"What Faith Does!"

 "A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?" (Ecclesiastes 10:14 KJV) 

  "Then the LORD said to Job, "Do you still want to argue with the Almighty? You are God's critic, but do you have the answers?" Then Job replied to the LORD, "I am nothing - how could I ever find the answers? I will cover my mouth with my hand. I have said too much already. I have nothing else to say."" (Job 40:1-5 NLT)

  God has made known to us what He is, what He has done, and what will be taking place; this is all recorded in His love-letter to us, which we call the Bible. What does Bible actually mean? Where is the beginning of that phrase, "The Bible," and what does stand for? The simple answer is, "Book," as the thing which keeps record or hold the truth of what needs to be written down. 

 All through the ages, when a king would make any kind of decree, there would be a scribe who would record all that the king said, making it official or part of the law. This, "Book," as it were, is more than just any book, because it holds the recording of many authors; yet all of these authors are linked together over thousands of years. 

 Looking up the meaning of, "The Bible," we can see it shown in the form of a noun, which specifies a person, place, or thing. Okay character reference, if you are looking for a book; but The Bible is so much more than just a thing: it is alive and does what no other book can do: It shows us the heart of God and proves to us the love that He has for us! The more we read it, the louder He speaks, letting us know that His love for us is unchanging and never gives up! 

 Looking at this verse from Solomon, we must remember what his purpose is in showing us these little glimpses of, "The Ironies of Life," because this life is so temporary, but it also has purpose. We are here for a reason; God has a special purpose for each and every life; even those that might be cut off from life, even before they are born, He can still cause purpose to come from that embryonic life! 

 What is a fool? In the definition of this word, it pretty much means foolish or silly; much as a jester which might entertain a king with his silly acts of foolishness. By the way, my favorite Chick Tract is the one called, "The Fool," which shows a dying king who sends his jester out on a quest to find another fool, that might be even more foolish than himself. 

 So, he travels all over the kingdom but has no luck; and goes back to the king with the bad news. The king is very sad, and explains his reason for the request, and that he was soon going to die. Then the jester asked him, 'Have you made preparations for your journey?' And the king said, 'No!' Then, said the jester, as he declared to the king, 'You are a greater fool than me!" 

 For me, faith means that I believe what God has promised me, no matter what, because He is real, and I know that the Bible true! That Book is alive and the breath of God breaths out of it, filling our hearts and minds with the knowledge of who He is and what He will do in order to prove that He loves us...

"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but might in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when our obedience is fulfilled." (2 Corinthians 10:3-6 NKJV) 

"Worldly Points of View" - Too

 "The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness." (Ecclesiastes 10:13 KJV)

  "A group of Jews was traveling from town to town casting out evil spirits. They tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus in their incantation, saying, "I command you in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, to come out!" Seven sons of Sceva, a leading priest, were doing this. But one time when they tried it, the evil spirit replied, "I know Jesus, and I know Paul, but who are you?" Then the man with the evil spirit leaped on them, overpowered them with such violence that they fled from the house, naked and battered." (Acts 19:11-16 NLT)

 Hopefully you have been paying attention to some of the verses that I have been putting up; because this is more about who we might believe in, what He came to do, and how what He did completed a Good Work in our lives! I say completed because it is so! Not that it is all complete here on the earth; but He has fortified our place in heaven and already given the place where we will soon end up; for eternity is already ours! 

 Last night Pastor Daniel was sharing on the chapters 10 and 11 from Revelation, which he referenced as a pause of interlude, between the sixth and seventh Trumpet. As he started out, he pictured that John was no longer in heaven, as he had been when he saw the Lamb, who was worthy to open the scroll; but that now he was back on earth, where he witnessed a giant angel, who had one foot in the sea and another on the land. 

 In that angel's hand was a small scroll, or as the Scripture says, "he had in his hand a little book". When the angel cried with a loud voice, seven thunders uttered their voices, and John was about to write what was said; but he heard a voice from heaven say, "Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not." (Revelation 10:4 KJV) 

 There are just some things we don't know, because God doesn't want us to know! This must be the things which are assured and already completed; otherwise, what we do, or how would carry ourselves, if we already knew, what, how, and when, everything actually was, is, and forever will be. Time was made for this world, meaning the worldly life in which mankind lives in this created space. 

 God lives in a place where time is eternal; there are no days and nights; everything is totally different than that which He created, for us. How all that looks and what it might be, therein is the question; but it is not for us to know what will finally be, except what He tells us, because the rest is too much for us to completely understand. 

 That said, there is something about what I have been putting forth these last couple of day; something that I feel is of great importance. Why did you accept Jesus into your heart? What were you looking for when you believed in Him? If you were looking for a better life, you might not have found it. If you were looking for the relationships in your life to be healed, you might have been disappointed. If you were hoping to find happiness and your friends to like you, you might have been totally let down. 

 Jesus came here to give us eternal life; that we could live forever with Him and experience the love of our Heavenly Father! That is the real reason we should be counting on Him; everything else is just the things that fade and will just be parts of this fallen world. It is the life we have in Heaven with Him that needs to be the reason, which, whether you can believe it or not, is already secured and waiting for you, in eternity...

