Ambrose Brothers

Rulers of Fools

Ecclesiastes 9:13-18

I know it has been a while, but I hope you are ready to get back into the book of Ecclesiastes. For some time now, we have been reaping bits of wisdom from Solomon.  In the rough times our great country has been facing recently and are preparing to face, I think it would do us well to dig into God's Words (the Bible) to give us some advice.

Today we will look at few verses, but I would really like to focus on one truism that we fine right in the middle of our text.  However it will make more sense if you read the verses prior.

Ecclesiastes 9:17 "The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools"

We can use this verse to describe so many of the current issues we face.  We could look at the economy, and find those who have said for a long some time, that sooner or later this would happen, but no one listened.  We could take a political view of the shape of our country and the mess we are in, but instead, let's take a spiritual look at the mess we are in.

Let's take a look at this 700 billion dollar disaster that got passed.  I was listening the radio the other day, it was a talk news program out of Detroit, and wish I hadn't been driving so I could have wrote down the name the genius who made this comment "If we don't pass this rescue bill, the people won't have the credit they need to keep the economy going" Think about that statement for a moment.

Having credit in itself is not bad, but what happens when we use credit?  We accumulate debt.  And what happens when we have debt?  We have to pay it back.  What happens when we can't pay it back?  We borrow more money from someone else and accumulate more debt.  What happens once we have that debt?  We have to pay it back.  What happens when we can't pay that off?  The government bails you out, and with what money?  Money they borrow, which is debt, which has to be paid back, which they can't.  Until eventually the piper has to be paid, and it all comes crashing down!  This is the picture of an economy built on money that we don't have!

Let's take a look at what the ruler of fools have been saying (and yes if we follow them we are the fools).  One the comment we just looked at pretty foolish, but just listen to the adds on T.V. and Radio.  "Buy now, pay later"  "Small easy payments"  "Bad Credit, no credit, no problem"  The leaders of our society tell us to buy, buy, buy, to fuel the economy.  So we are all buying with imaginary money.

Now let's take a look at some quiet words of the wise (GOD!) 

Romans 13:8a "Let no debt remain outstanding"
Proverbs 22:7 "The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender"
Psalm 37:21a "The wicked borrow and do not repay"

For the sake of keeping this short (well kinds short)  we won''t look at the other 2347verses in the Bible that relate to how we handle  money and possessions,  but I think it is clear how God views debt, (wise) and how the leaders of the great nation views debt (Foolish!)

Action step for today: Heed the quiet words of wisdom not the shouts of the rulers of fools.  You want to see our economy turn around STOP SPENDING MONEY YOU DON'T HAVE!  Don't  count on the next politician, but count on the timeless Truths found in God's Word!

It is NOT All The Same!

Ecclesiastes 9:1-10

Well to say I am disappointed with the lack of response from the invitation to openly discuss our thoughts and ideas together from the post "It's All The Same" would be an understatement.  I will be honest with you it caused me to question why I take time to share these post.  It caused me to question if any of the hours I have spent typing, spell checking, reading, etc..  have made an impact at all.  Not that I am a scholar, (I am a long way from it) not that Ambrose Brothers is the only good site out there, however after several months of work I had hoped for a small response from those who feel this is a worthy cause.  The cause of "Raising the Standard, with NO Apologies", by proclaiming TRUTH straight from the Word of God.

After I picked myself up from my moment of defeat, I was reminded by yet another TRUTH, we are told to in the "Great Commission" to teach others all that we have been commanded.  The results, are not up to our own efforts, and whether we ever have another comment on Ambrose Brothers Isaiah 55:10-11 tells us "As the Rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my Word that goes out from my mouth:  It will not return empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it"   

So here it is the answer no one has been waiting for.  Is the Bible teaching here to live it up, because none of it matters we all die?  Absolutely not!  Let me give you the skinny (make it short).  This passage of Scripture is a perfect example of why we need to look at the entire text. 

When I say the entire text, I mean the ENTIRE TEXT, Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:32  "If I fought wild beast in Ephesus for merely human reasons, what have I gained?  If the dead are not raised, "Let  us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die."

Paul is saying here as Solomon wrote about in the Old Testament that a life not lived for God, is a life that is empty and pointless.  However those who give their lives to the one who gave His life for us (Jesus Christ) we have a purpose, a mission, and a reason to get up everyday! Philippians 1:21 "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain."

