Man’s Duty

"The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails---given by one Shepherd. Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them. Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body. Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgement, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil." Ecclesiastes 12:11-14

Today, we will use the phrase by phrase commentary method of conveying some deeper meaning to the closing words of Solomon in the Book of Ecclesiastes. Solomon really does an excellent job of wrapping up what is truly important. We would do well to take his counsel to heart and learn from the wisdom that God has given him.

Looking Within

"This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word." Isaiah 66:2b

In the midst of pronouncing God's judgement on the people of Israel for their rebellion and disobedience are nestled these words of hope. Though much of the Old Testament is extremely indicting and very convicting with its harsh references to our sin and wantonness, always there is hope. God is a gracious and forgiving God, Holy and Mighty, and merciful. We should never presume upon His grace or mercy. We should always try to come to Him with the heart He expects us to come with; with the spirit that is humble, and contrite, and that trembles at His word. His Word saves and His Word judges. His salvation is perfect and so is His judgement.

Wonderfully Sad and Terribly Meaningful

"I call to you , O Lord, every day; I spread out my hands to you." Psalm 88:9b

This has got to be one of the saddest if not the saddest of all of the Psalms. Written by the Sons of Korah who were worship leaders for David. Very few Psalms are so despairing without offering at least a glimmer of hope. Many Psalms pour out their words of grief and misery, but none to the extent of this one. Not one word of answer to the desperate rhetorical questions. I have read this over and over and over and I can't get out of my head that it can be used as a reflection about Jesus on the cross. In verse 9 I see Him spread out on the cross.

When 'Plan A' Doesn't Work Out

This devotion comes to us from Ben Adams at Crosswalk:

A few months ago I was blessed to be able to take an all-expenses-paid trip to Arizona for insurance training. I love to travel and especially love flying across the country. I always ask for a window seat and never cease to be amazed at God's handiwork of creation. Upon arrival at the hotel I was happy to find that there were no scheduled activities until the next morning. I immediately missed my family back home and dealt with the feelings of guilt knowing my sweet wife was at home tending to the daily duties of raising our four girls. Nothing to do, though, but maximize every moment, knowing the trip would be over in the blink of an eye.

Fasting and Temptation

Our Friday Devotion comes to us from Council Member, Kim:

"Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And He went without food for forty (40) days and forty (40) nights, and later He was hungry." Matthew 4: 1-2

My daily bible study was on fasting……..which I thought wow…….how interesting as our church “Grace Harbor” is currently going through a 28 day fast…….Have you seen the board that says to sign up for the fast ?? Pastor Fred spoke of this about 2 Sundays ago and explained how it will work and if you could sign up for a day………just a day ……..as I went to the board…….I started getting anxious about what day will I fast for and started having all these thoughts in my head like you cant go without food for 24 hours or you cant give up your reading time or TV time……..and I had to stop and rebuke those thoughts from my mind. And then I read the scripture above………Jesus fasted for 40 days and 40 nights and here I am mumbling about 1 day…….

Forgiveness

"Bear with each other, and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive, as the Lord forgave you." Colossians 3:13

WOW! Very clear, huh? It is on my heart today to talk about a tender subject. Tender because it affects and hurts all of us to one degree or another, and as easy as it could be to take care of, we are so reticent to do what is right about it. Are you ready? The subject is forgiveness and it’s prideful, selfish alter-ego, unforgiveness.

Great Shepherd

"Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for He is our God and we are the people of His pasture, the flock under His care." Psalm 95:6-7

There are many reasons to worship God. There are any reasons to bow down to Him and kneel before Him. One of the less obvious titles of God when considering worship is Shepherd. Shepherd seems like such a servant role. As a pastor I have a very serious connection to the Lord being my Shepherd. I am one of His flock and under His care. I am a person in His pasture. Sure He is my Maker and my God but also my Shepherd. He is the Great Shepherd of the sheep.

I'm Homesick

"But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and Godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with His promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the HOME of righteousness. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward TO THIS, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with Him." II Peter 3:10-14

Money, Money, Money

"Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless." Ecclesiastes 4:10

I am sure you have heard the saying, "The love of money is the root of all evil." We always put the emphasis on the LOVE of money being the root of all evil. Of course, money in and of itself is not evil, right? Just the LOVE of it. That is true to a point. After all, money is just paper or value and without human beings misusing it, it cannot be sin in and of itself. No “thing” is sin. Just the abuse of it. Well, I'd like us to back up a little and be careful how quickly we can think we don't love money. We do more than we want to admit. More obviously we love the things that money can buy. Not just the shopping stuff, but the power, influence, feelings and appearances that money makes possible.

Words

"The more the words, the less the meaning, and how does that profit anyone?" Ecclesiastes 6:11

Simple question, simple answer, it doesn't. Often, the less said the better. It doesn't do anybody any good to go on and on. So I won't. Instead I will do something more effective. I will repeat the simple truth three times.