"All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance - an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change or decay. And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see." (1 Peter 1:3-5 NLT)  

"Worldly Points of View" - To

 "The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness." (Ecclesiastes 10:13 KJV)

  "Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard. and she anointed Jesus' feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance. But Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray him, said, "That perfume was worth a year's wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor." Not that he cared for the poor - he was a thief, and since he was in charge of the disciples' money, he often stole some for himself. Jesus replied, "Leave her alone. She did this in preparation for my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me." When all the people heard of Jesus' arrival, they flocked to see him and also to see Lazarus, the man Jesus had raised from the dead. Then the leading priests decided to kill Lazarus, too, for it was because of him that many of the people had deserted them and believed in Jesus." (John 12:3-11 NLT)

  Without much hesitation, I will try my very best to make this point: If you have been purchased by the blood of Christ, you are His property for eternity! It really doesn't matter whether you have been saved for a few minutes, or you've been saved for over a hundred year; you are His and He is your Lord! So, the real question you might ask yourself, is, 'Do I have the power to undo what He has done?' 

 There are several different ways to make this more presentable, the one I like most is the time Jesus was sleeping in the boat, as the ship was being tossed, and the disciples thought He didn't care if they died, as it appeared that they were going to sink into the sea. Jesus clearly said that they were going to cross to the other side; He didn't say, 'Let's go for a swim!' 

 The point of this is rather simple: When He offered you to receive eternal life, and when you stepped into that boat, you automatically began your journey to the other side! Your eternal life had been granted, and you were now born into the family of God. Did that mean there wouldn't be storms or times of testing? No! As a matter of fact, there are storms and testing taking place all around us; but they are meant to be for the strengthening of our faith!

 When we come to understand and believe that we have been already there, as if the whole journey is already placed in heaven, and now we are just riding out the journey here on earth; therefore, we can better feel a little comfort within each and every storm, comfort enough to rest and try to enjoy the ride...

"By his divine nature, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world's corruption caused by human desires." (2 Peter 1:3-4 NLT)

"Worldly Points of View"

 "The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness." (Ecclesiastes 10:13 KJV)

  "Then Jesus shouted, "Lazarus, come out!" And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, "Unwrap him and let him go!" Many of the people who were with Mary believed in Jesus when they saw this happen. But some went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. Then the leading priests and Pharisees called the high council together. "What are we going to do?" they asked each other. "This man certainly performs many miraculous signs. If we allow him to go on like this, soon everyone will believe in him. Then the Roman army will come and destroy both our Temple and our nation."" (John 11:43-48 NLT)

 This special message is one that has several points of view; most of which show how easy it is to be lead astray, especially when you only care about your own little world, and that what matters most is the power you might have, even though it will soon be gone! Seriously, what power is there when you are gone? If you don't have a chance to go being saved, then there is no power at all to bring you into the eternal life, you might have, period! 

 Back in the day, we called this being indestructible; some might have called it something else, like, immortal, or fire-proof. But the whole point is that nothing in this life can stop you from making it through to the other side, but yourself; and even then, that is debatable! We must believe that God will not leave us, even if we might leave Him, there is really nowhere else for us to go! 

 Something to think about, is the way Lazarus came out of that grave; he didn't walk out, he floated out and had no way to moved; basically, because he was all wrapped up and bound. If there was one thing I found out, from the absolute miraculous beginning of this journey, it is that God has a firm grip on my life, and He is strong enough to not let me go! 

 Even if I wanted to leave Him, it wouldn't go so well with me, and He would do something to cause me to come running back, begging Him to forgive me. That's just what He does: He doesn't give up on us, because we are His children! Do you believe that? Do you understand how much He loves you? 

 This is not really about having a point of view, because everyone has their own way of thinking; some think you can lose you salvation by turning from God, and some think that once you get saved you are always saved; but seldom do you hear someone say that it is all up to God...

""Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers." Peter said, "Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you, and even to die with you." But Jesus said, "Peter, let me tell you something. Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me."" (Luke 22:31-34 NLT) 

"Narrow is The Road" - Two

 "The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself." (Ecclesiastes 10:12 KJV)

  ""But the third servant brought back only the original amount of money and said, 'Master, I hid your money and kept it safe. I was afraid because you are a hard man to deal with, taking what isn't yours and harvesting crops you didn't plant.' "'You wicked servant!' the king roared. 'Your own words condemn you. If you knew that I'm a hard man who takes what isn't mine and harvested crops I didn't plant, why didn't you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.'"" (Luke 19:20-23 NLT)

 Coming to this verse was something I really didn't expect; most of the messages I have heard regarding, "The Parable of The Ten Servants," it was always about talents, or the gifts people are given, or the works of ministry; but there is something more about this than just what we do, as in actions and our abilities. This is about what we think about the Lord: Is He LORD! 

 Finishing up on Deuteronomy today, most likely this morning as it has a song that is meant to declare all things the LORD had done for the children of Israel. The chapter I just finished was rather interesting, as God tells Moses that the people of Israel will turn away from Him and start worshipping other gods. Then Moses tells the people what God has said, and so far, there has been no one stepping up to challenge that accusation.

