IT’S YOUR CALL

READING: ECCLESIASTES 11:1-8 

Verse 6: “In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening do not withhold your hand; for you do not know which will prosper, Either this or that, or whether both alike will be good.”

The Book of Ecclesiastes discusses futility and uselessness. Solomon, the author of this Book of the Bible, calls it vanity. In the verse above, some of this vanity is exposed. One particular form of vanity is the commonly held view that the measure of goodness is determined by how well things seem to work out. There is a problem with this basis for judgment. The issue is that it constantly puts us in win-lose situations when, as Christians, our norm should be win-win. This is not to imply we should always expect to get our way. It is just that we are provided a different standard by which to judge goodness. For a person who has a committed confidence in God’s goodness there is no such thing as loss. That person accepts that greater than the natural look and feel of situations is the eternal –not temporal- measure of the Lord. By that standard He causes all things to work for good for those who are His. As we surrender to His perspective, we become able to see our conditions as He does. Then for those who are in Jesus, we find our victory there in Jesus. It is the ultimate win-win! That’s a thought – about God’s Word

RESPONSE

1. In which of the groups below would you place yourself?
Lose-lose         lose-win          win-lose         win-win

2. What do you conclude from your placement?

READY AND WAITING

READING: 1 CORINTHIANS 2:6-16

Verse 9: “But it is written: ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.’”

This verse provides a tantalizing promise regarding the generosity of the Lord. Verse 10 then goes on to inform us that these things which God has prepared, have been revealed to us through His Spirit. It also says the Spirit searches even the deep things of God. Accordingly, we are blessed to have these deep things brought to our awareness just as He has prepared them to do. Therefore we can believe there are teachings, sermons and new written material that expound on increased spiritual revelation. From the wealth of the deep things of God, He is well able, through the Holy Spirit, to provide advancing definitions of Kingdom realities and principles for our edification. The result is that we will be able to know God more fully as He develops us as the bride of the coming Lord Jesus. We are informed by Isaiah 9:7 that there will be no end to the increase of the Lord’s government. I believe, in like manner, that there will also be no end to the supply of these deep things of God. There will always be more of what He has prepared for those who love Him. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. What do you need in order to be ready for the deep things of God?

2. What is one thing you believe God has prepared for you?

A LOVE LETTER, BUT MORE

READING: ROMANS 16:3-16

Verse 3: “Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus,”

The first part of Romans 16 is a passage of scripture that consists of many personal greetings. This part of the Bible demonstrates that God can powerfully use something intended to be routine. I don’t at all imagine, as the Apostle Paul wrote this letter to the Church at Rome, that he could have even slightly suspected it would become what it is today. It probably would have been unbelievable to him that this and others of his letters, would be published and read more widely than anything else ever written. The fact that he included so many greetings indicates that his expectation was limited and localized. It was written because of love and care for a small group. It was not intentionally written to establish instruction and doctrine for the entire Church of Christ. What has happened with Romans 16 is another example of what can result when a person completely surrenders to the purposes of God. Something intended to accomplish a routine or minor purpose can be used by the Lord to perform mighty works for His Kingdom. When shaped by the influence of the Holy Spirit, what seems to be little can become much. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. What is something in your Christian experience that has become more than you expected?

2. What effect do you think the greetings may have on those who received the letter?

TOPSY - TURVY

READING: ECCLESIASTES 10:1-7

Verse 5: “There is an evil I have seen under the sun, as an error proceeding from the ruler.”

This verse along with verses six and seven following, describe the nature of the evil that results from bad leadership. The Bible tells us that when leaders are in error, proper order is not just merely  deranged, but order actually becomes reversed. At such times, ungodliness gets elevated to a place of great respect, while godliness is relegated to low esteem. This scripture provides insight that is certainly descriptive of our day and time also. Too frequently we see qualities and activities that should be highly valued being despised and rejected instead. We certainly live in a season of need. Indeed a great deal of that need is for godly leadership. We must pray for leaders who will exert their influence for the establishment of proper order. Then, through this order of the Lord, fuller expressions of the goodness of God will be possible. Some times we have not because we ask not, so let’s pray for godly leaders. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. How much is godly order reversed by worldly standards today?

2. In what aspect of life is godly leadership most needed?

READY – SET - STOP

READING: ROMANS 13:8-14

Verse 14: “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.”

It is in our human nature to want to get a head start toward a goal. Therefore, there are often rules and restraints designed to prevent us from getting unfair advantages. Here is an illustration: The start of a race is delayed if a runner begins even a fraction of a second before the others. Then, repeated fair start violations result in disqualification. This headstarting human nature is also involved in our sins. We can be found getting things moving in directions that, if not checked, can result in sinful behaviors. For example, if gluttony is a problem for a person, that person headstarts toward sin by going to an all-you-can-eat buffet. The headstart is further increased if that person goes with a friend who also has the same problem. This verse of scripture acknowledges and warns us against our tendency to set ourselves up for sin, by leaning in the direction of that sin. A current popular expression gives the appropriate warning to “don’t even go there.” We should not make provision for the flesh to fulfill its lusts. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. How can a person know when they are beginning to make this kind of provision?

2. What advice would you give to someone who consistently makes provision for the flesh?

A TRUTH BEYOND QUESTION

READING: ECCLESIASTES 7:1-10

Verse 10: “Do not say, ‘why were the former days better than these?’ For you do not inquire wisely concerning this”

This verse refers to what we, in this time, know as the “good ole days.” People still have a strong propensity to revere some of our past experiences. Our memories of our former realities cause those things to seem better than our current experiences. In view of that, it is good to have the wise counsel and caution of God’s word that this verse provides. We should not ask questions about the relative quality of present times compared to what has been in the past. When we do that, we engage in a very basic error, even as inadvertent as it may be. What we do at those times actually amounts to questioning the wisdom of the Lord. We are stating, or at least implying, that our God is not as good in the present as He was formerly. That is definitely a mistake when it judges the choices the Father makes for our lives. It is a mistake because there is a redeeming truth that pertains to both the past and the present. We can always be certain that, regardless of how our conditions may seem or feel, our Lord is the Righteous Judge over and for our lives. The nature of His care for us may be beyond our measure or understanding, but it is constant and true. The Bible assures us that God, whom we are called, is faithful. (1 Corinthians 1:9) That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. Is there anyway the past has a hold in your life?

2. What do you think of the observation that the front windshield is much larger than the rear view mirror?

GOING FROM “IF” TO “WILL”

READING: 1 CORINTHIANS 3:9-17

Verse 14: “if anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.”

There are times when a person cannot be positively sure about something until it is tested. Preparations may seem to be properly completed, but until it is actually tried out doubts can remain.  That conclusion is consistent with the truth found in 1 Corinthians 3: 9-17. Those verses discuss a time when works built upon the foundation which is Jesus Christ, will be tested. At that time, absolute certainty about their quality will be reached. Works which stand the test will result in rewards for those who have accomplished them. We all want to be rewarded, but can we be sure our works will stand the test? We certainly can! Those works that are built to reflect the quality of the Spirit of God dwelling in the builder, are those which will surely stand. They will respond like gold, silver and precious stones in a fire; compared to wood, hay and straw in that fire. Then, when the flames expire, the quality will be clearly revealed. All who build on the foundation of Christ using Holy Spirit direction, will produce works resulting in everlasting reward. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. What personal qualities equate to gold, silver and precious stones?

2. What type of rewards do you believe will be granted?