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Jesus told His disciples: "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore, be wise as serpents and harmless as doves" (Matt. 10: 16). We need a blend of both characteristics as we spread the good news to this broken world. It would be great if we didn't have to worry about...

These are good thoughts, brother. Vanity is such a solid temptation because it usually brings some temporary pleasure and material benefits short term. And then a moment or day of pleasure yields days, weeks, or longer of emptiness and sorrow. I need to keep my eyes on God at all times because...

No doubt about that, sister. I'm not sure I would have lived long, and/or I may have ended up in jail without God's calling to get out of the town and lifestyle I was living as a teenager. I can certainly relate with Solomon: the party lifestyle left me empty, and even when I got a good job and...

I think that sums up James' ideas better. "Verification by works," God's work within us manifesting the fruit of the Spirit.

Wisdom is a gift from God, and it is a great attribute to have in this wild and out-of-control world. Why is it that Solomon's gift went from being an asset that helped him govern the nation successfully to souring into misery and despair? I like the sub-title that Bible Gateway...

I like the way you broke down wisdom, brother. Jesus Christ is our greatest source of wisdom for sure! James encourages us to ask God for wisdom: James 1:5-8 New King James Version 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will...

I never noticed until this reading how much poetry Solomon includes in Ecclesiastes. He shares many insights and observations through prose (e.g. Chpt. 1 verses 12-14) but then uses poetry to express abstract concepts like vanity (v. 15). After a short introduction establishing his credentials...

Good point. I think a lot of Samaritans lived in the northern part of Israel, too, and they were a mixed race with the Israelites. Your idea got me thinking about what actually happened to the "lost ten tribes of Israel?" There is a lot of speculation because the details are scarce. Since the...

Happy New Year, Magenta - I'm enjoying time with family in Sarasota, Fla. and pray you've had a blessed holiday season as well! My conversion took place when I was 21, but I certainly had my taste of living a rebellious and rough life as a teenager. Unfortunately, even after conversion, I still...

The "pursuit of the wind" is another way of expressing the "vanity" of life in separation from God. It's also described as "a chasing after the wind," "worthlessness," and "no profit under the sun." The pastor I referenced who gave that great sermon about Ecclesiastes said God gives us two...

The epistle of James was written around A.D. 45 and is attributed to the brother of Jesus, who was the leader of the church in Jerusalem. Martin Luther was not a fan of this book and called it "an epistle of straw" that was not in the same caliber as the epistles of Paul or the rest of the Bible...

I heard an excellent sermon a number of years ago that focused on the book of Ecclesiastes, and the pastor noted that James is an excellent complimentary epistle to Ecclesiastes. Both books fall within the category of "wisdom literature" with their short maxims that emphasize properly living a...

Repentance is a way of life as Christians from my point of view. No matter how "well" I'm doing at living out and sharing the gospel, sin is at the core of my corrupt nature. When it comes to the surface, I need to immediately address it by asking for forgiveness and God's help to avoid giving...

Amen. Rationalizing our bad behavior and sins does not reconcile us with God. In fact, it can easily lead in the opposite direction because in essence I'm saying, "I don't need you, God. I can figure it out on my own, and my sins aren't nearly as bad as what so-and-so did." That is a dangerous...

Galatians 4:4-5 New King James Version 4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Thank you for creating this forum, brother! Merry...

Psalm 89:1-4, 14-15, 26-29 New King James Version 1 I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever; With my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations. 2 For I have said, “Mercy shall be built up forever; Your faithfulness You shall establish in the very heavens.” 3 “I...

Acts 13:17-24 New King James Version 17 The God of this people [a]Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with [b]an uplifted arm He brought them out of it. 18 Now for a time of about forty years He put up with their ways in the...

Luke 2:29-32 New King James Version 29 “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; 30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation 31 Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, 32 A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your...

No doubt, brother! I love Luke's more detailed account of events leading up to Jesus' birth, and the interaction between Gabriel and Mary is remarkable: Luke 1:26-38 New King James Version Christ’s Birth Announced to Mary 26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a...

My three favorite Christmas songs are: 1. White Christmas (especially Bing Crosby's rendition) 2. Silent Night (Bing Crosby's version, too - what an awesome voice!) 3. O Come All Ye Faithful (Celine Dion is pretty cool, also) My three favorite Christmas movies are: 1. White Christmas (yep...