Category: Ecclesiastes-BibleTrekToday
Finishing the race with endurance!
Scripture reading for July 8th: Ecclesiastes 10-12, 2nd Timothy 4
2nd Timothy 4:5-8 “As for you (Timothy), always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved His appearing.”
Paul’s earthly life was at its ending. He encouraged Timothy, his son in the faith, to always be about the work of evangelism to which the Lord had called him. This would require sober-minded dedication and focus. Paul had set Timothy an example to follow of faithfulness, even to imprisonment and ultimately to being martyred for Christ. Paul had fought a good fight of faith, patiently and faithfully preaching and teaching God’s Word, and living it out by example. He had run his race to the finish line and awaited the crown of the victor, which the Lord would award him in the Day of Christ. This crown was for all who would fight to the finish and run to win.
2nd Timothy 4:17-18 “But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Prayer: Lord, thank You for standing by me all the years of my life and for the promise You will bring me safely into Your heavenly kingdom! I am endeavoring to fight the good fight of faith each day and to finish the race You set before me. I claim by faith the crown of righteousness that Paul said was for all who loved Your appearing!
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 “The end of the matter, all has been heard. Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.”
Last-day difficulties
Scripture reading for July 7th: Ecclesiastes 7-9, Psalm 46, 2nd Timothy 3
2nd Timothy 3:1-5 “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.”
Paul wanted Timothy, and us, to understand that this world would not get better as time went onward. The time before Jesus’ return would be marked by increased wickedness among the people of the world. They would be centered on ‘self’ and gratifying their flesh. They would be involved in idolatry and violence and seeking after pleasure rather than seeking after God. In all of this self-centeredness, they would cover themselves with a pretense of ‘godliness’ but lack any power of restraint from evil. Believers were to meticulously avoid association with such people. Their pursuit of God’s righteous and true holiness would bring the need for holy separation.
Psalm 46:1-3 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.”
Prayer: Father God, You are my refuge and strength in these times of difficulty and trouble. Help me to avoid the traps of these difficult times and to pursue true godliness and gently lead those who will listen to truth and escape from the snares of self-centered living and religion. Your Word is my guide and my message to keep my path straight and avoid a life ending in vanity.
Ecclesiastes 8:10 “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.”
The pursuit of the godly!
Scripture reading for July 6th: Ecclesiastes 4-6, Psalm 125, 2nd Timothy 2
2nd Timothy 2: 22-26 “So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord with a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil after being captured by him to do his will.”
Paul’s last instructions to Timothy, his son in the faith, was a warning and an encouragement. Timothy was warned to flee youthful passions and avoid those who wanted to wrangle over words and cause strife. As servants of God, His people are to be in ‘hot pursuit’ of God’s kingdom and His righteousness found through faith in His Word and grounded in His love and peace. This brings purity of heart to the believer and they can see God even more clearly and will be able to show the love and kindness of God to those involved in evil. Patience and gentleness must mark those who serve Christ Jesus. This contrasts with those ensnared by the devil. Our holy lifestyle can lead them to repentance and life through grace.
Psalm 125:1-2 “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people, form this time forth and forevermore.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the advice of a Father through Paul to Timothy. I am warned, even in my old age, to avoid quarrels and arguments. Fill me with Your Spirit of patience and gentleness as I teach Your Word and seek to help those caught in the devil’s snare to find repentance and eternal life. Surround me with Your presence and make me stand firm, rejoicing in every opportunity to serve You.
Ecclesiastes 5:19 “Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil–this is the gift of God.”
Not ashamed, fully convinced!
Scripture reading for July 5th: Ecclesiastes 1-3, Psalm 45, 2nd Timothy 1
2nd Timothy 1: 8-12 “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share in suffering for the Gospel by the power of God, Who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of His own purpose and grace, which He gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, Who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed for I know Whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me.”
This would be Paul’s last letter kept for us the Church. Paul was in prison facing certain execution and he wrote passionately and with purpose to his young protégé, Timothy. He encouraged him not to be ashamed of the testimony of Jesus Christ, which had gotten Paul in the place he was. He was also not to be ashamed of Paul, but to be willing to share in suffering for the Gospel. Paul’s reason was God’s great grace given to each believer and Jesus’ holy calling and appointment as a minister of the Gospel. The message of the cross and Jesus Christ alone has the power to bring abolish death and bring life and immortality to light to all who would hear and believe. Paul was also sharing his conviction that Jesus would fulfill His promise to him of life and immortality as well!
Psalm 45:6-7 “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of Your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness; You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness beyond Your companions, . .”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the assurances of Scripture and through Your apostles and prophets as they lived by faith and boldly testified of Your great love and promises. Fill me with the Holy Spirit and boldness today to share this message without shame or fear in a culture that is hopeless and lost in the darkness and sin. May Your glorious light shine into this darkness through Your appointed ones!
Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven; a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what has been planted.”
