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Words without Wisdom

Posted on July 28, 2013 by Mark Shields

English: Scroll of the Book of Proverbs (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If you are unable to attend your local church service today, I invite you to a podcast of the church I attend. This morning, we continue the sermon series called “Wisdom for Life”. At this link: Pastor’s Podcast, you can watch/listen to each message live on Sunday mornings around 9:45 AM Central Time Zone. It also can be reviewed afterwards and used for Bible study/small group discussion. Below is the outline of the message for today’s message “Words without Wisdom”.

1. WISE WORDS ARE CAREFUL WORDS.

“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will
eat its fruit.” – Proverbs 18:21

“Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool
than for him.” – Proverbs 29:20

2. GOD’S WISDOM IS ACCESSIBLE.

“But if any of you needs wisdom, you should ask God for it. He is
generous and enjoys giving to all people, so he will give you wisdom.”
James 1:5 (NCV)

“Then the king said to me, ‘What do you want?’ First I prayed to the
God of heaven. Then I answered the king…” – Nehemiah 2:4 – 5 a (NCV)

3. DON’T SAY ANYTHING.

“Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds
his tongue.” – Proverbs 17:28

4. WISDOM IS HEEDING WISE WORDS.

“Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.”
Proverbs 27:6

“Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man’s
rebuke to a listening ear.” – Proverbs 25:12

5. UNWISE WORDS HURT IN EVERY DIRECTION.

“A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin.”
Proverbs 26:28

“The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a
man’s inmost parts.” – Proverbs 18:8

6. WORDS REVEAL THE REAL ME.

“A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor, but a man of
understanding holds his tongue.” – Proverbs 11:12

“A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.”
Proverbs 25:11

“The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue
crushes the spirit.” – Proverbs 15:4

Wisdom Listens (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
Proverbs Monthly (targettorah.com)
SIH’s Think On These Things: Proverbs 17:27-28 (mydelightandmycounsellors.wordpress.com)
Power of Words (daughterbydesign.wordpress.com)
The power of the tongue (newstrength.wordpress.com)

Posted in Sermon Outline | Tagged Bible, Bible Study, Book of Proverbs, Christianity, Church service, God, god of heaven, James, Podcast | 1 Comment

Our Answer is Found in Christ

Posted on July 27, 2013 by Mark Shields

Technologies change and jobs change but the character of God never changes. Learning how to live God’s way is useful now and forever.

I’m reading now in Ecclesiastes and Solomon who is thought to be the author was humble and wise but following his path only goes so far. By following the path God has created in the life of Christ, we are walking the clear path that takes us all the way home.

Let God be a part of the new challenges of the future. Many old strategies may not work but with God, we are on the cutting edge.

Use these cutting edge strategies to help others find Christ. There’s always one more person to help get excited about the contentment and eternal treasures found in Christ. I found this video that emphasizes how important Jesus is in our life: Heart of Worship – Matt Redman.

When working toward solving challenging problems, it always helps to know the answer. We can rest assured that our answer is found in Christ.

A New Life In Christ (chrissymdale.wordpress.com)
Understanding is Enchanting (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
“Why does God let bad things happen to good people…” -Kirk Cameron, from his upcoming movie “Untouchable” (foodforthespiritualsoul.wordpress.com)
Awakened by the Kiss of God (emdog.wordpress.com)

Posted in Ecclesiastes | Tagged Christ, Christianity, Ecclesiastes, Evangelism, God, heart of worship, kiss of god, path god, Religion and Spirituality, Solomon, spirituality | 5 Comments

Understanding is Enchanting

Posted on July 26, 2013 by Mark Shields

Wisdom is more meaningful when we use it to connect people to God. In so doing, we discover a sense of purpose and true reward. In reading Ecclesiastes 1:12-2:11, Solomon searched for knowledge to satisfy his own purposes and not the purposes of God which resulted in his apathy. Getting satisfaction from the world makes one restless but there is fulfillment in the pursuit of knowledge that is used for God’s purposes because it is a meaningful activity.

