September 21
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ECCLESIASTES 7
15 In my vain life I have seen everything. There is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in his evildoing. 16 Be not overly righteous, and do not make yourself too wise. Why should you destroy yourself? 17 Be not overly wicked, neither be a fool. Why should you die before your time? 18 It is good that you should take hold of this, and from that withhold not your hand, for the one who fears God shall come out from both of them.
19 Wisdom gives strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city.
20 Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.
– Ecclesiastes 7:15-20
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ECCLESIASTES 7 WISE ARE THOSE WHO ADMIT THEIR SINFULNESS
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
This life isn’t always fair; the righteous perishes and the wicked continues
Some become so consumed with being righteous not knowing it can destroy
The world says moderation is good, yet true love knows no bounds
Can we love someone and continue to be careful to show our love?
Should we have moderation when we give glory and praise to our Lord?
Didn’t he want us to love him with all our hearts, our minds and our souls?
When we consider ourselves good in our own eyes, isn’t that “sinfulness?”
Isn’t craving for others to view us as “nice and good” an exercise of vanity?
When all we think about is pleasuring our “selves”, will we have time to praise God?
It is wise for humans to admit their sinfulness; this way will lead to righteousness
But those who deny their selfish nature will be on the path to wickedness
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, without it, we will dishonor him
When we love God, we will also hate what he hates which is “sin.”
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REFLECTION
• Is moderation always good? Why or why not?
• What did Solomon mean in verse 20 when he says that there isn’t a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins?
• Why is it folly to forget our sinful nature as we live a life for Jesus? What happens when we think that we are good and righteous?
Monthly Archives: September 2023
ECCLESIASTES 7 WHO CAN ALTER WHAT GOD HAS MADE
September 20
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ECCLESIASTES 7
7 Surely oppression drives the wise into madness, and a bribe corrupts the heart.
8 Better is the end of a thing than its beginning,
and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
9 Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the heart of fools.
10 Say not, “Why were the former days better than these?”
For it is not from wisdom that you ask this.
11 Wisdom is good with an inheritance, an advantage to those who see the sun.
12 For the protection of wisdom is like the protection of money,
and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.
13 Consider the work of God: who can make straight what he has made crooked?
14 In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider: God has made the one as well as the other, so that man may not find out anything that will be after him. – Ecclesiastes 7:7-14
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ECCLESIASTES 7 WHO CAN ALTER WHAT GOD HAS MADE
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
It is valuable to remember that God is in control in all things
He allows circumstances that are beyond us in this world for a reason
He is the designer of this universe and we cannot fathom it always
If you regret and resent what goes on in life, you will miss his promises.
Who can alter what God has made and what he allows man to go through?
No human can take control of his life or whatever is happening around
We are all part of the big plan and that he can do whatever he pleases with us
Because we serve an Almighty God who sees and knows all, let’s give him our trust.
It is folly to follow our sinful nature and be angry when things don’t go our way
The wise person looks at the perspective that God has in store for humans
Who can fix what God has made crooked? It is beyond our make to do so
Let us then allow the process of change to sink in our hearts so we can grow.
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REFLECTION
• Why do humans automatically react to change in a negative way?
ECCLESIASTES 7 THE BETTER THINGS IN LIFE
September 19
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ECCLESIASTES 7
A good name is better than precious ointment,
and the day of death than the day of birth.
2 It is better to go to the house of mourning
than to go to the house of feasting
for this is the end of all mankind,
and the living will lay it to heart.
3 Sorrow is better than laughter,
for by sadness of face the heart is made glad.
4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning,
but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
5 It is better for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise
than to hear the song of fools.
6 For as the crackling of thorns under a pot,
so is the laughter of the fools;
this also is vanity. – Ecclesiastes 7:1-6
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ECCLESIASTES 7 THE BETTER THINGS IN LIFE
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
What does it truly mean to have a better life?
Is it to be wealthy, famous, powerful or be emulated?
A life of integrity and honesty is much better than prosperity
It makes one have less conflicts, live in peace and have less anxiety.
Many people fear death because they don’t know Jesus Christ
But if you believe in the Lord, even if you die, you will have life
For those who do not know him, they will easily cling to life on earth
They wouldn’t want to let go of all their wealth and good health.
The laughter of the wicked is not better than those who are mourning
If you serve Jesus, you will know that he comforts those who are grieving
He didn’t die for us to have happy lives, he died so we can be reconciled with God
The better things in life are those that lead us to our Maker, it is not what feels good.
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REFLECTION
• What’s the difference between happiness and joy? Is joy better or not?
