Monday 4 November 2013

Coming Up Sonday November 10:

Ecclesiastes 8:2-9:10

Authority and Injustice.

 Everyone knows deep within that there is evil in the world. The big question for many is, Where did evil come from? and How come we get so much evil in the world? The atheist and the agnostic can’t really ask the question because if you don't have God then you don't have morality, and if you don’t have morality then you don't have good and evil and hence you don't have a problem! The question for the atheist and agnostic is where did good come from?

But for the rest of us we wrestle with issues of good and evil. We need to come to some understanding and some way of dealing with the atrocities we see in the world today. Some people, even some God fearers, ignore the reality of evil. Like an ostrich burying its head in the sand, they refuse to deal with the issue of evil and suffering. Others simply seek to deaden their conscience and hearts by chasing pleasure or perversion. Others seek solace in alcohol and drugs.

King Solomon looked squarely at the problem of evil and suffering. Rather than pretend and seek diversional therapy in pleasure or sexuality he sought to put all things in proper perspective. Ecclesiastes 8:1 is such a perspective.

Wisdom that is God given and God directed wisdom allows mankind to wear a bright face without pretending or burying his head in the sand. He is changed from the inside out and reflects love, grace and goodness rather than bitterness and hardness.

Sin, as we see in Hebrews 3:12-13, is deceitful and will  harden our hearts if left unchecked. As a Christian community we are called to encourage one another DAILY so that we are not overwhelmed, blinded and lead astray by the deceitfulness of sin.  Given that most of our multimedia is centered around sinful things and issues, it is very easy to be overwhelmed and overcome by the prevalence of sin in the world. What we need is daily encouragement in the grace of God from each other. The key words are community and relationship. We all need community and relationship to keep us strong and faithful in the face of a sinful world.

Wisdom brightens a man’s face and changes its hard appearance - but it often does that through relationship and community. This week, seek to encourage some of your brothers and sisters in the Lord so that they are not hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.  Send them a card. Ring them to encourage them. Have coffee together. Send a small gift. Text a Bible verse. There are millions of ways to encourage each other. Make it your goal to encourage a few fellow believers each and every day this week

Prayer: Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.

Adoration:

Confession:

Thanks:

Supplication:

ª As we head into the silly season pray that your non Christian friends and family will be willing to come to church for the Christmas service. Pray that they would be converted and brought to repentance and faith in Jesus. Make a covenant with God to invite as many friends/family as you can to your church’s Christmas service.

ª Pray that God would be maturing the children in your church in the faith they have in Jesus. Pray that they would understand the coming of Christ into our world, His mission and the reason for His death and resurrection. Pray that these children would be missionaries and light posts for Jesus even now at their young age.