Celebrating your creation

ECCLESIASTES -CHAPTER 3
(This chapter begins with a well-known set of verses by King Solomon, that I think was even part of a modern song. I have taken it from the King James version of the Bible because of the beauty of the words.)

Verses 1-8

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted.
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up.
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing.
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away.
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak.
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

Solomon realizes in this chapter that the kinds of work God gave the people to do, made everything beautiful in its own time. He planted eternity in the human heart and yet people cannot see the whole scope of God's work from beginning to end. So Solomon concluded that there is nothing for people to do but be happy and enjoy themselves and eat and drink the fruits of their labor, for these are the gifts of God.

Solomon also speaks of corruption in the world and evil even in the courts of law, and he knows God will judge everyone, both good and bad. He says that God allows people to continue in their sinful ways so God can test them.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: Solomon acknowledges eternity and it is planted in our hearts by God. So we are different from animals because we have a purpose in God's overall plan.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? What beautiful words from Solomon. I enjoyed them and hope you did too. His point in this chapter is that God has a plan for all cycles of life, each has its work for us to do. These are opportunities for us to discover God's purpose for us. And timing is important. It may sound confusing to say that there is a time for hating, but we do not hate the people, but rather we hate the evil they do.

In your job today, I hope you find satisfaction and have a good attitude,because God intends for you to find a sense of purpose in your work. God sees your efforts in labor as a way to serve him. And though he planted eternity in our hearts,he lets us know that we cannot find perfection here on earth. He only gave us a glimpse of perfection in creation. So we must find our purpose by building a relationship with him. I hope you see your life as a gift from God !

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH: Pray for Gabe.
Pray for Janice Long’s parents, especially her mother who faces another round of chemotherapy and her father with Alzheimer’s and now her mother in law also with Alzheimer’s. Their family is feeling the strain both emotionally and financially. Pray for them. Update on this family: Her mother-in-law is being taken to Oklahoma to live with an aunt who will care for her.
Pray for Arlene’s nephew David and for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life.
Pray for Carolyn’s brother Ronald who has cancer and for her sister Wanda’s soul which went to heaven.
Pray for our friend Michelle who was diagnosed with MS.
UPDATE on Barb who went in for back surgery and had a heart attack and stroke, she has her speech back and is home , but continues to have a problem with one arm and hand. Thanks to your prayers, she is able to hobble without a cane and has been granted disability. She still has surgery scheduled on her hand, but I saw her recently and her attitude is fantastic.
Pray for Robert Sargent who is quite ill with lung cancer.
Pray for Gary Summers, my friend from church, who has cancer.
Pray for Judy’s husband who was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. Pray for her too, that she can deal with the side effects of his illness.
Pray too for Charly’s husband Robert who is undergoing chemo for his prostate cancer. Update on Robert: he has one more treatment and then three months of waiting for his psat test to come back clean.
Pray for John’s recovery from a heart attack and for the doctors who have difficulty diagnosing his other symptoms.
Pray for James’s sister Cynthia whose chemo has lost its effect as the cancer grows powerful.
Pray for another friend named Carolyn whose faith remains strong, but is lost and confused about where and how to spend her elder years.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter, Brian
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, survivors of Japan’s earthquake, survivors of the devastating tornadoes in our southernmost states and Joplin, Missouri. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.