 Maybe it isn't that we don't trust Him like we should, but more about ourselves, that we know the real conditions of our hearts, and we know that He won't be willing to help in our times of need? If it really is the way the story goes in those last chapters, then we have every right to wonder if He really will, seeing that He has said: ""Then my anger will blaze forth against them. I will abandon them, and they will be devoured. Terrible trouble will come down on them, and on that day they will say, 'These disasters have down on us because God is no longer among us!'"" (Deuteronomy 31:17 NLT) 

 Maybe it is time to return to that place where you once felt loved, and you knew He loved you more than you could ever know! It is never too late to ask for forgiveness...

"And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, "My child, don't make light of the LORD'S discipline, and don't give up when he corrects you. For the LORD disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child."" (Hebrews 12:5-6 NLT)  

"Narrow is The Road"

 "The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself." (Ecclesiastes 10:12 KJV)

  ""A tree is identified by its fruit. If a tree is good, its fruit will be good. If a tree is bad, its fruit will be bad. You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. A good person produces good thongs from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you."" (Matthew 12:33-37 NLT)

 For anyone that is wanting to know the reason for my making this about something other than it might be meant to mean, we are talking about 'The Ironies of Life,' which speaks of all those situations and circumstances we could encounter in this life; yet, in the reality of real life, meaning that life to come once this life is over, everything matters most if it involves what happens with our souls! We might be currently living under the sun, but even still, we need to be living under the Son, because He is the One who will give us real life, in Him! 

 Surprisingly, we have something here that continues the message from yesterday, even though we last left off with talking about the power of prayer, praying being the things we speak out to our Heavenly Father. Believe it or not, but those prayers we speak are meant to be answered! One way or another, God will be answering your prayers, even if they are foolish and seem as though we are just babbling, He has just the right answer for each and every thing we say.

 We might not like His answer, but we be responded to by the actions of our hearts! You must totally and completely understand that He knows everything that is in your heart; no matter what you might be trying to say or pray, it is the heart that is what He sees the most, because it is your heart that makes you what you are, good or bad, your heart directs your path...

"But now, O Jacob, listen to the LORD who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, "Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I gave Egypt as a ransom for your freedom; I gave Ethiopia and Seba in your place. Others were given in exchange for you. I traded their lives for yours because you are precious to me. You are honored, and I love you."" (Isaiah 43:1-4 NLT)  

"The Power of Prayer"

 "Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment: and a babbler is no better." (Ecclesiastes 10:11 KJV)

  "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7 NLT)

 Whether or not you understand it, prayer really does change things! You might not get what you want, but God will surely give you what you need; without any doubt, He will do for you what is needed, even if it is just helping you see Him more and feel His great love; that alone is enough to solve so many issues in our lives! 

 When we are talking about giving all of our cares to God, what we are meant to do is to trust Him with caring for us, not taking care of some things, we might care about; although they might get taken care of, on their own. The things we are looking for are things which draw us closer to Him; things like doing all that He requires of us and serving others in a way that shows His love is real; just by the way we show how much we trust in Him. 

 Even when things get totally out of control, as they often can do, He is always in control, so we must do all that we can to draw close to Him. Prayer is the most important thing we have to enter into the place where there is peace and comfort, even in the strongest storm. Not that it will solve every problem, but that any problem we might have will seem less threatening, because fellowshipping with Him is the most important thing we can ever do. 

 So, with that, I will take a minute to explain the power of pray, and why it happens to be associated with this verse. The first thing we should remember is that of prayer being something that does not require us asking God for things, as if He doesn't know what we need; He knows what we need more then we even know, ourselves! 

 Think about what it looks like when someone is taming a snake, as you might see those people who play a flute, and the cobra comes up and dances but does not bite. In this case the serpent is not the thing that is the issue, it is the bite; the bite being that which is poisoning us, which is causing us to fear that which is happening in our lives, more than our fear of the LORD! 

 If we are seriously trusting the LORD, then no matter what that serpent has the ability to do, it will not harm us or cause us any fear! Giving everything to God in prayer, actually, positively, without a doubt, includes all of our fears! If God says it is so, that we can trust Him, then we must trust Him, without a doubt, period! That is the meaning of the enchantment; not that you are going change the snake, but that the snake will not bite! 

 Secondly, we must not babble and say things which don't come from the heart! God wants us to talk to Him as we would talk to a loving Father, making our request towards Him, not as if He doesn't know what we need, but because we know that He cares! More than anything, we need more of Him...

"Then teaching them more about prayer, he used this story: "Suppose you went to a friend's house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You say to him, 'A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit, and I have nothing for him to eat.' And suppose he calls out from his bedroom, 'Don't bother me. The door is locked for the night, and my family and I are in bed. I can't help you.' But I tell you this - though he won't do it for friend-ship's sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence. "And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will open to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. "You fathers - if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him."" (Luke 11:5-13 NLT) 

"Walking in The Spirit"

 "If the iron be blunt, and he that do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct." (Ecclesiastes 10:10 KJV)

  ""Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves. But beware! For you will be handed over to the courts and will be flogged with whips in the synagogues. You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about me. When you are arrested, don't worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time. For it is not you who will be speaking - it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you."" (Matthew 10:16-20 NLT)

 Good thing we now have a President that is now standing up for the church; especially for the things we feel are important and the things we care about. Today is the Pro-Life march in Washington; and the Vice President will be attending the rally, with President Trump is speaking from his office by video. He might not be a perfect man, but he is the right man, at just the right time! 

