I have been struggling with going out, drinking, partying and using the excuse “because I’m young.” After reading “know that for all of these things God will bring you to judgment.” I know I should stop. There are plenty of things to do that do not require drinking that let the heart be glad.
I’m reading Ecclesiastes with new eyes and realizing the wisdom and instruction it offers in terms of day to day living. It encourages things that are good for the soul: work, enjoying your work, keeping your heart from worry and fear, grieving, and being present. I’ve heard a lot of teachers refer to Ecclesiastes as the book of Solomon’s cynicism, but I think of it as a book that highlights the brevity of life and really matters. A book in which we are instructed to not concern our hearts over things we’ll never understand or comprehend but one that encourages our hearts to be one with God and take pleasure in his good gifts to us.
Ecclesiastes is such a cool book! It really comes full circle with the theme of the meaninglessness of life apart from God. But, with God, we have direction for our hearts and discretion for our eyes – so meaninglessness is not the last word.
“9…And walk in the ways of your heart, and in the sight of your eyes, but know that for all these YaHUaH bring you into judgement. 10 Therefore, remove vexation from your heart, and put away evil from your flesh, for youth and dawn of life are futility.” May we walk in our Father’s way and may we pray for His wisdom and obey His instruction.
Also, notice how the first fruit teachers did NOT instruct the gentiles to do away with the law. Our Messiah (YaHUSHA) came to fulfill it, not abolish it, in the example of circumcision. Gentiles already knew the Law that Moses instructed Acts 15:19-21 (like keeping the sabbath, which is “Saturday”)
Sharp disagreement arose in the early church, but the people of God came together to uphold His Word and love one another by bearing the weaker brother. Even where different paths were ultimately taken, it was not with the sense of condemning the others as apart from the body, though there is always some sadness in lack of unity.
6In the morning sow your seed, and at evening withhold not your hand, for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good.
Can I merely say exactly what a relief to locate somebody who truly knows what theyre talking about on the internet. You definitely learn how to bring an issue to light and produce it important. The best way to need to see this and appreciate this side from the story. I cant think youre no more well-known when you certainly possess the gift.
Praying for your brother. It may take time but I have faith the Lord will prick his heart and he’ll give his life to him as after 10 years my husband was finally saved and baptized last Sunday. It’s all in God’s timing!
Hi everyone I’m so happy to be on this journey with you all. In the last couple weeks, I’ve been trying really hard to impress people (back at college again) and put my best foot forward to my friends and all the people I meet. I feel like I’m putting WAAYY too much thought into who I’m trying to be. Would you all please pray for me that I can learn to stop trying to be better and learn to just look to Jesus and approach Him humbly? I know that’s the only way I can truly be my best self. Also, today is my brother’s birthday, and he doesn’t believe there is a god so please pray for his eyes to be opened and heart to be healed. Thank you.
Ruby, I will pray for you and your brother. Try to remember that if you have to be something that you aren’t for someone to like you, then you will never be happy with that person. I recently had to discover this too. I recently called off my engagement and had to realize that I need to make myself happy. While meeting new people I have come to the realization that I don’t need to lie to anyone about me because I already don’t have this person in my life and what’s the point if me being me loses that person, then I didn’t want them around me in the first place.
I will also pray for your brother, people who stray from God just need that extra love and push. Keep praying for him and showing him Gods love and God will lead him to the right place.
I pray that you blossom and grow into the woman that God is leading you to be
This is what stood out to me today: 4 “Whoever watches the wind will not plant;
whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.
5 As you do not know the path of the wind,
or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb,
so you cannot understand the work of God,
the Maker of all things.”
I struggle with letting go of control and perfectionism. This reminded me to stop trying and start trusting.
Andrea I feel this is something we all struggle with and that is why God feels the need to remind us regularly because as humans we need to feel in control. Just remember to let go and let God!
today’s reading has such wonderful messages. remember your creator whilst you’re young. we often as young women follow culture, trying to build up our lives and future. but here we are encouraged to sew, and then leave God to do the growing. we are reminded to live in the small present, as young, beautiful women, with no control. for God has control. so live in the present, thank God for now and give what you can. God does the rest.
