We live in an unprecedented era- an explosion of
knowledge. With the advent of smart phones, we can find the answers to almost any
of our questions right at our fingertips. Want to know who the first man was to make it to the South Pole? Google it! "The first expedition to reach the geographic South Pole was led by the Norwegian explorer, Roald Amundsen. He and four others arrived at the pole on 14 December 1911." Want to know who the oldest person alive now in the USA is? Google it. It's Gertrude Weaver, born in Arkansas on July 4th 1898. Want to know
what year the war of 1812 was fought? Okay, maybe you don’t need to Google it. Want to know what date Benjamin Franklin died? Google it. April 17th, 1790. But there is one question that
Google can’t answer- What day you will die? Apart from suicide, and many
of those attempts fail, how can anyone in good health predict the day of his
death? The future is a mystery. Who knows? Notice this theme of lack of knowledge in chapters
8-9 of Ecclesiastes:
“Who
knows the explanation of things?” Eccles. 8:1
“…no
man knows the future” 8:7
“No
one has power over the day of his death” 8:8
“No
one can comprehend what goes on under the sun” 8:17
“No
man knows whether love or hate awaits him” 9:1
“No
man knows when his hour will come” 9:12
We
may pride ourselves on how much we know of the past, but we are clueless regarding
our future. Yet, we are reminded that “Death is the destiny of every man” 7:2.
That is something we can know for sure- we will die. It’s been said that two
things are for sure in this life, death and taxes. Al Capone tried to evade
taxes and ended up going to Alcatraz for such. After serving his time, he was released and died 7 years later in his mansion in Florida. Syphilis had reduced his mind to that of a 12 year old. He was buried in Chicagoland. Do you know the year of his death? Now you do-
Since we don’t know the day of our death, some people have already bought cemetery plots with the day of their birth embedded in marble, leaving off the day of their death to be filled in later. At one cemetery near my house where I like to pray, I came across a unique plot. It cost Dan "the Cat Man" Chaplick thousands and thousands of dollars to have this large memorial made, though he is not dead yet. What’s more, he wants the world to know about his devotion to cats. Check out this picture I took-
The ending of his inscription reads, "Save a life- adopt a pet from an animal shelter. Live your life by the "golden rule" and you will be with God."
I
shake my head over this. First, Dan the Cat Man's belief about entrance into heaven is dead wrong. Second, he spent a small fortune on this memorial to cats. That to me is a big waste of money. Third, I don’t want to live for cats, but for the King. I want
to be remembered for what He highly values.
Have you ever written out how you want to be remembered? It’s a sobering exercise. If you had to summarize what you want to be remembered for on a tombstone, what would you say? There have been some funny ones. One lady’s tombstone read, “I told you I was sick!” Many that I’ve read, speak of “loving husband and devoted father.” Here's a suggestion- Don’t write what you are now, but what you want to be remembered for. I know I want my epitaph to include, “He Multiplied Many MANLY Men.” What is the benefit of this exercise? It helps you begin with the end in view. It helps you focus on what is truly important. It helps you put first things first. Jesus said, “Seek first the kingdom of God” Mt.6:33.
Have you ever written out how you want to be remembered? It’s a sobering exercise. If you had to summarize what you want to be remembered for on a tombstone, what would you say? There have been some funny ones. One lady’s tombstone read, “I told you I was sick!” Many that I’ve read, speak of “loving husband and devoted father.” Here's a suggestion- Don’t write what you are now, but what you want to be remembered for. I know I want my epitaph to include, “He Multiplied Many MANLY Men.” What is the benefit of this exercise? It helps you begin with the end in view. It helps you focus on what is truly important. It helps you put first things first. Jesus said, “Seek first the kingdom of God” Mt.6:33.
Remember
the story Jesus told of the farmer that had a bumper crop? The farmer said, “I will
tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain
and my goods. And I’ll say to myself, ‘You have plenty of good things laid up
for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘You
fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get
what you have prepared for yourself?’” Luke 12:18-20. God gave the epitaph that
would accurately belong on that man’s tombstone- “Fool!” That is not how you and I want
to be remembered.
