“Vapor of vapors and futility of futilities, says the Preacher. Vapor of vapors and futility of futilities! All is vanity (emptiness, falsity, and vainglory). What profit does man have left from all his toil at which he toils under the sun? [Is life worth living?]” Ecclesiastes 1:2-3 ->me: I have moved my daily quiet times to a journey through Ecclesiastes. I am very excited. The introductions I have read say that it is either Solomon himself who wrote this book or someone observing his wisdom and writing it down. Ecclesiastes means “the Preacher” or “one who addresses an assembly”. The timing of the writing does not matter – these words and wisdom are timeless. The first couple of verses of this book paint a pessimistic picture. “Everything is vain and futile…why is life even worth living?” -> But what about when faith is introduced? “All is vanity” is still true, but it is not the whole picture. With my faith in God new factors are brought in (the generosity of God, divine providence, divine judgement). The vanity of life is not erased or forgotten; however, these new factors transform the perspective and turn pessimism into faith! My new perspective will not cancel the old one out but I am living in an overlap -> my new perspective revolutionizes my outlook. I cannot wait to learn more from this book!!!
[QTVOTD] Wrapping up Colossians.
“Epaphras, who is one of yourselves, a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. [He is] always striving for you earnestly in his prayers, [pleading] that you may [as persons of ripe character and clear conviction] stand firm and mature [in spiritual growth], convinced and fully assured in everything willed by God.” Colossians 4:12 ->me: Today I finished up my reading through Colossians. One of the things that stood out to me the most in chapter 4 is prayer. I like the analogy of prayer being used like a combat radio in battle. Calling in reinforcements or air strikes to break open doors for the gospel to spread. We can also use this radio to call enemy positions or call for aircover for a nearby fire team. Thanksgiving must also accompany these radio conversations – Thank you Sir for clearing the enemy out of the area; we were able to recover prisoners of war. We were able to retake the town for the Kingdom thanks to your intervention, Thank you. All too often we use prayer as like a household conventional intercom -> Hey, can you bring a pillow down to the den to make me more comfortable? One more thing, can you have the kitchen staff make some Danishes tonight after dinner? Lord, help me to be not only respectful and understanding of my mission but help me to not rest to comfortably in the things of this world -> help me to keep a vigilant eye on who needs Your help and what I can do further Your purposes; grasping every opportunity before me to win more souls for You.
[QTVOTD] Walk to win souls…
“Behave yourselves wisely [living prudently and with discretion] in your relations with those of the outside world (the non-Christians), making the very most of the time and seizing (buying up) the opportunity. Let your speech at all times be gracious (pleasant and winsome), seasoned [as it were] with salt, [so that you may never be at a loss] to know how you ought to answer anyone [who puts a question to you].” Colossians 4:5-6 -me: Evangelism == making the Mystery of Jesus clear to the unsaved. I must walk in wisdom – Wisdom is received from God. How do I walk in wisdom if my nose is not in the Word of God every day, if I am not in tune with the direction of the Holy Spirit, and not in steadfast prayer? I am to give the world no reason to criticize or gossip about the behavior of Christians. A blameless life lays the foundation for a gracious witness. I must regard every moment as an opportunity to share my faith. What I am learning from these 2 verses today is that I need to move forward actively working to make my witness interesting, lively, and colorful [salty]; and at the same time, make sure I have mastered the doctrine of my faith so that I may answer any question put my way by a new believer or newborn Christian. Having the right answer is not enough; I must be careful that my answers are gracious and the questioner feels loved and respected.
[QTVOTD] How you pray…
“Be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in your prayer [life], being [both] alert and intent in [your praying] with thanksgiving and at the same time pray for us also, that God may open a door to us for the Word (the Gospel), to proclaim the mystery concerning Christ (the Messiah) on account of which I am in prison; that I may proclaim it fully and make it clear [speak boldly and unfold that mystery], as is my duty.” Colossians 4:2-4 ->me: This passage is such an awesome call and explanation of how to pray. Pray proactively for all things. Be on the lookout for things to pray for the Lord’s hand in. Don’t forget to be deliberate in prayer of thanksgiving. Pray for my pastors as they spread the Word of the Gospel, that the word would fall on ears that God has opened and that those people would respond. A little extra tidbit for you today that really touched me through a message I was listening to yesterday -> for those of you with loss, trial, illness, chronic pain, or emotional depression -> God never gives a thorn without this added grace: He take the thorn to pin back the veil that hides His face….BAM!!!
[QTVOTD] Who do YOU work for??