My devotional reading today was based on Ecclesiastes 10:1 also, pointing out that any type of wrongdoing in our lives is a stench that can turn others away from Christ. Lord, help me to be aware of when I start to”stink” and be willing to allow you to correct my life to better reflect you.
Ecclesiastes 10:10 If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge,
he must use more strength,
but wisdom helps one to succeed.
Strength comes in handy sometimes, but sharpening the mind is key to being wise through Him! I love personal development now more than ever. I’ve learned it’s okay to be an audible listener and visual learner – we each take in information in our best ways differently – as long as we continue to learn and grow is all that matters!
“For man is headed to his eternal home, and mourners will walk around in the street before the silver cord is snapped,
and the gold bowl is broken,
and the jar is shattered at the spring,
and the wheel is broken into the well;
and the dust returns to the earth as it once was,
and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
“Absolute futility,” says the Teacher. “Everything is futile.”
Ecclesiastes 10:1 Dead flies make the perfumer’s ointment give off a stench; so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor. —-So many good messages in today’s reading but this one stood out right away. How true is this of us as Christians? How often are we the fly in God’s perfume and because we acted inappropriately have lost a soul or souls to salvation. Due to the “stench” of our lack of Christian thought, words or actions we have portrayed Christianity as something undesirable rather than as the beautiful aroma of grace and salvation it is. Many times through the day I find myself stopping to evaluate myself and every time praying for redirection and strength. I want to be His “perfume” .
Welcome Eleanor! I often read the comments first, to get brilliant insight from these ladies! Faithful reading to you, it’s such a Rock to me every morning.
I have been struggling with going out, drinking, partying and using the excuse “because I’m young.” After reading “know that for all of these things God will bring you to judgment.” I know I should stop. There are plenty of things to do that do not require drinking that let the heart be glad.
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14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil. – Ecclesiastes 12:14
Yes yes!! I was thinking the same thing! Ecclesiastes has been my favorite reading so far this year.
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❤️
❤️
❤️
I’m reading Ecclesiastes with new eyes and realizing the wisdom and instruction it offers in terms of day to day living. It encourages things that are good for the soul: work, enjoying your work, keeping your heart from worry and fear, grieving, and being present. I’ve heard a lot of teachers refer to Ecclesiastes as the book of Solomon’s cynicism, but I think of it as a book that highlights the brevity of life and really matters. A book in which we are instructed to not concern our hearts over things we’ll never understand or comprehend but one that encourages our hearts to be one with God and take pleasure in his good gifts to us.
✝️
Fear God and keep his commandments for this all that really matters
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Ecclesiastes is such a cool book! It really comes full circle with the theme of the meaninglessness of life apart from God. But, with God, we have direction for our hearts and discretion for our eyes – so meaninglessness is not the last word.
“9…And walk in the ways of your heart, and in the sight of your eyes, but know that for all these YaHUaH bring you into judgement. 10 Therefore, remove vexation from your heart, and put away evil from your flesh, for youth and dawn of life are futility.” May we walk in our Father’s way and may we pray for His wisdom and obey His instruction.
Also, notice how the first fruit teachers did NOT instruct the gentiles to do away with the law. Our Messiah (YaHUSHA) came to fulfill it, not abolish it, in the example of circumcision. Gentiles already knew the Law that Moses instructed Acts 15:19-21 (like keeping the sabbath, which is “Saturday”)
13The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. -ellie
Sharp disagreement arose in the early church, but the people of God came together to uphold His Word and love one another by bearing the weaker brother. Even where different paths were ultimately taken, it was not with the sense of condemning the others as apart from the body, though there is always some sadness in lack of unity.
Acts 15:11 NLT:
“We believe that we are all saved the same way by the undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus.”
6In the morning sow your seed, and at evening withhold not your hand, for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good.
This really stuck out to me this AM
Can I merely say exactly what a relief to locate somebody who truly knows what theyre talking about on the internet. You definitely learn how to bring an issue to light and produce it important. The best way to need to see this and appreciate this side from the story. I cant think youre no more well-known when you certainly possess the gift.
http://www.edsheeran.co.uk
Praying for your brother. It may take time but I have faith the Lord will prick his heart and he’ll give his life to him as after 10 years my husband was finally saved and baptized last Sunday. It’s all in God’s timing!
