Bible Chapter: Ecclesiastes 11 & 12
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
Don’t sit around waiting for everything to be perfect, because it probably won’t be. If a farmer were to wait for perfect weather, he would never plant crop or harvest one either. So, plant your crop and stay busy. Do the work you need to do and trust God to provide. Outside of serving God, life has no real meaning.
This author has been very successful in life. He was wealthy beyond imagination and took advantage of every comfort that was available to him at the time. Many people were jealous of what he had. At the conclusion of his life of seeking meaning and satisfaction, his final words in this book are this: remember your creator in the days of your youth. Don’t waste your youth. It is often very hard for young people to see the future and realize the extreme importance of serving God. But we are challenged here to serve God and not waste the energy of youth on sinful or shallow things that have no real meaning. Outside of serving God the only conclusion to life is what this author said, all is vanity.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
What was the conclusion of the whole matter? Fear God and keep His commandments. Everyone who grasps this truth and applies it will receive the blessings and benefits that come to life. It is important to remember that God will bring all of our work into judgment. This includes every secret thing that we do, thinking that no one knows. It may be good or evil, but God is aware and keeps a record of life. So, it is vital that I fear God and keep His commandments.
3. How can I help someone?
This very wise author learned the lesson that trying to live life in our own strength and wisdom will lead to failure. His conclusion that submission to God in obedience to His word is the best life, will be a benefit to all who apply it.
Bible Chapter: Ecclesiastes 9 & 10
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
Whatever you do, do it the best you can. It is only in this life that we can work and accomplish things or gain wisdom. Don’t waste your time not accomplishing important things in life. Do your best because none of us knows what will come in the future. We cannot predict hard times when sudden tragedy will come.
There are some very interesting illustrations given in the Bible. Here we are told that dead flies can cause a bottle of perfume to stink. One may wonder about the spiritual application of that. We find the application in the rest of the verse where it tells us that even a little foolishness spoils great wisdom and honor. There are many verses in the Bible that talk about wisdom and the importance of it. There are also many verses that tell us of the destruction of foolish decisions that destroy all the hard work a person may have done. Wise people learn to take the right road in life and fools will go down any old path that seems fun or easy.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
This book talks about wisdom and doing a good job when you work. The issue is not always working harder, but learning to work smarter. We are told that using a dull ax requires great strength. So, stop and sharpen the blade. Wisdom helps to bring success to the work that a person does. A wise person is anxious to learn from others with experience and knowledge to apply what they will share in their own lives. A wise person will not allow his words to destroy himself. Many a foolish person has been hurt by talking without thinking.
3. How can I help someone?
Be serious about life. This does not mean that we cannot enjoy life and have good families and friends. But we must not make having fun the main goal. God has made us all eternal beings and we must keep an eternal focus in all we do so that someday we can stand before the Lord and He will say that we have done well and have been a faithful servant to Him.
Bible Chapter: Ecclesiastes 7 & 8
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
A good reputation is more valuable than costly perfume. This is a very important insight. Not enough people these days worry about their reputation. They do many foolish things that can hurt them and have a negative impact on their lives. Another important lesson is something that most people would rather avoid. We are told that sorrow is better than laughter. The lesson of these verses tells us about the learning and refining impact sorrow has on us. We often learn more through the challenges of life than when everything is going well.
One of the verses says that the wicked will not prosper because they do not fear the Lord. Some may try to contradict that statement by pointing to wicked people who are very wealthy. Prospering does not always mean money, and we must also remember eternity. The very short time we live here on earth compared to eternity is really nothing. Those who fear God will always be better off.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
One of the words of advice in these chapters tells the reader to control your temper. It is very easy to get angry at things that happen in life. There are so many evil and destructive things that happen and, on the surface, it often appears that people are getting away with really disgusting things. There is so much lying and deception that goes on and I am often amazed that people can’t see what is really happening. It is important to not let these kinds of things be the controlling factor or it is very easy to get angry and very negative.
3. How can I help someone?
These two chapters contain many excellent pieces of advice. My encouragement is that people will carefully read them and think about how they can make life more meaningful. Seek wisdom that comes from God.
Bible Chapter: Ecclesiastes 5 & 6
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
Here is some very good advice. Come to God’s house with reverence and respect. Don’t think it is a casual thing to come to God. Worship God because He is so worthy. Tied in with this advice is something that is important for both being in God’s presence and life in general: keep your ears open and your mouth shut. That seems so hard for people to do. It seems more fun to talk and make others listen to our volumes of wisdom. Someone said: God gave us two ears and one mouth. He must expect us to listen twice as much as we talk. An interesting thought.
I love the insight given about money. If you love it, you will never have enough. It is a joke to think that simply having lots of money will really bring your happiness. And then there is this amazing perception. The more money you have the more people will come to help you spend it. You will only watch it slip through your fingers.
