I like the phrase that Solomon uses, "God has set eternity in the hearts of men." There's a lot of depth in that statement. We long for God, because we are made in His image. We are basically indestructible, so thoughts of where to spend the life after this one must be considered. God has a plan. These thoughts all come to mind.
There's much of Solomon's writings that I like. Some of it I don't. Meaningless! Meaningless! I don't think everything lived out here on earth is meaningless. Maybe that's just from my perspective in this point in history, because I know Christ. Maybe it's just because I am in no way as wise as Solomon. I think that there is a lot to learn from Solomon's life and writings though.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
May 30th
Ecclesiastes 7
10 Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?”
For it is not wise to ask such questions.
How often have I thought this! It is up to us to make these days the best that they can be!
Ecclesiastes 7
21 Do not pay attention to every word people say,
or you may hear your servant cursing you—
22 for you know in your heart
that many times you yourself have cursed others.
It's so easy to judge everyone else by a different standard than you use for yourself! We're understanding of our own shortcomings, but impatient with other's.
10 Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?”
For it is not wise to ask such questions.
How often have I thought this! It is up to us to make these days the best that they can be!
Ecclesiastes 7
21 Do not pay attention to every word people say,
or you may hear your servant cursing you—
22 for you know in your heart
that many times you yourself have cursed others.
It's so easy to judge everyone else by a different standard than you use for yourself! We're understanding of our own shortcomings, but impatient with other's.
May 29th
Ecclesiastes 5
1 [a]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.
2 Do not be quick with your mouth,
do not be hasty in your heart
to utter anything before God.
God is in heaven
and you are on earth,
so let your words be few.
This reminds me of the scripture that tells us to "be still before God." Humility before God is a big thing. When we speak many many words before the Lord we tend to bring ourselves up and lower Him down.
Ecclesiastes 5
10 Whoever loves money never has enough;
whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income.
This too is meaningless.
11 As goods increase,
so do those who consume them.
And what benefit are they to the owners
except to feast their eyes on them?
This makes a lot of sense and is true in my own experience. It is better to be content with a little than consumed in materialism. Will the Lord provide for us or will we try to provide huge amounts of wealth for ourselves.
Ecclesiastes 7
13 Consider what God has done:
Who can straighten
what he has made crooked?
14 When times are good, be happy;
but when times are bad, consider this:
God has made the one
as well as the other.
Ahhh, this is so true. It's hard for us to be content when times are hard, but some of the best refining of us as God's children comes during times of trial. It's true that God makes both the good and hard times. Help us Lord to remember this in difficult times.
1 [a]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.
2 Do not be quick with your mouth,
do not be hasty in your heart
to utter anything before God.
God is in heaven
and you are on earth,
so let your words be few.
This reminds me of the scripture that tells us to "be still before God." Humility before God is a big thing. When we speak many many words before the Lord we tend to bring ourselves up and lower Him down.
Ecclesiastes 5
10 Whoever loves money never has enough;
whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income.
This too is meaningless.
11 As goods increase,
so do those who consume them.
And what benefit are they to the owners
except to feast their eyes on them?
This makes a lot of sense and is true in my own experience. It is better to be content with a little than consumed in materialism. Will the Lord provide for us or will we try to provide huge amounts of wealth for ourselves.
Ecclesiastes 7
13 Consider what God has done:
Who can straighten
what he has made crooked?
14 When times are good, be happy;
but when times are bad, consider this:
God has made the one
as well as the other.
Ahhh, this is so true. It's hard for us to be content when times are hard, but some of the best refining of us as God's children comes during times of trial. It's true that God makes both the good and hard times. Help us Lord to remember this in difficult times.
Friday, May 27, 2011
May 28th
I liked that God continued to bless Solomon, because of his servant David. It reminds me that God blesses the children of the righteous for generations. It makes me glad that my father and mother were very righteous!
May 27th
I hate reading about Solomon's fall. It's hard to see how the wisest man on earth could worship idols, especially after God had appeared to him. When we start looking away from God even our "great" wisdom can't lead us in the right way to go.
May 26th
10 [b]A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
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.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
I must say that as I read this section about the "noble wife" that I really started to realize that this is describing my wife, Karen. So many of these attributes describe her perfectly. Probably the one that really hits the mark is how she loves the Lord. She is my gift her on this earth. Thank you, Lord!
May 25th
7 “Two things I ask of you, LORD;
do not refuse me before I die:
8 Keep falsehood and lies far from me;
give me neither poverty nor riches,
but give me only my daily bread.
9 Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you
and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’
Or I may become poor and steal,
and so dishonor the name of my God
How important it is to be satisfied. Contentment with godliness is great gain!
do not refuse me before I die:
8 Keep falsehood and lies far from me;
give me neither poverty nor riches,
but give me only my daily bread.
9 Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you
and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’
Or I may become poor and steal,
and so dishonor the name of my God
How important it is to be satisfied. Contentment with godliness is great gain!
May 24th
1 A good name is more desirable than great riches;
to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.
to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.
9 If you take your neighbor to court,
do not betray another’s confidence,
10 or the one who hears it may shame you
and you will never lose your bad reputation.
do not betray another’s confidence,
10 or the one who hears it may shame you
and you will never lose your bad reputation.
Being able to hold your tongue is a virtue. Have you ever shared something with someone only to find that everyone else soon knows it. Most people in the world I think would rather have the money than the good reputation. Have you ever wondered why people go on these reality tv shows like Jerry Springfield? When something bad happens to most people and some newsperson pushes a camera in their face they immediately spill their guts!
May 23rd
Proverbs 3
27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
when it is in your power to act.
28 Do not say to your neighbor,
“Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”—
when you already have it with you
I like that God encourages us to take care of the needs of others. How my life is different, because I know the Lord.
27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
when it is in your power to act.
28 Do not say to your neighbor,
“Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”—
when you already have it with you
I like that God encourages us to take care of the needs of others. How my life is different, because I know the Lord.
May 22nd
Proverbs 20
22 Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!”
Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you.
This is the same idea Jesus spoke years later. We are supposed to love our enemies and do good for them. This is really a trust issue for the Lord. Will we wait for Him to take care of us?
22 Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!”
Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you.
This is the same idea Jesus spoke years later. We are supposed to love our enemies and do good for them. This is really a trust issue for the Lord. Will we wait for Him to take care of us?
Friday, May 20, 2011
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Monday, May 9, 2011
Friday, May 6, 2011
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Monday, May 2, 2011
Sunday, May 1, 2011
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