Paul is writing a conclusion to Solomons observations, Solomon goes on and on about how meaningless "Our" lives are.  The work, wealth, wisdom all meaningless, pointless, and burdensome.  Paul states the same thing, if all our efforts our for "our" lives, then eat, and drink for tommorow we die, and nothing matters.  However if we died with Christ we are resurected with Christ!  If we die to "our" life, and we deny ourselves, pick up our Cross and follow Jesus, our life becomes HIS life!  And Jesus' Life was a long way from a pointless waist of time!

Jesus came provide a perfect sacrifice for our sins, so we could have eternal life, All our meaning comes from the life of Jesus! To reach out and share His message to a lost and dying world for It is Gods will for none to perish but all to come to repentance.  And that is what Paul gave his life doing! That my friends is the meaning of our lives!  To share the message of Salvation to a world who is crying out to hear it!

Yes a life without Christ is full of toilsome pointless labor, howerver a life with Christ is full of labor with a purpose!  However most chose to denie and refuse this purpose, because they never fully die to "self".  We want to live "our" life and say we follow Christ.  However if you Truly follow Christ you have no life of  your own, your life is HIS life!

Action Step:

Start living for Jesus Christ!  Drop your pointless plans that are meaningless, and follow the plan full of meaning, take the message of Salvation to a world of full guilty sinners, who face eternity in Hell unless they repent and trust the Savior!  There is no greater purpose! 

Waiting

All right one more day.  Let me encourage you to please take 5 minutes and post a comment on "It's All The Same"  This is an incredible opportunity to fellowship with each other.  We can cover miles, and miles, and come together and share thoughts and ideas and have small group study, right here on the good 'ol' World Wide Web.  Tomorrow I will finish "It's All The Same"  I would love to have at least one comment.  Let us know that your there.   

It's All The Same

                                                              Ecclesiastes 9:1-10                                                            

Today we are going to take a look at what may be our longest section of Scripture since we started our study on Ecclesiasstes (a long time ago).  As we look at these words from Solomon I will pull out a few verses but as always I encourage you to read the entire text for today, go ahead even read a little before and after our passage for today, I promise it won't hurt you.

Ecclesiastes 9:2a  "All share a common destiny- the righteous and the wicked, the good and the bad, the clean and the unclean, those who offer sacrifices and those who do not."

In these passages Solomon is struggling with what so many of us have struggled with.  When it is all said and done, we all  "buy the farm" "push up daises" "kick the bucket" "pass away" "meet your maker" "croak", and "listen to the fat lady singing".  That's right, when it is said and done, we all die.

So live it up, party, get it while the getting is good, live it up while you can!  Unfortunaltly that is what much of the world believes, and it is that belief that governs our terrible actions.  Is this the right attitude to have?  Is this what life is all about.  Solomon continues with a solution to this observation: 

Ecclesiastes 9:9 "Enjoy your life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun- all your meaningless days.  For this is your lot in life and in your toilsome labor under the sun."

It kind of seems like Solomon is just giving in, calling it quits.  How do we explain this?  It appears the Bible is teaching that life is meaningless, and we all end up the same place.  Well I have my own thoughts on this passage, and a pretty decent explanation on the book of Ecclesiastes, however today we are going to do something different.

I am not going to give an answer today.  Instead, I would like to get our few readers (if we actually have any) involved. 

Action step for today, tell us here at Ambrose Brothers what you think.  Is Solomon giving in, should we believe there is nothing more?  It is in the Bible, so it must be true right?  Read the passage, do a bit of reasearch and post a comment.  On Thursday Sept 4th, we will review the comments, and share with you some interesting  thoughts on this passage, and many other passages in Ecclesiastes that just seem so depressing.

Please take a minute to post a comment, dive into the Word, and research it.  We look forward to reading your thoughts!   

Know it All

Today’s Passage Ecclesiastes 8:16-17
I remember as a child there were few names worse then know it all. Today I wish that term could be applied to me more often. Yet in all of my wisdom I have gained today, I simply understand I don’t know it all. A few days ago, I found myself even closer to knowledge; I shook the hand of a man who knew Albert Einstein. Einstein was one of the smartest men this country has known, yet Einstein could not understand all the work of God. Around 3000 years ago, Solomon wrote Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon. Solomon may have been the most intelligent man to ever walk the planet. Yet even Solomon could not discover all the things of God.

