1) Searching in All the Wrong Places (R.J. Evans)
2) Fools, Fools, and More Fools (Bryan Gibson)
3) Psalm 119:49-56 (Berean Study Bible)
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Searching in All the Wrong Places<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
R.J. Evans -2-<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bryan Gibson ——————–<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n -3-<\/p>\n\n\n\n Zayin ______________<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1) Hear\u00a0<\/strong>the gospel — for that is how faith comes (Rom. 10:17; John 20:30-31). Tebeau Street “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20, NASB).——————– Contents: 1) Searching in All the Wrong Places (R.J. Evans)2) Fools, Fools, and More Fools (Bryan Gibson)3) Psalm 119:49-56 (Berean Study […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3521","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","post-preview"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3521","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3521"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3521\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3524,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3521\/revisions\/3524"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3521"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3521"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3521"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
Some years back, there was a popular song about looking for love in all the wrong places. In a similar manner, Solomon teaches us that most people in the world are searching in all the wrong places for purpose, fulfillment, true values, joy, peace and contentment. In the book of Ecclesiastes, we read of his search for life’s true meaning. He seemed to first be attracted to the pleasures of this world, laughter, and mirth. But then we hear him say, \u201cthis also was vanity\u201d (Eccl. 2:1-2). He tried accumulating material possessions\u2014he built houses and planted vineyards and orchards \u201cof all kinds.\u201d His own words were, \u201cWhatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them\u201d (Eccl. 2:10). He then acknowledged it all to be \u201cvanity and grasping for the wind.\u201d It all caused him a lot of worry, trouble, and heartache. It even distressed him to think of all the material possessions he had saved up. He became concerned about who would inherit them and what they would do with them (Eccl. 2:18-19). Throughout the book Solomon repeatedly stated\u2014 \u201cVanity of vanities…All is vanity.\u201d
Jesus has set the record straight concerning where fulfillment, purpose, values, joy, peace and contentment are all to be found. He tells us to \u201cseek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things [necessities of life, rje] shall be added to you\u201d (Matt. 6:33). He has also told us to \u201cTake heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses\u201d (Lk. 12:15). Covetousness involves that inordinate desire for \u201cthings.\u201d It involves that persistent striving to have more and more. But again, the words of Solomon come to mind: \u201cHe who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; Nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity\u201d (Eccl. 5:10). The Apostle Paul also taught us by example when he said, \u201cI have learned in whatever state I am, to be content\u201d (Phil. 4:11). He tells us that joy and the peace of God are found in living for the Lord, rather than lusting after the material things of this world (Phil. 4:4-7). Thus, some of the most unhappy, unsatisfied, miserable people on this earth are those who have a \u201clove of money\u201d and a love for the \u201cthings\u201d they possess (Lk. 12:15; 1 Tim. 6:6-10).
We definitely live in a materialistic, pleasure-mad society that the Bible tells us to expect in the last days (2 Tim. 3:1-5). Jesus warned in the Parable of the Sower: \u201cNow he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful\u201d (Matt. 13:22). It is much the same today, as it was for Solomon\u2014the super abundance of riches can also be \u201cvanity and grasping for the wind.\u201d
Jeremiah told the people of his day that they should \u201cask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls\u201d (Jer. 6:16). I believe this same message is in order today.\u00a0 If we are not a Christian, we need to obey the gospel now, not later (2 Cor. 6:2). We need to get back to the \u201cold paths\u201d of children obeying and honoring their parents (Eph. 6:1-3); the \u201cold paths\u201d of building strong families and home life (Matt. 19:1-9; Eph. 5-6; Col. 3; Titus 2); the “old paths” of faithfully worshiping on the Lord’s Day (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:1-2; Heb. 10:25); the \u201cold paths\u201d of dressing modestly (1 Tim. 2:9); the \u201cold paths\u201d of living separate and apart from the world (2 Cor. 6:17-18; 1 Jn. 2:15-17); and the \u201cold paths\u201d of putting the kingdom and the Lord’s work first and foremost in our lives (Matt. 6:33).
Thus, there is no need for us to waste our whole life searching in all the wrong places. Solomon can save us all that time, energy, and effort. Please notice where Solomon finally and ultimately found that for which he was searching: \u201cLet us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is the whole duty of man\u201d (Eccl. 12:13).
— via the Facebook site of the Southside church of Christ in Gonzales, Louisiana, April 3, 2016
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nFools, Fools, and More Fools<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
You can find them in the Bible\u2014the rich man in the parable was one (Luke 12:20), and so were some of the Pharisees (Matthew 23:17, 19), and some of the Galatians (Galatians 3:1). Fools, we\u2019re told, often come from those who profess to be wise (Romans 1:22). The Book of Proverbs, though, contains the most detailed description of the fool, so let\u2019s put some of those passages together and see what we\u2019ve got.
