00:00:01: Hello everyone, welcome to the Lift Through Jesus podcast with Courtney Gilmore.

00:00:05: On this episode make The Most of Your Life!

00:00:08: This is Ecclesiastes XI and XII.

00:00:19: When you're young, You don't like to think about the fact that one day he'll get old and die.

00:00:23: Right?

00:00:23: No-one wants to think of those things.

00:00:26: but if we don't then it's very easy.

00:00:29: just go on live your life without thinking about the facts.

00:00:33: maybe when they won't be able do all these things right now one day you won't be around at all.

00:00:41: And so Solomon ends Ecclesiastes by reminding us to make the most of our life while we have the ability to do that.

00:00:50: he doesn't want us to waste time here And he doesn't want us to waste the beginning of our life and get to the end, have regrets.

00:01:00: So we're going through chapter eleven in twelve.

00:01:04: just as this book is very philosophical it's gonna take a little bit of deciphering.

00:01:11: not an easy read but we are reading some verses.

00:01:15: then go back talk about them what they were actually talking.

00:01:18: And so in Ecclesiastes eleven one through six it says cast your bread on the surface of the waters for you will find after many days.

00:01:34: Divide your portion to seven or even eight, For You do not know what misfortune may occur On earth if the clouds are full they pour out rain upon The Earth and whether a tree falls towards the south Or toward the north wherever the Tree Falls there lies.

00:01:51: He who watches the wind will not so and he who looks in the clouds, Will Not reap just as you don't know The path of the Wind or how?

00:01:59: The bones are formed In the womb Of a pregnant woman.

00:02:01: So You do not Know the activity of God Who makes all things.

00:02:05: so your seed in the morning And Do not be idle on in the evening for you to not know whether Morning Or Evening sowing We'll succeed or Whether both of them alike will Be good.

00:02:16: So when he says cast your bread on the surface of the waters, He's saying spread your efforts over many different opportunities and then eventually you'll see the results.

00:02:28: And when he says, divide your portion because you don't know what misfortune may occur.

00:02:34: He's saying diversify Don't put all your eggs in one basket.

00:02:39: make sure that use.

00:02:40: spread your efforts out over many different avenues so that You have a lot of ways that you can succeed and That way if one of them fails another one will succeed.

00:02:56: You fall on hard times, you have something there that is making your money or benefiting you in some way.

00:03:04: And so you don't have to wait for the big investment to come in later or whatever...you kind of do things.

00:03:12: they'll give short term gain and long-term gain....take a risk..do the safe thing.

00:03:17: all that!

00:03:18: So then many options are what he's saying here.

00:03:22: And then in verse three, he says if the clouds are full they'll pour out rain on earth and wherever the tree falls there's where it falls.

00:03:29: What He is trying to say?

00:03:31: you don't know when the cloud will finally pour water onto Earth.

00:03:36: You do not what its going be enough.

00:03:38: It's gonna decide.

00:03:39: ok I'm full enough i am going to rain now And you don't know which way the wind is going to blow.

00:03:44: So, You Don't Know Which Way The Trees Going To Fall.

00:03:46: and he says if a person Is Trying To Determine The Clouds so trying to figure out when it's going to rain or determine the Wind Which Way It'S Going To Blow Then they're just not going to do anything.

00:03:59: And so he's talking about a farmer, you know someone that is planting their seed and He saying well I don't know when the plant because i'm Not really sure it's when its gonna rain?

00:04:26: any of this anyway.

00:04:27: because that's what the next verse says when he says, you know... You don't know which way the wind's gonna blow and you don't have a bones are formed in The pregnant woman's womb.

00:04:37: God is the one that is in charge of all of these things.

00:04:40: And so, you Are trying to determine outcomes by Things that you Have no control over or No knowledge.

00:04:47: Of god Is the only One he has be determining factor?

00:04:52: Many of These things.

00:04:53: and That's why we spread our seed Over the surface of many waters.

00:04:57: That's while We make sure that we diversify.

00:04:59: because because we can't tell which one is going to succeed or which one isn't.

00:05:05: Because, We don't know how the wind's gonna blow and when rain will come.

00:05:10: And that goes for everything You Know.

00:05:12: he not just talking about farmers He saying For all of us...we cant sit around and try anticipate and wait for conditions be perfect Make a perfect plan before act.

00:05:27: Just get on it Just work.

00:05:30: just working the morning.

00:05:32: Work at night because you don't know which one is going to Take.

