73rd Week Ecclesiastes Chapters 5-8 Psalms 24 (Click on Title for Video Introduction)

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Click on title for Video Introduction



Monday Ecclesiastes Chapter 5
Ecclesiastes 5
Verse 2
Tanya Ruden

Verse 2:  Do not be quick with your mouth.

THOUGHT
First of all I just really liked the second verse.  One thing I admire about Alan, which I have learned over the years, is that he is not very quick with his mouth.  He will think about something for a while before he makes a comment.  It may be even days.  Sometimes he doesn’t talk about it with me because he has either resolved it or decided it wasn’t important or relevant. There are times he will share when it is all over, whether it be a situation at work, home, family or friend.  

It is so important to think before we speak and so important for us to respect that about other people. You can usually sense when someone has an issue or something on their mind.  It is good to ask if they want to talk about it; but if they refuse, leave it alone.  Respect them for wanting to think it out before speaking.  This is how we are called to be.

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, we ask that You help us to be good listeners.  May our ears be open more than our mouths.  We pray that we will be quick to listen and slow to speak.  Give us discernment so that a thoughtful mind may over rule our tongue.  Take any anger away from our speaking tone.  Give us a kind welcoming, gentle response to family and friends.  AMEN 



Tuesday. Ecclesiastes Chapter 6
Ecclesiastes 6
Verse 6
Tanya Ruden

Verse 6b:  Do not all go to the same place?

THOUHT
This verse reminded me of something so simplistic.  It is a reminder for us not to judge. We all are the same.  We all start as babies (something we can never change or control), and we will all die.  It just made me think about how often we wish we had more. But no matter how much money we have or how great of health we are in, nothing can stop us from dying.  We all will die.  

Now, I know that what happens after we die is another story and for many the beginning of life.  When we begin to covet others, may this serve as a reminder, that no matter what may happen, all of our earthly stories end the same.

PRAYER
Dear Jesus, may we never be judgmental.  May we always remember that you are in control and that you created all of us to have the same beginning and ending.  Nothing we can do will change that.  May we enjoy the in between time, never wanting more than we have.  AMEN 



Wednesday, Ecclesiastes Chapter 7
Ecclesiastes 7
Verse 3
Tanya Ruden

Verse 3:  Sorrow is better than laughter, because a sad face is good for the heart.

THOUGHT
What? Since when is sorrow better than laughter? Since when should we all be walking around with sad faces?

This verse seems so opposite what we think and live, but yet it does have one good point. I think for most of us our biggest faith growing experiences have happened during a ‘sad face’ time in our lives.  Experiencing sad times helps our heart, not only in our love for God, but also in our relationships with other people.  We are better able to truly mean it when we say, “I know how you feel.”  We often turn to God during our sad times asking Him for help, but do we often remember to turn to God during our happy times shouting out a thank You or using it as a time to grow with God? 

Maybe, maybe not, but let us all think about and remember to turn to God, not just during our sad times but also our happy times.

PRAYER
Dear Jesus, help us use every experience, happy or sad, as a manner to praise You or grow closer to You.  May we look on our sad times as a positive experience.  May we use the time to help others.  Help us always to turn to you for help in those times.  May our witnessing further your kingdom.  AMEN


Thursday, Ecclesiastes Chapter 8
Ecclesiastes 8                                                                                                                                                Verse 1                                                                                                                                                          Tanya Ruden                                                                                                                                                         
Verse 1:  “Wisdom brightens a man’s face and changes its hard appearance.”

THOUGHT                                                                                                                                                  I have to admit that most of what I am writing today in this e-mail comes from the footnotes of my Bible.  Wisdom is the ability to see life from God’s perspective and then know the best course of action to take.  The Bible says the manner in which to acquire wisdom is to respect and honor the Lord.  Wisdom comes from knowing and trusting God.  So in thinking about all of this, how does wisdom change our ‘hard’ appearance?  I guess what I am thinking is that when we trust and know God, we give life up to Him.   We respect Him by not worrying or doing things that can make us appear ‘hard,’ or as I envision, unapproachable.  We as Christians have a joy others don’t because we know Jesus.  These wise actions are what make our faces bright because we don’t carry around unnecessary burdens.  

I also wanted to share what my footnotes say about 16-17.  “Even if he had access to all of the world’s wisdom, the wisest man would know very little.  No one can fully comprehend God and all that He has done, and there are always more questions than answers.  But the unknown should not cast a shadow over our joy, faith or work, because we know that someone great is in control and that we can put our trust in Him.  Don’t let what you don’t know about the future destroy the joy God wants to give you today.”  I am glad to know that someone better and wiser than me is in control, because I couldn’t do it.  I guess that is why the future is unknown to us, because if we knew everything that was going to happen, we would always be worrying or trying to change it instead of enjoying each and every moment of the present.  

PRAYER                                                                                                                                                      Wisdom – what a powerful tool.  Help us to grow in our relationship with you so that our wisdom can continue to grow, and we can use that tool to further Your Kingdom here on earth.  May we never try to comprehend everything You can do, but live in joy because of everything that You do.  You love and care for us more than anyone, and You always will.  AMEN



Friday, 
Psalms 24
Verses 1-2
Bart Strayer

Verses 1-2:  The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters.

THOUGHT
Isn’t it cute thinking that we own stuff and have control over things?  It’s like when we were children; we really thought our bedroom was OUR BEDROON.  I mean; get real!  Every yard should have a sign in the front saying, “On loan from the ‘God Almighty’ collection.”

Wonder what God thinks of this real estate market?  Do you suppose He is thinking, “look at all those people paying top dollar for stuff that is Mine.”? Just joking.

But seriously, it is humbling to think that God has given us the gift of the earth for a time to be stewards over. We must not lose our focus of turning the gifts of this earth for God’s glory.

PRAYER
Lord, we thank You for the beauty of Your earth.  We marvel at Your creation.  Give us the guidance we need to be Godly stewards of Your resources.  May we always give You all the glory You deserve.  AMEN




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