ECCLESIASTES 6 THE FUTILITY OF INSATIABLE DESIRES OF MAN
September 18
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ECCLESIASTES 6
7 All the toil of man is for his mouth, yet his appetite is not satisfied.8 For what advantage has the wise man over the fool? And what does the poor man have who knows how to conduct himself before the living? 9 Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the appetite: this also is vanity and a striving after wind.10 Whatever has come to be has already been named, and it is known what man is, and that he is not able to dispute with one stronger than he. 11 The more words, the more vanity, and what is the advantage to man? 12 For who knows what is good for man while he lives the few days of his vain life, which he passes like a shadow? For who can tell man what will be after him under the sun? – Ecclesiastes 6:7-12
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ECCLESIASTES 6 THE FUTILITY OF INSATIABLE DESIRES OF MAN
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
Most of our lives are spent to work so we can eat and be satisfied
Yet when we have consumed our foods, we still desire something else
We buy things that we think will give us happiness and pleasure
But all that we acquire end up being set aside later and unused.
We study hard so we can reach a level of knowledge that we can be esteemed
But the more we know, the more we aim more and the bigger our egos become
We speak more words so we can project a bigger image of ourselves
Not knowing that fools talk a lot more and wise people speak less words.
We like to be in control of things and of the lives of those whom we love
When we do not understand, we panic and do our best to make sense of it
We try to figure things out and pretend that we can control what’s happening
All the insatiable desires of man to be in control are all futile and pointless.
Without the fear of the Lord, no knowledge is beneficial to man
It is revering the Lord that eventually leads us to discover wisdom
All of man’s cravings for pleasure, knowledge and control are all futile
All these insatiable desires are the beginnings of sin that leads to death.
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REFLECTION
• How are human desires useless and considered a striving after wind?
ECCLESIASTES 6 THE MEANINGLESSNESS OF A DISSATISFIED LIFE
September 16
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ECCLESIASTES 5
13 There is a grievous evil that I have seen under the sun: riches were kept by their owner to his hurt, 14 and those riches were lost in a bad venture. And he is father of a son, but he has nothing in his hand. 15 As he came from his mother’s womb he shall go again, naked as he came, and shall take nothing for his toil that he may carry away in his hand. 16 This also is a grievous evil: just as he came, so shall he go, and what gain is there to him who toils for the wind? 17 Moreover, all his days he eats in darkness in much vexation and sickness and anger.18 Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. 19 Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God. 20 For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart. – Ecclesiastes 5: 13-20
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ECCLESIASTES 5 THE UNCERTAINTY OF RICHES
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
There are people who chase after money, riches and wealth
They lose sleep just thinking of it and compromise their health
They are preoccupied with holding on to their possessions
Such that these objects almost have a life of their own.
They gather and hoard these things for their selfish reasons
They isolate themselves and live with these belongings
Some of them die alone and buried in their hoarded things
What vanity it is to live with objects rather than human beings.
Every good gift comes from the Lord who is our only provision
He gave us abilities, talents and blessings so we can use it for his vision
The riches in this world are meaningless if we don’t have God
There is no point in gathering since we can’t bring them when we die.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it meaningless to hoard things and to chase after material wealth and riches?
• Share an experience that shows the vanity of clinging to riches and things.
ECCLESIASTES 5 ON INJUSTICE & LOVERS OF MONEY
September 15
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ECCLESIASTES 5
8 If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and righteousness, do not be amazed at the matter, for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them. 9 But this is gain for a land in every way: a king committed to cultivated fields. 10 He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. 11 When goods increase, they increase who eat them, and what advantage has their owner but to see them with his eyes? 12 Sweet is the sleep of a laborer, whether he eats little or much, but the full stomach of the rich will not let him sleep. – Ecclesiastes 5:8-12
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ECCLESIASTES 5 ON INJUSTICE & LOVERS OF MONEY
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
In this world, we will experience oppression of the poor and injustice
Because corruption is rampant in our world system, there’ll be prejudices
The poor gets poorer each day while the rich gain more wealth and power
It is unspeakable and unbearable to witness what injustice does to the vulnerable.
What good is it if God’s people do not care about such injustice in our world today?
Do we truly have faith if we don’t even do something about alleviating their pain?
The Lord hates abuse and partiality, what can we do so we help those discriminated
Let us show love and compassion to the unjustly treated and marginalized.
Lovers of money are insatiable and are never satisfied with their possessions
When they get a chance, they will want more and never get satisfaction
These money lovers will never part with their riches and wealth
They are obsessed to have more money at the expense of their health.