00:05:36: and so Basically, he's saying work as hard as you can do your best And let me take care of The results Because you're not in charge of those things anyway?

00:05:48: So I want to read you a couple of verses that have to do with that.

00:05:51: talk about this over-the course the rest of the Bible, so that you can see that God tells us these things always.

00:06:02: And he also gives a little bit of insight as to why He does this sometimes.

00:06:07: In Proverbs fourteen twenty-three he says in all labor there is profit but mere talk leads only to poverty.

00:06:15: So... That goes to thing like The person who's trying determine rain doesn't sow and the person that's trying to determine wind doesn't reap.

00:06:26: Don't sit around and talk about it.

00:06:28: Make a decision.

00:06:29: If any of you have ever been in a Baptist church business meeting maybe, You know I'm talking about because the Baptist Church that i was from when I Was A kid would talk About buying carpet for a literal year.

00:06:43: it's like every single time we Would Talk about something and We would get a price And try to find The color and all Of these different things and Every Time we'd say okay?

00:06:53: Well think about this or look into This then will Get back next month.

00:06:57: do that over and over again, it's exhausting.

00:07:00: And so you know don't be like that.

00:07:04: God is obviously not talking about churches in carpets but thats a pretty good example of how when you sit around try to figure everything out eventually...you know..you dont' do anything!

00:07:15: So he was like quit talkin bout it and get done then I'll take care the rest.

00:07:21: Proverbs sixteen one through three says, the plans of the heart belong to man.

00:07:26: But All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, but The Lord weighs motives.

00:07:33: so commit your works to the lord and Your plans will be established.

00:07:37: So he's like you.

00:07:38: make all the plans You want too?

00:07:39: But the results or in God's hands.

00:07:41: when He says the answer Of the tongue is from the Lord.

00:07:44: They're results Are In His Hands though what happens in the end Is determined by Him.

00:07:49: so you can Make all the Plans You Want.

00:07:51: it doesn't mean that they're going To come about the way That you want them to And so just commit your Works to the Lord.

00:07:57: so do What you believe God is asking you to do, just work hard put all your effort into it and then your plans will be established.

00:08:07: Things we'll workout...God will take care of.

00:08:12: And then I love this chapter.

00:08:15: You don't really think about Job being the most encouraging book or the one that you necessarily want to read, but i think The End of Job is absolutely hilarious.

00:08:22: and so This Is in Job thirty seven five through eighteen.

00:08:27: and it says God thunders with his voice wondrously doing great things which we can't comprehend.

00:08:34: Or To the snow he Says fall on the earth into the downpour and the rain.

00:08:39: He Says be strong.

00:08:41: He seals the hand of every man that all men may know his work.

00:08:46: Then, The Beast goes into the Lair and remains in His den.

00:08:51: Out of the south comes the storm And out of the north comes cold.

00:08:55: From the breath of God ice is made And the expanse of waters frozen Also with moisture he loads thick cloud.

00:09:03: He disperses clouds at lightning.

00:09:06: It changes direction, turning around by his guidance that it may do whatever he commands on the face of the inhabited earth.

00:09:14: Whether for correction or for His word and loving kindness He causes this to happen.

00:09:19: Listen to This O Job!

00:09:21: Stand And Consider The Wonders Of God.

00:09:24: Do you know how God established them?

00:09:27: How He makes lightning in clouds shine?

00:09:30: Do You Know About Layers Of Thick Clouds The wonders of the perfect in knowledge.

00:09:35: You, whose garments are hot when the land is still because of the south wind Can you with him spread out the skies strong as the molten mirror?

00:09:46: So this starts out by saying he does great things that we cannot understand.

00:09:52: and then He starts to talk about them.

00:09:53: how he tells the snow To fall on the earth.

00:09:56: How he tells rain to be a great storm.

00:09:59: And he says, He seals the hand of every man.

00:10:03: Meaning...he restrains the mans hands from being able to do these things so that all men on earth will know this is his work and thats exactly what hes talking about here.

00:10:17: We purposefully cannot know when the rain is going to fall or which way of wind it's gonna blow, because God wants us to know that as His purview.

00:10:25: He's the one who is in charge and we are not!

00:10:28: And this is why we put our faith into Him.

00:10:31: If we had control over those things, then what need would have of him?

00:10:36: And he goes on and talks about how the ice is made from God's breath.

00:10:41: The waters are frozen because of Him... ...and moisture comes through the clouds as a result of Him.

