt that perhaps we had hurt others in our lives, so get over it. I doubt it. Mostly when we are dealing with our own hurts we fail to think of anything else but our hurts. Yet, there are no doubts that at some time in my life I have wounded someone with my words. How terrible that is to think about and admit as I sit here. May God remind me of it when I find myself wounded by the words of others.

To Many Choices...To Little Contentment...

June 14, 2011


Ecclesiastes 6:1-12

V 7 all the toil of man is for him mouth, yet his appetite is not satisfied


What a buffet life is? If you look around there are hundreds of things we can get into. For example think about all the choices we have in the tooth paste aisle; I mean really do we need all those choices, wouldn’t one do the job adequately. However, we as humans can’t live with only one; we must be constantly given so many choices so that we can satisfy every little desire we might have. Yet, according to Solomon no matter how much we work to get what we want we are never satisfied. Why? Because what we really need isn’t what we are working for; we don’t really need huge houses, or new cars, or the best clothes. We need a personal relationship with God; we need to know that Jesus is our Savior. Only if these are true in our lives can we be satisfied. Satisfied is defined as “content”, and if we are basing our satisfaction on anything other than Jesus Christ we will always search for more.

No Regrets and a Sweet Sleep...

June 13, 2011


Ecclesiastes 5:8-20

V 12 Sweet is the sleep of a laborer, whether he eats little or much, but the full stomach of the rich will not let him sleep.


When is enough, enough, and what will we do to get enough? I like how Solomon words this because it really is all about being able to lay your head down and sleep without regret. Yesterday, in small group we heard a story about a young man who gave up vast amounts of fortune to follow God’s will for his life, yet, he ended up dying without ever really beginning his journey. In his bible he wrote about having “No Regrets”, no matter what he gave up or what happened to him, he had “No Regrets.” This is what we should desire in our lives. To not regret actions we take or the ones we don’t. To not regret the times we spoke up or the times we didn’t. I firmly believe that the Holy Spirit will guide us in every situation; it’s when we ignore His guidance that we live in regret. It’s impossible to have a sweet sleep while being plagued with regret. However, even if we have to walk a hard road and others are upset with us, as long as we are following God’s will for our lives we will have No Regrets and a sweet sleep.

Actions are Hard...

June 11, 2011


Ecclesiastes 5:1-7

V 2 be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word…Therefore let your words be few.

This passage is warning against making vain promises to perform sacrifices to God without actually following through with it. In essence, if we aren’t going to perform the action don’t say the words. Funny thing not 60 seconds from typing this I just said to Jackson “Actions speak lots louder than words…it’s easier to tell someone you love them but much harder to actually show that love.” Why? Because mostly actions must cost us something. In the days that Solomon wrote Ecclesiastes, to offer a sacrifices cost much money, so people would make excuses as to why they could not do what they had promised God. Same here today, it’s easy to say that we love God in a very general way, but to allow Him to change who we are on an everyday level is harder. It requires us to act on what we know He would want us to do, rather than on what our flesh lead us to. I find it funny and ironic that this passage deals with words, as it is with my words that I often find myself in trouble. Changing how and what I say is hard; it requires self-control in bringing my emotions under control. Actions may speak louder but they are so much harder.

Accepting Advice...

June 10, 2011


Ecclesiastes 4:1-15

V 13 Better was a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who no longer knew how to take advice

When you know that you could be doing something better is one thing, but to have it pointed out to you by someone else is entirely different. That’s when our flesh gets involved, and it’s never a good thing when our flesh gets involved. However God’s word says to be a poor young person is better than being a king, if that king can’t take the advice of others. I believe that God puts in our lives other people to help shape us into who we could be, yet it remains partly up to us if we accept that help. What we can’t see sometimes is how our inability or refusal to take the counsel of others hurts more than ourselves. I’m sure that this King mentioned here has a kingdom with people in it, and they will most likely suffer if the king chooses to be stubborn. Same with us, we don’t live in a bubble where our actions only affect ourselves. No, our actions have long feeling and lasting effects. I wonder if it would be easier to battle our pride if we would stop and think of who might be hurt by our actions.

What You Can't Avoid...

June 9, 2011


Ecclesiastes 3:16-22

V 18 I said in my heart with regard to the children of man that God is testing them that they may see that they themselves are but beasts

Don’t you just love it when your sin hits you smack in the face; no avoiding it because it’s right there? It can come in the form of someone lovingly pointing it out to you, or you can realize it on your own, or worse you can see it in the lives of those we influence the most, our children. This always hurts me most. I know what I struggle with the most, sin wise. I do not want to pass those along to my children. I’m reminded of the verse the apostle Paul wrote about how he knew what he wanted to do but his flesh was incapable of producing the fruit he so desired on its own. Same here, I know the sort of wife, mom, or whatever I want to be, yet, my flesh often gets in the way of that happening. I think God wants us to realize this; He wants us to know that we can’t do it. For it is in those times we are humble and accepting of His help. “Blessed are those whose strength is in You…(Psalm 84:5.)