 Something very dark and sinister is creepy around beneath the surface of all that is happening, the devil does not like to be overruled, and in the case of what happened in the last election, he was! We do know that all of this is temporary and the battle for souls isn't going away; but it sure feels good to have the common sense back into the rule of law and the good sense to follow the laws of God. Especially the right person in office to respect and care for the people of Israel! 

 If you have the right point of view about this verse, Solomon might be speaking about just the common sense of yielding at sword or trying to chop wood with an axe. If you don't sharpen the edge of your sword or axe, then you will have to put more strength into your swing, in order to make it cut or chop; but, if you hit the right spot, weather it is flesh or wood, even a blunt edge will do the trick. 

 To make better sense of how this works in the life of a believer, we must first understand that the power we have to overcome does not come from us, but from the Holy Spirit. We can try and try, over and over, but the flesh will always win, if the Spirit isn't the power used to overcome! It really isn't that hard to figure out, especially if you keep repeating the same sins over and over again. 

 By the way, it really does help to keep your sword or axe sharp, whether or not you are swinging soft or hard, the sharper the edge, the deeper the impact on whatever you hit. This is really two-part action, that makes the Word useful in sharpening the edge, and the Spirit able to give us more strength...

"So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses." (Galatians 5:16-18 NLT)  

  

"Beyond Reproach" - 2.0

 "Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby." (Ecclesiastes 10:9 KJV)

  "Jesus turned around and looked at his disciples, then reprimanded Peter. "Get away from me, Satan!" he said. "You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God's." Then calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?"" (Mark 8:33-37 NLT)

 As I have said, many times before: There are so many areas in the Bible where Christ Jesus is manifested, wherever you might be, and which ever Book you might be looking into, you can see Him there if you just look for Him, realizing that this entire Love-Letter is all about Him! I know that doesn't fly in the churches which might be a little more worldly and liberal; but there is only one way to be saved, and that Way is by putting all of your faith and trust in Christ Jesus, our Lord! 

 The second part of this verses, "and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereof," is a prime example of the simple way that we are able to apply this to Christ. It really doesn't take a whole lot of thought, but with a little common sense, we can put it into a realistic picture, showing Jesus working as a carpenter, shaping wood into all sorts of furnisher and other such things; while all along, thinking of the cross which He shall on day be nailed upon. 

 I know, call me crazy; but there are so many ways that Jesus can be seen throughout the Scriptures; whether you are looking at the flaming sword guarding the entrance to the Garden, or the Lamb that shows up to open the scroll. This entire Bible is to declare Him, whether it is what we need, what He has done, or how it all comes together in the end; everything is somehow connected to and from Christ Jesus...

"Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can't see - such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him. He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together. Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything. For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ's blood on the cross." (Hebrews 1:15-20 NLT) 

"Beyond Reproach" - TO

"Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby." (Ecclesiastes 10:9 KJV)

  "The LORD is my strength and my song; he has given me victory. Songs of joy and victory are sung in the camp of the godly. The strong right arm of the LORD is raised in triumph. The strong right arm of the LORD has done glorious things! I will not die; instead, I will live to tell what the LORD has done. The LORD has punished me severely, but he did not let me die. Open for me the gates where the righteous enter, and I will go in and thank the LORD. These gates lead to the presence of the LORD, and the godly enter there. I thank you for answering my prayer and giving me victory! The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone. This is the LORD'S doing, and it is wonderful to see. This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it." (PSALM 118:14-24 NLT)

 Keep looking up, because things are beginning to get very interesting: The King is coming soon! As I was preparing for this morning, which actually happened to start at 4:00am, I turned on the news to see that the Fox and Friends foursome didn't look so happy, and some were shaking their heads; so, I needed to turn up the volume and listen to what was going on. 

 Within a few seconds, the footage of an event that happen yesterday morning was displayed, showing President Trump, with his entire family, as well as the Vice President and his family, attending a service the Washington National Cathedral. The bishop was to do a prayer service, but instead, put down the President for many of his executive orders and she declared that many of those orders, he signed, made many people fear for their lives. 

 That is just a quick picture of what I observed, because 4:00 is my prayer time, and as it was, this little distraction caused me to get a late start! However, it also caused me to see the special message that I believe God wanted me to see, and to understand. 

 One of the things I do anytime I start a new verse, no matter what Book of the Bible, is to check the Cross-references for each of the verses, which then shows me the verses in the Bible that are closely related to certain sections of any particular verse. It just so happened, this verse from Ecclesiastes has no references listed, in fact it says: "There are no entries for this verse!" 

 Anytime I see that, I since that there are some mysterious associations that pertain to the verse, and those who are interested need to discover them on their own. In other words, this takes us down a rabbit-hole where there are many different possibilities!

 Oh, and by the way, Jesus was a carpenter...

