Who Knows the Fate of the Spirit of Man?

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3: 18-21

I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts. For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity. All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again. Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?

Scripture Commentary: What is the fate of the spirit of man?

Our bodies can’t live forever in this present state. In that sense humans and animals are alike. Soloman, however, acknowledged that God has given people the hope of eternity. We come from dust and to dust we will return. But what of the spirit of man? We will undergo judgment in the next life and this makes us different from animals.

Our purpose in life starts with whom we know, not what we know or how good we are. we are not here on earth to serve ourselves, but to serve God and others.

Because we are created in God’s image, we have a spiritual thirst and an eternal value. Nothing but the eternal God can truly satisfy us. He has built in us a restless yearning for the kind of perfect world that can only be found in his perfect rule.

God’s plan is for us to live forever with him. So live with eternal values in view, realizing that all contradictions will one day be cleared up by the creator himself. He has given us a glimpse; however, we cannot see into the future or comprehend everything. We must trust him now and do his work on earth.

Are you now living as God wants? Do you see life as a great gift from him?

He loves you.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Ecclesiastes Chapter 3

Return To the Lord Your God

Scripture: Hosea 14: 1-3

O Israel, return unto the Lord thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. Take with you words, and turn to the Lord: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips. Assh’-us shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses: neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, ye are our gods: for in thee the fatherless findeth mercy.

Scripture Commentary: Return to God who cares for your and loves you continually

Return to God by asking for forgiveness of your sins. This solution worked in the time of Hosea, and it works today. Forgiveness begins with the destruction of sin. Once you understand the futility of life without God you become eligible for forgiveness.

We cannot save ourselves; our only hope is God’s mercy. Requesting forgiveness means recognizing that we do not deserve it and therefore cannot demand it. Our appeal must be for God’s love and mercy, not for his justice. Although we cannot demand forgiveness, we can confidently receive it.

God is gracious and loving, and wants to restore us to himself because he loves us. When our will is weak, when our thinking is confused, and when our conscience is burdened with a load of guilt, we must remember that God cares for us continually; his compassion never fails.

When we can’t see the way or hear God’s voice; when we lack courage to go on, God’s compassion never fails. We will fail him, but his love will never fail us.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Hosea Chapter 14

God Is My Strength; He Will Do What Is Right

Scripture: Habakkuk 3: 1-2, 19

A prayer of Ha-bak’-kuk the prophet upon Shig-i-o’-noth. O Lord, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O Lord, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy.(1, 2) The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.(19)

Scripture Commentary: Live in the strength of God, confident in his ultimate victory

Habakkuk praised God for answering his questions. Evil will not triumph; God is in control. God is our strength; trust him to vindicate the faithful. God will give his followers surefooted confidence through difficult times.

Sometimes nothing makes sense. Sometimes we cannot hold the weight of our troubles. Remember that God gives strength. God is alive. He’s in control of the world and its events.

The spiritual war we are in today is for a reason. We cannot see or understand all that God is doing, and we cannot see or understand all that God will do. We just know he is God and will do what is right. God will bring about peace in his justice. He will completely rid the world of evil.

God’s people need to live in the strength of his Spirit, confident in his ultimate victory. Knowing this can give us confidence and hope in this confusing world. Take your eyes off your difficulties and look to God.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Habakkuk Chapter 3

Have We Polluted Our City with False Praise?

Scripture: Zephaniah 3: 1-4

Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city! She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the Lord; she drew not near to her God. Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones till the marrow. Her prophets are light and treacherous persons: her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law.

Scripture Commentary: Have we rejected God in our hearts?

Have we polluted our cities, churches and lives, by not living the way God has told us?

Zephaniah had predicted the destruction of the nations surrounding the city of Jerusalem. He turned to the sinning in Jerusalem.

Are our cities becoming defiled and sinful as the pagan cities of yesterday? Are we pretending to falsely serve God? Have we rejected him in our hearts? Are we continuing to be complacent about our sins? Do we no longer care about the consequences of turning from God?

God has given us the way out. The Bible, His Word, His Son, Jesus Christ is the way. We experience events that tempt us to destruction or salvation.

God sent his Son to die on the cross for all our sins. He rose on the third day and went to heaven to prepare a place for us. God has given you the way. Are you going to take it?

Read the Entire Chapter:
Zephaniah Chapter 3

Turn From Your Sin, Do What is Right

Scripture: Ezekiel 33: 14-16

Again, when I say unto the wicked, Thou shall surely die; if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and right; If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die. None of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him: he hath done that which is lawful and right; he shall surely live.

Scripture Commentary: Past good deeds will not save you if you are living in sin today!

We are all born into sin, but we are not born into sinners.

In this chapter Ezekiel is telling us that God is warning us about our sinful living. God is telling us He will forgive us of our sins if we repent and live the life that is wholeheartedly full of love and obedience to God.

Those who persist in rebelling against God, take warning. Do not think because you lived a Godly life in the past that you will be saved. We cannot live a portion of our lives for God and think that is good enough for God.

