fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383 
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Post by fearnot on Sept 17, 2019 11:07:46 GMT -5
Ecclesiastes 11: 1-10
Even tho we may not know the future we have to live and act...so one casts their bread ( or seeds, or words?) on the water.
I am thinking, maybe, we could apply this with spreading to gospel.....we do not know, what the results will be, but if we don't ever try we probably won't see what the Lord will reap.
We have to live by faith.
And we should be generous, as God has been generous to us.
Plus we have to live where God has placed us.
Nor can we wait for the perfect conditions...to do so nothing would get done.
We can't always know ever detail of God's plans....what we can by Bible study, prayer etc. but then we must step out in faith, and sometimes He might let us see the next step in His plan.
Be diligent and not lazy.
Also live joyfully ( no pity parties....or if they come, end them quickly)
Be aware old age is coming, so do,enjoy, work etc., while you can.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Sept 17, 2019 11:09:30 GMT -5
Since I have been blessed for years to choose, I was thinking whatever you or Anne chooses would be fine!!! Book or topic....either works for me.
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Post by Cindy on Sept 17, 2019 11:48:45 GMT -5
I'm not sure which book we should study next, but if we must study a book, then have we done James yet? If we do the book I'd like to do it differently. Have us each take a portion of the book to teach to ourselves. For example, Barbara might do chapter 1, verses 1-18, then Marlene and I could comment on what she writes. After that I could do chapter 1:19 -2:13 and again Marlene and Barbara could comment. Then Marlene could take the next portion of scripture and we would continue like that.
Or we could do a topic instead. I'd like to suggest the topic of "how we should live in our particular situations". Of course we could do any topic you can think of, mine doesn't have to be first. In fact it would probably be better to have some others first anyway. What topics can you think of?
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Post by Cindy on Sept 17, 2019 12:24:54 GMT -5
Ecclesiastes 11: 1-10
Even tho we may not know the future we have to live and act...so one casts their bread ( or seeds, or words?) on the water.
I am thinking, maybe, we could apply this with spreading to gospel.....we do not know, what the results will be, but if we don't ever try we probably won't see what the Lord will reap.
We have to live by faith.
And we should be generous, as God has been generous to us.
Plus we have to live where God has placed us.
Nor can we wait for the perfect conditions...to do so nothing would get done.
We can't always know ever detail of God's plans....what we can by Bible study, prayer etc. but then we must step out in faith, and sometimes He might let us see the next step in His plan.
Be diligent and not lazy.
Also live joyfully ( no pity parties....or if they come, end them quickly)
Be aware old age is coming, so do,enjoy, work etc., while you can.
That our time here is short is true regardless of how long we live, when we compare our time here with eternity.
I don't believe this is suggesting we should be aware old age is coming as the Bible makes it quite clear that "old age" doesn't stop God. His plans for us include our old age and He intends for us to be victorious right up to the time we enter Heaven.
Even to your old age and gray hairs
I am he, I am he who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you;
I will sustain you and I will rescue you. Is 46:4. Old age is something the world, our flesh, and especially Satan have cooked up to get us to slow down and eventually stop having any kind of plans or life for ourselves. What is 70, 80, or 90 years old compared to thousands and thousands of years.... and we'll have just begun! In a way we could say old age came due to sin, since prior to sin there was no such concept. Getting older and wiser, yes, but not the rest.
I'm not sure which book we should study next, but if we must study a book, then have we done James yet? If we do the book I'd like to do it differently. Have us each take a portion of the book to teach to ourselves. For example, Barbara might do chapter 1, verses 1-18, then Marlene and I could comment on what she writes. After that I could do chapter 1:19 -2:13 and again Marlene and Barbara could comment. Then Marlene could take the next portion of scripture and we would continue like that.
Or we could do a topic instead. I'd like to suggest the topic of "how we should live in our particular situations". Of course we could do any topic you can think of, mine doesn't have to be first. In fact it would probably be better to have some others first anyway. What topics can you think of? |
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anna
Trials
Posts: 1,995
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Post by anna on Sept 17, 2019 15:18:24 GMT -5
I think I will just let you and Barbra do a study on the book of James because I would like to reread the books of Ezra and Nehemiah and reread our notes. That will help me to go over the books twice and also busy now with work so I can skip a day in rereading if I need to.
