Solomon's final words

ECCLESIASTES CHAPTER 12

Solomon says for us to not let the excitement of youth cause us to forget the Creator. Honor him in your youth, before you grow old. Remember him now before the silver cord of life snaps.

Because the Teacher was wise, he taught the people everything he knew. He collected proverbs and classified them. He taught the plain truth and did so in an interesting way.

A wise teacher's words spur students to action and emphasize important truths. The collected sayings of the wise are like guidance from a shepherd. But, Solomon warns, there is no end of opinions, studying them can go on forever and become exhausting.

Solomon's final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is the duty of every person. God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: The Book of Ecclesiastes cannot be interpreted correctly without reading the final verses. No matter what the mysteries and apparent contradictions of life are, we must work toward the single purpose of knowing God.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? Solomon shows us that we should enjoy life but this does not exempt us from obeying God's commands. We should search for purpose and meaning in life, but they cannot be found in human injustice in life yet maintain a positive attitude and strong faith in God.

All of us have to stand before God and be judged for what we have done in this life. We cannot us the inequities of life as an excuse for failing to live properly. We need to put God first!

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.