With the downloaded divine wisdom of God, king Solomon wrote a letter to wisely inform the world. The name Ecclesiastes means preacher. In his meditations, the writer puzzled with how one could find happiness or contentment apart from God. Are the answers found in science, philosophy, wealth, music, or material wealth? Solomon’s wide search came up empty. He concludes that it is wise to seek God early on in life so that looking back, one could see great value and satisfaction in a worthy life. We are worthy because God chose us, and equipped us with His Spirit. To Christ be all glory for what He has done. Jesus overcame the world. Jesus overcame death and the devil’s plan. As we walk submitted, He overcomes all our fears, selfish ways, and pride.
The wisest man wrote: “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away. I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” Ecc 3
“Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, “I find no pleasure in them”. Ecc 12:1 A great question that stirs in the heart and gut of young and old is “Is life worth living?” As mankind continues to explore the globe in search of meaning, we would be better off to simply imitate a contented dog, which eagerly wags his tail whenever he recognizes his Master coming. Instead, like Solomon, people shop the world for knowledge, fame, fortunes and the pleasures of the flesh. All our futile efforts expose the human incapacity to find meaning without God. With a simple online search today we can amass great reasoning minds. Over the past 100 years the media has enticed us to seek and satisfy all conceivable pleasures. After all philosophy failed, the king sampled music, dance, wine and clever clowns in his court. The wisest man known in history concluded that cheerfulness is admirable, a hearty laugh is delightful, but a person who is always giggling is a bore!
The king becomes practical in his quest for contentment and he builds architectural marvels. Solomon built aqueducts, pools, palaces, public buildings which today are under the rubble of earth. He established gardens, vineyards, orchards and Jerusalem bloomed like the garden of Eden. He collected art, organized the finest orchestras for the royal palace, and yet he surmises: “Music hath charms” and yet it is powerless to provide more than a fleeting moment of pleasure.
In chapter 7 Solomon makes a case for building a good reputation, but the truth is we are but a vapor, we last as long as the steam above a hot cup of coffee. “you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? “You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” James 4:14 People are soon forgotten and our quest to impress others with our reputation is pure vanity. “A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death is better than the day of birth.” Ecc 7:1 The king admonishes us to pay attention to his findings.
Life is worth living when we rightly fear God for His power, and glory will outlast anything we do. “Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” Ecc 12:13 The preacher Solomon looked into the future and into the past and spoke that everything “under the sun” will not satisfy the soul like God does. This is a book of wise warning written by the wisest man that ever walked the earth. We have the choice to seek God and be content with what we have, or avoid God altogether and foolishly seek to leave a legacy of our own Tower of Babble on earth.
LESSON: Apply the Wisdom First Response
This is old story has been retold for centuries. It is a very simple story, but the telling of it brings eternal relief. This simple story contains much power to save those who shall perish in flames. Let the church of God rejoice when souls hear the truth in its telling. People are compelled by the Spirit of God to surrender their misery for LIFE in Christ. Jesus willingly came to be the suffering Servant of mankind. His perfect blood was poured out. Accepting Christ was crucified for you is the only remedy for your sin. It is the gospel of BELIEVE and LIVE. “Whosoever believes in the Lord Jesus Christ will be gifted everlasting life.” This is the only medicine which the great Physician has given to us to administer to sin sick souls. “There is no other name under heaven given among men, in which a soul can be saved.” Faith is a gift God gives all who call on the name of Jesus. The simple gospel is the story to repeat: Jesus, as the Lamb of God, laid down His life, and shed His innocent blood to cover our sins. Jesus was born of a virgin, lived, died, and was resurrected by the Spirit of God. All who believe and confess Jesus as Lord, will be saved from burning in the lake of fire. The first sign of wisdom is the FEAR OF GOD.
Faith is an actual substance, it is the real stuff that we can not see. It is just like vitamin C. The nutrients are the unseen beneficial substances contained in an orange. Faith is believing in the unseen, immeasurable benefits provided by God. The Holy Spirit is everywhere believers are. He leads us into levels of faith where we benefit greatly with the marvels of His holy presence. Psalm 31:21 “Praise be to the Lord, for He showed me the wonders of His love when I was in a city under siege.”
