#Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

[jesus-is-lord-and-savior]

13 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.

(Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, ESV)

[bojackson54]

The Bonfire of Vanity: Advice From the Wisest Man Who Ever Lived

Tom Wolfe (who wrote, “The Bonfire of the Vanities”) said, “The surest cure for vanity is loneliness.” Another person who understood vanity was (an older and somewhat jaded) King Solomon. After living a life of wealth and achievement, and after marrying hundreds of wives and keeping dozens of concubines, he wrote this: “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and…

[drshermaines-wisdomnuggets]

"THERE'S DANGER IN TWISTING SCRIPTURE!"

Deuteronomy 4:2, “Now listen, Israel, listen carefully to the rules and regulations that I am teaching you to follow so that you may live and enter and take possession of the land that God, the God-of-Your-Fathers, is giving to you. DON’T ADD A WORD TO WHAT I COMMAND YOU, AND DON’T REMOVE A WORD FROM IT. Keep the commands of God, your God, that I am commanding you.” (MSG) Ecclesiastes 3:14-15,…

[pastorhogg]

Wise Too Late

Learning Before Regret ComesLife Lessons Learned “Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13–14). At some point in life, every person will pause and ask a question no amount of success or pleasure can answer: “What was it all for?” That question…

[gmsaugusta]

ALL PRAISES TO YAHAWAH BAHASHAM YAHAWASHI WA RAWCHAA QADASH QAM YASHARAHLA!!

https://www.tumblr.com/gmsaugusta/780359266579136512/all-praises-to-yahawah-bahasham-yahawashi-wa

SALVATION IS COMING: THE HOPEFUL ELECT MUST ENDURE AND REMAIN FAITHFUL UNTO THE END! (Matthew 24:13)!!!!!!

Revelation 18:2 "And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird."

GETTING SPIRITUALLY PREPARED AND GOING THROUGH A TRANSITION INTO GLORY: FOCUS ON BIBLE SCRIPTURES, TUNE OUT THIS WICKED WORLD BY TAKING TIME TO RELAX, IGNORE THE DRAMA THAT'S ONLINE BY TEACHING DAILY, FOCUS ON POSITIVE THOUGHTS, AND LET THE HOLY SPIRIT OVERCOME THE FLESH, BY PRAYING, FASTING, AND SEEKING MORE OF A CONNECTION TO YAHAWASHI!!!! (Romans 12:2)!!! KEEP SEEKING RIGHTEOUSNESS!! (Ecclesiastes 12:13, Acts 3:19, and Ephesians 5:15)!!!!!

THROUGH MUCH TRIBULATION SHALL THE LORD YAHAWAH BAHASHAM YAHAWASHI SAVE A REMNANT OF HIS ELECT PEOPLE!!! (Isaiah 59:19 and Acts 14:22)!!!

[girlbloggercher]

how to read the Bible

this is in order!

