Whatever your hand finds to do - Lesson 10

Lesson 10 - Whatever your hand finds to do - Ecclesiastes chapter 9

Solomon is sharing his life experiences. "All is vanity" - this is his experience.

Chapter 1:1-11 is Solomon's statement that all is vanity.
Chapter 1:12-6 is Solomon's arguments and evidence for his opening statement.
Chapter 7-12 is Solomon's practical advice and guidance for how to live in this life of vanity.

Stan Alpert in 1998 was in downtown Manhattan on a dark night oblivious to the fact that the streets were deserted and there was a black Lexus following him. He was taken hostage and held for 26hrs. His captors decided to let him live for some unknown reason and he was released without lasting harm.

Who were the hostage takers: Gang members
The motive: Motives were money
Why Stan: because he was there

It was the Eve of his 38th birthday. He spent his birthday in captivity. Later he went on to write a book called the Birthday party.

When I applied mine heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth: (for also there is that neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes:) Then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because though a man labour to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea farther; though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it. Ecc 8:16-17

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. Ecc 9:1

Anything awaits them. Stan would agree.

I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all. For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them. Ecc 9:11-12

"that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God" - How fair of an assessment is this in verse 1? "Anything awaits them:" is that true?

To say, however, that we are in God’s hands doesn’t, of course, mean that we will never have pain, suffering, or tragedy in this life. The most faithful of all Christians can never be sure of what will await them “under the sun.”

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. Verse 2-3

There is one fate for everyone: death Solomon is being truthful

Comparisons:
Good - Wicked
Clean - Unclean
Him that sacrificeth - him that sacrificeth not
The good - the sinner
He that sweareth - he that feareth an oath

But in each of those comparisons they die.

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: Romans 5:12

Death is inevitable: Is Solomon pessimistic or realistic?

Did God intend for us to deal with death? We cannot accept death as a fact. Often we create doctrines to provide comfort for us. Death is an enemy; death is the result for sin.

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. verse 5

This is a realistic view; not a pessimistic view.

"The only difference between human beings and animals are that human beings are animals that can think and talk" - story of teacher.

Solomon is dealing with the view that we can see, not the view knowing of a sure resurrection. How do we deal with life under the shadow of death?

How can we live in light of death? Knowing that we are headed toward death we can still enjoy the relationships and experiences in our lives.

We all die, solomon is telling the truth but what is Solomon's point?

Solomon is focusing just one aspect, just what can be seen. There is an eternal difference, but there is a present reality

Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. John 5:28-29

Everyone is going to be resurrected but not to all the same reward.

And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. Daniel 12:1

There is life beyond the fate that Solomon speaks about and what we do in this life will affect how we live in the next.

But man dieth, and wasteth away: yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he? As the waters fail from the sea, and the flood decayeth and drieth up: So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep. Job 14:10-12

Solomon's point is that this life is the opportunity that we have to make decisions to determine the fate of what happens after death.

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. Ecc 9:5

Two things are for sure: Taxes, coming always on April 16 or 17, and death ETA: unknown! Now is our opportunity to make good decisions.

"...Annihilation was a cold and chilling thought" - William Miller

Solomon gives us one perspective on death, but we don't have to grieve as those with no hope.

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. Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun. Ecc 9:7-9

What is the point of this passage? Hedonism? Can you justify a materialistic lifestyle?

So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. Romans 14:12

The life we live now we are accountable for.

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 2Pe 3:10-11

Is Solomon here just talking to the wicked? Is he lying here?

God wants us to enjoy life now but to take thought of the future. God has given us taste buds: Enjoy your food. God has given some wives: Enjoy them. Solomon is looking at one side of the coin. Solomon is trying to get one point across.

The Source of True Happiness.--There are persons with a diseased imagination to whom religion is a tyrant, ruling them as with a rod of iron. Such are constantly mourning over their depravity and groaning over supposed evil. Love does not exist in their hearts; a frown is ever upon their countenances. They are chilled with the innocent laugh from the youth or from anyone. They consider all recreation or amusement a sin and think that the mind must be constantly wrought up to just such a stern, severe pitch. This is one extreme. Others think that the mind must be ever on the stretch to invent new amusements and diversions in order to gain health. They learn to depend on excitement, and are uneasy without it. Such are not true Christians. They go to another extreme. The true principles of Christianity open before all a source of happiness, the height and depth, the length and breadth of which are immeasurable. It is Christ in us a well of water springing up into everlasting life. It is a continual wellspring from which the Christian can drink at will and never exhaust the fountain. 1MCP p. 48

We can still enjoy life. "Enjoy the moment" - we can worry so much about the future to not enjoy the present.

