Introduction to Ecclesiastes

I really enjoy the Book of Ecclesiastes. I forget how much I enjoy it until I start reading it. It’s one of the more relatable books to me. Why? Because if we’re honest, sometimes we’re just not feeling it.

I would say, it’s certainly not ironic, but this week I’ve not been feeling it. Not feeling like working and not feeling like making the extra effort. Yet, I’ve got to do it. I’ve got to work. I’ve got to try. But I don’t feel like it…What’s the point?

Do you ever feel that way? Like there’s no point to your routine. Work, maybe play, and back at it all over again. This never-ending cycle of the mundane routine feels draining, doesn’t it?

If you relate to any of that, then you can understand why Ecclesiastes resonates. The Teacher, in the Book of Ecclesiastes is battling the question of life that has carried throughout centuries. What’s the point?

Let’s journey through Ecclesiastes for the answer.

Resisting Happiness- Book Review

We’re hitting the books in this episode. This book, “Resisting Happiness,” is currently my favorite read of 2023. Want to find out why?
Take a listen. 😀

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1806754/

Right or Righteous Podcast Episode

Do you want to be right or righteous?

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1806754/12360017https://www.buzzsprout.com/1806754/12360017

Right or Righteous?

Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness, and honor. – Proverbs 21:21 NLT

I’ll share this, God has been working on me when it comes to righteousness. I’ll keep this post short because I will discuss the topic in greater detail in a podcast.

He’s challenging me to understand the difference between right and righteousness. When I say right, I’m referring to the desire to always be right. Not the inherent rightness of righteousness.

It’s no coincidence that the verse mentions the pursuit of righteousness and unfailing love together. Perfect love keeps no record of wrongs (1 Corinthians 13:5), so righteousness can’t simply be about being right, it has to be more than that, deeper than that. See, true, godly righteousness pairs with unfailing love.

Jesus is the perfect example, right? Jesus is righteousness. Jesus is also unfailing love and its perfect example. Jesus, of course, was always right, but His pursuit was one of righteousness and unfailing love.

If you’re working to pursue the two, righteousness and unfailing love, you’ll find life, righteousness, and honor. In Jesus is fullness of life, righteousness, and honor. When you work like Jesus worked and pursue what Jesus pursued, you’ll be able to receive what Jesus has to offer.

So, how has God been working with me in understanding the difference between right and righteousness? Well, that’s a podcast chat, and I’ll just say it’s a humbling lesson.

The Painful Process – Podcast Episode

Processes are painful, aren’t they? Think about it. Healing is painful. Growth is painful. But the process is the glory, and what comes from it can be glorious. Listen as I dive into this topic today, The Painful Process.

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1806754/12360015

Sensible People

Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs. – Proverbs 19:11 NLT

There are a lot of ways to earn respect. I’d say this is one of the hardest to me. I’ll call it what it is, pride. My pride makes this a difficult one for me. It’s not that I love pointing out people’s wrongs, I just want to.

If someone wrongs me, I want people to know that they did. There’s some pride that comes from knowing I’m innocent in a situation and they’re not. But that’s not right or sensible.

Sensible people control their tempers. As we’ve read in Romans, the godly let God have His vengeance and we don’t take matters into our own hands. The sensible earn the respect of others by overlooking wrongs against them.

Overlook means making a conscious decision to look over what’s been done to them. It’s not about ignorance, but in essence about forgiveness. Sensible people choose humility over pride, and forgiveness rather than vengeance. They don’t make the easy choice but rather the godly one.

The Blessing of Discipline

No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

Hebrews 12:11 NLT

The definition of discipline is the practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behavior, using punishment to correct disobedience.

Discipline isn’t meant to be fun. It’s meant to be a learning tool. Discipline is not abusive. If someone is beating you, that is not good or healthy. Discipline is used not to abuse you but mature you. Being grounded for breaking curfew isn’t abusive, it’s discipline. Hearing no to something can be painful, but it teaches you discipline. The discipline of saying no to something you want isn’t exactly fun, but it’s healthy self-discipline.

While discipline may not be fun, the results are worth it. It creates personal responsibility and healthy balance in life. In fact, the Bible says peace will await the ones who disciplined themselves in the way of the Lord. Not just a little peace, but a harvest of peace. Right living will be the lifestyle for those who chose discipline over their desire. In the end, discipline will actually be the deciding factor for how you choose to live your life.

Accidental Missionary

Why have I never noticed this?!

The sailors were awestruck by the Lord’s great power, and they offered him a sacrifice and vowed to serve him.
Jonah 1:16 NLT

Recap: God tells Jonah to go prophesy to Nineveh. Jonah goes the opposite direction and buys a ticket to sail away. A terrible storm comes, the sailors cast lots to see who has angered “the gods” (essentially). Jonah admits it’s him and tells them about the God he serves.

I wonder if they were thinking, if your God is this mighty why are you running away? Obviously He knows where you are…

Anyway, that leads us to the above verse. God will use anything! Jonah is completely disobedient to God. I mean he’s trying to run from Him and won’t deliver the message to the Ninevites, yet God still uses him.

It says the sailors were awestruck by God’s power and vowed to worship Him. This disobedient Jonah shares about God even in the midst of his disobedience to God, and because of it these sailors see the power and might of God. They offer Him a sacrifice and vow to worship him.

We don’t know much after that, but it’s pretty amazing that God used Jonah in this way. He was actually more of an accidentally missionary. Because God cares more about people knowing and loving Him, He’ll even use our disobedience to point others to Him. We have consequences for our poor choices of course, but I’m glad that God loves people and will still lead them to Him by any means necessary. But, it is always much better to just obey God in the first place!

Lessons from a Middle Schooler

People surprise me. No, I’m not saying that in a negative way, although that’s true too. Every now and then there are moments when we surprise each other.

I assisted a student with a personal problem today. I was really inspired by how well she handled things. I would have possibly cried, other students would have likely broken down, but not her. She took life in stride, with no tears, and grateful attitude.

Now, I wouldn’t have thought less of her if she opted for tears, but it was her outlook that inspired me me. There was irritation, but no “woe is me” attitude. She thanked me for my help, but I was the one who learned a lesson.

Circumstances are poopie sometimes. Life isn’t always fair. However, we always can choose. We can make a choice about every circumstance we face. We can choose joy and peace regardless of circumstances, especially the ones we can’t change. We don’t have to like it, but we can trust God and find joy and peace in the fact that He will use our circumstances for His glory.

It’s not easy but it is true.

Do You Doubt?

Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” – Matthew 14:31 NLT

Do you think Jesus asks us the same question? Why do we doubt Him? Maybe He’s not calling us out of a boat like He did Peter, but he may call us to share the Gospel with a friend. He may call us to volunteer or sing in chapel and/or join a club to have a positive influence in our lives and the lives of others. Maybe He’s calling us to change our class culture by being more positive or to have the courage to make the unpopular choice because its God-honoring.

Ask yourself today, what is Jesus calling me to do? Am I doubting His call or am I doubting Him? If so, why?