"Who has believed our message? To whom has the LORD revealed his powerful arm? My servant grew up in the LORD'S presence like a tender green shoot, like a root on dry ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him. He was despised and rejected - a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care. Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we though his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God's paths to follow our own. Yet the LORD laid on him the sins of us all." (Isaiah 53:1-6 NLT)  

"Beyond Reproach"

 "Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby." (Ecclesiastes 10:9 KJV)

  "By now Balaam realized that the LORD was determined to bless Israel, so he did not resort to divination as before. Instead, he turned and looked our toward the wilderness, where he saw the people of Israel camped, tribe by tribe. Then the Spirit of God came upon him, and this is the message he delivered: "This is the message of Balaam son of Beor, the message of the man whose eyes see clearly, the message of the one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who bows down with eyes wide open: How beautiful are your tents, O Jacob; how lovely are your homes, O Israel! They spread before me like palm groves, like gardens by the riverside. They are like tall trees planted by the LORD, like cedars beside the waters. Water will flow from their buckets; their offspring have all they need. Their king will be greater than Agag; their kingdom will be exalted. God brought them out of Egypt; for them he is as strong as a wild ox. He devours all the nations that oppose him, breaking their bones in pieces, shooting them with arrows. Like a lion, Israel crouches and lies down; like a lioness, who dares to arouse her? Blessed is everyone who blesses you, O Israel, and cursed is everyone who curses you."" (Numbers 24:1-9 NLT)

 Hopefully you were paying attention to all that went on yesterday; because this was such a special event; those that were offended by it, really made fools of themselves by calling President Trump a cult leader! I was amazed when he spoke after being sworn in as President, speaking about all the bad things his predecessor did over the last four years, (while he sat right behind him,) and declaring how pleased he will be to destroy them and make everything great again!

 There was about two hundred executive orders that he signed; some of them were just common-sense issues, like that there are only two genders, men will not play in women's sports, and merit will be the thing that propels people forward. As he was signing these orders in the Ovel Office, there were reporters asking him questions and trying to debate him on certain issues he was signing. Without even batting an eye, he was willing to correct them, try to persuade them, and even challenge their lack of common sense; all the while, still staying focused on the stack of documents he signed, one by one. 

 As for this strange interpretation of something that appears as if it doesn't compute, there is more to come that might complete this weird and amazing story! By the way, Balaam was told to curse these children of Israel. This message was his third, the other two were also blessings; but this time he didn't do what he did for the other two, which was to check in with the LORD. 

 No, this time he saw something totally different and amazing: Looking down on the complete tribe of Israel, he saw the giant formation of the cross! All the tents were set up, everyone in their perfect formation, tribe by tribe; each one settled into their particular spot; and the Spirit of God spoke through him...

"So Abraham placed the wood for the burnt offering on Isaac's shoulders, while he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them walked together, Isaac turned to Abraham and said, "Father?" "Yes, my son?" Abraham replied. "We have the fire and the wood," the boy said, "but where is the sheep for the burnt offering?" "God will provide a sheep for the burnt offering, my son," Abraham answered. And they both walked on together." (Genesis 22:6-8 NLT)        

"Simple Illustrations"

 "He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him." (Ecclesiastes 10:8 KJV) 

  "The nations have fallen into the pit they dug for others. Their own feet have been caught in the trap they set. The LORD is known for his justice. The wicked are trapped by their own deeds." [Quiet Interlude] (PSALM 9:15-16 NLT)

 Here is the thing we must know, be totally aware of, and never forget: Those who do wrong, God will judge rightly, and there will be justice for those who are wicked and have no passion or love for others! If you feel as though you might be the victim of something that is not your fault, have faith in God, because He will be the judge! We are called to pray for those who might be our enemies and forgive those who wrongfully set out to hurt us.

 Whatever you might be going through, you have a loving Father who is in Heaven, who looks after you, cares for you, and will never let you down! There is nothing that we can ever go through that will harm us; even though it might seem too much in the moment, everything that happens to His children is that which takes them closer to their Father in Heaven. Believe it is so and hold on to the faith you have been given, no matter how hard things appear! 

 I can't help but think of Stephen's situation, having made such a passionate testimony of the way God's people have been so stubborn throughout the centuries; worshipping other gods, killing the prophets, ignoring the love offered them, by the Father who choose them. After hearing all the truth which he had spoken, the Jewish Leaders were furious and shook their fists at him, in rage.

 When it was apparent that Stephen was in serious trouble, he gazed up into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing at the right hand of the Father: Jesus was standing! Here is where we need to understand the issue, if that is what we think of anything bad or hurtful in our lives: If God is for us, then no one or nothing can be against us; even if it means that we might be put to death! 

 This doesn't have to be an "issue", as if there is something to be dealt with; it becomes the opportunity to get closer to God, to be used to minister and affect change, to God's will and purposes; and without a doubt, best case scenario, you end up in the arms of Jesus...

"And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. For God knew his people in advance, and chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory. What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?" (Romans 8:28-31 NLT)  

"Alternate Realities" - Two

 "I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth." (Ecclesiastes 10:7 KJV)

  "Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God." (Ephesians 5:1-2 NLT)

 If there is one thing that I can see God is doing in this storm, it is His desire for me to trust in Him, no matter how things appear, no matter what might happen, His ways are the best because He knows best what I need, more than I could ever realize! Oddly enough, it is my honor and pride that I feel is what needs to be taken down a notch; whether or not that is it, I feel that it is something that I must do, to humble myself and be willing to lose everything I own, to follow Him. 

 Anywho, this is nothing compared to what is happening to some of our brothers and sisters down in Southern California. There are people who have lost just about everything they have; their home and their belongings, their cars and their businesses. Everything gone in just a matter of days! Some have even lost the ones, (pets included,) they love; burned alive in the fire! 