Some people work hard to accumulate things and then they don’t live long enough to enjoy them. Someone else gets that pleasure. But, even living a long life doesn’t guarantee a satisfied life.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
Throughout this book we see the contradictions between what is commonly believed by many that the accumulation of things will make life worthwhile with the revelation of God’s Word that life really is about eternity and knowing God. There is always something that appears desirable. Will that one more ______________ (fill in the blank) really make me happy? I need to be continually aware that the issues of life that matter are related to God. This issues of family and doing what pleases God are what matter.
3. How can I help someone?
God made us eternal beings. He made us with a desire for the best (by the way, the best is God). He wants to give us understanding about what is really valuable and what will last. Let God work in your heart to grasp His eternal truths.
Bible Chapter: Ecclesiastes 3 & 4
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
Life is filled with seasons that start and end. Seasons come and go and we have no control over them. God controls the seasons and knows what He is doing. One of the things God did was to plant eternity in our hearts. We have a natural desire for God and eternity. We have a natural understanding that there is more than only what we see here. The human race longs for that. We long to know the eternal God. At the same time we see evil in the world. We live and die. God has given a gift to people that they can enjoy life with His help.
Another observation came to the author. He saw all the oppression on the earth. There are powerful people who abuse their authority and make life miserable for many. So, it seemed better to be dead. That is really a lie from the enemy of our souls. So many people chase the wind of success out of jealousy. Another observation was the hard work that many put into life, but they have no one to share it with. It’s better to not be alone.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
It is true that life is filled with seasons and it is so easy to get caught up in the rush to gain more things. If someone has something nice, the human instinct seems to be to try to get one for myself. But, instead of simply seeking more stuff, I need to see his observation of the value of being with others, of having friends. A threefold cord is not quickly broken. As strength is woven into strength, the result is much more than the sum of the parts. What is more valuable for me is not only more stuff, but developing good relationships with others that we can live and face life together. We help each other. Friends are a great gift.
3. How can I help someone?
We have no control over many things. The seasons come and go. We can’t change that. We can put our trust in God and ask Him to be with us whatever comes our way.
Bible Chapter: Ecclesiastes 1 & 2
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
What a way to start out this book. Everything is worthless. All is vanity. What do you get for all your hard work? The sun rises and falls and the wind blows. Everything is wearisome beyond description. We can’t be satisfied. There is nothing new, we have heard all of this before. The writer devoted himself to find wisdom and he observed all he could. It was all meaningless.
He decided to pursue pleasure, for the “good life”. That was meaningless. He sought major material possessions, homes and gardens and large herds and flocks. He had more gold and silver than could be counted. He got anything he wanted. And his conclusion is that it was all meaningless, like chasing the wind. All of this was done with human effort and didn’t include God in the picture.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
I see some interesting insights here. It appears that the writer has come to the conclusion that life has no meaning. The key here is that life has no meaning apart from God and what He will do in our lives. Life seems to always be the same, and it can become dreary. I can seek pleasure and wisdom. But, the conclusion is that, apart from God, none of it has meaning. God blesses us with food and the ability to gain wisdom. With Him we find meaning and purpose in life.
3. How can I help someone?
It is easy to get caught up in the wild rush for more things, or power, or popularity or . . . . The important thing is to learn where the purpose and meaning for life is found. All of the things we seek that seem so important will one day let us down. God will never let us down. We find meaning in and through God.
Bible Chapter: Proverbs 31
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
Can you find a wife of noble character? She is worth far more than expensive jewels. From the very beginning, God has given us the family that is created when a man and woman get married. Throughout the Bible we see this truth reemphasized and see the importance of founding the home on Biblical truths and principles. This starts when a godly man and woman make the commitment before God in marriage. We see here that a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. This godly woman will do good for her husband and not evil. She is not lazy but is loving and caring for her family. Her family will rise up and call her blessed. A godly woman is a great gift from God. Wives need to seek God and grow in their relationship with him. Godly wives make the world a better place.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
I am thankful for my mother was a godly and faithful wife to my father for 60 years. When my father passed away, it was a great loss to my mother who missed him for the rest of her life. I am thankful for my wife is a faithful companion and mother to our children. Now she is also a loving grandmother. I want to always express my thankfulness for a godly wife.
3. How can I help someone?
To men who are not married but want to find a wife, I say that you need to seek to become as godly as you possibly can be. Then seek God’s direction and look for a godly woman. Be a godly gentlemen and treat women with respect and kindness. To men who are married, I say the same thing and that you need to become as godly as you possibly can be. Then show a strong and godly love to your wife.
To women want to be married. Seek God to grow in your personal godliness and maturity. Only give godly men the possibility of becoming your husband. Don’t be desperate. You will never find true relational satisfaction if you compromise and marry an ungodly man. To married women, I remind you that the Bible tells you to respect your husband. If you honor him in a godly way, you will help to make a very strong home and marriage.
