From: "Phil Rembleski" <PHIl@rescuechurchofchrist.org>

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Mon, Apr 25, 2022 at 6:22 AM

Subject: 4-25-22 THOUGHTS

4-25-22   THOUGHTS1

We can find all sorts of practical wisdom in the writings of Solomon.  Short sayings provide deep thinking into the nature of our lives on this earth. There are little jewels of wisdom embedded throughout these writings.  In the design of God’s creation, there are right ways and there are wrong ways.  There’s a way that seems right to man... but it is not right!   Prov 16:25

Eccl 7:1-29    A good name is better than a good ointment, And the day of one’s death is better than the day of one’s birth. 2  It is better to go to a house of mourning Than to go to a house of feasting, Because that is the end of every man, And the living takes it to heart. 3  Sorrow is better than laughter, For when a face is sad a heart may be happy. 4  The mind of the wise is in the house of mourning, While the mind of fools is in the house of pleasure. 5  It is better to listen to the rebuke of a wise man Than for one to listen to the song of fools. 6  For as the crackling of thorn bushes under a pot, So is the laughter of the fool; And this too is futility. 7   For oppression makes a wise man mad, And a bribe corrupts the heart. 8  The end of a matter is better than its beginning; Patience of spirit is better than haughtiness of spirit. 9  Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, For anger resides in the bosom of fools. 10  Do not say, "Why is it that the former days were better than these?" For it is not from wisdom that you ask about this. 11  Wisdom along with an inheritance is good And an advantage to those who see the sun. 12  For wisdom is protection just as money is protection, But the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the lives of its possessors. 13  Consider the work of God, For who is able to straighten what He has bent? 14  In the day of prosperity be happy, But in the day of adversity consider —  God has made the one as well as the other So that man will not discover anything that will be after him. 15  I have seen everything during my lifetime of futility; there is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in his wickedness. 16  Do not be excessively righteous and do not be overly wise. Why should you ruin yourself? 17  Do not be excessively wicked and do not be a fool. Why should you die before your time? 18  It is good that you grasp one thing and also not let go of the other; for the one who fears God comes forth with both of them. 19  Wisdom strengthens a wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city. 20  Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who continually does good and who never sins. 21  Also, do not take seriously all words which are spoken, so that you will not hear your servant cursing you. 22  For you also have realized that you likewise have many times cursed others. 23   I tested all this with wisdom, and I said, "I will be wise," but it was far from me.                                [skip to 29]
29  "Behold, I have found only this, that God made men upright, but they have sought out many devices."

My Prayer:
Give us a wisdom, O God, that helps us live our lives pleasing to You.  Keep us from the house of pleasure and set our minds on You, that we may know your mind.  Help us to avoid the song of fools.  Teach us to consider in the days of adversity.  May we seek the eternal and not the temporal.  May we seek love and not self.          

In the name of our Savior Jesus,     Amen