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ginnyrose
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Joined: 2004/7/7
Posts: 7534
Mississippi

 Ecclesiastes 9:2-9 NASB

Ecclesiastes 9:2-9 NASB

2 It is the same for all. There is one fate for the righteous and for the wicked; for the good, for the clean and for the unclean; for the man who offers a sacrifice and for the one who does not sacrifice. As the good man is, so is the sinner; as the swearer is, so is the one who is afraid to swear.

3 This is an evil in all that is done under the sun, that there is one fate for all men. Furthermore, the hearts of the sons of men are full of evil and insanity is in their hearts throughout their lives. Afterwards they go to the dead.

4 For whoever is joined with all the living, there is hope; surely a live dog is better than a dead lion.

5 For the living know they will die; but the dead do not know anything, nor have they any longer a reward, for their memory is forgotten.

6 Indeed their love, their hate and their zeal have already perished, and they will no longer have a share in all that is done under the sun.

7 Go then, eat your bread in happiness and drink your wine with a cheerful heart; for God has already approved your works.

8 Let your clothes be white all the time, and let not oil be lacking on your head.

9 Enjoy life with the woman whom you love all the days of your fleeting life which He has given to you under the sun; for this is your reward in life and in your toil in which you have labored under the sun.

COMMENT:

All die, the righteous and the wicked. Righteousness may not prolong your life.

The dead cannot come back to advise you; their zeal, their hate has perished.

You are alive now and what are you going to do with this life you have now? To hang onto the will of a now dead person is futile. There is enough wickedness to deal with presently... Men who persist in living wickedly have insanity in their hearts which demands prompt attention by the now living. Dead persons are useless to advise the now living. Do not live in the past.

How shall a person live his day? Enjoy life! enjoy the food God provided for you. Keep yourself physically clean; enjoy your spouse because this is God's gift to you!

Don't you just love that?!

(Live life now! So the Holy Spirit impressed on my mind when faced with terminal illness in the life of our only daughter. By experience I can say He is absolutely right on! When a crises occurs He will be there with the tools to walk you through that but they will not be given before you need it. Living life now entails walking with the LORD NOW before a crises hits.)


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Sandra Miller

 2011/7/1 10:05Profile
ginnyrose
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Joined: 2004/7/7
Posts: 7534
Mississippi

 Ecclesiastes 9:10-12 NASB

Ecclesiastes 9:10-12 NASB

10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol where you are going.

11 I again saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift and the battle is not to the warriors, and neither is bread to the wise nor wealth to the discerning nor favor to men of ability; for time and chance overtake them all.

12 Moreover, man does not know his time: like fish caught in a treacherous net and birds trapped in a snare, so the sons of men are ensnared at an evil time when it suddenly falls on them

COMMENT:

"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might" has inspired me for many years to give whatever I am doing my best. Why is this so important? Because you can't do it after you are dead, so you better get with it.

There are many excuses that come ones way to deter you from this pursuit...but the writer informs us the race is not to the fast, nor to the strong or the one who seems so well equip to battle, or the rich, or talented folks. The command still stands: give it your all, regardless of ability: do your best - ALWAYS. The time will come when you no longer will be able to do so... perhaps the opportunity will pass by you or death will overtake you.

When we are yoked together with Jesus, this means we are working with Him. He is the lead 'partner' and you must be willing to give it your all. For you to dig in your heels and not move when the lead partner wants to move means you are a worthless partner.

When the LORD asks us to do something NOW, He means NOW and do not procrastinate. We get in trouble and the to opportunity to do so may never appear again.

Yes, whatever we are asked to do, even if it means cleaning toilets, do a good job, give it your best. Ah...the satisfaction that follows is so gratifying!


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Sandra Miller

 2011/7/5 16:46Profile
ginnyrose
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Joined: 2004/7/7
Posts: 7534
Mississippi

 Ecclesiastes 9:13-18 NASB

Ecclesiastes 9:13-18 NASB

13 Also this I came to see as wisdom under the sun, and it impressed me.

14 There was a small city with few men in it and a great king came to it, surrounded it and constructed large siegeworks against it.

