ECCLESIASTES 8 LIVE FOR THE MOMENT


September 25
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ECCLESIASTES 8
14 There is a vanity that takes place on earth, that there are righteous people to whom it happens according to the deeds of the wicked, and there are wicked people to whom it happens according to the deeds of the righteous. I said that this also is vanity. 15 And I commend joy, for man has nothing better under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of his life that God has given him under the sun. 16 When I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done on earth, how neither day nor night do one’s eyes see sleep, 17 then I saw all the work of God, that man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun. However much man may toil in seeking, he will not find it out. Even though a wise man claims to know, he cannot find it out. – Ecclesiastes 8:14-17
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ECCLESIASTES 8 LIVE FOR THE MOMENT
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
There is a time for different seasons in our lives
We do not know the reasons why things change
There is no point in holding on to what God has already taken
When he decides to close the doors, we cannot open it once again.
It is meaningless to continue to analyze and understand that which we can’t
When things happen around us, let us live for that moment
That is an opportunity for us to lean on the Lord for courage
Courage to face the unknown and the inevitable can be a challenge.
When we try very hard to avoid the changes that we face each time
We miss out on the lessons that we need to learn at that moment
Let us trust that the Lord is in control and his plan is always for the best
Let us embrace all that is uncomfortable and painful in life’s challenges.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think humans have a hard time with changes and challenges in life?
• Why do we tend to understand and analyze situations instead of accepting it and moving on?

CHOSEN FEW FROM THE MANY Poem Devotional

December 18________________________________________
How is it that you are here without wedding clothes? But the man had no reply. For many are called but few are chosen. – Matthew 22:12, 14(NLT)
CHOSEN FEW FROM THE MANY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you seriously thought about what it takes to be consecrated?
Committing to a life for Christ may pose many trials and obstacles
When you are given an invitation to live a righteous life
There are requirements to comply with the invite.
You cannot come to a feast in tattered clothes
You clean yourself up and make sure you don’t look gross
It is like attending God’s feast, you need to be well dressed
He deserves to be revered and wants you to wear your new self.
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In Matthew 22 Jesus tells the parable of the great feast. He compares the Kingdom of Heaven with the story of a king who prepared a great wedding feast for his son. When the banquet was ready, he sent his servants to notify those who were invited. They all refused to come. He sent another batch of servants to tell them a great detail about all that they have prepared for the wedding feast, but again, the guests ignored the invitation and even some of the people killed the messengers who gave the invitation. After that, the king invited everyone they saw but one man came in drab clothes. The king threw this man out in darkness where there’s weeping and gnashing of teeth.
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PRAYER
Lord, let me always be pure.
REFLECTION
Why should we always wear our new creation in Christ?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s poem devotional or go to www.ilmaarts.com posts. To receive emails of my poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com