Today as we close out Chapter 8 on our quest for meaning in Ecclesiastes, Solomon address this particular issue of knowledge. Let’s look to Ecclesiastes 8:16-17:

16 When I applied my heart to know wisdom and to see the business that is done on earth, even though one sees no sleep day or night, 17 then I saw all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun. For though a man labors to discover it, yet he will not find it; moreover, though a wise man attempts to know it, he will not be able to find it.

It’s humbling to think, if I were to go back to college full time now, at 30 years old, and attend full time continually until I passed away at 80 years old, I would only possess a fraction of the knowledge available to the people of this earth. And if you took all the knowledge of this earth, it is but a small fraction to the knowledge God possesses. I’m not sure there is a better argument against the belief that we are all "little gods", because it doesn’t matter what we do we can’t know all the works that God does under the son, we cannot know it all.

So what does it all mean, as he often does Solomon leaves us on rather depressing notes, yet there is a great upside to all of this, because although we can never know it all, we can have someone on our side that does? When we repent of our sins, and accept Jesus Christ into our lives we open up a line of communication with the Creator of the universe, the One who does know it all. And He wants us to do just that, He wants us to come to him with all situations. James: 1:5-6 tells us:

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.

The one with all of the wisdom wants us to come to Him for it. Yet He wants us to ask in faith, He wants us to believe in Him, to follow Him, and believe that He can do what we ask.

Today lets look to the Lord, we can’t know it all, nor should we, Do you have an important decision to make today, ask God. Facing a problem today, ask God. Are you lost in this life not knowing where to go, ask God. Let’s look to the Lord today, and stop leaning on our own earthly abilities.

Life is Fair

                                     Ecclesiastes 8:14-15

"There is something else meaningless that occurs on earth:  righteous men who get what the wicked deserve, and wicked men who get what the righteous deserve.  This too I say is meaningless.  So I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad.  The joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under the sun."

Isn't it amazing to think that Solomon the wise, had the same thoughts that you and I have had!  I am sure we have all said this very thing "It just isn't fair!"  It seems you are doing things right, you are honest, dependable, hardworking, and yet your obnoxious, lying, cheating, corner cutting, lazy co-worker gets the promotion.  You're faithful at attending worship each week, you read and pray daily, you don't gossip, you always volunteer, and you are just squeaking by in life, and  the backstabbing, gossip, who attends church only when they need a juicy update on a church member is rolling in the cash!

I remember growing up I was faced with this thought that life isn't fair, and I went looking for advice from my parents as children do, and the answer I received really didn't help me, although it was partially true.   "Son life isn't fair so get used to it"  common advice from not only my parents but probably yours as well. 

Really life being fair is all based on how we define "life".    If you define life as the short amount of time we are stuck in these mortal bodies living here in a world filled with sin and corruption then you are right in saying that life is not fair.  However I encourage you to take a Biblical view on life.  Our lives are not only our time on earth our life is eternity as well.  The Bible never talks about once our bodies die, we have another life, instead life continues.  Although our bodies will die and pass away, our souls will simply move on to one of two options.  Heaven or hell, not wondering on this earth because you have unfinished business, or haunting someone for moving into your house, or any other wacky ideas about becoming a cow, or a bug.

If we use that definition of life, which is God's definition than life is fair.    In the parable of the Sheep and the Goats Jesus speaks very clearly of this.  in this parable (short story used to explain something else)  Jesus is speaking about judgment for our actions.  Jesus closes the parable with these words:

"He will reply, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me." Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life." (Matthew 25:45-46)

So the unrighteous sent away to eternal punishment (Hell)  the righteous, those who had  been made right in the eyes of God  through Jesus Christ, went to eternal life (heaven).  You see the short time you spend here on earth may be deceivingly unfair, however the righteous, and the unrighteous will be judged fairly and will reap whatever reward or punishment they have coming.

Action step for today:

Lift your head, stand up straight and enjoy your life as Solomon said.  Regardless of the injustice that is taking place all around you.  Keep in mind that life is not only our short years on earth but it is eternity, and if you have been made righteous through the blood of Jesus Christ, then rest assured that Jesus Christ is Fair, and Jesus said "I am the way the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)

If Jesus is Life, you can be sure that LIFE IS FAIR!

To Fear or Not to Fear

Read Ecclesiastes 8:10-13

A healthy fear of the Lord is not often talked about in today’s Church. But here again the preacher (Solomon) leads us to those thoughts. Let’s take a look at the second part of today’s passage, verses 12-13.

