Ecclesiastes 6:10 Are you yielding or unyielding?

Good morning everyone! God is good all the time, all the time God is good. TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!

Where are you today? What are you thinking? Have anger? Frustration? Resentment? Take stock in the LORD's prayer, look at it, and begin, FIRST, by asking forgiveness.

Ecclesiastes 6:10 KJV "That which hath been is named already, and it is known that it is man: neither may he contend with him that is mightier than he."

Ecc 6:10 Life App.Bible "Everything has already been decided. It was known long ago what each person would be. So there's no use arguing with God about your destiny."

God knows and directs everything that happens, and he is in complete control over our lives, even though at times it may not seem that way. How foolish it is for us to contend with our Creator, who know us completely and can see the futures.

Look at Jeremiah 18:6 and listen to its words. As the potter molded or shaped a clay pot on the potter's wheel, defects often appeared. The potter had power over the clay, to permit the defects to remain or to reshape the pot. Likewise, God had power to reshape the nation (us)to conform to his purposes. Our strategy should not be to become mindless and passive-one aspect of clay-but to be willing and receptive to God's impact on us. As we yield to God, he begins shaping us into valuable vessels.

Are you receptive? Take time, yield to God and see what happens. Love you all!

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Ecclesiastes 6:8,9 Foolish or wise?

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good. TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

eCCLESIASTES 6:8-9 (Life Application Bible) So are wise people really better off than fools? Do poor people gain anything by being wise and knowing how to act in front of others? (9) Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don't have. Just dreaming about nice things is meaningless-like chasing the wind."

What is being said here? the wise man is uniformly a child of God, the fool is a stranger to the covenant. The poor man is also a member of the covenant community but is limited in the amount of this world's goods he possesses. The people of Israel knew how to walk in the way of wisdom and profit, walking with the LORD.
DO YOU?

In verse 9 Solomon is slapping most of us across the cheek here. Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don't have!!!! We are all guilty of a lustful search for satisfaction and profit. We need to regard our gifts and the giver(God) as the truly profitable objects of worship and quit giving in to our desires.

Our carnal pursuits are like chasing the wind. It is out there, you are after it, but will you catch it? Wanting a new car, a new house, new "toys", new spouse, new-new-new. What does it avail you? Nothing! God has given you what you have, enjoy and revel in the spirit of God. Your reward is coming. Heaven, eternity, eternity with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Wow! As has been said, "it don't git no gooder dan dat!"

Do not trust me and my studies, check out the scripture for yourself; make certain I am on track. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

Ecclesiastes 6:7 Not Satisfied! Only one way!

Good morning everyone. God is good all the time, all the time God is good. TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!!

The Golden Gate Bridge opened 74 years ago today. Amazing how time flies. It seems like only yesterday when I was going to high school. Oops, that was 45 years ago.

Are you satisfied? Are you fulfilled? Are you happy? Look at Ecclesiastes 6:7 "All the labour of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled."

Think about what this says. Well, what DOES IT say? We spend all our time scratching for food or existence, yet it is not enough. Man has the inability to find satisfaction and natural man toils for himself. Can we really be satisfied?

No, our appetites are never appeased. I want a new or better...........and the list goes on and on. We are just fools and fooling ourselves. Well, then, Mr. Smarty Pants, how do we become satisfied.

The Wise man is a child of God and finds satisfaction in God. Oh, yeah, right! It is true, and if you truly do not believe this take time to pray. Pray beginning with the Lord's Prayer, see what it says, then ask Jesus to come into your life. Look around, be observant, that person who was disruptive, obnoxious, and not fun to be around suddenly changed and is fun and enjoyable. Why? In a word - JESUS!

TRY IT - YOU'LL LIKE IT!

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

Ecclesiastes 6:1-6 Practical counsel from Solomon

Good morning everyone! God is good all the time, all the time God is good. TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!