15 But there was found in it a poor wise man and he delivered the city by his wisdom. Yet no one remembered that poor man.

16 So I said, “Wisdom is better than strength.” But the wisdom of the poor man is despised and his words are not heeded.

17 The words of the wise heard in quietness are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools.

18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.

COMMENT:

Where is wisdom found? Who are its possessors? the rich? the famous? the powers-that-be? the poor person? the least among us?

Solomon noticed a king who had at his disposal experts in conquering ... but they were outwitted by a poor man, one who had wisdom.

The well-known are listened to, they shout out their words, but they do not necessarily carry with them any wisdom.

Where does wisdom reside? Not where one expects it. The possessors of it may be unknown, are not even recognized by the those in power, authority, wherever in whatever that may be.

Experts have learned the value of brain storming. Get a wide range of people together, share the problem and ask for insights on how to deal with it. Wise people have learned that the janitor may have the solution, or at least share an insight that will lead to one.

Marilyn von Savant, the lady with the highest IQ found in a woman, has said that she has never met a person but what she has not learned something from them.

The point is that one needs to be able to listen to those who do not appear to be all that knowledgeable, be they poor or rich or....especially those we tend to regard as ignorant.

Wise counsel, Solomon...


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Sandra Miller

 2011/7/7 11:12Profile
ginnyrose
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Joined: 2004/7/7
Posts: 7534
Mississippi

 Ecclesiastes 10:1-20 NASB

Ecclesiastes 10:1-20 NASB

1 Dead flies make a perfumer’s oil stink, so a little foolishness is weightier than wisdom and honor.

2 A wise man’s heart directs him toward the right, but the foolish man’s heart directs him toward the left.

3 Even when the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking and he demonstrates to everyone that he is a fool.

4 If the ruler’s temper rises against you, do not abandon your position, because composure allays great offenses.

5There is an evil I have seen under the sun, like an error which goes forth from the ruler—

6 folly is set in many exalted places while rich men sit in humble places.

7 I have seen slaves riding on horses and princes walking like slaves on the land.

8 He who digs a pit may fall into it, and a serpent may bite him who breaks through a wall.

9 He who quarries stones may be hurt by them, and he who splits logs may be endangered by them.

10 If the axe is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must exert more strength. Wisdom has the advantage of giving success.

11 If the serpent bites before being charmed, there is no profit for the charmer.

12 Words from the mouth of a wise man are gracious, while the lips of a fool consume him;

13 the beginning of his talking is folly and the end of it is wicked madness.

14 Yet the fool multiplies words. No man knows what will happen, and who can tell him what will come after him?

15The toil of a fool so wearies him that he does not even know how to go to a city.

16 Woe to you, O land, whose king is a lad and whose princes feast in the morning.

17Blessed are you, O land, whose king is of nobility and whose princes eat at the appropriate time—for strength and not for drunkenness.

18 Through indolence the rafters sag, and through slackness the house leaks.

19Men prepare a meal for enjoyment, and wine makes life merry, and money is the answer to everything.

20 Furthermore, in your bedchamber do not curse a king, and in your sleeping rooms do not curse a rich man, for a bird of the heavens will carry the sound and the winged creature will make the matter known.

COMMENT:

Foolishness. This portion deal with it and how it contaminates life everywhere. It is not limited to any particular segment of society.

Consider how it contaminates, how destructive it is:

1. Contaminates like dead flies do a perfumers oil.
2. A foolish heart cannot even make decent decisions.
3. Is careless, not observant in his work, whether it be digging a ditch or tearing down a wall.
4. Lazy - will not sharpen his ax before using.
5. Flies off the handle - speaks before thinking.
6. Talks too much - talks all the time.
7. Is afraid of effort.
8. Will not work to maintain his living quarters.
9. Thinks money is the answer to everything.