Bad things do happen. Life is both good things and bad things - life is not life without bad things to give us perspective on the good things.

(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) 2Co 6:2

However important the decisions we make, the most important one of all is the one for Christ, the one in which responding to the Holy Spirit, we choose to die to self and live for Him. Have you made that decision yet? Just going to church, or even believing in Jesus, isn’t making that decision, the one that—more than any other—will decide how you’ll spend eternity.

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. Ecc 9:10

Do what you can now because there is a time coming when you can't.

I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all. Ecc 9:11

None of us know when our time will come.

For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them. Ecc 9:12

"but time and chance happeneth to them all" - we never know when death comes, but it comes to all.

Eat, Drink, Be merry with your wife, - but Solomon already told us it is all vanity. So, is there no place for that vanity? Solomon talks about two extremes: enjoy life but watch out. We are not to be so heavenly minded that we are of no earthly good. We don't abandon the things of life when we have this focus, it just puts them in perspective.

There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Luke 13:1-5

For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. Psalm 103:14-16

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

We have these promises to cling to when time and chance happen to us.

The Father's presence encircled Christ, and nothing befell Him but that which infinite love permitted for the blessing of the world. Here was His source of comfort, and it is for us. He who is imbued with the Spirit of Christ abides in Christ. Whatever comes to him comes from the Saviour, who surrounds him with His presence. Nothing can touch him except by the Lord's permission. All our sufferings and sorrows, all our temptations and trials, all our sadness and griefs, all our persecutions and privations, in short, all things work together for our good. All experiences and circumstances are God's workmen whereby good is brought to us. MH 488-489

There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it: Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man. Ecc 9:14-15

Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard. The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools. Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.

This wisdom have I seen also under the sun, and it seemed great unto me: There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it: Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man. Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard. The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools. Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good. Ecc 9:13-18

Two types of Wisdom - intelligence; heavenly Wisdom, that is the fear of the Lord

Solomon wrote Ecclesiastes and Proverbs where he said Pr 1:7, Pr 9:10 - The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom

What is the fear of the Lord?

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; Ecc 12:1 - Solomon missed that in the beginning of his life.

Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good. Ecc 9:18

When Solomon was faithful to God he needed no weapons of war. When he turned away from God and trusted in his weapons he made shipwreck of his faith.

We naturally neglect that which is truly valuable. We look at the outside and don't see the wisdom someone may have inside.

To Stan Alpert it just didn't make sense. What had he done to deserve this? With his life in a balance hanging before him he asked these questions. And when he was released why? Why should they have let him go?

What about us? God has given us a chance today to life another day of life

In summary:

Life ends eventually
After life that is it
So while I are here
I will live with everything I have
this life is the only chance I have to live for God

Eternal existence or eternal non-existence are the only post-death options. Death comes to all but eternal death does not come to all.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

The believing part of that verse is right now, today, while we still have life under the sun.

Too Much Education?

Yesterday I took the first part of my GED test. There are 8 or 9 other people taking the test with me. Only 2 of them are under 20 I think. The rest are all adults. The oldest is maybe 40-45. It is kind of sad to think about the appalling odds these people face. Without a diploma they won't be hired many places. Many are followed by the stigma of failure for their whole life. All this makes me think of my post yesterday and I wonder is there ever a time when you can have too much education?

If being educated give options, then why not be in school all your life? Why not give yourself as many options as possible. Our lesson study now is the book of Ecclesiastes. In chapter 7 there is a verse that speaks of wisdom:

For wisdom is a defense as money is a defense, But the excellence of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it. Ecc 7:12

"Wisdom gives life to those who have it" - that makes it the better defense. There is a sense that education gives a better life to those that have it. But there is also a sense that unless you are wise your knowledge does nothing for you. It is wisdom that is the defense not knowledge. So can you become wiser with education? Or should you become wiser with education? I think that true education should make you wiser. It should be a defense and a life-giver to you.