00:10:48: Then He says that the clouds change direction at His guidance which is why the weathermen aren't always right!

00:10:58: go this way.

00:11:02: and so the weathermen are telling us, you know Oh we think that it's going to rain.

00:11:07: This in this day.

00:11:09: And then all of a sudden God says never mind that direction That's the way It's gonna Go.

00:11:14: and So All Of This is done by design?

00:11:31: To allow one thing to succeed and one think to fail.

00:11:34: One time for it to reign in one time, but not two.

00:11:38: One time For it to rain for this person and not for this Person or whatever.

00:11:43: we cannot determine these things.

00:11:45: We just have to trust that God has a reason.

00:11:48: sometimes It's for his loving-kindness Sometimes is for the whole world?

00:11:52: It doesn't have anything to do with us.

00:11:54: It has to do With other people And sometimes he does it for our correction.

00:11:59: We don't know and so we can't judge him because... ...we don't understand his thought processes, if we understood then maybe.. ..we could dispute a little bit or say oh but don't do that for our Correction!

00:12:12: I know that you care about the whole world, but can't you just do this for me too?

00:12:20: You know if we knew why he was doing it.

00:12:22: But We don't and The reason we don't is because We can't think about the whole world.

00:12:29: And we don't know what's best for us and all of millions other things that we do not know, so God is in charge.

00:12:39: these things... The entire point on the first six verses of chapter eleven in Ecclesiastes just to say you put your effort into doing all of the time over the course of many different things and then you let God take care of the result because that is his job.

00:12:57: Your job is to work hard, do your best!

00:13:00: His Job Is To Take Care Of The Results Of It.

00:13:03: And so... That's THE FIRST THING THAT WE NEED TO KNOW THAT WE NED TO BE DOING IN THIS LIFE TO MAKE THE MOST OF OUR TIME HERE IS TO WORK HARD AND TRUST IN GOD.

00:13:16: And then it goes on starting in verse seven and kind of shifts a focus little bit.

00:13:22: It says, And follow the impulses of your heart and desires in your eyes.

00:13:49: Yet know that God will bring you to judgment for all these things, so remove grief & anger from your hearts...and put away pain.

00:13:58: form your body because childhoods are fleeting.

00:14:02: So that kind tells right there what he's talking about is You won't be young forever!

00:14:08: You won' t be in prime of life forever!

00:14:13: that you wake up every day, your eyes see the sun.

00:14:16: That's a pleasant day and so be thankful for every single Day God gives to You because one day The Days will get dark!

00:14:26: One day it won't Be like this anymore...one day you Won't be young....you won't be in the prime of Your life.

00:14:33: So enjoy that time while you have

00:14:35: It!!

00:14:37: The future also won't last forever.

00:14:41: everything in this life has a season and none of these seasons last forever.

00:14:48: And so enjoy them while you can!

00:14:51: Rejoice, do the things that you want to do... Do the things sound good to you but make sure they're moral because God is going judge for everything on earth.

00:15:03: So He's saying I gave You This Life To Enjoy It.

00:15:06: But don't forget I have a way, I have boundaries that i've made for you and want to work within those boundaries.

00:15:15: And then he says remove grief and anger and pain away from your body because youth the prime of life are

00:15:25: fleeting.".

00:15:25: So what I think is saying here don't spend all time being mad or sad or upset in someway...because thats a waste.

00:15:38: You don't want to look back on your life and think I've spent all of my time being mad about something, being bitter about this thing.

00:15:48: Being sad about something that i can do anything about.

00:15:51: And so he says you know it's only gonna get harder.

00:15:55: So you don't wanna spend your early years being upset About the bad things That are going in your life now because later On...you're not even gonna have some Of The Things That You Have.

00:16:06: Now Again, all of the seasons change and so we don't want to spend our time in this season Groping about the things that we don t like either looking back In the past wishing it was different or Looking towards The future thinking That We just Want To Get Out Of This Season And Move To Another.

00:16:24: You Know I Tell People All Of The Time Now My Kids Are Grown And I Have Lived A Little Bit Alive.

00:16:33: I ve Realized every season really is bleeding, and so you do need to enjoy the time that you have.

00:16:43: And don't waste it griping about things going on at this moment because every season has its hardships... ...and every season does good things!

00:16:53: So if you spend your time when your kids are babies saying, oh I'm never getting any sleep and i'm so exhausted.