Ecclesiastes 6:1-6 Life Application Bible "There is another serious tragedy I have seen under the sun, and it weights heavily on humanity. God gives some people great wealth and honor and everything they could ever want, but then he doesn't give them the chance to enjoy theses things. They die, and someone else, even a stranger, ends up enjoying their wealth! This is meaningless -- a sickening tragedy. (3) A man might have a hundred children and live to be very old. But if he finds no satisfaction in life and doesn't even get a decent burial, it would have been better for him to be born dead. (4) His birth would have been meaningless, and he would have ended in darkness. He wouldn't even have had a name, (5) and he would never have seen the sun or known of its existence. yet he would have had more peace than in growing up to be an unhappy man. (6) He might live a thousand years twice over but still not find contentment. And since he must die like everyone else -- well, what's the use?"

In Chapters 6 - 8 Solomon shows that having the right attitude about God can help us deal with present injustices. Prosperity is not always good, and adversity is not always bad. But God is always good; if we live as he wants us to, we will be content.

6:1-6 This person has died without being able to enjoy his wealth and honor. Everyone dies, and both rich and poor end up in the grave. Many people work hard to prolong life and improve their physical condition. Yet people spend little time or effort on their spiritual health. How shortsighted it is to work hard to extend this life and not take the time to prepare for eternity.

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

Ecclesiastes 5:18-20

Ecclesiastes 5:18-20
May 25th, 2011 by buford

Good morning everyone! God is good all the time, all the time God is good. TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

We have talked about daydreams, futility of wealth and the love of money in this chapter, chapter 5. But listen to what Solomon says as he ends with the last 3 verses.

Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 "Even so, I have noticed one thing, at least, that is good. It is good for people to eat, drink, and enjoy their work under the sun during the short life God has given them, and to accept their lot in life. And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life-this is indeed a gift from God. God keeps such people so busy enjoying life that they take no time to brood over the past."

God want us to view what we have, whether much or little, with the right perspective-our possessions are a gift from God. Although they are not the source of joy, they are a reason to rejoice because every good thing comes from God.

We should focus more on the Giver than the gift. We can be content with what we have when we realize that in God we have everything we need. When we are freed from troubles and greed, then we will have a heart-joy from God that helps us make the circumstances of a given day inconsequential. May today begin the first of many days of heart-joy with God. Love you all.




In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Ecclesiastes 5:16,17 Work like the wind for what?

Good morning everyone! God is good all the time, all the time God is good. TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!

Ecclesiastes 5:16 "And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind?KJV

Life Application 5:16 "And this, too, is a very serous problem. People leave this world no better off than when they came. All their hard work is for nothing-like working for the wind."

When you work for the wind, all you get is a whirlwind. What good is all this work, profit, effort, toil and sweat when you get nothing? All the days are spent in darkness, anger, and sickness. But for what?

Verse 17 tells us that they work under a cloud all their lives - frustrated, discouraged, and angry. KJV 17 "All his days also he eateth in darkness and he hath much sorrow and wrath with his sickness."

How do we overcome this? Why, then should I toil and struggle for gain? For what purpose. Step back, call upon God, Jesus to help you through. God will send his Holy Spirit to guide thy steps. Look up for what you are about to inherit. Where are you today? Working for material goods, or riches in heaven? Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Ecclesiastes 5:15 Naked with nothing

Good morning everyone! God is good all the time, all the time God is good. TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

Well? Is money your life? Or is God you life? The love of money or the use of money?

Ecclesiastes 5:15 "As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand." KJV

We have just talked about riches, and the love of riches; risky investments, hoarding the riches. Now Solomon is simply saying you will leave the world as you entered - naked and with nothing.

What happens is greed results in a man placing unbearable burden on himself and in the end is destruction. The fortune that he has killed himself to accumulate can be lost in a moment; and then he will return to the place where he will have nothing in his hand.

We will all be separated from our possessions at death. Solomon says we came into this world naked and we will go into eternity in the same fashion, carrying nothing, possessing nothing. A man who has laboured all his life, just for riches, will have spent all his days in darkness, sickness, and anger. There has been no profit in his journey.

However, on the other hand, the man who loves the LORD our GOD, will reap his riches in eternity by being with God, singing praises, and living eternally in happiness, peace and love. What will it be for you? Riches or God? Difficult choice for some, the right choice for many. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Ecclesiastes 5:13,14 What or who is your God?

Good morning everyone. God is good all the time, all the time God is good. TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

Well, how did you sleep last night? Well, because of your labour; or poorly worrying about your riches?