When I think of wisdom I think of Proverbs 2. It speaks of wisdom in such personal terms. It talks of seeking and searching for wisdom as though wisdom is something that comes through diligence. It seems that wisdom is something that comes from education! Here is the first 11 verses of Proverbs 2:

My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints. Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path. When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: Proverbs 2:1-11, Proverbs 2

Notice the source, "the Lord giveth wisdom." The at the center of gaining wisdom is the fear of the Lord. If I want wisdom I must fear God. I don't want to preach a prosperity gospel here but I do believe that the Lord blesses those who bless (honor) Him. And yes, there are lots of exceptions to that: ungodly people who do well, and godly people who do poorly. But if the Lord is the source of wisdom and wisdom is a defense then the Lord is my defense.

So, how much formal education do you need to get wisdom? I have run out of time so that question will have to wait for now.

God Bless!

The True Purpose of Education

What is the true purpose of education? Why do we spend the first 12-20 years of our life in formal schools and then quite likely not step foot into a formal schooling environment ever again? And why do we learn such a broad range of topics for a life that will spent dealing with a very narrow range of topics?

Why should a plumber be required to study the great literature of the 18th century when they will never use it again? Why should the art historian be required to study trigonometry, a subject that they will very likely never use after their formal schooling is over?

And why is it that some with little formal education go far while others with great education sort-of fizzle out? Their education just didn't quite get them where it was billed to take them. Does it really matter what formal education a person receives or is it really a myth that you get farther if you are educated formally?

So, what is the purpose and method of true education? And while were asking the questions what is true education? These questions are vital to knowing why I am doing what I doing.

So, what is true education?

The true object of education is to restore the image of God in the soul. In the beginning, God created man in his own likeness. He endowed him with noble qualities. His mind was well-balanced, and all the powers of his being were harmonious. But the fall and its effects have perverted these gifts. Sin has marred and well-nigh obliterated the image of God in man. It was to restore this that the plan of salvation was devised, and a life of probation was granted to man. To bring him back to the perfection in which he was first created, is the great object of life,--the object that underlies every other. It is the work of parents and teachers, in the education of the youth, to co-operate with the divine purpose; and in so doing they are "laborers together with God." 1 Cor 3:9 Christian Education p. 63

But isn't there a practical side to education too? My family was talking to a medical doctor one time and he asked us what the true purpose of education is. My sister replied something to the affect of "to better serve the Lord." He agreed that was the the true purpose of education at a religious level, but insisted that there was another answer. He finally told us that he believed the true purpose of education was to give you options. If you know how to change the oil in your car you have an option some other people don't. If you can diagnose your own health problems you have an option some other don't, etc.

I haven't decided yet if I completely agree with that answer but it is not too far off the mark. If we go back to the formal education question we can soon see that if you have a sellable degree you have the option not to work at the GoldenArches or as a "paper or plastic" questioner. It does give you options you didn't have before. But how much of our education is really adding options to our lives? When I learn the basics of good grammar so that I don't "went to town" I "go to town" does that add options to my life? And how does specialization in this day and age play into this? Do you have to learn as much in all the areas of study if you are going to be specialized in one area only.

I have to stop for today.

God Bless!

That is the question

Yesterday, I had the opportunity meeting with my boss and a potential employee for an interview/planning session. My boss was asking open ended questions to this person such as, how can you advance our goals and interests, how can we fulfill your needs, etc. One question caught my attention. It was “What is your passion or why would you be passionate working here, what would motivate you?” The person answered with fine answers but the question came home to me, “Why am I passionate about what I am doing; what is it that motivates me?”

This question came home to me in a week when I am talking to several schools that are trying to make me passionate about their programs. They are trying to motivate me to see their college or university as the best option for me. And they are not above turning my arm with gifts and flattery to help me see that I am so good I need a top program like theirs. But with each college there is a different motivation: some point to the scholastic, learning for the sake of knowing; some to the practical, learning for the sake of making money; some to the personal, learning to advance who I am and what I want to be.