12 Though a sinner does evil a hundred times, and his days are prolonged, yet I surely know that it will be well with those who fear God, who fear before Him. 13 But it will not be well with the wicked; nor will he prolong his days, which are as a shadow, because he does not fear before God.

We see here in this short passage two truths that we would be wise to remember.

1. It will be well for those who fear God.

2. It will not be well for the wicked who do not fear God

Now before I go further by the term fear is often mistaken. Fear is not speaking of running around the house screaming, nor is it talking about huddling in the corner. What it is talking about is a respect and a sense of awe and wonder when it comes to the Lord. Realizing as my dad would say, The Lord brought us into this world, and he can take us out.

Today we don’t like to talk about a having a fear of the Lord. We like to view God as loving, caring, merciful, and tender. We like the God who forgave David, but not the One who destroyed Sodom. We remember Jesus as telling the little children to come to him, and not Jesus tearing through the temple. And in pacifying God in our own minds, so gone is that fear of the Lord. Instead even Christians will watch television that mocks our savior; we refer to Christ with terms like buddy, pal, and homeboy. And we are concerned more about what we think of worship, then what God thinks.

Yet the scripture paints a different picture of what we are called to do with the fear of the Lord.

Deuteronomy 6:13 - You shall fear the LORD your God and serve Him, and shall take oaths in His name.

Proverbs 9:10 - The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
      And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

2 Corinthians 7:1 - Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

From Moses to Paul and many of the men in-between, the fear of the Lord has been a topic covered throughout the ages. God has a plan for each of us, and although He does love us and care about us. He also wants us to love him, and stand in awe of what He has done. He wants us to have a reverence towards Him, and He wants us to worship Him.

Action Points:

1. Do we have a healthy fear of the Lord, then let us continue, and not be swayed by the propaganda of the world.

2. Do we not have a healthy fear of the Lord, lets strive to change our point of view.

Following the Leader

Read Ecclesiastes 8:1-9

Following our leaders, respecting our leaders, and obeying our leaders; truly a lost art in today’s America. In America where we create cartoons, TV shows, and music - all to mock our country’s leaders. Many people (both Republican and Democrat) hold little or no loyalty to our country's President. Nor do we like to have to abide by the laws our country makes. And if we pause for a moment, how often do we break laws we just plain don’t like (speed limits, seat belt laws, etc)?

Speaking of laws we just don’t like, I have actually spoken to Christians (who I respect very much) who feel completely justified in breaking laws they disagree with, saying that they never voted for the law in the first place. Or Christians who say as long as I’m not violating God’s law directly, I’m okay. Yet that belief is far from what we are taught in the Word of God. Romans 13:1-7 says:

"1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. 4 For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. 5 Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor."

Paul and Solomon see eye to eye on this issue. We need to obey those in authority over us. And we must do this thing, because God has placed our leaders over us. This is an intresting thought as we go into an election year. An election year where we will be looking at and choosing between two very flawed men. Yet in less then four months time, we will be calling Barack Obama or John McCain "Mr. President". And although we may not agree with them, or like them, or hate every decision they make, it is our God given duty to follow them.

Action Points

1. As Christians, let us stand out as men and women who honor are leaders. We have the legal rights to speak out if they do something we don’t like, but let’s be careful how we do even that. Let us not mock, slander or tear down those men and women whom God places in positions of honor.

2. Let's ask ourselves the question. Are we ready to stand for God’s law at all costs?

No Easy Road

Ecclesiastes 7:29 "This only have I found: God made mankind upright,  but men have gone in search of many schemes."

Well back to Ecclesiastes.  I apologize for our delay through the book of Ecclesiastes, I guess we needed  to take some time to ponder wisdom and folly (ha ha).  Today we are going to jump ahead a few verses and finish chapter 7.  What a great statement Solomon makes at the end of the chapter.  In all his searching, all his seeking, this only did he find.  Let me paraphrase, "God made people good, but we have messed it all up."

What does this mean to us?  Well I don't think you would have to look very far to find all kind of schemes.  Turn on your TV any late night and you can find all kinds of get rich quick schemes, and weight loss schemes, and cure your disease, by eating  tomatoes schemes.  My personal favorites are when you see a person in peak physical condition walking on a treadmill, and you can have a body like that too!

Unfortunately those claiming to be followers of Christ are quick to develop shcemes as well.  The prosperity Gospel, Seeker Friendly, Emergent.  The dictionary definition of Scheme is this  "A secret or devious plan; a plot."  All of these we have just discussed fall perfectly into this definition.