00:17:01: I just can't wait till they get older and they sleep through the night yes we want them to get older in sleep though the night but you're going to miss that sweet you know cuddles that you aren't gonna have later because they're going be squirming around and they want out of your arms right?

00:17:16: And then whenever they get to be toddlers you're like Oh my gosh!

00:17:19: They're into everything...I just want them.

00:17:24: You know, I'm not having to chase them around all the time and they're just taking all of my energy.

00:17:28: And it's like yes you do want that but also It's such a fun time!

00:17:34: So...you are never going have this time back.

00:17:37: There is gonna be a time whenever eventually they grow up and they're totally independent, right?

00:17:43: They don't need you walking behind them at all.

00:17:45: As a matter of fact...they don't want you there!

00:17:47: And so..you need to enjoy those times while YOU have them.

00:17:52: You NEED TO ENJOY THE TIMES WHEN YOU'RE SINGLE.

00:17:54: You NEET TO ENJOY THE TIMEs whenever your kids are grown Whenever you have grandkids, whenever you have great-grandkids.

00:18:01: ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT SEASONS IN OUR LIVES, CHILDHOOD!

00:18:04: Y'know, ALL OF THAT.

00:18:05: We need to ENJORE THOSE THINGS AND WHEN THINGS ARE DIFFICULT and being angry or bitter, we need to think this isn't going to last forever.

00:18:15: And I can make it until i get out of the season!

00:18:39: Then in chapter twelve he starts talking about aging and death.

00:18:44: And I want to tell you guys right now these are Solomon's words, not mine.

00:18:49: So do not get mad at me because this is a graphic description of getting older and I wish he would have been a little bit sweeter about it but i have to say that...I think the reason he's talking about it like this....is cuz..he wants us to realize that we won't always be able to do the things.

00:19:14: take the opportunity to do what you can while you can.

00:19:18: So keep that in mind as we're talking about it.

00:19:21: and then when Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and years draw near when you will say I have no delight in them.

00:19:39: Before sun light moon stars are darkened clouds return after

00:19:44: rain.".

00:19:45: So he's saying Remember God in your early days.

00:19:50: Serve Him while you can because the evil days will come.

00:19:54: and these are the days that He's talking about, they're at the end of our life—the time whenever You CAN'T do all of things That You want to

00:20:03: do.".

00:20:04: And he is going on to describe this.

00:20:07: At This Time The Clouds Lume Over You!

00:20:10: You know that Your Getting Older and You Know That Your Time Is Short.

00:20:15: He says before that time comes Remember God make sure that you spend your entire life with him instead of just your older years.

00:20:28: and then he goes on to describe What it's like getting older?

00:20:33: And he talks about the different parts of the body that begin to go.

00:20:38: So, in verse three In that day, the watchmen of house will tremble and mighty men will stoop.

00:20:45: The grinding ones stand idle because they are few And those who look through windows grow dim And door on street is shut as sounds of grinding mills.

00:20:55: low One will arise at sound of a bird.

00:20:59: All daughters of song sing softly.

00:21:02: Furthermore, men are afraid of the high places and of terror on the road.

00:21:07: The almond tree blossoms—the grasshopper drags himself along —and the caperberry is ineffective!

00:21:13: For man goes to his eternal home while mourners go about in the street.

00:21:18: Remember him before the silver cord is broken and the golden bowl is crushed And the pitcher by well is shattered and the wheel at cistern is crushed.

00:21:28: Then the dust will return to earth as it was, and spirit will return for God who gave it.

00:21:35: Vanity of vanity says the preacher all is

00:21:38: vanity.".

00:21:39: And so when he says that Watchmen will tremble and Mighty Men will stoop He's saying The Protector Of The House Will Eventually Get Weak And he will become more vulnerable and less capable of protecting the house because He's not near as strong.

00:21:56: As it used to be, and he stooped over and he's walking slowly and so um.

00:22:02: Then he goes on and says The grinding ones stand idle Because they are few.

00:22:06: They say that this is talking about our teeth because Our teeth Are the ones that grind the food?

00:22:12: So he says you start losing your teeth.

00:22:14: You don't eat as much because you Don't have his many teeth.

00:22:17: They stand idle.

00:22:19: And then he goes on to say, those who look through the window grow dim.

00:22:24: Well your eyes are the window to you body.

00:22:27: and so it says that your eyes start growing dim.

00:22:30: You're not able see as well.

00:22:35: The doors of street are shut As the sound of grinding mill is low And so the doors to your body are your mouth.