The Lord stood by me!
Scripture reading for July 8th: Ecclesiastes 10-12, 2nd Timothy 4
Key Scriptures: 2nd Timothy 4:14-18 “Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message. At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the Lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Paul warned Timothy by naming a man who had greatly opposed him. This was not for the purpose of revenge–God must be the only one to repay! Paul also mentioned being deserted by all his friends when he stood up in court to the charges against him. He was facing death and asked that this not be held against them by the Lord. God stood by Paul and strengthened Him. Paul was fully convinced (confident) God would rescue him and bring him safely into heaven.
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to always leave all revenge to You. I believe You will always stand by me and strengthen me. You are my hope of safe entry into heaven.
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or bad.”
Fully Equipped!
Scripture reading for July 7th: Ecclesiastes 7-9, Psalm 46, 2nd Timothy 3
Key Scriptures: 2nd Timothy 3:12-17 “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
Persecution and suffering are part of the package for those who follow Jesus Christ. Evil and evil people will increase as time goes on to its culmination at the return of Jesus Christ. God’s workers must continue in the faith and sound preaching of Scripture. God has “breathed” His Word to equip us for every good work and for correction and training of the next generation of workers. It is full of God’s Spirit and Life, completely equipping each person for the work God has prepared.
Psalm 46:11 “The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You that You are with me and have ‘breathed’ out Your holy Word and equipped me for every good work. May the evil people hear Your Word and be converted in these last days where evil increases.
Ecclesiastes 9:12 “For man does not know his time. Like fish that are taken in an evil net, and like birds that are caught in a snare, so the children of man are snared at an evil time, when it suddenly falls upon them.”
The unashamed worker!
Scripture reading for July 6th: Ecclesiastes 4-6, Psalm 125, 2nd Timothy 2
Key Scriptures: 2nd Timothy 2:15-19 “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the Word of Truth. But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some. But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the Name of the Lord depart from iniquity.””
Paul encourages the younger minister, his son in the faith, to do his best to handle the Word of God rightly. This also included living it out in his everyday life as evidenced by the instruction to stay away from irreverent babble. Paul cited two bad examples by name, Hymenaeus and Philetus, as what to avoid. Paul’s warning included a reference to God’s intimate knowledge of His own servants and His clear instructions to live a holy life.
Psalm 125:1 “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, help me by the Holy Spirit to rightly handle Your unchanging Word and to apply it to my life each day. I will be a good example with Your help!
Ecclesiastes 5:10 “He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.”
A Holy Calling!
Scripture reading for July 3rd: Ecclesiastes 1-3, Psalm 45, 2nd Timothy 1
Key Scriptures: 2nd Timothy 1:8-12 “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share in suffering for the Gospel by the power of God, Who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of His own purpose and grace, which He gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, Who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know Whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me.”
Paul encouraged Timothy, who had a problem with timidity, not to be ashamed of his testimony of Jesus Christ or of Paul, in jail because of his testimony. God had called them both to a holy calling: to preach and testify of Jesus Christ and also to suffer because of that. This calling was rooted in eternity. Paul was not ashamed because he knew Jesus Christ and was convinced of Jesus’ power to keep him safe for eternity and to watch over the gospel message and bring fruit.
Psalm 45:6 “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of Your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness; . .”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, I love and trust You and Your ability to keep me through the suffering that may come as a result of my testimony and preaching of Your Gospel. Give me boldness and courage to fulfill my holy calling.
Ecclesiastes 3:14 “I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before Him.”
Continue in good works
Scripture reading for September 21st: Ecclesiastes 12, Song of Songs 1-3, 2nd Thessalonians 3
Key Scriptures: 2nd Thessalonians 3:10-13 “For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.”
Some in the church were idle and living off the work of others. Paul warned them not to be idle, but to be steady in good works and earn their own way. Idleness leads to gossip and meddling and strife. This is not proper in God’s family.
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of men. For God will bring every deed into judgment with every secret thing, whether good or bad.”
Prayer: Lord, thank You for calling Your people to good works and earning a living. Keep me mindful that I will have to answer to You for my conduct on earth. Amen.
Truth delivers from Deception
Scripture reading for September 20th: Ecclesiastes 9-11; 2nd Thessalonians 2
Key Scriptures: 2nd Thessalonians 2:9-12 “The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing; because they refuse to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”
In the last days, unbelievers will be deceived by Satan through a man called “the lawless one.” This individual will have power and use false signs and wonders to dazzle and deceive. God will send this delusion upon those who refuse salvation and trust in His Word, the Truth. Believers will be protected by truth!
Ecclesiastes 9:1 “But all this I laid to heart, examining it all, how the righteous and the wise and their deeds are in the hand of God. Whether it is love or hate, man does not know; both are before Him.”
Prayer: Lord, thank You that You know all things are in control. Give me Your Truth each day as my daily food and drink! Amen.