Take Pleasure in Today!

May 24, 2011


Ecclesiastes 3:9-15

V 13 also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man.

Have we ever thought that God has given us gifts, I mean apart from eternal life? Have we ever looked at our lives all the ups and downs, all the laughs and cries and realized that God specifically designed it for our good? Maybe not, I have a feeling that it’s hard to look at the big picture because we are concentrating so hard on what’s right in front of us. However, this verse is very clear…God has given the gift of taking pleasure in our lives to us. He desires us to find pleasure in our everyday lives. Yet, how sad it is that we don’t; we are either too focused on gaining more and more stuff, or we are too focused on the problems we are dealing with. Is it not interesting that God does not mention only get pleasure if you have everything you want exactly the way you want it. Nope, no mention of that; he simply says…”everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man.” Let’s take advantage of our gift more often…let’s take pleasure in our day today no matter what it brings!

For Everything There is a Season...

May 23, 2011


Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

V1 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

This is a poem in which “the Preacher” lists all sorts of possibilities that can occur in life. He points out that in our lives all these things are possible and that in effect we will all travel down some or all of the possibilities. Being born and dying, planting and harvesting, killing and healing, weeping and laughing, loving and hating; each of these can and probably will occur in our lives. I once told someone who was in the midst of a difficultly that you can rest in knowing that even though the choice wasn’t a great one it was the best one open to you, and that this was the road that God had planned for them to travel. This is true for us all whether the road is a hard rocky one or a smooth one. God has given to us all sorts of experiences and from each one we can become the person that He wants us to be; one who reflects the glory of His son. The hard part is focusing on this outcome and not the actual experience, especially if that experience is a hard one.

An Experience of Vanity...

May 7, 2011


I had an “…all is vanity” sort of experience recently. However, I’m positive that without this study of Ecclesiastes I would not look at it like that. Yet, for me it was an eye-opening sort of moment. I realized, way after the fact, unfortunately. How really vain our lives can be and how very much aware we must remain of this fact? I’m using vain in the way that Solomon intended, really more like temporary, and as such, we should be more careful how we view our lives. How we live each moment judging the important from the temporary. I’m not sure how other people handle it but past mistakes used to have devastating effects on me. I would dwell on them; I would continue to bring them to my mind. As I’ve grown older, and more importantly, closer to God, I realize that God gives us those moments to grow in. Although they are no less hurtful in their aftermaths, I try to not allow myself to bring them up constantly. Instead, I try very hard to not make the same mistakes again. As I stand looking back on my life, much like Solomon, I will have this very real and concrete example of the vanity of life to remind me. Yay me! (said with much sarcasm!)

Enjoying the Moments...

May 4, 2011


Ecclesiastes 2:15-26

V 24 There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil

As the author looks back on his life he sees all that he has worked for and he realizes one important fact; all of us die. The person who has lived a life of fruitful toil the one who actually tried to make a difference will pass away just like the one who lived his life squandering what he has been given. Since death is a certainty for everyone, it is important to enjoy what we do here. As Solomon is looking back on his life he realizes the importance of living in the now. To enjoy today; to live our lives so fully that if today were it we would have no regrets. Who does that, who puts 100% of who they are into each day? I know that I don’t, I know that at times I live as if I’m guaranteed tomorrow. Which I know we are not; yet, on some days this is what my life reflects. We are told to find enjoyment in our work, in our everyday lives. In the just average moments of our life, live those as if they were our last.

Heads Up...

May 2, 2011


Ecclesiastes 2:12-14

V 14 The wise person has his eyes in his head, but the fool walks in darkness. And yet I perceived that the same event happens to all of them

How true it is that most of us encounter the same things in life just in many various forms. We all experience death of someone we love, we all experience arguments, we all experience money problems. They may manifest themselves in many ways but basically we all walk along similar paths. Yet, many of us handle them differently. I believe that the degree to which we are walking, or perhaps not walking, with God determines our reactions. Remember our outward reactions are not the ones that count. The reactions that count are the one’s of the heart that man will never see. Wisdom and I believe that this is godly wisdom, about who God is and what His statues are, will help determine our reactions to problems. Knowing who God is will help us to know how God would want us to react. The more we know God the more we know that this world and all it’s problems are temporary. I also think that God in His word has given us a heads up. He told us that we would have bad things happen to us. As believers we shouldn’t be surprised when we suffer, instead, we should be prepared.

