Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today is Wednesday July 29, 2009 and we are continuing our studies in the book of Ecclesiastes, please read chapters 5-8 in your Bible or Click Here to read them. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ecclesiastes%205-8&version=9

Today's Message: Gifts From God
We truly are blessed to be children of God, He has given us so many gifts that we take for granted. We are to recognize all gifts from God, not just those we see on the surface.

At Gibeon, the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream in which he asked God for wisdom. Yet, there is no record that Solomon ever copied the Law, as God had instructed Israel's kings to do, in fact, he ignored all of the laws specifically given to kings (see Deuteronomy 17: 14-20). As the years passed, Solomon searched for satisfaction everywhere except from the Lord and His Word. After years of leading an extravagant lifestyle, in his old age, Solomon turned from the secular to the religious life, he observed that the rich and poor were equally obsessed with such fruitless endeavors. It was then that the Holy Spirit directed him to write the Proverbs through the Song of Solomon. Through the Holy Spirit Solomon said, “I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it. He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life. And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God. I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.” - Ecclesiastes 3:10-14. Instead of dwelling on things that we do not have, we need to rejoice in the fact that God has provided a good life for us. We have freedom, salvation, food, shelter, water, clothes, and that is to name just a few, although they may not be the things we desire, they are still gifts from God for our labor. The more we labor, the more we get, but if we fail to recognize God, all will be gone. Remember, money has wings, it can fly away just as fast as it comes to you.


Solomon observed that many whom attended the House of God, offered insincere prayers and made vows that were never kept. The Holy Spirit lead him to give this warning to all whom have no intention of serving God, yet on the surface are deceiving. “Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil. Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few. For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words. When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.” - Ecclesiastes 5:1-5. Many people go to church on Sunday, confess their sins for the past week, pray for change, yet never take one step to change their ways. Do you think they really want to live for God? All one has to to is take a look at the past lessons that we have learned from the Israelite's to know that this never works. Although God is a forgiving God, He will not be mocked and every time a person goes before God with no intention of changing his/her ways he/she is mocking God. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. ” - Galatians 6:7,8.

Many people fail to realize that trials and suffering are gifts from God as well, it is during times like these that we actually become closer to God, learn many things, and actually realize how blessed we are. “A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth. It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart. Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools. For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity.” - Ecclesiastes 7:1-6. Sorrow has a way of getting us back on track, I can recall a time in my life when my heart was full of pain, instead of seeking God I looked for other ways to heal the pain. All this did was create more pain, but in order for me to realize I needed God I had to endure more pain. Now, I look back at what I had gone through and realize that I am not only blessed to have God in my life, I am also a blessing to others. I am a testimony and witness to those who are now going through what I have already had come to pass. When they see what God has done for me it gives them new hope as they too put their faith and trust in the Lord.

Jesus Said, “He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true. For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” - John 3:33-36. We are testimonies for Christ, when we believe in Christ, we believe in God. When we live for Him we find life, the more we live for Him, the more He is reflected off of us. Did you ever have a complete stranger tell you that they see Christ in you? Well, that is a reflection of Christ through you. As others see Him through us they too start to believe and become testimonies. We all have a choice through sorrow, we can become a sad statistic, like so many in the world become, or we can become a testimony of the wonderful gifts that God has given us through them.

Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
Lord, thank You for the blessing of another day here on earth. The greatest riches in this world cannot be bought with money, but are provided through Your abundant goodness and faithfulness to us such as the early hour sunrise or the evening sunset; the birds awakening us with their melodic chants, the fragrant flowers that bring vibrant color to our landscape, the love of a parent, spouse or child, the loyalty of a friend, the dedication of a worker, the stirring passion of a soulwinner. All of these, and far more than we could enumerate, are blessings that come from you, not purchased with money nor earned by our works, but given to us as gifts from Your grace. Thank You Lord, for all the gifts that You have provided us with, including the trials and sorrows we have had come to pass. In Jesus' Name............Amen.

Have a wonderful, blessed, and godly day/night and enjoy the rest of your week.
God Bless You,
Christina