Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Ecclesiastes - Chapter 2:1-11

Solomon now moves on to a test. He writes in chapter 2:1 that he will now test himself with pleasure. In verses 4-8 we see exactly what he did and what he had that brought him pleasure. he indulged himself in any way he desired and nothing was withheld from him (vs. 10). At the end of this "test" he reaches this conclusion in vs. 11 - "Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold all was vanity and a striving after the wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun." Please join us as we take the next several days to talk through this section of Scripture. We will also strive to practically apply these truths to our lives as women. As always, please feel free to share any thoughts you have as we study!

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Ecclesiastes - Chapter 1

Today we begin discussing our questions for chapter 1. Again, we have provided study notes for you to follow along with us. You can study along with us or even ahead as you have the ability. It is also our desire that you use these study notes to have a personal study with other women as you can. As we begin our study today we see that Solomon makes a broad sweeping statement about life in chapter 1:2, "Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity." Solomon is going to now lay the foundation for why he believes all is vanity over the next several chapters. Over the next several days we will take some time to answer the questions we've posed concerning chapter 1. Please let us know what you are learning as you study!

Monday, April 18, 2011

Ecclesiastes - the beginning

As we begin the study of Ecclesiastes today, our desire is talk a bit about who the author was and the significance of this book. I appreciate what the Holman Concise Bible Commentary by D.A. Garrett has to say: "Many Christian readers are troubled by Ecclesiastes. From the very beginning, where it declares that everything is meaningless (1:2), it seems unashamedly pessimistic and negative on life. Some wonder why this book is in the Bible. But if we carefully examine its background and message, we discover that Ecclesiastes confronts us and drives us to God in a way that few books do. Ecclesiastes tells us it was written by a son of David who was king in Jerusalem over Israel (1:1, 12). This points to Solomon since he alone, after David, ruled both Judah and Israel." The commentary goes on to say: "Christian readers, after they have shaken off the initial shock of reading Ecclesiastes, have often described it as a defense of the faith or even an evangelistic work. Ecclesiastes shows that many of the pursuits of life, including wealth, education, and power, do not really fulfill. In that way Ecclesiastes shows that life without God is meaningless and drives the reader to faith." It is our desire to study this book with the intent of applying many spiritual truths to our lives. We are going to see that as Ecclesiastes 12:13 says, "The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man." We pray that you will join us as we study through this book. Please ask questions and comment about how God is using His word to help you in your daily walk with God.

Friday, April 15, 2011

Our New Study....

Have you been wondering what we are going to study next? We are excited to share with you that beginning on Monday, April 18th, we will begin to talk through the book of Ecclesiastes. I don't know about you, but Ecclesiastes is not a book that I spend a lot of time in. This will be a fascinating time to discover truths from this selection of Scripture. As usual, study notes will be available as we work through this book. If you miss a session, archives are available by following the link to the right of the blog. Thanks for listening, and please let us know how you are impacted as we study through the book of Ecclesiastes together.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

An Interview

For the next three days, we will spend some time talking with Meredith Henderson. Here's a bit of information about her in her own words: "I was raised in a Christian home where attending and serving in church was what my whole family did. At the age of 17 during a Sunday morning service I finally acknowledged my sin and need of a Savior and thanked the Lord for His death in my place and gift of salvation. (Ephesians 2:8,9) Several years later in college a friend, Doreen Maxfield, discipled me for over a year and provided a strong foundation for my growing faith. I met Keith, my husband, at the end of our senior year of college and by God's grace we have been married for over 30 years. We have three grown children; two of whom are married, and one grandson. Time and again, we have faced challenges in our life and God has shown us His desire to be glorified in the solutions. We love to tell "God Stories" about what He has done! (Psalm 34:3)" We look forward to hearing more of her testimony and hearing from her how she is a woman of God's Word!

Monday, April 11, 2011

Ruth in Review

As we close our study in this book, we now ask you to tell us what you learned as you studied along with us? What was the most challenging to you? What was the most encouraging? How can you take these truths learned and practically apply them to your life. We strive to know God's word more so that we can reflect Christ more in our daily life. Knowledge is incomplete without action. Take some time to write down ways you can do the truths you have learned and then pray that God would help you as you seek to glorify Him! Thank you for studying along with us, and thank you to those who have shared their thoughts and questions along the way.

Monday, April 4, 2011

Determining God's Will

As we continue on in Ruth chapter 4, we find that Boaz is now at the town gate, seeking to make his redeeming of Naomi's land (and Ruth) a completed transaction. However, he realizes that there is another kinsman that has the legal right to redeem it. Because Boaz was a honorable man, he chose to do what was right and allow the opportunity for this other kinsman to redeem the land and even possibly to lose Ruth in the process. After some discussion, the closer kinsman decides to give his rights of redemption to Boaz. Boaz legally transacts this agreement. As we consider some practical application to this section of Ruth, we ask, "How can Christians differentiate between God's will and simply fleshly desires in the midst of making decisions?" As we consider how much Boaz in his flesh desired to marry Ruth and be the redeemer for Naomi's family, we can understand how difficult it might have been to do things the right way in the sight of God. But Boaz was a godly man who chose to do right, even if it meant that he would not benefit from that decision. God honored him in this situation and allowed Boaz to have the desire of his heart. As we make decisions on a daily basis, we must remember that we are to submit to God's will and not just our own desires. We have to remember that our hearts are deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9) and that we must trust God to know what is best for us. Ephesians 4:17-24 is a wonderful passage to look up and mediate as we consider God's will. We pray that this session has been helpful and encouraging to you as you seek to reflect Christ in your daily walk.