Ecclesiastes 4 - 1.18.23

Scripture:

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NIV

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

Observation-What does it say?

“Without a friend, accomplishments are vain.” (enduringword.com-David Guzik)

There are advantages to mutual assistance. (Christianity.com -Matthew Henry commentary)

Understanding-What does it mean?

We were not meant to live this life alone.

King Solomon continues to talk about how meaningless and vain laboring for accomplishments are apart from the Lord AND other people.

What’s the point of being the richest man on earth if you couldn’t be generous with that money? What’s the point of working so hard for accomplishments and success if you had no friends to share those joys with? What’s the point of having so many gifts, talents and wisdom if you didn’t have a church body to share them with or a greater purpose to use them for?

Life Application:

Don’t do life alone. Share your life with others.

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17

Do you have a 1 on 1 discipleship/accountability partner through this 28 days of prayer and fasting?

I have been meeting with someone since the beginning of this month. Our times together have been a huge blessing in terms of discovering a NEW deepened friendship relationship, praying for each other, keeping each other accountable to our goals, carrying each other’s burdens AND celebrating our accomplishments!

Our journey in the Lord is definitely meant to be shared with someone. God never intended us to live the Christian faith as a lone wolf.

I want to challenge you that if you haven’t been meeting with your 1 on 1 or have not reached out to someone yet, there’s still time! It’s truly more fun and less lonely partnering with someone on this journey. I look forward to hearing all the testimonies that come about through it!

-Michelle Gaddi

Acts 15 - 1.17.23

Scripture

Acts 15:28

“It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements…”

Observation

In Acts 15, Paul and Barnabas take a problem in the church to the leaders in Jerusalem. Paul, Barnabas and the church leaders set a great example for us on how to make decisions, both personally and corporately.

They sought godly advice.

Vs. 2: “So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.”

They considered the issue in light of scripture.

Vs. 15: “The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written …”

They listened to the Holy Spirit.

Vs. 28: “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us…”

They acted in unity.

Vs. 22: “Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided…”

Understanding

These are the principles we should be following whenever we have decisions to make in our personal lives. Instead of making decisions based on our desires or in our own wisdom, we need to seek godly advice, consider the issue in light of scripture, and pray and listen to the Holy Spirit.

Likewise, when there are decisions to be made in the church, or when conflict arises, the same principles are to be followed. I am so glad to be a part of a church body that functions this way. Instead of our pastors making decisions in an authoritarian way, decisions are presented to church leaders for prayerful consideration and acted on in unity.

Life Application

Thank you for the reminder in this morning’s reading, in both Acts and in Proverbs, to seek wisdom and not do whatever feels right to me in the moment. Thank you for surrounding me with wise counselors and examples, people who seek your word and your direction. Thank you that you will answer and guide me if I will only listen.

- Debbie Dunn

Ecclesiastes 2 - 1.16.23

Scripture

Ecclesiastes‬ ‭2‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“But as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless—like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere.”

Observation-What does it say?

Although the author of the book of Ecclesiastes is never mentioned by name, all evidence points that it was David’s son, King Solomon, who wrote this book; and what a life King Solomon lived! He had it all! He had lots and lots of money, the big houses, an abundance of women, and servants at his beck and call. I’m sure if there were cars back then, he would have garages filled with them! But even with all that, and all his accomplishments, King Solomon still felt empty inside.

Understanding-What does it mean?

Pursuing God is the wisest decision you can make.

King Solomon is considered to be the wisest man to ever walk the face of the earth; and why shouldn’t he be?! Of all the things he could have asked God for, he asked God for wisdom to lead his people, and God blessed him with it. So I think it’s best if we listen and cling on to every word he has to share. In this passage, and in this book, King Solomon’s main theme is that everything we spend our time in life pursuing, (money, power, sex, and fame), is meaningless! It is a waste of our time! And if anyone would know, it’s King Solomon. He had access to all of it! But when it was all said and done, King Solomon still walked away feeling empty and unfulfilled inside. His wisdom showed him that the more he obtained, the more he wanted. The more he had, the more others wanted to take or steal from him. All the knowledge and wealth he worked so hard to obtain, would just be handed off to his successor who could foolishly squander it. As King Solomon would say, “how meaningless.”

So what was King Solomon’s conclusion? It was that the only true thing that can bring you true joy, happiness, and a sense of fulfillment is pursuing God and following His ways.

“For who can eat or enjoy anything apart from him? God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to those who please him.”-Ecclesiastes‬ ‭2‬:‭25‬-‭26‬a‬‬

“That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.”-Ecclesiastes‬ ‭12‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭

So how am I spending my time here on earth? What things am I wasting my time pursuing? Will I choose to be wise, or live like a fool chasing meaningless things?

Life Application

Spend my time wisely.

If you fast forward and read chapter 12 (the final chapter) of the book of Ecclesiastes, you read about an older and much wiser King Solomon. He urges the reader to not waste their youth by forgetting God. He implores them to not wait until they’re old and gray to choose to follow and obey God. We must do it now!

Let’s use this time of our 28 Days of Prayer & Fasting to pursue God, and follow His ways. Let’s cut out the distractions in our lives that take us away from wholeheartedly doing that. Let’s make sure we are putting our time and efforts pursuing the things that truly matter in life. Let’s use this discipline to not just carry us through the month of January. Let’s use it to jumpstart us in a more deeper and more meaningful relationship with God for the rest of our lives. Know that when we do, we will walk away feeling more joyous and fulfilled. 😊

-Moses Gaddi