In Ecclesiastes 9, Solomon reminds us that difficulty and death come to all people. He urges us to resist assuming that good things happen to good people and bad things happen to bad people. Solomon would have us realize that God does not operate that way. Therefore, Christian Believers cannot equate their life's trials and blessings with God's favor. Some troubles are common to all persons in a fallen world and some blessings are common too. The sun rises on the wicked and the righteous; the seasons change for all people so those warm summer days are balanced by a dreary winter's cold. Let's consider these truths and more together.
In this week's message from Ecclesiastes, Solomon teaches us that vanity insanity will lead to the dissolution of sacred relationships and end with dissatisfaction and self-destruction. We will discuss this and consider its remedy as we dedicate ourselves to worship, prayer, learning, and service. It turns out that Solomon would have done much more of that if he'd had it to do over again. What about you?
This time we will continue with our study of the book of Ecclesiastes. We'll read Solomon's well-known "For everything there is a season" passage. Solomon's list reminds us that we must not be surprised by our encounters with life's trials since they are natural to humankind. We will contend with these realities and discuss our relationship with God under such circumstances. We'll find that Solomon made some harsh statements about God even as he demonstrated extraordinary faith in God.
In the book of Ecclesiastes Solomon reveals life's true purpose and the follies of human pride. In this series, we will learn from his wisdom and raw humanity.
The entire bible is a love story. Christmas reminds us that God so loved His creation that He did everything He can do to redeem it.
Christmas is an easy time to think too much about the times gone by, especially this year when so much has changed so fast. Subtle majesty underlies the birth story of Jesus and his gentle, desperate parent’s attempt to find shelter for his birth when we think of the star that lighted their way and the multitude of angels who attended them unseen. Unseen until they spoke to the shepherds and then sang the LORD’s glory. Those plain shepherds saw the first glimpse of what Jesus’ glorious return will be like when the barrier between Heaven and Earth opened before them like curtains. When Christ returns it will be like his birth in some ways and very different in others.
The Apostle Paul says in his letter to the Philippians that “the Lord is at hand.” The dictionary definition of the term, “at hand” breaks it down in three ways: a.)Nearby; physically within one's reach b)Currently in need of addressing c)Impending or imminent. An examination of Paul’s declaration in light of this definition suggests that the Lord is physically present, must be attended to, and also imminent (definitely expected). What does this mean and how does it impact our lives?
These days we all know what it's like to look forward to something that we can only imagine. We want to see an end to the pandemic and its consequences but we can't know for sure when that will be and what exactly it will look like. Some have died while awaiting the cure and return to prosperity. Their hope was not in vain, it just wasn't time yet. That's what it is like as Christian Believers await the return of Christ.
It is the first Sunday of Advent (proper). It is officially the first Sunday of the new Christian Year. The Church marks the new year by remembering that Christ is coming again soon. What about "the rapture"? What is it? When does it happen? Who will be left behind?
Have you ever been in love? If so, what was it like to be physically separated from your lover? Was it hard to hang up the phone when you got to talk? What about precious cards, letters, and gifts? When you heard that your love was coming to you, did your heart leap? Were you counting down the days, hours, and minutes? What was it like to see the love of your life coming toward you? Now, is that how you feel about Christ's return?
