Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today is Thursday July 30, 2009 and we are completing our studies in the book of Ecclesiastes, please read chapters 9-12 in your Bible or Click Here to read them. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ecclesiastes%209-12&version=9

Today's Message: Deceptions of The Heart
When we do not give ourselves to God we can easily fall for the deceptions of the heart.

Each day we awake is a new beginning and we have a choice to make, that choice determines whether or not we are following God's Will or our own, but once we make that choice we can not go back, we can go forward, but we can not turn back. Therefore, it is very important that we seriously think about what we intend to do at this moment and beyond. The Holy Spirit led Solomon to warn us of the consequences of seeking the things of the heart. “For all this I considered in my heart even to declare all this, that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God: no man knoweth either love or hatred by all that is before them. All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath. This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead. For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion. For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun. Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works. Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment.” - Ecclesiastes 9:1-8. The heart is the most deceptive thing that we have on our bodies, not the actual heart that keeps us alive physically, but the heart of our soul. The heart is very emotional and tends to seek things in order to satisfy it and it will literally get one to do anything in order to be satisfied. However, when we give our heart to God, He will keep us satisfied without the need of worldly things.

When we begin to seek the things that are in the world, our heart turns away from God and turns toward what we find pleasure in, but there comes a time in our lives when we must grow up and stop seeking pleasure in something that will never satisfy. “Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun: But if a man live many years, and rejoice in them all; yet let him remember the days of darkness; for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity. Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment. Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.” - Ecclesiastes 11:7-10.

In our youth, it's easy to fall for the things of the world because we are learning and growing, but as we grow we learn that life is not all about having fun, and I am talking about the worldly kind of fun here. There is a difference between being satisfied physically and be satisfied spiritually, physical satisfaction is only temporary, we feel great for the moment, but afterward we are longing for more. However, spiritual satisfaction is eternal, we feel great even when things are not. Therefore we need to seek to satisfy the spirit and the only way to do that is by reading God's Word.

Solomon spent his lifetime searching for pleasure from every worldly source, but he used the word vanity over 30 times in the Book of Ecclesiastes and concluded that ignoring the Word of God was the vanity of vanities, we need to fear God and keep His commands. “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;.............Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity............Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” - Ecclesiastes 12:1,7,8,13,14. God knows our hearts, He knows every little thing that we secretly desire, whether it's good or evil, we will be judged according to them.

Since all of us were created for the purposes of God, all else in life should be seen as opportunities to advance the Kingdom of God by fulfilling those purposes. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” - Ephesians 2:8-10. Satisfaction in life results from giving one's time, talents, and resources to fulfill the will of God. This is the only true source of happiness, peace of mind, and genuine enjoyment in life.

Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
Lord, you know the longings of my heart. When I seek thrills and quick fixes to satisfy these needs I am eventually disappointed. Your supply of Living Water never runs dry and satisfies the inner desires of my heart because You are the only One who can meet my spiritual needs. Lord, as I come today dry and thirsty I look to You, for You satisfy the thirsty and fill the hungry with good things. In Jesus' Name.........Amen.

Have a wonderful and blessed day/night.
God Bless You,
Christina