"Add on" to Ecclesiastes

We had a great "coffee time" today!
Thanks everyone for all of the wonderful insight and for sharing what the Lord is teaching you through these verses.

We decided to add the first part of verse 13 to our scripture memory for this week.
So, here's how we are memorizing it:

"Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man." [Ecclesiates 12:13]

Press on friends!
Tiffany

Week #19: Ecclesiastes 12:13b

Week of May 10-16

"Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man." [Ecclesiastes 12:13b]


NOTE: Solomon demonstrates from his observations that life lived without God as the central person and God’s word as the controlling viewpoint has no satisfactory answers or lasting meaning.

The theme of Ecclesiastes is developed from chapter to chapter. Each human acquisition of material wealth, every human success, all his thinking and study, every new philosophy of life—whatever he examined and experimented with came up short of giving him lasting meaning and happiness in life.

God is infinite and therefore his wisdom and his acts are infinite; God’s word is the product of his perfect character and infiniteness.

Mankind, on the other hand, is limited and therefore his wisdom is limited, his knowledge of life is limited, and his acts are limited.

Man, alone, cannot figure out life. Human knowledge, human wisdom, human accomplishments, and human relationships by themselves cannot make sense out of life. Neither, money, learning, wisdom, wealth, possessions, reputation, or family can give permanent meaning, accomplishment, and happiness to life without relationship and fellowship with God and God’s word.

Coffee Time !

It's been too long!

Join me on Wednesday, May 13th from 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm at Starbucks (Bowen and Park Row)

Let's continue to spur each other on in this amazing journey!

Hope you can make it!
Tiffany

Week #18: Proverbs 3:5-6

Week of May 3-May 9

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." [Proverbs 3:5-6]


NOTE: The book of Proverbs doesn't read like any other book in the Bible. It is a series of "catchy" sayings that are intended to be easily remembered. So, if you feel like the author is jumping from one idea to the next, that's exactly what's happening! There are several major themes that are repeated in the Proverbs: wisdom, speech, work, purity and righteousness.

Here's a trivia question: what book in the New Testament is most like the book of Proverbs? It is a book with a variety of principles for practical Christian living.

Pass it on!

Yesterday, Mission Arlington came and picked up some things from us. Things that had been a blessing to us (bikes, toys, clothes, etc.) but that could now be a blessing to someone else.

We have been planting God's Word in our own hearts and minds...let's not forget to PASS IT ON!

I want to challenge you to speak one of the verses you have memorized to someone who needs encouraging in the next three days! It may be someone at the grocery store, at the cleaners, at your kid's school, a neighbor...
Be alert and watchful! Ask God to show you clearly where He wants you to PASS IT ON!

Press on friends!
Tiffany

Week #17: Psalm 90:12

Week of April 26-May 2

"Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." [Psalm 90:12]


NOTE: We are going to stay in the Psalms one more week! I just couldn't pass this one up!

My Right Hand

I was having my quiet time in the book of Acts (Ch.7) yesterday and I came across the phrase "right hand" in verse 56. It jumped out at me because our verse this week (Psalm 16:7-8) also refers to the "right hand".

Here's what I found when I "dug a little deeper"-

The use of the phrase "right hand" in the Bible may refer to several things depending upon the context in which it is used. Here are a few examples:

The right hand is a place of distinction and favor (Genesis 48:13-19) as opposed to that of judgment or punishment (Matthew 25:33)

The right hand is a place of honor (1 Kings 2:19; Psalm 45:9); because of this, it is raised in swearing

The right hand is the place of power and strength (Psalm 60:5; 63:8; 108:6; 118:15,16; 110:1; Isaiah 28:2; Matthew 22:44; Matthew 20:21,23)

Let me know if you have something to add to this! I would love know your thoughts and what God has impressed on your heart this week regarding these verses.

Blessings!
Tiffany

Week #16: Psalm 16: 7-8

Week of April 19-25

"I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.
I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken." [Psalm 16:7-8]

For an extra challenge, add the next two verses:
Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. [Psalm 16: 9-10]

NOTE:
The Psalms were written by at least seven authors (of which David is the most notable.) The book of Psalms spans one thousand years of Israel's rich history-from the time of Moses to the return from exile in Babylonia. The word psalm comes from a Greek word meaning "a song sung to the accompaniment of a plucked instrument." Used as the Temple hymnbook, the Psalms express the diversity of human emotion-praise to God in good times, fear of enemies in bad times, and an overriding confidence in God's goodness, majesty and power.

Week #15: Job 19:25

Week #15 April 12-18

"I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth." [Job 19:25]


NOTE: The events begin in chapter 1 with Satan challenging God that Job only follows Him because of what God gives him. The events then move to earth where Satan causes Job’s world to fall apart and then attacks Job’s health.

God allows Satan to test Job, and Job through his free will eventually demonstrates to Satan that he accepts and trusts God in spite of all his undeserved suffering.

Question to ponder: When I am suffering or under great pressure, am I confident in God’s character—that God is my comforter, strengthener, and restorer?

Running in the Rain

This morning I headed out to run. The clouds were becoming darker and five minutes into my run, it started to rain. Initially, I thought "this is a bummer"! I had geared up to run a couple miles and now there is a rain cloud hanging over me!

God brought to mind the perfect spiritual illustration for my past week or two of scripture memory. The circumstances and events of living life have "clouded" my weeks and I have felt a little overwhelmed with the "rain" of life. Why does it have to rain on me now?

I had to make a choice: keep running or turn back. I chose to keep running. And wouldn't you know...that God turned those raindrops into a sweet time of refreshment! The coolness of the rain on my face and the realization that our faithful God is replenishing the earth with much needed water.

