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A NEW YEAR IS COMING. 365 NEW DAYS. A WHOLE NEW OPPORTUNITY GIVEN TO US BY GOD. CAN YOU FEEL THE WIND FOR 2011?. THE WIND SPEAKS OF DIRECTIONS & OF STRENGH & POWER.
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365 NEW DAYS A WHOLE NEW OPPORTUNITY GIVEN TO US BY GOD
These people are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm—shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted—twice dead.
These people are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm—shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted—twice dead. (Jude 1:12)
A NEW YEAR TO CHASE THE WIND WHICH WIND WILL YOU BE CHASING THIS YEAR?
SOLOMON’S WIND “I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” (Ecc. 1:14) CHASING AFTER THE WIND= MEANINGLESS
Ecclesiastes 1:12-15 THE WIND OF WISDOM “I, the Teacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. I devoted myself to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under heaven. What a heavy burden God has laid on men! I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind. What is twisted cannot be straightened; what is lacking cannot be counted.”
Ecclesiastes 1:16-18 THE WIND OF WISDOM “I thought to myself, "Look, I have grown and increased in wisdom more than anyone who has ruled over Jerusalem before me; I have experienced much of wisdom and knowledge." Then I applied myself to the understanding of wisdom, and also of madness and folly, but I learned that this, too, is a chasing after the wind. For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief.”
What does Solomon mean by that? • Solomon is considered to be the wisest man in the Bible. He devoted much of his life in study and learning but it seems the more Solomon learns about life, the more sorrow and pain he sees. • A big part of becoming wise (human wisdom) is gained by experiencing life whether it's good or bad. And, believe me, there are going to be bumps and rattles along the way!
What does Solomon mean? • You and I learn many times from our own mistakes which are often very painful and remain with us all the days of our lives. • This is the elusive human wisdom Solomon speaks of. • If we seek wisdom on our own, without God, we exaggerate the problems we have by seeing them more deeply. • God has all the wisdom and an eternal perspective that we can never achieve. • Seek wisdom from God by asking Him for advice in every challenge you face. You will be amazed at how much God knows!
WIND: DEDICATION AND PRIORITY TO STUDIES • Then I applied myself to the understanding of wisdom, and also of madness and folly, but I learned that this, too, is a chasing after the wind. (Ecc. 1:17)
WIND: DEDICATION AND PRIORITY TO STUDIES CHASING WISDOM WITHOUT GOD IS MEANINGLESS!
Ecclesiastes 2:7-8THE WIND OF WORK & PROJECTS “I bought male and female slaves and had other slaves who were born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me. I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired men and women singers, and a harem as well—the delights of the heart of man.”
WIND: DEDICATION AND PRIORITY TO WORK AND PROJECTS • Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.(Ecc. 2:11)
ONLY WORKING …IS MEANINGLESS • All the material things on which we spend our time, our money, and our priorities will one day be meaningless to us. • We live in a world where our job, what we do for a living, is the way we are judged by our fellow workers. • Solomon had just about everything on earth one person could possibly want but he was not satisfied. If we work our entire lives most of us cannot fathom having a minute fraction of the riches of Solomon.
Ecclesiastes 2:9-11 THE WIND OF PLEASURES AND HAPPINESS “I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me. In all this my wisdom stayed with me. I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind nothing was gained under the sun.”
DEDICATION AND PRIORITY TO LIFE PLEASURES • [ Toil Is Meaningless ] So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me. All of it is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.(Ecc. 2:17)
THE WIND OF WEALTH • To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. (Ecc. 2:26) • TO THE SINNER CHASING AFTER WEALTH IS MEANINGLESS, BECAUSE THEY WILL NOT KEEP IT.