Though the rich have enough food to eat and have all life’s comforts
The poor laborers who toil hard and eat little are still able to sleep good
These lovers of money clearly cannot serve the Lord because of their master
Their lives are meaningless because it is all about gathering earthly riches.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it impossible to serve God if one loves money as Matthew 6:24 says?
• Why is dissatisfaction prevalent in people who love money?
ECCLESIASTES 5 LET NOT YOUR MOUTH LEAD YOU INTO SIN
September 14
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ECCLESIASTES 5
4 When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow. 5 It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. 6 Let not your mouth lead you into sin, and do not say before the messenger that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands? 7 For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity; but God is the one you must fear. – Ecclesiastes 5:4-7
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ECCLESIASTES 5 LET NOT YOUR MOUTH LEAD YOU INTO SIN
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
Remember that our tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness
No human being can tame the tongue, it is a restless evil full of deadly poison
If we forget that our mouths are the instruments that leads us to sin
How careless would we be? Wouldn’t it bring us into temptations?
Put a guard on your mouths or you will be unable to fight your flesh
Let words of truth only come out of our lips so that we will be spared of death
Let our conversations be full of grace so that we will say only what is pure and beautiful
May our mouths only speak of what will build up others so it will only be beneficial.
When we make a vow to the Lord, let us make sure that we commit to do it
We ought to do the same with others, let’s not make promises that we won’t keep
It is better not to pledge something when you cannot keep your allegiance
There is nothing worst than making others believe your vows when they are untrue.
When we aspire much of many things, we increase our chances to sin
Remember that desires and cravings are what lures us to want to win
When desires are conceived, it makes us sin which leads to death
Let us therefore not give life to our pleasures and cravings.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think it is important for us to guard our mouths constantly?
• How are our mouths the instruments that lead us to sin?
• Why does James call the tongue a restless evil full of deadly poison?
• If the mouth leads us to sin, what can we do to stop it from doing that?
ECCLESIASTES 5 WORSHIP POSTURE
September 13
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ECCLESIASTES 5
Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. 2 Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore, let your words be few. 3 For a dream comes with much business, and a fool’s voice with many words. – Ecclesiastes 5:1-3
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ECCLESIASTES 5 WORSHIP POSTURE
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
As a servant of God, let us watch our posture when we worship him
He is the Maker of all things; we ought to show reverence for our King
Let us leave all our earthly concerns behind when we meet with the Lord
All that will hinder us from truly praising him such as worries belong to the world.
Because God’s kingdom is not of this world, let us set aside all our earthly noise
Do not blabber or utter words that you do not truly mean; they are useless
When you come to meet with the Lord, let your words be scarce and few
There is no point in speaking much for He already knows what you are to say.
Have an attitude of humility when you are spending time with the Lord
Remember that he is Spirit and he wants us to worship him in spirit and truth
He is after people who makes him a priority in all that they do
We ought not to treat him like human beings; he is Lord of lords.
Let us not be fools to offer sacrifices, the Lord hates heartless offerings
Do not be saying things that doesn’t line up with truth or chattering
Let our words be few and concise so that we do not open doors to sin
Let us draw near to listen to every instruction and truth that he teaches.
Let us not make a show of our praise to the Lord like those Pharisees
Let us go into a room or anywhere quiet where there are no distractions
Let us all be humble and honest as we open our hearts to listen to him
This is the time for us to hear his voice so we can obey and avoid sin.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important for us to have a posture when we worship the Lord our God?
ECCLESIASTES 4 THE DOWNSIDE OF ISOLATION
September 11
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ECCLESIASTES 4
9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! 11 Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? 12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken. – Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
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ECCLESIASTES 4 THE DOWNSIDE OF ISOLATION
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
The Lord God created man to be with someone
No man is an island; if he is, he will eventually be lonesome
Just as God is three in one, he also made man to be in relationships
We were designed for being with others not to be alone and secluded.
The downside of isolation is that it usually leads to depression
Many persons who lived alone generally ends up in desolation
When we live on our own, we end up being desperate and hopeless
When we are secluded, our world is limited and we suffer mental illnesses.
Two is better than one because that is God’s design for humans
God gave Adam a helper, so he can fulfill his role in God’s kingdom
The Lord wants us to seek the help of others and not be isolated
When we are alone, we miss out on knowing ourselves better.
When we are independent and by ourselves, we open doors for more sins
Because no one sees what we do, we are not accountable for our actions
When we are isolated, we fail to mature in our faith and therefore get stunted
When we are alone, we do not get the benefit of feeling precious and respected.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think being isolated is not a good thing?
• What are the benefits of being with others as compared to the disadvantages of being with someone according to these following verses?
• What is the downside of isolation?
• Share some experiences of the downside of being alone that you’ve witnessed.