1. John

2. Mark

3. Matthew

4. Luke

5. Genesis

6. Exodus

7. Leviticus

8. Numbers

9. Dueteronomy

10. Romans

11. Galatians

12. Colossians

13. Proverbs

14. Ecclesiastes

15. Job

16. 1 Peter

17. 1 Corinthians

18. 2 Corinthians

19. Ephesians

20. Philippians

21. 1 Thessalonians

22. 2 Thessalonians

23. 1 Timothy

24. 2 Timothy

25. James

26. 2 Peter

27. 1 John

28. 2 John

29. 3 John

30. Jude

31. Psalms

32. Joshua

33. Judges

34. 1 Samuel

35. 2 Samuel

36. 1 Kings

37. 2 Kings

38. 1 Chronicles

39. 2 Chronicles

40. Ezra

41. Nehemiah

42. Jeremiah

43. Lamentations

44. Ezekiel

45. Joel

46. Amos

47. Obadiah

48. Nahum

49. Habakkuk

50. Zephaniah

51. Haggai

52. Zechariah

53. Malachi

54. Micah

55. Hosea

56. Luke

57. Esther

58. Jonah

59. Song of Solomon

60. Acts

61. Titus

62. Philemon

63. Hebrew

64. Isaiah

65. Daniel

66. Revelation

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

The Wise Woman

1 The wise woman builds her house, But the woman of folly tears it down with her own hands. 2 He who walks in his uprightness fears Yahweh, But he who is devious in his ways despises Him. 3 In the mouth of the ignorant fool is a rod of lofty pride, But the lips of the wise will keep them. 4 Where no oxen are, the manger is clean, But much revenue comes by the strength of the ox. 5 A faithful witness will not lie, But a false witness breathes out lies. 6 A scoffer seeks wisdom and finds none, But knowledge is easy to one who has understanding. 7 Leave the presence of a fool, As you have not known lips of knowledge there. 8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way, But the folly of fools is deceit. 9 Ignorant fools scoff at guilt, But among the upright there is favor. 10 The heart knows its own bitterness, And a stranger does not share its gladness.

11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed, But the tent of the upright will flourish. 12 There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. 13 Even in laughter the heart may be in pain, And the end of joy may be grief. 14 The one who turns back in his heart will be satisfied with his ways, But a good man will be satisfied with his. 15 The simple believes everything, But the prudent one discerns his steps.

16 A wise man fears and turns away from evil, But a fool gets angry and feels secure. 17 A quick-tempered man acts in folly, And a man of evil schemes is hated. 18 The simple inherit folly, But the prudent are crowned with knowledge. 19 The evil will bow down before the good, And the wicked at the gates of the righteous. 20 The poor is hated even by his neighbor, But those who love the rich are many. 21 He who despises his neighbor sins, But how blessed is he who is gracious to the poor. 22 Will they not wander in error who devise evil? But lovingkindness and truth will be to those who devise good.

23 In all painful labor there is profit, But mere words from the lips lead only to want. 24 The crown of the wise is their riches, But the folly of fools is folly. 25 A truthful witness delivers souls, But he who breathes out lies is deceitful. 26 In the fear of Yahweh there is strong security, And his children will have refuge. 27 The fear of Yahweh is a fountain of life, To turn aside from the snares of death. 28 In a multitude of people is a king’s splendor, But in the dearth of people is a prince’s ruin. 29 He who is slow to anger has great discernment, But he who is quick-tempered raises up folly. 30 A tranquil heart is life to the body, But jealousy is rottenness to the bones. 31 He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker, But he who is gracious to the needy honors Him. 32 The wicked is thrust down by his own evil, But the righteous takes refuge even in his death. 33 Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding, But in the midst of fools it is merely made known. 34 Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to any people. 35 The king’s favor is toward a servant who acts insightfully, But his fury is toward him who acts shamefully. — Proverbs 14 | Legacy Standard Bible (LSB) Legacy Standard Bible Copyright ©2021 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. Cross References: Leviticus 5:7; Ruth 4:11; 1 Samuel 2:36; 2 Samuel 19:7; Job 8:15; Job 21:25; Job 28:28; Psalm 16:11; Psalm 36:4; Psalm 41:1; Psalm 109:17; Psalm 144:14; Proverbs 1:5; Proverbs 2:15; Proverbs 10:22; Proverbs 11:30; Proverbs 12:6; Proverbs 17:4; Proverbs 19:4; Proverbs 19:23; Proverbs 23:9; Proverbs 29:11; Ecclesiastes 7:9; Isaiah 33:6; Habakkuk 3:16; Matthew 24:45; Matthew 25:40; Romans 6:21; 1 Corinthians 3:19; James 1:19; James 4:9; Revelation 1:5

Proverbs 14 Bible Commentary - Matthew Henry (complete)

[assassinsmistress]

Paring, Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 with Romans 2:6.

What are you seeking? Are your actions day-to-day representing glory and honor?

Let us all try our best to represent and serve our Lord Jesus Christ!! ❤️

[scribeforchrist-blog]

Disciplined By God 

MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK

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+ Ecclesiastes 4:5 Fools fold their hands

and ruin themselves.