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KNOW THE TRUTH AND THE TRUTH OF GOD’S LOVE, MERCY AND GRACE WILL SET YOU FREE. THERE IS ZERO CONDEMNATION BUT MANY VIEWS.
Jesus Christ must first “CHOOSE” us. (John 15:16). There is no opportunity in which we choose Christ. Christ CHOOSES YOU, or you aren’t chosen. The Father then “DRAWS” [‘drags us’]” us to Christ (John 6:44). How can this happen? (Ecc. 3:11). GRACE and FAITH (Eph. 2:8 ). Both are from God; man contributes NOTHING.
We must give God credit for all of our faith, because faith comes ONLY from God. Then “the goodness of GOD leads you to repentance” (Rom. 2:4). Our repentance originates in GOD, not in ourselves. If God doesn’t lead someone to repentance then they CAN’T REPENT.
Instead of immersion, we are spiritually “BAPTIZED into Christ’s death” (Rom. 6:3). Followed by: For he that is dead is freed from sin… For SIN SHALL NOT have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under GRACE” (Rom. 6:7 – Rm 6:14). It is the grace of God ONLY that can save anyone.
Big question is HOW and WHEN? “For the GRACE of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, TEACHING US [‘to train, educate, discipline, punish, chasten, instruct, learn, teach’] that, denying ungodliness and worldly lust, we should live soberly [with a sound mind], righteously, and GODLY, in this present world” (Titus 2:11-12).
Life in this earthly realm of reality is a HARD challenge. The grace of God DISCIPLINES and CHASTENS all whom He has chosen to submit into obedience to His Way.
Being a submitted Christian is no walk in the park by any means. Read Watchman Nee’s book: Releasing the Spirit”
“Whosoever will come after Me, let him DENY himself, (surrender daily, submit moment by moment to the Spirit of God, not my will, but Thy will be done) and TAKE UP HIS CROSS (The biggest challenge in life), and FOLLOW Jesus, the nudge of His abiding Spirit” (Mark 8:34).
This is NOT an “option” to salvation; this is an absolute REQUIREMENT. We must all work out our salvation and be willing to deny our flesh daily. Yielding, surrendering our understanding, our thoughts, our plans, our me, me, me — to He who is within us, is greater than he who is in the world. (1 John 4:4)
(I Pet. 2:21) “For even hereunto were ye called; because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example that ye should follow [By suffering with Him—‘Yea, and ALL that will live godly in Christ Jesus SHALL SUFFER persecution’ II Tim. 3:12]
(I John 2:6) “He [That would be US] that says he abides in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He [Jesus] walked”. (I John 4:17) “Herein is our love made perfect, that we may HAVE BOLDNESS in the day of judgment: because as He IS, SO ARE WE in the world” (I John 4:17).
If you do NOT “SUFFER,” and only experience pleasure of God, then you clearly are NOT submitted to His Way, which is to suffer for His namesake, and His glory.
The challenges are monumental: To the follower that OVERCOMES; It is Christ in me that OVERCOMES; because I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. By the word of my testimony, He shall overcome.
(Rev. 2:7; 2:11; 2:17; 2:26; 3:5; 3:12; 3:21). What is it we need to do to overcome? “Overcome the desires of our selfish, prideful self. We must live in Him entirely submittted to the Spirit of God in us so that He that dwells within may overcome just “AS” Jesus overcame. And to those who are called and are successful: “To him that overcomes (surrenders) will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even AS I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne” (Rev. 3:21)
Jesus Christ overcame His own FLESH (Heb. 4:15), and Jesus overcame the sins of the whole WORLD:(John 16:33)
“These things I have spoke unto you, that “in Me” [cannot be in Him, if ye not remain surrendered] ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have TRIBULATION: but be of good cheer: I have OVERCOME THE WORLD”!!!
Who overcame the world? Jesus Christ overcame, in me, as I remain in Him. We must all submit to the Father’s will, just as Jesus submitted. We must humble ourself, crucify our flesh, to live in Him and be led by His Spirit.