Don’t appear to be following God, if in your heart you are following yourself. We are weak, but God will give us the strength if you have the faith. God looks at what we are and will become, not what we have been. Past good deeds will not save you if you are living in sin today!

Read the Entire Chapter:
Ezekiel Chapter 33

Not All Prophets Are True

Scripture: Jeremiah 23: 1, 11, 16, 21

Woe Be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the Lord.(1) For both prophet and priest are profane; yea, in my house have I found their wickedness, saith the Lord.(11) Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the Lord.(16) I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied.(21)

Scripture Commentary: True and false prophets are as different as night is from day

Be careful about what people say, do, and how they live. We like to be told things that make us feel good, even if it’s wrong. Jeremiah told the people what they did not what to hear. He told them what God had said to him: these people are evil.

True prophets and false prophets are as different as night and day. If we are to be nourishment to our people we must live as God tells us to live. To share and teach the gospel is a great responsibility.

The way we live will show and encourage people either to accept the Word or reject it. People are looking at you, especially if you’re talking about God’s place in your life. If the word hasn’t changed you, why should others let it change them?

Read the Entire Chapter:
Jeremiah Chapter 23

The Destroyer Flees from the Voice of God

Scripture: Isaiah 33: 1-6

Woe to you, O destroyer, you who have not been destroyed! Woe to you, O traitor, you who have not been betrayed! When you stop destroying you will be destroyed; when you stop betraying, you will be betrayed. O Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress. At the thunder of your voice, the peoples flee; when you rise up the nations scatter. Your plunder, O nations, is harvested as by young locusts; like a swarm of locusts men pounce on it. The Lord is exalted, for he dwells on high; he will fill Zion with justice and righteousness. He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.

Scripture Commentary:

In this passage, the “destroyer” is Assyria, and Assyria continually broke its promises, but demanded that others keep theirs. It is easy for us to act the same and demand our rights while ignoring the rights of others.

Broken promises shatter trust and destroy relationships. Attempt to keep your promises; at the same time, ask for forgiveness for past broken promises. Treat others with the same fairness that you demand for yourself. Only when God’s Spirit is in you, can you have and ask for forgiveness.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Isaiah Chapter 33

The Lord is Our Shepherd, We are His Flock

Scripture: Ezekiel 34: 1-2, 6

The word of the Lord came to me: Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them: This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to the shepherds of Israel who only take care of themselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock? My sheep wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. They were scattered over the whole earth, and no one searched or looked for them.

Scripture Commentary: God is the shepherd who cares for his flock

God promises to take over as shepherd of his scattered flock. When our leader fails us, we must not despair but remember that God is in control. He promises to return and care for his flock.

Know that you can turn to God for help. He can transform any tragic situation to produce good for his kingdom. In hard times it’s easy to forget that God is in control and looking out for us. Let this scripture remind you that he sees our pain. You can always call on him and he will come to care for you.

God’s love for us is boundless, and our love for God should also be boundless.

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Ezekiel Chapter 34

The Rebellious Will Stumble

Scripture: Hosea 14:9

Who is wise? He will realize these things. Who is discerning? He will understand them. The ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them.

Scripture Commentary:

Hosea closes with an appeal to listen and learn from God’s word. To those receiving the Lord’s message through Hosea, this meant the difference between life and death.

God’s concern for justice can be seen in his dealings with Hosea. He required faithfulness and a love that offered forgiveness from Hosea. For you, the reader of the book of Hosea, the choice is similar. Either listen to the book’s message and follow God’s ways, or refuse to walk along the Lord’s path.

We can err by forgetting God’s love and feeling like our sins are hopeless. We can err by forgetting his wrath against our sins and ignorantly believe he will accept us no matter how we act. People who insist on following their own direction without God’s guidance are in “deep darkness, they do not know what makes them stumble.” If you are lost you can find the way by turning from your sin and following God.

Forgiveness is a key word. When God forgives us he judges the sin but shows mercy on the sinner. We should never be afraid to come to God for a clean slate. Remember, we must forgive others before we can ask for forgiveness.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Hosea Chapter 14

God’s Justice Comes in God’s Time

Scripture: Jeremiah 12:1

Righteous art thou, O Lord, when I plead with thee: yet let me talk with thee of thy judgements: Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? Wherefore are all they happy that deal very treacherously?

Scripture Commentary: Looking for God’s Justice When Other Do You Wrong

Life was extremely difficult for Jeremiah, despite his love for and obedience to God. Jeremiah knew that God’s justice would ultimately come, but he was impatient. He wanted justice to come quickly. Are you patient? Can you wait on God?

God didn’t give Jeremiah a doctrinal answer; he gave him a challenge. If Jeremiah couldn’t handle this how would he handle the injustices ahead?

It is natural for us to demand fair play and cry for justice against those who take advantage of others. If you call on God for relief, God may reply, “If you think this is bad, how are you going to cope when it gets really tough?” Not all of God’s answers to prayer are nice or easy to handle. When we call for justice, we must realize that God gave each of us what we truly deserve.

Do not ask for vengeance. Pray for forgiveness, love, and understanding. Commit to God in everything you do in life, because God is committed to you.

Read the entire chapter:
Jeremiah Chapter 12