00:22:43: That's what allows things to come into your body.

00:22:46: and So he saying you're mouth is shut because the grinding mill Is low, Because You have To Chew Slow And You Don't Eat As Much And So You don't Open Your Mouth As Much.

00:23:00: Maybe Even Your Speech Is Slower Or You Can't Talk as Well As You Used To you know, not working as it used to in all of the ways that it did before.

00:23:15: And then he says um... You will arise at the sound of a bird.

00:23:19: and so he's saying ...you're gonna wake up at the slightest bit of sound....and so he is saying..You are going to wake up early morning.

00:23:27: basically your'e NOT going to sleep well And you're also not going to hear well.

00:23:32: You know, the daughters are gonna sing and your gonna be like what'd ya say?

00:23:35: I can't hear you!

00:23:36: Your talkin'

00:23:36: softly!".

00:23:37: They were like no im not talking softly just cant hear me very well anymore.

00:23:42: Then he says furthermore men are afraid of high places.

00:23:49: um that were used to be protectors, use to be adventurous.

00:23:55: Used to go out and do all of these things now they are not because they are more vulnerable And so they stay in more.

00:24:03: They're not as adventurous There's no risk taking Because their bodies aren't able To go out.

00:24:13: then the almond tree blossoms.

00:24:15: The blossoms of the almond trees are white and so he's saying your hair turns gray, And this part that I really hate... He says the grasshopper drags himself along!

00:24:25: So you know..he is saying You're no longer hopping a long in life now you're dragging your body because you Are tired and can't walk as well as used to.

00:24:36: Um, the caper berry is ineffective.

00:24:40: The caperberry comes after the flower blooms and becomes fertilized.

00:24:46: And so what he's saying?

00:24:47: Is there's gonna come a time when you're no longer fertile and You will go to your eternal home while the mourners mourn in the street.

00:24:56: So he's describing this process of getting older.

00:25:00: your eyes and your ears, in your mind.

00:25:02: And you're mouth on your body.

00:25:04: all of these things are be going to uh may begin to fail.

00:25:10: You know obviously every single part of our body doesn't collapse at once and much Of the time it doesn't collapsed at All.

00:25:18: but These Are The Things That Are Characterized By um Ageing.

00:25:23: And then he goes on to say, remember him before the silver cord is broken.

00:25:28: Before the golden bowl was crushed.

00:25:30: Before picture of well shattered and wheel of the cistern is

00:25:33: crushed.".

00:25:35: Some people believe that he's still continuing with body analogy... ...and others just believe that his talking about end life.

00:25:43: so I'm going give you a couple ways to look at this passage.

00:25:48: If you are continuing with the body analogy, then the silver cord would be the spinal cord.

00:25:54: And so when your nerves quit sending signals to your body...to do all of things that it used to tell your body to do!

00:26:01: The golden bowl is the brain because THAT IS THE CROWN OF YOUR BODY and so your brain doesn't work as well.

00:26:13: The pitcher by the well is the heart.

00:26:16: This is a place that holds all of your blood and pumps it out, and then the wheels are like the spokes on the wheels where the blood flows from the heart.

00:26:31: so the arteries in the veins and everything... All those things you know.. Your heart doesn't work as if that's what he is talking about.

00:26:45: Others believe that he was just aging in general and so the silver cord has broken meaning, um...the ageing cord is broken The older you know.

00:26:57: silver is for hair And then the golden bowl the value.

00:27:02: The value of your life is going to be gone once you die, then none of these things matter anymore.

00:27:09: and Then the picture by-the-well Is just a useful tool that you use To get water out.

00:27:16: so You'll no longer Be able do any of those things Once you died.

00:27:21: So all this before All That And then the wheel to the cistern Active worker.

00:27:31: so the older we get, the less.

00:27:33: We're able to move around like The wheel does and were not constantly going now where you know slowing it down.

00:27:41: And So Either way you choose to look at it.

00:27:44: He's describing the aging process and then he ends by saying, You know The dust will return to the earth in this spirit We'll return to that God who gave it.

00:27:52: And so we're saying your body will Re-returned to the Earth?

00:27:56: Yeah You know y'all be buried and Your Spirit Will go To Be with God In Heaven.

00:28:01: and So Then He Ends By Saying Vanity.

00:28:03: of vanities all is vanity and so All Of It Is fleeting.

00:28:06: None If It Matters.