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VERSE OF THE DAY 

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+ John 6:60 When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, “Do you take offense at this?

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** SAY THIS BEFORE YOU READ; HERE’S SOME CHRISTIAN TRUTHS **

I AM HEARING HIS VOICE 

I AM NOT GRUMBLING 

I AM FOCUSING 

I AM HUMBLE 

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READ TIME: 6 Minutes & 29 Seconds

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THOUGHTS:

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   A lot of people don’t understand things Jesus said. Even if he made it plain and clear, they still were offended because they didn’t understand, and the question is asked today: are you offended? A lot of things in the word of God are going to offend you. 

    It will make you second guess what your doing but we must understand that as we grow in God, our heart will get offended because it wants to do what we want to do, or our heart won't understand what we must let go of. A lot of people are offended because they don’t want to turn from their ways , but sometimes we must pick if we want God or —this world. I'm here to tell you, friends, you can’t have both. 

  Luke 11:27-28 As he said these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!” But he said, “Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

   We must believe in and obey God's word even if we are offended. Some of us get offended, and we are ready to withdraw from God because he won't let us do what we want. There will be many things in this walk that he won't let us do anymore, but have you ever seen a father not discipline his son? We must be disciplined, and we must follow God's ways.

    Hebrews 12:7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their fathers?

   A good father will always discipline his child, which God will do to us every time because he wants the best for that child. We might get offended by this, but who are we to get offended? We must take his correction and change what he is telling us, what he is telling you today, what is he saying to you,

We must remove it and move past it. God chastised David, but he wasn’t offended; God chastised Moses, but he wasn’t offended, and so were Sari and King Saul, but all these men and women knew they must hear his words and grow. 

•           2 Samuel 12:7 Nathan said to David, “You are that man! The Lord, the God of Israel, says: I anointed you king of Israel and saved you from the power of Saul. 

 

•           Numbers 20:12 And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not believe in me, to uphold me as holy in the eyes of the people of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them.” 

 

•           Genesis 18:13-14 And the Lord said unto Abraham, wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which is old?14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the time appointed, I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son

     When God chastises us, we should know he’s not trying to hurt us; he’s trying to save us; some of you are so used to people and this world hurting us that we don’t know that we are being saved; he’s saving us from the lake of fire. Some of us have learned that when God says no, he means no; the things we do can hold up our blessing; it can hold up our destiny! God wants to give us nothing but blessings, but he can’t until he adds pressure to our lives; the pressure he adds will change our lives.

   Deuteronomy 8:5 Know in your heart that, as a man disciplines his son, the Lord your God disciplines you.

   When God disciplines us, he wants us to change what we are doing, not wait, not think about it, but change everything immediately. Have you changed your ways? Have you heard the voice of God and said I’m doing things differently? God loves for us to change our ways and stay on the path he has craved for us; my path won’t look like yours and vice versa, but we all have one path that leads to him! 

   ***Today, we talked about chastisement and how God uses this to change the course of our lives. Many of us don’t like it, and we don’t want to change BUT when we are trying to live a life of holiness and righteousness, we must learn to change; we can’t do it alone. That’s why he’s trying to guide us with his loving arms, but the enemy will do everything he can to stop us from submitting to God.

   Hebrews 12:11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those trained by it.

   When God comes with his discipline, of course, it doesn’t feel great what discipline does, but when it is over, and we go into the right course, and we begin to listen to his words and teachings, it becomes pleasant, and we start then yielding the good, righteous fruit of God. If God has disciplined you and you don’t wait another day or another moment, begin the change now to see his fruits for you. 

©Seer~ Prophetess Lee

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PRAYER

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Heavenly Father, thank you so much for what you do for us. Lord, we love you so much, lord. We hear you, and we want to do what’s right. Lord, help us to stand by you; we give you everything that is part of our lives to change. Lord, help us understand this devotion and change according to what you say is right. Lord, we ask you to forgive us if we have done anything that’s not of you or if we have ignored you; we are sorry; please give us a change of heart to hear you when you speak. In Jesus' Name Amen 

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REFERENCES 

======================

+ Psalm 119:75 I know, O Lord, that your rules are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.