A wise person, on the other hand....

1. Has a heart that will pursue righteousness.
2. Maintains his composure in the face of an angry person.
3. Sticks to his principles even when confronted by a ruler's foolishness.
4. Sees what needs to be done to make the work easier and does it.
5. Is discerning and wise in the use of words.
6. Understands this limitations of knowing the future.
7. Knows the value of food, the proper time to feast and not to feast.
8. Knows the value of restraining his tongue - especially when voicing his insights about the powers that be because in some way they will learn of it and it may come back to haunt you.

In short, a little foolishness will cause great harm to its possessor. It can impact his whole future because of some stupidity.

A little foolishness has such wide ranging implications that there is no facet of life that cannot be touched by it - whether you be a king or a slave. And neither one is immune from it nor is wisdom limited to position or wealth - or its lack.

How can I be wise? and not foolish?


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Sandra Miller

 2011/7/8 11:12Profile
ginnyrose
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Joined: 2004/7/7
Posts: 7534
Mississippi

 Ecclesiastes 12: 1 NASB

Ecclesiastes 12: 1 NASB

1 Cast your bread on the surface of the waters, for you will find it after many days.

COMMENT:

This verse has taught me so much in the past and still does.

It teaches me that one should never be reluctant to do the right thing, especially when the results are questionable or appear as futile. Results always belong to God - that is His responsibility, not mine. Mine is obedience - always.

Let us visualize what happens when you throw a piece on bread onto water. It disintegrates rapidly with no signs of it ever having been there. None. Gone - slap out gone. Where is it? can't see it...you sure you threw it out there? Yes, madam, sho' did!

Scripture says it will return after many days. How can that be? Only by an act of God. Many times this describes faith very well. We act in obedience to the LORD, knowing full well we do not understand the logic or reasons for his commands, but we do it, nevertheless, because He says so. And what happens?

Cast your griefs, concerns before the LORD and wait on Him. Cast means to throw it down and leaving it there....and in God's time he will pick that up and do a recreation. Awesome!

And so it is when we speak the WORD of God or share, do good anywhere - some deliberate but most not - God will use it somewhere.

The flip side of this principle is that if one lives in sin[s], pursues it, or even harbors secret sin, the results of this lifestyle will come back to haunt you...it will. The NT calls this the law or sowing and reaping...

Everyday we sow - what am I sowing today?

Let us not become weary in well doing...in time we shall reap if we faint not. So says Brother Paul. 2Thes. 3:13; Gal.6:9


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Sandra Miller

 2011/7/11 10:03Profile
ginnyrose
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Joined: 2004/7/7
Posts: 7534
Mississippi

 Ecclesiastes 1:2-6 NASB

Ecclesiastes 1:2-6 NASB

2 Divide your portion to seven, or even to eight, for you do not know what misfortune may occur on the earth.

3 If the clouds are full, they pour out rain upon the earth; and whether a tree falls toward the south or toward the north, wherever the tree falls, there it lies.

4 He who watches the wind will not sow and he who looks at the clouds will not reap.

5 Just as you do not know the path of the wind and how bones are formed in the womb of the pregnant woman, so you do not know the activity of God who makes all things.

6 Sow your seed in the morning and do not be idle in the evening, for you do not know whether morning or evening sowing will succeed, or whether both of them alike will be good.

COMMENTS:

This portion is teaching one how you should plan your farming operations.

1. Diversify. Years ago when farms were small, family operated, diversity was the norm. A man planted several kinds of grains on his farm; he also raised several different kinds of animals and fowls - cows, be they beef or dairy, hogs, chickens....
2. Weather is unpredictable. What is and will be will be: man cannot change it, so therefore, you need to diversify your operation so you will have something at the end of the year. If there is one crop that fails another may yield abundantly..
3. Since weather is a farmers [uncooperative] partner, you still cannot depend on the direction of the wind to inform you whether it will rain or not.
4. You must plant when you can, whether it is in the morning or evening. Weather can change quickly rendering work in the field impossible.