1.-
How do you want to be remembered? Write your own epitaph. Just jot down some
initial thoughts. It doesn’t have to be set in stone yet. :)
Epitaph: From a Greek word- epi: upon / taphos: tomb. Thus, a saying written upon a tomb.
Epitaph: From a Greek word- epi: upon / taphos: tomb. Thus, a saying written upon a tomb.
2.-
Read Ecclesiastes 8 and share a verse and some of your thoughts on it.
Random Thought: The name of this blog post is "Who Knows?" That reminds me of what my son and I have affectionately named what we will be eating, when my wife doesn't have a dinner menu planned yet. You might want to teach your kids to say it with a foreign accent- "whoknows" :)
Random Thought: The name of this blog post is "Who Knows?" That reminds me of what my son and I have affectionately named what we will be eating, when my wife doesn't have a dinner menu planned yet. You might want to teach your kids to say it with a foreign accent- "whoknows" :)
He was such a celebrated American hero that he was given two separate ticker tape parades in New York. Who was he and how does that relate to Ecclesiastes and to us? Find out tomorrow :)
Announcements
Congratulations! Almost all of the squads scored 25 or more. Good things happen when you remember to put your points on the board. Squad 5 won with a weekly average total of 36.05. I see why. All their men on both fire teams 1 and 2 were unstoppable and put their points on the board. Other fire teams who were unstoppable included Fire Team 2 of Squad 1, and Fire Team 1 of Squad 4. A few guys were out of commission, but will be back with us this week. Once again, your squad leaders points are not figured in. They are focusing on helping you. Please make their voluntary service a joy by remembering to put your points up without being reminded. Thanks. Jack has been on vacation that's why he's struggling with scoring :)
| Squad 1 | 0 | 28.55 | Squad 3 | 0 | 19.8 | ||||
| Eddie Morales | U | R5 | 47 | Robert Roman | U | R1 | 27 | ||
| Fire Team 1 | 28.5 | Fire Team 1 | 13.75 | ||||||
| William Dyckman | U | R1 | 34 | Vince Diaz | U | R1 | 44 | ||
| Phil Raymond | U | 31 | Antonio Palomar | R1 | 0 | ||||
| Ismael Andrade | R2 | 20 | Nic Palhegyi | U | R1 | 11 | |||
| James Schmidt | U | 29 | Rich Petre | 0 | |||||
| Fire Team 2 | 28.6 | Fire Team 2 | |||||||
| Gary Remson | U | R1 | 39 | Osiris Alday | U | 44 | |||
| Luis Ortiz | U | 21 | Squad 4 | 0 | 29.8 | ||||
| Alex Dyckman | U | 26 | George Rabiela | U | R1 | 69 | |||
| Fire Team 2 | 0 | 32.25 | Fire Team 1 | 30 | |||||
| Sam Vargas | U | R3 | 64 | Dave Heidekruger | U | R2 | 32 | ||
| Fire Team 1 | 44 | Michael Gonzalez | U | 27 | |||||
| Oscar Nunez | 27 | Chuy Cervantes | U | 31 | |||||
| Lou Ojeda | U | 61 | Fire Team 2 | 29.6 | |||||
| Fire Team 2 | 20.5 | Rich Guardiola | U | R1 | 38 | ||||
| Israel Fuentes | R1 | 24 | Mark Estrada | 14 | |||||
| Dave DeBoer | U | 17 | Horacio De La Torre | U | 37 | ||||
| Squad 5 | 0 | 36.05 | |||||||
| Jack Rogers | U | R4 | 94 | ||||||
| Fire Team 1 | 35.6 | ||||||||
| Roger Vinlasaca | U | R1 | 35 | ||||||
| Armando Hernandez | U | 36 | |||||||
| Jose Billegas | U | 36 | |||||||
| Fire Team 2 | 36.5 | ||||||||
| George Doherty | U | R1 | 35 | ||||||
| Andre Vargas | U | 38 | |||||||
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete1.- A faithful follower of Christ and a true friend.