Sometimes we read the WORD and study simply out of the discipline God has called us to. But then, it becomes like a sweet refreshment to our souls and the blessing is ours! Isn't God good?

Press on friends!
(A little wet) Tiffany

Coffee Time, please!

Hi everyone-
I just posted this week's verse in Esther. Please take a few minutes in the next day or two to read her story and understand the context of this verse. There are only 10 chapters in the book of Esther, so an easy read, right? She has an amazing story!

I will be at Starbucks this Wednesday, April 8, from noon til 1:00. (Park Row/Bowen)
I know things are super busy for everyone, but if you can make it for just a little while, I think you will be encouraged!

This "coffee time" is simply a means to spur each other on. Even if you have fallen behind or have done just a couple of the memory verses, please come! The spiritual nuggets of truth that are shared during this time are wonderful-

Blessings!
Tiffany

Week #14: Esther 4:14b

Week #14: April 5-11

"And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" [Esther 4:14b)

NOTE: Esther was a young Jewish woman of wonderful character, intelligence, beauty, and initiative. She understood submission to authority and then how to use authority when she was in a position to do so. She was teachable and also a leader. She waited to take the right action at the right time.

Do I know when to keep silent and when to speak; when to patiently wait and when to act; and how to act when the opportunity arises?

Progress Reports

I got a message today from the school that said my kids "progress reports" come home tomorrow from their teachers. This is always kind of a tense day when we all hold our breath to see how hard my kids will need to work to maintain or obtain a desired grade for the six weeks!

How's your progress in our quest to memorize scripture? Are you maintaining your good study habits or do you need to "hunker down" and put your "nose to the grindstone"?

This last week I got in a little bit of a slump, so I am regrouping and pushing forward!
As I was trying to figure out how to end this post, my funny husband chimed in and said "God doesn't grade on a curve....so get with it" or "the big exam is coming..don't flunk out" or "if you don't start memorizing, you will never graduate!" (we had a good laugh!)

The truth is- there is so much grace!

Press on friends!

Tiffany

Week #13: Nehemiah 6:9b

Week #13: March 29-April 4

"But I prayed, "Now strengthen my hands." " [Nehemiah 6:9b]

NOTE: Nehemiah went to Jerusalem (444 BC) in response to the report that the remnant was in “great distress and reproach” (Nehemiah 1:3). He worked toward the establishment of Israel’s homeland security and national welfare by concentrating on the completion of the Jerusalem wall and gates in the face of enemy propaganda, ridicule, threats, compromise, slander, and treachery (Nehemiah 1-7), and by bringing about spiritual revitalization of the Jewish people now in Judah (Nehemiah 8-13).

Nehemiah was a patriot, leader, and man of action—all under God’s motivation and guidance. He excelled as a spiritual, political, and military leader. Nehemiah stood out as a man driven by the biblical worldview in a world driven by antagonism to God and God’s word.

Big Ideas: Leadership, courage, and persistence!

Since we will need to skip some books to come out to 52 weeks in a year, I am skipping II Chronicles and Ezra.

Week #12: I Chronicles 28:20

Week of March 22-28

[David also said to Solomon his son,] (optional)

"Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. " [I Chronicles 28:20]


NOTE: David's final words to Solomon reflect the same wholehearted devotion to God that he first expressed as a youthful shepherd in the pasturelands of Judea. With the dream of his heart (building a temple) entrusted to his son and the tokens of God's blessing all around him, David died " at a good old age, having enjoyed long life, wealth and honor. His son Solomon succeeded him as king. "(I Chronicles 29:28)

Spring Break Work Out!

It's Spring Break! It would be easy to skip my workouts at the gym, to eat fast food all week, to ignore my personal quiet times and to slack off on the memory verse for this week!

But, I am determined to go the distance! How about you?

I set a goal that by Friday I would have this week's verse memorized AND polish up on the couples verses that just don't "stick" as easily

Press on everyone!

Tiffany

Week #11: II Kings 13:23

Week of March 15-21

"But the LORD was gracious to them and had compassion and showed concern for them because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. To this day he has been unwilling to destroy them or banish them from his presence. " [II Kings 13:23]

NOTE: For generations God has been preparing a people (the Jews), a king (David) and a kingdom, (Judah) through whom he would bless the world. In spite of the nation's unbelief, disobedience, and even displacement from the land, God's plan for them is still at work.

Coffee Time!

Hey everyone-
The last meeting at Starbucks was so helpful! Let's do it again!

I will be at Starbucks at Park Row and Bowen this Thursday, March 12th from 12:15-1:00.

Please come if you can. Bring your little ones if you need to!

See ya then!
Tiffany

Week #10: 1 Kings 3:9

Week of March 8-14

"So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?" [1 Kings 3:9]

After David's death, Solomon steps into the enormous responsibilities as God's anointed. When confronted by God with the invitation "Ask, and I will give it to you!" (3:5), Solomon replies with our memory verse for this week. (3:9) God also provides the things Solomon could have asked for but didn't: wealth, victory, fame and long life.

NOTE: The NLT Bible states: "For who BY HIMSELF is able to govern this great nation of yours?"

Sacrifice- what is my cost?

As I have been meditating on II Samuel 24:24 this week, I find myself continually asking the questions: What does sacrifice look like in MY life? Does it hurt? Does it make me uncomfortable? To what point am I willing to surrender?

Webster's dictionary defines sacrifice as " the surrender of something prized or desirable for the sake of something considered as having a higher or more pressing claim."

Take time today to think about what "sacrifice" looks like in your life.
May the Lord give you wisdom and insight and may He be glorified in your sacrifice!

Tiffany