Daily Gains 90

The goodness of God can be a difficult concept to define. In this passage the Psalmist makes it abundantly clear that the goodness of God is very clearly defined by the depth, wretchedness and constancy of our sin. This passage calls us to look back on our lack of faithfulness and to respond out of overwhelming gratitude to God’s steadfast love.

He who dies - still dies. This is the message that the Preacher is giving here in Ecclesiastes 5:13 - 20. The work that we do, and the labor that we avoid are both equally trying to lasso the clouds. And when we are done, regardless of how much success we have attained, the grave welcomes us all with open arms. The Preacher puts this warning in front of us as he continues to help us consider, why...

There is a particular beauty and wonder in reflecting on our history. The trials that we have faced and the trails that we have almost wandered off from, and even more, the gracious and miraculous protection that God has provided. In Psalm 106 we are invited into an overwhelming retrospective of the life of the children of Israel. God walk us through our shared history here so that we can better s...

Money is not the root of all evil, And it’s also not the answer to the problem of evil, or practically any other problems either. In fact, in this warning the Preacher takes the time to lament just how futile amassing, storing and spending wealth is, and how powerless it is to achieve the happy life. 

This passage invites us into a master class on meditation. The psalmist will take you through a whole range of positions from which you can be filled with wonder at just how big and unfathomable God is. We recommend you stretch out well before you start this work out, and give your self plenty of tie to sit in it. 

God loves you. but He is not your buddy. It has become easier and easier for us to view God through the lense of friendship - which is a great thing as He is the truest friend we will ever have. At the same time, Ecclesiastes 5: 1 - 7 warns us that He is not like us. He is not on the same level as we are, He is so much above us, in every way, that the only rational response to knowing Him is a res...

In this song of Praise we are treated to an overwhelming vista of God’s goodness, mercy and strength. We are encouraged to join in exalting the Lord along with all of the works of His hand not only for His glory and power, but also because of the care that He has poured out on His people.

As the preacher continues to demonstrate what the well-lived life looks like here in Ecclesiastes 4::13 - 16, we see this simple warning. Wisdom is really, really important. Even with the caveats that the preacher has already given. A well lived life is marked by wisdom,.

This deep extended passage on sorrow is a fertile landscape where the seed of faith dies, is buried and can bear fruit of hope. Psalm 102 points out to us the very human factor of living in and through sorrow. Yet, it also points the listener to look up to see the eternal power of a sovereign and loving God who is bent towards us in our lowest hours.

This is not just a great song, but it's a great bit of advice from Exxlesiastes 4:7 - 12. We were made for relationship, and to live in community. This is for our safety and for our provision. . The well-lived life is one marked by relationships.

A love for righteousness forces a decision between radical religious fanaticism, or humble grace-based gratitude. It is helpful to consider the perspective of the speaker. On the one hand, it could be a holy God revealing His posture towards the activity of the wicked. On the other hand it could be the posture of a man who is setting his priorities and actions towards holy living. In either perspe...

As we jump into this new week we are looking at Ecclesiastes 4: 1 - 6. Here we are presented with the comparison and contrast of the powerful and the oppressed. What can we learn about the well-lived life by moderating our understanding to a more biblical view of the dynamic we call power?

Closeness to GOd helps us engage better with others out of His love. But, when we identify with shame, retreat than with our Savior we feel distant from God. Being open and vulnerable tiwh God helps us draw closer to Him again.

Ecclesiastes 3: 16 - 22 asks us this question. What if anything separates mankind from the animals? And what can that show us about how to live a well-lived life?

We are to exalt and worship God, who is Holy. In His holiness, God loves justice, established equity, and forgives and avenges wrong-doing. Our right response is to bow before and worship Him.

In the second part of Ecclesiastes 3 (verses 9 - 15) we are presented with n interesting thought - what is the difference between Tre joy and full joy? If you can latch onto this truth, you have a good chance of experiencing full joy!

Obeying GOd requires fundamental change as his nature chalenges ours. God draws us to obedience through love and grace, not guilt and shame. Recognizing God’s grace despite our failure should produce gratitude and in turn, love and obedience.

In Ecclsiastes 3: 1 - 8 we are again presented with the cyclical nature of life, and therefore the meaninglessness. Yet, we are also given a bit of hope as the preacher goes a little further in in his pondering. Even though the wheel of time rolls on, there are times for everything that happens in life. This gives us an assurance that even when the outlook is worse than bleak, there is still anoth...

Because God reigns on high it is a natural response for His people to examine their lives in order to confess sins and seek to walk in righteousness. Our Holy God is making each of us to be holy in every specific area of our lives.

We are continuing to ponder Solomon's musings on the futility of leaving one's works to successors who may lack wisdom. Ecclesiastes 2:18 - 26 tells us that All effort is vanity apart from finding purpose and joy in one's labor as from God. Leaving a godly legacy is crucial to a well lived life, but God alone decides an inheritance's recipient. Christ offers hope as the true heir w...

In Psalm 96, the Psalmist paints a vivid image of all creation - heavens, earth, seas, fields, trees - worshipping God continuously He demonstrates in this that we are called to bless God's name and proclaim His goodness always God alone is worthy of this praise and worship because of His righteousness, power, and majesty We must fix our eyes on God, not ourselves, to worship Him as He deserve...

In Ecclesiastes 2: 12 - 17 the preacher continues to describe the benefits and limits of pursuing wisdom. He has some surprising words for us. You might think that the wisest man who ever lived, and who adjured his children oner and over again to seek wisdom and find and keep it, might put the highest premium on the value of wisdom. But then, you might be surprised by what Solomon says about the r...

Saying a genuine 'thank you' does not take a great effort, and yet, for most people gratitude does not come easily. In cases where we have received both a little or a lot, and when we've been tremendously blessed - a feeling of awkwardness, and vulnerability often accompanies our impulse to day thank you. In Psalm 95 the songwriter reflects on this particular point of humanity and sets...

We're looking ta Ecclesiastes chapter 2 today and we're going to focus in on verses 1 - 11 for this Monday. Living a life focused on either experiencing pleasure or on building your brand is deceptively alluring. In a YouTube and Tick Tock world the promise of pursuing your pleasures and gaining your fame is that you'll know you've arrived because you'll just be so darn happy a...

Let's discuss Psalm 94, where the psalmist expresses frustration with wicked rulers and their injustice, but finds solace in God's protection and assurance that justice will be served.  God is the ultimate judge. Because this is true when we are being disciplined by God it is a blessing that leads to growth and a closer relationship with Him. Trusting in God's plan and being obedient t...