To God be the Glory
Hi everyone I’m so happy to be on this journey with you all. In the last couple weeks, I’ve been trying really hard to impress people (back at college again) and put my best foot forward to my friends and all the people I meet. I feel like I’m putting WAAYY too much thought into who I’m trying to be. Would you all please pray for me that I can learn to stop trying to be better and learn to just look to Jesus and approach Him humbly? I know that’s the only way I can truly be my best self. Also, today is my brother’s birthday, and he doesn’t believe there is a god so please pray for his eyes to be opened and heart to be healed. Thank you.
Praying for you, Ruby, and that your brother would feel the pull of the Father.
Ruby, I will pray for you and your brother. Try to remember that if you have to be something that you aren’t for someone to like you, then you will never be happy with that person. I recently had to discover this too. I recently called off my engagement and had to realize that I need to make myself happy. While meeting new people I have come to the realization that I don’t need to lie to anyone about me because I already don’t have this person in my life and what’s the point if me being me loses that person, then I didn’t want them around me in the first place.
I will also pray for your brother, people who stray from God just need that extra love and push. Keep praying for him and showing him Gods love and God will lead him to the right place.
I pray that you blossom and grow into the woman that God is leading you to be
Much love,
Cassidy
Wise words, thank you Cassidy.
This is what stood out to me today: 4 “Whoever watches the wind will not plant;
whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.
5 As you do not know the path of the wind,
or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb,
so you cannot understand the work of God,
the Maker of all things.”
I struggle with letting go of control and perfectionism. This reminded me to stop trying and start trusting.
Andrea I feel this is something we all struggle with and that is why God feels the need to remind us regularly because as humans we need to feel in control. Just remember to let go and let God!
That stood out to me as well today! Letting go of the need to control and understand everything, and building up trust and faith in God. Amen!
My first thought as well, Savanah! ;)
2 The heart of the wise inclines to the right,
but the heart of the fool to the left.
So God’s saying we should all be republicans, right? :P
Not quite :)
acts. would you risk your life for the work of the holy spirit?
today’s reading has such wonderful messages. remember your creator whilst you’re young. we often as young women follow culture, trying to build up our lives and future. but here we are encouraged to sew, and then leave God to do the growing. we are reminded to live in the small present, as young, beautiful women, with no control. for God has control. so live in the present, thank God for now and give what you can. God does the rest.
My devotional reading today was based on Ecclesiastes 10:1 also, pointing out that any type of wrongdoing in our lives is a stench that can turn others away from Christ. Lord, help me to be aware of when I start to”stink” and be willing to allow you to correct my life to better reflect you.
Ecclesiastes 10:10 If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge,
he must use more strength,
but wisdom helps one to succeed.
Strength comes in handy sometimes, but sharpening the mind is key to being wise through Him! I love personal development now more than ever. I’ve learned it’s okay to be an audible listener and visual learner – we each take in information in our best ways differently – as long as we continue to learn and grow is all that matters!
I agree! Verse 10 stood out to me as well
“For man is headed to his eternal home, and mourners will walk around in the street before the silver cord is snapped,
and the gold bowl is broken,
and the jar is shattered at the spring,
and the wheel is broken into the well;
and the dust returns to the earth as it once was,
and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
“Absolute futility,” says the Teacher. “Everything is futile.”
What a powerful, poetic set of verses.
So poetic. Beautiful.
Ecclesiastes 10:1 Dead flies make the perfumer’s ointment give off a stench; so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor. —-So many good messages in today’s reading but this one stood out right away. How true is this of us as Christians? How often are we the fly in God’s perfume and because we acted inappropriately have lost a soul or souls to salvation. Due to the “stench” of our lack of Christian thought, words or actions we have portrayed Christianity as something undesirable rather than as the beautiful aroma of grace and salvation it is. Many times through the day I find myself stopping to evaluate myself and every time praying for redirection and strength. I want to be His “perfume” .
Yes! What a beautiful prayer. Thank you for this!
thanks for sharing! its my first day on this plan and it was a bit confusing. thanks for the lovely light
Welcome Eleanor! I often read the comments first, to get brilliant insight from these ladies! Faithful reading to you, it’s such a Rock to me every morning.