Reasons for this advice? God works and to man His works are unpredictable,especially weather-wise... a farmer is totally dependent on the weather bringing him rain when he needs it and dry days so he can harvest.

Chapter 8:17:and I saw every work of God, I concluded that man cannot discover the work which has been done under the sun. Even though man should seek laboriously, he will not discover; and though the wise man should say, “I know,” he cannot discover.

This is life, unpredictable. Do what you can when you can because you never know how God will work. God does not reward sloth or laziness.

Farming the land teaches one his dependence upon a power beyond his control. The farmer knows he is at the mercy of God who controls the weather. Not a bad place to be, actually.


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Sandra Miller

 2011/7/13 8:15Profile
enid
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Joined: 2006/5/22
Posts: 2680
Nottingham, England

 Re: Ecclesiastes 1:2-6 NASB

If only Christians would realise how dependant on God we are, we would then see Him at work in our lives the way in which it should be.

Just like the farmer depends on the weather, we should depend on God.

But do we?

 2011/7/13 8:47Profile
ginnyrose
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Joined: 2004/7/7
Posts: 7534
Mississippi

  Ecclesiastes 11:7-10 NASB

Ecclesiastes 11:7-10 NASB

7 The light is pleasant, and it is good for the eyes to see the sun.

8 Indeed, if a man should live many years, let him rejoice in them all, and let him remember the days of darkness, for they will be many. Everything that is to come will be futility.

9 Rejoice, young man, during your childhood, and let your heart be pleasant during the days of young manhood. And follow the impulses of your heart and the desires of your eyes. Yet know that God will bring you to judgment for all these things.

10 So, remove grief and anger from your heart and put away pain from your body, because childhood and the prime of life are fleeting.

Comment:

Young man, enjoy life!

What do you want to do? pursue it!

See something you want? go for it!

But..remember...God sees and will hold you responsible. You will have to give account for your decisions.

Opps! you mean there is a price? Obviously...remember the days of darkness, when you groped about with no direction? Remember the dire consequences? Let them teach you...

Still, when you live with the LIGHT of the WORLD illuminating it, you will enjoy it. Life is fleeting, make the best of it...

And how is this done? Chapter 12 will give us more insights...


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Sandra Miller

 2011/7/15 10:32Profile
ginnyrose
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Joined: 2004/7/7
Posts: 7534
Mississippi

 Ecclesiastes 12:1-8 NASB

Ecclesiastes 12:1-8 NASB

1 Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near when you will say, “I have no delight in them”;

2 before the sun and the light, the moon and the stars are darkened, and clouds return after the rain;

3 in the day that the watchmen of the house tremble, and mighty men stoop, the grinding ones stand idle because they are few, and those who look through windows grow dim;

4and the doors on the street are shut as the sound of the grinding mill is low, and one will arise at the sound of the bird, and all the daughters of song will sing softly.

5 Furthermore, men are afraid of a high place and of terrors on the road; the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper drags himself along, and the caperberry is ineffective. For man goes to his eternal home while mourners go about in the street.

6 Remember Him before the silver cord is broken and the golden bowl is crushed, the pitcher by the well is shattered and the wheel at the cistern is crushed;

7 then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.

8 “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher, “all is vanity!”

COMMENT:

A well known chapter, one often quoted by teachers to youth about the brevity of life. Now that I am older, I can relate, absolutely.

The bottom line is to remember your CREATOR. Remembering carries with it the idea that you must allow your Creator to teach you for two reasons:

1. Because you will remember your past and what you did will linger in your memory and will come back to either haunt you or comfort you. v.1

2. You must do the right thing NOW because time will run out on you. v.2. Do not wait until you get old to listen to God. Failure to do so will earn you the regrets inherent to foolish living that is bound to come to you with age. Make no mistake!

