True Life

Ecclesiastes 6:1-6 (NIV)  ¹I have seen another evil under the sun, and it weighs heavily on mankind: ²God gives some people wealth, possessions and honor, so that they lack nothing their hearts desire, but God does not grant them the ability to enjoy them, and strangers enjoy them instead. This is meaningless, a grievous evil. ³A man may have a hundred children and live many years; yet no matter how long he lives, if he cannot enjoy his prosperity and does not receive proper burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he. ⁴It comes without meaning, it departs in darkness, and in darkness its name is shrouded. ⁵Though it never saw the sun or knew anything, it has more rest than does that man—⁶even if he lives a thousand years twice over but fails to enjoy his prosperity. Do not all go to the same place?

The Book of Proverbs was written to inspire wisdom and provide guidance (c.f., Proverbs 1:2-6). The Book of Ecclesiastes serves a similar purpose.  Yet rather than inspiration, today’s text seems to be quite harsh and cold.  As we read, we may be tempted to focus on the negative aspects of life.  Life seems futile.  We read about a person who has wealth but dies before he can use it.  We read about a person who lives a very long yet miserable life. What possible positive guidance does this offer us?

Perhaps the answer is simply this:  It is not how long a person lives that matters. We live, and as long as the Lord tarries, we will someday eventually die.  Neither length of days, nor accumulation of wealth, is the central focus. Rather, it is the quality of a person’s life that has significance. With each passing day we are building our character and reputation.  These things will survive long after we have passed.  True quality of life comes in pleasing our Heavenly Father no matter how our days are numbered and no matter what our financial status.

 

Gracious Heavenly Father, our LORD God Almighty,

Thank you for each day of life you provide. May we find ways each day to serve you and please you.

In the Name of Jesus Christ, our LORD and Savior, Amen.

 

The devotion True Life was originally written for Monday, January 8, 2018; for Maranatha Devotional Guide, an Advent Christian Publication https://acgc.us   As the original author of this devotion, I reserve the right to update and share it on my current devotional blog Write From My Heart at https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

True Wealth

Ecclesiastes 5:10, 13-15, 18-20 (NIV)  ¹⁰Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless. ... ¹³I have seen a grievous evil under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owners, ¹⁴or wealth lost through some misfortune, so that when they have children there is nothing left for them to inherit. ¹⁵Everyone comes naked from their mother’s womb, and as everyone come, so they depart. They take nothing from their toil that they can carry in their hands. ... ¹⁸This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life3 God has given them—for this is their lot. ¹⁹Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God. ²⁰They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.

Years ago there was a popular joke circulating.  The main idea told a story of a miserly man who made his wife promise to place all his wealth with him in his casket upon his death.  The wife promised to do exactly as instructed.  Faithful to her promise, at his funeral, she placed a check for the full amount in his casket.

At first glance, our text seems to indicate that accumulation of wealth is an exercise in futility.  In fact, verse 15 of our text could be the basis of the well-known and oft-repeated cliché, “You can’t take it with you.”  Yet wealth in itself does not seem to be the problem. The last few verses provide the key.  Tangible wealth may come or go.  It is the one who can accept whatever he has, whether little or much, and yet continues the daily tasks he is able do, who has found true wealth. This person does not waste time reliving the past or wishing about what might be, could be, or should be. This person is too busy to dwell on fantasies because this person is focused on the God—this person has true gladness of heart—this person has found true wealth.

 

Gracious Heavenly Father, our LORD God Almighty,

Thank you for the daily satisfaction of working for you. May all that we do or say be pleasing to you. Grant us the ability to handle whatever measure of wealth you permit in a way that brings honor and glory to Your Name.

In the Name of Jesus Christ, our LORD and Savior, Amen.

 

The devotion True Wealth was originally written for Sunday, January 7, 2018; for Maranatha Devotional Guide, an Advent Christian Publication https://acgc.us   As the original author of this devotion, I reserve the right to update and share it on my current devotional blog Write From My Heart at https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

 

Foretaste of Glory

1 Corinthians 2:6-12 (NIV)  ⁶We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. ⁷No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. ⁸None of the rulers of this age understood it, for it they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. ⁹However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”—the things God has prepared for those who love him—¹⁰these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. ¹¹For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. ¹²What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.

They didn’t understand.  In today’s vernacular language, they just didn’t “get it.” Paul preached the gospel message clearly. But the Jewish rulers of the day were offended, and the Gentiles thought it was nonsense.  Only mature believers understood the mystery of God—something that God planned even before time began. A world full of sin would need a Savior, Jesus Christ. The death and resurrection of Jesus would be the only means of salvation that would lead to eternal glory. And for those who choose to believe comes a precious promise:

No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.  (v. 9, NLT)

No one can fully understand how glorious the new Kingdom of God will be.  Perhaps the words of an old hymn describe it best: A Foretaste of Glory, C.O. Farnham,1926

When we look for Christ to come in the old time way, And accept the good old Bible, all it’s truths obey; when by faith we view the Kingdom, that so soon shall come to stay,  Then we’ll surely have a foretaste of glory.

 

Gracious Heavenly Father, our LORD God Almighty,

We lift our grateful hearts in thanksgiving for your wonderful plan of Salvation which will lead to eternal glory with You.

In the Name of Jesus Christ, our LORD and Savior, Amen.

 

The devotion Foretaste of Glory was originally written for Friday, January 6, 2017; for Maranatha Devotional Guide, an Advent Christian Publication https://acgc.us   As the original author of this devotion, I reserve the right to update and share it on my current devotional blog Write From My Heart at https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Forget Everything Else

1 Corinthians 2:1-5 (NIV)  ¹And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. ²For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. ³I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. ⁴My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, ⁵so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.

