September 24
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ECCLESIASTES 8
10 Then I saw the wicked buried. They used to go in and out of the holy place and were praised in the city where they had done such things. This also is vanity. 11 Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed speedily, the heart of the children of man is fully set to do evil. 12 Though a sinner does evil a hundred times and prolongs his life, yet I know that it will be well with those who fear God, because they fear before him. 13 But it will not be well with the wicked, neither will he prolong his days like a shadow, because he does not fear before God. – Ecclesiastes 8:10-13
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ECCLESIASTES 8 ALL IS WELL WITH THOSE WHO FEAR GOD
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
In this corrupt world, we will experience all kinds of evil
There will be oppression being done to the poor and helpless
Discrimination of all kinds based on wealth and race are rampant
The wicked hate those who love the Lord and suppress them.
All those who love the Lord and fear him, be encouraged
For God promised the crown of life to all those who love him
Your suffering may seem hopeless, but take heed, God sees all things
He will never allow his children to be defeated by all of Satan’s schemes.
You may wonder why the wicked prevail in their unrighteousness
Or why the good deeds of the righteous are hardly recognized
The deceivers and religious may seem to be honored and respected
But in God’s eyes, their deceptions will not be unnoticed but be punished.
All is well with those who fear God for they are assured of eternal life
But all those who create havoc and evil on others will be in Sheol
Do not be distressed all who fear the Lord; Jesus died to save you
Let your trust rest in all his promises and always have your minds renewed.
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REFLECTION
• What did Solomon mean in verses 12-13 when he presents the difference between those who fear the Lord and the wicked?
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ECCLESIASTES 8 WHEN YOU OBEY AUTHORITY
September 23
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ECCLESIASTES 8
Who is like the wise? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man’s wisdom makes his face shine, and the hardness of his face is changed. 2 I say: Keep the king’s command, because of God’s oath to him. 3 Be not hasty to go from his presence. Do not take your stand in an evil cause, for he does whatever he pleases. 4 For the word of the king is supreme, and who may say to him, “What are you doing?” 5 Whoever keeps a command will know no evil thing, and the wise heart will know the proper time and the just way. 6 For there is a time and a way for everything, although man’s trouble lies heavy on him. 7 For he does not know what is to be, for who can tell him how it will be? 8 No man has power to retain the spirit, or power over the day of death. There is no discharge from war, nor will wickedness deliver those who are given to it. 9 All this I observed while applying my heart to all that is done under the sun, when man had power over man to his hurt. – Ecclesiastes 8:1-9
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ECCLESIASTES 8 WHEN YOU OBEY AUTHORITY
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
When God created humans, he made him stewards of his creation
Men were given authority over the other creatures that he fashioned
But because of disobedience, that authority was displaced and twisted
No longer can man automatically obey, he follows his own nature instead
God is a God of order while Satan is the author of confusion
The Lord designed mankind to follow his commandments.
These laws protect humans so we can live in peace and harmony
Without obedience there’ll be much chaos, conflict and anarchy
It is wise to obey God’s commands so his promises can be fulfilled
If you love the Lord your God, you will also obey those in command
All of God’s appointed leaders were chosen by our Lord who is All-knowing
When we don’t obey those in authority over us, we are defying God himself.
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REFLECTION
• In John 14:15, God commands us to obey him as proof of our love for him and in Romans 13:1, he also says that everyone must submit himself to all governing authority for God himself established such authority. How come some people
twists obedience to authority according to their own perceptions?
ECCLESIASTES 7 PLEASING GOD BREAKS BONDAGES & SNARES
September 22
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ECCLESIASTES 7
21 Do not take to heart all the things that people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you. 22 Your heart knows that many times you yourself have cursed others.23 All this I have tested by wisdom. I said, “I will be wise,” but it was far from me. 24 That which has been is far off, and deep, very deep; who can find it out? 25 I turned my heart to know and to search out and to seek wisdom and the scheme of things, and to know the wickedness of folly and the foolishness that is madness. 26 And I find something more bitter than death: the woman whose heart is snares and nets, and whose hands are fetters. He who pleases God escapes her, but the sinner is taken by her. 27 Behold, this is what I found, says the Preacher, while adding one thing to another to find the scheme of things— 28 which my soul has sought repeatedly, but I have not found. One man among a thousand I found, but a woman among all these I have not found. 29 See, this alone I found, that God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes.
– Ecclesiastes 7:21-29
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ECCLESIASTES 7 PLEASING GOD BREAKS BONDAGES & SNARES
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
When God made mankind, he designed them to be upright like him
Man was created to be in relationship with God and bring him glory
But evil came into the picture that enticed man to be wicked instead
Since the fall, our uprightness was compromised and we easily rebelled.
Human nature became evil that we broke off our relationship with the Lord
This broken relationship brought forth God’s wrath to the world
But God loved us so much that he solved man’s unrighteousness
He sent his own Son for the appeasement of his anger over our wickedness.
