Pastor’s Bible Reading Schedule:
Ecclesiastes 9-10
Saturday: Zachariah 9-14
Sunday: Acts 17-18
“All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.” (Eccl. 9:2) The one thing that all of man has in common is that death is inevitable. Our minds seem to rationalize that there should be a difference in fate between the good (righteous) and the evil (unrighteous). Evil people should not be allowed to live long lives and the righteous should not die young. Doesn’t that seem to make sense? However, as we have thoroughly discussed in Wednesday evening Bible Study, the genius of God is eternity. His magnificent plan is not manifested through the events of a sin cursed earth, but rather in a perfectly designed future.
The key to understanding chapter nine is verse 4, “For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion.” While we are alive, we have the opportunity to contemplate eternity and to accept God and grow to know God in a deeper more intimate way. The living has the opportunity to contemplate the reality of dying and making provision for eternity. Once a person dies, there is no more opportunity to prepare for eternity. It is better to be alive as a poor servant and be able to make decisions, than to be a rich, powerful leader who has died. Our life is simply our opportunity to prepare to stand before God. Whether we live a long time or a short time on this earth is not the major issue. The major issue is did we use our time on earth to prepare for eternity? Are you living your life in such a way that when you stand before God you will not be ashamed? Are you living your life with an eternal view in mind? Too many people are trying to get all they can out of this life, rather than living this life in light of eternal life. Life is a gift… and only those who have been given life have the opportunity for eternal life. May we live today manifesting thanksgiving for both the gift of life and the gift of eternal life.
Prayer Requests:
Personal
- Lord, please help me to demonstrate gratitude for the life you have given to me through faithfully living to glorify your name.
- Lord, please help me to live my life on earth in such a way that lays up treasures in heaven.
- Lord, please help me to be thankful for this life, and completely amazed at the gift of eternal life.
Political
- Representative Jewell Jones – Distrct 11 – Inkster
- Representative Bronna Kahle – District 57 – Adrian
- Representative Sheryl Kennedy – District 48 – Clio