Ecclesiastes 1:4-7

Ecclesiastes 1:4-7 One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever. The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose. The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits. All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again. Do you know who wrote the book of Ecclesiastes? King Solomon, the wisest man to ever live did. Solomon was amazed at four events that never seemed to end. The first was the sun. Every day the sun comes up and moves across the sky. It goes down and at the end of the night, it is right back again. We can count upon the sun to come up every day, just like Solomon did. The second was the wind. Solomon noticed that the wind went around in a circular path. The wind doesn’t just blow in one direction and pile up in one place. No, it goes one way and then circles around and then back again. Then the third was the water. The clouds rain upon the earth and the streams flow into the rivers and the rivers into the seas. But the seas are never full! The water evaporates from the oceans back into the clouds and finally it rains once again over the land. What a wonderful cycle! But finally, Solomon noticed that one generation passes away and another one takes their place. We grow up, have babies, grow older and we die. Then our babies grow up, have babies, grow older and die. This may seem sad, but it is just the circle of life. We enjoy our time here on earth and then we pass on into our heavenly home. So Solomon was reminding us to prepare for our life and then to prepare for our heavenly home. We will see the Lord, our Creator someday soon. And we must prepare for that day.

II Corinthians 12:7-9

II Co 12:7-9 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. In the Bible, there are three heavens. Can you list them? The first heaven is the atmosphere where the birds and clouds are. The second heaven is outer space where the sun, moon, and stars are. And the third heaven is the abode of Almighty God. When Paul was taken up into the third heaven, he had to come back here to earth to work for God. And God had to give him a physical infirmity to remind him that he was back on earth. Paul asked the Lord three times to remove this physical problem, but God said, “No, Paul. My grace is enough to get you through this problem.” And it was. Can you imagine the Apostle Paul praying for a problem? I am sure God heard Paul’s prayers, aren’t you?! But God didn’t answer Paul’s prayer; God gave Paul the grace to go through his problem. So when you pray to God to answer a need, remember that God is in control. He can answer, but He might not. God is in charge. He will do what He wants to do. Our job is to trust and to pray and to go on serving God. Remember, God’s grace is sufficient. He will take us through every problem!

II Corinthians 12:2,3

II Corinthians 12:2,3 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) God used the apostles to begin the new church. Peter went to the Jews and Paul went to the gentiles – that’s us. But in the beginning of the New Testament church age, God used the gift of tongues to prove that someone was saved and had been given the Holy Spirit. But once the books of the New Testament were completed, God used His written Word to prove that someone was saved. And then, when someone was born again, they received the Holy Spirit immediately without tongues. When God selected Paul to be an apostle, God taught Paul directly. But now we have the completed New Testament to teach us. So God taught Paul in an unusual way. Paul didn’t know if he was actually taken up to heaven or if he was having a dream about being taken up to heaven. But in either case, God instructed Paul Himself. And Paul was so excited that God had to bring him back to reality with a physical ailment. It might have been some eye-sight problem, we just aren’t sure. But we are sure that God showed Paul things that were amazing. God showed Paul heaven itself before he died and went there! Wouldn’t it be great to heaven?! But wouldn’t it be a bummer to have to come back here to earth? That was Paul’s problem. God showed Paul a glimpse of heaven to motivate him to press on in his mission work. And God has given us His wonderful written Word so that we might press on. God wants us to never give up and be our best for Him and for His kingdom. Heaven is wonderful, but we have work to do now. Just like Paul, let’s get busy and serve God with all that we have!