Man tends to follow his nature but in Christ, he can once again please God
To fear the Lord instead of giving in to our sinful nature is the way out
Stop pleasing yourself. Instead, please the Lord and hell’s door will be shut down
It will break all bondages to rebel and be sinful if you cling to Jesus.
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REFLECTION
• In verse 29, Solomon reminds us of the original design of humans by God, why does mankind desperately want to change that design?
ECCLESIASTES 7 WHO CAN ALTER WHAT GOD HAS MADE
September 20
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ECCLESIASTES 7
7 Surely oppression drives the wise into madness, and a bribe corrupts the heart.
8 Better is the end of a thing than its beginning,
and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
9 Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the heart of fools.
10 Say not, “Why were the former days better than these?”
For it is not from wisdom that you ask this.
11 Wisdom is good with an inheritance, an advantage to those who see the sun.
12 For the protection of wisdom is like the protection of money,
and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.
13 Consider the work of God: who can make straight what he has made crooked?
14 In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider: God has made the one as well as the other, so that man may not find out anything that will be after him. – Ecclesiastes 7:7-14
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ECCLESIASTES 7 WHO CAN ALTER WHAT GOD HAS MADE
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
It is valuable to remember that God is in control in all things
He allows circumstances that are beyond us in this world for a reason
He is the designer of this universe and we cannot fathom it always
If you regret and resent what goes on in life, you will miss his promises.
Who can alter what God has made and what he allows man to go through?
No human can take control of his life or whatever is happening around
We are all part of the big plan and that he can do whatever he pleases with us
Because we serve an Almighty God who sees and knows all, let’s give him our trust.
It is folly to follow our sinful nature and be angry when things don’t go our way
The wise person looks at the perspective that God has in store for humans
Who can fix what God has made crooked? It is beyond our make to do so
Let us then allow the process of change to sink in our hearts so we can grow.
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REFLECTION
• Why do humans automatically react to change in a negative way?
ECCLESIASTES 7 THE BETTER THINGS IN LIFE
September 19
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ECCLESIASTES 7
A good name is better than precious ointment,
and the day of death than the day of birth.
2 It is better to go to the house of mourning
than to go to the house of feasting
for this is the end of all mankind,
and the living will lay it to heart.
3 Sorrow is better than laughter,
for by sadness of face the heart is made glad.
4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning,
but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
5 It is better for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise
than to hear the song of fools.
6 For as the crackling of thorns under a pot,
so is the laughter of the fools;
this also is vanity. – Ecclesiastes 7:1-6
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ECCLESIASTES 7 THE BETTER THINGS IN LIFE
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
What does it truly mean to have a better life?
Is it to be wealthy, famous, powerful or be emulated?
A life of integrity and honesty is much better than prosperity
It makes one have less conflicts, live in peace and have less anxiety.
Many people fear death because they don’t know Jesus Christ
But if you believe in the Lord, even if you die, you will have life
For those who do not know him, they will easily cling to life on earth
They wouldn’t want to let go of all their wealth and good health.
The laughter of the wicked is not better than those who are mourning
If you serve Jesus, you will know that he comforts those who are grieving
He didn’t die for us to have happy lives, he died so we can be reconciled with God
The better things in life are those that lead us to our Maker, it is not what feels good.
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REFLECTION
• What’s the difference between happiness and joy? Is joy better or not?
ECCLESIASTES 6 THE MEANINGLESSNESS OF A DISSATISFIED LIFE
September 16
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ECCLESIASTES 5
13 There is a grievous evil that I have seen under the sun: riches were kept by their owner to his hurt, 14 and those riches were lost in a bad venture. And he is father of a son, but he has nothing in his hand. 15 As he came from his mother’s womb he shall go again, naked as he came, and shall take nothing for his toil that he may carry away in his hand. 16 This also is a grievous evil: just as he came, so shall he go, and what gain is there to him who toils for the wind? 17 Moreover, all his days he eats in darkness in much vexation and sickness and anger.18 Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. 19 Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God. 20 For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart. – Ecclesiastes 5: 13-20
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ECCLESIASTES 5 THE UNCERTAINTY OF RICHES
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
There are people who chase after money, riches and wealth
They lose sleep just thinking of it and compromise their health
They are preoccupied with holding on to their possessions
Such that these objects almost have a life of their own.
They gather and hoard these things for their selfish reasons
They isolate themselves and live with these belongings
Some of them die alone and buried in their hoarded things
What vanity it is to live with objects rather than human beings.
Every good gift comes from the Lord who is our only provision
He gave us abilities, talents and blessings so we can use it for his vision
The riches in this world are meaningless if we don’t have God
There is no point in gathering since we can’t bring them when we die.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it meaningless to hoard things and to chase after material wealth and riches?
