anitasanecdotes

Ecclesiastes 8 and 9 seem to be talking about the fact that life for the wicked and the righteous are very similar. Everyone works and toils and eventually dies. The difference between the wicked and the righteous is that the righteous do what they do for the Lord. They are able to enjoy what they do while they are doing it. They find meaning in what they do through the Lord. Enjoy the life that you have while you can in the fear of the Lord.

1 Timothy 1 is a letter written by an older man to a young leader. Paul notes that some have been emphasizing the law rather than God’s grace. He states that the law is for the sinful to point out their sin. Jesus took Paul a sinner and by His grace transformed him. As Paul is able to communicate this transformation from sinner to saved he is able to give those who hear his words hope. He is encouraging Timothy to do the same. Don’t spend so much time pointing out sin…rather, spend time promoting grace. Lives will be changed.

Ecclesiastes 6 bemoans the situation where a person works for another and does not reap the benefits of his or her work. It is unfulfilling to work hard and then not see the reward.

Ecclesiastes 7 is a collection of proverbs many of which I do not understand. Solomon is clearly struggling with the choices he has made and is in a depression of sorts. Even though he was given wisdom he did not always use it in making decisions for his own life. Now he is living with the consequences.

Psalms 95 and 96 are both praise psalms, extolling the greatness of our God. Psalm 95, though, seems to be missing an ending.

Ecclesiastes 4 and 5 encourages one to be silent before the Lord. Talking too much could cause us to sin. We need to be satisfied with whatever we have whether little or much. We also must not use our wealth and power to oppress others. We are most blest when we can find enjoyment in our work and be able to accept our lot in life.

In 2 Thessalonians 3 Paul reminds them that God will protect them from the evil one. He encourages them to keep working and quietly go about their business. He discourages them from hanging out with those who have stopped working to wait for the Lord’s return. If there are those who do not follow the teachings, the faithful need to stay away from them, letting them know why they cannot remain in the church. They are not to be considered enemies but need to be warned as believers that they are not being faithful.

Ecclesiastes 1, 2 and 3 is a consideration of the purpose of life. Basically Solomon has discovered that if you are doing things to make a mark on the world it will only lead to disappointment because sooner or later you will be forgotten. If you are doing things strictly for your own enjoyment it will also lead to disappointment because in the end its value becomes lessened. If you are doing things to pass them on to others it will lead to disappointment because the future generations may not appreciate what you have done. Nothing has purpose without God being involved in it for pleasure only comes as a gift from God. Nothing will last forever, it will all pass away so its value must be enjoyed in the present.

2 Thessalonians 2 deals with some questions the Thessalonians have regarding when Christ is returning. There apparently are some who are saying the He has already come. Paul states that this is just a manifestation of Satan who is trying to confuse them.  He encourages them to stick with the things they have been taught and stand firm.

Proverbs 31 exhorts mercy and compassion to those less fortunate. It also contains advice regarding a capable wife, who is worth more than wealth. She is able to work inside or outside the home with equal success. She teaches her children with wisdom. It is more important to marry a woman who fears the Lord than one that is simply beautiful but does not have the Lord in her life.

Psalm 94 is a call to the Lord for vengeance. It acknowledges that God cares for the writer and will hold him up. It desires that God punish those who are bringing him harm.

Proverbs 29 contains many good proverbs but I am stuck on the first one: One who is often reproved, yet remains stubborn, will suddenly be broken beyond healing. It seems as though there are some whom we meet that appear to almost desire being in trouble. They seem to seek out ways to get us angry and upset. Most of the words we speak to them are criticism, critique or rebuke. Could it be that in our effort to continually correct their behavior, especially when they do not seem to respond to the correction, we are in fact hurting them. If we spend all of our time noticing what they do wrong and rarely if ever praise them for what they do right we may in fact be breaking them beyond healing. Their self-image may become so negative that they cannot see themselves as having any worth or being capable of doing and being good. Discipline is not simply punishing bad behavior. It is recognizing good behavior and praising it as well.

Proverbs 30 speaks of receiving only what one needs, not too much nor too little. If either extreme is offered there will be trouble but when we are given the right amount we are satisfied. The writer also notes things in the world that impress him in one way or the other.

In 2 Thessalonians 1 Paul continues to speak well of the Thessalonians. They are growing in faith and act with integrity. Paul knows that they are suffering under persecution and encouraging them by saying that in the end they will get what they deserve from the Lord. In the meantime Paul prays that God will give them the Thessalonians the ability to persevere.

Proverbs 27 and 28 encourage faithfulness to friends. It warns against accepting profuse praise which may be false.

There is quite a bit of advice concerning wealth and property. They encourage diligence in care. Those who are rich need to also have integrity in their dealings. It is better to be a poor person with integrity than a wealthy one without it.

The righteous will be rewarded while the wicked will eventually be punished. Everyone should show compassion toward the poor.

1 Thessalonians 5 states that we do not know when Jesus will return. We need to always be ready. Watch your own behavior and act with faith. Encourage each other in faith and take care of those who work for us. Be at peace with others and be patient with them. Always pray and give thanks. Listen to those who show us where we are straying from the right path.

Proverbs 25 and 26 say that they are specifically proverbs of Solomon copied down by officials in King Hezekiah’s court. They begin with council to kings that they must search out the truth. Their subjects should know their place and wait to be called into their presence.

There are quite a few proverbs dealing with neighbors. Speak well of and to each other. If you have a complaint, bring it directly to the person instead of telling the world about it. Do overstay your welcome.

Be careful in what you say to someone who is in sorrow. Don’t trust foolish people to do what is right.

In 1 Thessalonians 4 Paul exhorts them to live holy lives, to love one another, to live quietly and mind their own affairs. He says that they are already doing these things and he wants them to do more of the same.

He tells them not to mourn for those who have died. We have hope because we know they are with Christ. If we are still alive when Christ comes we will be caught up in the clouds with Jesus and be with the Lord forever.

Proverbs 23 begins with advice that we can take any time we are eating with someone in power, whether a ruler as it says in the proverb or an employer in our time. It warns us to eat (and drink) cautiously and in moderation. You are always under a watchful eye. This extends to day-to-day behavior as well. There is also encouragement to treat memorial places with respect.

There are quite a few proverbs for children in this chapter, encouraging respect and obedience toward parents. Parents are encouraged to provide discipline for their children.

Proverbs 24 returns to the advice to seek wisdom. Being wise is more powerful that being strong. It is nourishing to the soul.

We are not to envy the wicked but neither are we to rejoice in their downfall. We should be more concerned with the Lord’s opinion of our behavior. Be diligent in your work.

Psalms 92 and 93 are psalms of praise to God. They are designed to be used in worship.

Proverbs 21 and 22 continues in the same vain as the other chapters of proverbs. We see a pattern developing of the kind of person who “fears the Lord” as Proverbs puts it, in other words, one who has a reverent regard for the Lord’s ways and commands. This person pursues righteousness and justice; is generous to the poor and oppressed; speaks kindly and purposefully; works steadily and saves earnings worships God in action not just in words; welcomes God’s discipline and learns from it; is slow to anger, thinks things through before acting and seeks God’s direction. This person will have God guiding life’s path.

In 1 Thessalonians 3 Paul presents his concern for the church while he was being persecuted, but his joy in learning of their faithfulness. This is the most personal letter yet that we have read from Paul to one of the churches. Paul genuinely loves these people and deeply desires to see them once more in person.