ReplyDelete2. Eccl. 8:16-17 "16 When I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done on earth, how neither day nor night do one's eyes see sleep,
17 then I saw all the work of God, that man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun. However much man may toil in seeking, he will not find it out. Even though a wise man claims to know, he cannot find it out."
These verses are a great reminder that no matter how much we may think we know about life only God truly knows everything and we must accept this fact with humility.
Good my true friend :)
DeleteRoger, without a doubt you are a faithful servant of the Lord and a true friend-- keep growing Brother
DeleteAmen brother, a true friend you truly are. Thank you for all your encouragement.
DeleteYou're right ,Roger. God , the one who created the heaven and earth, the one who commands the water to be still, the one who made day lite with the sun and stars that shine in the sky. Only he knows all.
Delete1.Captain George, who love the Lord and loved his neighbor.
ReplyDelete2.Ecc.8.8."As no one has power over the wind to contain it, so no one has power over the time of their death. As no one is discharged in time of war, so wickedness will not release those who practice it."
We should live life like it's my last day.
A life lived loving is a life well lived, George. If you consider Christ's life on Earth, take away the miracles, take away the parables, you are still left with a man who loved all to the point of dying on the cross for our sins. The greatest testament of Christ's human life was his capacity for love. I think yours would make a geat epitaph.
DeleteYes indeed George, love is the greatest and you are a loving man.
DeleteAmen George you are true example of a person that loves God foremost in his life.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteCaptain George, you must have led an exciting life as a leader of firefighters. Now, you continue as a leader Godly men.
Delete"Humbly loved and served God's people for His will."
ReplyDeleteGalatians 5:13 (NIV) Life by the Spirit
You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.
Ecclesiastes 8:7 Since no one knows the future, who can tell someone else what is to come?
We all know that death is certain. We just don't know when. I pray that we start or continue to live for Jesus to the fullest.
Amen Sam... may we all life our life to the fullest in Jesus.
DeleteYou're on target Sam!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete"Loving husband and father. Died at WAR, living a Worthy life, Activating the sidelined saints, and Releasing the locked up lost."
ReplyDeleteEcclesiastes 8:1 "Who is like the wise? Who knows the explanation of things? A person’s wisdom brightens their face and changes its hard appearance." My wife has, from time to time, encouraged me to use skin care products to slow the signs of aging. At 30, I'm looking closer to 40 and feeling right around 60. I joke with my wife that my facial appearance is a testament to years of acquiring knowledge and wisdom...every wrinkle is a hard sought after answer finally obtained. In response to this verse, I might foolishly answer, "I am like the wise." "I know the explanation of things," but what do I really know? Perhaps it is because I've squandered my youth in pursuit of Earthly knowledge and wisdom that my face possesses this hard appearance. My face certainly isn't brightened by it either, but perhaps it is not too late. Perhaps I can regain some of that lost luster now that I pursue God's wisdom. The scripture would make sense in this regard. Does a man who lives by the wisdom of God not walk with the Lord? Does he not rejoice all the days of His life to be in the finest of company? Would my eyes not shine and my smile stretch from ear to ear if I enjoyed the Lord's favor and lived as He destined me to live? Surely, even at 60, I would look and feel 30.
Like your epitaph.
DeleteAhh, yes, to have that smile ear to ear as we walk in favor with our Lord. Thank you God for a second chance that you gives us so that we may walk in your favor.
Roman 12:2 Do not conform to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God will is-- his good, pleasing and perfect will.
After reading your epitaph Osiris, I said out loud, "I love it!"
DeleteBottle that facial cream and sell it :)
Osisris!!!!!! That's Great stuff to be remembered. I feel you already have all those qualities. Great insight on Ecc. 8:1 my brother.
DeleteIf this were facebood I would like your post, because I do.
DeleteAmen brother, very well said.
Delete1. Well done gods faithful humbled loving servant
ReplyDelete2. “Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.” Ecclesiastes 8:11 KJV
This verse reminds me to put my faith in God no matter how good sin looks. Its a reminder that God will judge all by what they do on this earth. So we need to continue doing what's good in gods eyes and not what's good in evils eyes.
