Introduction: Are you enjoying the journey? If not, why not? The writer attributed to the book of Ecclesiastes was Solomon. Keep in mind, he was one of the wealthiest Kings of Israel.

Whatever he wanted he could get. He had it all! He tried it all…wine, women, and wealth. But he came to a certain conclusion – There’s more to life than…etc. 

(Eccl 2:10-11)

“And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour. 11Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.”

1. There’s more to life than searching for wisdom! (Eccl 1:14-18)

“And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith. 14I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit. 15That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered. 16I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge. 17And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit. 18For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.”

Interesting to note, Solomon was given much wisdom. While wisdom is great, Jesus Christ is our wisdom (1Cor 1:30,31). Through His Word and by His Spirit we gain wisdom. 

2. There’s more to life than riches! (Eccl 5:10-12)

“He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity. 11When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes? 12The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.”

It takes money to live; however, we are not to live for money. Being content is our Lord’s design. 

Paul writes,

“6But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” (1 Tim 6:6-8)

Are you content?

Conclusion: How is your life? Are you satisfied? How can we enjoy this life? What are the pitfalls? Solomon gives us some insight on what is important in this life.

Enjoy the journey.

Introduction: Dog days this summer can be hot, but a time to produce good fruit. What is our Lord up to in your life? Where does He want to take you? How is He preparing you? Who is it that He wants you to reach?

Please make these your summertime goals:

1. Spend some time watching out for CARNALITY! (James 4:4,5)

“Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?”

Spiritual growth takes initiative; it doesn’t happen automatically. What are you trusting our Lord to do in regards to answering prayers, giving biblical insight, evangelistic opportunities?

2. Spend some time staying under AUTHORITY! (James 4:6,7)

“But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

This will be a daily decision. It is a matter of dethroning SELF and enthroning JESUS!

3. Spend some time appreciating HUMILITY! (James 4:8-10)

“Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”

As you can read, God resists the proud but gives GRACE to the HUMBLE.

Conclusion: What choices will you make this summer?

Grow.

Introduction: Are you busy? Everyone seems busy these days! But the question is why are we so busy? And what is it that makes us so busy? Today’s devotion points out the danger in being to busy.

1. Too busy to keep up with who is important! (1Kings 20: 40)

“And as thy servant was busy here and there, he was gone.”

A certain prophet of God confronts the king of Israel, Ahab, about his negligence in doing what God told him to do; namely in destroying the King of Syria named Benadad. He had been “busy” doing the wrong things instead of obeying God. The prisoner escaped. Therefore judgement was pronounced upon him.

2. Too busy to keep up with what is important! (1Kings 20:41,42)

“And the king of Israel said unto him, So shall thy judgment be; thyself hast decided it. 41And he hasted, and took the ashes away from his face; and the king of Israel discerned him that he was of the prophets. 42And he said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Because thou hast let go out of thy hand a man whom I appointed to utter destruction, therefore thy life shall go for his life, and thy people for his people. “

Priorities must be set. What is first, second, third each day? If we are not purposeful we will be busy about trivial things.

3. Too busy to keep up with why it is important! (1Kings 20:43)

“And the king of Israel went to his house heavy and displeased, and came to Samaria.”

Missed opportunities turn into great disappointments! Please don’t miss out on our God’s best!!

Introduction: Have you ever been in a storm? Are you in one right now? You will make it through the storm if Jesus is in your boat! What do you do when you are in a storm?

1. Turbulence with Jesus! (Matt 8:23,24)

“23And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. 24And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep!”

At times, when we follow Jesus, we may encounter a tempest – storm.

2. Talk to Jesus! (Matt 8:25)

“And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.”

When we have a need, Jesus is there for us, even in a storm. It helps tremendously to tell Jesus! Will you talk to Him now?

3. Triumph in Jesus! (Matt 8:26)

“And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.”

Faith or fear, which one? Jesus responds to faith! Will you have faith in Him today?

Conclusion: The reason we should turn, talk, trust and triumph in Jesus is because He is in control!

