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So here we go into one of the more painful areas of James’ epistle covering the faith vs. works concept that is a source of division among us. But, as I’ve discussed in other forums with people duking it out on this subject, faith and works really go hand-in-hand. They are not competitive...

“Love is patient, love is kind…” as the apostle Paul so eloquently expresses what true Godly love is all about in I Corinthians 13, and as you noted sometimes love requires discipline and rebuke. God’s law is love. The Ten Commandments as amplified by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount provide a...

A close colleague and friend of mine died a few weeks ago, and I will be giving a eulogy at her funeral on Tuesday. In addition to being a great literary scholar, poet, and writing stories for children, Ruth was also a devout Jew, and her funeral will be held at a Jewish synagogue. This will be...

Amen. Our religion, faith, the law of Christ, and the gospel all go hand-in-hand. Christianity is a way of life and more importantly a relationship with God and our fellow man. Words are important, listening is important, but our faith and beliefs need to translate into fruit that glorifies God...

The conclusion of Ecclesiastes is one of the best in classical literature, but before we get into that, let’s tie up some loose ends in the book of James that we haven’t covered yet. I know some of these verses will rub some people the wrong way, but again my focus is literary with an...

These are all great verses, and I love your idea. Thanksgiving is a time to not only give thanks for all the blessings God has given us, it is a time for me to focus on the foundation of Thanksgiving, our gracious and loving God. Psalm 100 is titled as A Psalm of Thanksgiving, and the spotlight...

A great summary on the definition of wisdom, which is applying knowledge and understanding to all the challenges we face in life.

I'm beginning to learn that as I enter my 60's, and the point is really being driven home with my parents who are entering their 80's :rolleyes:

Unfortunately, I haven't always been wise in that area, especially around my wife :D

Amen. That's the beauty of experience if we ground ourselves in the Lord.

Ecclesiastes 11:9-10 King James Version 9 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. 10 Therefore...

Ecclesiastes 11:7-8 King James Version 7 Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun: 8 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. Sunny days are a...

Ecclesiastes 11:5-6 King James Version 5 As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all. 6 In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for...

Yes, I like your Solomon "under the sun" perspective versus our goal to be "under the Son" like James encourages. The wisdom of God is what it's all about - developing a strong relationship with Christ and learning and living obediently through grace and the power of the Spirit.

Solomon certainly took "carnality" to the next level with his partying, pleasure seeking, and chasing the women around. I'm not sure he really ever experienced the true spiritual experience with God like his father David did.

That was a main point that was emphasized during that sermon I heard ~35 years ago that inspired this thread. The pastor said there are two ways we can learn: 1. Experimentation, which often times translates into "learning the hard way". Solomon paid a heavy price for his sins, and the whole...

Ecclesiastes 11:3-4 King James Version 3 If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be. 4 He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth...

Well said. The life we have is in God, and anything apart from that is emptiness and vanity as Solomon discovered during his life focused on materialism and pleasure. There aren't any substitutes for having a relationship with God, doing our best with His help to put Him first, and seeking His...

Ecclesiastes 11:1-2 King James Version 1 Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days. 2 Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth. I’m switching from the NKJV translation to the King James Version (KJV) that...

Psalm 23 King James Version 1. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of...