The components of your epitaph are very good James- Living a life that is well lived for God, being faithful, humble, loving and with a servant's spirit.
DeleteAmen James indeed we need to do what is right in God's eyes and not our own.
DeleteGreat Verse my brother James .Great Job on the blog.
DeleteGreat post James-- he is who we need to please
Delete1 Follower of the Lord Jesus. Faithful husband, devoted father. Lived on purpose to spread the gospel, do good works, and worship the one true God.
ReplyDeleteI also like the idea of including something like this: "Died Saving his family from a sinking battleship" (taken from the movie The Royal Tenenbaums)
I think the reason I dont really like the book of Ecclesiastes is because Solomon says lots of things which are not wise. In verse 14 he talks about the good often getting the punishments that the bad seem to deserve and then suggests in verse 15 that we should just eat, drink and be merry. We know that Solomon took his own bad advice and filled a harem of women 15 So I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sun.
DeleteWelcome back Ed! Hope you are starting to feel settled in Kazakhstan.
Solomon certainly tubed out by the end of his life. Yet he gives us a powerful pre-evangelism book, telling it like it is from an "under the sun" viewpoint, including the truth that the good at times suffer, while the wicked seem to prosper. He's right, life's not fair. He was also right that it is good to enjoy the good gifts of God. Asceticism nor hedonism are recommended. God is brought into view when he commend the enjoyment of His good gifts. We will find the true meaning in life presented clearly in our next book study- the gospel of John :)
Great stuff my brother. great to read your blog. I pray the Lord blesses your household.
Delete"Lived on purpose..." How blessed are we that our purpose is made known to us by the gospel. While so many waste so much time seeking the meaning of life, Christ has given our life meaning. Love it, brother. I pray you and your family have settled into your new surroundings well and that you have found the change you were looking for. I will continue to keep you in my prayers as you do the work God has called you to do.
DeleteThanks Dave. Getting a bit more settled- I found a bilingual Russian/English church on Sunday. Please pray for us- moving to a new country is very stressful.
DeleteSo was this book was written when he was still devoted to God, or in his later years?
1- A man after Gods own heart, a warrior and a friend. And (If married- A loving, generous and compassionate husband and father).
ReplyDelete2- Ecclesiastes 8:5-6
“Whoever obeys his command will come to no harm, and the wise heart will know the proper time and procedure. For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter, though a person may be weighed down by misery.”
- NIV
In a tough season we should remember that all it is. Seasons pass and change. Not be anxious about anything for there will be a time for change. As well as being wise when choosing to act on certain matters. Sometimes we may want to do something good but it may not be necessarily the right time to make a move.
Thanks for your post Luis. I am very encouraged to read what you wrote.
Delete1. Dave DeBoer: " Was so in love with Jesus that the rest of us fell in love with Him too."
ReplyDelete2.Ecclesiastes 8:12 NIV
Although a wicked man commits a hundred crimes and still lives a long time, I know that it will go better with God-fearing men, who are reverent before God."
This is an important perspective for me to keep when I'm following Jesus and still broke:)
Your epitaph says a lot Dave. May we all show Jesus love to everyone.
DeleteI'm back......My laptop was in shop twice last week.......What I want on my head stone is what my kids think of me...... on second thought it might say( out to lunch ) What does 8;14 mean
ReplyDeleteFlorencio, glad you're back!. Most of the times it is the children who ultimately decide what to write. Then again my mom had me draw up the headstone she wanted for her and my dad. I thing Dave has the right idea.
DeleteFlorencio, glad you're back!. Most of the times it is the children who ultimately decide what to write. Then again my mom had me draw up the headstone she wanted for her and my dad. I thing Dave has the right idea.
Delete1. The point of his life was to point people back to Jesus in all that he did.
ReplyDeleteMy pray for everyone and myself is that there would be much more evidence that supports that we did follow Jesus the best we could. And that there would be more evidence of Jesus when we're pasted then of ourselves.
2. Wisedom allows you to use common sense to give a careful thought to make a sensible action. I think these verses support this observation.