Which to Choose?

April 26, 2011


Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

V 8 …the delights of men

In this passage, the author recounts all that he had accomplished and amassed during his time on earth. As he looks back on his life he realizes that no matter how much “stuff” he has, it has amounted to nothing. All that was gained is the momentary pleasure of what he had. Oddly enough, when I came to the phrase “…delights of men” what came to my mind wasn’t material things or any carnal delight of the flesh. What came to my mind was making choices to do the easy thing rather than the harder but more productive choice. For example, choosing to ignore the fact when our children need discipline and just letting them get by with bad behavior because it would require something of us. I think that in every decision we are confronted with a choice to grow in our dependence on God or to give in to our flesh. It is a battle, and we shouldn’t think that it is anything less.

The Path of Understanding Leads to Trusting...

April 21, 2011


Ecclesiastes 1:12-18

Well I almost gave up on Ecclesiastes after this passage; I had decided that I didn’t posses enough wisdom to tackle this book of wisdom. How thankful am I that MacArthur’s Study Bible can be of great help! Solomon, who had been given great wisdom, decided to apply it to the natural world. He wanted to look around at everything and figure out why and how things happened the way they did. Yet, at each turn his perception became more foggy, and he couldn’t understand anything. Some paths that he tried to “see” down were too crooked and never became straight. The reason for this is God’s Sovereignty. Many times no matter how hard we try to figure out why something happened, we will be unsuccessful because only God really knows why things happen the way they do. Only God can see what will happen as a result of every action. Solomon realized this in his quest to understand. We must too. We will never understand all the paths of our lives; we will never understand why we hurt or why we laugh. We will never understand the blessings we receive of the blessings that are denied us. Only God controls that. It is futile to fight that, in fact, it’s arrogant to assure that we should be able to understand or control. If Solomon didn’t posses enough wisdom to understand, and he had been given an “extra measure of wisdom”, how can we ever assume we could understand? Instead, I think our responsibility is harder than understanding, it’s trusting. We must trust that God is in complete control and we must trust that “He will cause all things to work to the good of those who love Him.”

Pour Yourself Out...

April 19, 2011


Ecclesiastes 1:3-11

V 9 What will be is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun

In this section, the author laments on the vanity of the natural world. The seasons come and go, generations come and go and neither have any major impact on what will happen. Got to admit here I was a little bit depressed after reading this; I mean, if someone like Solomon did not feel as if he could make an impact what sort of one could I make. Then I remembered the author is making a point here. He is lamenting because he has spent a vast majority of his life pursing things that will not have an impact. The fact is we, as women, as mothers, as wives, can have a huge impact on the world. We may die with a relatively few people who know our name, but our influence could be felt from generation to generation. If we raise godly children who in turn learn from us and raise godly children who in turn raise godly children; think of the generations of godly men and women we have planted seeds for. Our family tree could boast many pastors, godly pastor’s wives, authors, and we impacted each of those when we choose to put aside our selves and poured our hearts and more importantly God’s Word into our children.

My Journey in Ecclesiastes...

April 18, 2011


Next on my journey through God’s Word, I’m heading to Ecclesiastes. Not sure why…it’s just one of those books I’ve never read in its entirety. Here’s a little background to get started.

Ecclesiastes is among what is known as the Bible’s Wisdom Literature. The author is most likely King Solomon but there is some debate about that. Those who do believe that King Solomon penned this book believe that he did so in his later years. They believe that he was talking to the younger population and he was telling them to not make his mistakes. He retells his past history of squandering God’s blessing for personal gain and not God’s glory. He doesn’t want those who follow him to make those same mistakes. So let’s see what we can learn from him.

Ecclesiastes 1:1-2 Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher vanity of vanities! All is vanity.

Vanity is a major theme of this book. The word vanity is used 38 times and each time there is a small shift in its intended meaning. This, of course, makes interpretation more difficult. Vanity in Hebrew means vapor. And considering that Solomon is looking back on his life he sees that all those things he thought were so important were but vapors. Only those things that will further God’s kingdom have substance. I wonder if at the end of my life how much will I view as smoke. How much will I have to wish I had done differently? I think that for the most part we all will have things we wish we could redo, but the goal, I believe, is to limit what those things are. Limit how much we will have to regret. The only way we have to accomplish this is to live lives that glorify God, live lives that leave no doubt who we live for.