“Servants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not only when their eyes are on you as pleasers of men, but in simplicity of purpose [with all your heart] because of your reverence for the Lord and as a sincere expression of your devotion to Him. Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily (from the soul), as [something done] for the Lord and not for men, knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [and not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [real] reward. [The One Whom] you are actually serving [is] the Lord Christ (the Messiah).” Colossians 3:22-24 ->me: In my current place as an employee of a major software company, my focus must be that my work and execution is representative of my devotion to my Eternal King and Heavenly Master. My focus cannot be an effort to elicit favor from men or even for myself -> it must be to glorify the One Who has redeemed me from the death I deserve. This is most important on the days I am tired, discouraged, frustrated, or even lazy. I have work to do in this area of my witness. I have allowed my pride and selfishness to impact my effectiveness. That changes today.
Sophie’s first day at camp – Lake Retreat
Whoa!!!! I love this!
…God never gives a thorn (a death of a loved one, a terminal illness, etc) without this added grace, He takes the thorn to pin aside the veil which hides His face.
From a poem by Martha Snell Nicholson (a “mendicant” is a beggar)
[QTVOTD] LOVE your kids…
“Fathers, do not provoke or irritate or fret your children [do not be hard on them or harass them], lest they become discouraged and sullen and morose and feel inferior and frustrated. [Do not break their spirit.]” Colossians 3:21 -> me: I fear that I have been too hard lined on the rails of life my kids must follow. I feel that the Lord is telling me to let-go-and-let-Him. I would be mortified if Bella, Sophie, or Prim felt discouraged or dispirited. My job is to live out the gospel to my children: that is, to assure them that they are loved and accepted and valued for who they are, not for who they ought to be, should have been, or might (if only they would try a little harder) become. Obedience must never be construed as a condition of my love. When I am obedient to acts of genuine love towards my kids, their obedience may become like that of a follower of Jesus to God -> a glad and loving response.
[Day 26] A Study of 1 John
Top Level Notes for 1 John 5:18-21
Verse 18: WE KNOW with absolute confidence that anyone born of God does not deliberately and knowingly practice committing sin.
- Jesus within us carefully watches over us and protects us from evil.
- The devil does not lay hold (get a grip) on him or touch him.
Verse 19: WE KNOW that we are of God. Everything around us is of and under the power/control of the evil one.
Verse 20: WE KNOW that Jesus has come into this world.
- He has given us understanding and insight to perceive and recognize Him Who is True.
- We are IN Him Who is True -> His Son Jesus Christ.
- The True God and life eternal.
Verse 21: Keep yourself from anything that puts itself above God in your life (false idols)
- Anything and everything that would occupy the place in your heart He alone deserves to inhabit.
- From any substitute for Him that would take first place in your life.
- WE KNOW – that true believers do not go on knowingly and deliberately sinning (practicing/committing).
- WE KNOW – that we are OF GOD and no longer part of this world ruled by the power of satan.
- WE KNOW – that our King, the Lord Jesus Christ, was sent by the Father to teach us about Himself and give us a model of righteousness and truth.
- Keep NO idols in your life that replace the Lord in your life. Your idols and God cannot coexist in your heart.
[Day 25] A Study of 1 John
Top Level Notes for 1 John 5:11-17
Verse 11&12: This is the testimony a person HAS that believes in the Son of God:
- God gave us eternal life, and this life is in His Son
- He who possesses the Son, HAS eternal life
- He who does not possess the Son, does not have that life
Verse 13: John writes this to believers so that they who believe in and trust the Son of God will know with settled and absolute knowledge they already have eternal life.
Verse 14: With this knowledge we can have the assurance and privilege of boldness which we have IN Him.
- This confidence is the knowledge that whatever we ask according to His will, He listens to and hears us.
- What we ask will be in His will because we are following in His truth. His will becomes our greatest desire.
Verse 15: We can rejoice over our prayers to the Lord offered in faith and seeking His purposes; we can trust they will be answered and give Him the glory when we see those prayers come to pass as we had faith they would (how we expected).
- I must get better at obtaining this type of prayer life.
Verse 16: If I see a fellow brother in Christ committing a sin they routinely struggle with and that sin is not sin that leads to death (willfully denying the truth and existence of the One True God) then I can pray for God’s power to forgive and restore his life. If I know that someone has openly renounced Christ then praying for forgiveness for that sin is ineffectual.
Verse 17: All wrongdoing is sin. There are sins that do not lead to spiritual death that may be repented of and forgiven.