5Whoever obeys his command will come to no harm,
and the wise heart will know the proper time and procedure.
6For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter,
though a person may be weighed down by misery.
Good prayer Eddie!
DeleteThank you George.
Delete1. I Walt to leave a legacy! One who worked hard for the Lord but feared him. A great husband, father, brother, son! I want to be talked about generations to come as the one who helped others and asked for help in times of need. Compassionate humble but left a proven record.
ReplyDelete2. Ecclesiastes 8: 6 For there is a time and a way for everything, although man's trouble lies heavy on him.
I have plans but if they are not in accordance with God they will only be a burden. Many opportunities arise to sentence my knowledge of the gospel or make more money or better my heath. Some might work to get richour lose weight but if it's not on God's time they will not work. When you place it before God he can and will make everything possible. Don't try it by yourself! Always place it before God and reap you're benefits in life!
Horacio, your comments remind me of James 4:15 - Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."
DeleteAmen Horacio great advice to put God first.
ReplyDelete1- A man after God. Loving and forgiving to everyone he came across.
ReplyDelete2- Ecclesiastes 8:6New Century Version (NCV)
6 There is a right time and a right way for everything,
yet people often have many troubles
When I first read this verse it reminded me how important our time is. Life is precious. We only live once we should live life like it's our last day. I try to strive to be a person everyone can come up to and talk. I always tell my brother and sister, there is nothing you can say or do to me that will make me stop loving you. I will be that brother you can talk to. They on the other hand are not. Hey it's all good. We all are a work in progress. I pray for them a lot that they may seek and serve God with all their heart. I know one day they will come back to God. I can't focus on their faults, when I have my own. I feel that I can at least be an example of Christ to them.
Vince, I feel your Godly heart and that you are indeed someone who comforts others
DeleteBeing a Godly example is a great focus.
DeleteBrother Vince, you are a person who brings great spiritual feeling with you.
Delete1) a God fearing man whose talent of being a fisherman of men didn't go to waste
ReplyDelete2)“Although a wicked person who commits a hundred crimes may live a long time, I know that it will go better with those who fear God, who are reverent before him.”
Ecclesiastes 8:12 -- I picked this verse because it's something I hear so much, " how come the people that don't go to church always seem happy and never stressed out?"
Ricardo, I pray that we all become fishermen of men and keep Multiplying MANLY Men
Delete1
ReplyDeleteFully dedicated and demonstrator of love, a pipeline for the living water that God brings to the people.
2
Verse Ecc 8:11 caught my attention "Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed speedily, the heart of the children of man is fully set to do evil.”
As this reminds me of the very strength of the gospel an that as evil is continually set into motion faith continues in strength. and that faith is on our mighty and glorious God
I like your epitaph, as it suits you my brother. You are already living this out :) Keep living it out no matter what!
DeleteI have read some great epitaphs throughout the day today. Even in death, the wisdom of God's word will be our legacy, recorded on our very tombstones. I really like the imagery of man serving as a pipeline for the living water that flows from God. In a world that thirsts for the Father's love, you are bringing that living water to the thirsty every day, brother.
Delete1. I kind of liked "From here to Eternity", but a movie beat me to it. The wording then would be "Servant of the Lord".
ReplyDelete2. Eccles 8 : 12. Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged yet I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him.
God does not want to lose anyone to the lake of fire. He is willing to give sinners plenty of time to repent . To those who repent and accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, they will inherit eternal life.
May you have confidence and courage in this, Louie, that because you know and fear the Lord, that however many years the Lord my grant you to live, it shall go well with you at the end as you step into eternity and beyond.
DeleteGreat insight straight from the Word of God, that God is not slow in bringing about the end of days, but that He is patient and desires for all men to repent of their sin and be Saved! What a gracious God we serve :)
DeleteSorry I didn't reply to comments on this blog. I was on an evening/overnight project. I do remember doing a couple of replys but I don't know if I published them. I be joining you today with a better frame of mind
Delete1) Write your own epitaph. Just jot down some initial thoughts :
ReplyDeleteHe loved and served the Lord His God with all his heart, soul, mind and strength and was a good and faithful servant to his family, Christ's church and his neighbors.