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anna
Trials
Posts: 1,995
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Post by anna on Sept 17, 2019 15:40:03 GMT -5
Ecclesiastes chapter 11
11:1 Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.Many other scriptures in the Bible OT and NT say the same thing. Matthew 10:42, Hebrews 6:10... The rich people took comfort in their riches but in this verse Solomon tell the people to do good to others, to the poor, which will one day profit their account. Give a portion to seven and also to eight, that is, be free and liberal in works of charity. "Thou knows not what evil may be upon the earth. We know evil is upon the earth, we know that we fight against principalities. What the evil is we might not know, but that we may be ready. Other scriptures could be said about that. Solomon said, if the clouds be full of rain, they will empty themselves or if there be charity in the heart, it will show itself. We know not what is the way of the Spirit, of the wind, we know not where it comes from or where it goes, or when it will turn, like seafaring men on an old time sailboat at sea, the seafarers are waiting for the wind to turn about in favor for them, so we must do our duty, in expectation of the time appointed for our blessing. Verses 7-10 Here is a warning to both old people and to young people, to be aware of dying, and be ready for it. The preacher having by many excellent precepts taught us how to live well, the preacher comes now, towards the close of his talk, to teach us how to die well and to put us in mind of our latter end.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Sept 18, 2019 9:32:56 GMT -5
James sounds good as does your suggestion....but I guess lets start with James as I need to think of some topics. We have one more chapter in Ecclesiastes today anyway.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Sept 18, 2019 10:28:10 GMT -5
Ecclesiastes 12: 1-13
He encourages the young to remember God, because perhaps old age might bring such infirmity you will not be able to do the things of God, you would like to do.
He lists some of the failing of the body as it ages....of course there are exceptions, and this does not mean we cannot still be used...also some of the young might be even more sick, but in general, not to waste youth on folly.
Also some people as they age fear falling, not being able to hear or see as well, problems with the back, heart, and other such things.
But for the young or old
Fear God and Keep His Commandments
This words are given by the one Shepherd.....That makes me think of Jesus
and then he sums it all up saying:
"Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man."
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Post by Cindy on Sept 18, 2019 10:39:18 GMT -5
I think I will just let you and Barbra do a study on the book of James because I would like to reread the books of Ezra and Nehemiah and reread our notes. That will help me to go over the books twice and also busy now with work so I can skip a day in rereading if I need to. Ecclesiastes chapter 11
11:1 Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.Many other scriptures in the Bible OT and NT say the same thing. Matthew 10:42, Hebrews 6:10... The rich people took comfort in their riches but in this verse Solomon tell the people to do good to others, to the poor, which will one day profit their account. Give a portion to seven and also to eight, that is, be free and liberal in works of charity. "Thou knows not what evil may be upon the earth. We know evil is upon the earth, we know that we fight against principalities. What the evil is we might not know, but that we may be ready. Other scriptures could be said about that. Solomon said, if the clouds be full of rain, they will empty themselves or if there be charity in the heart, it will show itself. We know not what is the way of the Spirit, of the wind, we know not where it comes from or where it goes, or when it will turn, like seafaring men on an old time sailboat at sea, the seafarers are waiting for the wind to turn about in favor for them, so we must do our duty, in expectation of the time appointed for our blessing. Verses 7-10 Here is a warning to both old people and to young people, to be aware of dying, and be ready for it. The preacher having by many excellent precepts taught us how to live well, the preacher comes now, towards the close of his talk, to teach us how to die well and to put us in mind of our latter end.
Very good! I'd just like to point out again that this isn't telling us to dread "old age" or death, but rather it's again reminding us that we need to use our time wisely, regardless of what our current age is now, because we have such a short time here to do all that we can for the Lord. Often older people tend to think they have no purpose in life, especially those who are living in nursing homes or residential care homes, but that's a lie from Satan. We need to know that if we are alive and breathing, then God has a purpose for us being here. As long as we are alive, God's plans for us are not finished, He still has more for us to do. Those of us who are lucky enough to still be able to live at home and care for ourselves, need to reflect on the truth that God has a purpose for us to be here and much for us to do. It's kind of funny because we tend to think that any purpose must be something glamorous, or important (in the world's eyes anyway) and certainly not just something we do on a daily basis anyway. Yet most of the time, that's not going to be true. It's hard for us to understand because we don't think of things being really important that God thinks are important. We may be here just to say something encouraging to a youngster, or give a helping hand to someone even older, or maybe disabled, or something like that. I don't mean to say that would be our only purpose, but one of the things the Lord has for us to do. Our words or deeds could be the thing that makes a huge difference in that person's life, even though we don't realize it. It won't be time for us to go to our reward until we've finished all the Lord has for us to do here first.