Have you ever stopped and wondered why?  Why so many schemes?  Well I will give you a quick and clear answer.  You may not like it but it is the TRUTH.  Being a Christian takes work, and overall people are lazy!  Don't stop reading, give me a minute, before you log off and remove us from your favorites. (like anyone has us as favorites LOL) 

Look at the secular schemes, lose weight by taking pill, get rich without working, and on and on.  None of these require any effort on the part of the person.  I can make $600,000 a month working part time from my home.  NO YOU CAN'T!  You can lose 250 pounds by taking this pill before you eat 6 plates at the buffet.  NO YOU CAN'T!

"Jesus wants you to be rich just start speaking to your wallet, say 'You big fat wallet, full of money' and it will be so"  NO IT WON'T  "Just ask Jesus to fill the God shaped hole in your heart and you will find what you searching for" NO YOU WON'T!  "You will offend people if you preach sin, you should preach grace and love"  WRONG!!!!!!

Jesus may want you to be rich, but he may want you to earn your keep as a tent maker while you preach the Word for free.  (The Apostle Paul)  If there is a hole in your heart, you should go to the doctor!  And the Scripture says, "no one seeks after God, no not one, all have turned away"  So if your lost your not seaching for God, He is searching for you!  If you don't preach sin then you can't preach repentance, and if people don't repent they cannot be saved!.  After Peter preached at Pentecost,the people cried out, "what shall we do?"  Peter replied "Repent and be Baptized everyone one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins." (Acts 2:38)

Stop seeking schemes, and follow what the Word of God says!  Stop following the false teachers of today, and understand, that if you want to be a Christian, you must deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Him.  We are saved by faith, so no man can boast, however Paul said in Acts, to "prove your repentance with your deeds" 

Action step for today.

Evaluate what you are following.  I heard a statement along time ago, and it makes pretty good sense.  "If your a believer and are not doing anything for Christ, Satan will leave you alone, because he has already defeated you.  However the enemy attacks, when we are moving forward!"  If your life is just sailing along, without conviction of sin, attacks from Satan, and testing, and trials from the Almighty God, you better stop seeking schemes, and follow what the Word says!

You know what?  Life is hard, Jesus said "In this world you will face troubles, but take heart, I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD!"  Stop messing it up by trying to make it easy!

Great Song For Today!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6e-8WpUj04

Sticks and Stones

Today's passage: Ecclesiastes 7:21-22

21 Also do not take to heart everything people say,
      Lest you hear your servant cursing you.
22 For many times, also, your own heart has known
      That even you have cursed others.

"Sticks and Stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me." "I'm rubber your glue, whatever you say bounces of me and sticks to you." Or my personal favorite "I know you are but what am I." Now to be honest I'm not sure if any of these sayings of my youth are still used today, but in there time they were the most powerful way to fight of "mean" words from ones classmates. In the end however those words still hurt.

Even as adults it's still tough to take personal attacks on your character. The tongue is one of the fiercest weapons we have available to us. James says this about the tongue in chapter 3 verse 8 "But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison." So the tongue is evil, its words can cause damage like poison. You may still remember to this day something someone said to you years ago. The tongue breaks up friendships, breaks up marriages, and leaves people bitter enemies by the time its all said and done.

The tongue is not just a problem today. We see even in Solomon's day people were hurt by the cutting things people said about them. And Solomon as he is offering wisdom on everything under the sun, offer's wisdom on this as well, telling us simply, to let it go. He doesn't tell us to talk it out, he doesn't tell us to get even, were not told to send the negative words right back at them, he advises us to just let it go. And why should we let it go? Because we've done the same thing.

Even if you don't make a habit of it, at some point in your lives we have all said something bad about someone else. And if we somehow haven't, we have at least thought it. We are all guilty as well Solomon tells us, so just let it go. It may not be easy, it may not be pleasant, but its time to let it go.

Application:
1. Are you still holding a grudge because of something someone said about you years ago? Do you still feel emotional pain when we think of something someone else has said about you? Perhaps something said about you is still sending your life is a bad direction today. Let me encourage you to let it go.

2. James continues with his thoughts on the tongue in verses 10-12 which state: "10 Out of the same mouth precede blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh." Is this true with you, do you continue speak badly towards those around you. Do you speak badly about people behind their backs? Let me encourage you to change today. Repent and ask for the Lords help in taming your tongue.