But what is my motivation right now as I work as a web programmer, and as I seek to extend my knowledge, why am I doing this? Is it for the money, that I make and what the further education would increase? Or for the ability to say I have a job and the sense of security and responsibility that it gives me? What about the different things that money can buy, is it for those things that I do this? Why do I do what I do? That is the question, as is said.

And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment.
And the second, like it, is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." Mark 12:30-31

As I was thinking about this those verses in Mark popped into my mind and I realized this has to be the motivation of the Christian. How much of my heart do I need to love the Lord with? All of it. That leaves no room for loving anything else. Now then, how can I love my neighbor as myself? True love for God is always reflected in love for others.

And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.' "Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.' … Then He will answer them, saying, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.' Matthew 25:33-45

My love for God is expressed in kindness (love) to my fellow man. So, when I am true Christian I will be an aid and assistance to others. This is the gospel in street clothes as some like to call it. “Be the change you want to see in the world” Gandhi. This is the second commandment and the way I show that I keep the greatest commandment.

What does this mean for me? Going back to the question in the beginning, what is my motivation, why am I passionate about web programming, or why should I be? When I stand on the sea of glass will my Lord say to me “well done, thou good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of thy Lord?” Or will he say “since you didn’t do the good things unto the least of thy brethren, you didn’t do it to me?!” What do I want him to say?

I am not asking this to put a fear trap on myself, but to make me think about why I am doing what I am doing. That is the question.

God Bless!

A time to die

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

I found something interesting today called The Death Clock (deathclock.com). "The Internet's friendly reminder that life is slipping away..." I put in my numbers and I have a death date of Sunday, June 25, 2062. It is kind of a morbid message, and yet it shouldn't be. As Christians we should never fear what is beyond the grave. There should be something different about our outlook knowing that we don't face cold, pure annihilation at death.

We have a hope, a hope that burns within our heart. Hope in the coming of the Lord. How much more of the song do you need before you recognize #214 "We have this hope." It should be our song. That hope is our beacon, our guidepost. Without it we would not be Seventh-day Adventists: We believe in that soon coming, that glorious hope.

Something it makes you think about is the value of time. We only have so much time left, and while it may not be the amount specified in the Death Clock, it is finite. Even if we may not make much money for our time, our time is valuable. How much is time with your parents, your spouse, your children, and your friends worth? I think of something a friend of mine told me: "Thank you for taking this time with me. It is the thing you can give me that no one else can."

Something interesting that I noticed is the mode field on that site. I assume that it is speaking to the mode of living. There are 4 options: sadistic, pessimistic, normal, and optimistic. Changing those values greatly affects your estimated lifespan. For example, here is how my projected lifespan changes:

1. Sadistic: Wednesday, June 25, 2025
2. Pessimistic: Saturday, April 20, 2041
3. Normal: Sunday, June 25, 2062
4. Optimistic: Thursday, August 11, 2072
   

By a different perspective on life I can statistically extend my life. This idea is presented in the Bible in several different verses. Here are some I could think of:

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. Proverbs 17:22

With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation. Psalm 91:16

It is God's love for us and His working in us that causes this change to happen. He that has begun a good work will complete it in us. He desires to give us life eternal. Even if we don't have a long life here, God has promised to give eternal life to those that endure unto the end. We were not made to die. Death is a foreign thing to a ceaseless God that is the Alpha and the Omega, that is the beginning and the end.

So is there a time to die? Yes, there is. But with God all things are made new, and we have no more tears, no more sorrow, death will die. Death is swallowed up in victory, "O death where is thy sting, o grave thy victory?!" God's love for us will have saved us from ourselves, from the Devil, and to Him. "And so shall we ever be with the Lord. . ."

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor . . ., shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

Making Decisions

Making decisions is something everyone does their whole life. Making decisions is something everyone does, most of the time without thinking consciously. But at certain points in everyone's life they make very important decisions. Not like what to have for breakfast, although that is an important decision ;), but things like where do I go to college, whom do I marry, what job to except, where to move, etc. Those decisions have to made with more care than the daily decisions that I referenced earlier because they are more affecting.