00:28:07: Anymore Once You Hit That Point And again, this is a graphic and gloomy way to describe the aging-and-death process.

00:28:19: But the whole point is that we need make most of our youth enjoy in life.

00:28:23: serving God while were are prime because as age it's going get harder and hard do things what they want to do eventually lose their chance.

00:28:34: And so he's ending his entire book, His entire teaching by saying you only get one life.

00:28:42: So live it!

00:28:44: Don't waste it away.

00:28:46: Live it to the fullest.

00:28:47: appreciate.

00:28:48: The life that God's given to you and love and serve him with everything You have while?

00:28:54: The opportunity is there.

00:28:56: That's what he saying, and that as an encouraging message, you know hearing Him describe this aging process in the death That's not discouraging at all But the rest of it Is very encouraging.

00:29:07: live life to the fullest enjoy It While you can.

00:29:12: And then the very end Ecclesiastes.

00:29:17: looks to be uh written by someone else because he says the preacher taught and so we're assuming that this is another person coming in at the very end of the book summarizing the book, and summarizing other things Solomon did.

00:29:31: And I'm going read these last several verses then talk about making most our lives.

00:29:38: In verse nine it said wandered, searched out and arranged many proverbs.

00:29:50: The preacher sought to find delightful words.

00:29:55: The conclusion when all has been heard is to fear God and keep his commandments because this applies To every person for god will bring Every act to judgment everything that Is hidden whether good or bad.

00:30:27: so he's saying Solomon didn't just teach wisdom, he also taught knowledge.

00:30:32: Just to know things.

00:30:35: and in all of his teachings He did proverbs and all these different things that he wrote.

00:30:40: And he says...in ALL OF HIS TEACHING HE REALLY THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT HE SAID.

00:30:45: SO THAT HE COULD RELAY IT IN THE BEST WAY FOR PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND IT AND ALSO IN THE MOST TRUTHFUL WAY THAT PEOPLES WILL ACCEPT IT.

00:30:55: And he says, all of these wise words.

00:30:59: All the wise words from ALL of the wise men on earth are given to them by one shepherd which is God and He's The One that gives Them These Words.

00:31:08: To Goad Us Into The Right Direction To Prod us in the right direction.

00:31:13: That Is What The Oats Goed The Ox Goed Would Do.

00:31:16: It Was Like A Pointy Plant So They Would You Know.

00:31:20: Tap Him And Say Don't Go That Way!

00:31:22: Don't go this way!

00:31:25: straight.

00:31:26: and so he's saying that what wisdom does.

00:31:29: Wisdom keeps us on the right path.

00:31:31: it shows where to go, keeps going in like a collection of well-driven nails.

00:31:41: Well driven nails hold things together, they give us boundaries They give us walls and fences on all those kinds of things.

00:31:48: And so that's what the wise words of Solomon do?

00:31:50: They gave stability in boundaries.

00:31:53: show Us What it is that God wants for us to do.

00:31:57: and then he says but you need to be careful about reading a whole lot of books and trying to figure everything out because that's just gonna wear you out.

00:32:05: And so I'm going to summarize the wise teachings of Solomon, cause these are things that really need be listening too...and in the end all of the wisdom that your'e going to read is going tell you.

00:32:18: The most important thing is fear God & follow his commandments.

00:32:23: If yall do THAT then you're gonna be good.

00:32:25: If you don't do that, then know that God will judge you.

00:32:28: God knows everything that your doing good or bad.

00:32:30: nothing is hidden from him.

00:32:32: and so we need to make sure That were are the things that god was wanting us To Do.

00:32:37: And So I'm gonna read a couple of verses that go along with this.

00:32:42: Proverbs two six to eleven says For The Lord Gives Wisdom.

00:32:47: From his mouth comes knowledge & understanding.

00:32:50: He stores up sound wisdom for the upright.

00:32:52: He has a shield to those who walk in integrity.

00:32:56: Guarding the paths of justice, he preserves way at his godly ones.

00:33:01: Then you will discern righteousness and justice equity In every good course.

00:33:06: For wisdom Will enter your heart And knowledge will be pleasant To your soul.

00:33:10: Discretion will guard You.

00:33:11: Understanding will watch over you.

00:33:14: So God is the source Of all that and does it for those purposes.

00:33:19: Proverbs one seven The fear of the Lord is the beginning.

00:33:23: knowledge, fools despise wisdom and instruction.

00:33:28: And so that's what he was saying at the end.

