Riches of God

Closing Comments
Ecclesiastes – Week 3

I. Riches of God all benefit me.

a. Goodness, forebearance, longsuffering. (Rom 2:4)

b. Patience and mercy. (Rom 9:22 -23)

c. Redemption, forgiveness, makes known His will for our lives. (Eph 1:7)

d. Christ in you. (Col 1:27)
1. Preserving God's Word (Jn 14:26)
2. Testifies of Jesus (Jn 15:26)
3. Conviction (Jn16:8)
4. Illumination (Jn 16:12)
5. Glorifying Jesus (Jn 16:14)
6. Regeneration (Titus 3:5)
7. Prayer (Rom 8:26)
8. Comfort (Acts 9:31; 2Cor 1:4)
9. Cleansing, Sanctification, Justification (1Cor 6:11)

II. My Investment in God’s Riches is doing today what I was called to do today. (Rom 11: 34-12:1)

a. Mercies of God – I can only consider becoming “rich in God” because God has withheld reasonable judgment from me.

b. Body as a Living sacrifice
1. Body – that which I have control over
2. Living Sacrifice – lively, moving, and quickened. Not idle.

c. Holy, acceptable unto God
1. Pure and morally blameless
2. Well pleasing

d. Reasonable service
1. Reasonable - Rational, (root word logos), of the word
2. Service – worship

III. My Investment in Others is the same as my investment in God’s Riches.

Be faithful to have an intimate relationship with the Lord, let Him work through me, so that the rest of the world will know that He is the Lord God and there is no other, which will be evidence of an undivided heart (a heart at peace with God). – 1 Kings 8:59-61

"Practice Hospitality"

OK, OK I admit it, in the chaos of raising a family, trying to make a living, making every attempt to diet and exercise (or maybe I should just say "making" an attempt), and endeavoring to keep my home in order, that little command I read in Romans 12:13 goes straight to the bottom of my list of to-do's. Especially as the holiday season approaches, and my list grows each day, can I really be expected to "practice hospitality"? It is just two little words, perhaps I can just gloss over them and look more closely at them next year when my life will be a little less hectic (ha,ha).

I decided I should do a little research and discover what I could about that small phrase and how it should impact my schedule. After all, if it is in Scripture, I really must heed that advice, and I do believe the Bible is for my good.

Several questions come to mind:

1. What is hospitality? Hospitality is generously receiving guests in my home and having a welcoming attitude toward them.

2. How can I practice hospitality? To practice means to perform habitually or regularly. So to practice hospitality I must make a habit of welcoming guests into my home.

3. What good can it be for me and others? Simply put, Christian fruit is in Christian relationships (Rom 1:13). We meet one another's needs in developing friendships and relationships. I need others and the encouragement they offer and they need me.

4. How can I "practice hospitality" in my home? This is too hard for me! My greatest excuses are that my home is not nice enough or clean enough. Honestly, when I consider the times I have been invited to someone else's home, I never judged their possessions or how neat or clean it was. I was genuinely grateful for the invitation and the friendship that was offered.

So, now what? Now that I know I must "practice hospitality" what steps can I take to be faithful to that duty? I think I will start small. I will ask a friend that I already know and a new "someone" from my Lifegroup over for dessert. That should be easy. Then, maybe I'll move up to inviting a couple over for dinner and games. Maybe I'll even have a Christmas party! Being obedient to the Word could have lasting blessings through the friendships that will be developed by "practicing hospitality"!

The more I "practice hospitality", the more fun it will be. The more relationships I have the more support and encouragement I will receive at exactly the right time. I knew God's Word was good for me!! Thank you, LORD, for those two little words, "Practice Hospitality".

Seeking God - Ecclesiastes - Week 3

“Simply be faithful and find pleasure in doing what you are called to do!”

I. Determine what I am called to do.

A. Circumstances which prohibit me from seeking God.

1. Is the LORD God my God? (Lev 20:6-8)
2. Do I believe that God is sovereign? (1 Sam 23:14)
3. Pride (Ps 10:4;2 Chr 7:14;Jer 29:13)

B. How to seek God’s will for today.

1. Prepare my heart. (Ezra 7:10; 2 Chr 12:14)
2. Have a willing mind. (1 Chr 28:8 -9;)
3. Abide with Christ. (John 1:38 -39)

II. Finding pleasure in seeking God and doing what I am called to do.

A. Having a prepared heart and a willing mind and abide with Him continually. (1 Chr 16:10 -11)
B. If we seek Him we will lack no good thing. (Ps 34:10)

C. Freedom comes in the discovering and following God’s principles. (Psalm 119:45)


III. Be faithful to my calling.

A. Is 58:11-14

B. Heb 10:38-39


Doctrine statement concerning seeking God:

“The fundamental reason I cannot hear from God is because I have not sought Him in humility. Humility leads me to thirst for Him, seek forgiveness, realize my infirmities, ask continuously, and follow when I hear His answer.”

The Heritage: Ecclesiastes - Week 2

Heritage (Webster's Definition)

1 : property that descends to an heir
2 a : something transmitted by or acquired from a predecessor
3 : something possessed as a result of one's natural situation or birth

Synonyms: LEGACY, INHERITANCE b : TRADITION, BIRTHRIGHT

I. God’s inheritance for me is …
a. Eternal (Ps 37:18)
b. Steadfast (Ps 94:14)
c. Vindication and Righteousness (Is 54:17)
d. Forgiving, Merciful, and Compassionate (Micah 7:18-19)
e. God Himself (Ezekiel 44:28)

II. Is the heritage I am leaving…
a. Eternal?
b. Steadfast?
c. Dependent on God for vindication and righteousness?
d. Forgiving, merciful, and compassionate?
e. God Himself?

III. No regrets
a. Have I been faithful with what God has given me? (Jer 2:7)
b. Have I considered my children a heritage of the Lord? (Ps 127:3)
c. Walk wisely, redeeming the time. (Eph 5:15-16)

Sex and the Niece

This past weekend I co hosted a lingerie shower for my niece who is engaged to be married at the end of this month. Honestly, I am thrilled for her. I believe she has found the love of her life and her aura of captivation is obvious to all who are fortunate to get a glimpse of her. She is 21 and at her physical prime. Fabulous skin, enviable figure, perfect coif with satiny highlights, and a once in a lifetime wardrobe.

Now, it occurred to me as we were all oohing and aahing over the cutest, skimpiest lingerie we have seen in a while, that we (friends of the MOB(mother of bride)) were having a wonderful time discussing things that for 21 years we have made every effort to hide from her. Don't get me wrong, we were all together appropriate, nothing lewd or lascivious.

I guess, for this niece of 21, she has successfully traversed to this stage of womanhood. This point in time that married women share with one another the true joy of sex in marriage. Frankly, when you share yourself with someone who is committed to you, it is beyond explanation on a blog. Pleasing husband and being pleased by him absolutely solidifies our union.

My prayer for neice 21 is that her marriage will be all she desires and that she will discover that her husband is the man that completes her.

Thank you, Lord, for marriage and all that goes with it!

An Undivided Heart: Intro to Ecclesiastes

I. Maintaining the Cause (I Kings 9:59-60)

A. History of Israel
1. Genesis 12:1-3 – The Abrahamic covenant
2. Exodus 25:8 – Their Deliverance from Egypt
3. Judges 2 – The Judges Rule

B. History of Solomon
1. I Samuel 8 – Israel wants a king
2. I Samuel 16 – David becomes king
3. I Kings 1 – Solomon becomes king



II. An Undivided Heart (I Kings 8:61)

A. Perfect Heart


1. It’s all about peace
2. Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary (H8003) shalem – complete, literally or figuratively. Full, just, made ready, peaceable, perfect(ed), quiet, whole
3. How can we attain peace? (Philippians 3:12-16)

B. Results of a Heart at Peace
1. Unity (1 Chronicles 12:38)
2. The Lord shows Himself strong (2 Chronicles 16:9)

Studying Ecclesiastes

On Wednesdays, for about 7 weeks, a group of women will meet and study the Book of Ecclesiastes. We will discuss some very interesting topics which are addressed in this enigmatic and challenging piece of literature. In fact, I believe it may change the way we perceive life as we now recognize it.

My purpose in sharing this fact with you is this, I will be posting the outline and some closing comments from the class on this site. So, if you miss a class during the semester, you can have a taste of what we discussed. Or, maybe you are the type that needs to fill in all the blanks on your handout and cannot bear to have an empty blank, you can come to this site to soothe your obsessive soul.

I am looking forward to learning the Truth, making new friends, and being encouraged by you.