2) Ecclesiastes 8:14 There is something else meaningless that occurs on earth: the righteous who get what the wicked deserve, and the wicked who get what the righteous deserve. This too, I say, is meaningless.
I have two thoughts on this:
Thought #1
From a worldly perspective, this situation of the wicked getting what the righteous deserve and the righteous getting what the wicked deserve can be observed often in the world and immediately screams out as injustice, unfairness and is meaninglessness to all but the wicked. But behind the scenes at the spiritual, invisible, dimension - God is showing up big. He is allowing such situations to occur as He is working out His perfect purpose and plan in the lives to the participants and the observers. He is at work in the life and character of the righteous one and may be building patience, perseverance, hope and/or dependence within Him. The wicked one also is may be in the process of being prepared for that day of wrath. He is a just and righteous God and will ultimately make things right and fair.
Thought #2
From a spiritual perspective there is one situation where this has enormous meaning and importance. It was God's perfect solution and plan for man's salvation that Jesus, (the only perfect righteous one) should get all of what wicked humanity deserved and that some of those who were wicked should get what only the absolute righteous one deserved.
Brother Dave, great insight here! I agree with all your comments! God will eventually judge rightly and fairly!
Delete1. Faithful servant of my Lord Jesus who showed me his Love always, even before I knew him.
ReplyDelete2. "When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out; people's hearts are filled with schemes to do wrong." ECC 8:11
DeleteOnce we commit a sin and don't understand the sacrifice of Jesus, repentance, forgiveness, and believing in the Son of Man with our heart and soul, and then live by the word; it becomes easier to give up and re-commit more sins. Then others become influenced by how we live and follow the negative behavior; instead of being lead to the Lord and living righteously
1. Thankful to Christ Jesus for All that He did in my life! He gets ALL the Glory!
ReplyDelete2. Ecc 8:14 says "There is something else meaningless that occurs on earth: the righteous who get what the wicked deserve, and the wicked who get what the righteous deserve. This too, I say, is meaningless" -- this is a mystery, it really hurts my heart when I hear of fellow Christians suffering for Christ and the wicked living Free to do what they want! Take Islam ISIS thriving in the Middle East right now, slaughtering up to 3,000 Christians per day! Oh God, help our brothers and sisters in Christ during this terrible evil. One thing I know, is that God is just and in the end, at Judgement, all will have to give an account for his very words and all of his actions! God will righteously judge!
ReplyDelete1. Loving Husband, Father, and Son who came to Christ before he was done.
2. Ecclesiastes 8:12 Although a wicked person who commits a hundred crimes may live a long time, I know that it will go better with those who fear God, who are reverent before him.
It seems like sometimes justice hasn't been served to victims of evil but in the end we all get judged by God.
Very clever epitaph Chuy. It rhymes well and will surely bring a smile to those that read it.
DeleteGood epitaph, Chuy. I like how it rhymes.
Delete1. Gone but not forgotten.
ReplyDelete2. When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, people’s hearts are filled with schemes to do wrong. Ecclesiastes 8:11
Mentality, if they can do it and get away with it, so can I. "Monkey see, monkey do" (author unknown to me)
So true Robert. We need to lead them to the Lord not away from him. Bless you Brother
Deleteif you go first I'll remember you. But I might be a little jealous that your in Glory.
DeleteI really like your epitaph, Robert! :)
Delete1) It was safe to trust him because his Christianity was more then words and songs.
ReplyDelete2) 8:6 New International Version
For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter, though a person may be weighed down by misery.
Seek to be discerning and avoid unnecessary misery.
1. – “A man who served with his heart”
ReplyDelete1 Peter 4:10, Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
“A man who fought the good fight”
1 Timothy 6:12, Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
OR 2 Timothy 4:7, I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
“A man who lived a righteous life”
Proverbs 23:24, the father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him.
2. – Ecclesiastes 8: 17 then I saw all that God has done. No one can comprehend what goes on under the sun. Despite all their efforts to search it out, no one can discover its meaning. Even if the wise claim they know, they cannot really comprehend it.