“But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!” (Matt 8:27)

Introduction: Free from sleep -(death)… free from suffering -(pain)… free from sickness… free from sorrow… that’s FREEDOM!

John writes,

1. Are you hindered by death (sleep)? (1Thess 4:13-14)

“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.”

The word “sleep” is κοιμάομαι: (koy-mah’-o), sleep, fall asleep, die. In heaven, there will not be any more death. Death has lost her sting!

Praise the Lord Jesus who has defeated death!!

2. Are you hampered by suffering (pain)? (Rev 21:4)

“4And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”

All of our “aches and pains” will be gone. No more headaches, backaches, or toothaches in heaven. Speaking of freedom?!

3. Are you healed from sorrow? (Rev 21:4)

“4And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”

Sorrow will be gone. Sorrow over sin, sorrow over missed opportunities, sorrow over children, grandchildren, etc. 

Paul along with John remains us that there is hope in Jesus! Every believer has hope in Jesus. Have you lost hope?

Conclusion: No more sin! No more sickness! No more sorrow! But plenty of happiness, healthiness, and wholeness… wow!

That’s Freedom!!

Introduction: Is there hope for America? Where? How? John describes the only way those who live in America can find hope. Here is a prescription for a sin sick nation.

1. By Walking in the Light of Jesus Christ! (Rev 21:24)

“24And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.”

Did you notice only those that are saved will be in the New Jerusalem? Will you be there?

2. By Worshipping the Lord Jesus Christ! (Rev 21:24-26)

“And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. 26And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.”

The Lord Jesus gets the glory! He deserves all the glory!! One day in glory He will receive all the glory.

3. By Winning People to Jesus Christ! (Rev 21:27)

“And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”

People need the Lord. Are you concerned for people? Does it bother you that people without a personal relationship with Jesus are doomed to the like of fire? Will you reach out to someone today?

Introduction: Moses writes,

“And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubile unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family.” (Lev 25:10)

1. Liberty for Israel! (Lev 25:10)

The word “liberty” in this passage is דְּרוֹר, (der-ore’), which means a flowing, free run, liberty.

Since the Lord set the nation of Israel free from the bondage in Egypt, He required them to let the captives go free. Are you willing to let those who have hurt you go free? Our Lord is the judge.

2. Liberty for the Church! (Gal 5:1)

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”

The word “liberty” is ἐλευθερία, (el-yoo-ther-ee’-ah), which means liberty, freedom, a state of freedom from slavery.

This passage refers to the law; i.e. trying to be justified or sanctified by the legalistic measures of keeping the law (Israel had around 613 of them!!). Instead, by grace thru faith, we are pronounced righteous and proven innocent. Are you a legalistic person? By the way, this does not mean we have a license to sin because we are under grace. (See Titus 2:11-14)

3. Jesus Christ has set us Free! (Luke 4:18, 19)

“18The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.”

When Jesus Christ sets you free you are free indeed!

Conclusion: Freedom and liberty is found in a personal relationship with Jesus. 
* Sins consequence- (Rom 6:23)
* Sins control – (Rom 6:1,2)
* Sins continuation (Rev 21:4)

“32And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32)

Introduction: This is Jesus’ message to the Church of Thyatira. It is an overcoming message. Are you overcoming? Or are you being overcome? There is no doubt we face a daily battle to overcome evil. The forces of darkness are constantly attempting to trip every believer, to cause us to yield to temptation, to sin against God, to shame the Lord, to backslide, to become lukewarm or complacent. Can you feel the pull? However, in the midst of the pull, Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Ghost is pouring in fresh oil in our lamps. Because He overcame the world, the flesh, and the devil, we too can overcome! But how can we overcome?

The words “hold fast” are κρατέω: (krat-eh’-o), which means to be strong, rule, mighty, master,I obtain, take hold of.

I love that! Hold on!! Stay strong!!

2. By Faithful Obedience! (Rev 2:26)

“26And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end.”

Purpose in your heart to obey. It pays to obey.

3. By staying Focused! (Rev 2:26,27)

“to him will I give power over the nations: 27And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.”

If we can just remember the prize that waits for those who overcome. It will be worth it!