James sounds good as does your suggestion....but I guess lets start with James as I need to think of some topics. We have one more chapter in Ecclesiastes today anyway. |
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anna
Trials
Posts: 1,995
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Post by anna on Sept 18, 2019 13:54:29 GMT -5
Well we have finished another book of the Bible. I am glad we read Ecclesiastes and also a blessing to have read Ezra and Nehemiah. If we would not have read the book of Ezra and Nehemiah I probably would not have been interested in reading them but since we did read them together I found them to be interesting reading.
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anna
Trials
Posts: 1,995
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Post by anna on Sept 18, 2019 13:58:56 GMT -5
Ecclesiastes chapter 12
The last chapter in Ecclesiastes. A call to young people to think of God, and mind their duty to him, when they are young: Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth. Dust thou art and therefore to dust thou shalt return. The soul does not die with the body it is redeemed from the power of the grave (Psalms 49:15)
In this book Solomon speaks about the good which the sons of men should do. What is the true way to true happiness, the certain means to attain our great end. He had in vain sought it among those things which most men are eager in pursuit of, but here, at length, he has found his answers to the questions he had. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter, to fear God and keep his commandments. This is the whole of man, it is all his business and all his blessedness.
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Post by Cindy on Sept 19, 2019 9:34:03 GMT -5
Well we have finished another book of the Bible. I am glad we read Ecclesiastes and also a blessing to have read Ezra and Nehemiah. If we would not have read the book of Ezra and Nehemiah I probably would not have been interested in reading them but since we did read them together I found them to be interesting reading.
 I'm glad you enjoyed it.  Ecclesiastes chapter 12
The last chapter in Ecclesiastes. A call to young people to think of God, and mind their duty to him, when they are young: Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth. Dust thou art and therefore to dust thou shalt return. The soul does not die with the body it is redeemed from the power of the grave (Psalms 49:15)
In this book Solomon speaks about the good which the sons of men should do. What is the true way to true happiness, the certain means to attain our great end. He had in vain sought it among those things which most men are eager in pursuit of, but here, at length, he has found his answers to the questions he had. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter, to fear God and keep his commandments. This is the whole of man, it is all his business and all his blessedness.
I wonder what happened to Barbara? Hopefully she'll show up soon....
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Sept 19, 2019 12:08:30 GMT -5
Opps....Am I missing? LOL
You did see I posted about the last chapter eh?
So James it is....I've been reading and studying the MacArthur intro to it and chapter one......there is sooooooo much 'meat' to chapter one, tho, I read it all, I am not sure I can post on the intro and all of chapter one in one day.....I think I need to break it into 2 parts......but since I am late sorry.....
I don't have your input arrggghhh
So I may be in double trouble, missing in action,
and
cutting a chapter in half
I know that is not your preference :-(
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Post by Cindy on Sept 20, 2019 11:04:59 GMT -5
Ecclesiastes 12: 1-13
He encourages the young to remember God, because perhaps old age might bring such infirmity you will not be able to do the things of God, you would like to do.
He lists some of the failing of the body as it ages....of course there are exceptions, and this does not mean we cannot still be used...also some of the young might be even more sick, but in general, not to waste youth on folly.
Also some people as they age fear falling, not being able to hear or see as well, problems with the back, heart, and other such things.
But for the young or old
Fear God and Keep His Commandments
This words are given by the one Shepherd.....That makes me think of Jesus
and then he sums it all up saying:
"Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man."
 and it's therefore very easy to see what we need to take from this chapter to apply to our lives now! Well done!Opps....Am I missing? LOL
You did see I posted about the last chapter eh?
So James it is....I've been reading and studying the MacArthur intro to it and chapter one......there is sooooooo much 'meat' to chapter one, tho, I read it all, I am not sure I can post on the intro and all of chapter one in one day.....I think I need to break it into 2 parts......but since I am late sorry.....
I don't have your input arrggghhh
So I may be in double trouble, missing in action,
and
cutting a chapter in half
I know that is not your preference :-(
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Sept 20, 2019 11:36:45 GMT -5
Awwww thank you :-)
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I'm glad you enjoyed it. 
and it's therefore very easy to see what we need to take from this chapter to apply to our lives now! Well done!