 Just so you know, Jesus was called the "Prince of Peace," which might be the only thing that might matter to those who have nothing left, to feel peace that passes all understanding! What does peace mean to you? Is it freedom from disturbance and tranquility? 

 Peace is only worth having if it comes from God! No matter what happens in this life, we can have peace, unobtainable peace, in trusting in the Lord for getting through this life, no matter how difficult it might seem, we will get through this, and He will bring us safely through to the other side! If this is what you truly believe, then peace will be yours; but remember this: The real peace comes only from God ...

"Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again - rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:4-7 NLT)  

"Alternate Realities"

 "I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth." (Ecclesiastes 10:7 KJV)

  "Then Pilate went back into his headquarters and called for Jesus to be brought to him. "Are you the king of the Jews?" he asked him. Jesus replied, "Is this your own question, or did others tell you about me?" "Am I a Jew?" Pilate retorted. "Your own people and their leading priests brought you to me for trial. Why? What have you done?" Jesus answered, "My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world."" (John 18:33-36 NLT)

 There is really so much more to this than what we might think. God's ways and purposes have been the same from the very beginning of time: they are His ways and for His purposes! There are so many things that don't quite fit the normal ways we most often expect, because if it is God's work that is being done, it is something extraordinary and seemingly what can't be done.

 As we read through the Scriptures, God will instruct His people to do things which they are capable of doing, like walking in a certain direction, with a certain oddity or condition; while it might seem rather strange and unorthodox, it is fulfilling a work or purpose that God is doing; whether for the present, or for a period of time down the road. Most of what God does through and by His children, may not be for their specific time, but for something they will never actually witness, here on this earth.

 I don't really understand why I am dealing with this certain trial, but I know that my Heavenly Father is allowing it to happen for my good! It's like a perfect storm: something that is happening, which really is just the right situation, taking place at just the right time, which in my reality, it is the worse situation, taking place at the absolute worse time. 

 But, nevertheless, the simple things which God will ask me to do, even if they might seem hard or unpleasant, or even, seemingly foolish; they will allow Him to do that which is extraordinary and seemingly, what can't be done...

"Jesus soon saw a huge crowd of people coming to look for him. Turning to Philip, he asked, "Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?" He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do. Philip replied, "Even if we worked for months, we wouldn't have enough money to feed them!" Then Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up. "There's a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?" "Tell everyone to sit down," Jesus said. So they all sat down on the grassy slopes. (The men alone numbered about 5,000.) Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted. After everyone was full, Jesus told his disciples, "Now gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted." So they picked up the pieces and filled twelve baskets with scraps left by the people who had eaten from the five barley loaves." (John 6:5-13 NLT) 

"Misinterpret" - Too

 "Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place." (Ecclesiastes 10:6 KJV)

  "Just then his disciples came back. They were shocked to find him talking to a woman, but none of them had the verve to ask, "What do you want with her?" or "Why are you talking to her?" The woman left her water jar and ran back to the village, telling everyone, "Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?" So the people came streaming down from the village to see him. Meanwhile, the disciples were urging Jesus, "Rabbi, eat something." But Jesus replied, "I have a kind of food you know nothing about." "Did someone bring him food while we were gone?" the disciples asked each other. Then Jesus explained, "My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work."" (John 4:27-34 NLT) 

 I know you must be wondering how this might play into Solomon's logic; but in this world of give and take, things are very uncertain, and life just isn't as fair as we might think it should be. Yesterday was a very testy day for me, as I really didn't quite understand the message, or the answer, God had given me.

 Sometimes we just don't get it, because it doesn't work the way things ought to work out; or so we think that they should work out! As I was ready Leviticus yesterday, God was telling the children of Israel to let the land rest for one entire year; a year when they would not plant or harvest and of their crops but would just let the land rest. 

 Thinking of this from a business point of view, I was wonder how this was going to work out, as I was reading the text. Several passages later, God gives them a blessing to go along with His regulation, which is pretty much the same blessing and reassurance we will receive by following what He says; even if it seems as though it doesn't make any sense.

 We see things quite differently that God does, yet we still act as though what we see is what is meant to be; or worse, what it should have been or could been. I am really sorry to say, but God's way are surely not our ways; but His ways are the best...

 ""If you want to live securely in the land, follow my decrees and obey my regulations. Then the land will yield large crops, and you will eat your fill and live securely in it. But you might ask, "What will we eat during the seventh year, since we are not allowed to plant or harvest crops that year?' Be assured that I will send my blessing for you in the sixth year, so the land will produce a crop large enough for three years. When you plant your fields in the eighth year, you will still be eating from the large crop of the sixth year. In fact, you will still be eating from that crop when the new crop is harvested in the ninth year."" (Leviticus 25:18-22 NLT) 

"Misinterpret"

 "Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place." (Ecclesiastes 10:6 KJV)

  "The LORD replies, "I have seen violence done to the helpless, and I have heard the groans of the poor. Now I will rise up to rescue them, as they have longed for me to do." The LORD'S promises are pure, like silver refined in a furnace, purified seven times over. Therefore, LORD, we know you will protect the oppressed, preserving them forever from this lying generation, even though the wicked strut about, and evil is praised throughout the land." (PSALM 12:5-8 NLT)

 Just like that, we see two different sides of this equation: the evil that is witnessed under the sun, and the glory the is manifested under the Son! Two totally different outcomes, two totally different meanings of life and death! 