Ecclesiastes 5:13-14 "There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt. But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand."

There is sore evil- the inability of riches to satisfy. Riches can rob a man of sleep and does not satisfy. The keeping of riches is an evil in itself; the man who has struggled for riches considered them good, but in reality they are evil. This is talking about a man who is totally absorbed with this life on earth.

Hoarding money is harmful to the person and a risky business. Money invested in risky investments may be lost and then there will be nothing. When all is lost, there is no inheritance for our children. So, what is your God? Really? Money and this life? OR, the true God in heaven through Jesus Christ?

Money is not evil; the LOVE of MONEY is EVIL! Love you all.

In Christ's Grace and Love

Johnny

Ecclesiastes 5:12 How ya' sleepin'?

Good morning everyone. God is good all the time, all the time God is good. TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

ECCLESIASTES 5:12 "THE SLEEP OF A LABOURING MAN IS SWEET, WHETHER HE EAT LITTLE OR MUCH: BUT THE ABUNDANCE OF THE RICH WILL NOT SUFFER HIM TO SLEEP."

The poor rich man gets no rest. When he is not absorbed in the multiplication of his wealth, his energies must be given to the protection of his gain.

This perpetual concern he takes into the night, and he seldom gets a good night's sleep. The desire for wealth is so consuming that it can only end in the destruction of his entire life.

The simple laborer, whole life is unencumbered by massive accumulation, is free from such upsetting care and enjoys the sweetness of sleep. Even if the poor man's meal may not be quite sufficient, physical weariness has made his body ready to sleep.

Now, the rich man, his abundance of means imposes a disadvantage upon him. I pray, my friend, that you keep number one what is number one, which is God. Work hard, cheat no one, and enjoy the fruits of your labour in Christ.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Ecclesiastes 5:10,11 Money, money money!

Good morning everyone! God is good all the time, all the time God is good. TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

Thought for the day: WORRY is the interest YOU PAY on what may OR may not happen.

Ecclesiastes 5:10,11 KJV "He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity. When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes?"

If you love money, you WILL NEVER HAVE ENOUGH. Wealth does not bring true happiness. Solomon observed that those who spend their lives obessively seeking after money never find the happiness it promises.

Wealth attracts freeloaders and thieves, causes sleeplessness and fear, and ultimately ends in loss because it must be left behind.

No matter how much you earn, if you try to create hapiness by accumulating wealth, you will never have enough. Money in itself is not wrong, but loving money leads to all sorts of sin. Whatever your financial situation, don't depend on money to make you happy. Instead, use what you have for the LORD. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Ecclesiastes 5:8 Be fair, do as God would!

Good morning everyone. God is good all the time, all the time God is good. TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

Please take time today to listen to the words, yes, listen to the words of Solomon.

Man, as we know, follow their dreams and make rash statements and decisions. First, I want to ask - is your response one Jesus would use? I witness this in my church, not everyone treats each other as Jesus would. WHY? If you look around you will see it in your church as well. What are we to do, follow God's word and pray.

Ecclesiastes 5:8 "If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they."

Those who suffer from oppression should consider the way to true profit to be this: the problem of injustice must be resolved by designated leadership. Rulers are to rule for good, and it is an advantage to the country (or church) that they are there. Their presence may not always further justice, but their absence is sure to guarantee anarchy.

One higher than they, Jehovah, will ultimately judge perfectly the quality of their rule.

We must keep to the path. We should worship with proper fear, the God who demands holiness in speech. Avoid making the sacrifice of the fool. How often have you, your family, friends, pastors, church friends made statements or said something that was totally outside the realm of God? Be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slower to anger. Let justice prevail in God's kingdom. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Ecclesiastes 5:7 Talk is cheap

Good morning everyone! God is good all the time, all the time God is good. TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?

Ecclesiastes 5:7 "For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanties: but fear thou God."

This is basically saying talk is cheap, like daydreams and other useless activities.

Men who are engaged in the pursuit of vanities cannot avoid rash chattering. They love to constantly talk of their exploits and future schemes. The wait for some great break that will provide them with the opportunity to demonstrate the greatness of their abilities.

The man of wisdom is not to copy these, the ones who in their schemings allow the present to pass by unnoticed and wasted.