Wow! Very impressive Oscar! Those are great scripture.
Deletethank you Philip, the glory goes to God.
Delete1. Phil Raymond. ...In the business of savings lives!
ReplyDelete2.Ecclesiastes 8:7 Since no one knows the future, who can tell someone else what is to come?
Nice, Philip, we are in business...
DeleteAmen brother, powerful. Says a lot.
ReplyDelete1. He did not live for himself. He helped satisfy the desire of the the afflicted and was a light in the darkness. he was a well watered garden and a spring of water whose waters do not fail. He helped loosen the bonds of wickedness and undid the band of the the yoke. He helped the oppressed get free and broke every yoke.
ReplyDeleteIsaiah 58
2. “So I commended pleasure, for there is nothing good for a man under the sun except to eat and to drink and to be merry, and this will stand by him in his toils throughout the days of his life which God has given him under the sun.”
Ecclesiastes 8:15 NASB
The wicked may live many years and the righteous die young. But God has given us his prescese and the gift of the fruit of hands to enjoy and we have hope beyond the grave.
1) walked with faith in everything he did
ReplyDelete2) 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. (Ecclesiastes 8:10 ESV)
We are not ones to judge others but we also should not praise those that do wrong even if they are buried by a church. We should praise those that liv by Gods words and helps teach others.
1: Here rest a faithfully servant, who repented, accepted Christ as his savior and is now in paradise.
ReplyDelete2: ecclesiastes 8:5 Whoever obey a his command will come to no harm, and the wise heart will know the proper time and procedure.
1. Legacy maker, and all started at the cross.
ReplyDelete2http://bible.com/111/ecc.8.17.niv then I saw all that God has done. No one can comprehend what goes on under the sun. Despite all their efforts to search it out, no one can discover its meaning. Even if the wise claim they know, they cannot really comprehend it.
That is the beauty that no ideas, methods, philosophical ways and such can we ever boil down what we understand on what's "under the sun"
Legacy maker! I like the sound of that for you brother!
Delete
ReplyDelete1.- Would like this verse as my epitaph:
GOD CLAIMED!
"kept himself in God's love as he waited for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring him to eternal life." Jude 1:21
2 .- Ecc. 8:7
Since no one knows the future, who can tell someone else what is to come?
One thing we know and that's inevitable is our death. Humanity is predestine and all other things are through the will of God.
Matt. 6:34
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
1) "Devoted Husband, Imitator of Christ. Lived to show man the love of His Savior."
ReplyDelete2) Ecclesiastes 8:8 “As no one has power over the wind to contain it, so no one has power over the time of their death. As no one is discharged in time of war, so wickedness will not release those who practice it.”
Something about the analogy in the second half of this verse just is very sobering - - - "Wickedness will not release those who practice it". It is a reminder that those in Sin are not free, but bound by it.
Just take the Lord Jesus Christ's word for it in The Gospel of John:
“Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.”
John 8:34 NIV
We NEED Christ. It isn't a suggestion or a hypothesis, it is a fact. All of us on this were bound at some point, before we were freed by His mighty hand.
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6 NIV
“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
John 8:32 NIV
1) Servant of Christ. Good son, brother, and friend. Won't be forgotten. Will be missed.
ReplyDelete2) Ecclesiastes 8:12 "Although a wicked person who commits a hundred crimes may live a long time, I know that it will go better with those who fear God, who are reverent before him."
The verse speaks for itself. :)
You would be dearly missed :)
Delete1 – Servant of the Lord. Loving husband and father.
ReplyDelete2 – Ecclesiastes 8: 11 When a crime is not punished quickly, people feel it is safe to do wrong. This verse made the think of kids, when they do something wrong and aren’t corrected they will do it again. It’s up to the parents to correct their kids like our Father corrects us.
1. I'm not very good at this sort of thing but I want it to say something about living by faith.
ReplyDelete2. Ecclesiastes 8:5
Whoever obeys his command will come to no harm, and the wise heart will know the proper time and procedure.