 You do realize, that before you came to Christ you were dead, right? I know that it might sound strange to some, because they know they had a life, there were things that were done and memories of good and bad times, but in the process of time, your life in this world would end in your death! Not only the death you would take part in here, but the second death that happens on the day of judgment. So, in the light of Life, meaning life that never ends, you once were dead.

 This was the result of the fall, as God had told Adam, "The day you eat of that fruit, you will die!" This was a spiritual death, separating man from God. As I was reading God's commandments given to Moses, there is one thing God kept repeating, over and over, "they will be cut off from the community." This was the result of not doing the simple task of listening to good instructions. 

 I know it might not sound a lethal as death, but it is just a little example of God's goodness and the way He wants to protect those who actually want to obey Him. There is more to this than that, but for the most part, everything God ordained for sacrifices and offerings, had more to it than just giving up some animal to be killed, or even, one that was released. 

 Everything is about choosing to do what He says, even if it doesn't make sense! This is His masterpiece of creation; He has made it to be perfect, and perfect it will be...

"Dear brothers and sisters, the longing of my heart and my prayer to God is for the people of Israel to be saved. I know what enthusiasm they have for God, but it is misdirected zeal. For they don't understand God's way of making people right with himself. Refusing to accept God's way, they cling to their own way of getting right with God by trying to keep the law. For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given. As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God." (Romans 10:1-4 NLT)  

"Misconstrued"

 "There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler:" (Ecclesiastes 10:5 KJV) 

 "Then Jesus began teaching them with stories: "A man planted a vineyard. He built a wall around it, dug a pit for pressing out the grape juice, and built a lookout tower. Then he leased the vineyard to tenant farmers and moved to another country. At the time of the grape harvest, he sent one of his servants to collect his share of the crop. But the farmers grabbed the servant, beat him up, and sent him back empty-handed. The owner then sent another servant, but they insulted him and beat him over the head. Others he sent were either beaten or killed, until there was only one left - his son whom he loved dearly. The owner finally sent him, thinking, 'Surely they will respect my son.' "But the tenant farmers said to one another, 'Here comes the heir of the estate. Let's kill him and get the estate for ourselves!' So they grabbed him and murdered him and threw his body out of the vineyard. "What do you suppose the owner of the vineyard will do?" Jesus asked. "I'll tell you - he will come and kill those farmers and lease the vineyard to others. Didn't you ever read this in the Scriptures? 'The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone. This is the LORD's doing, and it is wonderful to see.'"" (Mark 12:1-11 NLT)

 Just in case you missed it, the spectacle yesterday in the Senate was pretty amazing to watch. There is really something that happens to average citizens that become politicians for life, they get stupid and don't really care about the people they serve anymore, because they are more concerned about themselves! This happens in the city governments, all the way up to highest positions in the land; there is just something about having any sort of power: power makes people selfish! 

 If you know the parable Jesus is sharing, it is about the children of Israel and the history they had of killing and beating the prophets that God sent them, throughout the many years they were a nation. And in the case of the son, mentioned in the story, that would be Jesus Christ, the One telling the story! These Jews, those that were leaders in the Temple, having witnessed Jesus chasing out the money changers and clearing out the Temple, were asking Jesus. "By what authority are you doing all these things? Who gave you the right to do them?" (Mark 11:28)  

 You know, there are so many people, Christians included, that really don't understand the real power of the cross of Christ. This was something that God had planned and established from the very beginning of time. Everything had been pre-ordained and meticulously carried out, over thousands of years; all linked together for one spectacular day, when Jesus, the Savior of the world, would take His place upon that cross, to destroy the curse and satisfy the penalty for all our sins! 

 Reading through the Bible, out loud to my wife, I have been starting to realize the importance of so many of the things that God instructed Moses to pay close attention to; especially the sacrifices and the burning of incense; everything had to be carried out in a specific order, and in a perfect manor; all the way down to the smallest detail. 

 That is exactly what God did, setting up for the sacrifice of His Son...

"With Christ as my witness, I speak with utter truthfulness. My conscience and the Holy Spirit confirm it. My heart is filled with bitter sorrow and unending grief for my people, my Jewish brothers and sisters. I would be willing to be forever cursed - cut off from Christ! - if that would save them. They are the people of Israel, chosen to be God's adopted children. God revealed his glory to them. He made covenants with them and gave them his law. He gave them the privilege of worshipping him and receiving his wonderful promises. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are their ancestors, and Christ himself was an Israelite as far as his human nature is concerned. And he is God, the one who rules over everything and is worthy of eternal praise! Amen." (Romans 9:1-5 NLT)   

"The Ironies of Life"

  "There is another evil I have seen under the sun. Kings and rulers make a grave mistake when they give great authority to foolish people and low positions to people of proven worth. I have even seen servants riding houseback like princes - and princes walking like servants! 

 "When you dig a well, you might fall in. When you demolish an old wall, you could be bitten by a snake. When you work in a quarry, stones might fall and crush you. When you chop wood, there is danger with each stroke of your ax.