00:33:30: this...is that most important thing to fear God....and THAT IS THE BEGINNING OF KNOWLEDGE!

00:33:37: That's the beginning.

00:33:38: knowing you need to know.

00:33:40: So listen and pay attention, let people instruct YOU and give you wisdom so you will be in good shape.

00:33:48: Deuteronomy ten, twelve to fourteen says... And so what does God want?

00:34:17: you fear him and keep his commandments.

00:34:20: That's what he was telling us in this other verse, And then Hebrews four thirteen.

00:34:26: There is no creature hidden from His sight but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him whom we have.

00:34:36: That's just reminding us that God sees and knows everything that we're doing And we will have to give account for it one day.

00:34:42: So make sure you are living a life that is pleasing to God.

00:34:46: While your'e making the most of it, make sure It aligns with God ways You do things that please Him because those are going to last.

00:34:57: If you'd like to receive this as written lesson then go to livethroughjesus.substack.com and become a paid subscriber there!

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00:35:17: And digital studies are great because all of these scripture references Are linked and so you can just click on them right from your device.

00:35:25: You don't have to flip through your Bible, and you can change it To whatever version.

00:35:29: You want to read the lesson in then Digital Studies or also good if you'd like to do them with a group Because You only have to get one subscription, and then you can just print off all your materials so everybody doesn't have to their own book.

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00:35:50: So go live through jesus.substack.com if would like this written study.

00:35:58: As I've already said multiple times, Solomon is not trying to disparage older people or say that they don't have anything.

00:36:18: Solomon isn't saying, you know You're not worth anything anymore.

00:36:22: We don't think your important or anything like that.

00:36:25: That's not the point of it.

00:36:26: a couple of verses that talk about that.

00:36:29: Job twelve-twelve says wisdom is with age With long life comes understanding.

00:36:35: and then Hebrews five fourteen says solid booties for The mature who because of practice Because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.

00:36:45: So people are wise.

00:36:47: They know right from wrong.

00:36:48: the older they get and they get more understanding.

00:36:51: And so it's not a bad thing to get old.

00:36:54: It's just different two different season, and so while we're young We do have opportunities that we didn't have whenever we won't have Whenever were older?

00:37:05: And so we don't need to let that time go to waste.

00:37:09: There will come a day when we want be able to have children anymore And there may come a time whenever we're not able to see or hear, or think as well.

00:37:18: Whenever we can't work is hard.

00:37:21: Whenever don't feel like have the ability take us much risk and be as adventurous as used to be.

00:37:28: When ever we dont go out this much...or do it that way when we arent strong energetic or independent right now.

00:37:38: and so he's not saying this to be discouraging, but to encourage us take advantage of all the benefits being young while we can.

00:37:49: Don't waste that time by being sad or angry unhappy lazy reckless selfish.

00:37:57: instead enjoy our lives work hard serve God with everything because don't want reach.

00:38:03: end life.

00:38:04: a multitude regrets.

00:38:07: Psalm ninety-twelve says teach us to number our days that we may present to you a heart of wisdom if We are gathering Wisdom as we grow than when we get older.

00:38:18: We're going To be wise.

00:38:20: verse Corinthians ten thirty one.

00:38:22: whether You eat or drink, Or whatever you do Do it to the glory Of God.

00:38:27: so make sure That everything that your doing Be purposeful of It right now because?

00:38:36: And then John ten, ten says the thief comes to steal kill and destroy but I came that you may have life more abundantly.

00:38:46: So because Jesus came so we can have this abundant wonderful life.

00:38:53: don't let Satan steal it away by making angry or bitter focused on wrong things.

00:39:00: allow yourself You know, focus on the good things and be happy that you are awake today.

00:39:07: Happy that you have the abilities that you haven't And your able to do The Things That Your Able To Do.

00:39:14: So we're not going to lose all of those things.

00:39:17: most likely There's plenty Of people in the Bible He says his strength was as many As His days.

00:39:25: Things like that.

00:39:26: so very possibly You won't experience every single one of these aged situations, right?

00:39:35: But think about it.

00:39:37: in case you do In case there comes a day when your eyes and your ears And your mind and your body.

00:39:44: Do not work as well.

00:39:47: What can you do with those things now?

00:39:49: what is it that you need to see Right Now?

00:39:52: That you could do good With Now because your eyes are still working, right?

00:39:58: What can you do good and important with your eyes.

00:40:02: what Can You Do Good And Important For The Lord With Your Ears With Your Mind With Your Body?