• Share an experience that shows the vanity of clinging to riches and things.
ECCLESIASTES 5 ON INJUSTICE & LOVERS OF MONEY
September 15
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ECCLESIASTES 5
8 If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and righteousness, do not be amazed at the matter, for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them. 9 But this is gain for a land in every way: a king committed to cultivated fields. 10 He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. 11 When goods increase, they increase who eat them, and what advantage has their owner but to see them with his eyes? 12 Sweet is the sleep of a laborer, whether he eats little or much, but the full stomach of the rich will not let him sleep. – Ecclesiastes 5:8-12
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ECCLESIASTES 5 ON INJUSTICE & LOVERS OF MONEY
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
In this world, we will experience oppression of the poor and injustice
Because corruption is rampant in our world system, there’ll be prejudices
The poor gets poorer each day while the rich gain more wealth and power
It is unspeakable and unbearable to witness what injustice does to the vulnerable.
What good is it if God’s people do not care about such injustice in our world today?
Do we truly have faith if we don’t even do something about alleviating their pain?
The Lord hates abuse and partiality, what can we do so we help those discriminated
Let us show love and compassion to the unjustly treated and marginalized.
Lovers of money are insatiable and are never satisfied with their possessions
When they get a chance, they will want more and never get satisfaction
These money lovers will never part with their riches and wealth
They are obsessed to have more money at the expense of their health.
Though the rich have enough food to eat and have all life’s comforts
The poor laborers who toil hard and eat little are still able to sleep good
These lovers of money clearly cannot serve the Lord because of their master
Their lives are meaningless because it is all about gathering earthly riches.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it impossible to serve God if one loves money as Matthew 6:24 says?
• Why is dissatisfaction prevalent in people who love money?
ECCLESIASTES 5 LET NOT YOUR MOUTH LEAD YOU INTO SIN
September 14
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ECCLESIASTES 5
4 When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow. 5 It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. 6 Let not your mouth lead you into sin, and do not say before the messenger that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands? 7 For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity; but God is the one you must fear. – Ecclesiastes 5:4-7
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ECCLESIASTES 5 LET NOT YOUR MOUTH LEAD YOU INTO SIN
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
Remember that our tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness
No human being can tame the tongue, it is a restless evil full of deadly poison
If we forget that our mouths are the instruments that leads us to sin
How careless would we be? Wouldn’t it bring us into temptations?
Put a guard on your mouths or you will be unable to fight your flesh
Let words of truth only come out of our lips so that we will be spared of death
Let our conversations be full of grace so that we will say only what is pure and beautiful
May our mouths only speak of what will build up others so it will only be beneficial.
When we make a vow to the Lord, let us make sure that we commit to do it
We ought to do the same with others, let’s not make promises that we won’t keep
It is better not to pledge something when you cannot keep your allegiance
There is nothing worst than making others believe your vows when they are untrue.
When we aspire much of many things, we increase our chances to sin
Remember that desires and cravings are what lures us to want to win
When desires are conceived, it makes us sin which leads to death
Let us therefore not give life to our pleasures and cravings.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think it is important for us to guard our mouths constantly?
• How are our mouths the instruments that lead us to sin?
• Why does James call the tongue a restless evil full of deadly poison?
• If the mouth leads us to sin, what can we do to stop it from doing that?
ECCLESIASTES 5 WORSHIP POSTURE
September 13
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ECCLESIASTES 5
Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. 2 Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore, let your words be few. 3 For a dream comes with much business, and a fool’s voice with many words. – Ecclesiastes 5:1-3
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ECCLESIASTES 5 WORSHIP POSTURE
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
As a servant of God, let us watch our posture when we worship him
He is the Maker of all things; we ought to show reverence for our King
Let us leave all our earthly concerns behind when we meet with the Lord
All that will hinder us from truly praising him such as worries belong to the world.
Because God’s kingdom is not of this world, let us set aside all our earthly noise
Do not blabber or utter words that you do not truly mean; they are useless
When you come to meet with the Lord, let your words be scarce and few
There is no point in speaking much for He already knows what you are to say.
Have an attitude of humility when you are spending time with the Lord
Remember that he is Spirit and he wants us to worship him in spirit and truth
He is after people who makes him a priority in all that they do
We ought not to treat him like human beings; he is Lord of lords.
Let us not be fools to offer sacrifices, the Lord hates heartless offerings
Do not be saying things that doesn’t line up with truth or chattering
Let our words be few and concise so that we do not open doors to sin
Let us draw near to listen to every instruction and truth that he teaches.
Let us not make a show of our praise to the Lord like those Pharisees
Let us go into a room or anywhere quiet where there are no distractions
Let us all be humble and honest as we open our hearts to listen to him
This is the time for us to hear his voice so we can obey and avoid sin.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important for us to have a posture when we worship the Lord our God?