Youth, you will get old, unless you die young from illness or an accident. With ageing there comes a slowing down of your body's capability to move fast, to see well, to hear well. Your ambition slows because your physical capabilities are limiting your ability to pursue your dreams or desires.

Remember Him NOW because you will die. Make no mistake, you will die and some day you will be graveyard dead. Stone cold. Too late to change. And people will walk over your grave and recall your life - if they remember - but with time even you will be forgotten by man, but not by God and that can either be comforting or scary.

But what will you do in the interval - between youth time and old age? The writer says to remember God. Allow him to teach you and be obedient. There are many folks who look back to their youth with deep regrets because they decided to take their own way and now these memories haunt them. Sure, God forgives, but the flesh (the body) does not.

Nothing else counts, ladies and gentleman, brothers and sisters. Life is all about serving God and to do otherwise invites disaster, tragedy. Every time.

Life is brief, temporary. Make it count.


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Sandra Miller

 2011/7/18 9:45Profile
ginnyrose
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Joined: 2004/7/7
Posts: 7534
Mississippi

  Ecclesiastes 12:9-14 NASB

Ecclesiastes 12:9-14 NASB

9 In addition to being a wise man, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge; and he pondered, searched out and arranged many proverbs.

10The Preacher sought to find delightful words and to write words of truth correctly.

11 The words of wise men are like goads, and masters of these collections are like well-driven nails; they are given by one Shepherd.

12 But beyond this, my son, be warned: the writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body.

13 The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person.

14 For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.

COMMENT:

In the end, the writer presents his own credentials and the conclusion of this whole matter.

Consider his credentials: according to the writer he was a wise man, a teacher who taught people these things; he researched and worked to communicate these truths correctly. History reveals more details about his wisdom in
1 Kings 4:29-34:

29 Now God gave Solomon wisdom and very great discernment and breadth of mind, like the sand that is on the seashore.

30 Solomon’s wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the sons of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt.

31 For he was wiser than all men, than Ethan the Ezrahite, Heman, Calcol and Darda, the sons of Mahol; and his fame was known in all the surrounding nations.

32 He also spoke 3,000 proverbs, and his songs were 1,005.

33 He spoke of trees, from the cedar that is in Lebanon even to the hyssop that grows on the wall; he spoke also of animals and birds and creeping things and fish.

34 Men came from all peoples to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all the kings of the earth who had heard of his wisdom.

Indeed. A man so endowed by God Almighty should be listened to.

Now, what is the value of wisdom, proverbs? They function as goads to prod people to do the right thing, gives them insight to human nature, God's modus operandi in the midst of human nature.

Goads. Whenever I think of goads my mind goes back to the 1959s whenever I saw Dad loading up cattle, hogs to be taken to the sale barn. To load them the driver used goads because these animals did not want to walk up this ramp. Whenever they bumped them with this prod, the animal jumped and WENT! lol You see this prod was electrical - when pressed into the hide it released an electrical current and shocked them! This is the mental picture I get whenever I consider the word 'goads'. Not a bad one, do you think?

So, do we jump and MOVE whenever we are confronted with words of wisdom that challenge us?

The conclusion of the whole matter is to fear God and keep his commandments! This not just for some but for all - no exceptions! Why? Because God will bring into judgement all you have done, whether it be good or bad, even the things that have been done in secret God will expose.

Bro. Paul teaches us in 1Timothy 5:24:

24 The sins of some men are quite evident, going before them to judgment; for others, their sins follow after.

25 Likewise also, deeds that are good are quite evident, and those which are otherwise cannot be concealed.

Concealing our sins is the most nonproductive thing one an do. It has eternal consequences, make no mistake. God will expose them. Likewise so He will do to the good we do. Ahhh, now ain't that a blessing?! But what good have we done? Perhaps that is why we need these proverbs, words of wisdom to guide us in our walk with the LORD. Now that is wisdom!


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Sandra Miller

 2011/7/19 11:02Profile





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