For in using our knowledge to lead others in the ways of God, we are inspiring many in the direction of His purposes. Earthly pleasure leaves one unsatisfied but there is happiness found through Jesus Christ and in gaining understanding about how He lived while on earth. There is also the reward of peace when one hears of the love and the service of our Savior. Let us follow His example to build up individuals, families, neighborhoods, and communities for His glory.

The study of the Bible impacts our life and gives lessons to share with others which will influence our world. Restlessness, apathy, and the lack of satisfaction which are outcomes of seeking worldly gain will wear a person down; doing nothing to help their current or future situation. But there is improvement if one can come to the understanding that life on earth is only a small stretch of time compared to an eternity in heaven.

This day, let God handle the negatives so we are free to look forward to a remarkable future. Let us pray for parents to lead their children. Let us pray for leaders in government, leaders of churches, for business leaders, and leaders in the field of education.

Success and Failure Road Sign with dramatic clouds and sky.

This day with God will be amazing because there are things we can learn from history that will help in making decisions. The problems we go through in life are not stop signs; they are guidelines and it is during tough times that God provides sure signs of a brighter future.

There Is Nothing New Under the Sun (ray032.com)
Trusting (teachingandtrusting.com)
Why Am I Still Unhappy? (jazjam.wordpress.com)

Posted in Ecclesiastes | Tagged Apathy, Bible, earthly pleasure, Ecclesiastes, God, human-rights, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Leadership, politics, religion, Religion and Spirituality, Solomon, spirituality | 2 Comments

Light the Fire From Within

Posted on July 25, 2013 by Mark Shields

Studying Ecclesiastes 1:1-11, the author who is believed to be Solomon seemed to have nothing to live for and nothing more to accomplish. What can give us more enthusiasm in life? One idea might be to work for a good cause and be hopeful that the world is a better place because of that cause.

God can light that fire from within because He gives us a purpose, He frees us from our past, and we are ready to face the future with enthusiasm. Something small can turn into something big if we learn each day and work towards what God wants us to be.

We can pray, listen for instructions, and get things done now. Opportunities to do great things are right in front of us so let’s give God our best. Each day with Him can be amazing because He inspires us to live out loud like the video below: Live Out Loud – Steven Curtis Chapman.

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. – 1 Corinthians 9:24

Father / daughter wedding dance video – Cinderella by Steven Curtis Chapman (4simpsons.wordpress.com)
Questions for Reflection for Study of Ecclesiastes 1-4 (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
The Ultimate Question. (enlightenmesome.wordpress.com)

Posted in Ecclesiastes | Tagged Ecclesiastes, First Epistle to the Corinthians, God, Jesus, Live Out Loud, Religion and Spirituality, Solomon, spirituality, Steven Curtis Chapman | Leave a comment

Set Free

Posted on July 24, 2013 by Mark Shields

The author of Ecclesiastes is thought to be Solomon. He reflects on the experiences of life. His philosophy of conflicting thoughts on materialism, pleasures of life, and our duty to God. Ecclesiastes deals with the feeling of emptiness even when people have everything.

Solomon, the son of David became king at a very young age. God gave him wisdom, a discerning heart, and great wealth. He ruled under a time of peace and the economy flourished. Solomon was a great intellectual; known all through the world during his time for great wisdom. Unfortunately, he married many wives from other nations and they led him astray. He began to follow other gods and his kingdom began to tear apart.

As we read in Ecclesiastes 1:1-11, life to Solomon is repetition and is tiresome. It was as if he had nothing to live far, nothing more to accomplish. He’s recording his own folly, shame, and his disappointment. He’s learned a hard lesson that wealth and the things of this world do not benefit the soul, judgment, or eternity.

amy Whale, breaching, Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I once heard a story about some people who were doing some studies of whales. They came across one whale that was hung up in a net and dying. After hours of work, they were able to set the whale free. The whale put on a display as he was free and gained speed in the water; doing some of those “Sea World” whale jumps with an expression of joy and thankfulness for those that set him free.

We too get mired in nets that trap us in life and we need help being set free. Let us be reminded before we pray today that God is sovereign, majestic and all-powerful. Nothing is too difficult for Him; He is bigger than any problem we could bring to Him.

This day with God, we know that Jesus sets us free and we can leap for joy at God’s amazing grace.