A fool is easy enough to spot (Proverbs 13:16)\u2014eventually both his speech and behavior give him away (Proverbs 12:23; 15:2). Everyone can see he\u2019s a fool, everyone that is, except himself. Let\u2019s just say he has a pretty high opinion of himself (Proverbs 12:15; 14:3; 30:32), and perhaps that\u2019s the reason he keeps doing the same foolish things over and over again (Proverbs 26:11).\u00a0
No one can tell him anything, because he is \u201cright in his own eyes\u201d (Proverbs 12:15). He won\u2019t listen to heavenly wisdom and instruction, even when it comes from those who love him most (Proverbs 1:7, 22; 10:8; 12:1; 18:2). So rather than do what the Lord tells him to do, he just does what \u201cfeels right\u201d or what \u201cseems right\u201d (Proverbs 28:26; 16:25).\u00a0
Someone like that\u2014you wouldn\u2019t expect sin to bother them, and that\u2019s exactly the case. A fool mocks at sin (Proverbs 14:9); it\u2019s like sport to him (Proverbs 10:23); he\u2019s not even thinking about the consequences of his actions (Proverbs 14:16; 9:13-18).
He may not listen very well, but he sure can talk. Unfortunately, he doesn\u2019t know when to quit (Proverbs 10:14; 12:23; 14:33; 18:2; 29:11). Others would think better of him if he could just learn to keep his mouth shut (Proverbs 17:28).
A fool is no laughing matter, because he can do a lot of harm, and not just to himself. The fact is, he\u2019s more dangerous than \u201ca bear robbed of her cubs\u201d (Proverbs 17:12), and much of that has to do with the fact he gets too angry, too quickly, and stays that way too long (Proverbs 12:16; 14:16-17, 29; 27:3). He\u2019s never met a fight he didn\u2019t like (Proverbs 18:6-7; 20:3).
A fool has little or no regard for others, so it\u2019s not surprising he would slander others (Proverbs 10:18), or that he would bring grief and shame to his parents (Proverbs 15:20; 17:21, 25; 19:13).
\u201cA fool and his money are soon parted\u201d\u2014that\u2019s not a direct quote from Proverbs, but the principle is certainly there. Luxury doesn\u2019t fit him well (Proverbs 19:10), because he\u2019ll only squander it (Proverbs 21:20).
Is there any hope for the fool? There most certainly is, if he\u2019s willing to repent. Foolishness is a hard habit to break (Proverbs 27:22), but it can be done. \u201cForsake foolishness and live, and go in the way of understanding\u201d (Proverbs 9:6). \u201cO you simple ones, understand prudence, and you fools, be of an understanding heart\u201d (Proverbs 8:5).
— Via the Weekly Bulletin<\/em> of the Prattmont church of Christ, November 10, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\nPsalm 119:49-56<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
49<\/sup>Remember Your word to Your servant, upon which You have given me hope.
50<\/sup>This is my comfort in affliction, that Your promise has given me life.
51<\/sup>The arrogant utterly deride me, but I do not turn from Your law.
52<\/sup>I remember Your judgments of old, O LORD, and in them I find comfort.
53<\/sup>Rage has taken hold of me because of the wicked who reject Your law.
54<\/sup>Your statutes are songs to me in the house of my pilgrimage.
55<\/sup>In the night, O LORD, I remember Your name, that I may keep Your law.
56<\/sup>This is my practice, for I obey Your precepts.
\u2014 Berea Study Bible<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0
2) Believe\u00a0<\/strong>in the deity of Jesus Christ, the Son of God (John 8:24; John 3:18).
3) Repent\u00a0<\/strong>of sins.\u00a0 For every accountable person has sinned (Romans 3:23; Romans 3:10), which causes one to be spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1) and separated from God (Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 6:23). Therefore, repentance of sin is necessary (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30).\u00a0 For whether the sin seems great or small, there will still be the same penalty for either (Matt. 12:36-37; 2 Cor. 5:10) — and even for a lie (Rev. 21:8).
4) Confess faith<\/strong>\u00a0in Christ (Rom. 10:9-10; Acts 8:36-38).
5) Be baptized\u00a0<\/strong>in water for the remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21).\u00a0 This is the final step that puts one into Christ (Gal. 3:26-27).\u00a0 For from that baptism, one is then raised as a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17), having all sins forgiven and beginning a new life as a Christian (Rom. 6:3-4). For the one being baptized does so \u201cthrough faith in the working of God\u201d (Col. 2:12). In other words, believing that God will keep His word and forgive after one submits to these necessary steps. And now as a Christian, we then need to\u2026
6) Continue in the faith <\/strong>by living for the Lord; for, if not, salvation can be lost (Matt. 24:13; Heb. 10:36-39; Rev. 2:10; 2 Pet. 2:20-22).
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https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/go\/all.htm<\/a> (This is a link to the older version of the Gospel Observer website, but with bulletins going back to March 4, 1990.)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"