“And ye [all of you’] SHALL BE HATED of all men for My Name’s sake [Does that include ALL Believers]? ‘YEA, and ALL that will live godly in Christ Jesus, SHALL SUFFER being Hated, Disliked, misunderstood, persecuted’]: but he that endures [“remain in Him, under His authority, bear trials, have fortitude, persevere, suffer’]TO THE END shall be saved” (Matt. 10:22). The public knows that we are not the same as the world. Why? Because we suffer, as we are led by the Spirit of God to show mercy, and much grace to those who stone us. “Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do.”A wishy washy follower of Christ is quick to judge and not listen to the Spirit of God speaking through them. A 10 second prayer asking God to forgive me, does allow God to forgive, as far is as the East from the West. THEN the Spirit of God, chastens, as He teaches us not to be like the Pharisees, the holier than thou attitude! It is disturbing to Jesus to see His church body tearing down, instead of building each other up. The world is watching, listening, and choosing not to attend church because of disunity and division. Strive moment to moment to submit to His Way and issue mercy and grace. Do your best to surrender your fury, anger, and any pride so that you represent Christ and not your own judgment. Mat_22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen. Mat 7:22-23 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. These scriptures keep me humble and submitted.The current state affairs that we live in, it is time to re-evaluate our thinking in regards to following the example of Jesus. HUMILTY and GRACE as He took the lash, and died that we be covered under His blood. Peace be with you as you submit, and remain in a humble, teachable state.
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Pastor Todd Coconato 🙌
This is a big one.
“Letting Go: The Ministry Of Goodbye” 👋
It’s one of the most painful things to experience: you’ve given your life to Jesus, walked with Him for years, and made incredible strides in your journey of faith. Yet, some people still choose to see you as the person you once were, not the person you are now. They cling to your past failures, bringing them up time and again, as though your redemption and growth in Christ mean nothing.
Why does this happen? And more importantly, how should we respond?
Satan, the Accuser
First, we need to recognize the spiritual root of this behavior. Satan is described in Revelation 12:10 as “the accuser of the brethren.” He delights in reminding us of our past mistakes, whispering lies about our worth, and using others to do the same. His goal is to keep us stuck, feeling unworthy of God’s grace and unable to move forward. But the truth is, when Satan reminds us of our past, we must remind him of his future—a future of eternal defeat (Revelation 20:10).
Jesus has paid the price for our sins, and we are new creations in Him (2 Corinthians 5:17). If God Himself has forgiven us and chooses not to remember our sins (Hebrews 8:12), why should we allow others to hold them over us?
Even Jesus Faced This
If you’ve ever felt rejected by people who refuse to see the person God is shaping you to be, know that you’re in good company. Even Jesus, the Son of God, faced this challenge. In Mark 6:1-6, Jesus returned to His hometown, but instead of being received with faith and open hearts, the people saw Him as nothing more than “the carpenter, the son of Mary.” They refused to acknowledge His divine mission and power because they were too focused on their limited perception of who He had been.
Because of their unbelief, Jesus “could do no mighty work there” (Mark 6:5). This passage reminds us that some people will never be able to receive from you because they are too blinded by your past or their own unbelief. If this happened to Jesus, it’s no surprise when it happens to us.
The Ministry of Goodbye
Sometimes, the best thing you can do is walk away from those who refuse to see the work God is doing in your life. This doesn’t mean you stop loving them or praying for them, but it does mean creating distance when their words and actions threaten to hinder your growth. Jesus told His disciples, “And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet” (Matthew 10:14).
This “ministry of goodbye” is not an act of bitterness or rejection, but a step of obedience to God’s call to move forward. God is a forward-moving God, and He calls us to press on toward the goal of His higher calling (Philippians 3:13-14).
Surround Yourself with Believers
The people you surround yourself with matter. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” You need to be around people who see the work God is doing in you, who celebrate your victories, and who encourage you to keep moving forward in your faith. If you stay in an environment where you are constantly reminded of your failures, you risk becoming stuck in a cycle of shame and stagnation.
Moving Forward
Whether you’ve been in Christ for two years or twenty, there will always be those who choose to define you by something you did decades ago. But you don’t have to stay stuck in their perception. You are not who they say you are—you are who God says you are.
So, forgive them, pray for them, and move forward. Surround yourself with people who believe in you and who will call out the gifts God has placed within you. Remember, your past is a testimony of God’s grace and redemption, not a prison to keep you bound.
And the next time Satan—or anyone else—tries to remind you of your past, stand firm in the truth of God’s Word. Remind them, and yourself, of your identity in Christ and the future He has planned for you. Keep pressing forward, because that’s where God is leading you.
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