"I Made....I Builded....I Planted...."

"I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards." (Ecc. 2:4, KJV))  "I took on great projects...." (CEB)  "I did some great things." (CEV) 

Even a casual reading of Ecclesiastes reveals that the writer's response to most everything he did was, "So what?" 

He attempted virtually everything that came to him.  His verdict of life, "on your own," was basically stated in his opening words, "Vanities of vanities," also, "absurdity, frustration, futility, nonsense, useless, nothing, mere breath."  The NIV says,  "Meaningless!  Meaningless!"  This theme runs throughout the book.  How many of us have come to this realization of life, of that which we thought was so central, so important, so "I-cannot-live-without?"

There is a caution here for all of us.  "I made...; I built...; I planted...."  I must admit that a number of things in life which I thought were so important at age 21, things which would affect how I conducted my life, I now see that they, if not, "meaningless!", or, "nonsense," were not, at least, as "important" as I thought.  This was not defeatism for Solomon, nor is it for me.  This is a direct, non religious-spirit look at life.

Maybe today we need to ask ourselves, What is in our lives of which we can honestly say, "Meaningless!"?  Some people are too flippant with saying of others, "They have a lot of baggage."  You and I do too.  I pray with you today, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxieties, and see if there is any wicked (meaningless!) way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting", the way of Your meaning and purpose. 

Only our Lord Jesus Christ, by His Words and Holy Spirit, and, I might add, anyone who is walking in Jesus and His Words can help us in this.  If we "deal" with this, hopefully and prayerfully there will be no more, "Meaningless!" in our lives.

Father, in Jesus' Name, help me to deal with any, "Meaningless!"  Amen.
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I know with our new discounts on airfare we have to make plans for our Berlin Mission much earlier than before.  We only hope and pray that our reminding you of our prayers needs does not grow wearisome.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2




























 

This Is, "Foolishness To Those Who Are Perishing"

"He who eats this bread will live forever."  (John 6:58c)

The context of chapter 6 tells us that, "....the Passover...was near."  It was no accident that Jesus took this occasion to say, "I am the Bread of life."  We also have the record that a large crowd of people had become very hungry, and needed bread.  You will recall the responses of some of the disciples when Jesus asked how they were going to feed the crowd, "Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that everyone of them may have a little....There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?"  And so the great question of human history: Where is the sufficiency for the needs of humanity, "....so many?" 

Through the ages mankind has experienced untold suffering, disease, heartache, grief. Philosophers, religionists, politicians, well-meaning missionaries, and so many others have tried to "meet that need."  Still the response can be the same as Andrew's, "But what are they among so many?"  Now there are billions on Planet Earth, and still our Lord Jesus Christ is asking you and me, and all humanity, "Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?"  John  writes, "for He Himself knew what He would do."  I believe Jesus asked the question to have the disciples see just how much they had learned in their time with Him---- apparently, very little.  And, I believe that Jesus still asks the Church the same question.  Why?  Because Christendom has been increasingly offering more and more alternate answers.  The answer just could not be then, and cannot be now, "I am the Bread of Life."

Jesus tells humanity in the context of Passover, in the context of thousands of people in need, "I am the bread....My Blood is drink indeed."  This is why the Gospel is, "foolishness to those who are perishing."  This is the reason the Gospel is, "to the Jews a stumbling block, and to the Gentiles foolishness."  Man's needs are so great, so complicated that a simple statement cannot be the answer.  Well, humanity, it is.  And whether we "make it" through life's journey is absolutely dependent upon our willingness to believe, "He who eats this bread will live forever...."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I have discovered more and more over my life that You, indeed, are the only, "Bread of Life."  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

The Journey Of Life

"Just as the Father raises up the dead and gives them life [makes them live on], even so the Son also gives life to whomever He wills and is pleased to give it." (John 5:21, Amplified Bible, Classic Edition, from today's Gospel reading)

I visited yesterday with an old friend who I have known for 53 years this month.  He is 90 years old and about ready to "go home."  He didn't recognize me at first, but then gave me a smile when I spoke of something he remembered of our days together.  It meant a lot to me.  Today's Gospel reading is a powerful reminder that when this "journey" ends, the next is only "beginning."

Most of my favorite musicians are gone now.  My grandparents and parents are gone.  It was 47 years ago today that Stephen left us.  The generations do come and go.  So little of modern Christendom prepares people for these days.  Yet, we are all headed in that "direction."  It's not a morbidity to talk of this.  It is reality.  No one likes to think of "that day," whenever it will come, but come it will.  But rejoice with me, my friend.  The Bible tells us, "All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass.  The grass withers, and its flower falls away, BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD ENDURES FOREVER"!

A few moments ago I came from some time with Sarah's Mom.  She too is near the end of this journey.  I am, however reminded of what our Lord, King and Savior, Jesus Christ, tells us,  For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day."  This is how I endure; this is how I go on; this is how I overcome, "....by the Blood of the Lamb and the Word to which they bore witness."

Today I remind you and me of the great passages about the Blessed Trinity's Faithfulness to, "all generations."  "Lord, Thou has been our dwelling place in all generations.....His truth endures to all generations....He has remembered His Covenant forever, the Word which He commanded to a thousand generations....Thy Kingdom is a Kingdom of all ages, and Your dominion endures throughout all generations."

Father, in Jesus' Name, only You and Your Words can comfort me.  Thank You for You and them.  Amen.
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* "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem"
* Please pray for our October 28- November 15 Mission

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

"New Every Morning"

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness." (Lamentation 3)

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