The path to profit and meaning in life is found by the man who pursues a right relationship with God. The cornerstone for all profit for time and eternity is "fear thou God". Do you daydream about things that won't happen or are you grounded in the word of God and don't act foolish? Are you pursuing a good and whole relationship with God? If not, why not start now? If so, well done. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 Be careful what you promise

Good morning all! God is good all the time, all the time God is good. TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 "When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; for HE has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed - better not to vow than to vow and not pay."

Solomon warns his readers about making foolish promises to God. A wise man must watch his words. The fool makes rash promises to God. The fool's mouth travels in areas that his heart has no intention of traveling. This is an exercise filled with danger.

We should all take extreme care in the making of promises to God. A man must never defer the payment of vows to God. It is better not to vow, than to vow and not pay. In ancient Israelite culture, making vows was a serious matter. If we vow to God and don't follow through, God may wipe away all you have.

Deuteronomy 23:21-23 "When you make a vow to the LORD your God, be prompt in fulfilling whatever you promised Him. For the LORD your God demands that you promptly fulfill all your vows, or you will be guilty of sin. However, it is not a sin to refrain from making a vow. But once you have voluntarily made a vow, be careful to fulfill your promise to the LORD your God."

It is easy to say God if you will heal ?whomever? then I will do whatever. Or God if you will do "X", then I will do "Y". Consider your words carefully, think about your vow to God. As the ole man says, "God don't play." Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Ecclesiastes 5:3 Dreamin' and talkin'

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good. TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

On this date in 1947 B. F. Goodrich tire company invented the tubeless tire. This does not seem like much, however, look at the tires, rims today because of this. One little change can be the beginning of a whole new era.

Ecclesiastes 5:3 "For a dream comes through much activity, and a fool's voice is known by his many words."

The main idea here is a cause and effect relationship. The person who frets over a multitude of things will dream of those things in the night. The heavy burden of the days activities act as an effectual cause of dreams in the night.

Also, in the same manner the heart of a fool becomes the effectual cause of a multitude of words. Maybe you have heard the expression, "you only talk to hear yourself." I used to tell my students that when their mouth is open their ears are closed. We learn more by listening than by talking. This is great advice, advice I need to heed myself. Love you all. Have a great day walking in Jesus Christ.

In God's Love and Grace

Johnny

Ecclesiastes 5:2 Think! Speak! Amen!

Good morning everyone. God is good all the time, all the time God is good. TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

ECCLESIASTES 5:2 "Do not be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; therefore let your words be few."


Wow! The wise worshiper is a careful listener whose heart is bent upon obedience. This is in contrast to the worship of a fool, whose worship is self centered and filled with rash and rapid chatter.

The fool's worship is constant speech making, like the pharisee on the corner, and is very shallow. We, as wise worshipers, should understand the divine and supreme position of God, be captured by awe, and our words be few.

We need to let the spirit lead us in our prayer; after all, the prayer is not for you and your pride, but a sincere communication with God. I think of the old man in Colorado at the church pot luck on Wednesday night. He said a couple of things and then simply said, "Lord, thank you for this grub we are about to eat." Simple, obedient, and of few words. May the LORD direct my mouth and prayers today. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Ecclesiastes 5:1 Are ya listenin'?

Good morning everyone! God is good all the time, all the time God is good. TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

ECCLESIASTES 5:1 "Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil."

When we enter the house of God, we should have the attitude of being open and ready to listen to God, not to dictate to him what we think he should do. We must recognize the need for reverence and honesty in worship.

Keep they foot - conveys the seriousness of a man's attendance at God's house.

"be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools" - the man who worships properly is a careful listener. To hear implies not only hearing, but understanding and obedience as well. The fool offers sacrifices in a mechanical manner, but the man of wisdom is responsive to the teachings and prayers of the Temple service.

The fool's casual approach to worship is a great evil. The New Testament is equally sharp in its condemnation of the casual worshiper. No amount of emphasis on grace can justify taking liberties with God, for the very concept of grace demand gratitude; and gratitude cannot be casual.