 "Using a dull ax requires great strength, so sharpen the blade. That's the value of wisdom; it helps you succeed. If a snake bites before you charm it, what's the use of being a snake charmer? Wise words bring approval, but fools are destroyed by their own words.

 "Fools base their thoughts on foolish assumptions, so their conclusions will be wicked madness; they chatter on and on. No one really knows what is going to happen; no one can predict the future. Fools are so exhausted by a little work that can't even find their way home. 

 "What sorrow for the land ruled by a servant, the land whose leaders feast in the morning. Happy is the land whose king is a noble leader and whose leaders feast at the proper time to gain strength for their work, not to get drunk.

 "Laziness leads to a sagging roof; idleness leads to a leaky house. A party gives laughter, wine give happiness, and money gives everything! 

 "Never make light of the king, even in your thoughts. And don't make fun of the powerful, even in your own bedroom. For a little bird might deliver your message and tell them what you said." (Ecclesiastes 10:5-20 NLT)

  "I will praise the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear therefore and be glad." (Psalms 34:1-2 KJV)

 Well today begins the day of testing; but it actually began last night. Hopefully all will be well, even though I told God he could have it all, I believe that whatever happens, He gets the glory...

"O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him." (Psalms 34:8-9 KJV)  

"Waiting on The Lord" - 2

 "If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences." (Ecclesiastes 10:4 KJV) 

  [Tsadhe] "O LORD, you are righteous, and your regulations are fair. Your laws are perfect and completely trustworthy. I am overwhelmed with indignation, for my enemies have disregarded your words. Your promises have been thoroughly tested; that is why I love them so much. I am insignificant and despised, but I don't forget your commandments. Your justice is eternal, and your instructions are perfectly true. As pressure and stress bear down on me, I find joy in your commands. Your laws are always right; help me to understand them so I may live." (PSALM 119:137-144 NLT)

 With all that was said, I truly do believe that what I found in my PO Box was planted there to tempt me; as if I was going to fall for it, just because I was dispirit and was hoping for some way to throw a little water on the fire. Looking at this verse, there is much to see about what Solomon is saying, however you might feel about the meaning, it fits the situation and makes perfect sense.

 First off, the ruler of this current world, meaning this fallen world, is the devil. He has ruled and been tampering with God's people ever since man, that being Adam, choose not to protect and watch over what God had entrusted him to take care of. 

 Yesterday's message on Revelation 5 was a perfect example of what this looks like in Heaven. John sees the Throne, with Him that sat on the Throne, holding a scroll with seven seals; yet there was none to open it, or so John first understood. As Pastor Bryan shared, he believes that this scroll is the deed or title to earth, which is pretty much the same belief that I have understood to be.

 And then, out of the blue, he changes the entire message! Having been there, more times than I care to mention, John was so caught up in the things he saw and heard, he didn't see Jesus! Right there in front of him, there He was, as a Lamb that had been slain, in the midst of the Throne; the only One who was worthy to take and open the scroll! 

 We must understand why this is so important; because there are so many distractions and situations going on all around us, we really need to focus our attention on Christ Jesus, the Real Ruler of Heaven and earth. This other ruler, who has pretty much already lost the battle, has no real power to destroy our souls. He can do a pretty good job of destroying our lives, as he continually does; but we have Jesus on our side, and the battle has already been won!

 Now we just wait on the LORD, knowing that everything belongs to Him now, especially you and me...

"And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight. And remember, our Lord's patience gives people time to be saved. This is what our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom God gave him - speaking of these things in all of his letters. Some of the comments are hard to understand, and those who are ignorant and unstable have twisted his letters to mean something quite different, just as they do with other parts of Scripture. And this will result in their destruction. I am warning you ahead of time, dear friends. Be on guard so that you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people and lose your own secure footing. Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen." (2 Peter 3:14-18 NLT)  

"Waiting on The Lord"

 "If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences." (Ecclesiastes 10:4 KJV)

  "For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do. Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God's promises because of their faith and endurance." (Hebrews 6:10-12 NLT)

 If you come to a crossroad and don't quite know which way you should go, it just might be because you have too many bags that you are carrying, and you really need God to lighten your load. Don't ask me where that came from, because I really think it implies to me. 

 There is something really important about waiting on the Lord, even though we might feel like He is telling us to move, the movement He wants from us might be that of submission and giving everything over to Him. The most important thing for us to do, is surrender the power we might think we have, and yield our lives over to the power that He wants to give us. 

 At least that is what I believe He is telling me today. Yesterday I went my PO Box hoping to find a check, anything that I could put into the bank and try to undo my upside-down accounts. I opened the box to find one letter, an American Express letter offering me a loan of up to $40,000 with five different options to pay it back. 

 Here I am, putting more and more debt on my back, and thinking about adding more, just to try and catch up. At what point do we say enough is enough? My serious problem is that I continually try to pay the bills, even though I might not have the money, I still send out the checks, waiting for the money to come, hoping it will get here before the check gets possessed, and my over-draft kicks in. 

 There, now you know what it means to wait on the Lord! Because I am pretty sure that wait means to stop what you are doing and wait to see what God wants you to do! Oh, and by the way, these last posts from the last couple of days, was meant to be about what some people think about when it comes to putting all of their faith in the LORD: a lot of people think that it is foolish...

"Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD." (PSALM 27:14 NLT)