Something labeled weak is usually considered to be substandard or inefficient. To be weak is generally not a good thing.  Likewise, the word fear often indicates a sense of being afraid.  Yet in today’s text, Paul uses these words to describe how he approached the Corinthians with the message of God.  Was Paul scared? No, I don’t think so.

Weakness can be used in the sense of a special desire for something that is difficult to resist; as in, “I have a weakness for chocolate.” (I do.)  Fear can denote a reverential awe toward God.  By re-reading today’s text, we understand that Paul did not come with fancy words or a know-it-all attitude.  He came with the plain and simple truth; furthermore, he relied on the power of the Holy Spirit to reveal the message of God.  Paul made the decision to put everything else aside and focus on the ONE for whom he had an incredible weakness and could not resist—Jesus Christ, crucified; our Lord and Savior.

 

Gracious Heavenly Father, our LORD God Almighty,

Teach us to forget everything else except Jesus Christ, crucified; our Lord and Savior.  Grant us wisdom to rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to proclaim this message through us. May everything that we think, say, or do, point others toward saving faith in Christ.

In the Name of Jesus Christ, our LORD and Savior, Amen.

 

The devotion Forget Everything Else was originally written for Thursday, January 5, 2017; for Maranatha Devotional Guide, an Advent Christian Publication https://acgc.us   As the original author of this devotion, I reserve the right to update and share it on my current devotional blog Write From My Heart at https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

 

Foolish Things

1 Corinthians 1:26-31 (NIV)  ²⁶Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. ²⁷But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. ²⁸God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, ²⁹so that no one may boast before him. ³⁰It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. ³¹Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”

Foolishness. What does it mean? Most definitions lead to the idea of something trifling, insignificant, of very little importance, or of no consequence.  According to the world, it is foolishness to waste a perfectly good Sunday morning going to church when you could be enjoying a game of golf, fishing, soccer, or any multitude of activities.  According to the world, it is foolishness to tithe to God’s work when you could be saving up for a new car, home, vacation, or even a rainy day.  According to the world, it is foolishness to believe in a God that can’t be physically seen when you could be focused on yourself, your needs, and your wants and any other tangible concern.  According to the world, foolishness is anything that replaces self-importance. This defines the wisdom of the world.

What did God use to refute the wisdom of the world?  He chose what the world rejected and despised.  He chose his One and Only Son, Jesus Christ.  This defines the wisdom of God.

Isaiah 53:3-6 (NIV)  ³He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. ⁴Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. ⁵But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. ⁶We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

 

Gracious Heavenly Father, our LORD God Almighty,

We humbly thank you for the gift of your Son, Jesus Christ. Forgive our arrogance and self-importance. Turn us toward wisdom that comes from you, your righteousness, your holiness, and redemption through your Son.

In the Name of Jesus Christ, our LORD and Savior, Amen.

 

The devotion Foolish Things was originally written for Wednesday, January 4, 2017; for Maranatha Devotional Guide, an Advent Christian Publication https://acgc.us   As the original author of this devotion, I reserve the right to update and share it on my current devotional blog Write From My Heart at https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Everything is Meaningless: Part 2

Ecclesiastes 2:17-25 (NIV)  ¹⁷So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me. All of it is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. ¹⁸I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me. ¹⁹And who knows whether that person will be wise or foolish? Yet they will have control over all the fruit of my toil into which I have poured my effort and skill under the sun. This too is meaningless. ²⁰So my heart began to despair over all my toilsome labor under the sun. ²¹For a person may labor with wisdom, knowledge and skill, and then they must leave all they own to another who has not toiled for it. This too is meaningless and a great misfortune. ²²What do people get for all the toil and anxious striving with which they labor under the sun? ²³All their days their work is grief and pain; even at night their minds do not rest. This too is meaningless. ²⁴A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, ²⁵for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment?

In today’s text we continue our exploration into the apparent meaninglessness of life. What a wonderful example of dramatic irony. Taking today’s text at surface value, it would appear finding pleasure in life is meaningless.  Wisdom and foolishness are meaningless because they cancel out each other. Even work is meaningless.  Common sense tells us there must be a different intended message, and so there is! 

Ecclesiastes 3:12-14 (NIV)  ¹²I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. ¹³That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God. ¹⁴I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him.

Digging deeper into King Solomon’s writings we discover the key:

Ecclesiastes 12:13 (NIV) Now all has been heard; and here is the conclusion of the matter:  Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.

Years later, Paul echoed the same message when he wrote,

Colossians 3:17, 23 (NIV) And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus ... Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.

Simply stated, nothing has greater meaning, value, and purpose than to live a life full of love and service to God. For only then will we be able to say, “Everything is meaningful!”

 

Gracious Heavenly Father, our LORD God Almighty,

There are so many who have lost hope and feel as if we are just spinning our wheels from day to day. We wonder if we are truly accomplishing anything of value. Forgive our short-sightedness. For truly, Heavenly Father, when we accomplish daily tasks with the wisdom, knowledge, and skill you have provided for us, nothing is lost; everything is useful to you. The key is focusing on You. There can be no better reward for our labor than to know we did our best for our Heavenly Father.

In the Name of Jesus Christ, our LORD and Savior, Amen.

 

The devotion Everything is Meaningless: Part 2 was originally written for Tuesday, December 27, 2016; for Maranatha Devotional Guide, an Advent Christian Publication https://acgc.us   As the original author of this devotion, I reserve the right to update and share it on my current devotional blog Write From My Heart at https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.