 

+ Revelation 3:19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent

 

+ Proverbs 6:9-10 How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest,

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FURTHER READINGS 

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 Proverbs 22

Micah 5

Zechariah 9

Revelation 10

Hebrews 11

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[purepurposefulprayer]

Prayer for Discernment & Protection

Heavenly Father,

Your Word declares, “Which my soul still seeks but I cannot find: One man among a thousand I have found, but a woman among all these I have not found” (Ecclesiastes 7:28). Yet You also show us that “Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies” (Proverbs 31:10). Lord, we stand in this tension — between Solomon’s lament and Your perfect standard.

We cry out for:

1. Men of discernment who will not be fooled by empty charm (Proverbs 31:30), but who seek women who fear You. Give them wisdom to recognize true righteousness when they find it.

2. Children suffering under ungodly mothers. Protect their tender hearts (Psalm 68:5). Where mothers fail, raise up spiritual mothers, grandmothers, aunts and mentors to fill the gap (Titus 2:3–5).

3. A revival of righteousness among women. Turn hearts from vanity to virtue, from selfishness to service, from worldly ways to Your wisdom (Proverbs 9:10).

Expose the schemes of the enemy who uses unrighteous women to:

• Destroy homes (Proverbs 14:1)

• Mislead children (Exodus 20:5)

• Weaken generations (Proverbs 12:4)

But raise up Esthers and Ruths — women who will:

• Stand for righteousness (Esther 4:14)

• Work diligently (Proverbs 31:13)

• Speak wisdom (Proverbs 31:26)

• Love sacrificially (Ruth 1:16–17)

In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

The call for righteous women remains unchanged, as they perfectly present God’s standard. Ecclesiastes 7:28 stands as a warning, while Proverbs 31 shows us the goal.

⸻

Referenced Scriptures (NKJV - Full Text)

Ecclesiastes 7:27-29

“Here is what I have found,” says the Preacher,

“Adding one thing to the other to find out the reason,

28 

Which my soul still seeks but I cannot find:

One man among a thousand I have found,

But a woman among all these I have not found.

29 

Truly, this only I have found:

That God made man upright,

But they have sought out many schemes.”

Proverbs 31:10

“Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.”

Proverbs 31:30

“Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.”

Psalm 68:5

“A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy habitation.”

Titus 2:3–5

“The older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things—

that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,

to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.”

Proverbs 9:10

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

Proverbs 14:1

“The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her hands.”

Exodus 20:5

“You shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me.”

Proverbs 12:4

“An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones.”

Esther 4:14

“For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

Proverbs 31:13

“She seeks wool and flax, and willingly works with her hands.”

Proverbs 31:26

“She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness.”

Ruth 1:16–17

But Ruth said:

“Entreat me not to leave you,

Or to turn back from following after you;

For wherever you go, I will go;

And wherever you lodge, I will lodge;

Your people shall be my people,

And your God, my God.

Where you die, I will die,

And there will I be buried.

The Lord do so to me, and more also,

If anything but death parts you and me.”

[lionofthegoldsun]

[How are two better than one]

Two are better than one in a work setting because a pair of laborers can accomplish more than a person working alone. Difficult jobs become easier with four hands and the doubled strength of two people working together. Even though profits are divided, two laborers have a better return for their efforts—they achieve more—than one person alone. Two individuals also bring a more varied skill set to the table and offer different strengths to complement and encourage one another.

Two are better than one because, “If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble,” says Ecclesiastes 4:10 (NLT). Sometimes we fall down physically and need help getting up, but the maxim has even greater emotional and spiritual implications. When we stumble in our spiritual walk or are downtrodden with emotional burdens, it’s vital to have a friend or mentor who can come alongside us and help restore us to wholeness in our relationship with God. Paul told the Galatians, “Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:1–2, NLT).

