Read Ecclesiastes 1
Highlights:
The vanity of living for pleasure and material gain; a reason for everything; varied proverbs of wisdom.
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven (Eccl. 3:1).
There is a time for everything we do. Many feel they do not have enough time to pray and read God's Word, but just the opposite is true. Unless we give God time to reveal Himself to us, He cannot reveal His direction for our lives. As we pray and meditate on His Word, His thoughts become our thoughts, and we are strengthened to face our busy schedule. God will empower us to serve Him since the same Spirit that rests on Jesus is in the heart of every believer (Luke 4:14). If we put our total dependence on Him, God will equip us to walk in the path that He intends for us to travel. He will give us the desire to follow after His will instead of our own will. These desires will draw us to the Word of God even more. He will not direct us to do a task that is too difficult to accomplish. For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things (Acts 15:28).
It is the Christian's responsibility to devote part of his time to the Lord's service — not just spending an hour or so Sunday morning in church, but becoming involved in the work of the true Church, the Body of Christ. We should consider the idea of tithing our time as well as our money. We should give God His time each and every day. We are told to: Serve the Lord with gladness (Ps. 100:2). Paul goes even further by saying: I beseech you . . . present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service (Rom. 12:1). A block of time set aside to read the Word of God, pray and listen to how God answers. We need this spiritually as a believer.
However, our responsibility does not end by keeping a quiet time each and every day. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth (II Tim. 2:15). We are also told to invest time to be a witness and soul-winner for the Kingdom of God. We should be sharing the good news of Jesus Christ every day. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth (Acts 1:8).
The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the Gospel (Mark 1:15).
Thought for Today:
Life's greatest rewards go to those who meditate on the Word of God and live by its principles.
Christ Revealed:
As God, the true Source of wisdom, and knowledge, and joy — the One who truly satisfies (Eccl. 2:26). We have the mind of Christ which is wisdom, knowledge, and joy (I Cor. 2:16; see also Luke 21:15; John 15:11; Rom. 15:14).
Word Studies:
1:13 sore travail, grievous task; 1:17 madness and folly, the ways of the foolish; vexation of spirit, very unsatisfying; grasping after the wind; 2:21 in equity, with skill; portion, inheritance.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Country: Nepal (24.3 million) a mountain-ringed Himalayan state between Tibet and India • Major language: Nepali • Limited religious freedom • 85% Hindu; 10% Buddhist; 3% Muslim; 2% Christian • Prayer Suggestion: Pray that God will keep you from speaking evil (Ps. 34:13).
Optional Reading: Hebrews 5
Memory Verse for the Week: Galatians 6:9