Where are you? Are you of foolish talk or a careful listener? Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Why? Ecclesiastes 3:16-4:16

Good morning everyone. God is good all the time, all the time God is good. TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

Change your thoughts and you change your world.
Norman Vincent Peale


ECCLESIASTES 3:16 "I ALSO NOTICED THAT UNDER THE SUN THERE IS EVIL IN THE COURTROOM. YES, EVEN THE COURTS OF LAW ARE CORRUPT! I SAID TO MYSELF, 'IN DUE SEASON GOD WILL JUDGE EVERYONE, BOTH GOOD AND BAD, FOR ALL THEIR DEEDS.'"

Solomon reflects on several apparent contradictions in God's control of the world: (1) there is evil and corruption where there should be justice (3:16,17); (2) people created in God's image die just like the animals (3:18-21); (3) no one comforts the oppressed (4:1-3); (4) many people are motivated by envy (4:4-6); (5) people are lonely (4:7-12); (6) recognition for accomplishments is temporary (4:13-16).

It is easy to use such contradictions as excuses to not believe in GOD. But Solomon used them to show how we can honestly look at life's problems and still keep our faith. This life is not all there is, yet, even in this life we should not pass judgment on God because we don't know everything.

God's plan is for us to live forever with him. So live with eternal values in view, realizing that all contradictions will one day be cleared up by the Creator himself (12:14).

If you will, print this off, take time to read the scriptures and think about them or read your Bibles commentaries. What is life? What are you doing with your life? Is there any meaning to life without God? Would appreciate your feedback.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Remember, a compliment is like a kiss through a veil.

What is the purpose of life? Ecclesiastes 3:14,15

Good morning everyone! God is good all the time, all the time God is good. TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

These are Solomon's general observations. Solomon was looking back on his life, much of which was lived apart from God. His purpose is to spare future generations the bitterness of learning through their own experience that life is meaningless apart from God.

Ecclesiastes 3:14,15 "And I know that whatever God does is final. Nothing can be added to it or taken from it. God's purpose is that people should fear him. What is happening now has happened before, and what will happen in the future has happened before, because God makes the same things happen over and over again."

What is the purpose of life? It is that we should fear the all-powerful God. To FEAR God means to respect ad stand in awe of him because of who HE is.

Purpose in life starts with whom we know, not what we know or how good we are. It is impossible to fulfill your God-given purpose unless you revere God and give him first place in your life. Who is first in your life? Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

An old farmer's advice: "The best sermons are lived, not preached."

Be happy, enjoy God's gifts. Ecc 3:12

Good morning all! God is good all the time, all the time God is good. TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

Yesterday we talked about Ecclesiastes 3:11. We are created in God's image therefore we have a spiritual thirst, we have eternal value, and nothing but the eternal God can truly satisfy us. God has built in us a restless yearning for the kind of perfect world that can only be found in his perfect rule.

Solomon continues to write: Ecclesiastes 3:12 "So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can."

To be happy and do good are worthy goals for life, but we can pursue them in the wrong way. God wants us to enjoy life. When we have the proper view of God, we discover that real pleasure is found in enjoying whatever we have as gifts from God, not in what we accumulate.

Ecc 3:13 "And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God."

How is your view of God? Is it help me prosper or may I serve you and enjoy the rewards you, God, give back? May all you do today be for God and in God's favor. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Everything is beautiful (song from the 60's) Eccl 3:11

Good morning all! God is good all the time, all the time God is good. TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!

Ecclesiastes 3:11 "He has made everything beautiful in its time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end."

This verse is one of the most important in the Old Testament. It not only affirms God's sovereignty; but also His compassion. Everything that God makes, or that happens, is the gift of God, purposeful, to be desired, and beautiful (fitting).

When God sends things, they are not only good, be even beautiful.

God created man with the ability to appreciate the importance of what God is doing.
God has implanted eternity in the heart of man.
Man alone has the ability within him to apreciate what God is doing.
Man cannot know the hours when events will come to pass. To attempt the unraveling of the future is an exercise forbidden to man. (Isa 47:12)

Man can, however, know (Romans 8:28) that God is working all things together for His good and with the knowledge of that reality, he can enter into the path of profit and joy.

Go, now, butterfly, and appreciate all that God has done for you.

Remember, to create an asylum you only need a building and a few of the right people; to create a church you only need you (the temple) and with God the right attitude. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny