Encouragement: Oh God who can compare to You?

Today I bring you words and thoughts of encouragement from Psalm 71:14-24

14 As for me, I will wait continually,
and will continue to praise you.
15 I will tell about your justice,
and all day long proclaim your salvation,
though I cannot fathom its full extent.
16 I will come and tell about the mighty acts of the sovereign Lord.
I will proclaim your justice – yours alone.
17 O God, you have taught me since I was young,
and I am still declaring your amazing deeds.
18 Even when I am old and gray,
O God, do not abandon me,
until I tell the next generation about your strength,
and those coming after me about your power.
19 Your justice, O God, extends to the skies above;
you have done great things.
O God, who can compare to you?
20 Though you have allowed me to experience much trouble and distress,
revive me once again!
Bring me up once again from the depths of the earth!
21 Raise me to a position of great honor!
Turn and comfort me!
22 I will express my thanks to you with a stringed instrument,
praising your faithfulness, O my God!
I will sing praises to you accompanied by a harp,
O Holy One of Israel!
23 My lips will shout for joy! Yes, I will sing your praises!
I will praise you when you rescue me!
24 All day long my tongue will also tell about your justice,
for those who want to harm me will be embarrassed and ashamed.

Biblical Studies Press. (2006; 2006). The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible (Ps 71:14-24). Biblical Studies Press.

"I will come and tell about the mighty acts of the sovereign Lord. I will proclaim Your justice – Yours alone." Do we as Christians today do our job. Do we proclaim God's Justice enough? As we get older it becomes very easy to become focused in on ourselves. This comes as a shock to our systems the first time we can not hike that mountain to the top at break neck speed. Our prayers start to focus on our journey instead of focusing on what God has done and His mighty works.

"O God, You have taught me since I was young, and I am still declaring Your amazing deeds." and "Even when I am old and gray,O God, do not abandon me, until I tell the next generation about Your strength,and those coming after me about Your power." We need to get out there and tell the next generation of all we have learned and come to know of the Lord. About His love and His Power for each of us.

We need to keep to the focus of "Your justice, O God, extends to the skies above; You have done great things. O God, who can compare to You?"

The following text gives us the encouragement to battle on when times get tough. "Though you have allowed me to experience much trouble and distress, revive me once again! Bring me up once again from the depths of the earth! Raise me to a position of great honor! Turn and comfort me! I will express my thanks to You with a stringed instrument, praising Your faithfulness, O my God!"

In reading through Psalm 71 one more time I noted the frequency of the phrases, "Oh Lord, Oh God, Oh my God, my God" The phrase is used here with such respect and awe. May we learn from these Psalms how to better relate to our God. May it help us to be better able to see and understand our duties in the Lord's kingdom, when we are young and when we are old.

Amen

Music Encouragement: Mountain of God (by Third Day)

"I must go through the valley to stand on the Mountain"

Encouragement Give thanks to the Lord!

Today I bring you words and thoughts of encouragement from 1 Chronicles 16:8-16

8 Give thanks to the Lord!
Call on his name!
Make known his accomplishments among the nations!
9 Sing to him! Make music to him!
Tell about all his miraculous deeds!
10 Boast about his holy name!
Let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!
11 Seek the Lord and the strength he gives!
Seek his presence continually!
12 Recall the miraculous deeds he performed,
his mighty acts and the judgments he decreed,
13 O children of Israel, God’s servant,
you descendants of Jacob, God’s chosen ones!
14 He is the Lord our God;
he carries out judgment throughout the earth.
15 Remember continually his covenantal decree,
the promise he made to a thousand generations –
16 the promise he made to Abraham,
the promise he made by oath to Isaac!

Biblical Studies Press. (2006; 2006). The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible (1 Ch 16:8-16). Biblical Studies Press.

What better message for a Thanksgiving day than a message proclaiming thanks.

Amen

Music Encouragement Don Moen-Give Thanks

Encouragement: Do not abandon me!

Today I bring you words and thoughts of encouragement from Psalm 71:9-14

9 Do not reject me in my old age!
When my strength fails, do not abandon me!
10 For my enemies talk about me;
those waiting for a chance to kill me plot my demise.
11 They say, “God has abandoned him.
Run and seize him, for there is no one who will rescue him!”
12 O God, do not remain far away from me!
My God, hurry and help me!
13 May my accusers be humiliated and defeated!
May those who want to harm me be covered with scorn and disgrace!
14 As for me, I will wait continually,
and will continue to praise you.

Biblical Studies Press. (2006; 2006). The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible (Ps 71:9-14). Biblical Studies Press.

"Do not reject me in my old age!
When my strength fails, do not abandon me!"

This is a fear of a lot of people that when they get old or when their strength fails that God will not be interested in us any more, or that without our strength we will not be able to reach out to God and get His attention. We have this feeling that God is strong because of our strength.

Wow talk about thinking upside down. Nothing can be further from the truth. For starters God promises us that He will never leave us or forsake us. More important is the fact that God can perhaps use us more in our weakness than when we are strong. In our weakness we become a powerful agent for God. All we have to do is to take on the unwavering attitude of "As for me, I will wait continually, and will continue to praise You."

So as you grow older and as your strength fades, cling close to God and serve Him in all you say and do. There is power in your relationship with the Lord.

Amen

Music Encouragement Lord, reign in me.

Encouragement: My secure shelter.

Today I bring you words and thoughts of encouragement from Psalm 71:1-8

71:1 In you, O Lord, I have taken shelter!
Never let me be humiliated!
2 Vindicate me by rescuing me!
Listen to me! Deliver me!
3 Be my protector and refuge,
a stronghold where I can be safe!
For you are my high ridge and my stronghold.
4 My God, rescue me from the power of the wicked,
from the hand of the cruel oppressor!
5 For you give me confidence, O Lord;
O Lord, I have trusted in you since I was young.
6 I have leaned on you since birth;
you pulled me from my mother’s womb.
I praise you continually.
7 Many are appalled when they see me,
but you are my secure shelter.
8 I praise you constantly
and speak of your splendor all day long.

Biblical Studies Press. (2006; 2006). The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible (Ps 71:1-8). Biblical Studies Press.

A friend mentioned to me Psalm 71 the other day as being one of their favorite Psalms. I went and looked it up and I have been fixed to it over the last few days. I have come to like it as it is such a bold statement of faith. I am adding it to my list of shelter messages from God.

Life is full of twists and turns, of ups and downs. Some days we feel bold and strong in our faith and other days we need to find that shelter that only the Lord can offer.

The Psalm starts out with the statement. "In you, O Lord, I have taken shelter!" When you step out and go to a place of shelter you have to have confidence in the place of shelter and confidence in the provider of shelter. Trust only comes as we walk in our relationships.

Our writer then goes on to ask to not be humiliated and to be vindicated and delivered.

"Be my protector and refuge,
a stronghold where I can be safe!
For you are my high ridge and my stronghold."

These words almost bring a tear to my eye. I know now that I can come to Psalm 71 to find that safety that so often eludes us in our walk here on earth. The imagery of the shelter is a stronghold or mighty fortress. It is also on a high ridge so it will be easy to defend.

The most striking line of this first part of Psalm 71 comes in verse 5. "For you give me confidence O Lord. " Our God gives us so much including filling us with the confidence.

The more I walk with people on their faith journeys, the more I learn about myself. It is easy when you walk along with someone when you can relate from your own experiences and pull from God's word. It is much more challenging to pull guidance from God's word on issues where you have not walked yourself. At those times you need to rely on the confidence and trust you have experienced and apply it to what the bible says for unknown ground. It is strange because you step out to help someone else and they end up carrying you.

Our Psalm goes on to say "Many are appalled when they see me, but you are my secure shelter." None of us are perfect, that is why Jesus had to step in to the world and complete His completed work. This line applies to us all and we all need the shelter of Christ's blood.

We can all relate to the things that we find are "missing in our lives" and it can be hard when someone makes you face this. We must not dwell on these things, but we must focus our attention on Jesus Christ. In putting Him first we change the way we look at things and as a result the things we look at change and the way we look at things change.

I learned a long time ago to enjoy each day and every day. For each day is special and each of us has a special gift that we can share with others.

Verse 8 sums up my message for today.

"I praise you constantly and speak of your splendor all day long."

May we all focus on Him ministering to each other along the way.

Amen

Music Encouragement You're Beautiful by Phil Wickham

Encouragement: Throw your burden upon the Lord

Today I bring you words and thoughts of encouragement from Psalm 55

Listen, O God, to my prayer!
Do not ignore my appeal for mercy!
2 Pay attention to me and answer me!
I am so upset and distressed, I am beside myself,
3 because of what the enemy says,
and because of how the wicked pressure me,
for they hurl trouble down upon me
and angrily attack me.
4 My heart beats violently within me;
the horrors of death overcome me.
5 Fear and panic overpower me;
terror overwhelms me.
6 I say, “I wish I had wings like a dove!
I would fly away and settle in a safe place!
7 Look, I will escape to a distant place;
I will stay in the wilderness. (Selah)
8 I will hurry off to a place that is safe
from the strong wind and the gale.”
9 Confuse them, O Lord!
Frustrate their plans!
For I see violence and conflict in the city.
10 Day and night they walk around on its walls,
while wickedness and destruction are within it.
11 Disaster is within it;
violence and deceit do not depart from its public square.
12 Indeed, it is not an enemy who insults me,
or else I could bear it;
it is not one who hates me who arrogantly taunts me,
or else I could hide from him.
13 But it is you, a man like me,
my close friend in whom I confided.
14 We would share personal thoughts with each other;
in God’s temple we would walk together among the crowd.
15 May death destroy them!
May they go down alive into Sheol!
For evil is in their dwelling place and in their midst.
16 As for me, I will call out to God,
and the Lord will deliver me.
17 During the evening, morning, and noontime
I will lament and moan,
and he will hear me.
18 He will rescue me and protect me from those who attack me,
even though they greatly outnumber me.
19 God, the one who has reigned as king from long ago,
will hear and humiliate them. (Selah)
They refuse to change,
and do not fear God.
20 He attacks his friends;
he breaks his solemn promises to them.
21 His words are as smooth as butter,
but he harbors animosity in his heart.
His words seem softer than oil,
but they are really like sharp swords.
22 Throw your burden upon the Lord,
and he will sustain you.
He will never allow the godly to be upended.
23 But you, O God, will bring them down to the deep Pit.
Violent and deceitful people will not live even half a normal lifespan.
But as for me, I trust in you.
Biblical Studies Press. (2006; 2006). The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible (Ps 55:1-23). Biblical Studies Press.

Today I bring you the words of the whole of Psalm 55. Numbers often convey meaning in God's word. 5 is the number associated with grace. So here in this Psalm we have a double portion of grace (55)

David starts out this Psalm with a down tone. He projects the idea that there is no way that God could possibly hear him or attend to him.

This is this great man of faith and he is yelling at the top of his voice. "Listen, O God, to my prayer! Do not ignore my appeal for mercy! Pay attention to me and answer me!" Note the exclamation marks at the end of each line.

He then goes on to tell us more as he pours out his heart.
"I am so upset and distressed, I am beside myself" David feels as if he is being attacked from all sides. He says "My heart beats violently within me" "Fear and panic overpower me, terror overwhelms me."

David desperately seeks a way out, an easy way out. To jump out of the valley and not walk through the valley. "I say, I wish I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and settle in a safe place!"

David goes on to describe how he is being attacked from every conceivable place.

We then hit a turning point in the Psalm where David seems to shift focus from his troubles. "Indeed, it is not an enemy who insults me, or else I could bear it; it is not one who hates me who arrogantly taunts me,
or else I could hide from him. But it is you, a man like me,
my close friend in whom I confided. We would share personal thoughts with each other, in God’s temple we would walk together among the crowd." It is with the help of a friend that his focus is shifted, someone with him in the public square and walking in God's temple.

David then continues to change focus, moving it off himself and on to the Lord. He says "As for me, I will call out to God and the Lord will deliver me." Note nothing here has changed. Just the state of mind and placement of focus on the Lord. "During the evening, morning, and noontime I will lament and moan,
and he will hear me. He will rescue me and protect me from those who attack me, even though they greatly out number me." Confidence is in his voice and determination, regardless of his circumstance.

David then starts to send us advice "Throw your burden upon the Lord, and He will sustain you. He will never allow the Godly to be upended."

David closes the Psalm with the words that so strongly strike my heart. With David I like to assert regardless of my situation. "But as for me, I trust in You."

God fill us with your grace,
fill us with confidence,
and help us to see Your love for us
when all seem wrong around us.

Give us the friends to taunt us
and get our focus back on You.

Give us the strength to let You order our footsteps.

Amen

Music Encouragement I Will Trust In You

Encouragement: Listen, my child

Today I bring you words and thoughts of encouragement from Proverbs 1:8-19

8 Listen, my child, to the instruction from your father,
and do not forsake the teaching from your mother.
9 For they will be like an elegant garland on your head,
and like pendants around your neck.
10 My child, if sinners try to entice you,
do not consent!
11 If they say, “Come with us!
We will lie in wait to shed blood;
we will ambush an innocent person capriciously.
12 We will swallow them alive like Sheol,
those full of vigor like those going down to the Pit.
13 We will seize all kinds of precious wealth;
we will fill our houses with plunder.
14 Join with us!
We will all share equally in what we steal.”
15 My child, do not go down their way,
withhold yourself from their path;
16 for they are eager to inflict harm,
and they hasten to shed blood.
17 Surely it is futile to spread a net
in plain sight of any bird,
18 but these men lie in wait for their own blood,
they ambush their own lives!
19 Such are the ways of all who gain profit unjustly;
it takes away the life of those who obtain it!

Biblical Studies Press. (2006; 2006). The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible (Pr 1:8-19). Biblical Studies Press.

Listen to the words of your father and mother. These are hard words for most children to accept. The writer of Proverbs want us to be sure to benefit from the previous generation.

So often in our lives we are faced with the distractions and offers to gain profit by unjust means, but we are to turn away from these offers. We are not to consent, to stand firmly and use the judgement of those who have gone before us to light the way.

Amen

Music Encouragement Find us Faithful

Today I bring you words and thoughts of encouragement from Proverbs 1:1-9

Pr 1:1 The Proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
2 To learn wisdom and moral instruction,
and to discern wise counsel.
3 To receive moral instruction in skillful living,
in righteousness, justice, and equity.
4 To impart shrewdness to the morally naive,
and a discerning plan to the young person.
5 (Let the wise also hear and gain instruction,
and let the discerning acquire guidance!)
6 To discern the meaning of a proverb and a parable,
the sayings of the wise and their riddles.
7 Fearing the Lord is the beginning of moral knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
8 Listen, my child, to the instruction from your father,
and do not forsake the teaching from your mother.
9 For they will be like an elegant garland on your head,
and like pendants around your neck.

Biblical Studies Press. (2006; 2006). The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible (Pr 1:1-9). Biblical Studies Press.

Heard a message from someone today who suggested spending time with the book of Proverbs as it will give you a foundation for your walk of faith.

Well I cracked it open wondering what he meant. I did not have to read far to get my answer. Book of Proverbs states quite clearly its purpose in the first chapter. "To learn wisdom and moral instruction, and to discern wise counsel."

I have read the book of Proverbs many times now. This is the first time I have so clearly observed the introduction.

As I get older, I catch myself doing what Proverbs does. It gives advice to the youth. So I guess Proverbs as well as being a guide of wisdom, is a road map to show us how to pass on the wisdom we have obtained as we have learned it the hard way.

Our first piece of instruction here is "Fearing the Lord is the beginning of moral knowledge" Pretty hard to argue that one. I am not sure that using the word fear conveys the thought the way we use the word fear now. Awe might be a better word but it too may not convey the full meaning.

Then we are to listen for the wisdom of our mom and dad. When you are young that is not always easy, but generally they are trying to keep us from stubbing our toes as good as they did.

So I think that pastor is right. Read the Proverbs and discern and glean the wisdom.

Amen

Music Encouragement (tba)

Encouragement: By grace you are saved

Today I bring you words and thoughts of encouragement from Ephesians 2:8-18

8 For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 it is not from works, so that no one can boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand so we may do them.
11 Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh – who are called “uncircumcision” by the so-called “circumcision” that is performed on the body by human hands 12 that you were at that time without the Messiah, alienated from the citizenship of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
13 But now in Christ Jesus you who used to be far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
14 For he is our peace, the one who made both groups into one and who destroyed the middle wall of partition, the hostility,
15 when he nullified in his flesh the law of commandments in decrees. He did this to create in himself one new man out of two, thus making peace,
16 and to reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by which the hostility has been killed.
17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near, 18 so that through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

Biblical Studies Press. (2006; 2006). The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible (Eph 2:8-18). Biblical Studies Press.

Paul's words ring through the generations. Paul's words are so clear and to the point. "For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God". Ephesians 2 is an important chapter to me. I feel it lays out the foundation for our salvation.

Bottom line is that God does the saving and it is a gift that He bestows on us. God has saved us by Jesus blood and not by our works. We are brought peace with God, that we may be near to God and have access to Him.

I so often feel with all He has done for me that I need to be working hard in His name. Doing the works to justify what He has done for me. Funny thing is that it is at times like this that God can make use of me the least.

It is in my weakness, in my state of being out of control and my being off balance and not sure what I should do, that God seems to be able to control what I do and use me for His purposes. Some days when God is in control and I get to be a part of His plan, things flow that I can not explain and I guess they are works but they well up from inside me. They are not of my doing. It is at times like this that I just stand in awe of the grace that is so freely given by Him. "For He is our peace, the one who made both groups into one and who destroyed the middle wall of partition"

"And He came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near, so that through Him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. "

Amen

Music Encouragement Jesus - My Life is in Your Hands

Encouragement: The Lord gives me strength

Today I bring you words and thoughts of encouragement from Psalm 118:5-14

5 In my distress I cried out to the Lord.
The Lord answered me and put me in a wide open place.
6 The Lord is on my side, I am not afraid!
What can people do to me?
7 The Lord is on my side as my helper.
I look in triumph on those who hate me.
8 It is better to take shelter in the Lord
than to trust in people.
9 It is better to take shelter in the Lord
than to trust in princes.
10 All the nations surrounded me.
Indeed, in the name of the Lord I pushed them away.
11 They surrounded me, yes, they surrounded me.
Indeed, in the name of the Lord I pushed them away.
12 They surrounded me like bees.
But they disappeared as quickly as a fire among thorns.
Indeed, in the name of the Lord I pushed them away.
13 “You aggressively attacked me and tried to knock me down,
but the Lord helped me.
14 The Lord gives me strength and protects me;
he has become my deliverer.”

Biblical Studies Press. (2006; 2006). The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible (Ps 118:5-14). Biblical Studies Press.

I have experienced the hand of the Lord on my life at several points. "The Lord gives me strength and protects me; He has become my deliverer.”

I takes a long time to develop trust in God to the point where you seek Him for strength consistently. "The Lord is on my side, I am not afraid! What can people do to me?" People can do a lot to us if we are not tightly focused on the Lord. The point here is that even though people can impact our lives, we need to look and seek God's guidance so that we walk in the confidence that He orders our footsteps. And that He places people around us to allow us to walk in the light of God's Grace.

" It is better to take shelter in the Lord than to trust in people." It is so easy to slip into the pattern of depending on other people or even worse depending on yourself exclusively. I am not saying that you should ignore people or not take action yourself, but to make sure that your relationship with Jesus remains your primary focus and that God can use you for His purposes.

Let God be your source, your provider of strength, protection and deliverance.

Amen

Music Encouragement Brian Littrell - In Christ Alone

Encouragement His Loyal Love endures

Today I bring you words and thoughts of encouragement from Psalm 118:1-5

118:1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good
and his loyal love endures!
2 Let Israel say,
“Yes, his loyal love endures!”
3 Let the family of Aaron say,
“Yes, his loyal love endures!”
4 Let the loyal followers of the Lord say,
“Yes, his loyal love endures!”
5 In my distress I cried out to the Lord.
The Lord answered me and put me in a wide open place.

Biblical Studies Press. (2006; 2006). The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible (Ps 118:1-5). Biblical Studies Press.

It is so right to give the Lord our thanks and praise for He is good and His love endures.

I have called out to the Lord in my times of wee tiny distresses and the Lord has answered me. Sometimes His response is absolutely overwhelming. A response way larger than expected. Other times I have received a gentle no but with an implied wait and see My plan My child.

God is worthy of our trust. Live in His light and blessings.

Amen

Music encouragement Florida Mass Choir - Jesus Is The Light That Shineth In Me

Encouragement: The Lord will be my light.

Today I bring you words and thoughts of encouragement from Micah 7:1-9

7:1 I am depressed!
Indeed, it is as if the summer fruit has been gathered,
and the grapes have been harvested.
There is no grape cluster to eat,
no fresh figs that I crave so much.
2 Faithful men have disappeared from the land;
there are no godly men left.
They all wait in ambush so they can shed blood;
they hunt their own brother with a net.
3 They are determined to be experts at doing evil;
government officials and judges take bribes,
prominent men make demands,
and they all do what is necessary to satisfy them.
4 The best of them is like a thorn;
the most godly among them are more dangerous than a row of thorn bushes.
The day you try to avoid by posting watchmen –
your appointed time of punishment – is on the way,
and then you will experience confusion.
5 Do not rely on a friend;
do not trust a companion!
Don’t even share secrets with the one who lies in your arms!
6 For a son thinks his father is a fool,
a daughter challenges her mother,
and a daughter-in-law her mother-in-law;
a man’s enemies are his own servants.
7 But I will keep watching for the Lord;
I will wait for the God who delivers me.
My God will hear my lament.
8 My enemies, do not gloat over me!
Though I have fallen, I will get up.
Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light.
9 I must endure the Lord’s anger,
for I have sinned against him.
But then he will defend my cause,
and accomplish justice on my behalf.
He will lead me out into the light;
I will experience firsthand his deliverance.

Biblical Studies Press. (2006; 2006). The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible (Mic 7:1-8). Biblical Studies Press.

I so love my bible. Some days can be a real test and you have trouble seeing how this day can be so dark.

Then to open up God's word and hear that someone else has walked in the way of dispair and to be encouraged by their walk through their valley. He tells us the story of all he is going through and then gets to what is important.

"But I will keep watching for the Lord; I will wait for the God who delivers me." Watch and wait on the Lord, He has the plan, He writes the story, He orders our steps.

"Though I have fallen, I will get up. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light." Indeed we must claim the promise that the Lord will be our light.

"He will lead me out into the light; I will experience firsthand His deliverance."
Every day we need to depend on Him, everyday no matter how big or how small, we will experience His deliverance firsthand.

Watch and wait.

Make sure your lamp is full.

Draw close to Him.

The Lord will be your light.

Amen.

Music Encouragement I am nothing without You

Encouragement: Do not stop working

Today I bring you words and thoughts of encouragement from Ecclesiastes 11:1-6

11:1 Send your grain overseas,
for after many days you will get a return.
2 Divide your merchandise among seven or even eight investments,
for you do not know what calamity may happen on earth.
3 If the clouds are full of rain, they will empty themselves on the earth,
and whether a tree falls to the south or to the north, the tree will lie wherever it falls.
4 He who watches the wind will not sow,
and he who observes the clouds will not reap.
5 Just as you do not know the path of the wind,
or how the bones form in the womb of a pregnant woman,
so you do not know the work of God who makes everything.
6 Sow your seed in the morning,
and do not stop working until the evening;
for you do not know which activity will succeed –
whether this one or that one, or whether both will prosper equally.

Biblical Studies Press. (2006; 2006). The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible (Ec 11:1-6). Biblical Studies Press.

Well I am back from working hard with the harvest on the farm. I apologize for the lack of posting over the last little while.

Today's text really spoke to me after struggling with the harvest this fall. What we do on the farm is sell our grains overseas. Most of what we produce goes to export.

It is also refreshing to know that we need to buckle down and work hard for we do not know which activity will succeed.

"Just as you do not know the path of the wind, or how the bones form in the womb of a pregnant woman, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything."

God Paints that canvas, lets all be in the seen.

Amen

Music Encouragement Oh Lord I love you forever