THE WIND OF GREED • And I saw that all toil and all achievement spring from one person’s envy of another. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.(Ecc. 4:4) • THE BOTTON LINE OR MOTIVATION: ENVY OF ANOTHER; JEALOUSY; GREED; COMPETITION
LESS MONEY WITH PEACE IS BETTER • Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.(Ecc. 4:6)
THE WIND OF POWER “I saw that all who lived and walked under the sun followed the youth, the king’s successor. There was no end to all the people who were before them. But those who came later were not pleased with the successor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” (Ecc. 4:15-16)
CHASING THESE WINDS ACCORDING TO KING SOLOMON IS MEANINGLESS.
THOSE WHO PLEASE GOD HE GIVES WISDOM, KNOWLEDGE, HAPPINESS & WEALTH • To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.(Ecc. 2:26)
God gives real meaning and real joy • To find true meaning in life, we absolutely must turn to God. Even though we are not wealthy in the same sense as Solomon, we can be rich in the love God offers us freely through His son, Jesus Christ. • We can "live abundantly" which has nothing to do with worldly riches but has to do with God's promise of everlasting life. • Wealth and position in this life is momentary but God is eternal. • Which would you rather have?
LEARN FROM KING SOLOMON • Solomon had wealth, power, and even a harem. Yes, King Solomon had it all. At least all the riches many of us consider important. • So, why was he such a sad man? Why did he say it was all meaningless and "a chasing after the wind"?
"You can't take it with you.“ • Solomon pretty much had it all but he found that riches, great projects, slaves, multiple women, and even being called the greatest man in Jerusalem was meaningless. • We have to ask ourselves; "Why do I want a better job, more money, a big house, too many diplomas, etc.?". • If we are pursuing these things in search of happiness or for real meaning in our lives we will be let down. • All these "things" are meaningless in the end and to pursue them without GOD is vain.
CHASE GOD’S WIND • I am not suggesting that you shouldn't own things and find enjoyment from them but, instead of putting all our time and effort into obtaining them, why not continue to search for God who can give real meaning and fulfillment to our lives. • Experience the joy God has to give you today.
A NEW YEAR TO CHASE THE WIND WHICH WIND WILL YOU BE CHASING IN 2011?
CHASE GOD’S WIND: THE HOLY SPIRIT 1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.
CHASE GOD’S WIND: THE BODY OF CHRIST 14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. (Eph. 4:14-16)
CHASE GOD’S WIND: STEADY FAITH But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. (James 1:6)
HIDE OR SEEK? WHAT TO DO WHEN IS A TORNADO?
TORNADO CHASING IS RISKY. YOU BETTER HIDE UNDERGROUND AND PROTECT ALL THAT YOU HAVE
FOR A HAPPY 2011 • MAKE YOUR NEW-YEAR’S RESOLUTION LIST • DECIDE TO HIDE FROM THE WORLDLY WINDS AND TO PURSUE GOD’S WINDS • DECIDE TO SEEK GOD’S WILL FOR ALL AREAS OF YOUR LIFE • ASK GOD TO SHOW YOU IF YOU HAVE HIDDEN MOTIVATIONS RELATED TO SOLOMON’S WINDS • WRITE DOWN OBJECTIVE THINGS AND TASKS FOR THE NEW YEAR • TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS NEW YEAR__ NEW OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE GOD AND ACCOMPLISH THINGS FOR HIM.
LET THE WIND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT TAKE YOU THIS YEAR & HAPPY NEW YEAR!
What is Pleasure?Seven possible definitions for the word pleasure • 1. the state or feeling of being pleased. • 2. enjoyment or satisfaction derived from what is to one's liking; gratification; delight. • 3. worldly or frivolous enjoyment: the pursuit of pleasure. • 4. recreation or amusement; diversion; enjoyment: Are you traveling on business or for pleasure? • 5. sensual gratification. • 6. a cause or source of enjoyment or delight: It was a pleasure to see you. • 7. pleasurable quality: the pleasure of his company.
http://www.makingchristknown.com/daily-verse/ecclesiastes/contents.htmhttp://www.makingchristknown.com/daily-verse/ecclesiastes/contents.htm