If you’ve ever spent a night out in the freezing elements, you know that two are better than one because “two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone?” (Ecclesiastes 4:11, NLT). Not only is it harder to stay warm traveling alone at night, but it’s more dangerous: “A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12, NLT).

We need Christian friends for emotional, practical, and spiritual support through life’s hardships. If we nurture relationships with other believers, we will always have someone to help us stay on track and lift us back up when we fall. God’s people are not meant to live in isolation but walk this road together (Hebrews 10:25; Acts 2:44). In the earliest days of the church, Christians “worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity” (Acts 2:46, NLT).

Jesus prayed for His followers to be united as one, just as He and the Father were one (John 17:21). This sort of unity and cooperation in the body of Christ binds believers together “in perfect harmony” (Colossians 3:12–14, NLT), allowing God’s love to be “brought to full expression in us” (1 John 4:12, NLT). The body of Christ is stronger and more protected as we care for one another through adversity and celebrate life’s victories together. As we work together and walk together in the strength of unity, we accomplish more for God’s kingdom (John 13:35).

When Solomon said, “Two are better than one,” he acknowledged that true, godly friends are a comfort in need, a help in trouble, a companion in toil, and a protective guard against danger.

[bojackson54]

A Bonfire of Vanity: Advice From the Wisest Man Who Ever Lived

Tom Wolfe (who wrote, “The Bonfire of the Vanities”) said, “The surest cure for vanity is loneliness.” Another person who understood vanity was (an older and somewhat jaded) King Solomon. After living a life of wealth and achievement, and after marrying hundreds of wives and keeping dozens of concubines, he wrote this: “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and…

[hiswordsarekisses]

“Hailed as the wisest King in history, we might question that, just based on his 1000 wives story!

But it’s a tender story, this King Solomon.

His father, the adored King David, had made one of his greatest mistakes.

He had committed adultery and had the woman’s husband killed.

Not a bright shining moment for anyone, let alone a king. A child was born from that adultery and little Daniel died. Solomon was born next.

Scripture says something about Solomon, it doesn’t say about any other baby.

…..”She bore a son, and called his name Solomon; and the Lord loved him.” (2 Samuel 12:24b)

Solomon is a derivative of the Hebrew word “Shalom” which means Peace.

God had said Solomon would be a man of peace, so he could build the Temple.

A place of God’s Presence.

While we may see our spiritual life as warfare here, let is always be mindful that the Presence of God is Peace.

Solomon was so special to God, that God sent a word to his parents that His nickname for Solomon was “Jedidiah” which means: “Beloved of the Lord”. Isn’t that beautiful?

Solomon was incredibly wise, unbelievably wealthy, and did remarkable things for his country. He was admired and respected

far beyond his kingdom. He wrote like his father, so we have many songs and proverbs from him, a book about life, and even a book on spiritual romance.

He did complete a fine palace for him and those wives, and of course, he built that glorious Temple. He reigned 40 years and actually died quite young at 55 years old.

But Solomon’s greatest battle as a man of peace, was the very thing God specifically warned him about early on.

Unbelieving ungodly wives.

God still tells us not to be unequally yoked. A Believer must marry a Believer.

That is still Scriptural today:

“Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship does righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:13)

But like many people, Solomon did not obey God in that area of his life.

You can tell from his proverbs he learned a lot from those experiences.

While I believe Solomon left God for a season, I believe he’s also in heaven today, because of the last verse in his book, Ecclesiastes 12:13-14:

“This is the end of the matter; all hath been heard: Fear God, and keep His commandments; for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every work into judgment, with every hidden thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.”

He concluded his book with full recognition of understanding the fear of God, that he would answer to God.

Solomon teaches all of us that no matter how wise, wealthy, or powerful

we may be, we can still make major mistakes in our personal devotion to Christ. We can still choose things and people who will take us away from God. We can still want the excess of sin. Maybe it’s not in every area of our lives, but maybe in one. Maybe it’s secret. Maybe it went viral.