The choice you make will affect you and others longer than the chose of whether to eat in the living room or in the kitchen. And when you come to those important decisions it is more imperative that you make a good or best decision. If you choose to eat in the living room as opposed to kitchen in most cases even if you made the "wrong" choice. Whereas in the marriage example, if you make the "wrong" choice, your stuck buddy! You have to live with the consequences of that choice for a long time.

So when we come to those important decisions how do we make a good, or the best, decision. I have made a list of 5 steps to making a Godly decision.

1. The Word of God
Psalms 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”

Whenever the Word of God specifies the course there is no need for any other counsel. Oftentimes what we are wondering is already answered in the Bible we just don't know it is there. This is the first step and many times may be the only step.

When we come to the Word we must be willing to accept whatever it has to teach us. If we do not have a spirit of willingness to do what it says we can be lead astray by our own desires and preferences. If we want to God to lead we must be willing to go where He wants us to go.

2. Godly Council
Proverbs 15:22 “Without counsel, plans go awry, but in the multitude of counselors they are established.”

Godly counsel is directly connected to the Word of God. The ideal Godly counselor will point us to the Word and give us counsel based on the Word. Again, we must be willing and open to accept what counsel we receive. But, I would caution that we must be good Bereans (Acts 17:10-11) and search the scripture for ourselves to know if the counsel is right.

3. Inner Conviction
John 14:26 “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything”

The Holy Spirit will guide us into the truth and will reinforce those things that we have been learning. The Holy Spirit has the duty of convicting and impressing upon minds the Truth; we know that He does this and we believe that He does this in the work of evangelism. But I believe He does the same kind of moving upon us personally, helping us to make Godly decisions.

4. Godly Provision/Circumstances
Exodus 17:6-7 “Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink." And he called the place Massah and Meribah… saying, "Is the LORD among us or not?"

Acts 8:1 On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.

God uses providence to guide us. If I want to go to further my education at Yale but I don't have the money and I ask the Lord to guide and someone gives me $10,000 that is a providential guiding from the Lord. There are many ways for this to work, not just monetary, but in all the talent areas. The Lord might give you wisdom at a test or skill at a job interview.

Let's suppose I have a job offer in another state on the other side of the country. But I have aging parents and they have needs that require me to live near them. If they die that is a circumstance that supports me moving somewhere. As we go through the process of asking the Lord for guidance we should make sure to note the providences and circumstances He sets along the way.

5. Peace
Colossians 3:15 “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts,”

The final step in my list is peace. When God leads He gives a peace that passes all understanding. His peace is a peace that only comes by being in the Lord's will. He has a plan for each of us and there is nothing better than to know that you are following the Lord's plan for you.

So as you make those important decisions remember to seek God's will. He desires to show us His plan for each decision. Remember the 5 steps I have found in God's word to coming to a Godly decision.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:11

God Bless!

Single Women and their place in the Bible

I have launched on a mini study of the role and place of single women in the Bible. This may sound strange coming from a guy but I have been reading a book that is taking a very unique view of women in the Bible and I want to find out the truth of the thing.

Here are some reference pages I used in my study:

http://christian-dating-service-plus.com/ ?! - the content is fine, the name is not what I am looking for

http://www.ninetyandnine.com/ - good list

So from those we get this list:

Damaris (Acts 17:34)
Dorcas (Acts 9:36-42)
Euodias and Syntche (Philippians 4:2)
Lydia (Acts 16:13-15, 40)
Martha and Mary and Lazarus’ sisters, (Luke 10, John 11 and 12)
Mary (Romans 16:6)
Mary Magdalene (Matthew 27, Mark 16, and John 19)
Phoebe (Romans 16:1,2)
Susanna (Luke 8:2,3)

Note: those are only NT examples, here are the OT examples I can think of:

Miriam, most likely (Ex 15:20-21, Num 12:1-15, 20:1)
Queen of Sheba (2Chr 9:1-12)
Huldah (2Ki 22:14-20, 2Chr 34:22-28)
Noadiah (Neh 6:14)

I am sure I am leaving out someone but I can't think of any more that I know are single. Now, of the the NT list only Dorcas, Lydia, Mary and Martha, and Mary Magdalene really have very much of a story. The others are just mentioned in passing or very briefly.

For the OT all except Noadiah have sufficient info to study and come too some conclusions. What those conclusions will be I will have to finish later.

God Bless!