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Ecclesiastes 3 - Day 1061 (link to reading)
Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3 Commentary (thewarehouse.blog): God has a plan for His people. It’s always been there and stands even to the end of this life we live. Through Solomon’s words, we realize very simply that life is filled with cycles. Cycles of joy and sorrow, cycles of life and death, or even at times the monotony of things all are part of our earthly experiences. Many a time the things we encounter through the life we live walk us through the shadow of death. Death of not only a person but death of things that were once important. He uses these things to draw us past the barriers we may face to trust Him. For as Solomon pens, “He makes everything beautiful in its time”, his point is all the experiences we encounter from the good the bad is still in the hand or oversight of God. There is a discovery through all of the things life throws at us a peace only which can be found in our trust. For this speaks to the mysterious and perfect timing of God. It is never in our own timeframe. Yet, he uses these things that have gone from the highs to the lows to bring His own timing and reflection of His glory. Application: Which "cycle of life" are you currently in? Where do you put your trust? What are the hurts that need to be healed? Who are you trusting during this specific time? Prayer: Lord I need You... Ecclesiastes 2 - Day 1060 (link to reading)www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ecclesiastes+2&version=NLT
Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:9 Commentary (workingpreacher.org): What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done; there is nothing new under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 2:9) Don’t you just feel that way sometimes? Maybe even a lot of the time? There is nothing new in this world; it’s always the same old thing, day after day after day. The same demands are placed on you day in and day out, at work, at home. The same conversations, the same arguments even, with co-workers, spouses, children. And children, at this point in the summer, endlessly repeat the same hot, sticky complaints of boredom. Nothing ever really gets finished; nothing is ever settled; nothing will ever be just right. And for what? Just, it sometimes seems, so that we can get up the next day and do it all again? What a waste of breath. Application: Ecclesiastes 2:9 can easily drive a person to despair. Thank God, that's just one perspective. The author eventually points out that we can find contentment in Jesus, but why wait? Prayer: Lord, You alone I long to worship... Ecclesiastes 1 - Day 1059 (link to reading)
Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:2-11 Commentary (thewarehouse.blog): Written over 3000 years ago, much of the message of Ecclesiastes still resonates. Pursuing things, people, objects, power and pleasure bring nothing more than emptiness. It’s the ongoing dilemma humankind has faced since the garden. This is Solomon’s written words of emptiness found in pursuit of anything but God. A king who ruled during the Golden Age of Israel, he had been given much. Wisdom, discernment, riches and physical pleasures were at his beck and call. Yet, he remained disillusioned by their hollowness. Although he was gifted by God with everything imaginable, he would fail to even heed his own advice. He sought after the world and forgot God. It would not be until later in his years where he would take a hard look at himself and all he had experienced where the regret and bitterness of his pursuits had brought nothing. Application: What is the meaning of life? What motivates you to get up in the morning? Why do you do what you do? Prayer: Lord, show me Your face... 2 Thessalonians 3 - Day 1058 (link to reading)
Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15 Observation: Paul exhorts the Thessalonians to live like Christ by following their example. Application: Sometimes, loving your brothers and sisters in Christ means keeping your distance. When God's children choose to abuse their freedoms in Christ and live idle lives, we are to graciously warn them. However, if they aren't willing to listen, then we are to love them from a distance. Prayer: Lord, help me to love and not judge while keeping good boundaries... 2 Thessalonians 2 - Day 1057 (link to reading)
Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:5-9 Commentary: Some members of the Thessalonian church had recently been persuaded that the Day of the Lord, described in 1 Thess 5:2–6 as destined to come when least expected and take the unwary by surprise, had already arrived. This was causing them bewilderment and anxiety; it was difficult to reconcile this account of the matter with the teaching they had already received from Paul and his companions. Paul and his companions had learned of this strange notion which their friends were entertaining, but plainly were not sure where they had gotten it from. Bruce, F. F. (1982). 1 and 2 Thessalonians (Vol. 45, p. 175). Dallas: Word, Incorporated. Application: Our hope is in Christ and Him alone. He is our Savior, Redeemer, and King who has already overcome our enemy. I know it's hard to live in this reality as our world continues to fall apart. Be steadfast, trust God and obey His commands to love Him, love others, and teach people how to be like Jesus. Prayer: Lord, I need You... |
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