Because God loved Solomon so much, I believe God loves us so much. No matter where we fail Him, and we all have our places, He still waits for us to recognize thd truth.

No matter where our greatest place of learning may be, God still desires the beauty of holiness, purity and purpose.

The sin I battle most, might not be an issue for you at all. What tempts you, may not be a glimpse for me. But we have to look at each other with grace and love, knowing God’s purpose for us all, is bigger than our sin.

Even though Solomon was very wise, he still made stupid mistakes. Remember that, when you want to hate yourself or somebody else for that really dumb sin.

It’s not wisdom or wealth or position that keep us from falling into sin. It’s our walk with God. Our remaining in Christ.

We all may struggle remaining at times. We can’t hate another person, just because their sin is different than ours. God perfects that which concerns us,

is what He says. We don’t have to do the perfecting of each other.

To know Christ and make Him known gives us a purpose like no other. May we live with grace and purpose, firmly remaining in Christ.”

~AnnStewartPorter

[living-for-jesus-and-telenovelas]

What’s the Point? There once lived a king whose experience exploring and grappling with life’s perplexities was recorded in the book of Ecclesiastes. What’s interesting is that this king—likely King Solomon—reigned in Israel during some of the best years in its history. From the world’s standards, he had more power, prestige, and wealth than any other person before him. Yet, still, he summarized his luxuries with one depressing word: Meaningless! “Everything is meaningless!” (Ecclesiastes 1:2) “Everything is wearisome beyond description.” (Ecclesiastes 1:8) “Nothing under the sun is truly new.” (Ecclesiastes 1:9) “I observed everything going on under the sun, and really, it is all meaningless—like chasing the wind.” (Ecclesiastes 1:14) Though written thousands of years ago, this bleak analysis still resonates with our own restless yearning for more. We want more than meaningless stuff. We want more than surface-level connections and ambitions. We want more than a seemingly thriving, yet secretly unsatisfied life. We want more—but what we want doesn’t typically satisfy us. Like the author of Ecclesiastes, we might find ourselves asking: “What is the point of life?” By the end of the book, “the Teacher” has tried to find meaning in everything under the sun, and he concludes his reflections with these powerful words… “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.” Ecclesiastes 12:13 NIV We can chase after everything this world has to offer and it might bring temporary pleasure. But in the end, pursuing those things apart from God will always leave us empty. The great news is, there’s a God in heaven who created and loves us, and He understands what we really need. He knows that life is best when we follow His design for life. He is worthy of our awe, our honor, and our worship. So, fear God and keep His commandments. Love Him with everything in you and love your neighbor as yourself. That is the point. Only then will life no longer be meaningless.

[christianhomemaker]

Here is the final conclusion, now that you have heard everything: fear God, and keep his mitzvot; this is what being human is all about.

For God will bring to judgment everything we do, including every secret, whether good or bad.

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

[rainyfunction]

"The meaning of life"

I have yet to find a more direct statement on the true meaning of life than from the book of Ecclesiastes. The meaning of human life was the reason it was written; it was a man’s search for value, purpose, and meaning. He searches for meaning in pleasure, in knowledge, in personal achievements and wealth, and finds all these to be empty. In this end, this is what he says:

“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments,     for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment,     including every hidden thing,     whether it is good or evil.”

-Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

But what does this mean to fear God and keep his commandments? Is there a list of rules we have to follow to find meaning? No, not quite. Fearing God and keeping His commandments is not about rules, but it’s about a position of an individual’s heart, and the lifestyle that follows. This can be introduced through three principles: Faith, hope, and love.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

-John 3:16

Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”

-John 6:28-29

I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust.

-Acts 24:15

...the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.

-John 5:28a-29

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

-John 11:25-26

One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

-Matthew 22:35-40

We love Him because He first loved us.

-1 John 4:19

And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister. Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves his child as well. This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

-1 John 4:21-1 John 5:5

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

-1 Corinthians 13

To have faith, hope, and love, this is the fear of God, this is keeping His commandments, this is the meaning of life.