00:40:10: Use Your Strength & Energy And All Of The Other Assets To Do Things That Matter.

00:40:17: Don't Leave Things On The Table At The End of the Day You know, while you're still able to use all of these things.

00:40:25: While your'e still here on this earth whatever energy that you have whether it be a ton of energy or very small amount Whatever strength and abilities.

00:40:39: you've got To do something good for God For yourself, others, family.

00:40:46: Do it.

00:40:47: Don't waste your time, don't waste you're time using these assets...don't waste our time being angry or upset or griping about the things that you DON'T have.

00:40:58: There is something that YOU HAVE!

00:41:00: You are useful to someone and SOMETHING ALWAYS no matter what.

00:41:07: OR YOU WOULDN'T BE HERE And so we can sit around and say, well I cant do this anymore.

00:41:15: Or you know what?

00:41:19: Im going to be of benefit to God while im living on earth!

00:41:31: Do everything that you can get out.

00:41:34: enjoy life.

00:41:35: Don't waste your time on things that don't matter.

00:41:39: Romans twelve one says, present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice acceptable to God which is your spiritual service.

00:41:49: Give Your Bodies over To God saying I'll do whatever with this body.

00:41:54: you ask me to Do.

00:41:55: Ephesians five fifteen to seventeen Be careful how You Walk not As Unwise Man but As Wise Making The Most Of Your Time because the days are evil, they're few.

00:42:08: So then do not be foolish but understand what is the will of the

00:42:12: Lord.".

00:42:14: And then Mark twelve thirty to thirty-one you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul in mind and strength.

00:42:22: The second commandment is like this You should love your neighbor as yourself.

00:42:27: there's no commandment greater than these.

00:42:30: This is how you're supposed to live your life.

00:42:32: If You are going to fear God and follow His commandments, make the most of Your Life... Follow this scripture!

00:42:39: Love God with every single bit of YOU.

00:42:42: And love your neighbor as much as you love yourself.

00:42:45: Take care of them like you.

00:42:47: take care of you.

00:42:48: Then if you still at that age where you can get married & have children A family is going to serve you much better in your old age than anything else that you attain on this earth.

00:43:06: They're gonna take care of you, they are gonna love and value you...and they will bring more value into life!

00:43:12: Value that far outweighs any thing that your youth or vitality could produce.

00:43:18: And so remember everything that you do while your young matters, but eventually You won't be able to do many many things.

00:43:32: But if you had children then dad is going to last you into your old age.

00:43:36: The rest of the things may not last you anymore.

00:43:40: But your family will always Be there.

00:43:42: they're gonna make up for anything else that you may or may not have done and so treasure them.

00:43:49: They are the most important thing that you could put your efforts into.

00:43:56: Psalm one twenty seven three to five says children are a gift of the Lord, The fruit of the womb is reward like arrows in hand of a warrior.

00:44:06: so are the Children everyone's youth.

00:44:08: how blessed as man whose quiver And then Proverbs seventeen six says grandchildren are a crown of old men and the glory of sons is their fathers.

00:44:20: So family is so important, they're going to care about your wisdom that you've gained over the years.

00:44:28: They will listen to you, add value in life If you feel as though lost other things You won't have lost them.

00:44:41: pour into your kids and your grandkids while you can.

00:44:47: And work hard, do your best.

00:44:50: give God everything that You have in this life because He's given you His...He has given you This Life!

00:44:56: He wants to enjoy it and he want you Do something important with It.

00:45:02: So That is all I Have for Today.

00:45:04: Make sure you subscribe so you don't miss the next episode.

00:45:07: We will be either going to Song of Solomon, which I'm not sure about yet.

00:45:12: I'm Not sure if i'm gonna Be able to teach over that book but i'm Gonna look it Over and then or we're Going back To second Kings And Talking About The Next King After Solomon.

00:45:22: So make Sure You Subscribe so you Don't Miss That Episode.

00:45:25: also If You want the blog post that Goes Along with this Then Become a free Subscriber at livethroughjesus.substack.com and as I get the blog post written, i will email them out to you.

00:45:38: but until I get each one of em done...you can always go back and read all the past blog posts.

00:45:44: there's several um..there!

00:45:47: And then also uh follow me on social media at Live Through Jesus and I'll be posting clips from this and scriptures from this.

00:45:55: so that's all have for today....I'll see ya next week.

00:45:58: thanks and have a good day.